Travel toys for babies age 6 months to 1.5 years: 11 fantastic options
Travel toys for babies is a hotly-debated topic in the Travel Mum Facebook groups… I’ve been travelling with my kids since they were babies, the first trip being in 2016 with a baby. I have a lot of experience of what toys to bring for baby when you travel and I’d love to share my experience with you to make your next trip with baby a breeze.
Traveling with young children, especially those on the autism spectrum, can be challenging. Keeping your little ones engaged and comfortable during the journey is crucial. Packing the right toys in your carry-on bag can make all the difference. Here’s a list of eleven toys that are perfect for keeping babies aged 6 months to 1.5 years amused while traveling.
1. Magnetic Cubes
Magnetic cubes are a fantastic travel toys for babies. These colourful, magnetic blocks can be easily connected and disconnected, providing endless possibilities for creativity and learning. They are compact and lightweight, making them ideal for travel. Magnetic cubes help develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving abilities.
We really like the MagiCubes with different themes, like ocean animals and Paw Patrol. This gives the magnetic cubes a whole new dimension and purpose.
Coloured MagiCubes
2. Fidget Pop Toy
The fidget pop toy is a sensory toy that’s perfect for little hands. It features a grid of silicone bubbles that can be pushed in and popped out, providing a satisfying tactile experience. This toy is great for soothing and calming children, especially during long flights or car rides. The repetitive popping action can also help improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Sylvie has already recognised turn-taking when using this and she is only 1 year old.
Below are links to TikTok shoppable videos I’ve created about the fidget pop square so you can purchase it directly via TikTok shop.
Please bear in mind I have two TikTok affiliate shops and you could be linked to either one of them (@moustashiio and @themeldrumsworld)
I will try to add more videos soon of different styles and colours of these.
There are many shapes and colours available, this just happens to be the one Sylvie has in her backpack.
3. Fidget Track Toy
A fidget track toy is another excellent choice for travel. This toy consists of a series of interlocking tracks that can be twisted and turned into various shapes. It’s lightweight and portable, making it easy to carry in your bag. The fidget track toy helps develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. It’s also a great way to keep your child occupied and focused during the journey.
The video below is a video of the fidget track toy on my TikTok with shoppable links to buy the track toys from within the TikTok app. Make sure to open any links on a mobile device as that seems to be the only place TikTok shop works.
4. Stretchy Animal
Stretchy animals are fun and engaging travel toys for babies. These stretchy, squishy animals can be pulled, twisted, and stretched, providing a sensory-rich experience for young children. They are lightweight and easy to pack, making them a great addition to your carry-on. Stretchy animals help develop fine motor skills and hand strength while providing a soothing sensory experience.
The link below is a Tiktok shoppable video of the stretchy animals I think are great toys for travelling with a baby. Sylvie has a unicorn but any style will have the same overall fun levels.
5. Baby Board Books
Baby board books are a travel essential for young children. These sturdy books feature bright, colourful pictures and simple text, making them perfect for little hands. Board books are durable and can withstand the wear and tear of travel. Reading to your child during the journey can help keep them engaged and entertained while also promoting early literacy skills.
One of our favourites has a mirror in the back, Sylvie loves looking in it and making funny faces.
Set of 4 board books about happiness
Just to make you aware, I have two TikTok affiliate shops (@moustashiio and @themeldrumsworld and the links here may take you to either of these).
6. Suction Spinners
Suction spinners are compact, portable toys that can provide hours of entertainment for young children. These toys feature a series of colourful, spinning sections that can be manipulated and rotated. Suction spinners help develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory processing abilities. They are small enough to fit in your carry-on bag and can be easily used during travel.
Travel Mums have made great use of these on planes by suctioning them to the window of the plane for little people to spin around.
7. Suction Animals
Suction animals are versatile travel toys that can be attached to various surfaces, such as airplane windows, tray tables, or car windows. These colourful, suction-cup animals can be stuck and unstuck, providing a fun and engaging activity for young children. Suction animals help develop fine motor skills, hand strength, and sensory processing abilities. They are also easy to clean and transport.
Here are some of my TikTok shop videos of the suction toys. We have an animal set, number set and a couple of suction men.
Interested in what toys to bring for an autistic child? Read here.
8. Muffik Play Mats in Mini Size
Muffik play mats are small, portable play mats that provide a sensory-rich experience for young children. These interlocking mats feature various textures and patterns, making them perfect travel toys for babies seeking sensory exploration. Muffik play mats are lightweight and easy to pack, making them an ideal travel companion. They help develop sensory processing skills, tactile awareness, and fine motor skills.
I have done a whole article about the mini play mats and you can read that here.
TikTok shop also has these mats available and I really need to make more videos and also buy more types of these smaller mats to show you what is available.
I also see that Muffik recently released keychain sized mats! These would be great additions to a travel backpack or in an easily accessible slot in my travel tote bag.
Mini play mats
I will add more videos of the mats as soon as possible.
9. Yoto Player
The Yoto Player is a child-friendly audio player that can keep your child entertained during travel. This compact device plays a variety of audio content, including stories, music, and educational podcasts. The Yoto Player is easy to use and does not have a screen, making it a great alternative to traditional electronic devices. It helps develop listening skills, imagination, and a love for reading.
We travel with a Yoto Mini, with an added blue jacket for protection. We find the mini to be very portable and versatile – and we especially love the option to make your own playlists and make your own cards. This option has meant that we have been able to make Sylvie her very own Machine Gun Kelly playlist as this is one of the only artists she will settle to! Check this cute video of her even more tiny and rocking out to MGK.
Here are links to my Yoto Mini shoppable videos:
10. Busy Felt Book
A busy felt book is a handmade, interactive book that provides a range of activities for young children. These books feature various textures, buttons, zippers, and flaps that can be manipulated and explored. Busy felt books are lightweight and easy to pack, making them perfect for travel. They help develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory processing abilities. The engaging activities in the busy felt book can keep your child occupied and focused during the journey.
Luke has two versions of these felt busy books – both gifted to him from family and friends.
Below is a video about the busy book on TikTok with a link to buy it directly from TikTok shop.
11. Silicone Pull + Pop Toy
The silicone pull and pop toy is a mixture of two types of interaction: pulling and pushing.
Here is are links to my TikTok shop videos of the silicone pull and pop toy:
Traveling with young children, especially babies or those with autism, requires careful planning and preparation. By packing the right toys in your carry-on, you can ensure a smoother and more enjoyable journey for both you and your child. These eleven toys are not only entertaining but also provide valuable sensory and developmental benefits. From magnetic cubes to busy felt books, each toy on this list is designed to keep your child engaged, calm, and happy during travel. Happy travels!
Don’t forget to upgrade your changing bag game, check out the Wing of Wild changing bag with the ultimate pocket and storage sections inside. Read more about it here.