Travel Toys for Toddlers in the Car: Keep Your Kids Entertained on Long Drives

Traveling with toddlers can be a daunting task, especially when it involves long car rides. Keeping them entertained and distracted is key to a peaceful journey. This is where travel toys for toddlers in the car come in handy. These toys are designed to keep your little ones occupied during the trip, making the ride more enjoyable for everyone.

When it comes to purchasing travel toys for toddlers in the car, it’s important to consider a few factors. First and foremost, it should be age-appropriate and safe for your child. The size of the toy should also be considered, as it should be small enough to fit in the car and not take up too much space. Additionally, the toy should be easy to clean and durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of travel.

At our publication, we’ve spent countless hours researching and testing various travel toys for toddlers in the car to determine the best options on the market. From interactive books and magnetic drawing boards to activity trays and sensory toys, we’ve identified the top picks that will keep your little ones engaged and happy during your next road trip.

Best Travel Toys for Toddlers in the Car

We know how challenging it can be to keep toddlers entertained on long car rides. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best travel toys for toddlers in the car. These toys are not only fun and engaging but also safe and durable. We’ve tested and researched extensively to bring you the top picks that will keep your little ones happy and occupied during those long car rides. Check out our list below.

Bluey Magnetic Playset

If you’re looking for a fun and engaging toy to keep your little ones entertained during long car rides, the Bluey Magnetic Playset is a great option.

Specs

• Includes 75 magnetic punch-out characters and accessories
• Comes with a tin storage container for organization and play space
• The set includes 1 tin storage container, 1 magnetic punch-out sheet, and easy-to-follow instructions

We recently purchased the Bluey Magnetic Playset for our 4-year-old daughter, who is a big fan of the show. She absolutely loves playing with the different characters and accessories, and the storage tin makes it easy to keep everything organized and together.

One of the things we love about this toy is how versatile it is. Our daughter enjoys creating her own stories and adventures with the Bluey characters, and the magnetic pieces make it easy for her to mix and match different outfits and accessories.

While the tin case is larger than we expected, we appreciate that it provides plenty of space for our daughter to play and create. The only downside is that the magnets are not very strong, so they may fall off the tin case during bumpy car rides. Additionally, some of the character magnets can be difficult for younger children to punch out on their own.

Overall, we would highly recommend the Bluey Magnetic Playset for any young Bluey fans who are looking for a fun and engaging travel toy.

Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Under the Sea Activity Pad

If you’re looking for a mess-free activity that will keep your toddler entertained while on the go, the Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Under the Sea Activity Pad is a great option.

Pros

• The reusable water pen is easy for toddlers to use and refill, and the pages dry quickly for repeated use.
• The underwater-themed coloring book includes four scenes to color and a search-and-find activity for each scene, promoting fine motor skills, early writing/reading skills, and visual discrimination.
• The compact, spiral-bound format is great for travel, and the chunky-sized pen is designed for smaller hands to easily grasp.

Cons

• The pages may become warped or wrinkled if they are not allowed to dry completely before closing the book.
• Some toddlers may lose interest in the limited number of scenes and activities after repeated use.
• The water pen may leak if it is not properly screwed on, causing potential messes.

We recently used this activity pad on a long car ride, and it kept our toddler entertained for a significant amount of time. The water pen is easy to fill and use, and the pages quickly dry to allow for repeated use. The underwater-themed scenes and search-and-find activities were engaging and helped to promote fine motor skills and early writing/reading skills. The compact size of the book and chunky-sized pen made it easy for our toddler to handle and use on his own.

However, we did notice that the pages can become warped or wrinkled if they are not allowed to dry completely before closing the book. Additionally, some toddlers may lose interest in the limited number of scenes and activities after repeated use. Finally, the water pen may leak if it is not properly screwed on, causing potential messes.

Overall, we would recommend the Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Under the Sea Activity Pad is a great mess-free option for travel toys for toddlers in the car.

Telescopic Suction Cup Giraffe Toy

This is a cute and entertaining toy for toddlers that provides endless fun and sensory stimulation.

Pros

• The toy is made of high-quality plastic and meets American safety standards.
• The giraffe telescopic tube suction cup toy consists of a giraffe trunk and four telescopic leg tubes with suction cups, which can rotate, stretch, and adsorb in any smooth place.
• The toy is versatile and can be used as a fidget toy for anxiety kids, a car seat toy, a window toy, a bath toy, or a party favor for kids.

Cons

• The suction cups do not adhere to every surface, so they may not work as well as expected.
• The material used for the suction cups seems to be inferior and may not hold their shape as originally formed.
• The toy may not be suitable for children under 3 years old.

We recently purchased the Telescopic Suction Cup Giraffe Toy for our toddler, and it has become one of her favorite toys. The toy is made of high-quality plastic and meets American safety standards, making it a safe and durable option for young children. The toy consists of a giraffe trunk and four telescopic leg tubes with suction cups, which can rotate, stretch, and adsorb in any smooth place. Our daughter loves to stretch and rotate the tubes, creating different shapes and pose combinations.

The toy is versatile and can be used as a fidget toy for anxiety kids, a car seat toy, a window toy, a bath toy, or a party favor for kids. However, the suction cups do not adhere to every surface, so it may not work as well as expected. Additionally, the material used for the suction cups seems to be inferior and may not hold their shape as originally formed. It may also not be suitable for children under 3 years old.

Overall, we highly recommend the Telescopic Suction Cup Giraffe Toy for parents looking for an entertaining and safe toy for their toddlers.

Guolely Busy Board Montessori Toy

If you’re looking for an engaging and safe toy for your toddler during long car rides or flights, the Guolely Busy Board Montessori Toy is a great option.

Pros

• The toy features 25 Montessori toddler activities, including zippers, shoelaces, buttons, belt buckles, jigsaw puzzles, alphabet, clocks, and calendar learning games, which will help your child develop fine motor skills, dressing skills, finger dexterity, and cognitive skill.
• The upgraded design of the busy board features more sections and more fun, based on the original basic life skills learning section, and adds the jigsaw puzzle game, the color and shape recognition section, the alphabet section, and clocks & calendar learning games.
• The toy is made of soft felted wool, ABS material, which is soft and safe for your child. All pieces on the busy board are securely fixed, ensuring your child’s safety.

Cons

• Some of the buckles may be too hard for very young children to handle.
• The toy may not be as durable as other options on the market.
• The size of the toy may be too small for some children to comfortably play with.

In our experience, the Guolely Busy Board Montessori Toy is an excellent travel toy for toddlers. It kept our child engaged and entertained during a long car ride, and it’s compact and lightweight, making it easy to pack and take with us on the go. The toy is also an excellent tool for developing fine motor skills, dressing skills, finger dexterity, and cognitive skills.

Overall, we highly recommend the Guolely Busy Board Montessori Toy as a great gift for 1-6-year-old toddlers for Birthdays, Carnival Prizes, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Contest prizes. Surprise your kids with our amazing busy board.

Svance Magnetic Drawing Board for Kids

If you’re looking for a great travel toy for your toddler, the Svance Magnetic Drawing Board is a fantastic option. We highly recommend it for its fun and engaging features that keep kids focused during long car rides or flights.

Pros

• The magnetic beads inside the drawing board are colorful and fun to move around, encouraging kids to use their imaginations and create unique patterns.
• This toy is great for learning colors, counting, and other developmental concepts like fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, cognitive skills, and problem-solving abilities.
• The Svance Magnetic Drawing Board is easy to use with two modes, including free play creation mode or inserting a patterned card to start the focus mode. It’s lightweight and portable, making it perfect for car activities or airplane rides.

Cons

• While the toy is great for younger children, older kids may find it too simple and quickly lose interest.
• The magnetic beads can sometimes fall off the board during play, which can be frustrating for kids.
• The cards that come with the toy can be easily lost or misplaced, so it’s important to keep them in a safe place.

Overall, we think the Svance Magnetic Drawing Board is a great investment for parents who want to keep their kids entertained and engaged during long trips. It’s easy to use, portable, and encourages creativity and learning.

Limpskys Sensory Pop Tubes Fidget Toys for Kids

If you’re looking for a fun and engaging toy for your toddler during car rides, the Limpskys Sensory Pop Tubes Fidget Toys are definitely worth considering.

Pros

• The creative design allows for endless possibilities of shapes and designs, keeping your child entertained for hours.
• The cute animal body ensures safety for your child while playing.
• These pop tubes are perfect for party favors, classroom gifts, and stocking stuffers.

Cons

• The legs of the dog toy can come off easily.
• The tube can be stretched to create a crisp sound, which may be too loud for some parents.
• These pop tubes may not be suitable for children under 3 years old.

We recently purchased these pop tubes for our toddler to play with during car rides, and they have been a hit. The creative design of these toys allows for endless possibilities of shapes and designs, which keeps our children entertained for hours. The cute animal body ensures safety for our child while playing, and we appreciate the durability of the toy.

However, we have noticed that the legs of the dog toy can come off easily, which can be frustrating for both parents and children. Additionally, the tube can be stretched to create a crisp sound, which may be too loud for some parents. Lastly, we would caution that these pop tubes may not be suitable for children under 3 years old, as they can be a choking hazard.

Overall, we highly recommend the Limpskys Sensory Pop Tubes Fidget Toys for Kids. They are perfect for party favors, classroom gifts, and stocking stuffers, and provide endless entertainment for your child during car rides.

Yowlieu Reusable Sticker Books for Kids

We highly recommend the Yowlieu Reusable Sticker Books for Kids because they are a great travel toy for toddlers in the car.

Pros

• The handle design and DIY fun make it easy to carry and perfect for kids on the go.
• The reusable sticker books include 3 beautiful scenes sticker sheets: Zoo Animals, Ocean Animals, and Dinosaur World.
• The corresponding words on the stickers can help kids to learn some simple vocabulary and promote their imagination, creation, and hands-on ability.

Cons

• The animal stickers are not cut out, which can be annoying when traveling with a toddler who wants to use them.
• There are too many pictures on one page, which can be overwhelming for kids.
• The stickers are on the front and then you have to open the book up to stick them, which may not work well for younger kids.

The Yowlieu Reusable Sticker Books for Kids is a durable travel toy made of non-toxic PVC material that is not easy to fade or tear. They are a great way to keep kids entertained and promote learning while on the go. The static stickers can stick onto windows, and smooth surfaces like books, glass, mirrors, and more, bringing lots of fun to your family and daily life.

Overall, the Yowlieu Reusable Sticker Books for Kids are an ideal gift for toddlers aged 2-6 and a great way to keep them entertained and learning while on the go.

Melissa & Doug Puffy Sticker Play Set – On the Farm

If you’re looking for a fun and engaging travel toy for your toddler, the Melissa & Doug Puffy Sticker Play Set – On the Farm is a great option.

Pros

• The reusable puffy stickers are easy to place and remove, making them perfect for little hands to play with.
• The set includes 52 stickers and two fold-out scenes, providing endless opportunities for imaginative play.
• The portable design with a convenient carrying handle makes it easy to take on the go.

Cons

• The adhesive on the stickers may wear down over time, especially if exposed to fluctuating temperatures.
• The stickers may collect particles after extended use.
• The price may be considered a bit high for what you get.

Our toddler loved playing with this sticker set during a recent road trip. The stickers are thick and easy to handle, and the farm-themed scenes were engaging and fun. We appreciated the portable design, which made it easy to take with us on the go. However, we did notice that the adhesive on the stickers tended to wear down after a while, and the stickers collected particles after extended use. Overall, we would recommend this product for parents looking for a fun and engaging travel toy for their little ones.

MIKNEKE Portable Jelly Sticker Quiet Book for Toddlers

If you’re looking for a way to keep your toddler entertained during car rides, the MIKNEKE Portable Jelly Sticker Quiet Book for Toddlers is a great option.

Pros

• The stickers are thick and easy for little fingers to handle.
• The book is portable and can be used on the go.
• The stickers can be removed and reused multiple times.

Cons

• The cardboard pages may not hold up well to rough play.
• Some of the animal names are incorrect.
• The price point may be a bit high for some.

We recently used this book on a long car ride with our toddler and it kept her entertained for quite some time. The stickers are thick and easy for her to handle, which makes it easy for her to use them on her own. The book is also portable, so we were able to take it with us on the go.

One of the best things about this book is that the stickers can be removed and reused multiple times. This made it easy for our toddler to create different scenes with the stickers and kept her engaged with the book for longer periods of time.

However, we did notice that the cardboard pages may not hold up well to rough play. We also found that some of the animal names were incorrect, which could be confusing for older toddlers who are learning the names of animals.

Overall, we would recommend the MIKNEKE Portable Jelly Sticker Quiet Book for Toddlers as a great travel toy for toddlers. While it may have some minor flaws, it’s a fun and engaging way to keep your little one entertained on the go.

My First Crayola Double Doodle Board

If you’re looking for an engaging and mess-free travel toy for your toddler, the My First Crayola Double Doodle Board is a great option.

Pros

• The double-sided design provides twice the fun with a sealed gel surface for mess-free doodling and a reusable drawing surface for use with washable crayons.
• The included triangular crayons are perfect for little hands to grip and help guide proper writing form.
• The compact and sturdy design makes it a great car activity for kids.

Cons

• The colors provided are soft and may leave marks on hands and other surfaces.
• The reverse side of the whiteboard is not as useful as the other side.
• The product may not be as durable as expected.

We recently used the My First Crayola Double Doodle Board on a long car ride with our toddler and found it to be a great way to keep her entertained and engaged. The sealed gel surface allowed her to doodle and play without making a mess, while the reusable drawing surface and triangular crayons provided a fun and creative outlet for her to express herself.

While the colors provided were a bit soft and may leave marks on hands and other surfaces, we found that they were still easily washable and non-toxic. The reverse side of the whiteboard was not as useful as the other side, but overall we were happy with the compact and sturdy design of the product.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a fun and mess-free travel toy for your toddler, the My First Crayola Double Doodle Board is definitely worth considering.

Buying Guide

When it comes to choosing travel toys for toddlers in the car, there are a few things to consider to ensure you get the best product for your child. Here are some features to look for when choosing a travel toy:

Durability

Travel toys for toddlers should be durable and able to withstand rough handling and occasional drops. Look for toys made of sturdy materials that can withstand the wear and tear of travel.

Age Appropriateness

Choose travel toys that are age-appropriate for your child. Toddlers have different developmental needs, and toys that are too advanced or too simple may not hold their attention.

Size

Travel toys should be compact and easy to pack in a bag or suitcase. Look for toys that are small and lightweight, but still provide plenty of entertainment value.

Interactivity

Travel toys that encourage interaction and engagement are ideal for toddlers. Look for toys that allow your child to manipulate, move, and explore, such as puzzles, stacking toys, or sensory toys.

Safety

Safety should always be a top priority when choosing travel toys for toddlers. Look for toys that are free of small parts that could be a choking hazard, and avoid toys with sharp edges or points.

In summary, when choosing travel toys for toddlers in the car, look for toys that are durable, age-appropriate, compact, interactive, and safe. By considering these factors, you can find the perfect travel toy to keep your little one entertained on long car rides.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the best car travel toys for toddlers?

When it comes to car travel toys for toddlers, there are plenty of options to choose from. Some of the best ones include soft toys, board books, magnetic drawing boards, and interactive toys that light up and make sounds.

Which toys are suitable for a 2-year-old during long car rides?

For a 2-year-old, some of the best travel toys include stuffed animals, finger puppets, building blocks, and stacking cups. These toys are not only entertaining but also help with their development.

What are some of the most entertaining travel toys for kids?

Some of the most entertaining travel toys for kids include activity books, coloring books, sticker books, and travel-sized board games. These toys can keep kids occupied for hours and are perfect for long car rides.

What are some of the best road trip toys for a 3-year-old?

For a 3-year-old, some of the best road trip toys include toy cars, action figures, dolls, and playsets. These toys can help keep them entertained and engaged during long car rides.

Which car toys are best for entertaining toddlers?

Some of the best car toys for entertaining toddlers include soft toys, rattles, teething toys, and sensory toys. These toys not only keep them entertained but also help with their development.

What are some of the best travel toys for a 4-year-old?

For a 4-year-old, some of the best travel toys include activity books, puzzles, craft sets, and building sets. These toys can help keep them engaged and entertained during long car rides.