Best Toddler Toys for Airplane Travel
Best Toddler Toys for Airplane Travel
Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Plane Toys for a 2-Year-Old
Why the Right Plane Toys Matter
Traveling with young children on an airport for a long way—or even a short haul—can be both magical and chaotic. Packing perfect travel toys that fit in your carry-on bag and keep tiny hands busy is a great idea. Especially during that long flight, the tray table becomes your best friend (and sometimes your only play area). Choosing best plane toys that support fine motor skills, imaginative play, and minimal screen time can be a game changer.
What Makes a Toy a Great Plane Toy?
Here are some key features to look for when selecting the right toys:
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Compact & quiet – No noisy distractions for other passengers who may be bothered by it.
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Fine motor development – Think of busy boards, reusable sticker books, or magnetic drawing boards to boost fine motor skills while they play.
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Minimal small pieces – Avoid small parts to prevent choking hazards or having to lean down in tight spots to find the missing piece.
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Versatile & reusable – Busy book formats and reusable stickers offer different sets of activities, becoming a huge hit with little ones again and again. After an hour or so goes by, you can pull that same toy back out!
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Lightweight & flexible – Stuff them into your diaper bag or carry-on bag effortlessly.
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Fresh yet familiar – A mix of new toys plus a favorite airplane toy maintains novelty without overwhelm.
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Screen-free – Especially helpful if you want to reduce screen time and keep them engaged with something tactile.
Some of our Top Favorites:
- Pull‑Back Plane Playset (12 pieces)
A batch of lightweight pull-back jets and planes that zoom across your tray table. No batteries = less hassle mid-flight. Compact enough for the carry-on bag. Excellent for little kids (ages 1+) who love movement.
- Fidget Spinners
These are suction toys – you can stick them to the window or tray in front of your child to keep them busy and entertained on the plane. The fast spinning will captivate them and keep them so busy.
- Melissa & Doug Soft Activity Peekaboo Book
A busy book that’s cloth-based, machine washable, and stimulating. With crinkling textures, squeaks, and lift-the-flap surprises, it supports fine motor coordination and imaginative play. Perfect for a first flight or road trip.
- Fat Brain Dimpl Toy
An exciting kid’s toy providing endless pushing, poking and popping fun with its colourful dimpl bubbles just waiting to be explored!
- Melissa & Doug Water Wow Activity Book
A compact coloring set using a simple water paintbrush where coloring reveals hidden designs. Simply fill the little brush with water form your water bottle. It’s a perfect travel toy that resists more screen time, and it’s ideal for holding your toddler’s attention on a long flight.
- Fisher Price Flap books
All of my 5 kids have loved the Fisher Price flap books. There’s something exciting about lifting that little flap to see what’s hidden beneath!
- Reusable sticker books
There is something about little fingers concentrating so hard to peel a sticker. It keeps them busy for hours! These stickers can be used over and over.
- Portable doodle boards / magnetic drawing boards
Drawing without the mess, great for hand-eye coordination and will occupy the child during plane rides or hour flights.
- Busy books
The colours, textures, shapes, themes and built-in accessories (such as zips and laces) are sure to capture your children’s interest. These are ideal for keeping hands busy without requiring much space.
- Wooden lacing cheese toy
Helps with fine motor skills, compact, and quiet. Not to mention, its just so cute.
Packing Strategies for Plane Travel
| Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Mix “old favorites” with “new toys” | The familiar toys will help maintain a sense of calmness, and the new toys will ignite an excitement for the trip. |
| Use a small pouch inside your diaper bag/carry-on bag | Keeps toys organized and easily accessible during a long flight or road trip. |
| Rotate toys every 20–30 minutes | Changing focus keeps toddlers engaged and prevents boredom. |
| Include an activity tray or lap desk | The tray table can become a play area when flat and accessible. |
| Set expectations gently | Tell them the next flight, long journey, or plane rides will involve these fun activities. That sense of routine helps. |
Pro Tips for Travel with a Toddler
- Limit screen time to strategic moments—like during boarding or nap time.
- Choose good quality toys that withstand drops, spills, and repeated use.
- Be mindful of small parts—especially with younger children. Avoid anything easily detachable.
- Use toys as a “game changer” distraction during turbulence, queueing, or long lines.
Flying with small children doesn’t have to mean toys scattered everywhere or non-stop content on a screen. With intentional packing, toys tailored for tiny hands, and a bit of rotation, even a long haul can feel smoother—for everyone.
May your next family trip, first flight, or road trip be full of delightful discoveries, quiet engagement, and little kids happily busy at play.
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