Toddlers’ attention span is short. They always want to interact and keep themselves occupied. This is one of the reasons why traveling with three-year-olds is a challenge. Imagine them sitting for hours without anything to do; they are bound to get bored and won’t stay still.
However, it is not impossible to travel with your kids as long as you have the best travel toys for 3-year-old.
Children are constantly in an exploratory mode, and during long trips, there’s only so much space to explore. It requires a strategy and planning to go through a successful journey with a kid. This includes finding suitable travel toys for preschoolers.
The process could be intimidating, but with the right buying guide, it is manageable. Start by going through the product reviews that we have. These will give you a good idea of the travel toys available in the market.
Best Travel Toy for 3-Year-Old Reviews
1. Melissa & Doug 9845 Water Wow! Bundle
Traveling with your toddler can be an exciting experience for the whole family. However, there will be a time when your child is fussy. Thus, to avoid fussy episodes, get your little ones some plane toys for 3-year-olds from Melissa & Doug.
They have this color-with-water activity pad. It is a 3-pack kit that comes with alphabet letters, animals, and numbers reveal pad. The white pages are reusable, and the water pen is conveniently stored on the cover. Besides, the pen is refillable and easy to grasp, making it comfortable for little kids’ tiny hands. So I highly recommend this set for kids aged three to five years.
The pages have simple line prints when dry and colorful images appear when the pen is used on the sheet. The pad is in a spiral-bound format so it is compact and perfect for traveling since it will only take up a bit of space on your luggage.
These activity pads are fun and educational. It assists in developing fine motor skills, visual discrimination, and early writing and reading skills. Coloring also improves concentration, hand-eye coordination and reduces stress. In addition, solo exploratory play nurtures healthy imaginations.
With this toy, your children can have 100% screen-free play. This activity encourages interaction and inspires engagement. As a result, parents can foster a deeper bond and connection with their children.
- Reusable pages
- Easy to grasp pens
- Travel-friendly
- Nurture healthy imaginations
- Screen-free play
- The pad gets marks and starts to deform after hours of use
2. LiKee Wooden Pattern Blocks
Children often have trouble sitting still with their hands on their laps. So at least give their hands something to get busy on during long trips. LiKee has a selection of building blocks that you can think about getting.
Consider this pattern block set which contains 36 wooden pieces and 60 pattern cards. There are all kinds of animal and vehicle patterns that kids can try to re-create and build. It is an engaging and fun activity to make shapes and designs. This is ideal for children who feel bored drawing on paper.
Kids can also construct their own designs with the parts available. This toy set encourages learning and is excellent for broadening their spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills. Besides, when they sort the pieces by shape and color, it helps in color and shape recognition.
This child-friendly toy is well-crafted from 100% real wood. The edges are smooth, and all the pieces are non-toxic. Everything comes in a durable iron box for portability and easy organization after each play. It is a playset that can keep your toddler company for the years to come.
- Engaging and fun
- Promotes learning
- Made of high-quality materials
- Ideal for bonding time
- You can’t make more than one pattern at once
3. Bees & Me Dinosaur Toys
Unique and exciting travel toys for 4-year-olds can keep your kids engaged while traveling. As parents, I love introducing these kinds of playsets from 3 Bees & Me, which offers some of the best travel toys.
This set of dinosaur toys features a realistic appearance. Each pack comes with 12 dinosaurs that can stand on their own. There are also fun facts and dino names at the back of the box. This makes a good toy for children who love dinosaurs.
Everything comes in an easy-to-carry metal storage box. Parents don’t have to worry about where to store the figures, plus it makes cleaning up easier. With the container, kids can effortlessly bring it around wherever they go. It’s travel-friendly and carries a fun playtime wherever the trip is.
These dino action figures are built using safe and non-toxic materials. Furthermore, it has been tested in a lab and is certified to be BPA-free and phthalate-free. Hence, you can rest assured that your little ones are playing with a safe product.
This dino collection not only provides a fun time but also inspires learning. Children can acquire knowledge of these prehistoric creatures, their names, and some interesting facts about them.
- Realistic appearance
- Comes with a metal storage box
- Safe and non-toxic
- Fun and educational
- Some dinosaurs are mislabeled on the box
4. RaboSky KBT-001 Bean Bag Toss Game Toy
Long flights can take a toll not only on parents but also on kids. So it is crucial to keep the little ones behaved by giving them something they can focus their attention on. RaboSky is known to have some of the best toys that you can bring for lengthy trips.
Take a look at this colorful toss game set. The package includes a dinosaur and turtle-themed double-sided hole board and six bean bags. It is specially designed for children, from the hole size to the weight of the bags. Everything is well-thought and built to cater to toddlers aged three to five years.
The high-impact board features a lightweight folding design. Toddlers can carry it anywhere with a portable handle bag. Thus, wherever you plan to travel with your kid, this can provide an enjoyable and engaging game anytime.
This toy can keep the kids away from their gadgets and mobile phones. In addition, it is fun and educational. Playing with this toy set can help hone children’s motor skills, hand-eye coordination, visual perception, sensory integration, number recognition, counting skills, and many more. Parents can rest assured that their toddlers are not only having fun but also learning.
- Designed for children
- Portable and convenient
- Screen-free game
- Fun and educational
- It pops open right out of the bag
5. deMoca Busy Board for Toddlers
Toddlers and traveling, two words that can make any parent panic and worry. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a good travel toy from deMoca, you can conquer this hurdle.
They have this wooden sensory board suitable for children aged three years. This toy provides a screen-free game that toddlers can enjoy. It is entertaining and colorful, thus keeping the little ones away from their electronic gadgets.
There are multiple activities set at varying difficulty levels in this busy board. In detail, it features locks and latches that are carefully crafted to encourage learning. On the other hand, the labyrinth and gear wheels present problems that children can solve.
Furthermore, some details can assist kids in learning how to dress by themselves. For instance, the zipper snaps and shoe tying offer an opportunity for them to practice and master these skills.
When going on trips with your child, you can give them this toy. It is engaging enough to keep them occupied and busy throughout the journey. Besides, it is easy to handle and bring around with only two pounds of weight. Toddlers can also opt to carry it themselves.
- Screen-free play
- Comes with multiple activities
- Encourages learning
- Ideal for traveling
- The paint peels off easily
6. Battat BT2532Z Hide & Seek Alphabet Pop-Up
Are you planning to take a trip with your kids? It could be a grueling task, so make sure to bring a stash of toys from Battat.
This sturdy alphabet board has a well-built design, you can expect it to last for years to come. Besides, it is certified BPA-free and phthalate-free, which means your children can safely play with this toy.
In detail, it features 50 colorful flaps and 50 pop-up buttons. There are four geometric shapes, ten colors, numbers one to ten, and the entire alphabet. These are hidden underneath the flap. It is easy to use and operate this 13 inches board. With a push of a button, colorful illustrations will show up and the flap opens with a soft sound.
The shapes, colors, letters, and animals under each flap make a good memory game. Kids can associate the letters with the objects and learn how to count. In addition, the upper case letters are visibly shown, while the lower case appears upon pushing the fold open. This will help kids differentiate the two.
- Sturdy and well-made
- Easy to use
- Promotes learning
- Travel-friendly
- Some stickers are slightly off the center
7. deMoca Quiet Book for Toddlers
A kid can dampen the thrill and excitement of going on a trip. But parents can alleviate the stress and exhaustion of this experience with suitable road trip toys for 18-month-olds.
This Montessori book is good at providing a quiet time. The cloth pages feature nine activities that children can focus on. It includes zippers, buttons, telling time, shoe ties, snaps, buckles, shapes, and textures. It is a sturdy and durable product suitable for children aged three years. On the other hand, all the parts and pieces are tethered securely to the pages, which means no losing parts.
There is no boring time with this fun playset. Kids can focus on the tasks in the book. While doing these, they naturally acquire knowledge while playing. After mastering all the activities, you can expect your little ones to have learned basic life skills.
There is a carrying handle on the top of this book. This makes it easy to bring around, especially when going outdoors or even during long trips. It is travel-friendly and good at keeping the kids behaved for hours of sitting still while traveling.
One special thing I love about this toy is that you can easily toss this cloth book in the washing machine. There is no need to worry about damage since it comes with a zippered washing bag. This will keep the quality and shape of the toy while it turns around the washer.
- Durable and sturdy
- Learning through play
- Ideal for traveling
- Machine washable
- Some parts can cause a choking hazard
8. Svance SV2101B Magnetic Doodle Board
Planning a trip with a kid requires more preparation than usual. Don’t forget to include good travel toys that can keep them entertained.
Consider this colorful drawing board. It comes with four color zones, including green, blue, yellow, and red. Kids can draw on the screen and see their sketches in different colors. In detail, this pad has a non-slip handle, an eraser brush, and a magnetic pen with a string, so you won’t easily lose it.
This toy is mess-free and portable, which makes it great for traveling. In addition, it is medium-sized and lightweight. Little ones can go places while holding this without much problem.
Parents don’t have to worry about markings on walls and floors or their child’s faces. Besides, no ink will run out and it doesn’t require any refilling. Starting again from a blank white screen is easy with the erase brush located on the side. Simply swipe it and start doodling again. This is a good exercise that can help toddlers fall into a quiet time. It also helps develop their motor skills.
This product is not only entertaining but also safe. It is made from non-toxic and BPA-free materials. Furthermore, the corners are smooth to protect kids and prevent any potential hazards.
- Colorful sketching pad
- Mess-free and portable
- Easy to erase
- Safe to use
- It takes several swipes to remove all the doodles
9. Esjay Busy Board for Toddlers
If it is your first time traveling with a child, you might worry about keeping them behaved and busy during the trip. There is no need to fret; what you need is an Esjay toy.
This 15-in-1 busy board is designed with different difficulty levels, just enough to keep your kids engaged and interested. There are 35 pieces of letters, numbers, and 14 activities. The parts and components are easy to figure out. This makes it an ideal activity that both child and parent can participate in.
Learning through play is possible with this product. Kids can become proficient in math, spelling, and basic skills while having a good time with this busy board. Moreover, this can assist in developing dexterity, cognitive skills, and fine motor skills.
Every part of this playset is made of non-toxic and soft felt fabric. It is also lightweight and durably built so that it can accompany your little ones for a long time. This is effortless to bring during long trips due to its weight and the carrying bag. It will fit on most diapers and school bags.
- Easy to operate
- Learning through play experience
- Durable and lightweight
- Travel-friendly
- Some pieces can be a choking hazard
- Velcro letters can get lost easily
10. Kenley Toddler Busy Board
Your child has many toys, and while you can consider bringing them, it is always a good idea to give them new toys. Browse through Kenley and find the one that suits your little ones the best.
They have this busy board with a patented design. Looking closely, it is made from soft felt wool and other durable materials. The dimension of the board is 11inches by 12.5inches and weighs 0.4lbs. It is lightweight and comes with a sling making it ideal for traveling. Parents can either fit it in their bags or have the kids carry it around their shoulders.
There are nine buckles, ties, and buttons that encourage hands-on learning. Children can hone their fine motor skills and learn basic skills like tying shoes, buckling, and buttoning. Besides, it offers a sensory experience for a wide range of levels.
Furthermore, it features several levels of difficulty. It will challenge toddlers while keeping them engaged and interested. This could also become a repetitive and soothing activity that they can turn to during long trips on the road or on the plane.
- Made of soft and durable materials
- Ideal for traveling
- Encourages hands-on learning
- Has several levels of difficulty
- Buttons are not sewn properly
What to Look for When Buying Travel Toys for 3-Year-Olds
Now that you’ve seen what toddlers’ travel toys option you have, it’s time to tailor your picks based on these factors. It can further narrow down your list and make sure that what you’ll purchase is suitable for your kid.
Age and Preference
Travel toys for babies are specifically made for your child who is only a few months old. These types of toys are not suited for toddlers. When picking a travel toy for your kid, consider the recommended age on the product description and your child’s ability. Besides, make sure that they can manipulate their toys and have a bit of a challenge. It will keep them busy and entertained. Another thing, never ignore their preferences, or you will end up with a toy that would be left untouched.
No Noise and No Mess
Always be considerate of the people around you. Don’t pick toys that are messy and create noise. To avoid being a nuisance to your fellow travelers, avoid battery-operated playsets with sound and light effects. Anything that can be annoying to adults is a big no-no.
Portable and Lightweight
The last thing you want when traveling is dragging a bulky toy that can further slow you down. You already have an energetic toddler to handle and bags to carry, so it would be best to go for portable and lightweight toys. Miniature cars and plastic playsets are perfect. These are also easy to squeeze into your bags and comfortable enough for the kids to bring around.
How Can I Keep My 3-Year-Old Busy on a Plane
Airplane toys for 3-year-olds can help you to keep your toddler busy during a long journey. Preparing fun and engaging activities is also a good idea. It would be best to have several things available if they get bored with one toy; you can offer them another playset. Have a goody bag ready. You can fill them with board books, miniature cars, building blocks, or stuffed toys. Always consider their preferences, hobbies, and what they often play with on a regular day. It is also better to bring new toys that they haven’t seen or played with before.
If you have extra time in your hands and want to DIY travel toys for toddlers, there are many affordable travel toy ideas and projects that you can take on. You can conveniently search it up on the Internet.
Conclusion
There is no need to worry about going on trips with your children. It should be a fun and exciting experience for everyone. With a good stash of entertaining and engaging toys, you are good to go. Searching for the best travel toys for 3-year-olds is undoubtedly easier after going through the product reviews and buying guide.
We hope that you can easily list down some potential toys for your next travel with your 3-year-old. For those who have already found some good ones, please share your experience with us!
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