What Toys to Pack for Half-Term Travel with Kids!

Travel with little ones can be one of the most exciting family experiences… but let’s be honest long flights, road trips, and airport delays can also be challenging.

After years of tons of travel with babies, toddlers and young children, Alana and I have learned one very important thing.....Toy and Activity Preparation is everything

Here are some of our go-to travel essentials for kids under 6 that have saved us on countless trips!

Babies:

Lamaze Freddie the Firefly Baby Toy - Every one of my babies has loved Freddie. I don’t know what it is about him, but he’s always a favourite. Easy to grab, colourful, and great for keeping little hands busy.

Spinner Toys- These are brilliant for travel. Stick them to airplane trays, high chairs, or windows and babies will happily spin them for ages.

Pouch Spoon Tip- These fit Ella’s Kitchen, Aldi, HIPP and PICCOLO pouches. At home I lean more towards baby-led weaning with my 7-month-old, but when traveling I like to keep things simple. A pouch with a spoon is the easiest way to get some food in without the mess.

Toddlers / School Aged Kids:

Snackle Box- Snacks but organised! Kids love choosing from the different compartments and it makes snack time feel like a little game.

Look and Find Buzzle Books- These usually keep our kids busy for a good while. They’re a go-to for long car journeys or flights.

Travel Size Magnetic Tiles- We love magnetic tiles in our house, but the full sets take up space. The mini travel ones are perfect for taking out and about.

Crayola Mess Free Colouring-Creative fun without the mess. No marker stains, no doodles on arms or clothes. Always a win.

Headphones - We limit screen time at home, but on long journeys all bets are off. These have survived plenty of flights and always do the job.

A Few Travel Tips for Parents

After many flights and road trips with little ones (we are from America and Canada after all!) here are a few simple tricks that always help.

Bring a few “new” toys Kids are far more excited by something they haven’t seen before. Even inexpensive toys can feel special on a trip.

Pack snacks (lots of them!) Snacks can solve almost any travel meltdown... ideally avoid sugary ones, no one needs a sugar rush with 3 more hours to go in a seatbelt.

Rotate activities Instead of giving everything at once, bring out a new activity every 30–60 minutes.

Keep one surprise for emergencies Saving a new toy for the last hour of a flight can be a lifesaver.

Whether you’re heading on a long-haul flight or a road trip, having a few simple activities ready can make the journey so much easier (and far more enjoyable for everyone).

Safe travels from us to you!

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