Entertaining and Easy-to-Pack Toddler Toys for Age Two
Traveling with a two year old is not for the faint of heart. From the potential of temper tantrums to requiring an overly active child to sit for hours on end on a plane or in the car, traveling with a toddler can definitely feel overwhelming.
But it can also be a lot of fun with moments that turn into wonderful memories. Part of making travel with a toddler more pleasant is being prepared, and that includes bringing along the right toys for a traveling 2-year-old.
I’ve traveled on planes, trains, automobiles, and cruise ships with my daughters when they were toddlers (my youngest is now three). And I’ve found certain toys work better than others for keeping age two toddlers entertained.
I’ve listed all my favorite travel toys for two-year-olds below, starting with my top three picks that work for most types of trips. After that I list my favorite toys for plane rides, road trips, and hotel stays.
My Top 3 Toy Picks for Traveling with a 2-Year-Old
Here are my must-pack faves for toys that are easy to transport and will keep toddlers entertained.
Little People Nursery Play Set
My two year olds were obsessed with Little People. My oldest even slept with her Little People princesses all lined up next to her in her bed!
For travel, I love this Little People Cuddle & Play Nursery Play Set since it folds up to keep things enclosed and then opens into a fun play house. It will easily fit on a plane tray or carseat activity table. Plus, the fact that it’s a nursery will also keep toddlers engaged and entertained; 2-year-olds are getting to the age where they’re obsessed with babies and will have such fun role playing with this Little People toy.
Water Wow Activity Pads
My kids loved these when they were two, and I love how convenient they are for travel! The Melissa and Doug Water Wow Pads utilize a “marker” that works by filling it up with water and then the water gradually comes through the bristles and the water-activated pages in the book then delightfully fill with color.
These Water Wow Activity Pads are great for road trips, plane rides, or downtime in the hotel thanks to being mess-free (or if there is a mess, at least it’s just water and will dry).
I also love that the pads are reusable. The water makes the colors and images appear on each page and then as the page dries, the colors fade so your toddler can have fun coloring it again and again.
Playskool Dressy Doll with Buckles
Give them a dolly to cuddle and keep them entertained with sensory fun thanks to this boy or girl Playskool activity doll with buckles, buttons, and zippers. It even has a clip to make it easier for traveling so you don’t lose it. I also like that it’s machine washable so you can properly clean it after it’s been dragged through the airport, restaurants, and other attractions.
Best Road Trips Toys for a 2-Year-Old
Now for the best road trip toys! When road tripping with a two year old, it’s best to find toys that can keep them entertained for longer than five minutes (hopefully!) and which will be easy to find on the floor of the car if the toy gets dropped.
Driving Toy
This toy was on my best travel toys for 1-year-olds list and continues its fun for kids well into age 2 (and three…and four…). This toy is great as a lap toy when they’re in their carseat, with lots of buttons and sounds and a large steering wheel that will have your little one feel like they’re driving during the road trip, too.
Sandra Boynton Board Books
I don’t know what exactly it is about Sandra Boynton books, but my girls LOVE them. The board books are easy for little hands to hold in the backseat while the colorful pictures hold their attention. Plus, the books are short and catchy meaning your child might even remember it enough to “read” to themselves as you drive.
Toy Laptop
Let them feel like an adult typing away on their own laptop as they sit in the carseat during your road trip. My girls loved their toddler laptop toy, pretending they were working just like mom and dad. And from a toddler perspective, the colorful buttons and sounds also help to entertain.
Peppa Pig Campervan
If your road trip is an RV, then this Peppa Pig Campervan toy is perfect for little ones. Most two year olds love the show Peppa Pig, so a toy of their favorite character will delight them. Combine it with wheels and a vehicle similar to the one they’re traveling around on and it’s a recipe for road trip fun.
Best Toys for a Plane Ride with a 2-Year-Old
Once toddlers turn 2-years-old, airlines require them to have their own seat on a plane. While this is definitely easier than a lap toddler while flying, your new mission for the duration of the flight is figuring out how to keep your active toddler in his or her seat. These toys will help.
Puppets
At age two, children really start to get into performing, and it’s fun for them to watch you make the puppets come to life and then try on their own to put on a show. And luckily, you don’t ned much room to do so with these Melissa and Doug puppets, making them perfect for a plane.
Wooden Animal Jigsaw Puzzles
These small puzzles are easy to pack thanks to the drawstring bag they come with and are also just the right size for toddlers. For those traveling on a plane with a toddler, you can easily take these out and put them together on the tray. 2 year olds will have fun trying to fit the different pieces together.
Busy Board Toddler Backpack
Make them feel like a cool big kid with their own backpack to bring on the plane. In addition to being able to fit the above mentioned puzzles and puppets, this activity backpack doubles as a toy thanks to the sensory activities located on its exterior. 2-year-olds will love trying to buckle and unbuckle, tie and untie, and point out the shapes on this engaging backpack.
Best Hotel Toys for Toddlers Age 2
When it comes to staying in a hotel with a 2-year-old the key is bringing a toy that is exciting, but won’t take up too much space in your luggage — or make a mess of the hotel room.
Playmobil 123
We are big Playmobil fans in our house and the Playmobil 123 toys are the company’s line for younger children. 2-year-olds will love this Children’s Playground Playmobil set, which lets them act out one of their favorite pastimes: going to the playground!
Mega Bloks ABC Train
Duplos are the toddler’s version of Legos and the toy is a great introduction to stacking and creating with blocks. This ABC train Mega Bloks set doubles as a toy your 2-year-old can play and pretend with. When all put together, it creates a wheeled train your child can push around the hotel room and it even makes sounds.
