Gone are the days of getting on a plane and settling in for a movie and a nap while you wait for your meal. Travelling with little kids (especially the wee ones under 5!) can incite parental dread about how you’re going to keep them entertained, actually enjoy your trip and stay within your baggage limit.
Packing the right toys can mean the difference between happy little vegemites and a mid-flight meltdown. The secret isn’t packing more, it’s packing smarter. The best travel toys are compact, mess-free, engaging, and versatile enough to hold attention for longer than five minutes.
Plus, you also deserve small pockets of sanity and breathing room don’t you?. A few extra minutes to sip your coffee while it’s still warm, to enjoy a quiet moment on a flight, or to simply not feel “on” every second of the day.
Here’s a thoughtfully curated guide to the best travel toys for young kids to consider beyond packing screens.
Reusable Creativity: Born Bizzy Silicone Drawing Mats
If you’re looking for a travel activity that ticks every box, reusable colouring mats are hard to beat. Products like reusable silicone drawing mats are a standout because they give kids a creative outlet without the mess.
Made from food-grade silicone, they are extremely durable and can be wiped clean in seconds with just water meaning kids can colour, erase, and then go again.
The reverse side is blank so when they’ve finished colouring in, flip the mat and let them free draw, practice writing their name or play a game of Noughts and Crosses. No paper scraps, no sticky residue to worry about and it will fit neatly on the aeroplane tray table.
Once you reach your destination, bring them along to make meal times easier and for some quiet time at your accommodation in between activities and sightseeing.
Why they work so well:
- Lightweight and foldable
- Encourage independent, screen-free play
- Perfect for planes, restaurants, and car rides
- Mess-free (a lifesaver when travelling)
Swap Books for Audio: Yoto Players
Instead of packing a stack of bulky books, many parents now opt for the Yoto Player or its smaller sibling, the Yoto Mini. These clever devices use physical cards to play audiobooks, music, and podcasts, giving kids independence to choose what they like by switching the cards and keeping them entertained for hours. They’re ideal for winding down at bedtime when you’re away from home. Why they’re a travel game-changer:
- Compact and durable for on-the-go use
- Offer screen-free entertainment, reducing overstimulation
- Can store hundreds of hours of audio for offline listening
- Long battery life - ideal for flights and road trips
Pocket-Sized Fun: Card Games Like Uno
Never underestimate the power of a simple card game. Classics like Uno or newer games like Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza are perfect for kids aged 3–6 (with simplified rules) and kids never seem to tire of playing! They’re lightweight and incredibly versatile - ideal for downtime at airports, cafés or at your accommodation. For younger siblings, use the deck to play a simple game of Snap if they can’t quite grasp the rules of trickier games. Why they deserve a spot in your luggage:
- Encourage social interaction and turn-taking
- Easy to learn and replay endlessly
- Fit into any backpack or handbag
- No batteries required (a huge bonus)
The best travel toys for kids aged 3–6 share a few key traits: they’re portable, reusable, and engaging without being overwhelming or taking up precious luggage space.
Travelling with young kids isn’t always the dreamy, picture-perfect experience social media makes it out to be. It can be exhausting, unpredictable, and at times overwhelming because parenting doesn’t pause just because you’re on holiday.
You’re still managing snacks, meltdowns, boredom, and the constant juggle of keeping little humans happy in unfamiliar places. And that’s exactly why tactical preparation and packing the right travel toys matter so much.
Because you deserve a holiday too. So if a simple colouring activity buys you 20 minutes of peace, or a Yoto story helps everyone reset after a long day, take it. That’s not just good planning, it’s survival (and sanity).