Summer is right around the corner, and that means family vacations, road trips, and plane rides are on the horizon! For families traveling with toddlers, keeping little hands busy and minds engaged is essential—especially in tight spaces like cars or airplanes.
As a pediatric therapy company, we know how important play is for a child’s development, even on the go. That’s why we’ve curated a list of our favorite travel-friendly toys that are not only fun but also support fine motor skills, sensory input, creativity, and more!
Here are our top In-Flight Travel Ideas for Toddlers this summer:
🎨 Creative Play
- Reusable Sticker Pads – Great for storytelling and imagination, and they’re easy to peel off and reposition.
- Magnetic Puzzles – No loose pieces to lose mid-flight, and they help with problem-solving and spatial awareness.
- Fun-Shaped Crayons – Prevents rolling around the tray table, plus they’re perfect for little hands.
- Sketch Pad or Writing Tablet– Or plain computer paper. Encourage your child’s inner artist while developing fine motor coordination.
- Mess-Free Touch-Lights Drawing Pad – (Image A) Lights up with just a touch, no mess, no stress!
- Water Wow Pad & Pen – Just add water for hours of reusable, color-revealing fun.
🎧 Screen Time, the Smart Way
- Headphones with Tablet – Download a few favorite shows (prior to travel) or learning apps to make the time fly by. Don’t forget volume-limiting headphones!
🧲 Tactile & Sensory Fun
- Suction Toys (Squigz) – (Image B) Stick them to windows, tray tables, or each other for endless building fun.
- Sensory Toys / Fidgets – Great for calming nerves and keeping little fingers busy.
- Pop Its – (Image C) The ever-popular toy that provides satisfying sensory feedback.
- Poke-a-Dot Books – (Image D) These interactive books combine reading and popping for a multi-sensory experience.
- Finger Puppets – Create stories and engage in pretend play—perfect for screen-free moments.
- Window Clings – Let your little one decorate their airplane or car window (and easily peel them off later!).
🤹♂️ Fine Motor Skills on the Fly
- Fastener Toys – Toys with zippers, buttons, and buckles help with dexterity and independence.
- Etch and Sketch – A no-mess way to doodle and erase over and over again.
- Play Dough – Bring a small, contained amount for squishing and sculpting (great for sensory input!).
- Wikki Stix or Pipe Cleaners – Bend, twist, and shape into animals, letters, or anything your child imagines. Wikki sticks can also stick to the tray tables on the plane.
- Bristle Blocks – Soft, interlocking blocks that are easy to grasp and build with.
- Pop Tubes – Stretch, bend, and listen to them pop—great for auditory and tactile feedback. Warning: May not be the best for planes.
🍿 Don’t Forget the Snacks!
- Healthy Travel Snacks – A well-timed snack can save the day. Bring a variety of easy-to-pack options that don’t make a mess. Our favorites are pretzel sticks, fruit snacks, peanut butter or cheese crackers, yogurt or applesauce pouches, and veggie straws.
Pro Tip: Pack these toys in a small backpack your child can carry on their own. Letting them “own” their travel activities makes them even more excited to play independently.
Whether your summer plans include planes, trains, or road trips, this list is packed with therapist-recommended ways to keep your toddler happy, engaged, and learning on the go.
Safe travels and happy playing! 💼👶🌍
Submitted by: Michelle Pierce, APT Occupational Therapist – Fountain City, TN clinic