The 10 Best Travel Toys For Toddlers
Editor's Notes
July 27, 2020:
Any time we are reviewing products for babies or children, safety is a top priority, and we always err on the side of caution. With that in mind, we decided to remove a few of our previous recommendations. Though they may be intended as travel toys for toddlers, we thought the Aquadoodle Neon, Peradix Kids Magnetic Drawing Board, and Tegu Pals Building And Stacking needed to be removed from the list. We didn't like the idea of tots using a pen-shaped item in a car with the first two, and we felt the edges of the Tegu Pals Building And Stacking were just a little too sharp.
We also decided to replace the Buckle Bizzy Activity with the Buckle Toy Buddy Backpack. Though they both feature similar activities to keep a child occupied, the latter is more functional as it doubles as a backpack, so kids can carry some of their own stuff through the airport or once you get to your destination.
The Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet is another new addition to our list this year. And while some people may think a toddler is too young for a tablet, we tend to disagree, especially when it is this particular model. Not only does it come with one year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited included, so children will have a near endless amount of content at their finger tips, but it is housed a sturdy case that should effectively protect it from drops and bumps. Plus, it is backed by a free two-year replacement guarantee, so even if it does manage to get damaged somehow, Amazon will replace it for free.
While we think kids will love toys they can cuddle with, like the Manhattan Snuggle Lil' Peanut and Skip Hop Bandana Buddy, we are big fans of items that can provide both fun and learning at the same time. For example, the Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Digits teaches numbers and counting in both English and Spanish, the Melissa & Doug Take-Along Shape Sorter helps with shape recognition, and the Sesame Street Elmo's On the Go Letters can be used to teach the alphabet and basic reading skills.
December 12, 2018:
A big category with a lot of potential entries, some of which fell out of contention due to safety concerns. Items like the Manhattan Snuggle Pod and the magnetic drawing board shaped like a bear are almost too cute to handle, while the practicality of items like the Aquadoodle is undeniable.