Going into a flight with a baby is sort of like walking into The Reaping.
You don’t know whether it’ll be The Hunger Games for you, or just another eventful afternoon.
At least there’s the fact that you don’t have a toddler yet, but there’s still the issue of “omg what if my baby cries the entire flight?!”. Bringing along the right toys when you’re traveling with your baby can mean the difference between having an awesome trip and a pounding headache.
You need to have toys that are going to keep your baby entertained for more than five minutes. Toys like these are usually ones that will pique their curiosity and stimulate their senses.
Keep in mind that best baby toy for traveling is one that is new to your baby… but not so new that your baby rejects it.
What to Look for in Baby Travel Toys
As you start searching for toys to pack, keep the following things in mind so that you’re not wasting your time and money.
- Size
Look, I know wooden toys are all the rage right now. And they’re great and all, but they’re not exactly portable.
If you’re taking a road trip, you may have some wiggle room, but you still don’t want to go too big. Choose toys that will easily fit in your baby’s hand and your bag without being too clunky.
- Simplicity
Travel time is not the time to introduce your baby to the world of puzzles or other toys that have too many pieces. They might not be safe for your baby and they’re going to be a pain for you to keep tabs on.
Opt for toys that are compact; better yet choose toys that only have one piece. This way your baby can hold on to it and it also won’t take up too much room.
- Bright & Fun
Toys that are bright grab babies attention and keep it. If the toy is bright and does something like play music or rattle, even better.
Just a quick word of warning, too:
You may not want to bring your baby’s favorite toy on your trip. When you travel, you run the risk of leaving something behind, or the toy getting lost or stolen. If it’s truly special, I’d just leave it at home.
Here’s our list of toys that check the above boxes.
#1
Sensory Teether Activity Toy by Newsfana
Why we love it: It’s a two-fer because your baby can play with it and use it as a teether.
Teething and travel are not BFFs for babies (or you. Especially you). But, this Sensory Teether Activity Toy can help because it can soothe sore gums.
When your baby isn't using it as a teether, he can play with the ridges around it. Be sure to bring something to clean it since you may not be able to wash it off when you’re on the go.
Pros
Cons
Why we love it: It’s small, colorful, and has lots of bells and whistles.
Babies get bored quickly so you need to bring a toy that has a lot of tricks. This toy has rattles, squeaker toys, little loops, and a surprise when baby lifts the nose. They’ll discover a tiny mirror that should keep them occupied for a while.
Pros
Cons
Why we love it: It’s a band right in your baby’s hand.
This toy is great for a road trip, but may not be the best for the plane because it makes noise. Your baby can “play” the drums, piano, or guitar with this musical toy and get a kick out of seeing his reflection in the tiny mirror.
Did we mention it also lights up? Don’t forget to bring extra batteries or this toy can backfire on you.
Pros
Cons
Why we love it: It’s a simple, yet entertaining baby toy. Not every cool toy needs a battery.
This toy is basically five vibrant silicone bubbles built into a plastic frame. Babies can push them in and out, poke them, grab them, lick them, whatever they want. This toy is 100% BPA free, so you don’t have to worry.
Pros
Cons
Why we love it: It has a curious look and it’s a two-fer toy.
One look at this toy and you know your baby will be intrigued. It even grabs adults’ attention with all of its twists and turns.
This toy is also a teether, which makes it a great addition to your travel toy collection. There’s another bonus because the middle piece is actually a rattle.
Pros
Cons
Why we love it: Any time you can make learning fun, you have a keeper.
This is a good toy to bring if you’re going on a long flight because there is a ton for your baby to do. From learning colors to the names of objects, your baby is going to learn a few things by the time you get to your destination. You can play with it with your baby to get in extra bonding time too. There’s even a little teether on it.
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Why we love it: Any baby toy that has the word “quiet” in it, is a winner.
This toy was made for travel because it not only zips up but there are no loose pieces. Everything fits perfectly inside the book when you zip it up. Inside, your baby can learn about shapes and everyday things like shoelaces and buttons. Plus, it’s soft so they won’t get hurt.
Pros
Cons
Why we love it: Babies are known to fidget, so why not give them a cube to keep them busy?
This inexpensive toy is a winner because your baby can constantly turn it around to find a new activity when he gets bored. There are little rubber buttons to push, rollers to spin, and even a little rubber joystick. It’s small enough for baby to hold and to throw in your travel bag.
Pros
Cons
Always, always introduce the new toys to your baby before taking off. I don’t know about your kid, but when Poppy was still under a year old, we never knew what she’d attach to, and the last thing we wanted to do is to pack a bunch of new toys she refused to play with (or, chew on more accurately). There’s only room for one or two toys on the baby packing list!
