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Best Toddler Toys for Airplane Travel

Between the long wait times before even getting on board, and keeping them happy, seated and well-behaved throughout the flight, there’s no questioning why parents are often left feeling exhausted by the very thought of flying with toddlers. But hear me out, because it isn’t all bad!

Traveling with toddlers creates lots of unique learning opportunities, helps them be more adaptable and creates tons of precious memories that last a lifetime. But how do you make the challenging parts of traveling with toddlers more manageable, and even more enjoyable? Well, a little planning can go a long way, and so can the right toddler travel essentials and expertly selected toddler travel toys for airplanes. 

Anyone who has spent any time with a toddler knows that one thing they do not do is sit still, and there’s no amount of convincing (read: pleading) that can get them to. This is actually precisely what makes this age group so challenging to handle on flights and other confined spaces for prolonged periods of time, over others.

However, all this really means is that the toys you choose for them have to be especially engaging. They should also be small, so you can pack a few and rotate between them.

image of best toddler travel toys for airplane

Plus, if you think about it, this is a wonderful opportunity for some one-on-one time with your toddler. One of the greatest advantages of traveling by plane is that you get to sit next to your tot the whole time; nothing and nobody can ever be as entertaining to your little one as their favorite playmate! And after all that playing, who knows, you might just get your toddler to sleep on the plane! (An airplane toddler bed helps with this too!)

When choosing the toddler travel toys themselves, just remember that they need to be light and compact enough to fit in your carry-on or your toddlers travel backpack. They should also be easy to carry, take out and put away quickly, and durable enough to handle the rigors of travel. Bonus points, of course, if they have an educational aspect to them!

Don’t miss our toddler carry on packing list (with printable)!

image of toddler walking in airport with toddler carry-on

We know, it’s a tall order. But don’t fret, because we have a specially curated list of our favorite airplane travel toys for toddlers to simplify all of this into just a handful of must-haves. We also have a ton more options in our toddler airplane activities and our screen-free toddler travel toys.

Keep reading to learn how a few toddler toys for airplane travel can make all the difference, and get ready to have some of the best vacations with your toddler in all the best places!

carry on items when flying with a toddler

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Toddler Travel Toys for the Airplane

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Best Airplane Travel Toys for Toddlers