travel board for toddler

20+ Best Travel Toys for Toddlers (18 Months – 3 Years Old)

Traveling with toddlers does not need to be daunting – it should be exciting! We LOVE traveling with our toddler and seeing the world through his eyes. However, we know that getting to the destination is not easy. So to ease the plane ride, road trip, or downtime at a hotel room, we have found the best travel toys for toddlers.

From busy boards to fidget toys, no mess play, and yes, some screen time on a tablet – my guide to the best travel toys for toddlers has it all. Moreover, we have many of these travel toys. And they have been life savers to keep our toddler entertained on long road trips, plane rides, and hotel rooms.

My guide to the best travel toys for toddlers is intended for ages 18 months through 3 years old. It is divided by the type of toy, not by age because every child develops at their own pace.

Ideally, the goal is to bring as few as possible that engage your child for long hours, but let’s be realistic… A toddler’s attention span is shot. So you will want to bring a few toys.

The travel toys for toddlers should be new or reintroduced (something they haven’t played with in a while). You do not want to overstimulate the child by giving them all the toys at once. Give one toy at a time, so the child stays engaged and not bored.

During your trip, you should also rotate the toys. So when they receive a toy, it’s continuously exciting!

This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on the link you will have the option to purchase a product at no extra cost to you, but I would receive a small commission. I want to thank everyone for following and supporting us on all of “Our Sweet Adventures.” 

Read Next: Tips for Road Tripping with a Baby

Table of Contents

Best Travel Toys for Toddlers: No Mess Creative Play

There are two great things about No Mess Creative Play. One, it is no mess! Two, all of these creative play travel toys for toddlers are reusable!

Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow!

Of all the travel toys for toddlers, Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! coloring books have been one of our favorite items throughout the toddler stage. The themed watercolor books have reusable pages and a refillable water pen. When the water pen touches the page, colors are revealed on the pages for a WOW effect!

LCD Writing Tablet

Toddlers will have so much fun writing on this LCD writing tablet that is mess-free and waterproof. It only takes a little pressure which is perfect for small hands. Once they create their masterpiece, they can click the button and watch it disappear like magic! Our toddler enjoys making everything disappear more than drawing – that’s a toddler for you.

Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad

The Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad is a great learning activity that helps older toddlers develop strong fine motor skills and promote creative play. There are different themed sticker pads, but each has five colorful scenes and over 150 reusable stickers.

The best part, the reusable stickers are safe on airplane and car windows. If the stickers lose adhesiveness, you can wipe the backs of the stickers with a damp cloth, and they will be back as new.

Best Travel Toys for Toddlers: Busy Sensory Boards

Busy boards or sensory boards are one of the best toys for your toddler. Every busy board is different, but it should always have different textures and practical life skills, such as turning on lights, door handles, zipping, buttoning, etc.

There are lots of benefits of busy boards. It helps your child practice and develops their fine and gross motor skills by touching and playing with its elements. Sensory and independent play also supports a child’s mental and physical abilities, such as self-esteem and concentration.

Lastly, busy boards keep them… busy! So they are perfect for home and on the go! Here are a few different busy boards that are great travel toys for toddlers.

Busy Board Toddler Backpack

This is one of our favorites of all the busy board options because it’s a busy board and a backpack. We use this busy board backpack as our designated travel backpack. Our toddler will put his favorite travel toys in his busy board backpack, which also makes the anticipation of traveling exciting for him.

Moroever, the busy board backpack has excellent practical life skills and problem-solving, such as tieing shoelaces and learning to buckle. It is also more usable and easier to travel with than a typical busy board.

My Quiet Book

The My Quite Book is another perfect travel busy board because it is lightweight and small with handles so your toddler can carry it themselves.

It features nine learning activities for toddlers to develop their fine motor skills. A few activities include learning shapes, feeling different textures, telling time, and zipping. Each activity has all the pieces tethered to the book to avoid losing anything. A big plus for traveling!

Esjay Toddler Busy Board

Another fun, busy board for traveling is the soft and compact Essay Toddler Busy Board. The busy board is designed with varying difficulty levels to keep toddlers engaged and challenged for several hours of quiet play.

It features 14 varieties of practical life skills: buckles, zip pockets, laces, and buttons. It also has velcro alphabet letters and numbers to learn spelling and counting.

Buster Square Buckle Toy

The Buster Square Buckle Toy is a multi-use travel toy for toddlers. It teaches fine motor skills and helps identify and learn color coordination with six colorful buckles. It also has a zipper pocket, numbers, and shapes. Lastly, I bet your toddler will love the Buster Square Buckle Toy so much that they use it as a lovey too.

Best Travel Toys for Toddlers: Sensory and Fidget Toys

Traveling with a toddler may be challenging because the child is in a new environment, which places them in an uncomfortable situation. Think about this – an airport and airplane can be overwhelming as an adult, so imagine how a toddler must feel. This is why sensory and fidget toys are great travel toys for toddlers.

Fidget toys provide a toddler with small movements as an outlet for their anxiety. Thus, the fidget toys can help calm nerves, relieve stress, and serve as a distraction in an overstimulating environment.

Sensory toys are very similar. When a child engages in sensory play, like feeling different textures or hearing sounds, it can distract and calm a child who is over-stimulated or anxious. Sensory toys also promote self-discovery   and support emotional development.

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog

Spike, the Fine Motor Hedgehog, is cute, colorful, and so much fun for toddlers! It features six ways to fidget: spinning the wheel, turning the crank, pushing a button, and more. Moreover, this travel toy helps build fine motor skills, develop precision, and learn color recognition.

MOBI ZIPPEE Original Activity Toy

This multi-sensory silicone activity toy is colorful and fun while creating developmental learning skills. Through sensory play, your child will learn cause and effect when they pull the cords from side to side. They will also be able to hear and feel the various sounds and vibrations the cords make. 

Suction Cup Pop Up Fidget Spinner Toys

Suction cup spinner toys are one of the best travel toys for toddlers on a plane or car ride. They easily suction to an airplane or car window to help pass the time. Babies and toddlers will have fun watching the toys spin, hearing the soft rattle sounds, and playing with the pop-up function.

Pop Tubes Sensory Toys

The Pop Tubes Sensory Toys provide toddlers with endless fun opportunities while developing fine motor skills and STEM learning. Moreover, the vibrant colors, smooth ridges, and satisfying crinkly noise will stimulate a child’s senses for a calm plane or car ride.

Pop Tubes Sensory Toys are designed for toddlers, but they are so wildly fun and addictive the entire family will play with them. You can pop, crinkle, pull, stretch, and connect the tubes to create shapes, letters, and games for hours of entertainment.

Rainbow Pop It Fidget Toys

The Pop It Fidget Toys are among the most satisfying toys for ALL ages! These fidget toys help relax your body and mind with every pop. And they are very addicting. Once you start popping, you can’t stop!

Luckily, pop-it toys come in a package of three to four because everyone in the family will want one. There are so many different sets to choose from such as ice cream, sport balls, animals, shapes, and more. Our boys love everything about the water, so we enjoy the clown fish, whale, and turtle set.

MagMen Colorful Magnetic Fidget Travel Toys

Toddlers LOVE magnets, which is why we love MagMen on the go! MagMen are colorful, stretchy, and flexible, with magnets in their little hands and feet. The MagMen are designed to be twisted and bent into acrobatic positions, so kids can be imaginative to create fun poses.

8 Piece Tegu Magnetic Wooden Block Set with Pocket Pouch

The Tegu Magnetic Wooden Blocks are great travel toys for toddlers to encourage open-ended and unscripted play. The set has eight magnetic wooden shapes – four cubes and four planks. Our toddler loves his magnetic blocks at home and on the go. We especially love them at restaurants!

Best Travel Toys for Toddlers: Independent Play

One of the most beautiful things to watch is a child playing independently. When a child can play independently, it promotes imagination, builds their problem-solving skills, and teaches patience and resilience.

The best part, independent play is fantastic for traveling. If your toddler can play independently at home, they will also play independently on the go.

Trust me. Independent play will be helpful when you enter a hotel room and need to get situated. Give your toddlers some of the toys below, and they can play while you unpack and unwind.

Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Take-Along Shape Sorter

Melissa & Doug K’s Kids Take-Along Shape Sorter is one of the best travel toys for young toddlers. It is a padded case with a take-along handle and includes two activity sides.

One side has a shape sorter with nine textured shape blocks. The other side has crinkly flaps with pictures of everyday items above and matching shapes beneath.

The shape sorter is the highlight of this toy. Toddlers will learn to identify shapes by dropping the textured blocks of shapes through the appropriately shaped slot.

Melissa & Doug 18-Piece Wooden Take-Along Tabletop

One of the best travel toys for older toddlers is the Melissa & Doug Wooden Take-Along Tabletop. There are four tabletop themes: town, railroad, kingdom, and farm.

Each one comes with a sturdy wooden case that unfolds into a themed play surface. It also includes at least 17 wooden pieces for a child to play with and create fun storytelling.

For example, the Town Tabletop has built-in roads and wooden pieces such as a police car, ambulance, fire engine, helicopter, bridges, buildings, traffic signs, and more. It has everything a toddler needs to bring their favorite playtime toy on the go.

Car Toys and Playmat Storage Bag

Now, this is the best travel toy for younger toddlers. The soft storage bag holds six various push-and-go friction vehicles. Young toddlers will enjoy watching the cars cover long distances with one wind up. The storage bag also unfolds into a playmat with roads and buildings, so the child can use it to play with their cars.

Magnetic Maze Activity Board

If your toddler seeks a challenge, this is the perfect travel toy. The magnetic maze activity board will challenge toddlers to perfect their fine motor and problem-solving skills. They must use a magnetic pen to navigate colored balls into their appropriate slot. There are also magnetic roadblocks and roundabouts to move for an additional challenge.

Best Travel Toys for Toddlers: Educational

I used to swear by no screen time play or electronic toys, but I have learned that limited screen time through educational play is excellent when traveling with toddlers.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet

The Amazon Fire Kid Tablet is one of our favorite travel items for toddlers. It includes a kid-proof case and 1 year of Amazon Kids+, with several kid-friendly apps, shows, and games. More importantly, the tablet has parental controls.

Parents can control screen time, set educational goals, and manage content for up to 4 child profiles. It also has added security that requires parent approval for in-app purchases.

Once our toddler finishes playing with other travel toys, we allow limited screen time for educational games, tv shows, and movies. The Amazon Fire Kids Tablet has been a lifesaver for long plane and car rides.

LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book

Help your toddler learn 100 words with LeapFrog! LeapFrog Learning Friends 100 Words Book has 100 age-appropriate words chosen by learning experts. Toddlers can touch words on the pages and listen as the book plays the word, sound effects, and fun facts. The book plays in both English and Spanish for a full bilingual experience.

LeapFrog LeapStart 3D Interactive Learning System

LeapFrog LeapStart 3D Interactive Learning System is a fun way to learn at home and on the go. The interactive learning system has over 700 activities to teach toddlers different skills for every learning level. Toddlers will explore reading, counting, problem-solving, and more with a simple tap on pictures and words.

I hope your cart is full of new, engaging travel toys for your toddler. Some of these travel toys for toddlers have been game-changing for our family. I hope you find the same success!

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The Top 7 Busy Boards for Toddlers & Babies

Babies and toddlers loved fiddling with things, and exploration is so great for their development. Busy boards are a great way to help toddlers satisfy their desire to manipulate gadgets with their hands.

In this article, you are going to learn a bit about busy boards, safety, at what age they should be introduced, and get recommendations for the 7 best busy boards for toddlers and babies.

(This post contains affiliate links. Purchasing from these links costs you nothing extra, but helps with our website upkeep.)

What is a busy board?

A busy board is a board or cube with a variety of different activities attached to it. Some activity boards can are meant to be stationary, while others are small enough and light enough to be taken for travel .

The activities contained on these motor skill activity centers provide sensory experiences and help to build important skills.

A traditional busy activity board would be mounted to a wall or a stand. However, many other activity centers and carry-along activity items are referred to as “busy boards”.

What do busy boards do?

Busy boards can feature a number of activities, ranging from light switches and keys and locks to snaps and gears. Here are some things you will find on a toddler sensory board.

If you are planning on fashioning your own DIY busy board, this list will be of help you come up with some fun busy board ideas.

• padlocks, latches, and keys
• light switches
• door latches (different types)
• clocks with movable hands
• fabric with buttons
• garden spikets
• gear wheels
• fabrics of different textures
• fidget spinners

The sky is the limit when it comes to what can be put on a busy board. Everyday items and things found at a hardware store make great additions to a homemade busy board.

What are the benefits of busy boards?

When a toddler plays with a busy board, they aren't just having a good time engaging in different activities, they are developing important skills, as well.

Here are some areas busy boards help develop:

• fine motor skills
• problem-solving skills
• logical thinking
• hand-eye coordination

One other benefit to these boards is that they provide a downtime activity for little ones, which can provide relief for parents. They actually make great quiet-time toys.

They can also be made at home fairly affordably.

Another great thing about a busy board is it can provide a safe place for autistic children and other children with special needs to come and quietly engage in quiet sensory activities when they feel the need.

A busy board is actually a great item to keep in a peace corner if your child finds fidgeting calming or comforting.

Are busy boards safe?

Whether or not a busy board is safe depends on the type of board you choose for your child, the age of your child, their skill level, and your child's personality and temperament.

Some things to consider when choosing a busy board or if you plan to make your own:

• Does the busy board have any small items or loose pieces that could detach and pose a choking hazard?
• Will it be carried around by the child? (It's best to smooth down sharp edges.)
• Do any of the items contain lead? (Brass latches and keys may contain lead. Lead Safe Mama is a good resource for this. This is important to keep in mind, especially if you are building your own busy board.)

Children should always be supervised while playing with busy boards.

Are busy boards worth it?

If you choose the right busy board, you can get quite a bit of mileage out of it. Activity cubes and “busy houses” are likely to go further for the price than a wall-mounted busy board.

This is because there are more activity options on activity cubes.

Another type of busy board then many folks find worth the price is one that a child can take with them when they go places.

Children often get bored during travel and anything they can find to do while in a car seat is often welcomed.

Are busy boards Montessori-aligned?

The short answer to this question is no. Busy boards are not Montessori-aligned as they do not allow for the isolation of senses or concepts.

Not everything has to be Montessori-aligned to be beneficial for children, however. It could also be argued that some of these multi-activity boards are more Montessori-aligned than others.

Some boards have Practical Life work attached to them, like zippers, buttons, and buckles. Some boards are less “busy” than others and are without the distracting, bright colors, which Montessori parents tend to prefer.

Many caregivers see busy boards as being Montessori toys, especially the simple, wooden ones.

The 7 best busy boards for toddlers

Now that you've got some information that will help you choose a busy board, let's get to the list.

I looked at over 50 different activity boards and, if I can be honest here, I did not like most of them. Most of the boards you will find are simply too “busy” and don't allow toddlers to focus.

I put the work in, however, and I found 7 great ones , though. Honestly, these are fantastic!

1. Montessori Busy Board for Toddlers

I really like this busy board. It's just not appealing, but it doesn't have too much going on.

Some of the activities are suited for babies, like the gears and switch. The buckle and zipper are great practice (and fun) for toddlers and the lacing shoe is great for older preschoolers.

My 7-year-old would even play with this – super fun.

• ✔️ HEALTHY ENCOURAGEMENT TO EARLY DEVELOPMENT SKILLS –A…
• ✔️ SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO EXPLORE FORBIDDEN REAL-LIFE CHALLENGES…
• ✔️ SAFE PLAY, FOR LITTLE HANDS AND FOR THE ENVIRONMENT TOO-…

2. Wooden Montessori Busy House

This might be a surprising choice for a trained and certified Montessorian, but here it is on this list.

I adore a wooden cube busy board. My children got so much use and enjoyment out of theirs.

This has a ton of activities on each side, but it still gives off a calm aesthetic, which I appreciate a lot. I love that there are auditory activities on this cube, too.

• A BUSY HOUSEHOLD Our learning toys are a fun activity center….
• EXQUISITE DESIGN: Compared with other busy boards, activity cubes…
• COMPREHENSIVE SKILLS TRAINING AND LEARNING: Montessori style…

3. Shape Sorter – Latch Board

This cute and simple busy board is unique, as it has a shape-sorting activity on it. This is a great board for the home and it's small enough to take in the car or to a restaurant .

• BUSY BOARD FOR TODDLERS – Satisfies your toddler’s desire to…
• MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES FOR TODDLERS – Your toddler will love opening…
• SENSORY STIMULATION – The smooth working latches on this toddler…

4. Montessori Busy House #2

This busy board house is pretty adorable. It is a little bit smaller than the other one on the list, which is great for those with limited space or those looking for something a little lighter in weight for easier transport.

• [ Multifunctional Busy House ]: Our busy house is specially…
• [ Educational Learning Toy ]: This learning toy is equipped with…
• [ Ample Interior Storage Space ]: There is a large storage room…

5. IWUTEFET Busy Board for Toddlers

This is a wooden busy board with some unique features. This one has gears, latches, and a shoe to lace, which is pretty neat for a toddler.

There are also 2 sides to this board, so there's a bit more for toddlers to do than with a one-sided board.

• WELL DESIGNED: This sensory board features a fidget spinner, pop…
• SAFE AND FUN: Our handmade Montessori busy board is an…
• SIZE SUITABLE: Keep your baby entertained on the go with our…

6. Sorting & Stacking Busy Board for Toddlers

If you're looking for a busy board for traveling , this is a great option.

It's not a board at all, actually, it's a cube. This is awesome for plane rides or for restaurants.

• 7-IN-1 BUSY BOARD TOY — This is a 7-in-1 wooden fidget busy cube…
• MONTESSORI EDUCATIONAL TOYS FOR TODDLERS — Early educational…
• PERFECT SENSORY TOYS FOR TODDLERS 1-3 — This activity fidget…

7. Montessori Sensory Activity Board 

This is one of my favorite sensory busy boards that is full of Practical Life Activities.

It's large enough to where a young child can steady it to complete the activities but small enough to where it can be easily transported.

It's not made of wood, so if sharp edges are a concern of yours, this is a good option.

• The Montessori busy board for toddlers is designed to promote…
• Originally launched in 2018, this busy board features a patented…
• Specifically designed for children ages 2, 3, and 4, this toddler…

I hope you found a busy board that's perfect for your toddler on this list. Montessori-aligned or not, these boards are serious fun for kids.

If you already have a favorite busy board, tell us about it!

Cheers and don't forget to subscribe!

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11 Best Toddler Busy Boards (2024 Reviews)

Just when you thought parenthood was easy, toddlerhood comes along. Suddenly your easy-going, angelic baby knows how to open doors, remove credit cards from your wallet, and flip every light switch in reach. Enter the busy board! Not only does a busy board keep your toddler out of trouble, but it also develops dexterity, teaches life skills, and even encourages language development.

Best Busy Boards for Toddlers & Babies

1. busy board montessori toys for toddlers, (best budget option — $).

Why it’s great: This busy board features buttons, laces, and snaps, all in a compact, wool felt board. I picked this as the best busy board for travel since it’s a lightweight, portable, and quiet option for toddlers on the go. Your toddler will also enjoy zipping it up and carrying it after playtime is finished. At 11×9 inches, it’s small enough to fit in most diaper bags, but it’s also a durable product that will last.

Keep in mind: This is a more challenging busy board with a simple, minimalist design, so it might be uninteresting or too challenging for younger toddlers. For that reason, it provides the most entertainment for older toddlers, ages 2 ½ and up.

Good for: Older, on-the-go toddlers who love toting a purse or handbag wherever they go.

View on Amazon.com ➜

2. Crocodile Busy Board

(best portable board — $).

Why it’s great: This one has plenty of activities to keep your child entertained. It has some easier choices for younger toddlers, like learning the alphabet, shapes, and zippers. Then it also teaches those a little more advanced how to buckle, snap, button, and tie. The whole board looks like a crocodile and folds up into a smaller green crocodile that’s easy to carry around. It has a hook-on strap that allows you or your child to put it over your shoulder, making it hands-free and easily portable. The bright colors and assortment of activities are sure to keep your child’s attention for hours.

Keep in mind: This is mostly made of soft felt, so it’s a little harder to clean.

Good for: Children ages 3 and up who want a busy board they can take with them wherever they go.

3. Montessori Busy Board

(best montessori — $$).

Why it’s great: This wooden board is a bright blue and has vibrantly colored locks, ties, and other activities. It is easy to wipe clean and even comes with it’s own cloth. It’s a great size for little hands and the cute wooden characters hidden around the board are sure to catch your child’s interest. Your child will learn fine motor skills, logic, and reasoning, and have a blast doing it with this board. They’ll also learn necessary skills, like tying a shoe and zipping. As an added bonus, the back of the board can be used as a whiteboard, so your child can draw and color to their heart’s content.

Keep in mind: The keys can come off and detach from the board, so there’s risk of them getting lost.

Good for: Families that want a montessori busy board to keep their child entertained while learning.

4. School Bus Style Activity Board

(most eye-catching — $).

Why it’s great: This adorable busy board from Byonebye looks like a bus on one side, with the busy board on the opposite side. Toddlers love shoulder bags, so they’ll also be drawn to the shoulder strap that allows them to carry it around the house. The board features several types of brightly colored buckles, shoelaces, a Velcro strip, snap, and a zipper. If your tot prefers FIRETRUCKS try this one .

Keep in mind: There are a few pieces that might get lost, including removable wheels for the school bus and the Velcro strip, making this a good choice for supervised use.

Good for: Toddlers who love cars, buses, and all things transportation.

5. Alex Discover Sound and Play Busy Table

(best table — $$).

Why it’s great: This is a fun table with the entire top designed as a busy board. It’s big enough that two children can play with it at the same time. This one has activities that will teach your child reasoning and cause and effect. It will help to improve their fine motor skills and allow them to play music. The wooden structure is sturdy and is chemical-free and completely safe for your child to use. The vibrant paint colors will attract and keep your child’s attention. The paint is also non-toxic and won’t peel off.

Keep in mind: This is a short table and great for seated play, but it won’t work for toddlers and kids who want to try to stand and play.

Good for: Children ages 18 months and up that want a bigger, tabletop board.

Get a quote in less than 30 seconds at LadderLife.com ➜

6. Buckle Toys Busy Board

(best value – $).

Why it’s great: The Buckle Toys busy board is the smallest of the options in this list, and the best for younger toddlers who have more advanced fine motor skills. It is a foam board, with a compact and lightweight design, making it another great option for car trips. It’s a pretty basic option, with four clips, shoelaces, a snap pocket, and a zipper. The board has a handle so your toddler can easily carry it around the house, and at just 8×11 inches, it will definitely become a favorite companion.

Keep in mind: This busy board might be a bit simple for older toddlers who have already mastered buckles and snaps. Best for ages 18 months to about 3 years.

Good for: More advanced toddlers who are ready to tackle tying, snaps, and zippers.

7. Melissa & Doug Latches Board

(best for all ages — $).

Why it’s great: This busy board is a long-standing favorite in our home. The Melissa & Doug products are popular for a reason – they are durable and kids love them. Their classic latches busy board is no exception!

This wooden playboard features six different types of latches. The latches unlock a set of doors, which contain a picture of a different numbered group of animals inside, making it a great way to build those fine motor skills while also working on number recognition. This toy has a wide range of difficulty levels, making it a great option to grow with your child. Younger toddlers will love the bright colors and variety of animals, while older toddlers will love the more challenging latches

Keep in mind: Unlike some of the other boards on this list, this is not a portable option. It’s large and awkward to carry, and the latches are rather loud. Best for home use.

Good for: Toddlers of all ages who love animals!

8. VTech Latches and Doors Busy Board

(most entertaining — $).

Why it’s great: The VTeach Latches and Doors Busy Board is the flashiest option on this list, with songs and sound effects to entertain the youngest toddlers, as well as the older crowd. Your toddler will love the keyhole and key, light switch, and windows that open to reveal the family pets. The board is made of plastic, and also has a carry handle so your little one can tow it around the house easily.

Keep in mind: Don’t forget the batteries! While it does come with demo batteries, you’ll need to purchase AA batteries to keep it working for long-term use. And of course, if you’re looking for a quiet distraction, you’ll want to choose a different option.

Good for: Toddlers who love sound effects and entertainment!

9. Town Maze Activity Board

(best for older toddlers — $).

Why it’s great: The HABA Town Maze Activity Board is a unique busy board that uses magnetism to keep your toddler fascinated while also building counting skills, dexterity, and color recognition. Using the magnetic wand, your toddler can guide the colored balls into their matching color of garage, while navigating roadblocks and a roundabout. The color matching aspect of the game makes it a great option for older toddlers. There are no pieces to lose, including the wand, which easily attaches to the board in the handy storage slot.

Keep in mind: Younger toddlers might find this board too challenging, making it best for older toddlers who have a bit more focus and can understand the point of the game. However, younger toddlers will enjoy moving the balls, even if they don’t understand the color matching aspect of the board.

Good for: Older toddlers who enjoy challenging games that require focus and coordination.

10. Owl Sensory Busy Board

(most adorable — $$).

Why it’s great: This busy board is in the shape of an owl and even the activities are incorporated into the design. The eyes are a spinning maze and the wings have a spinner and shoe ties. Even the feet are little buttons. It is brightly colored and makes an adorable decoration, as well as a toy. Your child will learn logic and reasoning, along with improving their fine motor skills. It will teach your child locks, ties, and even has a little clock to learn how to tell time. The board is made of wood and is sturdy and easy to wipe down.

Keep in mind: This is a smaller board and may be harder to have multiple children playing at one time.

Good for: Children who love owls and want an adorable busy board.

11. Elephant Activity Wall Busy Board

(best wall board — $$$).

Why it’s great: This one mounts to a wall and makes a cute decoration, as well as an activity board. The bright blue elephant design will attract your child’s attention and the musical toys will keep them playing for hours. Each activity makes a different noise which will delight your child. They’ll learn about different instruments while they strengthen their hand-eye coordination and motor skills. If your child isn’t interested in elephants, there are a few different animal options as well, with different activities attached. You could even collect them all.

Keep in mind: This one really only has three activities, so it’s not as exciting as some of the other boards.

Good for: Families that want a useful decoration for their child’s room.

Busy Board Montessori Toys for Toddlers

The Busy Board Montessori Toys for Toddlers is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..

FAQs about toddler busy boards

1. what’s the point of a busy board.

Obviously, one major advantage of busy boards is right there in the name – they keep your toddler busy! As anyone who has repeated “Don’t touch!” to their toddler in the middle of an antique shop can tell you, toddlers love working with their hands. A busy board is pretty much a toddler’s dream come true.

However, the advantages go beyond entertainment. Busy boards are also known as sensory boards because they provide an experience for all the senses, particularly the sense of touch. Toddlers hone their fine motor skills as they learn to button, snap, buckle, and tie, building strength in their fingers and increasing dexterity.

At this stage of development, fine motor development is also neurological development. As toddlers complete these simple everyday tasks, they also learn how to problem-solve. They begin to understand simple concepts like cause and effect, as well as object permanence. Think of it as a toddler STEM toy!

2. What is the best age for busy boards?

Busy boards can be used by a range of ages, from older babies to older toddlers age 4 or 5. While their benefits are most appropriate for kids in the 1-5 age range, even your older kids might enjoy perfecting more advanced skills, like tying and lacing. For younger toddlers, choose a board that uses simpler tools, like snaps and buckles. For older or advanced younger toddlers, shoelaces, and buttons are great additions.

3. What are some safety tips for choosing a busy board?

While busy boards are generally safe, you will want to inspect it frequently to make sure no items your child can choke on have come loose (for example, snaps, zippers, or buttons). Other than that, busy boards are a pretty safe way to keep your little one entertained.

4. What objects are good for busy boards?

Busy boards commonly include snaps, buttons, buckles, locks, zippers, shoelaces, and Velcro – basically, anything you use to attach one thing to another. Think about getting dressed – toddlers love to change their outfits multiple times a day, and love learning how to zip, button, snap and tie.

5. What should I look for in a busy board?

The primary considerations when choosing a busy board are your child’s age and ability level. If you have a younger toddler, keep in mind that small pieces can pose a choking hazard, so make sure the board is free of any items that could be choked on. The skill level is another consideration. Toddlers who haven’t mastered basic fine motor skills, like turning pages in a book or stacking two or three blocks to make a tower, will be more interested in a board that has simpler tasks, such as buckles and snaps. Skills like buttoning, tying, and lacing are more advanced.

6. Do I need to supervise my toddler’s busy board time?

As long as your busy board is free of choking hazards, there’s no need for supervision. However, keep in mind that while busy boards are a lot of fun, some tasks can be challenging and even frustrating. Take some time now and then to work with your toddler and demonstrate how to complete the tasks. This one-on-one time will encourage learning and minimize frustration.

While you’re shopping for the best busy board, think about times you find yourself wishing your toddler were entertained. If that happens on long car trips, you’ll want a board that is portable and durable. If your little one tends to interrupt you at home while you’re making dinner or working, portability might not be a priority. Choose the product that best suits your own needs.

And remember, the best busy boards aren’t just a great source of entertainment – they also provide neurological stimulation, sharpen fine motor skills, teach problem-solving, and build memory and focus. It’s a win-win!

30+ Best Travel Toys For Toddlers

For a lot of parents travelling with a toddler or baby can fill them with fear. The thought of their toddler throwing a tantrum or crying as soon as the plane takes off can put parents off travelling altogether.

It doesn’t need to be this way as long as you are well prepared for everything you can have a successful journey and reap the rewards of enjoying the destination at the end.

I have come up with a really simple and easy to remember acronym that is the key to successful trip with a toddler (or at least make it a lot easier). Just remember S.A.S or Snacks,  Activities  and Sleeping aids . 

Every time I’ve been really organised with these three things, the flight or road trip has gone well.

Another commonly referred to parenting acronym is HALT; hungry, angry, lonely and tired. It’s like being ‘armed’ with something to tackle each of those issues. 

When you spend as much time travelling as we do, you learn what works and what doesn’t when it comes to keeping your kids happy on the move.

Whether we are flying or taking a road trip we are always looking for the magic travel toys for toddlers which will keep them entertained on the journey.

If you are looking to organise some travel toys yourself, it is important to find lightweight options and to figure out what works for your child so that you aren’t loaded down with gear.

We have found one of the most important components of keeping your toddler happy is having something new and stimulating to play with!

When I say new, I mean new to them! Even if it’s a toy they haven’t see for a while and have forgotten about!

If you will be travelling by plane, most of the larger airlines usually have child play packs that are handed out to children before take-off.

Some are better than others but most include colouring pencils, paper, a soft toy and some sensory play items that will only keep your toddler distracted for a while.

The key is to introduce each play item one by one to your little one. This way you are maximising the amount of precious playtime for each item before they loose interest and move onto the next.

We all know how babies and toddlers can look at something quickly and thrown it to one side.

Below we have compiled a list of some of the tried and tested items used while travelling with our toddlers. If you find the below list too advanced for your child, check out our baby travel toys list here.

If you don’t have time (or just prefer not) to put effort into searching out new toys you can try out our favourite pre-made packs designed with your child’s age in mind.

With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the best Toddler travel toys on the market.

A few of them are better road trip toys whilst others are good choice for an upcoming flight with a toddler. For the most part the toys are great no matter how you plan to travel.

The Best Travel Toys For Toddlers

Keep ’em Quiet Bags

We love the Keep Em Quiet pre-made entertainment bags specifically designed for travelling.

When life gets busy, there is not always time to spend putting together the perfect pack of toys for your child. When that happens, our go to option is the Keep ’em Quiet bags .

These ultimate entertainment packs are specifically designed to keep little ones of all different ages entertained on a flight.

They come in different age groups, gender (also gender neutral available), as well as length of trip. If you are going away for a weekend they can be smaller and obviously a little cheaper in price.

They are stuffed full of activities such as fidget spinners, sensory toys, mess free painting, 3d puzzles, snacks, special colouring in and so on. The Keep ’em Quiet bags are available worldwide.

We have managed to stretch our Keep Em Quiet bags out for a fight and an entire trip!

Sensory Board

This sensory board for toddlers is the perfect toy to bring on any trip. Thanks to the lightweight and compact design, it can easily be put it in the backpack to be taken anywhere keeping your kids busy and quiet during a long journey.

• [8 PAGES, ENDLESS FUN] – Our innovated busy board for toddlers has 8 pages to play, featuring multiple…
• [PLAY WHILE LEARNING] – Keep your baby entertained while they develop essential skills like dressing at…
• [SOFT & PORTABLE TODDLER TRAVEL TOYS]: Our sensory toys for toddlers 1-3 is made of toxic-free soft…

With lots of bits and pieces including zippers, shoelaces, buttons, belt buckles, jigsaw puzzles, alphabet, clocks and calendar learning games. Theres lots here to keep little fingers engaged on any trip. Is available in blue or pink and can be purchased here .

UFO Sensory Toy

This Montessori UFO flying saucer design makes it easy for babies to grasp and hold, the cords can be pulled from one side to other side to hear and feel the various sounds and vibrations.

• 【Montessori Toys for 1 Year Old】with attractive UFO shape, easy for baby to hold, textured side for…
• 【Fine Motor Skills】Montessori Toy adopts multiple colors to help infants identify colors; pulling…
• 【Travel/Bath/Teething Toy】Multi-play methods to attract your baby attention and relieve discomfort on…

It has textured cords and makes it easy to hold while promoting motor skills, sensory exploration, fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

You can purchase the Montessori sensory toy here.

No Mess Colouring

Colouring just got more fun (for parents). Having to worry about your child colouring on walls, chairs, seat back tables and themselves is no longer an issue.

There are a few options on the market that all follow the same principle of markers that only work on the paper it comes with. Here are some of our favorite options:

Colour Wonder Products

• COLOR WONDER PAINT SET: This Mess Free paint set for kids includes 24 pages of specially formulated Color…
• NO DRIP PAINT PENS: Color Wonder paints are now inside the no drip paint brush pens making them…
• AT HOME CRAFTS & INDOOR ACTIVITIES: Keep spirits high with creative art supplies! Simple and fun crafts…

When you are done you can let the page dry to erase the pictures and fill it in again and again.

The chunky-sized water pen is easy for kids to hold and it stores neatly right in the front cover. Water Wow comes in animal, alphabet and vehicle-themed books, which makes for an ideal travel activity toy for kids.

• 3-PACK PAINTING ACTIVITY BOOKS: The On-the-Go Water Wow! Reusable Water-Reveal Activity Pads feature a…
• 4 REUSABLE WHITE PAGES: Our activity coloring books with water pen for kids each feature 4 reusable white…
• CHUNKY-SIZED PEN: These Melissa & Doug no-mess coloring books each come with a chunky-sized water pen…

The only down side is that your little one can’t choose which colour to use as it has one marker that activates all the pre-existing colours in the page.

Aqua Doodle – Travel Doodle

• ♥ A QUALITY PRODUCT OF RANGEBOW → This reusable water doodle bag mat is made with soft polyester…
• ♥ A GREAT EDUCATIONAL TOY → Kids can doodle freely letting their imagination and creativity flow,…
• ♥ GREAT SIZE → It is portable and travel friendly Toy. 11.8 X 8.9 inch (30 X 22.5 cm) approximately….

Suction Cup Spinner Toys

These spinning suction cupped sensory toys can stick to the window in the car, plane, or any flat surface. They have coloured poppers which help develop hand and eye development while keeping toddlers calm. Click here to buy a Suction cup spinner toy.

• 👶【Suction Cup Spinner Toys 】The TOHIBEE versatile suction cup toys includes everything baby need…
• 👶【Multifunctional Bath Toys 】They are more than sensory spinning toys! Its strong suction cup can…
• 👶【Baby Enjoy Spinning Toys】 Only happy without crying ! The colorful rotating wind leaves and the…

Magnetic Doodle Board

It also comes in mini for travelling although whether or not you feel the need to get the travel size will depend on your carry on space.

• 💪 DURABLE – The Chuchik magnetic drawing board for kids was meticulously designed to endure the…
• 🧳 ADDITIONAL TRAVEL-SIZE – We’ve thoughtfully included a compact 4-color magnetic drawing board that…
• 🧲 MAGNETIC STAMPS STAY IN PLACE – Experience hassle-free creativity with this magnetic drawing board…

Busy Board Activity Cube

This 7 in 1 Montessori fidget cube its sure to keep little minds engaged while taking an airplane or car ride. It has lots of pushing, pulling, switching and flicking features on it which help develop their fine motor skills as well as keeping them entertained.

• 7-IN-1 BUSY BOARD TOY — This is a 7-in-1 wooden fidget busy cube toy, includes spring bolt, switch,…
• MONTESSORI EDUCATIONAL TOYS FOR TODDLERS — Early educational toys for 1-3 and 2-4 years old toddler on…
• PERFECT SENSORY TOYS FOR TODDLERS 1-3 — This activity fidget busy cube toy keep your little ones away…

The Lightweight and compact design makes it easy to pack for any trip in your bag or backpack. Click here to purchase the Busy Board Activity Cube.

Travel Lap Tray

These travel lap trays are a popular item for any upcoming flight or road trip and perfect for organising travel toys for toddlers. Perfect for those OCD parents who can’t stand to much mess.

These activity trays are perfect for organising everything in one place from the water bottle to the pens, pencils and even an iPad or tablet.

• 【Travel and Roadtrip Essentials】- Keep your toddler entertained for hours, even on long drives! Our…
• 【Portable Carseat Tray and Road Trip Must Haves】- Our car seat tray for kids has a compact size of…
• 【Premium Quality for Long-Lasting Use】- Made of high-quality materials to give your kids a travel…

With zippered and mesh pockets to store additional items on the move plus its handy waterproof surface for easy cleaning of any spills and mess.

This particular tray also comes with a lifetime warranty. Click here to purchase the Kenley Kids travel tray.

Buckle Toys

Buckle toys are all the rage lately. They help toddlers develop fine motor skills, cognitive skills, hand eye coordination, problem solving.

You can put some small things in it and your toddler can wear it through the airport to feel like a ‘big girl/boy’ or strap it on for a crazy road trip adventure .

• LEARNING TOY: Empower your curious child with our mom-approved, child-tested learning backpacks & toys,…
• TOY & BAG: Not only is this a backpack, but it’s an educational toy as well! This bag has 10 easy buckles…
• DEVELOPMENT: While using this quiet therapy toy, this plush small figure can teach your boy or girl…

Magnetic Play Set

The play board folds in half and because the pieces are magnetic they are hard to lose, making it great for travel.

• MAKE FUN SCENES—Place colorful magnets on the fun backgrounds to make any scenes you want!
• PLAY OVER AND OVER—Easily remove magnets or move them around to make any scene you want, and even tell…
• QUIET PLAY—Engaging activity for quiet play

When they are little they will enjoy just squishing it and when they get older it’s great for letting their imaginations run wild.

• 10 cans of creative fun – kids can get creative with just the right colors They need in this Play-Doh…
• Just the right colors to start – shape, squish, mix, and make it all. Great for lots of uses like…
• Shape your imagination – squishy, bright, non-toxic Play-Doh compound sparks imaginations For kids 2…

Pipe Cleaners

We’ve been surprised time and time again that no matter what amazing toys and surprises we bring the most effective and time consuming toy is the pipe cleaners.

• Great value for money: 200 pcs 20 colors, each color 10pcs, approx 6.5mm in diameter, 305mm in length.h
• Premium Quality for all 20 colors: Manufactured with high standards, our pipe cleaners are flexible, easy…
• Great gift: Our pipe cleaners make a perfect gift for your loved ones. This product can improve their…

• ✅Note: If the sticker does not stick due to hair or stains, Just rinse them in a bowl with warm soapy…
• 21PCS CUTE DESIGN – Our Package includes: 21PCS cute patterns animals thick gel clings : Frog, Crocodile,…
• WIDE APPLICATION – Get a combinations of your favorite animal characters and decorations! The zoo animals…

Wristband Stuffed Animal

• In need of a bear hug? Huggers give long loving hugs. This bear is the perfect combination of soft…
• Huggers are the unique plush toy that hugs you back. Simply wrap these plush slap bracelets around your…
• These plush toys are for kids of all ages, adults love them too, and hang them on items in their home or…

It goes around your arm like a wristband so there will be no dropping it between the seats and never finding it again.

Fat Brain Toys

This award winning tactile toy is great to make toddlers grab, explore, sort, and discover. It is one of our favourite travel toys for toddlers.

Their little hands are immediately drawn to the six brightly coloured, textured, rubbery, tethered shapes and offers a unique way for shape-sorting fun. They are fun for little fingers to feel and also great for teething! To buy the Oombee Cube Sorter click here.

• GRAB, EXPLORE, SORT, DISCOVER! A shape-sorting cube with the shapes tethered to the corners!
• SIX TEXTURED SILICONE SHAPES ARE FUN FOR THE HANDS! Easily fit into the slots of the cube
• AGES 10 MONTHS AND UP; Shapes made of food-grade silicone; Cube made of sturdy plastic; BPA-free

BrainUpToys Busy Activity Cube 

A similar but more advanced version of the Fat Brain Toy is this activity cube from BrainUpToys . With wheels, beads, strings, bells, and all kinds of fingering shapes to keep a toddler busy until you have reached your destination. This activity cube is perfect for developing little ones fine motor skills.

• Travel Busy Cube Educational Toy Toddlers Busy board Wooden Cube Motor Skills Gift For Toddler Birthday…

Lonely Planet Pop Up Books

Whilst normally we are a fan of smaller books for the sake of space, the Lonely Planet pop up books are great if you want to prepare your child for the destination you are headed to.

• Mansfield, Andy (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 8 Pages – 04/19/2016 (Publication Date) – Lonely Planet (Publisher)

Koosh Balls

• CLASSIC REIMAGINED – The same incredible design with so many new ways to play!
• FIDGET TOY– Designed to make catching a breeze, Koosh balls are easy to catch and play with.
• PLAY ANYWHERE – With a softer feel than your average ball, Koosh are great for indoors, outdoors, at…

They come in many themes so you can choose whatever theme your child is obsessed with today!

• Phidal Publishing Inc. (Author)
• 10 Pages – 08/30/2017 (Publication Date) – Phidal Publishing Inc. (Publisher)

While we prefer to let our kids experience some good creative fun, very often the time comes, especially when flying long haul, that you need to bring out the big guns!

• SAVE UP TO $60 on a full-featured tablet (not a toy) for kids ages 3–7, 1 year of Amazon Kids+, and a…
• RESPONSIVE WITH LONG BATTERY LIFE – Features 8″ HD display, 2 GB RAM, 32 or 64 GB, up to 1 TB of…
• CONTENT KIDS LOVE – Includes 1 year of Amazon Kids+ – a digital subscription designed for kids to safely…

These Kidrox Kids Headphones have a sharing port on every set, so kids can easily connect these headphones in a daisy chain and listen together – just plug the first set into your audio/media device and then connect the others so siblings can enjoy a movie together.

They also have a volume limiter to protect children’s hearing and come in 3 different designs. Click here to buy the Kidrox Kids Headphones .

• Durable And Kid-Friendly Child Headphones: Built with safe, impact-resistant, and BPA-Free nontoxic…
• 85db Volume Limiter For Hearing Protection: KidRox wants to keep your little tiger’s hearing safe! To…
• Designed With Your Little Ones In Mind: Perfect for 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8 year old kids’ heads, the…

Travel Toys for Toddlers – Older Toddlers

Table of Contents

As your kids get a little older their tastes and abilities change. While the above travel toys for toddlers will still be fun and stimulating for them, some options for older toddlers are also available to them. Here are some of the best!

Playing card games can be great with older toddlers. Odds are that if your child is too young they will think the game is to throw the cards everywhere so only take this one out when they are old enough.

• [Tons of Questions for More Connection] – contains 400 questions that make your child the center of your…
• [Really Listen] – learn things you don’t know about topics you may not think to ask about, be present…
• [Leave the Questions to Us] – it can be hard to know what to talk about with our children. We’ve come up…

Little Globe Packs

The Our Little Globe Packs are a subscription box for kids wanting to learn about the culture of different countries. Our little one tried out the Kenya box just before our trip and it was an amazing introduction to her trip whilst we were still at home.

We took it along on our trip and used it both on the outbound and return journey. Inside it has a passport with flag stickers, recipes for the countries traditional dishes, an activity related to the culture a crib sheet with a few words in the language and a map.

The map was an amazing way to prep our kids for the trip. It showed lots of the animals they could expect to see and what a Masai village looks like, as well as traditional clothing.

Our daughter found it a fun way of ‘ticking off’ things she’d seen. We also found it a very useful way of preparing her for a significant cultural difference.

They are excellent for learning letters and numbers and illustrating biology, making habitats, constellations, molecular structures and so much more.

This particular pack comes with step by step instructions to make a DNA double helix.

• 144 feet of Wikki Stix in eight great colors for super creativity – big 3-D creations, science and Stem…
• Arts and Crafts activities are awesome with three-foot long one-of-a-kind Wikki Stix! Perfect for a…
• School projects, rainy day fun, and festive seasonal decor are fun and easy with Super Wikki Stix…

Other Helpful Travel Gear & Tips

Jetkids bedbox.

A great option to keep all of travel toys for toddlers safe in one place is the Jetkids Bedbox . This is a ride on scooter, come suitcase with storage, come bed. I mean, this is literally the most genius invention to come onto the family travel market ever!

This one product can deal with every stage of the journey and has been such a game changer for us.

I really love it when something has multiple functions. It’s an absolute ‘must’ when it comes to children’s products.

Let’s face it, they can get board so easily, it needs to keep them entertained and happy for as long as possible.

• FIRST CLASS EXPERIENCE – JetKids by Stokke BedBox is the world’s only premium, ride-on suitcase for kids…
• FUN & FUNCTIONAL – This spacious carry-on size suitcase holds all of your child’s must-haves, and once…
• TRAVEL ESSENTIALS – JetKids by Stokke BedBox was designed with front swivel wheels for easy maneuvering,…

The Jetkids Bedbox comes complete with a little strap, our daughter can straddle the box and I have a long handle to pull her along. The wheels at the front rotate so it can go around corners and everything.

All you have to do is unclip the lid, and turn it upside down to create a platform. There is a little extendable tray that closes the gap and overlaps with the chair.

It is adjustable to suit different seat heights so would be perfect for a car or plane.

This genius little product also acts as a suitcase that comes in a variety of colours, with storage compartments inside the main body as well as the lid! It has a hard exterior meaning lots of different things can be stored inside safely.

We popped the provided mattress over the top of the inflight seat and  BedBox platform to make her own little cozy space. It meant she could just chill or lie down for a sleep.

I was so impressed that the JetKids BedBox is not only a bed for our little one when onboard a flight, but it is also storage, and a scooter! 

For more information and to buy a JetKids Bedbox the perfect suitcase for carrying travel toys for toddlers.

Bring A Baby Carrier

As a mum who has literally traveled all over the world, mostly baby wearing, my carrier is one of the most important pieces of paraphernalia I bring with me! Having a child carrier allows you to be relatively hands-free when navigating airports, tourist hot spots and anything else you can think of!

It has always been my go to means of getting my little ones of to sleep on the move, and always seems to settle them down in those stressful situations where they just need a cuddle but also allows me to be handsfree.

There are tonnes of carrier brands on the market and sometimes it can be hard to choose which are the best baby carriers for travel and everyday use. 

• One carrier that does it all: Grows with baby from newborn to toddler (0-48 months; 7-45lbs)
• All carry positions: Inward, front outward, hip & back carry
• 100% premium cotton: Soft and cozy for the ultimate in comfort

There is no need to have a separate baby carrier for travelling. When you invest your money into a baby carrier you want it to work all of the time, no matter if you are travelling or not.

Most carriers are adaptable as your child grows from a baby into a toddler.

ErgoBaby has long been making fantastic carrier’s that mums dads and kids love. Their  Ergobaby Omni 360  might just be the best ErgoBaby carrier yet, combining the best features from some of their popular carriers. For more information and to buy the Ergobaby Omni 360 click here .

Top Tips For Travelling With A Toddler

Aside from taking lots of cool travel toys for toddlers you will definitely want to bring an array of snacks your toddler likes. Airplane food can be pretty hit or miss with tots so it is best to bring your own.

Likewise, meals might not be served precisely when your little one is hungry. I tend to bring pre-made pouches and plenty of dry snacks for the trip.

Just make sure to have the liquid foods ready for security to check if you are going through the airport. Similarly at your final destination you may need to declare any foods you have so it is a good idea to them all up on route.

Boarding The Plane

You will fine airlines always encourage families to board first! However I can’t thinks of anything worse than spending more time than needed on board. Let your toddler run around and burn off all their energy before boarding.

I tend to board later so when we get on its close so there is less issues with confining our little one. If you have a lot of hand luggage and are concerned about over head space and you have two parents flying, one could go ahead and get set up!

Sleeping Aids

As previously mentioned, the Jet Kids Bed Box is a great option to keep all of your toys in one place. Not to mentioned the ride on feature for getting through the airport and the bed it turns into on board.

If you are looking for something a little more compact for your hand luggage, there are airplane bed pillows on the market.

Plane Pal and Fly Tots are two options. They inflate with a simple foot pump to fill the leg room space and create a flat area for your toddler to lie down. This is particularly good for long haul flights.

Not only do the pillows serve as a bed, they also stop all the toys and other objects from falling onto the ground. and getting lost.

Not all airlines allow the use of the pillows so it is worth checking ahead of the flight. It does appear to come down to the discretion of the crew quite often. That being said, I have never been asked to put it away.

Again on long haul flights, they tend to provide children’s blankets however if you have something familiar it can always help with getting your little one off to sleep.

There is a premium pillow option called Flyaway Kids Bed and this is next level comfort. It is amazing but more expensive than the others. It covers the entire seat and leg space and will last longer as your child gets older due to its size.

We had a dreamy long haul flight with our two year old and the Flyaway kids bed, it is literally like business class seat in economy for kids.

If you decide to use any pillow, remember to choose the right seats! You can’t block the walkway for others so a window seat is ideal. Check out the picture below for some guidance.

If you are travelling far out of your time zone, most likely everyone will need to adjust. We’ve had our fair share of jet lag with our kids over the years.

It sounds terrifying especially if you have a routine with your toddler but rest assured its doable. We have a tonne of tips on how to deal with jet lag in toddlers .

if you are arriving local morning or early afternoon, try your best to sleep on the flight so you arrive rested. This will help you get through the day with a couple of power naps.

The main thing is to push to the new zone little by little. The hardest part about jet lag is when your little ones is up in the middle of night.

You can try a herbal remedy melatonin which is great. Keep exposing you little one to day light at appropriate times, getting out and getting fresh air.

I can remember so many times waking up in the middle of the night and having a craving for dinner.

When this happens, we tend to keep all the light dim, only eat something light and head back to bed.

Always allow some down time on your first couple of days if you are travelling a long way.

Changing time zones and being on such a long flight can make you quite dehydrated so remember to keep pushing the fluids with your little one and yourself of course.

Traveling With A Car Seat

We all know it is hard enough to survive with kids and luggage without a car seat as well on travel days. We found an amazing light-weight car seat that turns into a backpack and can easily be checked in.

It really helps to keep your hands free when you are flying with a toddler. The RyRy Compact is really easy to install and ins made with Merino Wool, the whole products is really good quality.

It is perfect if you are renting a car on arrival or needing to take a taxi from the airport.

These are our best suggestions for travel toys for toddlers with a few extra tips along the way!

Do you have a favourite travel toys for toddlers that wasn’t mentioned? Comment below or Share this post with your friends who are still on the hunt for travel toys!

Still nailing down your vacation plans? Get the best deals on travel insurance , hotels , rental cars , tours and reliable internet !

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Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Best travel toys for toddlers

• Best travel toy for toddlers overall : 8 Piece Tegu Pocket Pouch Magnetic Wooden Block Set
• Best car travel toy for toddlers : Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad: My Town
• Best plane travel toy for toddlers : Buckle Toy Buster Square
• Best travel size toy for toddlers : Crayola Color Wonder Mess Free Art Desk with Stamps
• Best travel toy for babies : BrainUpToys Busy Activity Cube
• Best sticker travel toy for toddlers : Melissa & Doug On the Go Felt Friends Craft Activity Set
• Best travel toy for 1-year-olds : Melissa & Doug K's Kids Take-Along Shape Sorter
• Best travel toy for 2-year-olds : AILA Sit & Play
• Best travel toy for 3-year-olds : deMoca Quiet Book for Toddlers

What are travel toys for toddlers?

Traveling with toddlers, by air or car, takes thoughtful planning and a lot of patience. There’s a lot of gear to pack, but don’t be tempted to skimp on the toys, because they’re one thing that can make a big difference at those inevitable tense travel moments.

The best travel toys for toddlers are small or otherwise easy to pack, store all in one piece, and are easy to play with in limited spaces. It's a big job for a little toy, so we looked for answers in BabyCenter's Community, searching through thousands of posts for real-world mom and dad recommendations, then funneling their choices to our expert team for research and vetting. Keep reading for the best car travel toy for toddlers, the best plane travel toy for toddlers, and more.

Why trust us?

Best travel toy for toddlers overall, 8 piece tegu pocket pouch magnetic wooden block set.

With this little set of blocks children can build automobiles, creatures, stacks, or structures, all of which stick together due to a small upgrade to the classic wooden block: small magnets embedded inside the tropical hardwood that make them cling to each other. They feel smooth and pleasant in your hands, so much so that adults may find themselves wanting to stack, sort, and arrange, too. And the whole set comes in a small fabric bag that keeps everything tidily stored. 

Parents say 

“We brought Tegu blocks and they were a hit.”

“We have a little set of Tegu blocks that our little one likes at restaurants.”

Tegu blocks are on the pricey side, and once you get one set you may want more. 

• 4.6 x 3.55 x 1.8 inches
• Recommended for age 1 and up

Best car travel toy for toddlers

Melissa & doug reusable sticker pad: my town.

This sticker book is a whole little immersive world: simple images of a school bus, a grocery store, a city street, with stickers of the vehicles, people, and objects that can be used to populate each. There are over 200 stickers, so there’s a lot of quiet sticking that can be done, and the pad is the perfect size to fit in a toddler’s lap. Plus, our favorite thing: the stickers adhere to (and can be easily removed from) just about any smooth surface, up to and including airplane and car windows. 

After some use, the pages can fall out.

• 11 x 14 x 0.25 inches
• Recommended for age 3-10

Best plane travel toy for toddlers

Buckle toy buster square.

Kids seem to love buckles, buttons and anything that snaps, which is why this toy was made to snap and click. It’s just a simple fabric pillow with a happy face and straps with different clasps protruding from it, but somehow it casts a magic spell on little ones, who practice their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while they play. A zipper on one end opens to a small pouch where you can hide little surprises for your child to discover while on your family adventure. 

“I recommend this toy to everyone! My DD is so quiet in the car now!”

Some wish the buckles were adjustable.

• 6.5 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• 3.87 ounces
• Recommended for age 1-4

Best travel size toy for toddlers

Crayola color wonder mess free art desk with stamps.

This is such a great mess-free toy for creative kids on the go. It comes with a color wonder paper pad, an ink pad, a stamper with five different stamps, and an art desk sized to fit nicely on a little lap. The ink from the toy only appears on the special Color Wonder paper, not on hands, furniture, car seats, or other important places. Thus kids can go wild with their creations, without making any cleanup for parents. Everything stores neatly in the desk, which is thin and flat enough to pack and snaps shut firmly, keeping everything secure. 

The kit comes with 15 pages of Color Wonder paper; once you’re out, you have to buy replacement packs instead of using any old paper from home. 

• 13.75 x 12 x 2.63 inches
• 1.75 pounds
• 5 Color Wonder markers, 5 jungle-themed stamps, Color Wonder non-drying ink pad, and 15 pages of blank Color Wonder paper
• Recommended for age 3 and up  

Best travel toy for babies

Brainuptoys busy activity cube.

This toy packs a lot of interesting activities into a 4-by-4-inch cube. One side’s a classic clock, one has a spinner with colored beads whirling inside, other sides have a magnet run, beads and shapes on strings, and interlocking gears. It’s ideal for kids who like to explore with their hands, and small enough to throw into a diaper bag or glove compartment. All loose parts are fastened securely so you won’t have to worry about losing pieces during travel, either. 

Some parents complain that the cube’s sides come off if the cube is dropped. 

• 4 x 4 x 4 inches
• Recommended for age 1-3

Best sticker travel toy for toddlers

Melissa & doug on the go felt friends craft activity set.

In one travel-sized container, you’ll find four background scenes (an ocean, a farm, etc.) and 46 felt shapes that allow your child to create the fuzzy creatures that live in each setting. It’s quiet, creative, compact, and tidy; kids can follow step-by-step instructions to make their creatures, or make up their own. Either way, it’s a lot of play for a toy tiny enough to carry in your purse. 

There are a lot of pieces to this set so some may get dropped or lost during play. 

• 10 x 6 x .4 inches 
• Recommended for age 4 and up  

Best travel toy for 1-year-olds

Melissa & doug k's kids take-along shape sorter.

This portable activity center is great for short trips, and comes with plastic shapes that fit into a padded carrying case. Figuring out how to fit each piece into its same-sized and -shaped hole is a glorious challenge for toddlers’ fine motor skills and object recognition; once that palls, flip the case over to entertain your child with a grid of nine fabric pictures, all covered with crinkly peek-a-boo flaps they’ll love lifting to see what’s underneath. Everything fits inside for on-the-go scenarios, and the top handle makes it easy to tote. 

Some wish there was a way to cover the holes on one side of the case, so it can be used for secure storage while traveling. 

• 14 x 10 x 4 inches
• 1.25 pounds
• Recommended for 9 months - 3 years

Best travel toy for 2-year-olds

Aila sit & play.

A fantastic first tablet toy for toddlers, the AILA (Animal Island Learning Adventure) Sit & Play system comes pre-loaded with a library of 60 storybooks, 45 songs, and preschool learning lessons that will teach your child letter and number recognition and cognitive reasoning skills. Kids can listen to stories, dance, or sing, or set the tablet to Learning mode for language and STEM content. AILA keeps track of the curriculum milestones your child has reached, and parents can check in on their kids mid-lesson and monitor screen time. 

Some say the battery life lasts about two hours, though product specs claim four hours. 

• 7.4 x 6.4 x 4.6 inches
• 23.3 ounces
• 1 lithium ion battery required, not included  

Best travel toy for 3-year-olds

Democa quiet book for toddlers.

This Montessori quiet book is wonderful for kids that love to learn through play. With nine different activities, this book is machine-washable and designed to keep kids busy with buttons, buckles, zips and more, with all loose parts tethered to the soft cloth book cover. Kids can practice tying a faux shoe, telling time, zipping up a dress, snapping on a set of cloth balloons and so on, improving their fine motor control with real-world skills. 

Some wish there were more pages included in the book.

• 9.96 x 8.07 x 2.17 inches

Travel toys for toddlers are great to have on hand whenever you’re on the move. Made to be compact and self-contained so that they are easy to pack without losing pieces along the way, travel toys for toddlers are intended to be high-engagement toys that will buy you time, keeping little ones entertained when they need to be quiet and still, or just keeping them busy at idle moments. 

The best toys for traveling with little kids are ones that will stimulate children’s senses and encourage creativity: puzzles, stickers, mess-free craft supplies, magnetic toys, miniature sensory toys . Travel toddler toys should be mess-free, easy to clean up and keep together, and keep children’s attention span for periods longer than a few minutes.

When shopping for travel toys, consider: 

• Size and shape: The best travel toys pack well in suitcases or travel bags. Think flat, thin, light, and small. Consider also how much room you need to play with a toy, and where you’ll be playing it. 
• Storage: Are there small parts? Do they store together securely for mobility? 
• Play options: Toys that allow children to play alone or harmoniously together can do double duty when there’s time to play with siblings or cousins.
• Age range: Toys that can be used by children of different ages are great to have on hand when traveling and meeting up with new friends or various branches of your family. 
• Clean up: Toys that can cause damage or stains are off the menu, unless you want to risk hotel security deposits or you enjoy apologizing to angry relatives. 
• Durability: Fragile toys that easily fall apart aren’t sturdy enough for travel; choose toys that are up to the rigors of being packed and banged around a little.   

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16 of the Best Travel Board Games for Kids 2024

If your family loves travelling, then having some of the best travel board games for adults and kids at home is brilliant for keeping the passion alive between trips.  Not only do the best travel games for kids, keep the whole family entertained, it’s also a fun way to teach the kids about the wonderful world we live in and its people, particularly right now if you’ve stuck at home and looking for things to do.

So if you’re looking for some fun ways to keep the entire family entertained during these periods of world travel bans, then I highly recommend you check out this list of fun travel themed board games.  In this travel games for children guide– I’ve listed a range of great travel games for kids of all ages.  Whether you’re after the best travel games for toddlers or the best travel games for adults and kids to enjoy together, this guide covers it all.

Luckily for us, we love to travel AND playing board games, so it was actually heaps of fun putting this guide together and I may have even found some great ideas for our next board game purchase.

This post may contain compensated links.  Please refer to my disclaimer  here  for more information.

Page Contents

• 1 Best Travel Board Games for Kids 
• 2 Comparison Table: Best Travel Games for Kids
• 3.1 Age Appropriate – Difficulty
• 3.2 How Many Players
• 3.3 Time to Play
• 3.4 The Fun Factor
• 4.1 Ticket to Ride
• 4.2 Travel Card Games: Countries of the World II Card Games
• 4.3 Explore the World
• 4.4 Pandemic
• 4.5 Passport to Culture
• 4.6 GeoBingo World
• 4.7 Flags Around The World
• 4.8 The World Game
• 4.9 The Continent Race
• 4.10 BrainBox – The World
• 4.11 Around the World
• 4.12 Backpacker – The Ultimate Travel Game
• 4.13 The Scrambled States of America
• 4.14 Great States
• 4.15 Travel Blog
• 4.16.1 Do you want to keep this handy for later? 
• 4.16.2 Click on one of the images below to save it to Pinterest.

Best Travel Board Games for Kids  

To come up with this list of travel board games for family, I’ve asked for recommendations from our followers, other family travel bloggers as well as researched the best selling travel games on Amazon.  I have no doubt there are a million other fun travel games, but this is a pretty good list to get you started.

Comparison Table: Best Travel Games for Kids

Don’t have time to read the entire review on the best travel board games for adults and kids to play together?  Below is a handy table of all the games in this guide with some brief information and a link for where you can buy the games online.

Keep reading below for further information on these games.

How to Find Great Travel Games

Before we get into the reviews on popular travel board games for kids, I want to give you some tips on how to go about finding the best board games everyone will love.

While going through this guide, think about the following factors:

Skip this section if you just want to see our list of recommended travel games.

Age Appropriate – Difficulty

Obviously the best travel games for 3 year olds, is not going to be the same as the best board games for teens.  While most board games have an age range on them, I think parents need to consider their children when determining if the game is age appropriate for them.

Some of the top board games for older kids involve a lot of critical thinking.  However depending on your child, even younger children may still enjoy the challenge of playing these games. 

On the other hand, even if the game says its age appropriate for your child, perhaps they have a short attention span (like my daughter), or simply don’t have the necessary skill set to play the game and therefore won’t enjoy it.

When it comes to age, I’d also consider the ages of all your children and see if you can find at least one game that kids of all ages will enjoy.

How Many Players

Before purchasing a game, consider how many players are likely to play at any given time.  There is no point buying a game that is best played with four people if you’re a family of three.  Alternatively, if you have three children, you’re going to want to buy a game that can accommodate at least three players.

Make sure you read reviews – some games are just best played with larger groups, while other games are better suited to smaller groups.

Time to Play

When it comes to the best board games toddlers will love, you’ll probably want to look for games that don’t take long to play or games where you can play in rounds.  Whereas if you’re looking for the best board games, teenagers will enjoy – then games that take at least an hour or more to play are probably going to be more enjoyable for them.

Mind you as they say “a quick game is a good game” – sometimes it’s good to have a game that won’t take long to play – so consider this when purchasing.

The Fun Factor

Of course when it comes to board games for kids, they’ve got to be fun!  I had so much fun playing board games with my brothers and sisters when I was young.  Gosh, I remember us being in fits of laughter half the time (and then of course there were times when we almost killed each other)!

When it comes to fun kid’s board games – there is so much choice – you’ve just got to think about what will suit your children.  Younger kids will appreciate games that make them laugh, while older children might enjoy the more serious types of games.

Top Travel Themed Board Games 2024 Reviews

Let’s get into it and in no particular order, check out some of the best travel themed board games currently available!

Ticket to Ride

One of our newest games that we like to play as a family is Ticket to Ride .  This is a brilliant family game, particularly for families looking for fun travel games adults and kids will enjoy together.   

There is a range of different versions of Ticket to Ride with each version set up as a continent or country such as Europe , New York , India, Germany, Japan and other.  Across the board, there is a range of train stations with routes in between.

Each player has a range of routes that they must complete.  Points are provided for completing the routes (you lose points if you don’t complete your routes), as well as building the routes along the way.  There are bonus points also given out for the longest route across the board.  The aim of the game is to be the player with the most points at the end.

If you’ve played this game for a while and want to add some new challenges, you can also buy an expansion kit which changes it up a bit.  Also if you have younger children there is also a junior version called Ticket to Ride – First Journey which is suitable for kids 6+.

For families with older children or who are looking for fun board games, definitely get yourself Ticket to Ride – I’m a big fan of this one.

Number of Players : 2 to 5 players

Age Range : 8+

Time to Play : At least one hour

Click here for more information or to buy now

Travel Card Games : Countries of the World II Card Games

Countries of the World II Card Games one of the cheap and easy travel card games that the family can play anywhere, anytime.

This card game has 30 cards each with three hard and three easy questions – so a total of 180 questions.  Each player takes it in turns to roll the die, which determines which question on the card they are asked.  The questions are true or false and multiple choice style trivia questions.

If the player gets the answer correct, they win the card.  If they get the answer wrong, the card goes to the bottom of the pile.  Once all the cards have been won, the player with the most cards wins.  

Number of Players : 2-8

Age Range : 7+

Time to Play : 30 -45 minutes

Explore the World

For the young curious traveller, Explore the World is a great game to learn more about the world.  It’s a simple game to play, without any complex rules and suitable for children from around age 7.

Each player takes it in turn to spin the wheel and depending on where it lands players are asked a range of questions or asked to complete a fun challenge.  Questions are about cities, animals or flags.  Get the question right and move along.

The winner is the first person to make a round trip.

Number of Players :  2-6

Time to Play : Around an hour

With what’s going on the world right now, perhaps Pandemic is a little too close to home – or perhaps not – I’ll let you be the judge of that one.  Whatever your thoughts Pandemic is one of the most popular games currently around.

If your kids aren’t great at playing competitive games together, Pandemic is great as it requires players to work together.  With Pandemic, players must work together to stop four different life threatening diseases that are spreading across the world.  Players must work together as a team to find cures and save the world.  So with this game, either all players succeed, or all players lose.

The way this game works is each player is assigned a character, such as a Medic, Research, Quarantine Specialist or scientist.  During each player’s turn, they choose between different actions, including travelling around the world, build research centres, share information, treat infections and work towards finding a cure.  However while this is happening, the diseases spread and so it’s a race against time and also about how the players work together.

This game certainly is a little challenging, and younger kids will benefit from playing with their parents. The thing I like about this game is that you can make it a bit more of a challenge if you have older children as you can add more diseases on the board.

Number of Players : 2- 4 players

Time to Play : Around 45 minutes

Passport to Culture

For families with older children and looking for something a little more challenging – Passport to Culture is a good one to consider.  Like the previous game, Explore the World, players must travel across the globe and answering questions about world culture as they go.

Each player starts at the airport and then takes it, in turn, rolling the dice and moving around the globe.  As players travel around the board, they are asked multiple choice questions relating to different cultures around the world.  If you get the answer right, you get a stamp in your passport.  The aim of the game is to collect all ten stamps in your passport.

Given the questions are multiple choice – this makes the game enjoyable for kids of all ages.  Even if they don’t know the answer, they can at least have a guess and the more times they play, the better the chance of getting the questions right.  Plus they are learning things about the world too.

Age Range : 10+

Time to Play : 30-45 minutes

GeoBingo World

If you’ve got some tiny ones, then a good game for the family to play is GeoBingo World .  Like the name suggests this is a simple bingo style game based on geography.  There are 8 bingo boards with 25 countries on each and the first player to get to five countries in a row wins.

This is an excellent way for kids to learn about different countries around the world. It would also be a good one to pack if you’re looking for travel toys for a road trip as it’s reasonably compact.

Age Range : 4+

Time to Play : 10-15 minutes

Flags Around The World

Another trivia style game, Flags Around The World , has players learning to recognize flags as well as learn other information about countries around the world. 

In Flags Around The World, players take it in turns to choose a flag, which they then must say which country it belongs to and what the country is capital is.  If the player is correct, they score points.  The aim of the game is to collect flags from each continent.

What I like about this game, is there is the option to play using multiple choice questions, which makes it easier for the young ones to join in.  Plus as they get more familiar with the game, you can remove the multiple choice answers.  

Number of Players : 2-6

Time to Play : 45 – 60 minutes

The World Game

The World Game is a geography card game, where you score points by competing in a range of geography based challenges.

To start the game every player receives 20 country cards.  Each country hard has four facts about the country on it, with each fact allocated different points.  Players take it in turns comparing facts, and the player with the highest scoring fact wins.  When a player wins, they take their opponent’s card.

Along the way, there are also challenges where players are tested on their knowledge about flags, locations, capital cities and continents.

The game ends when one player has won all the cards.

What’s good about this game, is that the entire game is not based on answering questions, so kids of all ages can get involved.  

Number of Players : 2-5

Time to Play : 30-60 minutes

The Continent Race

Can you believe that The Continent Race was created by a bored 6 year old!  Young Byron created this game as he has a passion for geography which he wanted to share with other kids.

Players race around the globe collecting country cards – you can either play at the beginner level and collect cards from 3 continents or the advanced level and collect country cards from 5 continents.  For each continent, players are required to collect a certain amount of country cards.

Each player starts with seven country cards.  Players then take it in turns taking a card from the deck and discarding one in their hand.   Once the player has the correct number of country cards from a continent, they can put those sets of cards up and continue play.  The winner is the first player to collect the required number of country cards from each continent.

This is an excellent easy to play game and given there are no trivia style questions to answer it is, suitable for kids of all ages.

Number of Players : 2 or more players

Time to Play : 30 minutes

BrainBox – The World

If you’re after a simple, quick and easy travel themed game, then check out BrainBox – The World . 

This is a memory type game where players take turns drawing cards, having ten seconds to memorize its pictures and facts.  The player then passes the card to another player, rolls the dice, and the other player will ask them the question that corresponds with the number on the dice.    

If the player gets the question right, they keep the card, if not the card is returned to the BrainBox and it’s the next players turn.  The winner is the player with the most cards after 10 minutes.

This is a straightforward game to play with no complex rules and given it’s a card game, it can be played anywhere at any time.

Number of Players : 2 or more

Time to Play : 10 minutes

Around the World

Around the World is a great game to teach kids all about people, places, cultures, geography and languages of the world.

Players are each provided with scorecards which have 12 spaces with different colours.  The different colours represent a different category of questions.  Each time a player answers a question correctly, they can add a token to the corresponding category on their scorecard.  The aim of the game is to be the first person to fill up their scorecard.

To play, players take turns in rolling the dice and moving along the board accordingly.  Depending on where you land, you will need to pick up the appropriate card and answer the question.  If you’re correct, you will receive, token for your scorecard.

This game is easy to learn, but it does require children to answer trivia questions, so it is best for older children.  It’s a great way for everyone in the family to expand on their world knowledge.  

Number of Players : 2 to 5

Time to Play : 45 – 60 minutes

Backpacker – The Ultimate Travel Game

Another great card game about travel, Backpacker – The Ultimate Travel Game is based on a backpacker travelling the world.

The idea of the game is that you travel around the world, visiting different countries and taking photos as you go.  Along the way, you may have special experiences which lead you to take more photos.  The winner of the game is the person who has taken the most photos. 

Each player starts with five cards and then takes turns drawing a card and playing a card.  There are two types of cards – a country card and an event card.  Country cards show how many photos you took at a particular country, while event cards are special cards that combined with the right country card can earn you bonus photos or may even cost you points.

This is a really great game as its quite different from the usual trivia type travel games.  Plus given its just a card game, it’s small and easy to take travelling with you.  Perfect for playing on the plane or while waiting for a flight.  

Age Range : 12+

Time to Play : 1 hour

The Scrambled States of America

For families living in the USA or have a particular interest in the states, then The Scrambled States of America is a fun game to play.

Each player starts with a map of the USA and five state cards.  The remaining state cards go in the centre next to the red deck of cards.  Players then take it in turns flipping over the card from the red deck of cards and reading what the card says. 

Each of the cards provides some sort of challenge that all players must compete in, and the first person to complete the challenge correctly wins the card.  Challenges could be, for example “find a state with a capital city starting with S or T”.  In this case, if one of the player’s state cards have a capital city starting with S or T, then they can complete the challenge and get an additional state card.

The game ends when all the state cards are gone, and the winner is whoever has the most state cards.

This is a fast paced game – think snap – but the rules can be a bit complex to understand at first.  Once you get the hang of it though, it’s a pretty fun game for the whole family.  

Number of Players : 2-4

Time to Play : 20 minutes

Great States

Another game for families with an interested in the USA – Great States   is a little more trivia based, so is a great game to play if you’re headed to the states for a trip and want the kids to learn a little more about the country.

Players take it in turns flicking the spinning wheel and then picking whatever card the wheel lands on.  The player is then required to answer the question on the card before the 60 seconds timer runs out.  The answers to the questions can be found on the board game, which makes it great for young players learning about the USA.

If you answer your card correctly, you get to keep it.  The aim of the game is to be the player with the most cards at the end of the game.  

Travel Blog

If you want something different from standard travel trivia games, Travel Blog  is a good to consider. 

With Travel Blog, basically you are a travel blogger who needs to find the cheapest ways to travel to the various destinations for your assignments.  The aim of the game is to be the player with the most money at the end of the game.

To start, you need to decide if you’re going to use the USA or the Europe map and then place the chosen map face down, so you can’t see it.  Each player then chooses a colour and gets the travel cards and tokens to match.

Players must then analyze the starting cards and decide which two states to visit, based on the fewest number of border crossings.  Players are then required to pay the bank according to the number of border crossings.

Travel Blog is placed over seven different rounds, and while each round is similar, they do change slightly. 

This is quite a unique game, and the rules are a little complicated, so does take a bit of getting used to.  Nevertheless, it’s great to have a travel themed game that isn’t based on answering trivia based questions.  

Perhaps you’re a little surprised to see the classic board game Monopoly on the list, but think about it, with stops on the board like Kings Cross Station and Trafalgar Square, this would have to one of the original travel themed games. 

While you’re all probably familiar with the original Monopoly board – there are plenty of other versions too.  Versions available you can get are National Geographic , Melbourne , New Zealand , Sydney , Adelaide , Brisbane , Perth and even a World Edition .

I’m sure you’re all familiar with the concept of Monopoly, but in case you’re not – Monopoly is all about going through life, buying and selling real estate, paying taxes and even winning the odd beauty contest along the way. 

Players start at GO and move around the board by rolling the dice.   You can purchase vacant properties as you land on them, or if they are already owned, you will need to pay the owner rent for landing on them.  As your real estate portfolio expands, you have the option of building houses and hotels on your land, which then allows you to charge players more money when they land on your property.  The game ends when all players but one are bankrupt. 

If your little one is a bit too young for Monopoly, there is Junior Monopoly .  Junior Monopoly is suitable for kids around age 5, although it’s really simple to play and we had Myla playing it probably from around age 4.

Number of Players : 2 to 6 players

Time to Play : At least an hour or more

I hope you found this guide on the best travel themed board games useful to see another amazing resource about board games, be sure to check out Board Game Friend .  If you’re looking for more things for kids that love to travel, check out guide on travel themed books here or our kids gift guide here .  

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Matador Original Series

The Disappearing-Art Buddha Board Keeps My Toddler Occupied on Long Travel Days

W hen my daughter Margot was born, my wife and I made a promise that we would still travel as much as possible and take advantage of free or discounted flights for babies under two. We held to that promise more than we thought we’d be able to — Margot has already taken 20 flights from coast-to-coast and to three countries, with two more international trips scheduled before we have to start paying full prices for her.

That said, we’ve quickly learned that it’s a lot harder to keep a toddler entertained on long flights and during travel downtime than it is a newborn. No one toy, book, or tip (applying and ripping off tape is a longstanding hit) can entertain a 17-month-old for long. A mini Buddha Board has made its way into our must-pack list as something that holds her attention more than most.

Buddha Board makes canvases that respond to water brushstrokes. As those brushstrokes dry over the course of up to 10 minutes, they disappear and the drawer is ready to start again. It’s billed as a type of mindful meditation — the name is a reference to the Buddhist principles of impermanence and letting go.

I’m not sure mindfulness is what’s going through Margot’s head as she swishes the brush this way and that, but it certainly holds her attention. She’s always eager to show us her work before it goes away forever (yes, my camera roll of Margot’s drawings has taken the place of putting things on the fridge, and then some). Importantly, it avoids marker stains, can’t be eaten like a crayon, won’t rip like a coloring book, and takes no clean up other than wiping up any spilled water.

Plus, the five-square-inch board fits easy in my backpack next to whatever magazine I’m taking along with me.

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Photo: Nickolaus Hines

The mini Buddha Board has a notch to hold the brush and a tray that can hold just enough water for a drawing (when accounting for spills). We’ve pulled it out in hotel rooms as we got ready and set it on the tray table during long flights. Admittedly, the jerky movements of a child make spilling inevitable. But with a water-loving baby like Margot, spilled water is just a fact of life.

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What I Learned After Flying for 18 Hours With My Toddler

By Jessica Rach

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Riding one of the longest flights in the world is already an undertaking—then I had to do it with my talkative son in tow. Even though flying with a toddler can be tough, I was determined to introduce him to the paternal side of my family who I hadn’t seen for over 20 years. So we embarked on an 18-hour journey from London to Bali . Here is what I learned about flying with a toddler after the trip—and what I wish I had known before.

Consider the duration of each leg of your flight if you have a stopover

Rather than take the usual connecting route through Dubai , I opted for a stopover in Singapore . I reasoned that it would be kinder to all involved to get the bulk of the trip out of the way in a 13-hour marathon and then completing the remaining three hours from Singapore to Bali. This worked out really well: We began our journey from London with a night flight and didn’t have to interrupt my son's sleep , which would have happened if we had stopped in Dubai after just seven hours.

Think about the timing and length of your stopover

Will you want to nap your child and use the opportunity for a day-trip in the city , or do you want to get the journey over with as quickly as possible? I opted for the latter, keen to get to my destination. We had a perfect two-hour window to stretch our legs and burn some energy before getting on the last leg of the journey, which I wanted him to stay awake for (so we could adjust to the local time in Bali as soon as possible).

Plan a night flight around your arrival times

To minimize jet lag , consider any sleeping schedules and the local time difference, and take advantage of a night flight if you can. I booked an outbound night flight, but realized the local time on arrival would be midnight, and we would be expected to sleep again—a recipe for jet lag disaster. Luckily, we stayed awake for the last leg of the journey; we were all so tired once the plane landed that we got to sleep pretty quickly on arrival.

Ask how your airline can help with kids

I flew with Singapore Airlines , which I soon discovered to be very family-friendly. I was offered baby, infant, vegetarian, western, and Asian options for my three-year-old son’s inflight meals on booking, an impressive selection from which I was able to pre-order. They also gave us an inflight entertainment pack, which included a puzzle and coloring book. The team made a real fuss over their smaller passengers. For those with babies, most airlines will warm up expressed milk on a flight and you can request a blanket for breastfeeding privacy.

Choose the best seats in advance

Luckily, I was able to select my seats upon booking, so there would be no last-minute kerfuffle trying to get the best window seats within a civilized distance of the toilets. Though I didn’t need baby changing facilities, I made a mental note to pack a slimline foldable toddler toilet seat. We managed to get a seat with no one behind us, so I only had to worry about potentially annoying one row of passengers. The window seat kept my son entertained during take-off and landing when entertainment had to be put away.

Ensure a checked stroller is included and permitted on board

My Bugaboo Butterfly was permitted on Singapore Airlines, but I was also flying a leg of the flight with their sister airline, Scoot, which only allows strollers onboard subject to space. Unfortunately, the buggy had to be checked in without a buggy bag, which I was slightly nervous about, but thankfully, it came back without any damage. For other suitable stroller recommendations, see our guide to the best travel strollers .

Invest in a plane bed

I decided to bring a seat extender to turn my son’s seat into a bed. Many airlines have varying rules on which convertible beds or seat extenders are permitted, and they are only allowed in the window or middle seat, so it's always a good idea to check before traveling. Decide whether you want to use a kid's suitcase that converts into a bed box like the Stokke ride-on or invest in an inflatable mattress. I opted for the Bubba board as it provided the perfect balance of comfort, low weight, and easy set-up. It was a total game changer, and my toddler slept solidly for over 10 hours. It took me two minutes to lay the board on the seat and clip the extension to the tray table, and my three-year-old immediately curled up and fell asleep. This will be accompanying us everywhere from now on.

Take a backpack as your carry-on

Put as much as you can in your checked luggage and keep the essentials in a travel backpack to carry onboard. You'll want your hands free when running to and from flights and going through security. I took the Longchamp Le Pliage backpack , which was great; although it doesn’t have many compartments, it’s really spacious, light, and easy to clean with wipes. I kept my phone and documents in a handy-to-reach sling bag , which, at the risk of looking like a packhorse, saved me from rifling around for everyone’s passports during the endless checks.

Check out the airport facilities

I asked about booking the airport lounge as we would have to arrive at least three hours before the flight departure time, but it proved too costly. Instead, I read up on the airport’s children’s soft play and playground areas, which my son was thrilled with.

Pack an entertainment goodie bag

Though the airline offered great inflight entertainment and an activity pack, I decided to wrap up an array of travel toys including Play-Doh, paper and pens, snacks, headphones, books, and the famous iPad for him to open and alternate at varying intervals. I also packed an inflatable cushion and blanket in the hopes that a “bedtime” routine would help give everyone a restful night. However, a pillow and blanket were included with our seat, so I could have saved the luggage space.

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12 genius travel accessories for kids that will make your family vacation so much easier.

by Taylor Lane , Sabrina Rojas Weiss

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Best Kids Travel Accessories at a Glance

Remember how good it felt the first time you figured out just what to pack in  your diaper bag  to leave the house for half an hour? (Change of clothing, extra wipes and diapers, and … an extra shirt for you.) You have it in your power to feel that mastery when you pack for family vacation now, too.

The Kinds of Kids Travel Essentials Pros Recommend

Depending on the type of traveling you’re embarking on, you will need “a plethora of engaging diversions is paramount to mitigating restlessness and maintaining harmonious spirits.,” says Justin Crabbe , CEO and Founder of Jettly . “Portable electronics, beloved times, coloring accouterments, and diminutive playthings can work wonders in captivating young wanderers.”

And if you’re camping Edenburgh shares “during a recent camping trip with my kids, I found that giving each child their own little backpack with personalized items made them feel involved and kept them entertained. This not only helped them to manage their belongings but also built their independence and enjoyment in the outdoors.”

Below, reference our guide to the best travel accessories for kids to have for your next trip.

Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Kiki Pure is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Kids Travel Gear for Weekend Trips

Kiki pure a2 uv & 3 stage h13 hepa air purifier.

Travel purifiers are handy, especially when you’re traveling for a long weekend. Whether you’re visiting a humid and stuffy climate, or if your children have breathing sensitivities, this purifier will help them feel soothed like they’re at home. Kiki Pure’s A2 UV & 3 Stage H13 Hepa Air Purifier is one of the best to consider for your next adventure. It features a sleek design, two fan speeds, and up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge (meaning: It’s ultra travel-friendly, which is why it made this list). Most importantly, the air purifier covers up to 150 square feet and is 99.96% effective at controlling allergens, bacteria, viruses, and odors. It’s great for hotel rooms, guest bedrooms, camp sites, RVs, and more.

Entertainment

Tonies peppa pig toniebox starter set.

Tonies are an excellent travel item to take with you on a long weekend trip. Each one is packed with your child’s favorite characters, like this one with Peppa Pig . The Tonies box plays stories, songs, sounds, and more, which gives little ones a break from screen time and a chance to explore their imaginations. Plus, it gives parents a break too!

Kids Travel Gear for Road Trips

Chicco kidfit adapt plus 2-in-1 belt-positioning booster car seat.

Hopping into a car that’s been roasting in a hot parking lot is kind of the worst. And shoving your kid into a hot car seat while you run around to turn on the air conditioning is a dance we’ve all performed. At least we know the breathable fabric in these  Chicco booster car seats  have “naturally derived volcanic mineral particles” so that heat won’t stay trapped there for long.

The Table Tyke Store 100% Silicone Placemat

Toddlers and babies aren’t especially well known for having the best table manners, and getting them to keep their food on a plate at home is challenging enough. This  silicone mat  provides a clean, safe space for them to eat on any flat surface and rolls up easily for storage or travel. It also doubles as a playmat and features a table-hugging bumper mat to prevent your little one from teething on germy corners. 

iClever Kids Headphones 

When you finally decide to plug your child into a screen (or audio device) to get your own vacation peace and quiet (no shame in this), we definitely recommend headphones that won’t get too loud. These inexpensive and durable headphones also feature a built-in splitter, for when siblings and parents want to listen in.

Cubcoat Kids Transforming 2-in-1 Hoodie

You don’t need to pack too many layers for warm-weather travel, but whenever your kid isn’t wearing their  Cubcoat , they can cuddle with it. They also make for excellent little pillows in the car or plane.

Kids Travel Gear for Long Plane Rides

Jetkids by stokke bedbox ride-on suitcase .

If your kid has outgrown their stroller or you’re just not taking it, you will whining when it comes to long walks through hotels, airports, and the like. This  ride-on suitcase  will solve that problem (for kids ages 3-7), and then some. It also converts into a clever footrest that many airlines have approved for use during flight, turning an economy-class seat into a first-class naptime bed.

Melii Snackle Box

Long plane rides mean the kids are going to need plenty of snacks to keep them nourished. Sure, plane snacks are fun, but there’s nothing like their favorite picks from home. That’s where the Melii Snackle Box comes in. It has 12 compartments with removable dividers, so you can completely customize the box for smaller and larger items. The lid also securely fits the box, so you don’t have to worry about spills.

PLUS PLUS Travel Case

It’s a pretty good idea to bring along at least one or two toys to keep kids occupied on vacation, but finding something that’s both compact and engaging for hours and days is a challenge. This  PLUS PLUS Case  comes with 100 pieces and a building base. (We can’t guarantee you will be bringing all 100 of those piece back home with you, sadly.)

Kids Travel Gear for Camping

Kidco peapod plus.

Whether you’re at the beach all day, camping, or crashing at a family member’s home with no crib easily available, your little ones need a comfy, safe, and shady place to sleep . The sleeping pad is built into the bottom of this little tent, and UV protection is built into its cover.

Summer by Bright Starts Pop ‘N Sit Portable Booster Chair

So you could rely on restaurants and friends to provide you with high chairs wherever you go, and then be resigned to feeding your kiddo on your lap when none is available. Or you could get one of these clever  fold-up boosters , which work just as well on the ground as attached to a chair. They’re easy to clean, light, and may even have you tossing out your high chair at home, too.

Kid Made Modern On-The-Go Vacation Journal

If your child loves art, you will always be on the lookout for an easy way to pack some art supplies for vacation. This little vacation journal kit includes pages for documenting the trip and markers, and it will be perfect to pull out during any down-time.

Experts in This Article

Stephanie Edenburgh , CEO of Bizzie Mommy and mother of three Justin Crabbe : CEO and Founder of Jettly

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The 4 best travel cribs for babies and toddlers in 2024.

Finalize your decision with one of these four travel cribs.

The Best Travel Cribs

Courtesy of Guava Family

The Guava Lotus Travel Crib is so compact, you can wear it like a backpack.

There are an increasing number of travel cribs on the market these days, and nearly all of them are touted to have a lightweight design and an easy setup, which makes it overwhelming to choose the right one for your pint-sized travel partner.

Taking into consideration key factors like safety, comfort and convenience for travel – as well as recent consumer reviews, expert recommendations and our own experiences – we've chosen the best travel cribs for babies and toddlers.

Best Overall: Guava Lotus Travel Crib

• Jump to features and traveler insights ↓

Best Lightweight: BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light

• Best Budget: Graco Pack 'n Play On the Go Playard

Best for Toddlers: hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

Note: All travel crib dimensions are listed in order of length by width by height.

Highlights:

• Especially convenient for air travel, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib can be worn like a backpack in an included carrying case with padded straps, then checked as a bag.
• The Guava Lotus is GreenGuard Gold Certified , which means its emission levels are even lower (and better) than industry standards.
• It doubles as a bassinet and playard featuring a zippered door for easy access to your baby.

Setup: The Guava Lotus is easy to set up. The sturdy aluminum frame's hinges swiftly snap in place with the touch of a button. Once the frame is assembled, a fabric cover with mesh sides can be zipped on before you place the included waterproof mattress with a sheet (which is not included) inside. Then the mattress is secured to the frame via a buckle on each corner. When it's time to take the crib down, you don't have to disassemble the entire thing – another reason to love this option.

YouTube tutorial: Guava Lotus Setup | Guava Lotus Teardown

Maintenance: The mattress is easy to wipe down, and the crib's fabric portion is machine-washable.

"I've taken this crib all across the world over the past three years, and it still looks as good as new. We initially bought this crib because we were wary of using hotel cribs during COVID. We quickly fell in love with it and still bring it on every trip we take. Additionally, we purchased the optional sun shade, which came in handy on beach trips in our daughter's infant days." – Tamiz Ahmed , co-founder of Poppylist

Courtesy of BabyBjörn

• If you're specifically looking for something lightweight, meet your match: The BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light is one of the lightest travel cribs on the market.
• The crib comes with a mattress and carrying bag.
• All materials meet OEKO TEX Standard 100, Class 1 standards for baby products – meaning the crib permeates low levels of chemicals and is also free from as many as 350 harmful chemicals, making it safe for a baby's skin and curious mouth.

Setup: The frame of the BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light is assembled in one swift motion. Next, the mattress is placed inside and secured to the crib's legs. When it's time to put the crib away, the mattress and crib frame easily fold down.

YouTube tutorial: BabyBjörn Travel Crib Setup | BabyBjörn Travel Crib Teardown – Option 1 | BabyBjörn Travel Crib Teardown – Option 2

Maintenance: The mattress can be wiped down with a damp cloth, and both the mattress cover (which can be zipped off) and the other fabric on the crib are machine-washable.

Best Budget: Graco Pack 'n Play on the Go Playard with Bassinet

Courtesy of Graco

• This crib comes with a full-size bassinet insert that folds with the playard when it's time to transport or put away the crib.
• The crib also has a toy bar with soft toys to amuse your curious baby.
• A carry case is included with this crib.

Setup: First, hit the crib's push buttons to assemble the frame. Once the four rails are locked, you can push the crib floor down before placing the mattress inside. Finally, secure the mattress straps (on the bottom) to the playard. To disassemble, you'll reverse the process almost exactly: Unfasten the mattress straps, remove the mattress, pull the tab at the bottom of the crib and – using the push buttons – fold the crib down.

YouTube tutorial: Graco On the Go Playard Setup and Teardown

Maintenance: The crib can be wiped down with mild soap and water, while the carry bag is machine-washable.

" The Graco Pack n Play On the Go Playard offers all the bells and whistles of other travel cribs, but at a far more affordable price ($80 vs. $150-$300). In particular, the removable bassinet is a game-changer during those early weeks of parenthood. My family used it during our first two weeks home with our daughter, and I appreciated that it provided a safe sleep space but didn't require me to bend over and stress my sore body. After that, we moved it to my mom's house and, even though it's super easy to fold and store, she keeps it out because it doesn't take up a lot of space." – Leah Rocketto , Associate Commerce Director at What to Expect

Courtesy of hiccapop

• Long and tall bumpers ensure your little one won't roll off the bed.
• It inflates with an included electric pump and rolls up into an included carry bag.
• The bed comes with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee and top-notch customer service.

Setup: The setup for this toddler travel bed is similar to that of a traditional air mattress – simply use the included electric pump to inflate the bed frame with rails and a mattress pad.

YouTube tutorial: hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed Setup and Teardown

Maintenance: The hiccapop Inflatable Toddler Travel bed can be wiped down with soap and water.

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Guava Lotus vs. Baby Björn

When choosing the best travel crib to purchase, the final decision for many buyers often comes down to the Guava Lotus Travel Crib and BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light since they're so similar.

If you're undecided between the two, see which crib wins in the following categories:

Your decision may ultimately come down to the type of traveler you are. If you frequently travel (especially by plane), the Guava Lotus is the best choice.

Guava Lotus vs. Newton Travel Crib

Many people also compare the Guava Lotus with the Newton Travel Crib, a newcomer to the travel crib market. The Newton Travel Crib mimics the Guava Lotus almost exactly, but here are some key differentiators (and the reasons we ultimately recommend the Guava Lotus instead):

• Price: At $299, the Newton Travel Crib is about $50 more than the Guava Lotus.
• Weight: The Newton Travel Crib is also 2 pounds heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at 17 pounds.
• Setup: While the Newton Travel Crib is easy to set up, many buyers say that disassembly is difficult.

Travel Crib Accessories

When purchasing a travel crib, think about the other essentials your baby will need for restful naps and nights in your destination – especially since they'll be in an unfamiliar environment. These might include:

Room-darkening curtains: If your little one is accustomed to sleeping in a pitch-black room at home, you'll want to ensure your hotel room or vacation rental bedroom is as dark as possible. There are a few ways to do this:

• Use foil and duct tape:  It won't look pretty, but covering the windows with foil and duct tape is a cost-effective option.
• Invest in a Slumberpod:  The highly rated  SlumberPod  ($180) is essentially a tent that goes over the travel crib, ensuring total darkness for a peaceful night's rest. For a cheaper alternative, check out the  Dofilachy Blackout Cover  on Amazon.
• Buy portable blackout curtains:  Purchase a set of curtains that won't take up too much space in your luggage. These  portable blackout curtains from Amazon Basics  are highly rated and come with a storage bag.

White noise machine: Even if you already have a white noise machine you plan to pack, you might consider buying an additional, more portable option to use in tandem with it – especially if you'll be in a small space with older siblings who stay up later. U.S. News editors say they've had good experience with both the Yogasleep Hushh Portable Sound Machine (also useful for stroller rides) and this option by Magicteam .

Portable fan:  A small battery- or USB-powered fan is a useful accessory when traveling with little ones – you can attach it to the travel stroller and car seat on hot days and secure it to the travel crib on warm nights. There are a variety of affordable, well-rated stroller fans on Amazon, including this adjustable option by AMACOOL .

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Amanda Norcross is a family travel expert who regularly travels with her toddler. Shortly after she found out she was pregnant, she excitedly bought the Guava Lotus Bassinet Kit & Travel Crib and – despite its hefty price tag – never regretted it once.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Diaper Bag Backpacks
• How to Get Your Child a Passport
• The Best Family Vacations in the U.S.
• The Best Spring Break Family Destinations
• The Best Family Travel Insurance

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• # 4 Bora Bora

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I've visited 93 countries, 57 of them with kids. These 5 underrated spots are great places to enjoy with your family.

• Karen Edwards has traveled to 93 countries, and 57 of them have been with her young children.
• Edwards said that her family has had more fun exploring underrated spots than the popular ones.
• Her favorites include Tanzania for its safari tours and Abu Dhabi for its vibrant festival scene.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Karen Edwards , who blogs about her family's travels around the world. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Since 2000, I've visited 93 countries and 57 of them have been with my four children who are all under the age of 10.

I am a nurse by background, but I have been blogging about traveling with my husband and kids since 2014. I cover a lot of off-the-beaten-track destinations and write itineraries for places I've been to, explaining how they work for families with children.

Many popular family destinations tend to be overcrowded. They're usually the ones that get a lot of media exposure or are shown in viral videos on social media. In America, it'd be places like Disneyland in California or Disney World in Florida, while for Europeans, it might be some of the Spanish resort areas.

Although my family and I have visited these places, we have always come away disappointed. They often lack educational experiences, feeling like pointless affairs.

I think traveling to underrated spots makes trips feel more exclusive and you can learn more about the cultures of the countries you visit — it also keeps you away from tourist traps.

We went on a safari tour in Tanzania

Our family visited Tanzania in 2019 in collaboration with a tourism brand. We were there for 12 days.

Our flights to the country were kind of expensive; we paid about $9,000 for our then-family of four, including a stop in Zanzibar at the end of the trip for a few days. However, overall, the entire trip didn't end up costing us that much.

We had some really unique experiences in Tanzania. We went to Mto Wa Mbu village , which is beneath a banana plantation, and we went on a safari tour in its Lake Manyara National Park .

Interestingly, Tanzania is one of the few places in the world where lions are known to climb trees. I remember seeing them sit in tall trees; it was quite unusual, but my kids really enjoyed how close they were to the animals.

Throughout our trip, we actually felt like we were experiencing life in Tanzania. Our campsite was on a river's edge in the depths of nature. It was nice not to feel surrounded by tourists.

My kids fell in love with Abu Dhabi's culture

Many people mistakenly believe that Dubai is a country, but in reality, it's a city in the United Arab Emirates, with Abu Dhabi being its capital.

My family and I moved to Abu Dhabi in 2021 and lived there for 18 months. The city does have a lot of similarities to glitzy and glam Dubai , but you get a more down-to-earth experience.

There are amazing festivals in Abu Dhabi where they display their culture in different formats, whether that be through local food or crafts. It does feel authentic because it's usually mainly locals participating and organizing them.

The city is also 1.5 hours away from Al Ain, which sits at the foot of  Jebel Hafeet , one of the tallest mountains in the region. Along the way up, you'll find many ancient artifacts, such as beehive huts, which have been there for thousands of years. At the top, you can watch incredible sunsets.

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The city also has the Al Ain Oasis , which uses an ancient irrigation system. It has these beautiful paved pathways that look like cobbled streets.

My kids loved Abu Dhabi and are constantly asking me to go back — they really liked all the cultural celebrations.

We love Sri Lanka so much, we're building a villa there

In 2022, my family and I moved to Sri Lanka from Abu Dhabi. We thought we'd have more family time here, and it was going to be an affordable place to live.

We're building a family-friendly villa here that should be completed by August. The area where we are building has a lot of nice cafes, bars, and restaurants nearby.

Overall, Sri Lanka is an amazing country that has so many diverse experiences. There are tea plantations, mountains, and beaches. As for wildlife, their national parks have loads of elephants and leopards.

On one occasion, we went on a safari boat tour to an isolated national park where we watched elephants swim across a lake and onto a tiny island. It was amazing.

The beaches in Sri Lanka are pristine. They have beautiful scenery with swaying coconut palm trees, clear water, and perfect waves. Our favorite is Kabalana Beach .

Because we're always on the beach, my children have learned how to surf. I think it's the most fun thing that we do on the weekends as a family.

The ski resorts and spas are amazing in Andorra

We visited Andorra in 2018 for about six days. It's a tiny country nestled in the Pyrenees between Spain. It's a two-hour drive from Barcelona and three hours from Toulouse, France.

The city has a unique fusion of cultures, though I think Catalonian is the strongest influence. During our trip, my family and I toured many ancient churches.

We also went to some amazing spas and resorts in Andorra. The hotel and ski system there is really family-friendly.

During our visit to the Grandvalira ski resort , my daughter learned how to ski and my husband got to snowboard — the resort has a kindergarten at the foot of its mountain, where kids can play or ski.

Andorra also has amazing spa facilities that are suitable for families and are sectioned off for different age groups.

Our trip was in collaboration with Andorra's tourism board, but I feel like it wasn't overly expensive in comparison to some other places around the world.

I was treated like family in Macedonia

Macedonia is a Balkan country just north of Greece. I haven't been there with children, but I wouldn't have any issues taking my kids there.

It has many beautiful small villages and it's great for skiing too.

The country is also home to one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe named Lake Orchid, which borders Albania. There's this beautiful, small village on the lake that has charming restaurant and a lovely atmosphere for relaxing and enjoying good food.

I visited the country in 2008, and then again in 2012 with my then-boyfriend and now-husband.

The first time I visited, I went with two girlfriends, and we were backpackers. We arrived in the middle of the night by bus and had no idea what we were doing. The bus driver just made a call, and a stranger came and picked us up in his car — I thought I was going to die.

The opposite happened. He took us back to his home with his family, and we stayed there with them for a few days. We ended up extending the trip because he and his family were so amazing.

They didn't speak a word of English, and we couldn't speak a word of their language either. We'd just gesture at each other, and they'd give us food and red wine.

I just totally fell in love with them and their country.

• Main content

Is Southwest about to end its free-for-all seating?

The company says it is ‘very seriously studying’ alternatives to its signature open-seating system.

Southwest Airlines fans know the drill: Check in to your flight exactly 24 hours in advance and secure your spot in line to board the plane. What seat you’ll end up in? That’s a mystery until the last minute.

A puzzle to some and an invigorating challenge to others, Southwest’s unique boarding process and one-class cabin are now under the microscope as the airline looks for ways to prop up its financial performance. In a call with investors Thursday, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan said executives are “very seriously studying” seating and the way passengers board the planes.

“It’s been several years since we last studied this in-depth, and customer preference and expectations change over time,” Jordan said. “We are also studying the operations and financial benefits of any potential change.”

Unlike most airlines, Southwest doesn’t have a premium section on its planes that commands higher fares. Where other carriers might charge extra for a cushy seat in the first few rows or an extra-legroom option near the front, Southwest customers can grab whatever seat is open. A spot near the front won’t come with any additional frills, however.

In a news release announcing quarterly earnings, a conference call discussing those results and an interview with CNBC , representatives said they were taking a deep look at customer preferences around seating and boarding. The current open-seating system was put in place when airliners were generally less full, the company said, noting that preferences change as planes fill up.

“There’s no decision, there’s nothing to report other than we are seriously looking at this,” Jordan said in response to a question about seating. “But early indications both for our customers and for Southwest look pretty darn interesting.”

While Southwest has contemplated the possibility of assigned seating for nearly two decades at least , the review has accelerated over the past six months, the CEO said. Jordan said the company will say more during an event for investors in September. The company has also recently said that it is preparing to add red-eye flights in the next couple of years.

Today, Southwest passengers can pay more to end up in a better seat, even without picking that seat in advance. Upgrades that provide priority boarding and early check-in give customers the first pick of spots. The airline makes “hundreds of millions of dollars” from those upgraded boarding options, executives said last year.

“They’re in kind of a pickle regarding revenue generation, so they’re looking at everything,” said Robert W. Mann, a consultant and former airline executive. “I think what they have seen is that when they’ve tweaked their existing cattle call … they find it to be very lucrative.”

He said that if the airline could deliver a more “pleasant” boarding process, or seat selection for a fee, it would probably be attractive to travelers.

“There’s nothing about their boarding process that they couldn’t improve,” Mann said.

Travel analyst Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group , said he did research more than a decade ago that found a large number of people avoided Southwest because it did not offer extra-legroom seats, assigned seats or a premium business-class cabin. He said that the airline could make “an enormous amount of money” by adding assigned seating — and that travelers would probably welcome knowing what seat they would end up in.

“I think it could be an incredibly positive thing for the airline, but I recognize that Southwest has a more-than-50-year history of being egalitarian, of having open seating and being different from other airlines,” he said.

More on air travel

Leave flying to the pros: Think you could land a plane in an emergency? Experts say you’re wrong . Here’s what you should actually do if something goes awry during a flight .

Pet peeves: Why do “gate lice” line up early for a flight ? Psychologists explained for us. Another move that annoys airline workers: abusing the flight attendant call button . For more on how to behave on a flight, check out our 52 definitive rules of flying .

Plane mess: Stories about extremely disgusting airplanes have been grossing out travelers. The question of plane cleanups became the subject of a recent debate after a flight attendant allegedly told a pregnant passenger to pick up the popcorn spilled by her toddler.

Frequent flying: Airline status isn’t what it used to be, but at least there are some good movies and TV shows to watch in the air. And somewhere out there, experts are trying to make airline food taste good.

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Moscow with a Baby or Toddler – Logistics

Want to travel to Moscow but you don’t know where to start? Already have a trip planned but your concerned about getting around the city? Here’s our favorite tips in regards to visas, airports, and getting around Moscow with a baby or toddler. Looking for activities with kids instead? Click here .

Getting to Russia

Most visitors to Russia need a visa to enter the country. You can check here to see if your exempted from needing one, but please always check with your local Russian Embassy or Consulate, as visa requirements change regularly. Since most of our readers are from the United States, this section will provide some more detail about the process for Americans applying for visas to Russia.

As of 2018, Americans generally can get either a single entry, double entry, or three year multiple entry visa for Russia. You will usually need to fill out an application form, obtain a letter of invitation (from either a travel agency, hotel, tour company, or Russian citizen), and then submit your application, passport, and letter to the nearest Russian Embassy or Consulate. We always found it easier to obtain visas with the help of a visa agency, such as ILS or other related companies.

Airports and Getting Into Moscow

Moscow is a huge city and is served by four international airports. Most likely, you will arrive at either Sheremetyevo ( SVO ) or Domodedovo ( DME ). After arrival, we have discovered several options to get into the city:

Playroom at Domodedovo Airport

• Taxi or Private Car (90 minutes to 3 hours): Generally it will cost between $50 and $150 for a private car transfer into the city, cheaper options may be available, but quality can vary. If you use a Taxi, some options include Uber , Yandex Taxi , or Gett Taxi . They have excellent mobile apps and are generally of good quality in our experience. We prefer to use them for intercity trips instead of airport transfers due to cost. Private Car hire is also possible, and there are several companies that offer this option. If you are booking with a travel agency, they may be able to arrange something for you. When traveling with children, we often use this option if we have a lot of luggage. If you need child car seats in your taxis, you can also look at Lingo Taxi and Detskoe Taxi .
• Bus: There is bus service to the airports, but we do not recommend it for first time visitors to Russia, as it can be easy to get on the wrong bus. We generally use buses for inter-city transportation only.

Getting Around Moscow

Moscow is a very walkable for such a large city. The city center is full of historic sites that you will want to see and walking is the easiest way to get to them. There are some very wide roads in Moscow and you will notice that many crosswalks are actually underground. Many areas have tunnels that connect a large amount of streets and sites, particularly near the Kremlin. The only problem with walking in Moscow with a baby or toddler are the perehods if you have a stroller. If you are using a baby carrier, you will find the city is easy to walk between the major sites.

Moscow Metro Logo

The Moscow Metro is iconic. Not only is it the easiest way to get around the city, most of the stations are sites themselves. Many metro stations are heavily adorned with many types of art and chandeliers. Moscow has been adding signs with Latin characters and English translations to help tourist navigate the city. You can get to most destinations with only one transfer. The hardest part about using the metro in Moscow with a baby or toddler is that most stations require using long escalators. This can make using a stroller challenging. There are usually stairs involved when transferring stations.

If you are riding during peak times, do not be surprised when a Muscovite steps up to help. It is expected that passengers will give up seats to the elderly, handicapped, or children. If a passenger stands up as you board and you have a baby or toddler, then that seat is for you and you will be expected to take it. Likewise if you are a healthy-looking male traveling with your family, you will be expected to give up your seat in a car without empty seats.

Buying a Ticket

You will need to get a ticket at either an automated machine or cashier. At the machines you may buy a single or double ride ticket (these tickets also cost more than higher multiple tickets). At the cashier, you can buy any number of rides or monthly, quarterly, or yearly metro passes. All tickets are usable on the metro and bus system.

Troika Card

A Troika card has been extremely useful. This is a hard plastic card that can be used for metro and bus rides, in addition to paying for several other locations in the city. The card is cheap (approximately $1) and is simply loaded with Russian rubles either in cash or via credit card. Discounted fares are automatically taken from your card when you enter the metro, bus, etc and touch it to the ticket terminal. You may purchase these at any Metro cashier. For more details on the metro and the current prices, visit their official website (Russian) . A current map of the metro is here .

Moscow has a large bus and train system that serves the entire city and outlying regions. The buses can be very useful in Moscow with a baby or toddler because they are easy to ride with a stroller. Often, travel by bus can be quicker than travel by metro depending on the destinations involved. Many of the bus stops in the center of the city now have electronic signs indicating the next bus arriving and an estimated arrival time for the next several buses. Apps such as Yandex Maps or Google Maps are often able to provide you with the specific bus and stops that you need and have been very helpful to us.

Yandex/Uber/Gett/Taxis

Moscow has a very active taxi market. We have had great success with Uber, Yandex.Taxi, and Gett – but many other options also exist in the city. Be sure to have the apps downloaded prior to your arrival for the best experience.

Kremlin with a toddler - post trip update - Moscow Forum

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Writing down my experience of doing the Kremlin with our 2.5 year old daughter for the benefit of future travellers.

For the Armoury Chamber within the Kremlin, kids under 16 years are allowed free entry. However, because the number of entries are limited one needs to collect a free entry ticket for the child.

I had read before travelling that their are long queues so we bought our tickets online in advance which we could then exchange at the Kremlin. The free tickets are not available online & I was not sure if I would need to queue all over again for the free ticket so I bought a paid ticket for my daughter.

Collection procedure - Even though the online ticket queue is hardly 8-10 people (our experience at 10am in the morning) please do budget sufficient time for ticket collection, at least 20-30 minutes. This gets especially longer if their is a tour guide in the queue as they have several kinds of tickets for different sessions to exchange (the lady in front of me in the queue exchanged at least 12 tickets that were not paid for in advance, against multiple credit card transactions signing & swiping as many times...phew). As I learned on that day, I could have simply got my daughter's free ticket from the online ticket counter by providing her proof of age, no need to queue at the regular ticket counter.

Cathedral Square - the best place to buy the ticket for the Cathedral Square, which we realised by chance, is inside the Armoury Chamber at the counter just before the exit. No queue at all! No ticket needed for a child, not even the free entry one. So if you are covering Armoury Chamber & Cathedral Square in that order best to buy the Cathedral Square tickets from the Armoury Chamber counter.

Thanks, Puja K,

Saved your report for the benefit of future travellers with kids

>> As I learned on that day, I could have simply got my daughter's free ticket from the online ticket counter by providing her proof of age, no need to queue at the regular ticket counter. <<

I'm not sure, but I guess it's possible that there would be no free places and obtaining free ticket for a child would be impossible for your time slot. Have anyone ever had such problem?

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Air France Boeing 777-300ER Business Class Review … With a Toddler [LAX to CDG]

Christy Rodriguez

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Seat Selection

Business class cabin, food and beverage, final thoughts.

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Airline : Air France (AF) Aircraft : Boeing 777-300ER Flight # : AF0065 Route : Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) Date : April 6, 2024 Duration : 10 hours, 55 minutes Cabin and Layout : Business class, 58 seats, 1-2-1 configuration Seat : 20E Cost : 204,500 Flying Blue miles (plus $505.95 in fees) for a round-trip multi-city itinerary or $7,500 in cash

Since my daughter is nearly 2 years old, I wanted to get one last “free” business-class flight with her before her birthday (when she would need to pay for her own seat). My husband and I booked flights using Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles. We decided on Seville, Spain, as our destination, with our long-haul flight taking place between LAX and CDG.

Now that we’ve experienced a few long flights with our toddler, we were optimistic that this trip would be fairly smooth. Here is my review of flying Air France business class with a toddler, along with whether or not I would recommend it (or this aircraft) to people traveling with their kids.

Booking Air France Business Class

First, I booked my award flight using Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles from Chase Ultimate Rewards transferred during a 25% bonus . My entire itinerary included a multi-city route, including a flight between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Seville Airport (SVQ) and back from Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) and LAX.

This flight cost 204,500 miles round-trip with $506 in taxes and fees. Since I transferred my points during a 25% bonus, this required 164,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points. While it’s not the best redemption in the world, it’s still better than paying cash. After taxes, this brought my redemption value to 4.26 cents per point .

I had to call Flying Blue to manually book my daughter’s seat, as there was no way to add a lap child online. Flying Blue charges lap infants 10% of an adult fare , meaning her flight cost $750, which I paid in cash. Consider using one of our recommended credit cards for airline purchases to maximize earnings on any cash costs.

If you’re flexible with your travel dates, Flying Blue offers incredible award prices and availability. Here are some of the best ways to redeem Flying Blue miles .

The aircraft for our Paris flight was a Boeing 777-300ER with a 1-2-1 configuration in an older setup without suite doors.

My almost 2-year-old daughter no longer fits in a bassinet , so privacy was our top priority. My husband and I selected seats 20E and 20F at the very rear of the cabin, hoping that traffic to/from the bathrooms and near the galleys would be minimal.

Los Angeles International Airport

We were flying out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) , so we made our way to the Tom Bradley International Terminal to check in for our flight. We used the priority lane because we were in business class, so check-in was speedy!

Lap infants are allocated a 50-pound (23-kilogram) checked bag and a car seat . I didn’t use my daughter’s allocated checked-bag allowance but did check a car seat.

In addition to my carry-on luggage and personal item, she was allocated 1 additional cabin bag weighing up to 26 pounds (12 kilograms) with a maximum dimension of 21 x 13 x 9 inches (55 x 35 x 25 centimeters). She wore a small kids’ backpack containing her toys and snacks and felt so proud of herself.

While I didn’t bring a stroller , it’s important to note that strollers aren’t counted against the carry-on luggage allowance.

There is not a dedicated priority line to get through security, but we all have TSA PreCheck , so we were able to use that lane.

While a new Air France lounge is coming to LAX later in 2024 , it hadn’t been completed when we took this flight. We were eligible to use the Oneworld Los Angeles Business Lounge.

This lounge was huge, with tons of space to sit. The food and drink selections were also good, and we enjoyed spending an hour in this lounge before walking to board our flight. It was a decent walk of around 15 minutes to get to our gate, so be sure to leave plenty of time to walk to your gate.

We boarded our flight early with those needing special assistance and people flying with children under the age of 6 . This meant we could board before the rest of the business class customers. We liked the chance to settle in before our flight, and boarding was uneventful and quick.

On Board Air France’s 777-300ER

We took this same flight and aircraft in 2023 to Italy with our toddler, so we knew what to expect.

My husband and I received a traditional glass of Champagne before takeoff from LAX, which was a few minutes early at 3:10 p.m.

On this Boeing 777, each seat had a length of 77 inches with a 61-inch pitch. The seats were set up in a reverse herringbone pattern, so the 2 center seats faced each other and had a fair bit of privacy. Despite having an older interior, we loved the configuration of this cabin as the seats were very spacious and private, even with an active toddler.

Air France has updated some of its 777-300ER fleet to include a sliding door for even more added privacy, so by selecting the 2 center seats, you create an even larger suite of sorts. This would have even improved further on our experience. You can tell if you have one of these newer planes by looking at the seating chart as it would not have a first class cabin.

Air France’s plane selection is complicated. It operates at least 6 different aircraft on flights to the U.S., and aircraft swaps are common. Here’s our definitive guide to Air France plane types .

Business Class Seat

In addition to the monitor, each seat offered a USB port and charging station, which were necessary to ensure that my daughter’s iPad remained operational throughout the flight.

There was plenty of storage space at the seat in addition to the overhead compartments. This includes a space at the side of the seat to store an iPad, headphones, and a few toys and another storage space at leg level for water and a few snacks. We also used the surface area above and between our seats for additional space during the flight. This is unique to the first and last row of each cabin thanks to the placement of the walls.

We like to ask for an additional pillow for our toddler when she sleeps. She managed about 4 hours of sleep, which was lovely! We planned well and chose the seats at the back of the cabin, but I also think seats in the first section (rows 3 to 6) would have also been good options.

While the Air France webpage for traveling with kids mentions that a baby comforter and items such as a coloring book will be provided, we weren’t offered anything like this. I know I would have appreciated these items, so it might be worth requesting them if they aren’t initially offered.

When booking our flights, I requested an infant meal for my daughter. As she is not an infant, she hasn’t eaten purees in quite a while, so we were prepared with a prepacked meal. We weren’t offered her infant meal at all, so I was glad we came prepared.

She was happy eating our prepacked meal but also had a few bites of our meals. My daughter drinks cold whole milk, so we were told to request this as needed. I didn’t have any issues receiving this quickly from the flight attendants.

As for the regular meals, the duck starter was quite excellent, with the main dish of cod (the chef’s specialty) being pretty tough and not very flavorful.

Breakfast was good, and I selected the bagel with salmon and cream cheese, along with fruit and yogurt with granola.

Entertainment

A wide selection of entertainment was available, but there weren’t a ton of movies or shows I was particularly interested in. However, I was able to watch “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” between meals and my daughter’s nap.

Air France also offers a variety of film, television, and music programming for kids .

There were 3 lavatories in the business class section, all containing a changing table and safety strap. I was happy to see that they were kept clean throughout the flight.

The service on this flight was a bit of a hit-or-miss. While my husband had a lovely flight attendant on one side, mine wasn’t the friendliest. No one came by to offer water throughout the flight, as is normally the case, but the self-service bar was always fully stocked. As I said, no infant meal was offered for my daughter. However, I appreciated that it was a relatively uneventful flight.

We landed at about 11:15 a.m. local time and disembarked with the rest of the business class cabin with ease. As we had a connecting flight to Seville Airport (SVQ), we spent our 2.5-hour layover in an Air France lounge before our next flight.

I would highly recommend the older (and newer) Boeing 777 with Air France in business class to anyone traveling with a toddler. This is mainly due to the privacy of the seating while also providing the necessary space to talk and play with my daughter without disturbing other passengers.

Despite my daughter being 23 months old, we all felt we could stretch out and get comfortable. Many crew members were friendly with our toddler, and we were all happy to get a few hours of sleep on this long travel day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is business class on air france's 777-300er quiet enough for a baby.

If you’re strategic about where you sit, I would say that Air France’s 777-300ER business class, even with the older seats, is quiet enough for a baby. Ideally, I would select a seat in rows 3 to 6, or at the rear of the main business class cabin in row 20. The configuration of the seats, along with the design of the cabins, mean that noise was kept to a minimum on our flight.

Are babies allowed in business class Air France?

Yes! Kids under the age of 2 are allowed to travel as lap infants in Air France business class. After this age, kids are still allowed, but will require their own seat.

How much does it cost for an infant to fly as a lap child in Air France business?

Air France offers a discount of 90% on your lap child’s ticket. This means you will pay 10% of the cash price of your ticket for your child to sit on your lap. This usually means that it’s best to pay for your child’s ticket as soon as possible as fares typically increase in price the closer it gets to your travel day.

Is a stroller allowed on Air France?

You can check a foldable stroller for no extra fee. Some strollers may be allowed in the cabin if space allows.

Small Foldable Stroller : 5.9 x 11.8 x 39.4 inches (15 x 30 x 100 centimeters) Other Foldable Stroller : 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.8 inches(55 x 35 x 25 centimeters); this will replace your child’s hand baggage allowance

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About Christy Rodriguez

After having “non-rev” privileges with Southwest Airlines, Christy dove into the world of points and miles so she could continue traveling for free. Her other passion is personal finance, and is a certified CPA.

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Is Southwest going to start assigning seats? CEO says the airline is weighing changes.

Southwest Airlines is considering doing away with open, single-class seating on its aircraft.

In an interview with CNBC , ahead of the airline’s first-quarter earnings call on Thursday, CEO Bob Jordan said the company is weighing options for cabin reconfiguration to address its recent revenue shortfall.

“We’re looking into new initiatives, things like the way we seat and board our aircraft,” Jordan told the network.

Southwest has long differentiated itself from other airlines with one class of seating and little variability – no extra legroom seats or first class on its 737 fleet. But now, Jordan said it may be time to change the strategy.

Cruising Altitude: Another Boeing plane issue? Don't fall for the headlines.

“Customer preferences do change over time,” he told CNBC. He acknowledged the airline hasn’t made any decisions on implementing a new strategy but said studies about what they could do have yielded “interesting” results. 

For now, the only reliable way for Southwest customers can get their seating preference is to pay extra for an earlier boarding position. Southwest Airlines does not currently assign seats and passengers claim their real estate as they board the plane in an assigned order. 

During Thursday's earnings call, Jordan confirmed the airline was exploring updates to its seating and boarding processes. He also announced Southwest would be ending service to Syracuse, New York; George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (the airline will still serve William P. Hobby Airport); Cozumel, Mexico and Bellingham, Washington. Jordan cited underperformance in those markets as the reason for their closure.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected].

5 Places to Travel Abroad With Your Kids This Year

London, lapland, and tanzania are on the cards in 2024..

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TAASA Lodge offers a walking safari among several other singular experiences.

Courtesy of Go2Africa

Is it worth traveling abroad with your kids, especially with so many great options in the United States? Short answer: yes. That’s especially true if you consider one of these family-friendly destinations our writers have visited in recent months. They’ve been roaming with their children in the United Kingdom, Japan, Tanzania, Greece, and Swedish Lapland and have unearthed some great spots for the whole fam for 2024. Just try not to think about the flight there (and especially the flight home) . . .

Osaka, Japan

Theme parks and enticing street food are among the highlights of a visit to Osaka.

Photo by Usa-Pyon/Shutterstock

Wandering through Osaka’s neon-clad neighborhood of Shinsekai with my son—a hard-to-impress tween with a thirst for photo-worthy culinary creations—we passed takoyaki stands advertising their octopus-based wares with 3D tentacle-covered displays and a conveyor belt sushi joint adorned with an enormous rotating nigiri platter. Ultimately, we were drawn into Jumbo Tsuribune Tsurikichi , a restaurant boasting expansive pools of fish that you can catch with provided bait and rods. Here, they’ll cook and serve whatever you reel in—which, in our case, was a beast large enough to feed a family twice our size.

Memory-making experiences like this are only the beginning here, where maximalist signage beckons hungry travelers at every turn. And despite rising food costs across the globe, affordable eats are still easy to find in Osaka, making it an enticing choice for anyone looking to test their taste buds without breaking the bank. Even the pickiest of eaters will find something to love in this dynamic destination, and fun-loving families will find a variety of singular eateries. Dine alongside Pikachu at the popular Pokemon Café or enjoy impossibly cute Mario-inspired meals at Super Nintendo World at Universal Japan , which will soon offer even more options in its new Donkey Kong–themed land , slated to open in 2024.

Where to stay

For an immersive experience, families can sleep on traditional tatami mats at Ukiyoe Ryokan . The Cross Hotel Osaka , meanwhile, provides comfy digs located steps from the bustling food stalls in the Dotonbori area.— Amanda Adler

“I spy” gets a whole lot more interesting when there are leopards, hippos, and warthogs to peep.

Taking a toddler on safari is not for the faint of heart; I knew if I was gonna do it, I needed serious help. Enter Go2Africa , a seasoned tour operator staffed by specialists who’ve traveled extensively with small children throughout East and Southern Africa. These experts knew exactly which camps were the family-friendliest and how to safely travel between them. They arranged private safari drives for us in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area , a UNESCO-protected World Heritage site with Africa’s densest population of large animals, and a quiet corner of Serengeti National Park. Over multiple game drives in the two regions, we spotted lions, leopards, hippos, ostriches, flamingos, warthogs, and roughly a gazillion wildebeest, but it was a dazzle of zebras lingering within arm’s reach of our 4x4 that really had my son clapping up a storm.

Check out TAASA Lodge , a boutique bush camp in a 15,000-acre concession north of the Serengeti, and Gibb’s Farm , an 80-acre organic farm and coffee plantation less than an hour from Ngorongoro Crater. Both properties hire guides, trackers, and staff who truly love children, as opposed to merely tolerate them. Both also have swimming pools—a fantastic way for kiddos to spend some time in between game drives. —Ashlea Halpern, contributing editor

Athens, Greece

Ancient history comes alive in Athens.

Photo by Sven Hansche/Shutterstock

While history and ancient ruins may seem boring for little ones at first, Athens is actually an entertaining and educational family destination. Before you even leave, get your kids into Greek mythology and history—there’s the graphic novel series Olympians that reinterprets the mythologies and a funny and engaging podcast by National Geographic called Greeking Out that my eight-year-old son loves. Once you land, kids will be eager to see the sites that otherwise might look like crumbling dirt. When I visited last summer with my husband and two young kids, I booked a private tour with Be a Greek specifically meant for families. Our guide kept both of my children (and my husband and I) engaged with a scavenger hunt, trivia, games, and dynamic storytelling as we traipsed around the city, ticking off sites like the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the Panathenaic Stadium, and Syntagma Square to see the changing of the presidential guard.

Visiting the Acropolis is a bit more challenging, so be sure to go in early morning or evening when it’s cooler and less crowded, and leave the stroller behind (way too many steps!). Kids will also enjoy the Acropolis Museum (request a “family backpack” for educational resources, puzzles, and more); riding the bright red Athens Happy Train ; going up Mount Lycabettus via cable car; and strolling around the picturesque Plaka neighborhood. When you need to escape the heat, head outside the city center to the Athens Riviera for some time at Astir Beach or to the still-in-progress Ellinikon , which already features an incredible playground and park, with more to come.

To be in the center, stay at the new boutique Apollo Palm Hotel , which offers triple rooms perfect for a family of three (or four if one child is in a crib, which can be provided) while still boasting a chic design, gorgeous rooftop bar, and delicious breakfast buffet. For a resort experience, complete with a kids club, beach, and pool, the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens has spacious rooms and an incredibly friendly and helpful staff who clearly love children.— Devorah Lev-Tov

The Jokkmokk market has been around for hundreds of years.

Photo by Tommy Alven/Shutterstock

Swedish Lapland

My kids were just toddlers when we visited Swedish Lapland’s Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, where I pushed them in strollers as they teetered across packed-snow floors in rooms carved out from river ice by artists from around the world. (We sanely slept in the warm accommodations on site.)

On a visit this past winter on my own, I found several other reasons to plot a trip back soon with my now-older crew. The best winter adventures in this part of Sweden come with experiential elements that go beyond chasing the northern lights. At Arctic Bath in the small hamlet of Harads, I watched a British family with elementary school–age kids brave cold plunges together following a sauna session, stepping down a metal ladder straight into the frozen Lule River and whooping it up before beelining it for the outdoor hot tubs.

Nearby, the whimsical variety of cabins on stilts at Treehotel —including one shaped like a bird’s nest and another like a UFO—were pure fantastical fun, with ice fishing and snowshoeing among the activities. Sapmi Nature Camp offers three-night packages to stay with Sámi hosts in private lavvu tents on the family’s grazing lands for reindeer while learning about their modern way of life. And if you’re here in early February, the excitement of the annual Jokkmokk Winter Market draws hundreds of Indigenous people from all over the Sápmi region of Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Russia for an outdoor festival with live music, shopping for silverwork and traditional clothing, and many more activities.

All of the aforementioned stays are a treat worth planning a trip around. But I’m dreaming of a multi-generational winter adventure at Fjellborg Arctic Lodge , where you can arrive via dogsled from nearby Jukkasjärvi. Families stay in a luxurious four-bedroom cabin with its own sauna and outdoor hot tub overlooking Lake Väkkärä. (Smaller cabins can accommodate more people right nearby.) The lodge’s wilderness guides lead all manner of excursions—including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.— Terry Ward

London, U.K.

With musicals, green spaces, and seemingly endless restaurants, no two days in London are the same.

Courtesy of One Aldwych

From a wickedly funny Yeoman Warder guide at the Tower to a bike tour with London Bicycle and a visit to the Harry Potter studios (where all eight movies were filmed), my family’s weeklong trip across the pond proved to be equal parts educational and fun. We also adored the Matilda musical, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, in the West End, with all four of us singing along to its catchy tunes as we left the theater. The city’s many green spaces (Hyde Park; Kensington Gardens, with the Princess Diana Memorial Playground; Battersea Park) also allow ample opportunity for little legs to stretch, run, and stop to smell the roses. With a food scene that’s the stuff of legend, eating at Indian street food chain Dishoom and plant-based Mallow in Borough Market were also musts and didn’t disappoint.

London has many great hotels . I liked the elegant 101-room One Aldwych in the heart of Covent Garden, within blocks of theaters, restaurants, and museums, such as the fantastic London Transport Museum (where kids can see double-decker buses and grown-ups can marvel at the history of the Tube). Along with spacious suites, thoughtful touches like the daily replenished complimentary mini-bar (with biscuits and chips to keep little ones happy) and a “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” themed afternoon tea make the hotel truly perfect for families.— Tanvi Chheda

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Esjay Toddler Busy Board, Sensory Board for Fine Motor Skill, Montessori Toys Educational Learning Toddler Activities for Travel Car Airplane, Toys Gifts for 1 2 3 4 Year Old Boys Girls(Blue)

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• [15-IN-1 TODDLER BUSY BOARD]: This busy board for toddlers features 14 different varieties of buttons, zip pocket, lace and etc, with a set of hook&loop alphabet and 123s letters(35 PCS). Designed in varying difficulty levels to be challenging but not too much to keep your toddlers interested.
• [SOFT & PORTABLE]: Our sensory board is made of toxic-free soft fabrics and felt with no hard corners, safe for your little toddlers to play. Only 0.5 LBS weighs with a handle, portable busy board for toddlers to carry and flexible to fit in most diaper or school bags. Perfect toddler activities sensory board to keep them occupied while on car, airplane, travel or settings needing quiet.
• [DESIGNED FOR LITTLE HANDS TO OPERATE]: Our Montessori toy is well constructed and in perfect size for toddlers to hold. You can also work on educational board together with your kids and teach them spelling and counting. Great toddler activities alternative to screen time.
• [LEARN TO DRESS AND SPELL THROUGH PLAY]: Keep your toddlers entertained while they learn math, spelling and develop essential skills like dressing at their own pace. This Montessori toy can help develop fine motor skills, finger dexterity and cognitive skill.
• [PERFECT GIFT & 100percent SATISFACTION]: Esjay busy board for toddlers gifts is made with quality and care. Makes it a decent Christmas and birthday gift for 1 2 3 year old boys and girls. If you have any problems, our friendly service is here to help. Don’t hesitate and ADD TO CART now!

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Montessori Busy Book

Busy Board Multiple Pages

Montessori Busy Board

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Unique Hook&Loop Letters

• You can attach the hook&loop letters to the outer surface
• Learn alphabet and counting in a fun way
• Store the letters in the zip pocket

15 Activities in 1 Board

Hook & Loop Tape, Belts, Zip Pocket, Snaps Pocket, Buttons, Shoe Laces and a Set of ABCs and 123s Hook&Loop Letters

• This busy board contains so many fun toddler activities that you don’t need to worry your little ones will get tired of it in a day
• Designed in varying difficult levels that will be challenging enough to keep toddler’s attention and interest, but not too much to make them frustrated.
• Many toddlers like throwing things around, that’s why we introduce this soft fabric made busy board to you. Unlike other busy board, it's soft with no hard corner that won’t harm your babies.

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Great travel activity for toddlers

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Customers like the value, quality and appearance of the toy. They mention that it's well worth the price, keeps their toddler entertained for a long time and teaches them how to use their fine motor skills. They are also satisfied with distraction, and portability. However, some customers report missing letters and numbers. Opinions are mixed on ease of use, and size.

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Customers like the quality of the book. They say it keeps their children entertained for a long time and teaches them how to use their fine motor skills. They also mention that it's a great car toy, and a wonderful learn as they grow item.

"I bought this for my granddaughter for our plane ride. It's made well and has tons of activities and she can grow into it...." Read more

"This is a super toy for your toddler!! So much to do and they learn while they play !!" Read more

"Cute and entertaining but missing letters and numbers. Mine did not come with the letter Y or number 7." Read more

"...The quality is what I would expect for the price. It is not perfect , but for the price it is well worth it!..." Read more

Customers find the toy easy to use in the car, take on the go, and keep toddlers occupied. They say it's a great item to keep toddler occupied and perfect for traveling with a toddler. Customers also mention that it'll be great for road trips and at home.

"...have to add the velcro to the backs of shapes and animals but it was easy to do " Read more

"...It was simple and took maybe 15 minutes to complete ...." Read more

"This is an easy item to take on the go with you or use at home...." Read more

"...She loves it and takes it everywhere we go. It’s light enough for her to carry and plenty of things for her to do while on a trip!" Read more

Customers find the book has tons of activities that keep them busy. They say it's great at keeping their son busy in the car, on the plane ride, and on long car rides. Customers also mention that the book contains buttons, zippers, and fun little details.

"...It's made well and has tons of activities and she can grow into it...." Read more

"This is a super toy for your toddler!! So much to do and they learn while they play!!" Read more

"This busy book has a ton of activities and things for a toddler...." Read more

"I do think my toddler is going to like this book. It has lots of different activities and I like that you can unzip the pages...." Read more

Customers like the appearance of the toy. They say it's cute, well designed, and colorful. Some customers also mention that it'll keep children playing quietly in church.

" Cute and entertaining but missing letters and numbers. Mine did not come with the letter Y or number 7." Read more

"...The idea of this item is great - I think the age is more for a 2.5-3 year old, however, they may easily be bored with the activities." Read more

"...Easy for use in the car. very colorful and helps with his coordination." Read more

" Very nice ! Hours of fun !" Read more

Customers appreciate the value of the toddler distractor. They say it's well worth the price, has good quality, and is a great buy.

"...It is not perfect, but for the price it is well worth it ! I also love that you can take some pages out to adjust it for age...." Read more

"...Overall pretty good quality for the cost ." Read more

"...I was surprised to find this. Even better the price was extremely reasonable .Highly recommended!!!" Read more

"...which does happen sometimes people, this is an awesome buy & worth the price ...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the size of the toy. Some mention it's compact and has many options for fine motor skills, while others say that some of the pages and pieces are too small for the ages the books are. Some customers also say that the straps are too short, making it awkward to maneuver.

"I love how it all stores away super nicely . It is very tedious putting the pieces together and does have small parts. But my 12 month old loves it !!..." Read more

"A definite buzzy notebook, but some of the pieces are too small and Velcro doesn't always hold. Overall a wonderful buy." Read more

"...It’s size is perfect to throw in the diaper bag for a quick distraction toy when we are on the go." Read more

"...It’s important to note that some of the pages/ pieces are too small for the ages the books are “age appropriate” for. We were able to take..." Read more

Customers are mixed about the ease of use of the toy. Some mention it's great for keeping little hands busy and engaged, while others say it'll frustrate their toddlers.

"For one thing, this is definitely not for a one-year-old ! It should be illegal for them to put that in their description...." Read more

"...Easy to setup. Love that it is a hands on toy that makes them use their hands." Read more

"most the belts are kind of hard to use making it frustrating for my toddler ." Read more

"...Different clasps for different age levels. Great for dexterity …young or old." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the letters in the toy. They say that the letters are missing, messed up, and flimsy. Some customers also mention that the Velcro alphabet is incomplete.

"Cute and entertaining but missing letters and numbers . Mine did not come with the letter Y or number 7." Read more

"...My alphabet and numbers also came incorrect . I got 2 A’s no S and no 7...." Read more

"...received it with some of the clips/buckles broken, and the Velcro alphabet was incomplete , so that I couldn't spell my child's name. Lame...." Read more

"...think our 16 month old is going to enjoy this, however, it is missing the letter T and has duplicate letters in place...." Read more

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Columbia’s ‘ultra-liberal’ board is packed with dems who have donated millions to lefty causes.

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Columbia University is failing to clear out the disruptive anti-Israel encampment on campus because its “ultra-liberal” board of trustees is stacked with Democratic apparatchiks and megadonors whose judgment is clouded, critics told The Post.

Among those trusted with governing the Ivy League college are a billionaire from the prominent Pritzker family; a hedge-funder who has donated well over $4 million to Democratic causes, including $775,000 just this election cycle; President Barack Obama’s former homeland security secretary, and a federal judge appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton.

“It’s no surprise that the board of trustees for a university allowing woke left-wing ideology and antisemitism to fester is made up of Democrat operatives and donors,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY) said.

At least six of the board’s 21 trustees have direct ties to the Democratic Party, according to an investigation by The Post, which examined voter registration and political donation records as well as other public documents.

Two trustees, meanwhile, are registered to vote as Republicans.

“It is a board of Democratic supporters. It’s clouding their judgment on what Columbia administration should do,” New York state GOP chairman Ed Cox said.

“The board is conflicted as President Biden is. The board is playing politics and the administration is play politics.”

The details of the board’s lefty ties comes as Columbia University’s embattled president Minouche Shafik continues to face mounting calls to resign for refusing to do more to crack down on the relentless anti-Israel protests at the Morningside Heights campus.

Antisemitism controversy at Columbia University: Key events

• Columbia University president Minouche Shafik  was accused of “gross negligence” while testifying before Congress. Shafik refused to say if the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is antisemitic.
• More than 100 Columbia professors signed a letter defending students who support the “military action” by Hamas.
• Antisemitic posters depicting Israel as a skunk appeared on campus — which experts liken to a propaganda poster used by the Nazis in World War II.
• Radical anti-Israel activists Charlotte Kates and Khaled Barakat told Columbia students a two-hour tirade , “There is nothing wrong with being a fighter in Hamas” in a seminar called “Resistance 101″ — weeks before the campus exploded in pro-Palestinian protests.
• Columbia students erected 60 tents on campus to demand that the university divest from Israel.
• More than 100 other protesters were arrested after Shafik announced the campus’s closure.
• Israel-born professor Shai Davidai was barred from campus after he attempted to lead a pro-Jewish rally.
• Every New York House GOP lawmaker demanded that Shafik resign immediately .
• Columbia University’s Jewish Alumni Association also called for Shafik’s resignation .

Now the Ivy League school’s board of trustees, too, is in the firing line.

Aside from Shafik and board co-chairs David Greenwald and Claire Shipman — who testified during a congressional hearing in Washington, DC — the 21 trustees have been tight-lipped, only releasing a brief joint statement Wednesday backing the embattled prez.

“The buck stops with the board of trustees,” Rory Lancman, senior counsel for the major Jewish legal advocacy group Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, told The Post this week.

“The board of trustees is the ultimate authority. They can’t hide behind the president.”

Here’s a look at some of the trustees and their backgrounds:

Adam Pritzker

Among the notable Columbia trustees is Adam Pritzker, a scion of the billionaire Pritzker brood.

The 39-year-old is the son of billionaire John Pritzker and the grandson of Jay Pritzker, who built the family empire that includes the chain of Hyatt hotels and a slew of other investments. 

His cousins include Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a longtime Democratic activist and bail reform advocate; transgender billionaire Jennifer Pritzker, who’s funneled millions into universities, medical schools, gender clinics and nonprofits in support of “gender-affirming” medical care; and Penny Pritzker, Obama’s former secretary of commerce who is the “senior fellow” or head of the Harvard Corporation — the university’s governing board that hired and then forced out former president Claudine Gay over her handling of campus antisemitism and accusations of plagiarism.

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Adam Pritzker is married to Sophie McNally, the daughter of embattled Big Apple restaurateur Keith McNally, who sparked outrage last year among his loyal diners by suggesting Israel “listen to the other side” after the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks.

Since his student days at Columbia, Pritzker has donated roughly $87,000 to Democratic candidates or causes, according to campaign records reviewed by The Post.

In his first year in the Ivy League, Pritzker made a $2,000 donation to John Kerry’s 2004 presidential bid. Since then, he has funneled donations toward the likes of former Mayor Bill de Blasio, Sen. Chuck Schumer and even Georgia’s 2018 gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams.

Pritzker, whose family is Jewish, declined to comment when reached by The Post about the board of trustees’ lack of action.

Mark Gallogly

Mark Gallogly, who is one of two vice-chair trustees, is an uber-wealthy hedge fund mogul who has donated more than $4 million, mostly to the Democratic Party and its candidates, over the years.

This election cycle alone, Gallogly has already dropped an eye-watering $775,000 to Democratic campaigns and causes, according to Federal Election Commission data.

He gave $150,000 to a super PAC called the Biden Action Fund last year, as well as $100,000 to the Democratic National Committee.

Gallogly and his wife, Lise Strickler, also hosted a Biden re-election fundraiser at their Central Park West home in June last year.

Follow The Post’s coverage of the anti-Israel protests at Columbia University:

• Pro-terror radical launched 2-hour anti-Israel tirade at Columbia University event weeks before protests exploded: ‘Nothing wrong with being a Hamas fighter’
• Anti-Israel protesters urge others to break into ‘platoons’ as Columbia University extends deadline for them to leave
• House Speaker Mike Johnson demands ‘very weak, inept’ Columbia prez Minouche Shafik resign ahead of campus visit
• Rep. Elise Stefanik demands federal funds for Columbia University be revoked in wake of anti-Israel protests

Throughout his decades-long career in investing, Gallogly worked for the Blackstone private equity firm before co-founding Centerbridge Partners in 2005. He co-founded the Three Cairns Group with his wife in 2015, which focuses on climate-related venture capital investing.

The Wall Street veteran has dabbled in politics, too, including a brief stint working for President Biden’s administration when he joined then-climate czar John Kerry’s office in early 2021.

His departure, which came after just three months, came about a month after Business Insider reported he was facing backlash and claims of hypocrisy for playing both sides of the climate crisis.

A probe into his finances found he still had investments in his Centerbridge Partners firm — which had a history of investing in oil and mining — despite his shift to climate-related investments, the outlet reported. Gallogly declined to comment at the time.

Jeh Johnson

Trustee Jeh Johnson, a Columbia Law School grad and seasoned attorney, also has prior links to the White House.

He served as President Barack Obama’s homeland security secretary between 2013 and 2017 and as general counsel of the Department of Defense from 2009 to 2012. Since leaving his political posting, Johnson has repeatedly testified before Congress about homeland security and cybersecurity issues.

Joseph A. Greenaway

Trustee Joseph A. Greenaway Jr. also has ties to both Obama and Clinton.

The Harvard-educated lawyer was appointed as a federal judge in New Jersey by Clinton in 1996 at the age of 38. Then in 2010, Greenaway was appointed by Obama to the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Newark, New Jersey.

David Greenwald

David Greenwald, one of the board’s co-chairs who went before the congressional hearing last week, is chairman emeritus of the Fried Frank law firm.

Greenwald has made at least 54 political donations totaling $62,000 over the years. The donations were all made to Democrats, with one exception: a $2,700 contribution to Republican Jeb Bush in 2015. 

He donated $4,300 to Biden’s presidential campaign in 2020, and showered thousands of dollars on Schumer, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Democratic Senate and congressional candidates across the country.  

Claire Shipman

His fellow co-chair, Claire Shipman, who is a journalist and New York Times best-selling author, has made nine donations totaling $11,700 to Democratic candidates — including $5,300 to Biden and $2,700 to Hillary Clinton’s failed White House bid in 2016. 

Abigail Black Elbaum 

Vice chair Abigail Black Elbaum, who heads up Ogden CAP Properties, a real estate firm, also has made a handful of Democratic donations totaling $15,000, including $4,200 to Hillary Clinton in 2005 and $1,000 to Al Gore in 1999.

Meanwhile, other trustee members include Brooklyn-born Wanda Holland Greene, who has been a well-respected educator for four decades; Keith Goggin, a former New York Stock Exchange market maker and specialist; Duchesne Drew, a veteran journalist; Andrew Barth, the retired chairman of a capital market company; and Kikka Hanazawa, a social entrepreneur in the fashion industry.

Former Sen. Al D’Amato (R-NY) said the appointees to Columbia’s governing board are clearly “ultra-liberal” — and it shows in their failure to take back control of the campus as the anti-Israel protests only continue to rage on.

“It’s an ultra-liberal group,” he told The Post this week. “The school is out of control. It’s a disgrace. They’ve destroyed the reputation of a great school.”

“It’s a horror show,” D’Amato added. “They need a new president and [to] clear out the entire board.”

Dov Hikind, who heads Americans Against Antisemitism, also joined the chorus of critics to lash out at the board, insisting it needs to “stop being cowards.”

“The board of trustees at Columbia should stop trying to protect Biden,” Hikind said. “Do the freakin’ right thing!”

The Post reached out to a handful of trustees throughout the week, but the majority declined to comment individually or didn’t respond.

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