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Picking the right travel toys is a bit of a science: they can’t be too loud and bother your airplane seatmates; they need to squeeze in a carry-on amongst all your other baby essentials; they can’t be too tiny or valuable, since losing them in between the seats is highly likely; and they can’t be too messy (handing over markers to a 15-month-old is a disaster waiting to happen). Thankfully, there are plenty of airplane-friendly entertainment options out there, and I’ve tracked down the 40 best travel toys for babies to preschoolers.

For younger babies, feel free to bring a book or small toy, but there’s no need to overpack your bag with entertainment options. They’ll probably be just as content with the plane’s safety information card, plastic cups or opening and closing the window shade.

Note: I’ve listed these items according to the manufacturer’s recommended age guidelines. Of course, child development in little ones varies greatly. You may feel your child is ready for some of these toys sooner or even later than recommended.

Newborn and up

1. Slumber Sloth by Slumberkins 

2. WubbaNub infant pacifier

3. Peek-a-boo Forest book by Lamaze

4. Texture puzzle by Imagination Generation

5. Stack up cups by The First Years
6. MAMMA KIDDIE soft activity book

7. Soft quiet book by Beiens

8. Sophie the Giraffe teether by Vulli

10 months and up

9. Oombee cube sorter

10. Ocean squirts bath toy by Munchkin

12 months and up

11. Mighty dinosaurs touch and feel puzzle by Mudpuppy
12. Buckle toy

15 months and up

13. Kids travel pack by Little Traveler Toys

14. Chair yoga flash cards by Little Traveler Toys

2 and up

15. Little Giraffe: finger puppet book

16. French/English my first puzzle pairs by Mudpuppy17. Airplane Flight: a lift-the-flap adventure board book

18. Winnie the Pooh hand puppets by Melissa and Doug

19. Learn to dress board by Yoovi

3 and up

20. My ABCs flash cards by Mudpuppy

21. The World of Eric Carle blocks puzzle by Mudpuppy
22. WikkiStix traveler playset

23. Funny faces reusable sticker book

24. Wipe clean learning books

25. Travel tangram puzzle

26. Bath letters and numbers by Munchkin

27. Dog and puppies flexible gel clings

28. Mickey Mouse magnetic zoo by Disney

29. Lace and Trace by Melissa and Doug

30. Water Wow! activity pad by Melissa and Doug

31. Take ‘N’ Play Anywhere – Matching

32. Color Wonder mess free coloring by Crayola

33. Puzzle to go – New York City by Mudpuppy

34. Felt play food sandwich set by Melissa and Doug

35. Doodlepro by Fisher Price

4 and up

36. Build your own cupcake sticker activity book

37. Felt friends stickers by Melissa and Doug

38. Reusable puffy sticker activity book by Melissa and Doug

39. Playmobil bunny barn carry case

40. Polly Pocket big pocket world