10 Travel Toys for Kids that Fit in ONE Backpack

Need a few travel toys for your next trip? Screens can be lifesavers on long travel days, but too much screen time makes my kids grouchy. Sometimes a classic toy is the perfect alternative to endless movies or video games.

New toys are also exciting for kids. Packing a new toy or two is a reliable trick that travel-savvy families use to make long travel days easier.

After years of family travel adventures, I've made a list of my top 10 tried-and-true travel toys for kids. These travel toys make the cut for me because they are

• affordable,
• on Amazon.com,
• they all fit in a child's backpack.

Here are my favorite travel toys for older and younger children.

1. Magnetic Play Books

Magnetic books keep small parts from getting lost and allow for interactive story time while you travel.  Try one out and see how much your toddler enjoys creating her own story. See it on Amazon.com.

2.  Travel Doodler

My kids of all ages love the Travel Doodler.  We get the most use out of this toy when the kids play Tic Tac Toe together, or when someone draws whatever a young child requests.  My baby loves it when we trace his hand and then let him erase it. See it on Amazon.com.

3.  Triangular Crayons 

Brilliant travel toy for kids.  These triangular crayons will stay put on your airplane tray table while your little artist works on her creations. See it on Amazon.com.

4.  Spot It Jr. Game

This compact, portable game is perfect for traveling.  Many variations of the game exist, and the colorful animals are fun for even a baby to look at. For older kids, check out the regular edition of Spot It. See it on Amazon.com.

5.  Finger Puppets

My 4-year-old daughter loves pulling these finger puppets on and off her fingers, and my 2-year-old son belts out the animal sounds as we play.  These finger puppets make great travel toys, and they are affordable too. See it on Amazon.com.

6.  Rubik's Cube

Younger children will love messing them up, and mom and dad can learn how to solve one! See it on Amazon.com.

7.  Coloring books

I like dot-to-dot books for kids of all ages, but my 7-year-old son fell in love with this coloring book. See it on Amazon.com.

When he needed a break, his big sisters were delighted to give the book a try. If numbers aren't your thing, colored pencils and these prism design coloring books will entertain an older child for hours. See it on Amazon.com.

8. Wikki Stix

Tap your child's creativity with these bendable wax sticks.  Wikki Stix are one of my favorite travel toys because they appeal to all ages.  Create animals, buildings, flowers, cars, or whatever you dream up.  Wikki Stix feel sticky, but wiping fingers clean with a wet wipe made for easy clean up.  Grab an extra ziploc bag to store these if you plan to reuse them, which I do. See it on Amazon.com.

9.  Sticker Books

Love Hello Kitty or Star Wars? Find a sticker book that your child is interested in and enjoy plenty of quiet time. This is the one I just ordered for my truck-loving son. See it on Amazon.com.

10.  Stacking Cups

I love stacking cups as travel toys. You can use them to serve snacks, hide small toys or treats under, stack, build towers, sort by color, and many other wonderful activities. When you arrive at your destination, stacking cups are a great bath toy too! See it on Amazon.com.

We have used most of these ideas on airplanes, but you can use these tricks for road trips too. 

What are your favorite travel toys for kids?  I would love to hear what things your kids love!

Related: 5 Tips for Your First Road Trip With Baby 

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