Traveling with older children brings a different set of joys and challenges compared to the toddler years. While navigating airports and new destinations might be smoother, big kids still need engaging activities to keep boredom at bay during travel. Having a curated collection of Travel Toys can be a game-changer for smoother journeys, whether you’re facing a long car ride, a lengthy flight, hotel downtime, or visiting relatives.
Remember those trusty busy bags you relied on when your kids were younger? The concept still applies! A designated bag of travel toys remains essential for older kids. While we still keep a smaller “restaurant kit” in the car for unexpected waits, for extended trips, we upgrade to a more comprehensive set of supplies. The ideal travel toys for this age group (roughly kindergarten to 5th grade) are engaging for various ages, minimally messy, quiet, and don’t involve a million tiny pieces that can easily get lost.
RELATED: Want to make family travel even easier? Discover our must-have favorite items for traveling with kids!
Categories of Must-Have Travel Toys for Big Kids
To help you organize your travel toy selection like a pro, we’ve categorized our top picks into three main groups:
- Travel Games and Fidget Toys
- Travel Art Supplies
- Travel Books and Workbooks
Remember, this isn’t about buying everything on the list! Choose what best suits your children’s interests and your travel style. These are tried-and-true items loved by my own kids and their friends, ensuring they are kid-approved for travel fun.
How to Pack Your Kid’s Travel Toys
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The Right Bags for Travel Toys
For efficient travel toy organization, we swear by using reusable storage bags. Specifically, “The Bags of Internet Fame” are fantastic! I usually pack a kid-sized backpack for each child and organize their toys within using these bags. Categorizing toys within these bags (as mentioned above) makes it incredibly easy for kids to find exactly what they want quickly, start playing sooner, and prevents them from dumping out the entire bag in search of one item. This simple packing method is a travel sanity saver!
Top Travel Games & Fidget Toys for Big Kids
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Transformable Fidget Spinners
These transformable fidget spinners have been the absolute travel toy sensation with my kids in 2024! These aren’t just your average spinners; they bend, twist, spin, and can even be manipulated into imaginative shapes and creatures. The 4-pack is incredibly affordable, and they are compact enough to easily slip into any backpack. This fidget toy set is a definite travel win!
View Transformable Fidget Spinners on Amazon
Aqua Rings Handheld Game
It might seem basic, but these aqua rings games are surprisingly captivating for kids! I always toss one into the car or backpack before any trip. Trust me, despite their simplicity, they are fantastic for holding kids’ attention and providing quiet entertainment on the go. A classic travel toy that still delivers.
Tangles Fidget Toy
Tangles are another wonderfully simple yet engaging travel toy. These twistable, bendable creations keep hands busy and minds engaged. Kids love to pull them apart and reconnect them in different shapes. My kids are big fans, and honestly, I find myself fidgeting with them too! They offer a satisfying tactile experience, perfect for travel.
Car BINGO Travel Game
Remember playing car bingo as a kid? I was so excited to rediscover these for my own children! These car bingo cards are a fantastic travel toy that we keep in the car even for everyday errands, and my kids have been enjoying them for two years. They are especially perfect for road trips, turning sightseeing into a fun game.
Flashcard Games with a Twist
You might need a little trust on this one, but these flashcard games are not what you expect! Click the link to see the various themes and how this “game” works – there are so many engaging variations! I’ve linked to the US states and capitals version, but we also have riddles, brain teasers, Minecraft characters, and jokes. Kids open little doors to reveal anagram clues and guess the answer, sliding a panel to check. These are surprisingly addictive and educational travel toys.
Travel Simon Game
We haven’t embarked on a trip without our Travel Simon game since 2019 – it’s that good! This isn’t the traditional, potentially overwhelming Simon game; it’s a simplified, travel-friendly version. It can also be enjoyed by multiple players, making it a fantastic travel toy for siblings to play together.
Dog Fidget Toys
These dog fidget toys are fantastic for long car rides. They serve as both engaging fidget items and cute toys for imaginative play. My kids loved them so much that I bought a second set to keep at home! A fun and versatile travel toy option.
View Dog Fidget Toys on Amazon
IQ Puzzler Pro
This IQ Puzzler Pro is an excellent travel puzzle set that appeals to a wide age range. From my kindergartener (when we first got it) to my husband (age, ahem, 40+), it’s a hit with anyone who enjoys logic puzzles. A perfect brain-boosting travel toy for kids and adults alike.
Spot It! Card Game
Spot It! is a true game-changer! This card game is a must-pack travel toy for vacations. It’s simple enough for younger kids to grasp but still fun for big kids and parents to play together. A fantastic family game to bring on any trip.
Eye Found It! Card Game
I absolutely love the Eye Found It! game. It’s fantastic for both younger and older kids, and even adults will enjoy playing. No reading is required; you simply search for specific objects within a detailed picture (like a fish, a hat, or a lamp). Another excellent travel toy for family fun.
Dog Pile Puzzle Game
Dog Pile is another excellent single-player logic puzzle game. It’s challenging, quiet, and keeps kids engaged. This one is better suited for older kids (around 8+) for independent play. Bonus: it includes adorable little dog pieces that can also be used for imaginative play. A great solo travel toy for logic lovers.
Guess in 10 Card Game
We absolutely love the Guess in 10 games! Think of it as “20 Questions” tailored for kids, but with helpful clues to guide them to the right answers and keep the game flowing. It’s fun in the car, hotel rooms, and even suitable for kids who are new to reading or just starting out. A fantastic interactive travel toy.
Pass the Pigs Travel Game
Oh my goodness, Pass the Pigs is such a fun and hilarious game! It’s great for solo play or with others and perfect for taking on trips. Instead of dice, you roll pigs! It’s perfect for big kids to play with younger siblings and adds a silly element to travel entertainment. A truly unique travel toy.
Barrel of Monkeys Classic Game
I know it’s old school, but my kids absolutely love Barrel of Monkeys! It’s one of those simple joys in life, a classic game for a reason. Easy to pack and provides nostalgic fun, making it a charming travel toy choice.
View Barrel of Monkeys on Amazon
Top Travel Books and Workbooks for Big Kids
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Game On! Wipe-Off Activity Pad
This Game On! wipe-off activity pad is fantastic! It’s packed with single-player and two-player games, making it a versatile travel activity for quiet time, travel kits, or restaurant bags. It’s also just fun to have at home for anytime entertainment.
View Game On! Activity Pad on Amazon
Weird But True! Book Series
My kids are obsessed with the Weird But True! series. We own so many of these books (click the link to see them all!). They are easy to flip through, compact in size, and filled with fascinating and thought-provoking facts for kids. We keep these in the car for daily drives and always pack them for travel. Educational and entertaining travel books.
See Weird But True! Books on Amazon
KenKen Puzzle Books
My kids enjoy KenKen puzzles in the newspaper, so I grabbed this KenKen puzzle book for a long plane ride. It was a huge hit! If your kids aren’t familiar, KenKens are logic-based math puzzles, like Sudoku meets basic arithmetic. A brain-boosting travel workbook option.
Logic Workbook for Kids
If you have a child who prefers logic puzzles over word searches or mazes, this logic workbook is perfect for them. It offers a wide variety of logic puzzle styles to prevent boredom and keep them engaged. A specialized travel workbook for logic enthusiasts.
Totally Awesome Mazes and Puzzles Book
Yes, another workbook! But who doesn’t love a good maze, word search, or puzzle? My kids absolutely adore this Totally Awesome Mazes and Puzzles book. A classic travel workbook filled with engaging activities.
See Totally Awesome Mazes and Puzzles on Amazon
Highlights Magazines 4-Pack
We are big fans of Highlights magazines in our house. These magazines are fantastic for travel, taking up minimal space. The 4-pack provides plenty of engaging content and is a great value. A timeless and portable travel magazine option.
See Highlights Magazines on Amazon
Mad Libs Book
Do you remember Mad Libs? Guess what? They are still awesome, still funny, and still a fantastic way to help kids learn about grammar and parts of speech! Once your kids can read and write, Mad Libs are a must-have travel book for guaranteed laughs.
The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids
My kids have loved this joke book since we got it in 2019. Big kids who can read can share jokes with younger siblings or just enjoy them themselves (and later share with anyone who will listen!). A fun and shareable travel joke book.
See The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids on Amazon
365 Jokes for Kids Book
If your kids already have the book above, try this 365 Jokes for Kids book next! I bought this one in 2023, and it’s been another hit. Joke books are simply the best travel entertainment for kids.
See 365 Jokes for Kids on Amazon
Ultimate Puzzle Challenge Book
I know, another workbook, and another puzzle book, and even another Highlights book! But I couldn’t leave this Ultimate Puzzle Challenge book off the list, especially since my kids enjoy it so much during travel. A comprehensive travel puzzle book for extended entertainment.
See Ultimate Puzzle Challenge on Amazon
Would You Rather…? Book
The “Would You Rather” craze is still strong with my kids and their friends! This book is fantastic for sparking conversations on long car rides. It’s a really good one to toss into your travel toy bag for interactive fun.
See Would You Rather… Book on Amazon
RELATED: Looking for even more great reading material? I have compiled the best list of books for kids (perfect for gifts too!).
Top Travel Art Supplies for Big Kids
(Affiliate Disclosure) Busy Toddler is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please see my disclosure policy.
Travel Watercolor Paint Set
I bought this travel watercolor set for my 7-year-old daughter on the recommendation of an 11-year-old (who, ironically, had brought it on vacation!). It’s been a delightful addition, allowing my daughter to express her creativity through art while traveling. A wonderful travel art supply for budding artists.
See Travel Watercolor Set on Amazon
Mini Blank Books
This 24-pack of mini blank books is a fantastic resource. While I don’t bring all of them on vacation, I usually grab a few so my kids can draw, sketch, and write stories inspired by their travels. It’s an easy and fun way to encourage writing and drawing while away from home. Portable and versatile travel art supplies.
See Mini Blank Books on Amazon
LCD Doodle Board
This LCD monochrome doodle board offers kids a mess-free space to create without the limitations of paper. Kids are naturally drawn to these – they are simply awesome! A no-mess and reusable travel art toy.
See LCD Doodle Board on Amazon
Color Your Own Sticker Book
This is such a cool book filled with blank stickers that kids can color. The adorable outlines are already there; kids just need to bring them to life with color! My daughter takes this Color Your Own Stickers book with her everywhere. A creative and portable travel art supply.
See Color Your Own Sticker Book on Amazon
Travel Colored Pencils Set
Dedicated colored pencils for travel are essential for big kids! We love this set because it comes in a convenient cylinder, making it perfect for trips. It’s a great quality set to own specifically for travel art. Organized and portable travel art supplies.
See Travel Colored Pencils on Amazon
“Wiky Sticks” Bendable Waxes
Yes, these are a knock-off brand of the original Wikki Stix, and I’m perfectly okay with that for a travel toy. These are incredibly cost-effective – a pack of 500 for a fraction of the name-brand price, and I honestly can’t tell the difference in quality. Affordable and versatile travel art supplies.
Paint by Stickers Books for Kids
Bless these mosaic sticker books and the quiet, independent, and focused time they’ve provided my kids! I can’t praise them enough. We bring a Paint by Stickers book on every trip (there are so many styles and even holiday-themed packs available). Engaging and mess-free travel art activities.
See Paint by Stickers Books on Amazon
Mandala Coloring Book
My kids absolutely LOVE this Mandala Coloring Book. They even color the intricate designs together sometimes! Completing a mandala takes time – hours even! When we pack this book, I also include short-sized colored pencils that fit perfectly into our “The Bags” for easy travel. Relaxing and detailed travel art activities.
See Mandala Coloring Book on Amazon
Mini Sketch Pads
We never leave home without mini sketch pads! These are the perfect size for travel, and kids love the “book” format with the binding. It’s an easy and portable way for them to create and showcase their artwork. Essential and compact travel art supplies.
See Mini Sketch Pads on Amazon
Triangle Shaped Crayons
We love these beeswax crayons – they are our favorite brand! But they have a fantastic travel-friendly feature: they are triangular. Their unique shape prevents them from rolling off surfaces as easily as traditional crayons, making them perfect for use on trains, planes, and in cars. Smart and practical travel art supplies.
See Triangle Shaped Crayons on Amazon
RELATED: Looking for even more fantastic art supplies for your kids? Check out my main list of the best art supplies for kids.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Toys
How many travel toys should you pack?
The ideal number of travel toys depends on several factors: the duration of your travel, potential downtime in hotels or relatives’ homes, and the number of children you have. I aim for a good balance, typically packing 2 to 3 items from each of the categories mentioned above for my three kids.
Is it possible to bring too many travel toys?
Yes, absolutely! I believe there’s definitely a limit. Overpacking can make it harder for kids to find what they want and can actually hinder their engagement. Having a curated selection allows children to truly connect with the toys they have and hold their attention for longer.
What about screen time during travel?
Screen time is definitely a valid option! For our family, we bring our Nintendo Switch on plane rides, but we only have one, so the kids take turns. We also don’t have multiple tablets – it wasn’t in our budget when my kids were younger, so it’s not something we rely on. We do have a single iPad that they can share for watching movies. Screens can be a helpful tool, but a mix of screen-free travel toys and limited screen time often works best.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator behind Busy Toddler and boasts over 2.3 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and advocate for early childhood education, Susie is also the author of the parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting”, available on Amazon.
