From mini magna-tiles and reusable scented water books to a favourite retro fidget toy, here are 12 toddler-tested travel toys that help keep the peace while putting boredom at bay. Make time fly (even in traffic).
Montessori Busy Board For Children, Tiny Wonders, £19.90
For a meltdown-free journey, pack this foldable favourite. It has zippers, buttons, buckles and puzzles galore; the ideal combo for travelling toddlers with the fidgets. Buy here.
Flipjoy, Jackies Kids, £24.90
A delightful distraction for curious fingers! Little people flip, slide, push and spin their way through this clever multi-sensory board. Buy here.
Magna-Tiles Micromags Travel Set, £19.99
The cult favourite goes mini. These scaled-down magnetic tiles are perfect for building structures on the go – especially when paired with metal surfaces in airports or hotels. Buy here.
Toddlers Tablet, Montessori Toddlers, £14.90
Not an iPad – but still captivating. Toddlers doodle to their hearts’ content on the smooth surface of this tablet, then wipe clean and start again. It’s a bestseller for good reason. Buy here.
Toddlers Colour & Number Maze, Montessori Toddlers, £39
Toddlers guide magnetic balls through the lightweight wooden maze using a wand. This travel toy is a quiet triumph of early learning of numbers and motor skills. Buy here.
Travel Art Set, Jaques London, £14.99
Designed for drawing on the go, this portable sketch book wipes clean after every masterpiece. It has six double-sided pages and eight pens. Buy here.
Sensory Pop Toy, Moonkie, £8
Satisfying to squish, this butterfly-shaped popper is calming for fidgety and overstimulated toddlers. And their parents. Buy here.
Four Magic Snake Puzzles, Baker Ross £3.95
This retro puzzle is as pleasing now as it was in the Eighties. The twistable snakes are said to improve hand-eye coordination and reduce stress. Buy here.
IQ Octopus Puzzle, Flying Tiger, £3
Anytime, anywhere – tiny hands love tackling this travel-sized colour-sorting toy. Just clip it to a bag and let the impromptu fun begin wherever you go. Buy here.
Melissa & Doug Water WOW! Scented Fruit Book, John Lewis, £7.99
Invisible ink or wet brush books are a mess-free marvel. Just fill the pen with water and ‘paint’ the page to reveal colours, patterns and scents. Let it dry, and repeat. Buy here.
WikkiStix BrainBox Rainbow Pack Games, Amazon, £9.48
Think pipe cleaners, reimagined. These wax-coated sticks bend into all manner of shapes and stick to smooth surfaces – fun for windows, lunchboxes or plane trays. Buy here.
Enchanted Magnetic Play Tin, Imogen Ruby, £11
Perfect for travel, these whimsical magnetic playsets come in a compact tin that’s easy to toss into your bag. Unlike stickers, the pieces are reusable offering endless fun. Buy here.
