one year old travel activities

• About the Blogger
• About the Globetrotters
• Community Groups
• Privacy Policy
• PR & Media Inquiries
• Guest Opportunities
• Giveaways & Offers

• Best Destinations
• Explore My City
• Australia & Oceania
• Middle East
• Pregnancy Travel
• Baby Travel
• Toddler Travel
• Tween & Teen Travel
• Theme Park Travel
• Travel Health
• Travel Photography
• Flying with Kids
• Beach Vacation
• Camping, Hiking & Outdoor Adventures
• Travel Toys
• Baby Travel Gear
• Toddler Travel Gear
• Outdoor Gear
• Airline Reviews
• Accommodation Reviews
• Attraction Reviews
• Book Reviews
• Travel Gifts
• Packing Lists
• Expat Life Blog
• Expat Money Matters
• Global Parenting Interviews
• Expat Entrepreneurs
• Family Life in Abu Dhabi
• Booking Tools

Blog , Product Reviews

20+ travel toys for a 1-year-old: entertainment for road trips and long flights.

Keeping your infant entertained on your next vacation

I won’t deny that one-year-olds can be one of the most difficult ages to travel with (ok, for parents!) especially flying! They are still so tiny but wriggly and active and unsure of what is happening around them; they are not quite a toddler but beyond a baby .

How on earth do you entertain your one-year-old while you’re travelling?

There are plenty of great one-year-old toys, but for this age group, they are often large, clunky, interactive (i.e. noisy!) and not particularly luggage friendly!  You really do need to consider a separate set of portable plane and travel toys for 1-year-olds. 

Other than our baby travel essentials , here we’re going to talk you through over 20 great ideas on what you should be packing to entertain a 1-year-old while travelling – our big focus is on being road trip and flying friendly toys.

This post is part of our tried and tested travel gear series – don’t forget to also check out our baby travel advice home page

Buckle buster, finger puppets, classic baby beads, cute character snack cup.

• Lamaze Plush Puzzle Toy

Sensory Fidget Toys

Learn to dress monkey, felt quiet books, stacking cups, tissue pouch toy, board books, soft activity book, chunky crayons, magnetic drawing board, fubbles bubbles, sand toy kit, toy safety straps, what 1-year-old toys should i leave at home, more tips for baby travel.

If your child is slightly older, don’t miss our post best travel toy ideas for a 2-year-old . 

As an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission from qualifying purchases made from this page.

The Best Travel Toys for a 1-year-olds

The most difficult thing about this age group is their propensity to want to either a) insert everything they find into their mouth or b) throw it on the floor! 

Therefore, finding travel toys for 1-year-olds that are made for chewing is great, but also look for items that are easy to clean and not too small so you can find them if they fall into a small confined space! 

Here’s our selection of the best travel toys that have stood the test of time with our 1-year-olds.

Buckle Toys Buster is ideal for travel as he folds up quite small and is great for those fine motor skills and problem-solving.

There are six different clasps and buckles, allowing for several different activities. Buster also has many colourful pals these days, some bulkier than others, but all offer great opportunities for your tot to work on their hand-eye coordination while keeping them occupied on the move.

An interactive fun way to play along with kids is  finger puppets .  They definitely fit well into the portable category, much smaller than most soft toys but not too tinee tiny that you will lose them under a plane seat!

These are the best toys for one-year-olds in any situation, as there are plenty of imaginative games you can make up—and worst case, if they simply end up in your tot’s mouth, it’s not the end of the world!

Manhattan Toys Classic Baby Beads  are a baby essential from this maker of unique educational toys ( do check out the  full Manhattan toys range   – we ended up with a toy box full of their stuff we loved them so much! )

The beads are solid wood but portable, and the rattle is fun but not an overpowering noise it won’t annoy your neighbours on a plane. It’s great to see young toddlers through the  teething stage , and also perfect for those fine motor skills.

We all know just how important it is to keep little bellies satisfied, whether it’s at home or on the move. And we all know how quickly kids knock these things over?

Cue the latest generation of infant snack cups from Skip Hop that are not only designed with an (almost) spill-proof lid; they come in some cute and fun designs too that will only add to the enjoyment factor of snack time – hence we include in here amongst our favourite travel toys for 1-year-olds as they have definitely been a saviour in the past for quick and easy toddler entertainment – two birds and all that.

Lamaze Activity Spiral

Have we mentioned before how much we love Lamaze products? Their activity spiral is an absolute beauty and the perfect travel toy for a 1-year-old.

With all the sensory pieces that we love above Lamaze, it is easily attached to your tot’s infant seat, ideal for long road trips.

A reluctant inclusion as I truly hate any baby travel toy that makes an irritating sound – if it’s annoying me, it’s got to be annoying others around me too – but car keys really are one of those wonderful reality toys that infants simply can’t get enough of, perfect for long car rides.

No losing your own keys mid-journey, these B.Toys Funky Toy Keys are super easy to fit into any diaper bag and a sure-fire quick win for teething tots – even if just a little noisy, they are the closest to ‘the real thing’!

These simple plastic contraptions have taken the world by storm! Even since my bubs have grown into tweens , they STILL love these sensory toys .

The small but satisfying pops and different textures are a great way to keep fingers busy in a way that’s non-disruptive to other passengers.

Bonus if you can find a fidget toy with a suction cup , too, for on-the-go; they can easily be placed on windows, an airplane tray table, and even bathing; a sensory toy is perfect for a 1 year old when travelling.

Learn to dress mo n key is a wonderfully loveable teddy that comes with 11 different activities for small hands, from ties to zips and buttons. A guaranteed entertainer and perfect for long flights, he’s pretty loveable and cuddly too.

Also comes in Learn to Dres s Kitty if you are after different designs, a great toy for travel and at home.

Felt Quiet Books are a fabulous baby entertainer and make the perfect travel toy for 1-year-olds in any situation.

Young children can independently explore with a variety of different scenes to choose from. All the parts attach to the quiet book, so no missing spare parts, and no problem if it ends up in their mouth as it’s machine washable.

Such a simple but vital travel toy. We never went anywhere without our stacking cups – in fact, I’d argue these were our favourite travel toys!

Because they so stack away so small, they’re an easy grab-and-go item, and most importantly, we have been able to double these up as a portable bath toy and a baby beach toy on the go, too – these should be in every family travel bag!

Hands up whose infant LOVVVVVVES pulling tissues out of the box? OK, any infant worth their grit in cookie crumbs will work out this is a fake next to the real thing, but the My Tissue Pouch Travel Toy is as close as it can get to the real thing for this super fun baby activity!

With 11 brightly coloured, machine washable and totally reusable ’tissues’, plus a fun character packet to play with, this will surely gain you 5 minutes of peace on long road trips with your 1-year-old, right?!

We will always throw in at least one set of board books traveling with babies and toddlers.

They’re great travel toys as they’re small enough to slip a different one in your diaper bag or carry on each time you leave the house and pretty robust against little fingers and searching teeth!

Another great book option for a one-year-old is a soft activity book.

The MAMMA Kiddie soft activity book is a great travel toy for a 12-month-old as it comes with lots of added extras, including sensory touches that are chewable and bead counters. It’s still super light, so an easy carry-on bag inclusion for your one-year-old.

As your baby transitions to the toddler years, colouring games are great, but finding the right sort of product is tough.

We love the chunky crayons by Honeysticks – completely infant safe made from Beeswax and easy to grip in those sweet chubby little hands, an ideal travel tour for 18 month old.

Is your infant ready for a car seat travel tray? As infants progress to toddlers, they may benefit from having a good surface to eat and play on on long car journeys especially – see all our favourite car seat trays here!

Another super portable toy that’s not too chunky for travel is a magnetic drawing board, best from 18 months+. Always best not to go too cheap in design for these products – and not too many ‘extras’ that can go missing.

We like the design of Fly2Sky Magnetic drawing board as it has a sealed back to prevent scratching, and it’s small enough to still slip into a carry-on.

This one is not for you to hand to your one-year-old unsupervised, but more an emergency piece of kit that every travelling parent should have handy!

Be it making a roadside stop and getting your little one to stretch their legs, or when you’re waiting for rides at an amusement park, a quick bubble blow is an INSTANT crowd pleaser! – be warned, though, other kids will always want to join in!!!

We like Little Kids Fubbles No Spill Bubbles , which are much less messy than larger novelty wands if it’s for travel. (NB, obviously this includes liquid, so not a good one for the plane – but it’s one of our favorite camping toys for toddlers )

This was another reluctant inclusion as we know it can be a little bulky for travel – we’re hardly suggesting this will work for the plane – but no beach vacation with the kids is complete without your very own sandcastle!

From activity moulds to a watering can, you’ll want some sort of beach activity kit if you’ll be travelling anywhere with sand; these are the best travel toys for 1-year-olds on a beach vacation.

We share more beach toy ideas for toddlers over here!

Last but not least, we’d be remiss at this point not to introduce you to the sheer genius of Toy safety straps .

No more dropped pacifiers on the plane floor or sippy cups that have fallen in the seat well at your child’s feet. Anything that you can strap on – do! These work great for all types of toys with a loop that can be locked into any of your 1-year-old travel toys.

These are items that we have either had bad experiences with or, for the sake of safety or commonsense, we do not recommend using as a travel toy for one year olds:

Tablets/iPads – I won’t deny that I’ve let my kids use our devices from a pretty young age. But not all the time, and certainly not on the plane. The main reason is the best younger kids’ apps tend to be noisy, and a one-year-old is not for keeping headphones on. Save the screen time and toddler apps for at least 2+.

Playdoh – there, I said it. I’m going to have some haters shouting NOOOOOO!! But sorry, this one is on my banned travel toy list!! Some love it, but it’s icky, messy and ends up everywhere, but where you want it (mashed under fingernails, smushed into the airplane seat), you get the picture. At your peril.

Reusable Stickers – these are still really a bit too small and chewable for the one-year-old age group and they may not yet have the fine motor skills for peeling, leading to frustration. Felt books are the best alternative for this age.

Musical instruments – no matter how much they love these at home, loud, noise-making toys on a plane or transport with others is a big no-no.

Jigsaws – again, these may be favorite toys at home, but too many items have been lost down the side of a seat over the years. I recommend this as a good travel toy.

Shape sorter – for much the same reason as jigsaws. We love the hand-eye coordination aspect and won’t deny that they’re great toys for 1-year-olds, but with small pieces that can easily get lost, they don’t make our best travel toys list.

Novelty Suitcases – sorry folks, one is waaaay too young for these!! When they reach at least 2, you can start introducing their own cute independent toddler backpacks with a harness , but I would wait until at least 3 or 4 before trying ride on or wheeled luggage for kids.

Leave us a comment below if there are any other one-year-old travelling favourites you think we should add to our list! (or something that should definitely be left off!!)

Search Different Age Groups

Toys for 2-year-olds

Toys for 3-year-olds

Toys for 4-year-olds

Toys for 5-year-olds

Are you new to travelling with a baby , or would you like some more pointers and advice to make your first trip run smoothly? We recommend you also pop over to these pages:

• Our very best baby travel advice
• Safety, essential gear and tips & hacks you will want to know road tripping with a baby
• 10 baby travel essentials for every journey
• How to tackle your very first baby flight
• Are you ready for a camping trip with a baby?
• How to fly with a baby once they no longer fit the baby bassinet
• Do I really need a travelling high chair?
• Best pop-up sunshades for babies and toddlers at the beach
• Best lightweight strollers for travel (that can even fit on the plane)
• The best infant sleep solutions on the go

Bookmark this page or save it to Pinterest for later

Disclosures: We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

© Our Globetrotters | Feature Images CanvaPro

Like it? Share it!

2 thoughts on “ 20+ Travel Toys For A 1-Year-Old: Entertainment For Road Trips And Long Flights ”

My 1 year old son loves Melissa & Doug Take-Along Shape Sorter. I gave it to him to keep him busy on his first plane ride. The shapes are of good quality and a good variety. I was worried that it would be too difficult for him in such many shapes, but he caught up in no time. It’s easy to move, overall, he loves it! I would definitely recommend it to others. It is made of excellent quality materials and will keep your child entertained.

So glad you enjoyed it, it’s definitely a winner travel toy.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Road Trip With a 1 Year Old: A Handy Guide

• Date: July 18, 2022
• Time to read: 5 min.

Traveling in the car is a great way to vacation with a one year old! It can be tricky, but I got all the tips and tricks you need!

Plan to Stop every 2 hours, pack a variety of snacks and travel during nap times to make the trip go as smoothly as possible. Plan stops where babies can walk around and get in some exercise. Pack the essentials in arm’s reach to make stops easier. 

When you are traveling with a 1 year old I like to keep a diaper basket under the seat. Keep diapers, wipes, diaper cream and a changing mat in this basket so that you can quickly grab everything for a diaper change. 

Older babies can enjoy some toys on a road trip as well. Pack some books, small toys and snacks in another basket that is in easy reach. 

Stopping every 2-3 hours is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to help prevent positional asphyxia. This can happen when babies slouch down in their car seats and stop breathing. 

This happens more often in younger babies, but it can happen in older babies if they get themselves in a weird position and cannot get out of it. 

As a general rule, you should have an adult ride next to the baby to monitor their breathing and their comfort. 

Be careful when offering snacks on the road and be sure that you monitor the baby if they are eating to ensure they are not choking. 

Be sure to slow down and enjoy the trip. Traveling with a baby has it’s own pace and it may take some getting used to, but slowing down will make the trip much less stressful. 

Spend an extra night at the hotel, make an extra bathroom stop, slow down and embrace the trip. 

Packing for a 1 Year Old 

When you are packing for your one year old I recommend that you pack 2 extra outfits per 5 days of your trip , and be sure to have a plan if you need to do laundry. 

Eating habits can change on vacation and that can result in some messy outfits. 

Be sure to pack your regular brand of diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream. This can avoid a painful rash or allergic reaction while away from home. 

Choose engaging toys for travel times when your baby is awake and ready to play.

I have a packing for kids guide that might be helpful when you are making your packing list and organizing all the little outfits. There are some free printable checklists included in the linked post.

Great Road Trip Toys for a 1 Year Old

A 1 year old may be distracted by some well chosen toys on your road trip. 

These are the best, low mess, solutions that have worked for our family on 10+ hour road trips. 

Small board books are a great toy for the car. We love big sets of small books like the linked set, and classics in small board book form. 

Corduroy , We’re Going On a Bear Hunt , and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? have all been winners with my babies. I often find these at local thrift stores. 

Reading these to babies can be a great distraction on a long stretch of driving. 

When you need a sure fire distraction bubbles can be really special in the car. Choose a bottle that fits in the cupholder to keep the mess down. 

If you have responsible older kids this can also be fun for them to blow bubbles for the baby. 

Magnet toys are great for the car and they stay contained very well!

We enjoy magnet blocks like Magna Tiles . Just 2-3 blocks are really fun for a 1 year old. They also rattle when they are shaken, which is fun for a baby as well. 

Light Up Toys 

If you will be traveling at night, a light up toy can be super engaging. 

Simple toys like a small flashlight, a puck light, or glow sticks can be magical in a dark car. 

I know that my kids love traveling at night because it is such a new experience and the light up toys are just magical even for my 7 year old. 

Tips for a Traveling Alone With a Baby

I recommend that you travel with two adults whenever possible, but I know that sometimes you must travel on your own with a baby. 

I love a good adventure and this is what I have learned by traveling alone with my babies. 

Stop Frequently

You should plan to stop every 2 hours or less. This gives you time to check in on the baby and to be sure that they have what they need. 

This also gives you a chance to feed and change the baby. 

Mirrors that allow you to see your baby can be helpful, or a deadly distraction, consult your pediatrician about installing a mirror. 

Pack snacks and drinks for both of you in case you need to change plans suddenly. 

Be sure to pack any special foods that your baby needs, formula, snacks or medicine should be well stocked. Don’t forget mom’s favorites too, pack substantial snacks and cold drinks in the cooler. 

Having everything you need just feels good and makes you feel more secure. 

If you don’t feel comfortable stopping or your baby is sleeping you can choose to keep rolling and eat out of the cooler. 

I always think of my car like Mary Poppins carpet bag, or Herminone’s purse. Full of everything we could possibly need. Magically prepared. 

Be Sure To Rest

Drowsy driving is really dangerous and traveling alone with kids is exhausting. 

Be sure you are getting enough sleep to safely drive. Caffeine can help for a short time, but if you find yourself getting tired, plan to stop. 

The biggest tip I have for you is to go slowly. Do one thing at a time and try to be intentional. 

For example, be sure to put the keys in your pocket before leaving the car to unbuckle the baby, be sure to change diapers at each stop and double check buckles before you start driving. 

There are so many little things to do and check it is easy to forget and become overwhelmed. 

Rushing can make things much more stressful. 

When I travel with my husband he loves to rush and do things quickly, but I have to go slow or we will regret it later. 

Don’t be embarrassed by your pace if you are with a group of kid free companions. Focus on mindfulness and be present in each task. 

• What Is a Good Budget For A Family Road Trip?
• Can you Drive Over Hoover Dam? Cost, times and details

Previous Post

11 Trips To Make Your Road Trip More Affordable

Why do road trips make me so hungry.

Related Posts

Making Travel a Family Tradition: How to get the time and money.  

So, we all have dreams. When we are in a family the dreams can be difficult to manage. It feels like you have to pick one, your dream life or your family.  I want to encourage you that you can still travel as a family and you should.  You want to give your children those…

The Ultimate Packing List for a Toddler Beach Vacation

Family beach vacations are a great choice for family vacation, and packing the right things can make the trip smooth with your toddler.  We take a lot of road trips with our family of 6, and we often take spontaneous trips. The way to pack for these trips quickly is to pack in categories! Packing…

How To Pack Baby Formula On A Road Trip: 11 Hacks

Traveling with a baby can require a lot of packing, and with formula there are a few ways to make packing easier and less stressful.  These 11 tips from seasoned road trip mamas can make the trip a lot easier, cleaner and less stressful. 1. Pack All You’ll Need Pack enough formula for the whole…

22 Best Travel Toys for 1 Year Olds!

This page may contain affiliate links, which means that we may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

The best travel toys for 1 year olds to make your trip easier!

Traveling with a one year old is not always the easiest of feats. In fact, in our experience the time between one and two is actually the hardest time to travel with a young child. 

One year olds are mobile, opinionated, and hard to contain. It’s also difficult to keep them entertained because their attention spans aren’t that long yet.

One of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to bring some great travel toys to engage, distract, and pacify your 1 year old during travel.

In this list we’ve included the best toys our there that are compact and easy to pack for road trips or flights. Read on for some of our favorites!

Best travel toys for 1 year olds

In this list you’ll find some of our very favorite travel toys for 1 year olds. We’ve included options for car rides, plane rides, and toys for in your hotel room or  when you’re out and about on your trip. 

The gap between what a newly-turned one-year-old and an almost-two-year-old enjoy can sometimes be quite large, so consider your child’s stage and development level when thinking about what toys will be most suitable. 

Stacking cups

One toy that toddlers always seem to love is stacking cups. Stacking cups can be used for nesting, making towers, holding objects, or hiding objects underneath them. 

The Bright Starts Stacking Cup Set comes with eight brightly colored cups with numbers on the bottom for number recognition and counting.

They can also be used for water play and have holes on the bottom for the water to trickle out.

Suction cup spinner

These cute little suction cup spinners are perfect for all kinds of travel and so entertaining for little ones! They can be suctioned to windows, tray tables, high chairs, and other hard, flat surfaces. 

In addition to the spinning feature, each of the ends has a little pop button for babies to press. 

Unlike some suction toys, these actually stick well and don’t come off easily when your baby spins them. 

Indestructibles

Indestructibles are the perfect books to withstand the rough combination that is travel and toddlers. When these books say indestructible, they really mean it. These books claim to be waterproof, ripproof, and chewproof…and they live up to the claim!

The bright pages and fun illustrations are good at capturing and keeping a toddler’s attention.

Unlike board books, Indestructibles are made of thin, paper like material and take up practically no space, making them perfect for travel!

This buckle toy has been one of our go-to travel toys for years! It’s perfect for kids who love buckling and unbuckling straps. 

On the buckle toy are a variety of different kinds of buckles for children to try. The buckles are fairly easy to fasten and unfasten, although younger toddlers will probably need help with it at first.

Each of the straps is a different color, so your toddler can work on matching the colors. 

There’s also a zippered pocket on the top where you can store some small toys (we always keep a few finger puppets in there). 

On the back are numbered flaps with pictures of sea animals underneath. Each flap is made from a different material with a different texture. 

There are so many fun things going on with this toy, it’s no wonder all of our kids have loved it! And even our older kids have fun fastening the buckles and mixing and matching the straps.

Animal/Character Figures

For some creative and open ended play, some small figures can be a great addition to your travel toys. There are all sorts of ways you can play with these little figures and you’ll likely come up with some creative ideas over the course of your travel.

Cater the figures to what your child is interested in so that they will be excited to play with them. For example, you could get a set of animals , dinosaurs , Bluey characters , Mickey Mouse , Daniel Tiger , etc.

Sorter toy cube

This baby sorter cube creates a fun problem for babies to solve. How do they get the shapes between the elastic bands to fit in the cube? And then how do they get them out again?

The toy comes with six textured blocks of various shapes and colors to place into the cube. 

Both the cube and the blocks are lightweight and easy for a young child to hold and manipulate. 

This is such a fun and engaging travel toy for 1 year olds! Not only does it keep their attention, but it also stimulates their curiosity and helps them develop problem solving skills.

Sensory pull tissue box

What baby doesn’t like pulling all of the tissues out of the tissue paper box or clothes out of drawers? Well this toy recreates that experience in a way that is fun and easy to recreate (unlike with a real box of tissues…). 

This sensory tissue box comes with a soft-sided box and 15 reusable tissues. Twelve of the tissues are colorful scarves and three are crinkle tissues. 

You can choose to just stuff all of the scarves in the box or accordion fold them so that when you pull one out the next pops up and is ready to be pulled next. 

A weighted bottom on the box allows young children to pull out the tissues without the box coming too.

Toy Vehicles

Our boys have loved cars and trucks from a young age, so bringing little vehicles when we travel has always been a big hit. 

This little set has six small vehicles, including trucks and emergency vehicles, that toddlers can zoom around on a tray table, in a hotel room, or on a high chair at a restaurant. These are chunky little cars that are perfect for little hands to hold.

At this young age, trucks are always something that will capture our kids’ attention, so we try to always have a few on hand when we travel.

Poke-a-Dot book

Our babies and toddlers have always loved the bigger Poke-a-Dot books, and this smaller version that is perfect for travel! 

Each page of the book has a button which makes a satisfying “pop!” when you press it. This is endlessly fascinating for little kids who naturally love to push buttons. 

There are a lot of different versions, including first words , first colors , construction vehicles , and animal families .

Fat Brain Dimpl Toy

For all the button pushing toddlers out there, this Dimpl Toy is so much fun! 

Toddlers will love pressing the five brightly colored buttons and hearing the quiet pop sound it makes. This is a great fine motor, sensory activity that toddlers will love doing over and over again.

We’ve loved bringing our fidget popper on flights, on long car rides, and out and about while we’re traveling. This is also a great calming activity for when toddlers are feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.

My babies have always been drawn to keys but aren’t very interested in the fake plastic ones.  However, this set of baby and toddler toy keys is so realistic that your child will think they are playing with the real thing!

These keys come with four sound buttons for toddlers to push as well as a little flashlight. And unlike real keys, they don’t have any jagged or sharp edges to worry about. There’s also a strap that you can use to attach it to a car seat, stroller, or carrier.

This is not a toy that you’ll want to take on the plane, due to the sounds. However, it is perfect for road trips, hotel rooms, or just days when you’re out and about. 

Sassy Wonder Wheel Activity Center

The Sassy Wonder Wheel Activity Center has several different elements that young toddlers will enjoy playing with. The primary feature is the colorful wheel, which has beads around the edges that trickle down as the wheel spins. This wheel is super mesmerizing and fun to play with, even for adults!

Various textures encourage young children to explore the surface of the toy, while clatter rings at the base provide a fun element to hold and rattle.

The toy has a suction cup on the bottom to secure it to a tray table, high chair, or table while your child plays with it.

Soft cloth book

A cloth book can be a great travel activity for a 1 year ol because it’s engaging and hard to destroy. You can easily leave this book with your toddler in their car seat or attach it to their stroller without feeling like you have to supervise when they use it.

This Who Do You See? soft book contains various sea animals whose tails, feet, claws, etc. extend beyond the page. Inside there are fun interactive elements such as crinkle pages, a peek-a-boo flap, a squeaker, and a baby mirror. 

It also comes with a teething ring, which can also be used to attach it to a stroller or car seat, and a teething corner on the front page.

Melissa and Doug Pop Blocs Farm Animals

This set of Pop Blocs by Melissa and Doug contains five mix-and-match farm animals. 

Each animal has two pieces that come apart, so you can separate them and then work on matching them back together. Or you can create your own bizarre animals (head of a horse, behind of a pig, etc.), which little kids usually find pretty funny.

These animals are easy for little kids to hold and even separated are not small enough to be a choking hazard. 

One of our favorite travel toys for 1 year olds has always been the Oball . This simple toy is a classic that babies and toddlers always seem to love. 

It’s brightly colored and the large holes are perfect for little hands. It’s also flexible, which makes it fun for babies to squish and easy to pack away when not in use. It’s also great for attaching to a car seat or stroller with a pacifier clip.

Board books

Another way to keep a toddler entertained during travel is to bring along a couple of books to read with them. 

Some awesome small books include Peek-a Who? and basically any Sandra Boynton book ( Blue Hat, Green Hat and Snuggle Puppy were some others that were well loved at this age).

You can bring new books for novelty or some tried and tested favorites from home. I’m always surprised by how many times my toddlers can read the same books over and over again, so a couple of books can go a long way when traveling.

A teether is a great travel toy for 1 year olds, especially if they actively have new teeth coming in. 

This cute little carrot teether by Infantino has sturdy handles for little hands to hold. You can also use them to attach the teether to a car seat, carrier, or stroller with a pacifier clip (this is a must for me when traveling to prevent the teether from being dropped on the dirty floor.) 

The teether is made from a soft silicone which is easy to clean and the surface has textures for little ones to explore.

Touchy feely book

We love touchy feely books! They are so much fun for kids because they contain so many things to capture their attention! 

Some of our favorite touchy feely books are Usborne books. For travel, we love the Baby’s First Touchy Feely Lift the Flap Books . These books have peep holes, finger trails, textured elements, and flaps on each page.

I’m always amazed at how long my small children can spend looking at these books, especially if we’re pointing things out and talking about it with them.

Finger puppets

For a fun toy you can use to interact with your child, consider bringing along a few finger puppets ! My 1 year olds love it when I use finger puppets to sing nursery rhymes or play tickle games. 

This set comes with ten cute animals and the puppets are the perfect size to fit both adult and child fingers. 

I love that finger puppets take up virtually no room, making them easy to keep on hand if you need something to distract your child.

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog Fidget Friend

To keep your little mover entertained, Spike the fidget friend is up for the task! This hedgehog toy from Learning Resources has six different ways to play with it, including a wheel to spin, a knob to turn, a button to push, a switch to flip, and a plunger to pull. 

It’s compact size is perfect for little hands to hold and to fit easily into your bag for travel. This is a great activity for kids who love fidget toys and pushing buttons (which, let’s be honest, all toddlers do!).

Skip Hop Jitter Cactus

This adorable little cactus is a perfect novelty toy to capture your toddler’s attention while traveling. When you pull the ring, the plush cactus vibrates and shakes. 

A ring at the top makes it easy to attach this toy to your toddler’s car seat, carrier, or stroller so that they have something to keep them entertained on the go. It’s also great for airplane travel.

I can never make a list of travel activities for young kids and not include snacks. Snacks are an absolute must when traveling with a 1 year old. 

Not only will they prevent your toddler from getting hungry and grumpy, snacks are also a great activity for keeping a young child entertained. 

Snack catchers are perfect for holding a toddler’s attention because they allow them to feel the independence of feeding themselves while also practicing their fine motor skills. And they prevent snacks from spilling all over the floor!

Tips and tricks

Here are a few helpful tips and ideas for making the most of your travel toys for 1 year olds!

• Choose toys that your child will return to over and over again to maximize the use of the few toys you bring.
• Go to the dollar store and pick up a few cheap toys that you can pull out at random when your child starts getting bored.
• For long flights, wrap a couple of toys and bring a new one out every hour or so. Your child will love unwrapping each toy to see what it is! It also makes the toy feel more special to play with.
• Don’t bring any toys that make noise if you’re flying- the other passengers will thank you.
• For road trips, bring a car seat tray for your child to place their snacks and activities on.
• For both drives and flights, get your toddler up and walking around at regular intervals. This is good for their circulation and can also help break up the travel time a bit.
• Bring out your toys one by one instead of pulling the whole bag out. In my experience, my toddler just ends up grabbing the whole bag and rummaging through it, which takes away some of the novelty of introducing new toys.

Final Thoughts

Prepare yourself for an amazing trip with your child by bringing along a few of these amazing travel toys for 1 year olds. You’ll feel so much more confident knowing that you have some great activities you can pull out to keep your child entertained. 

I remember the first time we traveled with a 1 year old, I was so nervous about how it would go! But after many trips with young children, I’ve learned that it’s best to focus on what you can control rather than the things that you can’t. 

Bringing great travel toys is one way you can set yourself up for the best possible outcome when traveling with a young child.

Although travel with a 1 year old isn’t always the easiest, it can be an amazing experience if you’re prepared. We have very fond memories of our trips with our toddlers over the years!

Other posts you might be interested in:

The Best Travel Toys for 2 Year Olds!

25 Best Travel Toys for 3 Year Olds!

The Ultimate List of Toddler Travel Essentials (+Toddler Packing List!)

How to Have a Successful Road Trip with a Toddler

Related Posts:

Jettsetters Travel

Family Adventure Made Easy

Last Updated on 06/28/2024 by Regan P.

25 BEST Travel Toys for 1-Year-Olds (2024)

The best travel toys for 1-year-olds! Ideas for planes, road trips, vacations, and more!

This post may contain sponsored or affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Please see my full  disclosure policy   for details.

It can be tough to keep a 1-year-old entertained while traveling because they tend to be very “busy” and have short attention spans!

The good news is you don’t need to go out and buy a million new toys for every trip. Planning and packing a few essential items that will help keep your 1-year-old occupied can make travel easier and less stressful!

I’ve compiled a list of the best travel toys for 1-year-olds, including some classics and new favorites.

These toys are easy to take on the go and will keep your toddler happy and entertained on flights, car rides, restaurants, hotels, and anywhere else you’re headed.

Things to Consider When Choosing the Perfect Travel Toys:

• Sound – selecting toys that don’t require batteries or make too excessive noise will help prevent disruptions in public places
• Size – pick small toys, so they don’t take up much room and are easy to pack
• Convenience – avoid toys that are messy or contain small parts that can easily get lost
• Preferences – of course, it’s important to choose toys that your child will actually enjoy playing with (which can honestly depend on the day!), but try to choose fun toys you think your toddler will be interested in

25 Awesome Family Travel Toys for 1-Year-Olds

1. busy cube.

This busy cube is genius. It is basically a bunch of random things that toddlers are always wanting to mess with (keys, light switches, knobs, etc.) attached to a wooden block.

2. Interactive Books

Board books with flaps, animal noises, mirrors, touch-and-feel, and other interactive features help to keep young children occupied for longer. You can read to your child or let them look at books in the car, on plane rides, or in the stroller.

Consider leaving noisy books at home if you will be in public places. 🙂

3. Busy Board

A Busy Board is one of the best toddler travel toys because of its compact design and different activities. A great way for those little minds to work on their problem-solving skills.

It can be frustrating for a one-year-old who can’t quite figure out how to manipulate and maneuver everything on the board, so it may be better to pull out the busy board when you are able to sit and play with your toddler (i.e. on an airplane).

4. Jellyfish Toy

This neat little silicone sensory toy allows toddlers to pull textured ropes in and out of the holes. It also has little buttons on the sides to push in and out. Plus it doubles as a teething toy.

5. Buckle Toy

There are many different versions of buckle toys. This penguin one is a stuffed animal + a buckle toy all in one! Soft toys are safe for using in the car and can be soothing for small children.

Most young toddlers love playing with buckles, but this is another one that might not be a good idea if you aren’t nearby to help.

6. Stacking or Nesting Cups

Stacking cups might be a little trickier to take on the go since they have multiple pieces to keep track of, but still a great activity for 1-year-olds.

This lion stack-n-stow nesting cup set is easy to carry around. Stacking cups are great for the beach or bathtime too – there are so many different ways to use them!

7. Finger Puppets

These cute little finger puppets provide easy on-the-go entertainment & are great for imaginative play and are the perfect size for taking on the go.

8. Montessori Quiet Book for Toddlers

This soft and durable cloth busy book has many interactive features, which are attached with reinforced fabric, making it a great travel toy.

This little book has many different textures, making it great for sensory development, fine motor skills, and other early learning skills.

The book is machine washable, making it easy to keep clean.

9. Car Keys

Keys are a hot commodity for one-year-olds, making a fake key set one of the best toddler toys. This toddler key set is pretty realistic looking, and won’t set off your car alarm. 😉

Take the batteries out if you don’t want them to make noise.

10. Cell Phone

Keep your toddler from stealing your phone by giving them their own toy cell phone . A fun toy for any age group!

We have this phone, remote, and key set . They are all very realistic looking, but they all make noise, so keep that in mind if you’re taking them on a plane or in other public places.

11. Indestructible Books

These little toddler books are called Indestructibles . Indestructibles are chew-proof, rip-proof, washable, and non-toxic, making them a great option for young kids who put everything in their mouths. They are just the right size for little hands.

These small and thin books are easy to bring along in your diaper bag or carry-on bag.

There are more than 40 different Indestructibles books to choose from.

12. Sensory Pop-It Toy

This toddler pop-it is small and inexpensive, making it one of the best sensory toys for on-the-go entertainment.

13. LeapFrog My First Learning Tablet

The Leapfrog Toddler Tablet has many features – 25 pretend apps, lights, songs, words in different languages, animal sounds, colors, numbers, shapes, and more.

14. Shape Sorter

Shape sorters are one of the best toys for one year olds. There are so many different designs to choose from.

This take-along shape sorter set is a great choice for travel. We brought this shape sorter on my son’s first flight, and he spent nearly 30 minutes figuring out the different shapes.

15. Stacking Rings

Stacking rings are great for hand-eye coordination. This stacking ring set is good quality and has occupied our toddler for extended periods of time on numerous long journeys!

16. Toddler Flash Cards

This flashcard set is one of the best car travel toys (great for planes too)! The cards are thick and durable, and the set comes on a ring, making them easy for little ones to look at without dropping them everywhere.

Our one-year-old loves studying the cards and looking at the bright colors and different animals.

17. Plush Car Set with Playmat Carrying Bag

This soft, lightweight car set is easy to transport because it comes with a convenient carrying bag that converts to a playmat with roads for “driving” the little cars around.

The best part is that the cars are friction-powered, so they don’t require any batteries.

18. Magnetic Wood Block Travel Set

This 8-piece magnetic block set is a fun way to let your little one build on the go, even in a small space. The blocks are aesthetically pleasing and come with a convenient carrying case.

The magnets help keep the blocks from falling constantly, making this set a better building option for travel than other block sets. These blocks are a good choice for one-year-olds but can be used for older toddlers and little kids as well.

19. Hedgehog Fidget Friend

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog is a small fidget toy that will keep toddlers occupied on the go.

Turn the wheel, spin the crank, press the button, twist the knob, push the plunger, and move the switch!

20. Mushie Press Toys

These Mushie press toys are a similar concept to the sensory pop-it toy listed above, but these are so cute and aesthetically pleasing that I had to add them to the list!

21. Clip-On Steering Wheel

This adorable little steering wheel allows your little one to “drive”! It can clip onto the back of a car seat, plane seat, or stroller. It makes noises and plays songs.

A few reviewers said the horn sounds so realistic that they thought someone honking at them from behind, so be aware of that!

22. Toniebox

The Toniebox is one of our favorite travel toys. My kids listen to it in the car, in the stroller, and around the house. We have taken it with us on vacation and used it in our hotel room. We have even taken it on an airplane and used it with headphones.

My older toddler loves listening to stories through the Toniebox, and my one-year-old loves the songs and playing with the Tonie figurines. 

23. Reusable Sticker Books

These Melissa & Doug Puffy Sticker books are recommended for older kids (ages 4+), but my one-year-old likes playing with them.

I usually just let him play with the bigger stickers because the smaller ones end up getting lost or he tries to put them in his mouth.

The reusable stickers are nice and thick, making them easier for little fingers to maneuver.

24. Window Clings

These stickers are not sticky, instead, they cling to the book and other surfaces. I think the best way to use them is as window clings.

My kids love taking them on and off windows. We have used them on airplane windows and tray tables and love taking them on vacation. The best thing is that because they are so small, they are easy to pack and fun for the kids to play with in rental houses or hotels.

25. Suction Cup Spinner Toys

This little suction cup fidget spinner has been one of the top travel toys for my toddlers. They absolutely love spinning it and watching the vibrant colors go around and around.

The suction cup keeps it securely attached to any flat surface, including a tray table, windows, and stroller trays, making it a perfect toy for travel.

TRAVEL TIP : Try to have designated travel toys that you save for playing with only in the car or while traveling. It will make them seem more special and will hopefully help keep your toddler entertained for longer!

Other Ways to Entertain Young Toddlers On the Go

Here are a few more options for entertaining 1-year-olds on a plane, in the car, in restaurants, on walks, or anywhere else on the go!

Sing Songs or Play Music

Another way to entertain your 1-year-old (especially during car rides) is by singing songs. If you aren’t sure what to sing, try some classics like “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” or “Wheels on the Bus”, or make up your own songs about things you see out the window! And don’t worry if you’re a bad singer – I guarantee your toddler doesn’t care!

If singing isn’t your thing, you can play songs through the car speakers. You can find a toddler-friendly playlist on any music streaming app. And if you get tired of listening to kids’ songs, many toddlers will be entertained by “grown-up” songs too. 🙂

Give Them Random Objects

Because wallets, sugar packets, and rocks are much more fun to play with than all of the fancy toys you just purchased.

Snacks provide entertainment and keep everyone happy! Bring a variety of travel-friendly snacks – nothing too sticky or messy. The most important thing is to choose snacks that are safe for eating on the go.

These  snack cups  help contain messes, easy to clean, and collapse for easy transport.

This snack spinner is so cool! It allows you to offer your toddler a variety of choices for a long haul. They can simply press the center button to open each snack compartment.

On-the-Go Snack Ideas

• Freeze-dried fruit
• Applesauce pouches or other food pouches
• Cheese stick
• Granola Bars
• Veggies – carrots, peppers, celery
• Fruit – apple slices, bananas, grapes, blueberries 

Ask Questions

Ask your toddler to point to their nose or other body parts. What sound does a cow make? What are some other animal noises they know? Can they point to objects that are different colors?

Asking questions can be a simple, quick, and easy way to entertain or distract/redirect a one-year-old!

Watch a Show or Movie

If your one-year-old will sit and watch a show or movie it can be a good way to keep them occupied during a long car ride or flight. Download a preferred show or movie onto an iPad or tablet. This can be one of the best ways to keep your little one entertained while traveling, even if you normally limit screen time at home.

Our toddler watches shows on the TV at home sometimes, but we save the iPad strictly for long road trips and flights so that it seems more special and exciting.

Tips for Keeping Toys Clean On the Go

Here are a few tips for keeping toddler toys clean on the go:

• Pack wipes – great for spills, sticky messes, toys dropped on the dirty floor, etc.
• Bring ziplock bags that you can throw dirty toys in until you have time to clean them
• Use hand sanitizer/wash hands often
• Use toy clips to keep your toddler’s items from falling (or being thrown) in hard-to-reach or dirty places

I hope you got some great ideas from this list of the best baby travel toys and activities for 1-year-olds. Happy travels!

MORE FOR YOU

Toddler & Baby Travel Essentials Checklist (2024)

19 Must-Know Tips for Flying with a Baby or Toddler (2024)

Toddler or Baby Hates Stroller? 17 Life-Changing Tips for You!

You’ll Also Love

How to Travel with Breast Milk (Step-by-Step Guide)

Trending now.

Check Out Our Youtube channel

Follow on instagram @ jettsetterstravel

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Accessibility Statement

Copyright © 2024 Jettsetters Travel · Theme by 17th Avenue

• Living In Croatia
• Croatian Recipes
• Balkan Recipes

Home > Guide To The Best Travel Products > 15 Top Travel Toys For 1 Year Olds – Babies On The Go

15 Top Travel Toys For 1 Year Olds – Babies On The Go

Traveling with a curious and active 1-year-old can be both exciting and challenging. As parents, we understand the need for engaging and portable toys that keep our little adventurers entertained and happy while on the move. Whether it’s a long car ride, a plane journey, or a restaurant outing, having suitable travel toys can make all the difference.

In this post, we’ve carefully curated a list of the top travel toys specifically tailored for 1-year-olds, designed to captivate their young minds and spark their imagination. From sensory play to interactive learning, each toy serves a unique purpose, providing a delightful mix of entertainment and educational value.

Join us as we explore a collection of travel-friendly toys that are not only easy to throw in your carry-on bag, but also promote fine motor skills, cognitive development, and imaginative play. Let’s make your family adventures even more enjoyable with these must-have toys for your little ones on the move!

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

General Travel Toys For 1 Year Old Kids

1. montessori travel busy board with buckles + more compact fun for tiny explorers rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars).

The Montessori Travel Busy Board has been a game-changer during our family trips ! It’s ideal for 1-year-olds and has a compact design that is perfect for on-the-go entertainment, and my toddler absolutely loves it. The board offers a diverse range of sensory activities, from zippers and buttons to gears and buckles, promoting fine motor skills and cognitive development. The quality is exceptional, ensuring durability and safety. Highly recommended for little adventurers!

2. Montessori Sensory Toy Made From Silicone Endless Sensory Delight! Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

The Montessori Sensory Silicone Toy has become an instant favorite in our household. The soft silicone material is perfect for teething toddlers, providing relief while stimulating their senses. Its versatile design encourages exploration and imaginative play. We love how easy it is to clean and sanitize, making it a go-to toy for daily use. A must-have for every parent seeking a safe and engaging sensory experience for their little ones!

3. Melissa & Doug Soft Travel Baby Dol For Toddlers And Babies Adorable and Travel-Friendly Playmate! Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

The Melissa & Doug Soft Travel Dress Up Baby Doll is a delightful companion for our little one. Its soft and huggable design is perfect for cuddles on the go. The included travel dress-up accessories add to the fun, sparking creativity during playtime. However, it would be even better if the doll came with more outfit options. Nevertheless, it’s a compact travel toy that brings comfort and joy to our child during long journeys.

4. My First Crayola Double Doodle Board Mess-Free Drawing Fun! Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

The My First Crayola Double Doodle Board has been a hit with my toddler, especially during car rides and flights. The dual-sided design offers endless drawing possibilities without any mess. The triangular crayons are perfect for little hands learning to grip. My only wish is for the board to be a bit sturdier, as it can bend easily. Overall, it is a fantastic travel companion that encourages creativity and keeps my child entertained for hours.

5. First Coloring Quiet Book & Triangular Unbreakable Washable Crayons   Vibrant Coloring Fun for Tiny Artists! Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

The Creative Toddlers First Coloring Book, paired with the MASSRT Toddlers Unbreakable Washable Coloring set, has been an excellent addition to our travel essentials. The triangular crayons are easy to hold and prevent rolling off surfaces. The coloring book features large, captivating images perfect for little artists. The best part is that the crayons are washable and durable, ensuring peace of mind for parents. An excellent set for creative expression during journeys!

6. Put-And-Peek BirdHouse Toy Peek-a-Boo Joy for Curious Minds! Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

The Put-And-Peek BirdHouse Toy by Manhattan Toy has been a hit with our toddler. The engaging peek-a-boo doors and colorful bird friends provide interactive fun. It’s well-made and encourages cognitive development through exploration and observation. However, the doors can be a bit tricky for younger children to open independently. Despite this, it’s a delightful toy for playtime both at home and on the go.

7. Nesting/Stacking Cups Versatile Stacking Fun for Little Learners! Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

The mushie Nesting/Stacking Cups have been a fantastic source of learning and play for my child. The cups are made of high-quality material, ensuring durability and safety. They come in a variety of attractive colors and sizes, promoting fine motor skills and spatial awareness. My little one loves stacking them up and nesting them inside each other. A versatile and entertaining toy that is perfect for travel and everyday play.

8. Fire Kids Tablet  +  Toddler Friendly Headphones Entertainment and Safety in One Package! Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

The Fire Kids Tablet paired with the BuddyPhones Bluetooth Limiting Headphones has been a lifesaver during long car rides and flights . The tablet offers a vast selection of kid-friendly content, keeping my child engaged and entertained. The toddler-friendly headphones are comfortable, and the volume-limiting feature ensures hearing protection. The combination provides peace of mind for parents while allowing kids to enjoy their favorite shows and games.

9. Yoto Mini Portable Audiobook, Music & Podcast Player  +  Yoto Toddler Book & Music Cards Portable Learning Adventure at Its Best! Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

The Yoto Mini Portable Player paired with the Yoto Toddler Book Cards has been a revelation in our travel activities. The player is intuitive and easy for young children to use. The book cards offer a vast library of audiobooks and music, including classics like “Hungry Caterpillar & Other Stories.” It’s a brilliant way to introduce children to the world of storytelling and music while being compact and travel-friendly. They are highly recommended for curious minds!

10. Collapsible Snack Container & Catcher Lid No More Messy Snacking on the Go! Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

The Toddler Collapsible Snack Container with Catcher Lid has been a game-changer during our outings and travels. The silicone material is safe, and the collapsible design saves space when not in use. The lid effectively prevents spills and keeps snacks fresh. It’s dishwasher safe, making cleaning a breeze. It is an absolute must-have for parents of toddlers who love snacking on the go!

Brands We Use And Trust

Best travel toys 1 year olds to entertain on road trips.

Having a travel toy for a 1 year old on a  road trip is a great idea ! These toys engage their young minds, promote development, and keep them happily occupied. With sensory elements, interactive features, and portability, these toys minimize fussiness and make the journey enjoyable for both kids and parents.

11. Wooden Magnetic Animals + Cookie Sheet W/Lid Mess-Free Magnetic Playtime Fun! Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

The Melissa & Doug Wooden Magnetic Animals paired with the Artisan Professional Classic Aluminum Cookie Sheet have been a fantastic combo for car rides. The magnets adhere perfectly to the cookie sheet, keeping them in place and preventing any loss. The set is well-made, and the variety of animals sparks imaginative play. A mess-free way to entertain kids during travel, and the cookie sheet doubles as a convenient storage container!

Travel Toys For Airplane Travel

Airplane travel toys for 1-year-olds are a lifesaver!

They entertain curious minds, ease restlessness, and promote learning. With compact designs and interactive features, these toys keep kids engaged during flights, making the journey smoother and more enjoyable for everyone. Say goodbye to boredom and hello to happy and content little travelers!

12. PipSquigs Suction Toys and PipSquigs Ringlets Suction Fun for Tiny Aviators! Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

The Fat Brain Toys PipSquigs Suction Toys and PipSquigs Ringlets are a hit with our little one during flights. The suction cups easily stick to tray tables and windows, providing endless fun and sensory stimulation. They’re easy to clean and can be combined in various ways for imaginative play. A wonderful in-flight entertainment option that keeps kids engaged and happy.

13. Highway Easy Peel Washi Tape + Wooden Play Cars Imaginative Highway Adventures on Board! Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

The YUBX Highway Easy Peel Washi Tape with Wooden Play Cars has been a creative solution to entertain our child on flights. The tape sticks well to tray tables, creating instant highways for the wooden cars to zip around. While the tape could be a bit more adhesive, it’s still a fun and imaginative activity for airplane journeys.

Travel Toys To Keep A Toddler Busy At Restaurants

Having travel toys for 1-year-olds at a restaurant is a brilliant idea! They keep little ones engaged and content during mealtime, reducing fussiness and distractions.

With interactive features and portability, these toys offer sensory stimulation and promote the development of fine motor skills. Parents can enjoy a peaceful dining experience while their child explores and plays. It’s a win-win situation that makes restaurant outings enjoyable for the whole family!

14. Tegu Magnetic Wooden Blocks W/Carrying Case Magnetic Marvels for Restaurant Playtime! Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

The Tegu Magnetic Wooden Blocks with Carrying Cases have been a savior during restaurant outings. The blocks’ magnetic feature keeps them in place on tables, offering hours of building fun for my child. The carrying case is compact and convenient for travel. A brilliant way to keep little ones engaged while waiting for meals.

15. Disposable Restaurant Table Mat Clean and Fun Dining Experiences! Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 stars)

The Disposable Restaurant Table Mat has been a fantastic addition to our restaurant visits. The colorful alphabet design keeps our children entertained while protecting them from any unclean surfaces. The disposable feature makes cleanup a breeze. A must-have for dining out with toddlers!

Overall, these items have made our family travels and outings much smoother and enjoyable, providing endless entertainment and learning opportunities for our little ones.

Move This Adventure To Your Inbox & Get An Instant Freebie

No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Wrap Up On The Best Travel Toys 1 Year Old

Traveling with a 1-year-old doesn’t have to be a daunting task when you have the right tools to keep your little one engaged and entertained. Our handpicked selection of top travel toys for 1-year-old kids offers a perfect balance of fun and learning on the go.

From sensory boards that stimulate exploration to interactive puzzles that promote cognitive development, each toy on our list serves a specific purpose in enhancing your child’s travel experience. The portability of these toys ensures that your little adventurer will stay captivated during long car rides, flights, and even restaurant outings.

As parents, we know how essential it is to provide our children with the best opportunities to learn and grow, even during travel. These toys not only encourage creativity and imagination but also help develop fine motor skills and early learning concepts.

So, whether you’re planning a family vacation or a short outing, these travel-friendly toys are here to accompany your child on every adventure. By investing in these thoughtful and engaging toys, you’re sure to create cherished memories of fun-filled travels with your little one, making each journey a joyous exploration of the world around them.

What are the best car toys for a 1-year-old?

For 1-year-olds, soft plush toys, teething rings, and lightweight rattles can be great car toys that are safe and engaging.

Are travel toys for 1-year-olds expensive?

Travel toys for 1-year-olds can vary in price. There are affordable options available, and it’s possible to find budget-friendly toys that are suitable for travel.

Are travel toys for 1-year-olds needed?

While not essential, travel toys can be beneficial for keeping 1-year-olds entertained and engaged during long journeys. They can help make the travel experience smoother for both the child and parents.

What are the best travel toys for one-year-old?

Some of the best travel toys for 1-year-olds include soft books, stacking cups, interactive toys with lights and sounds, and sensory toys like squishy balls.

Do car toys for 1-year-olds make a lot of noise?

Car toys for 1-year-olds can vary in noise levels. Some toys may have sounds and music, while others are designed to be quieter and focus on tactile or visual stimulation.

What are the best toys for a 1-year-old on an airplane?

When traveling on an airplane, lightweight and compact toys like small stuffed animals, mini board books, and soft building blocks can be excellent choices for 1-year-olds.

Best airplane toys for a 12-month-old who is deaf?

For a 1-year-old who is deaf, toys that focus on visual and tactile stimulation are ideal. Soft toys with different textures, brightly colored objects, and interactive toys with lights can be great options.

What are some great travel toys for toddlers?

Some great travel toys for toddlers include busy books, hand-eye coordination toys, Melissa & Doug products, fidget toys, buckle toys, reusable sticker books, finger puppets, and water play toys.

How can busy books help keep toddlers entertained during travel?

Busy books are interactive books with different activities that can keep toddlers engaged. They are a great way to occupy their minds and hands, providing a variety of learning opportunities in a compact format.

Are there any specific recommendations for long haul flights or car rides?

For long flights or car rides, items such as travel car mats, travel doodle boards, sensory toys, travel playscapes, and travel cubes can be excellent options. They provide entertainment and stimulate imagination during extended periods of travel.

Are there any travel toys suitable for younger toddlers?

Yes, there are travel toys suitable for younger toddlers. Some options include teething toys, dot books, sensory toys, and soft fabric toys. These toys are designed with their specific developmental needs in mind.

What are some good travel toys for older toddlers?

Older toddlers can enjoy a variety of travel toys such as pop-it toys, magnetic building blocks, take-along shape sorters, lift-the-flap books, and personalized busy bags. These toys engage their curiosity and problem-solving skills.

Are there any recommendations for safe and quiet toys on flights?

Finger puppets, quiet books, and water coloring sets are among the best options for safe and quiet toys on flights. These toys do not make noise and can keep toddlers entertained without disturbing fellow passengers.

What are some travel toy recommendations for small children?

For small children, options like buckle toys, busy cubes, window clings, and lacing sets can be a great choice. These toys enhance fine motor skills and provide hours of entertainment in a compact size.

What is a list of top picks for toddler travel toys?

Yes, some top picks for toddler travel toys include busy books, fidget toys, Melissa & Doug products, travel car mats, water coloring sets, travel cubes, sensory toys, buckle toys, and finger puppets. Fellow parents have highly recommended these toys.

Where can I find the best travel toys?

Travel toys can be found online, in toy stores, and in baby product retailers. Many can be purchased on platforms like Amazon, where you may find a variety of options and different designs to choose from. 

Happy family travels!

• Best Baby Carrier For Travel
• Best Toddler Travel Beds
• Best Umbrella Strollers For Travel
• Best Portable High Chairs For Travel
• Best Noise Cancelling Headphones For Kids
• Best Travel Gifts For Kids (1-18)
• What To Pack When Flying With A Baby Or Toddler

Subscribe To Unlock Your FREE Customizable Travel Packing List & All Our Best Tips!

Unlock Your FREE Customizable Travel Packing List!

Subscribe Now For Instant Access To Stress-Free Packing

15 Travel Games for Toddlers & Preschoolers

Sharing is caring!

We’ve been traveling full-time with our toddler since he was 14 months. Now he’s finally old enough to play travel games, so we created a list of our favorite travel games for toddlers.

We have long-haul flights to Costa Rica and Portugal in the next few months, so we wanted to have some fun travel games for toddlers. Travel toys are great, but we like to play games on flights

Disclosure: Kindly be aware that certain links provided below may be affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It’s important to note that I am an Amazon Associate and earn from qualifying purchases. For the comprehensive disclosure statement, please click here .

We’ve noticed our toddler stays focused more when interacting as a family, and games are a great way to keep your toddler entertained while flying .

Plus, I love playing board games. Growing up, I spent a lot of time playing board games with my siblings. Although our little guy doesn’t have siblings (yet), board games are a great way to bond as a family.

Read More: 10 Countries to Visit in Europe with Toddlers

Airplane Travel Games for Toddlers

We spend a lot of time  flying with a toddler.   One of our favorite ways to keep him from getting bored is games.

Playing games with our toddler on flights is a lot of fun and keeps the tantrums at bay (if he isn’t tired). It’s a screen-free activity that helps to pass the time, especially on long-haul flights.

These games are especially great for flying with toddlers because they do not make noise.

If you are a competitive family, I recommend only two-player games when flying. Save the competition for road trips, where you can be as loud as you want.

Related Post: 15 Fun Airplane Activities for Toddlers

Disney Matching Game

The Disney Matching Game is a fun memory game for toddlers. It’s the perfect travel game for 3-year-olds .

There are different classic Disney characters/movies to choose from, including Raya, Toy Story 4, Frozen II, Doc McStuffins, Minnie Mouse, and more.

You can control the game’s difficulty by adding or removing tiles. There are over 70 tiles to help your little one develop their memory, focus, and critical thinking skills.

The tiles are the perfect size for little toddler hands. If your little one struggles to play face-down, you can flip them face-up and still have fun.

What I love about this game is that it promotes solo play; while also being a fun game for families with kids of all ages.

Disney Matching Game Price

Melissa & Doug Classic Card Games Set

We love everything about the Melissa & Doug brand. Our travel toy guides have at least one toy, game, or activity from their brand. From quality to variety, they get it right.

The Melissa & Doug Classic Card Games Set is a fun collection of our favorite games from childhood.

This set includes Go Fish, Old Maid, and Animal Rummy. The classic card games we loved as kids, with better illustrations.

These cards are bigger than regular playing cards, so they can be found easily when your toddler drops them on the airplane or in the car.

The surface wipes clean, so your toddler can draw on these cards with a dry-erase marker , and they will wipe clean.

If you have a rough toddler (like us), these cards can withstand being bent by your little one because the card stock is thicker than other cards.

Melissa & Doug Card Games Price

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Card Game

Our son LOVES the very hungry caterpillar book. He asks us to read it to him twice a day, once before naptime and again before bedtime.

At this point, he knows it by heart and usually resites it to us. It is one of the few  toddler   books  that travel the world with us.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Card Game is a fun compliment to the popular preschool book.

It’s a fun way to reinforce numbers and help your toddler learn the days of the week.

Kids as young as three years old can play this card game. The objective is to help the caterpillar transform into a beautiful butterfly.

Up to four players can play, so get the family involved; the more players, the more fun.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Card Game Price

Related Post: 15 Airplane Activities for Toddlers

My First Bananagrams

My First Bananagrams is a fun travel game for preschoolers that helps them develop their reading skills and vocabulary.

The tiles have lowercase letters to help reinforce reading skills. Included are combo tiles to help your little ones build words.

The step-by-step instructions make it easy for your little ones to learn the game as they progress to play the full version of Bananagrams.

Indicators on the tiles distinguish letters such as b,d,w, and m. What’s great about this game is it grows with your toddler.

As your little one’s vocabulary and reading skills develop, they can still play this game.

My First Bananagrams Price

UNO is my all-time favorite card game. Every Christmas, my mom got my siblings and me a different version of the game as a “family present.”

Things got interesting when the electronic version first came out and shot cards at you. Those are some of my best memories from my childhood because we didn’t take many vacations.

Now that I’ve walked memory lane, I’m excited to play UNO Junior with our son now that he is older.

UNO Junior is a simplified version of the game for toddlers as young as 3 years old. Even if your little one is still learning their numbers, they can match their characters from the Paw Patrol movie.

It’s a fun travel game for toddlers learning numbers and colors.

One rule remains the same. Your little one has to say “UNO” when they have one card left.

UNO Junior Price

Related Post: 20 Fun Travel Toys for 4-Year-Olds

Road Trip Travel Games for Toddlers

Playing games on road trips is one of the best ways to pass the time. I am usually driving, so sometimes my wife sits in the back seat with our toddler to play some of our favorite toddler travel games.

What I love about these games is that we can be as loud as we want without disturbing anyone.

Some of these games also have small pieces we do not want to get on an airplane, but they’ll eventually be found in the backseat when we clean the car.

Related Post: Best Car Seat Travel Tray for Road Trips

Pass the Potato

One of the ways we like to give our toddler a break when taking a long trip is by having fun outdoor activities when we make a stop. Most rest areas have a grass area or picnic tables for us to release energy.

Pass the Potato is a fun road trip game for toddlers when you pull over for a break. This new and improved game of hot potato is a fun way to stretch your legs and get everyone moving.

Throw the plush toy (like the game hot potato) as fast as you can; you do not want to be the one holding it when the timer goes off.

There is a sensor inside the toy to recognize the difference between a tap, toss, and shake. These gestures prompt over 30 funny phrases.

I’m sure parents will love how easy this plush toy is to clean. All you need to do is remove the sensor and throw it in the washer.

Pass the Potato Price

Found It! Travel Edition

Found It! Travel Edition is a fun interactive travel game for road trips with toddlers. There are different versions for different occasions, including camping, indoor, and outdoor.

This scavenger hunt-style game lets your preschooler learn on the go. It’s the perfect way to peel your kids from their screens and focus on their surroundings.

Each player has to yell ‘found it” after they spot the object. This toddler travel game makes the time on a long road trip fly by, especially if you play as a family.

There are 50 cards, so you can keep the fun going or use it on multiple road trips without getting tired of the same clues.

Remember, the first one with seven cards wins the game, so keep your eye peeled.

Found It! Travel Edition Price

Related Post: 50 Road Trip Activities for Toddlers

Connect 4 Grab and Go

Connect 4 Grab and Go isn’t a game for toddlers, but my wife and it play it all the time.

It is one of the travel games that we keep in our carry-on for long-haul flights. You can only watch so many movies or do so much work.

Our 3-year-old likes to pretend to play with us, so it’s fun he wants to get involved. Although this isn’t a game for toddlers, it can be a fun game for preschoolers or young school-age kids to play.

Connect 4 Grab and Go Price

I Spy Dig In Game

I Spy Dig In Game is one of the best road trip games for busy toddlers. If your little one can’t sit still, this game will challenge them.

Race the clock to find the six objects on the card. It may be a little challenging because you not only need to find the object, but it has to be the right color.

If you have a competitive family or siblings close in age, this is a fun game for a long road trip.

Everything you need comes in the game, but having a clear container may make the game easier for younger toddlers.

If your little one is still learning their colors, they can look for the objects and disregard the color.

I Spy Dig In Game Price

Related Post: 25 Travel Toys for 2-Year-Olds

I Spy Games

Last update on 2024-07-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Storytime Card Game

Storytime Card Game is a unique toddler travel game that requires a little imagination.

The purpose of the game is to create a story using the cards. It’s a great way to develop your preschooler’s vocabulary, help their reading skills, foster creativity, and increase their vocabulary.

here are different cards to help develop the story. You can start with the character cards and then move to the scene cards before inserting object cards to make the story more interesting.

For readers, there are good manners cards to help reinforce nice words.

This story game is a great way to interact as a family and tell funny stories.

Storytime Card Game Price

Travel Games for Toddlers at Hotels or Airports

One of the things that can quickly bring a vacation to a halt is rain, especially if you are on a beach vacation .

We’ve traveled to over ten countries, and our plans have been canceled many times because of unexpected rain.

Another unexpected, uncontrollable, annoying occurrence when traveling is delayed/ canceled flights.

Being stuck at an airport with a toddler is the worst, but having a few travel games can help the time pass and keep you from losing your mind.

Here are some of our favorite travel games for toddlers to play at your hotel, Airbnb, or during a long layover.

Related Post: Our Favorite Headphones for Toddlers

Yahtzee Jr.

Yahtzee Jr. is a preschool version of the classic game Yahtzee. There is no reading required, so it’s perfect for toddlers.

Toddlers as young as 3 years old can play this game with some help. Instead of keeping score, you can use tokens to keep track of whose winning.

All your little one needs to do is roll the dice and try to match as many Spidey friends as possible. The more characters they match, the higher the score.

If you have fond memories of playing Yahtzee with your parents or even grandparents, then this is the perfect toddler travel game to play at your hotel during a rainy vacation day.

Yahtzee Jr. Price

Zingo Bingo

Zingo Bingo is a twist on the classic game Bingo. This travel game for toddlers has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 from over 25,000 reviews.

Up to six players can get in on the fun, making it perfect for a family game night.

There are different versions to help your early school-aged kids learn how to spell and recognize words. Kids of varying ages can play this game.

All you need to do is slide the Zinger, make a match, and the first to fill their card wins.

There is a reason this is one of the most popular games for preschool and early school-age kids.

Zingo Bingo Price

Related Post: 12 Tips for Traveling with Toddlers

Monopoly Junior

Like most kids in our generation, I grew up playing Monopoly with my mom and siblings. Every few years, for Christmas, we received an upgraded version of the game.

I remember coming home from college, and there was an electronic version with debit cards instead of cash. No, thank you!!! I want the old-school version, and I am the banker.

After another stroll down memory lane, I am excited to play Monopoly Junior with my toddler.

I can tell you now; it’s going to be a fight to be the banker because he likes to hold all the money.

This version of Monopoly is simplified to help preschoolers understand the rules before playing the full version of  Monopoly .

I love that this version is faster, so your little one doesn’t get bored while playing. There are up to four players, so it’s fun for the entire family.

Monopoly Junior Price

Monopoly Junior Editions

Spot It! Finding Dory

Spot It! Finding Dory is a fun matching game that’s easy for toddlers to learn and play.

Our son loves playing this game. It is one of our favorite games to play on an airplane or at our Airbnb because it is quick to set up and easy to clean up.

This game has 30 unique symbols, but there is one that makes another card. The images are different sizes, but there is only one match.

It’s great because you can play again and again without getting bored.

Spot It! Finding Dory Price

Related Post: 10 Reasons to Travel with Toddlers

Candy Land – Unicorn Edition

Another classic game I played growing up was Candy Land. Today, there are different versions of the classic game, with Candy Land – Unicorn Edition being the most popular.

This fun travel game for preschoolers lets their imaginations run wild as they guide their unicorns to Rainbow Mountain.

No reading is required, so your little one can follow the pictures along the magical path to win the game.

Rainbow Mountain comes to life with a pop-up feature that makes the final destination 3-D.

I recommend taking this on your next family vacation, just in case there is a rainy day and you are stuck in your hotel room.

Candy Land Price

Classic Games

Check out our other travel toy and activity guides:

The 25 best travel toys for babies.

• 20 Toys to Keep Toddlers Busy on an Airplane
• 25 Beach Toys for Toddlers
• Our Favorite Travel Toys for 3-Year-Olds
• 15 Travel Games for Toddlers
• 20 Fun Travel Toys for 4-Year-Olds
• Our Favorite Headphones for Toddlers
• 20 Screen-Free Road Trip Toys for Toddlers
• 10 Mess-Free Travel Activities for 2-Year-Olds
• 50 Road Trip Activities for Toddlers
• LeapFrog Tablets for Toddlers to Promote Learning
• 20 Educational Travel Toys for 5-Year-Olds
• 15 Fun Airplane Activities for Toddlers
• The Best Learning Tablets for Toddlers
• 20 Snow Toys for Toddlers and Big Kids

Related Posts

20 Fun & Educational Travel Toys for 5-Year-Olds

The 10 Best Sun Hats for Toddlers

Top 10 Baby Headphones for Airplane Travel

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Baby and Toddler Travel Tips
• Diaper Bags and Suitcases
• Best Travel Strollers and Tips
• Packing Lists + Hacks
• Baby travel must haves
• Babywearing
• Destinations

• Mom Confessions

The 50 Best Toddler Travel Toys — All Mom-Tested and Approved!

When we set out for family adventures with our two toddlers, toys are always a priority on our packing list. Although we’ve been known to travel with large toys like our daughter’s Fisher-Price Piano and our son’s Strider Balance Bike , it’s important to find options that are compact, lightweight, and engaging for little ones away from home.

We’ve rounded up the 50 best toddler toys for travel, all tested from our personal experience with two young children. 

The Best Toddler Toys for Travel Day 

From noisy musical toys to educational activities, here are our favorite toddler travel toys for the car, plane, or train ride (and they double as excellent entertainment once you reach your destination!):

Travel activities 

1. coloring books.

Coloring books are battery-free and budget-friendly. Bring a few along when traveling by plane, like these Mickey Mouse or Frozen themed choices that include sticker pages. 

2. Non-rolling crayons

If your toddler is coloring on a plane or train, crayons that don’t roll down the aisle are a must. Try this triangular pack from Crayola, or these princess or truck sets from Melissa & Doug.

3. Sticker books

Sticker books , sticker sets , and activity books are great ways to keep toddlers entertained on road trips, airplane rides, and restaurant nights . 

4. Doodle board

An LCD writing tablet or a doodle board is the perfect way to let youngsters create and erase over and over, without the mess. Just make sure you have fresh batteries loaded up for your trip!

5. Etch-a-Sketch

Try a full-sized Etch-a-Sketch to maximize space for creativity, or opt for a pocket-sized version to keep in your diaper bag or purse.

Slinkies and other fidget toys are ideal to have on hand for travel. Just be sure to pick age-appropriate products that are safe for your child.

7. Busy board 

Our son loves to undo the latches and buckles on his busy board . He even carries it through the airport like a briefcase. 

8. Dry-erase cards 

Help your toddler practice the alphabet in flight with these miniature dry-erase cards , or invest in a dry-erase activity book and markers . 

9. Melissa & Doug Poke-a-Dot Cards

I almost always include Melissa & Doug’s Poke-a-Dot cards and books on my lists of favorites for toddlers and babies. They’re simple and educational, and the novelty of their satisfying popping sound doesn’t wear off for young tots.

10. Melissa & Doug Water Wow Books

Another winner from Melissa & Doug is its collection of Water Wow Activity Books . Each book comes with a refillable water pen that toddlers use to reveal hidden colors and objects on each page. Once the page dries, they get to do it all over again. The brand makes Wow Water books in a range of themes, including animals , sports , and children’s shows like Blue’s Clues and Paw Patrol .

Sound-making toys

11. fisher-price smart purse.

Although sound-making toys aren’t the best for trains or airplanes, they’re lifesavers on road trips. This interactive purse comes with a set of small toys inside and talks to toddlers when opened and closed. 

12. Learning Journey Wheels on the Bus Toy

If your toddler can’t get enough of the “Wheels on the Bus” song, they’re going to love this button-activated singing toy from Learning Journey. Just make sure you’re ready to hear the same lyrics on repeat in the car! 

13. Melissa & Doug Vroom & Zoom Steering Wheel

Help your young one feel like they’re behind the wheel with this creative pick from Melissa & Doug. The interactive steering wheel toy has music stations, classic car controls like turn signals and flashers, and a steering game all incorporated into its design.

14. Phone toy

Let’s be honest — your toddler sees you holding your phone constantly. Offer them their own cellular or corded telephone with buttons, lights, and music. 

15. Fisher-Price Counting Koala Linkimal 

Fisher-Price’s Linkimals are musical toys that sing in sync when placed close to each other. This adorable Counting Koala Linkimal is an excellent road-trip choice for toddlers learning their numbers.

16. Board books

If you’re looking for quiet activities for air travel, you can’t go wrong with board books . Opt for favorites your child already knows by heart, or invest in a boxed set . Toddlers will love going through each book in the group and placing them back in the box when reading time is finished. We love Richard Scarry’s Busy Busy Boxed Set and these cute Books of Kindness .

17. Lift-the-flap books 

To add an interactive dimension to story time on the plane or train, try a few lift-the-flap books, like Dear Zoo , Where’s Spot? , and Spot Goes to the Farm .

18. Ready-to-Read Books

As your son or daughter starts to crave independence, the Ready-to-Read book series is a road-trip gem. Each page has a corresponding button that children can press to hear the text read aloud. These books feature characters from favorite movies and shows, like Mickey Mouse , Frozen , Moana , and Spiderman .

Toys to snuggle

If you’ve planned to have your toddler sleep on travel day, it’s helpful to bring a few well-loved toys from home for them to snuggle. A classic babydoll and bottle helps encourage pretend play on the road and at your destination, and softer dolls make for great companions at naptime.

20. Stuffed animals

Plan to bring your kids’ favorite stuffed animals and blankets along for the trip, especially if they love to sleep snuggled up with them. Jellycat is a beloved brand for stuffed animal friends, like this adorable bunny , pig , and chick .

The Best Toddler Travel Toys to Bring for Your Destination

Having a variety of toys on hand can help keep toddlers entertained and happy when outside their familiar home environment. From puzzles and blocks to cars and games, we’ve rounded up our favorite toys to pack in the suitcase and bring along for playtime away from home:

21. Wood puzzles

Whenever we go on trips by plane or car, we always bring a few puzzles. They engage toddlers for extended periods of time without taking up too much space in the suitcase. For a few classic wood options, try these alphabet , numbers , and shapes and animals puzzles.

22. EeBoo puzzle pairs

Toy brand EeBoo makes lightweight puzzles with chunky pieces and simple pairings. Try these colors , numbers , and opposites puzzle pairs for some educational playtime.

23. Wee Gallery puzzles

We love the sturdy paired pieces in Wee Gallery’s animal-themed and dinosaur-themed puzzle sets. 

24. Kidoozie Peek ‘N Peep Eggs

The Peek ‘N Peep Eggs from Kidoozie have been a winner in our household for years. Each egg sports a different face expression and pops open to reveal a colored inside. The snap-shut egg carton doubles as a shape-sorter and offers almost as much entertainment as the eggs themselves. 

25. Clock puzzle 

Our son is at that curious age when he always wants to know what time it is. Help your child build on their interest in the time of day with a shape-sorting clock puzzle from Melissa & Doug or Fat Brain Toys .

26. Gear toys and puzzles 

Every toddler seems to love objects that spin. Try a simple gear toy like this colorful caterpillar , or add an engaging dimension with Melissa & Doug’s interchangeable gear toy or Fat Brain Toys’ wooden gear puzzle .

27. Block puzzles

Each cube face in Melissa & Doug’s block puzzles sports the missing piece of a different puzzle, adding an extra challenge to traditional wood puzzles. These sets come with six kid-friendly puzzles in one package, which helps to save space when traveling. Parents can choose from pet-themed , farm-themed , or Blue’s Clues sets, each of which comes with its own carrying tray.

28. Kidoozie Lights ‘N Sounds Shape Sorter

There’s something about Kidoozie’s noisy Lights ‘N Sounds Shape Sorter that keeps youngsters coming back again and again. This compact toy has catchy jingles, rattling puzzle pieces, and multiple modes of play.

Toys on wheels 

29. friction-powered trucks.

Toy cars and trucks pack a ton of fun into a compact package. These friction-powered monster trucks do hilarious stunts and spins when pushed across the floor, and they’ve been long-standing favorites in our family. We also love these sets of friction-powered trucks and construction vehicles .

30. Hot Wheels cars

Hot Wheels cars add up in weight in a suitcase, but at just over $1 each , they’re affordable and space-saving. Use household items to make creative jumps and ramps when you arrive at your destination. 

31. Cars with music and lights

If your child is more entertained by lights and sounds, try this set of music-making Hot Wheels cars with multiple buttons, sounds, and glowing colors.

32. Motorized Hot Wheels Car

Skip the bag of small cars and invest in one big one that’s sure to make your child smile. This battery-powered Hot Wheels car changes color and zooms across the floor with impressive speed.

33. Pull-back cars

If you’d rather not worry about keeping batteries on hand, classic pull-back cars make for great games between parent and child when away from home. 

34. Mega Bloks ABC Musical Train

For under $10, this Mega Bloks ABC Musical Train includes 46 blocks in a lightweight set. Just be sure not to leave any of the pieces behind when you pack up to head home. 

35. Lego Duplo Train

Lego’s Duplo Number Train combines your toddler’s passion for trains with their love for building, with chunky pieces and smiling characters. Check out the brand’s fire engine , tractor , and other building sets for more Lego fun.

36. Shape stacker train

Shape-stacker trains, like these from Melissa & Doug and Fat Brain Toys , offer an educational fine-motor activity for younger and older toddlers alike.

37. Remote-control cars

If you’re like our family and willing to travel with any toys to keep kids entertained away from home, throw these remote-control cartoon cars or construction vehicles in the toy bag. For older kids, try this smaller remote-control Hot Wheels car.

Building toys 

38. magnetic tiles.

Magna-Tiles and Picasso Tiles are on the heavier side, but they’re compact and offer endless building opportunities for growing minds.

39. SmartMax magnetic toys

SmartMax offers a whole suite of animal and vehicle sets that encourage creative play.

40. Learning Resources Preschool MathLink Cubes

Our son loves to play with his small, lightweight MathLink Cubes . Toddlers can build freely or follow the educational activity cards with an adult’s help. Also try the brand’s kindergarten math activity set and additional building cubes .

41. Bath blocks

If you’re traveling with young kids, be sure to remember some bath toys . These ultra-lightweight bath blocks (with mesh travel bag included!) let your toddler build something entirely new each time they sit in the tub.

42. Balancing toys

This clever toy set encourages children to balance the colorful animal pairs on the curved wooden ark without tipping it over.

Other toddler toys we love

43. window crayons.

Crayola’s window crayons and markers let families play games together or draw creatively on any glass surface when away from home. 

44. Fat Brain Toys RollAgain Ball Sorter

Our son received this unique game by Fat Brain Toys as a gift almost a year ago, and it’s been a mesmerizing toy for him and his sister to play with since. Place the colorful, rattling balls into the gradually widening track, and watch as they drop into their perfectly matched landing spots.

45. Melissa & Doug Bean Bag Toss

This foldable bean bag toss game is compact and lightweight for travel. 

46. Memory matching games 

If you’re traveling to visit family, Fat Brain Toys’ Ladybug Memory Game and Fisher-Price’s Make-a-Match Card Game are perfect ways for your toddler to play back and forth with loved ones.

47. Bead maze

If we’re traveling by car, we often bring our bead maze toy along. It’s lightweight and doesn’t include any loose parts that could be lost in transit or during packing.

48. Play-Doh

Play-Doh tubs are small and compact, and packing a Play-Doh set provides us with a nice family playtime activity when we have some downtime during vacation. 

49. Learning Resources Preschool Letters 

This Learning Resources Preschool Letters set comes with 91 pieces, including tiny letter beads, sturdy letter cards, strings for lacing, a color spinner for games, and multiple activity sheets to complete together with your toddler. If you’re worried about traveling with too many tiny pieces, opt for a simple lacing card activity instead. 

50. Popping tubes 

A set of popping tubes is one of our favorite simple toys for traveling with babies and toddlers. The tubes make silly noises when stretched and squashed, and children can connect them together to create various shapes and loops.

The Upshot: Choosing the Best Toddler Travel Toys

We hope our comprehensive list of favorites helped you find some winning toddler toys to add to your packing list for your next family trip. No matter which you decide to bring with you, sitting down on your toddler’s level, giving them your full attention, and using your imagination for dedicated, interactive playtime makes all the difference.

If you’re looking for travel toys geared towards younger toddlers and infants, check out our list of the 50 Best Travel Toys for Babies .

With a background in medicine as a licensed physician assistant, Christy is a freelance writer and mom of two young kids. As someone who loves to ski, run, and hike, she most cherishes introducing her son and daughter to the beautiful outdoors and spending time with her precious family.

Similar Posts

Is the Owlet Dream Sock and Cam Worth it in 2023? Maybe Not. Here’s Why

Traveling in Portugal with a Baby – Everything to Know

Singapore with a Baby or Toddler – The Ultimate Guide

Are Little Sleepies Worth Buying? (NOT Sponsored Review!)

Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 Car Seat Review: A Mom’s Honest Thoughts

SNOO Rental vs. Buying, Which is Better?

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Long Haul Flight with a 1-Year-Old (A-Z Guide for Parents)

I have a one-year-old son who has been on 14 flights so far (domestic and international) with another long haul flight coming up next week. And just one week ago, we flew across North America with him to visit family — this isn’t the easiest age to travel with a baby but it doesn’t have to be terrible either, trust me!

This is a comprehensive guide with all of the information you need to make your long haul flight with your budding toddler smooth and more enjoyable. There are no guarantees when traveling with a baby/toddler but we can do the very best to increase the likelihood that we’ll have a great flight! Let’s do this!

In this guide, you’ll find the following topics covered:

One-year-old babies fly free (unless you want your car seat on board), where to sit on the plane with your one-year-old, documents you need for your one-year-old to travel, how to pack for you and your one-year-old for the flight, gate check your stroller and car seat for free, how to navigate the airport with your one-year-old, tips for boarding the plane with your one-year-old, how to keep your one-year-old baby entertained on the flight, how to get your one-year-old to sleep on the flight, how to spend your layover with a one-year-old.

First, you’ll have to decide whether you’re going to buy a seat for your baby or if you’re going to have them sit in your lap for free (or for a fraction of the regular price). Until babies are 2 years old, they count as a “lap infant” and you don’t have to buy them their own seat.

If you’ll be buying a seat for your baby, you can either have them sit in the seat or bring their car seat on board for free. *Car seats also get checked for free on most major airlines.*

If you’re going to bring your baby on board as a lap child, the obvious advantage is that it’s cost-effective, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

First of all, you won’t be able to bring your car seat on board. You can ask if there are any empty seats on your flight, in which case the flight crew might accommodate your car seat, but there’s no guarantee. You’ll have to be prepared to have your baby in your lap the whole flight — which can be challenging for a long haul! But doable!

For take off and landing: On many international airlines, you’ll be asked to put a baby lap belt on, which is a seat belt extension that loops around the adult seat belt and then around your baby’s waist. Babies have to be seated in your lap facing forward and wearing this lap belt for takeoff and landing.

On US carriers, they don’t do infant lap seat belts– Instead, you’re asked to hold your baby facing toward you for takeoff and landing.

There is great debate between travel moms about where is the best place to sit on an airplane with a baby or toddler, which I wrote about and highly recommend you check out to figure out which seat and part of the plane are best for your family specifically.

However, the consensus seems to be that the window seat, the bulkhead row, and the back of the plane are the best places to sit when flying with babies or toddlers. These areas offer the most privacy, space, and safety, according to many moms who travel with their littles ones.

The bulkhead row is the row usually located in the first row (or the first row after a separator), faces a wall and has a bit more legroom. This row is great to choose for babies because you can request a bassinet if you want.

There is an age/weight limit for some airlines so check with them first. Our son was 22 pounds and over a year old when he last used one.

I’m not sure how much I love the bassinet to be honest. I’m sure some other babies sleep very well in them (especially younger babies), but my son lasted about one hour out of our entire long haul flight. The rest of the time, the bassinet was just kind of awkwardly in our way — although it was useful for holding a bunch of our stuff!

I do like the bulkhead row for the extra room and not having anyone in front of us to disturb. The cons of the bulkhead row are that you can’t put the arm rests up, and there is no underseat storage in front of you. All bags need to go in the overhead bins for takeoff and landing.

The window seat with a baby is obviously great for using as a distraction and to have something to lean against, especially if you’re breastfeeding. The big con is having to ask the person/people sitting next to you to move every time you need to change a diaper, walk up and down the aisle with your baby, etc.

The back of the plane is a popular place to sit as well, because it tends to be quieter, darker, and if the flight isn’t full — less populated. It’s also usually closer to the bathrooms.

On my most recent long haul flight with my one-year-old, we opted for the bulkhead row with the bassinet. But in hindsight, I think I would have rather had a row near the back instead. Here’s why:

Our flight wasn’t full so we could have had a whole row in the back to ourselves to put the arm rests up and stretch out. It was much quieter and darker back there. Sitting in the bulkhead, there was so much noise and activity with the flight attendants preparing food and coffee and assisting other passengers. Our baby had a tough time sleeping through all the noise and light.

If your child is a lap infant, the options for sleep are:

• They sleep in your arms
• They sleep attached to you in a baby carrier (but it can’t be used for takeoff and landing)
• They sleep in the baby bassinet in the bulkhead row
• They sleep lying across you and your partner’s laps
• You are lucky and have an empty seat next to you so you can lay them there or use your car seat!

Domestic flights

To fly domestically within the United States, you officially don’t need to bring ID for your baby but I would recommend bringing your baby’s birth certificate anyway just in case, for two reasons:

• You may need to prove your baby’s age for them to qualify as a lap infant (under 2 years old)
• You may need to prove that you are the legal parent (not likely but I have heard of rare cases)

You may also be asked for a physician’s note with a clean bill of health if your child is a newborn. Many airlines don’t allow you to travel with a baby under 7 days or 14 days without a note from a doctor.

You may need a boarding pass for your child — or at least to make sure that your child is connected to your boarding pass (basically, the airline needs to know that a baby will be coming on board, even if they are a lap baby).

International flights

We started traveling with our son when he was 3 months old and the same documentation that we needed then is needed for him at one-year-old. It will depend on your exact circumstances, but here is a list of the 6 documents that you may need for traveling with your baby:

• Birth certificate
• Boarding Pass
• Vaccination record
• Physician’s note
• Notarized parental consent letter

Not every document will be necessary on every flight. To find out the details and exceptions for each item, please read the article I wrote all about baby flight documentation . This all applies to infants who are US citizens, but much of it is relevant to babies from around the world.

We have to bring so much more stuff with us than we used to now that we have a baby. But I have to say that we’ve gotten MUCH better at packing with a baby than we were when we first started traveling with him at 3 months old.

We’ve streamlined things for sure, and this process takes some trial and error just because every family and baby’s needs are a little bit different. We’ve personally become better at leaving a lot of stuff behind and then hitting up Facebook marketplace for items that we need in our destination (or going without).

There are also rental companies that you can just rent baby items from (like high chairs, toys, etc.) if you don’t want to lug everything with you.

In total, we usually pack (TO CHECK):

• Our car seat (to gate check)
• Our stroller (to gate check)
• A larger suitcase with mom and baby’s clothes/stuff (to check)
• A large backpack with dad’s clothes/stuff (to check)

And we usually pack (TO CARRY ON):

• A diaper bag (usually doesn’t count as one of our carry-ons, but depends on the airline )
• A carry-on backpack for mom
• A carry-on backpack for dad
• A baby carrier to use while navigating the airports (our son has always really liked being “worn” and still does at one year — much more than the stroller)

I’ll go a bit more in depth for what to pack in your carry-on bags below.

As far as checked luggage , this will probably depend on your destination (will it be hot, cold, rainy, etc.) and how long you’re staying (how many pairs of pants, shirts, etc. will you need).

My recommendation would be to pack as light as possible where you can still be comfortable and happy with the clothes you’ll have (easier said than done, for sure!).

Carry-on Packing Checklist for Your One-Year-Old

For a PDF version of this checklist and a detailed explanation, please take a look at my complete guide to packing for you and your baby .

Make sure the activities you pack for your baby are something new (can be dollar store objects). I also have a list of 20+ cheap and easy activities for one-year-olds on an airplane that you should definitely read before you go!

Here is what I pack for my one-year-old in his carry-on bag/diaper bag (after many flights of trial and error!):

• Diapers (x8)
• Wipes (1-2 packs)
• Changing pad
• Diaper rash cream
• Pajamas (x2)
• Light hoodie/sweater
• Baby blanket
• Light, breathable muslin blanket (to cover up for breastfeeding)
• Pacifier (x2)
• Pacifier/toy leashes
• Portable sound machine + extra batteries
• Water bottle
• 1 sippy cup/bottles
• Formula/milk
• Baby Tylenol
• Hand sanitizer
• Baby nail clippers
• Snack catcher
• Lots of dry snacks
• Mini first aid kit
• Ziploc/wet bag for soiled or wet clothes
• Activities for the plane
• Basic mini travel size toiletries (baby soap, toothpaste, toothbrush)
• If walking, soft stretchy shoes

Carry-on Packing Checklist for You

It’s equally important what you pack for yourself on the plane. This list is what I always pack in my carry-on bag when flying with my baby.

You probably won’t have much time to sleep on the plane, if any, so make sure you’re packed days in advance so that the nights before traveling you can just concentrate on getting some REST before the big day.

• An extra outfit (including underwear)
• Headphones/ear pods
• Phone charger
• Adult Tylenol
• Plug converters for your destination
• Lap top/tablet
• Camera + batteries
• Snacks for you
• A folder with all of your  important documents  (passport, visas, birth certificate, copy of your travel insurance, etc.)
• Ziploc bags
• Baby monitor
• Breast pump (handheld)
• Basic mini toiletries (soap/shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, glasses/contacts, etc.)
• Fanny pack (to wear in the airport)

As I mentioned above, most major airlines will check your stroller and car seat for free . If you absolutely know that you don’t want your car seat or stroller on the plane, you can plan to check them right away when you arrive at the airport.

If you want to try to bring your car seat on the plane for your lap baby (in hopes that there will be an empty seat next to you), you can carry it to your gate and then gate check it if it doesn’t work out.

Remember that if you’re going to be carrying your car seat through security and through the airport all the way to your gate, I recommend having a plan for carrying it along with all your stuff and your baby. It can be overwhelming trying to juggle a bunch of stuff, and trolleys aren’t allowed starting at the security line up.

We usually use our stroller as a trolley! And then we simply gate check it before we get on the plane.

Think about how you’ll be carrying your baby through the airport (stroller, carrier, etc.) and how you’re going to carry/move your carry-on bags as well. This is especially important when you’re traveling solo with your baby.

I made the mistake of not thinking this all through beforehand exactly ONCE — the time I first flew solo with my son. I ended up having to carry way too much stuff on my own through the airport and it was tough. It’s much more manageable of course if you’re flying with another adult who can help.

Here’s what we usually do:

• Check our car seat right away (we don’t bother trying to use it on the plane because our son has never liked sitting in a car seat anyway)
• Carry our baby in our wearable front baby carrier (we’ve always loved our Lillebaby carrier)
• Put all of our carry-on bags that will fit into the stroller and push it through security to our gate!
• Gate check our stroller

We’ve tried boarding a couple of different ways and the best way to board has ended up being this: Split up! Usually my husband boards early when they ask for families traveling with young kids to board. He takes all of our bags, stows everything away, and sets up our seat.

I try to get my baby tired out until the very last minute and board with the final group — the plane door shutting behind us!

This usually works out really well for us, as we can avoid our baby being stuck in a small contained space for too long. Also, if the timing is right, he falls asleep just in time for takeoff.

While you’re waiting for your flight, it’s so helpful to find an airport playground area for kids and get your toddler’s energy out as much as possible before boarding!

Keeping our one-year-old baby entertained on the flight has become more challenging as he’s gotten older. A newborn baby is actually easy peasy on the plane in comparison! But you also don’t have to overthink it.

I’m going to make some recommendations below for what to bring, based on my own experiences (and the advice of many other travel moms I surveyed). But please rely heavily on your gut when packing, because you know your child best as to what is likely to keep them entertained.

Some great activities for a one-year-old on the plane:

• Sticker books
• Masking/painter’s tape
• Dollar store (cheapy) toys
• Pill boxes filled with snacks
• Sensory/busy boards
• Buckle pillow
• Downloaded videos on a tablet or phone + toddler headphones
• Coloring book and crayons
• Empty spice containers + pipe cleaners to pull through the holes
• Old wallet or travel wallet filled with plastic “credit cards” (old memberships cards, bus passes, etc.)
• Pipe cleaners and uncooked pasta to string
• A small empty water bottle with the bottom cut off + colorful pom pom balls to put through the hole
• Anything with zippers or strings
• Window cling stickers
• Window suction spinners
• Magnet toys
• Water Wow books
• Mobi Zippee Silicone Pull Toy
• Pop it or fidget toys

Ah, sleep. It’s hard enough to come by on normal, non-travel days with a baby so how are we supposed to get our one-year-olds to sleep on a plane?

Again, I’ll offer some advice but your baby is their own special little person so remember that different tricks work for different kids, of course!

Some tips for getting your one-year-old baby to sleep on a flight include:

• Bring your car seat on board if they’re used to sleeping in it.
• Ask to be seated in the bulkhead row and request a baby bassinet
• Bring an inflatable baby travel bed on board and place it in the seat next to you
• Bring a light muslin blanket to block out light
• Bring a portable sound machine to block out announcements and other passengers
• Walk the aisles to put your baby to sleep (with your baby in a carrier if you use one)
• Tire them out before boarding and try to fly at their nap/bedtime
• Bring their comfort items (stuffed animal, blanket, pacifier, etc.)

Every baby is different. We’ve walked the aisles with our son, put him to sleep in his carrier, and more recently he falls asleep while breastfeeding only (when on the plane). And I find that a comfort item (his blanket) and playing lullabies very quietly on my phone has helped a lot to put him to sleep.

I would say mimic as closely as you can what you might do at home to put your baby to sleep — as far as sounds, light, motion, and comfort items.

A direct flight, however long, is probably ideal for most people traveling with a baby. But that isn’t always an option, unfortunately. If you have a long-ish layover ahead of you, I have two recommendations for making it more enjoyable for you.

The first one is a bit fancy. We’ve done this twice with our baby and that’s to use one of the priority lounges . You can basically go hang out in a nicer part of the airport with comfy seats and “free” food and drinks. It’s awesome.

We have a certain number of passes that come with our credit cards every year. Or you can just buy a pass for the day. If you can swing it, it makes your layover experience with a baby MUCH more enjoyable, especially after a long flight… on your way to another long flight!

My second recommendation is to bring items in your carry-on bag to camp out . Bring a couple of blow up camping mats, lightweight blankets, snacks, and “camp out” in a dim area on the floor of the airport. When you’re prepared for this, it can actually be kind of cozy and fun to hang out in your little “spot” for a few hours.

Choose a spot near a kids area/playground or plan activities for your airport time for your baby as well (not just for the plane).

If you can, take this time to trade off getting some lay down rest — Or try to get your baby to sleep and ALL of you get some rest before your second flight.

Good luck! YOU GOT THIS! 🙂

Brittany is a Wayfaring Human who loves to adventure with her husband and son. When she's not having adventures, she's taking pictures of them and writing about them.

Recent Posts

DIY Medical Kit for Traveling with Littles: Doctor-Approved!

We had literally just stepped foot in the door of our Airbnb in Scotland, after more than ten hours of travel, when our then 15-month-old son started to run a fever. Not long after, my husband felt a...

5 Unexpected Ways TRAVEL Changes When You Have Kids

So this was us traveling before we had a baby — we actually met while traveling in Ecuador. And visited and worked in many countries together, including the Philippines, which is where we are in...

30 Fun Activities for 1-Year-Olds to Get Them Learning and Moving

You can do most of these easy and educational toddler activities with items you already have in the house.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

What should a 1-year-old be learning?

The good news is that 1-year-olds are sponges, and nearly everything you do with them is a "learning activity," since they're still just exploring the worlds around them. But, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the skills that 1-year-olds are working on include imitating the adults around them (like babbling into a pretend phone), finding hidden objects, working on the all-important pincer grasp (picking up objects between a thumb and forefinger), walking on their own and eventually, sorting by shape or color, puling a toy behind them and running. Activities that help them work on their fine motor skills or gross motor skills, or anything that gives those brains a boost, is a boon.

How do you entertain a 1-year-old all day?

That's the million-dollar question, because 12-month olds aren't going to stick with an activity if they find it too challenging or boring — and they'll let you know how you feel. But there are plenty of simple crafts, games that get their bodies moving, easy indoor activities and sensory experiences to try and grab their attention.

What safety concerns should I keep in mind when doing activities with a 1-year-old?

Of course, 1-year-olds can't play unsupervised. (You know that already, but we have to say it.) Keep a watchful eye out for anything small that can be a choking hazard, because they will put everything in their mouths. And activities that involve water also demand undivided attention, since little ones can drown in a water bin or bucket.

But, with you helping them out, these activities will be fun, engaging and educational, which leads to happy toddlers.

Sensory Bin

The idea is simple: Fill a bin with some kind of compound, like sand or rice, and then hide toys or other objects in it. Then give kids scoopers, tweezers and other tools and let them go digging, scooping and pouring! The idea of a sensory bin is to get them exposed to different textures and sensations, so it's good if they stick their hands in there, too.

This bin is filled with rice (and it could be even cooler if made with DIY rainbow rice ), but you can also fill it with dry beans, Kinetic sand , rocks, water beads , or shaving cream. If you think letting them dig through a rice bin would be too messy (it will involve sweeping up after), you can always fill an empty, clear water or soda bottle with rice and other small objects, seal it up tightly and make an "I Spy" game with it. Just be sure that, no matter how you do it, you supervise closely and make sure the items aren't choking hazards.

Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids »

RELATED: 13 DIY Sensory Bin Ideas to Get Kids Used to New Textures

Pom Pom Whisk

This one is simple, but it'll give their hands a workout! Put some pom poms in a large kitchen whisk, and see if your toddler can get them out again. It's a good one to set your toddler up to do in a high chair while the dinner table is being set.

Get the tutorial at Hello, Wonderful »

Peek-a-Boo Board

Recycle the lids to baby-wipe containers for a project that gets them investigating different textures. Glue down different materials under each lid — dry pasta, felt, pom poms, etc. — and watch the look of surprise as they open and feel each one.

Get the tutorial at Baby Play Hacks »

Jumbo Puzzle

This activity is actually a two-for-one: First, once you outline a picture in thick, black lines, you can get your toddler to color it in. Then, cut it in two to make a puzzle perfect for toddler hands and minds.

Get the tutorial at Hands On As We Grow »

Fabric Mystery Box

Another thing you can do with an empty wipes box is fill it with scraps of fabric that are both long and short, rough and smooth, and different colors and patterns. Your tot will be delighted to reach in, pull out, and investigate each one, which helps with fine motor coordination.

RELATED: The Best Toys for 1-Year-Olds Growing Out of Their Baby Gifts

Rubber Duck Painting

Let their creativity go wild with this art activity: Simply get an ink pad and use a rubber duck as a stamper. (It gives them an extra thrill if the duck squeaks.) If you really want to be ambitious, you can cutout and glue different cardboard shapes to the bottom of different ducks, but the duck bottom works well enough on its own.

Get the tutorial at No Time for Flashcards »

Did you ever notice that, even though there's a room full of toys, 1-year-olds always wind up fiddling with doorknobs or drawer pulls? Give them what they want: Attach locks, knobs, buttons, bells, flaps, zippers and any other hardware to a board you can keep at kid level.

Get the tutorial at Something Turquoise »

DIY Coin Box

It seems so simple: Just cut a slot into the lid of a jar, and then offer some colored tokens to put in and take out. And yet fitting the coins into the slot, hearing the satisfying clunk when they hit the bottom and then digging them all out again is endlessly amusing and it helps practice fine motor coordination.

Get the tutorial at How We Montessori »

Duplo Wash Sensory Bin

If toddlers could, they'd play in the bath all day. When that's not feasible, get scoops, a few bubbles, a brush and some Duplo bricks and throw them all in a bin of water. (Keep towels on hand.) Then watch as they wash, pour and scrub their toys!

Get the tutorial at Mama Papa Bubba »

RELATED: Fun Toddler Activities That Give Their Bodies and Brains a Boost

You can buy Play-Doh or make your own modeling dough. Either way, working the dough will exercise the muscles in kids' hands, and if you can get them to roll a ball with their pointer and their thumb, you can also work on that pincer grasp.

DIY Felt Board

Like the Colorforms of yore, a DIY felt board lets toddlers take basic shapes and combine and re-combine them to make patterns and pictures. As they get older, you can add more advanced shapes with letters and numbers.

Get the tutorial at Wait 'Til Your Father Gets Home »

Pipe Cleaner Lacing

Take a bunch of pipe cleaners (make sure the ends aren't sharp) and thread them through a kitchen colander. Your toddler will love pulling the pipe cleaners out and trying to lace them through again, which helps strengthen hands and work on the pincer grasp. You can also do this activity by poking holes in an old egg carton.

Get the tutorial at Raising Dragons »

Sound Sensory Jars

Fill old jars and containers with different materials — coins, popcorn kernels, rice, cereal, etc. — seal them up good, then let toddlers shake away and hear how each one makes a different sound. As they get older, you can fill up the jars in pairs and challenge your kiddo to find the matches.

Contact Paper Collage

Tape a piece of clear contact paper to the wall, sticky side out. Then give your toddler construction paper shapes, pom poms and other doo dads. Pretty soon you'll have a collage that doesn't require any school glue.

A bin, some ball-pit balls, and a sieve — and endless scooping fun. Challenge your toddler to scoop only red balls, or try and get two in one go, and get him practicing his gross motor coordination.

Get the tutorial at The Train Driver's Wife »

RELATED: The Best Learning Activities for Toddlers to Get Them Ready for Kindergarten

No-Mess Finger Painting

Finger painting gets those little hands working, and lets them have fun with colors and textures. Tip: Squeeze out some paint and put it in a plastic bag with paper to avoid making a mess. If you want to go the extra mile, making it a "tummy time" activity gets more of those muscles working while they create.

Pom Pom Drop

Use painter's tape to attach cardboard tubes of different sizes to a wall. Then, give your toddler bunch of pom poms to drop into tubes; she'll be amazed to see how they fall out of the other end again. Make sure you put some tubes where your toddler has to reach to get to them — standing up tall, and then squatting down to pick up the pom poms again, will help strengthen the leg muscles they need for walking.

Get the tutorial at Whirlybobble »

Rainbow Spaghetti

Another cool sensation for 1-year-olds? Sticking their hands (or feet!) in wet spaghetti. You can even hide toys under the strands and have them dig for them.

Get the tutorial at The Imagination Tree »

DIY Shakers

Save those cardboard paper towel tubes! With a few quick adjustments, you have yourself a shaker so your toddler can practice percussion. Try filling a few with different materials — dried rice, beans, etc. — and let your 1-year-olds experiment with the different sounds they make. They can even help decorate the tube!

Get the tutorial at The Craft Train »

Spray Bottle

Toddlers are fascinated with cleaning and pretending to clean. (If only they kept up that interest in their teenage years!) Go with it: Let them spray water with a spray bottle — it helps strengthen their hands.

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Parenting Tips & Advice

115 Cute Hispanic Baby Boy Names

Fresh Dad Jokes for Corny Parents

Can You Solve These Tricky Riddles for Kids?

The Ultimate Back-to-School Supplies List

Unique Ways to Announce Your Pregnancy

Empty Nesters Need Support, Too

How to Stay Connected to Your Screen-Addicted Teen

50 Simple Fall Crafts for Kids

How a Play Helped My Disabled Son Find Community

How to Raise Moral Kids

200+ Indian Baby Boy Names

GET OUR LATEST UPDATES!

100+ Easy Activities for 1 Year Old Toddlers

• Preschooler

Are you ever in a pinch to find quick and simple activities for your little one-year-old explorer? Well, I’ve got you covered with a fantastic roundup of 100 no-prep and low-prep activities that are perfect for keeping those tiny hands busy and minds engaged. Whether you’re looking for ways to fill a rainy afternoon or just need a quick distraction, these ideas are sure to come in handy, requiring minimal setup and cleanup.

The beauty of these activities is that they’re not just easy to pull together; they’re also designed to aid in your toddler’s development without overwhelming them—or you! From sensory bins to easy art projects, each activity is a little adventure on its own, tailored for short attention spans and the curious nature of one-year-olds. It’s all about making life a bit easier while providing meaningful play that sparks joy and curiosity.

So, whether you’re at home, at grandma’s, or even on the go, these ideas will prove to be lifesavers. Let’s dive into this treasure trove of activities that are perfect for making everyday moments fun and educational. Here’s to less prep and more play!

101. Cardboard Box Tunnel

Alright, the fun part—the activities for your one-year-old! I’m excited to share these fun and simple to set up activities that I did with my toddlers! I am positive they will become your new go-to activities as well.

1. Green Pea Sensory Bag

Materials Needed

• A bag of frozen green peas
• A sturdy, sealable plastic bag (like a Ziploc)
• Clear packing tape (optional, for extra security)

Quick Setup:

Grab a bag of frozen green peas and pour them into a sturdy, sealable plastic bag, making sure to squeeze out all the air before sealing it tightly. For added security against any enthusiastic squishing, you might want to seal the edges with clear packing tape. This simple setup creates a cool, squishy sensory experience that’s perfect for little hands to explore. The peas move around under their fingers, providing tactile feedback and visual stimulation as they press and poke the bag.

RELATED: 45+ Sensory Bags for 1 Year Olds

2. Feed the Ducks Sensory Bin

Materials Needed:

• Sensory bin
• Yellow rubber ducks
• Green foam cut into the shape of lily pads
• Slotted spoons

Fill the sensory bin with water to a safe level where your toddler can reach in without any risk of falling. Add the yellow rubber ducks, corks, and green foam lily pads to the water. Spread them out to allow for lots of interaction. Place the slotted spoons and strainers next to the bin to let your one year old scoop and explore the items in the water and pretend to feed the ducks the cork. Encourage your little one to discover how the different objects float and move in the water, and use the tools to fish out their favorites.

3. Puzzle Grab and Sort

• Contact paper
• Painters tape
• Wooden puzzle pieces
• Puzzle board

Quick Setup :

Stretch the contact paper across the puzzle board with the sticky side facing out and secure it with painters tape along the edges. Place the puzzle pieces onto the sticky surface. This setup is perfect for encouraging your little one to challenge their fine motor skills by pulling pieces off and solving the puzzle.

4. Twinkle Little Star Sticky Wall

Materials Needed :

• Black construction paper
• Plastic glow-in-the-dark stars

Cover a wall section with black construction paper using painters tape to hold it in place. Overlay a sheet of contact paper with the sticky side out, and fix it over the black paper. Invite 1 year old to stick the glow-in-the-dark stars on the sticky surface for a sensory activity that lights up in the dark, aiding in visual and spatial development.

5. Two-Ingredient Taste Safe Finger Paint

• Whipping cream
• Food coloring

Mix food coloring into the whipping cream to create bright, edible paints. Lay out some paper, give your toddler corks or let them use their fingers, and let them go wild with their colorful creations. This activity is great for sensory play and encourages creative expression in a safe, taste-friendly way.

6. Ice Rubber Ducks

• Ice cube trays
• Rubber ducks
• Blue food coloring
• Tray or sensory bin

Fill the trays with water, and place a rubber duck in each section. Freeze until solid. Once ready, place the ice blocks with ducks in a tray or sensory bin, add a drop of blue food coloring for your one year old to explore. This is perfect for sensory learning and understanding temperature and melting.

7. Ring Grab and Sort

• Plastic sorting rings
• Tower for sorting

Attach a piece of contact paper to a wall or vertical surface with the sticky side out using painters tape. Hand over the plastic rings to your toddler to stick and remove from the contact paper and then sort them onto a nearby sorting tower. This activity encourages motor skill development and cognitive skills like sorting and categorizing.

8. Easy Cardboard DIY Busy Board

• Large piece of cardboard
• Variety of safe household items (e.g., old remote, calculator, old keys, light switches, zippers, wheels, buttons, textured fabrics, foil packaging)
• Strong glue or duct tape
• Non-toxic paint (optional)

Start by painting the cardboard in a bright, engaging color to serve as the background of your busy board (optional). Allow it to dry completely. Arrange a variety of tactile and interactive items such as old keys, light switches, zippers, and wheels on the cardboard. Once you’re satisfied with the layout, securely attach each item using strong glue or duct tape to ensure they are firmly in place and won’t pose a choking hazard. This busy board offers a plethora of activities that help develop fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, and sensory processing as toddlers explore each element with curiosity.

9. Book Drop Toddler Activity

• A variety of sturdy board books or soft books
• A cardboard box
• Colorful tape (optional)

Choose a simple, cardboard box, cut a rectangular hole on the top similar in size to your board books. if you like, decorate it with colorful tape to make it visually appealing (have your toddler help!). Gather a selection of board books or soft books and place them next to the box. Encourage your toddler to pick up each book and drop it into the bin. This activity is fantastic for teaching cause and effect, and it helps develop fine motor skills as your little one grasps and releases the books. Plus, it’s a fun way for them to interact with their little library!

10. Mega Blok Jumping

• Mega Bloks or any large, lightweight building blocks
• Clear floor space

Use the Mega Bloks to create a small “obstacle course” on a clear area of the floor. Build simple structures such as low walls, towers, and paths that your toddler can navigate around. Encourage your toddler to jump over the low walls, walk along the paths, and step around or over the towers. This activity not only promotes physical exercise but also helps develop your toddler’s gross motor skills, balance, and coordination.

11. Snowball Pick Up

• Cardboard box
• Cotton balls

Place a cardboard box on the floor and scatter cotton balls just outside the box within arms reach, which will represent snowballs. Provide your toddler with a pair of tongs and invite them to get into box. Show them how to use the tongs to pick up the cotton balls and transfer them into the box to another container or area on the floor. This activity helps develop fine motor skills as your one year old practices grasping and releasing with the tongs. It’s also a great way for them to improve their hand-eye coordination and dexterity.

12. Cardboard Tube Sticky Wall

• Cardboard tubes (from paper towels, toilet paper, etc.)

Begin by cutting the cardboard tubes into various lengths. Next, attach the contact paper to a wall or flat surface with the sticky side facing out, using painters tape to secure the edges. Now, hand the cardboard tube pieces to your toddler and encourage them to stick them onto the contact paper in whatever patterns or designs they like. This activity not only fosters creativity but also enhances fine motor skills as they manipulate the tubes and explore their tactile senses.

13. Egg or Ball Rescue

• Ball pit balls or plastic Easter eggs
• Colorful bowls
• Large spoon

First, secure the painters tape across the sensory bin to create different sections—these will serve as sorting areas for the balls or eggs. Fill the bin with ball pit balls or plastic Easter eggs in various colors. Place the colorful bowls around the bin or at a distance to match the colors of the balls or eggs. Hand your toddler a large spoon and encourage them to scoop the balls or eggs and sort them into the corresponding colored bowls. This activity is fantastic for teaching color recognition and improving fine motor skills as well as hand-eye coordination.

14. Window Washing

• Sensory bin table or large bin
• Soapy water
• Large sponges
• Outdoor window

Fill your sensory bin or a large bin with warm soapy water. Provide your toddler with a large sponge that’s easy for their little hands to grasp. Take them to an outdoor window that’s within their reach, and show them how to dip the sponge into the soapy water and then scrub the window. This activity not only gives them a sense of participating in household chores but also enhances their motor skills through scrubbing and wiping motions. Additionally, the sensory experience of soapy water and the physical activity involved can be both stimulating and enjoyable for your toddler.

15. Foil Puzzle Presents

• Aluminum foil
• Small toys or puzzle pieces

Begin by selecting a few small toys or puzzle pieces that are safe and suitable for your toddler. Wrap each item individually in aluminum foil, making sure they are fully covered. Spread out the foil-wrapped items on the floor or in a shallow box and invite your toddler to unwrap them. This activity is excellent for fine motor skill development as your child works to peel away the foil, and it also adds an element of surprise and discovery to their play.

16. The Drop Anything Sensory Bin 

• Cardboard tubes
• Various small objects (corks, markers, popsicle sticks)

Begin by securely taping various lengths of cardboard tubes to the inside walls of the sensory bin. Ensure that the tubes are affixed in a way that they can funnel objects from the top and let them drop out at different points within the bin. Once your tube setup is complete, provide your toddler with a selection of small objects such as corks, markers, and popsicle sticks. Show them how to drop these items into the tubes and watch them navigate through the makeshift maze to the bottom. This activity is fantastic for developing hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills, as they figure out which items fit down which tubes.

17. Vegetable Soup Bath

• Variety of plastic vegetables
• Bowls, pots, and pans
• Bathtub filled with water

Fill the bathtub with warm water to create a fun and inviting bath environment. Add several plastic vegetables to the bath, along with child-safe bowls, pots, and pans, and some large spoons for stirring. Encourage your toddler to ‘cook’ by mixing the vegetables in the pots and transferring them between different containers using the spoons. This activity turns bath time into an imaginative play session, where your child can pretend to make vegetable soup, enhancing both creative thinking and fine motor skills.

18. Foil Painting

• Printer paper
• Non-toxic paint
• Paintbrushes or sponges

Tape aluminum foil to the table. Set out a few colors of non-toxic paint along with brushes or sponges. Invite your toddler to paint directly on the foil, experiencing the unique texture and reflective effects that the foil adds to their artwork. Once done, press a sheet of paper onto the foil to print the picture on paper. This activity not only enhances creativity but also offers a novel sensory experience, as the paint moves differently on foil compared to regular paper.

19. Green Pea Transfer

What You’ll Need :

• Frozen green peas
• Small containers, Tupperware, or bowls

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with a generous amount of frozen green peas. Place several small containers, Tupperware, or bowls around the bin or within reach of your child. Provide spoons suitable for their hands. The activity involves your child using the spoons to transfer peas from the sensory bin into the various containers. This task is great for developing fine motor skills as they scoop and manipulate the spoon, and it also encourages cognitive skills like sorting and counting as they may decide to sort the peas by quantity or even by size if there are slight variations. The cold touch of the frozen peas adds a sensory element that is both stimulating and a unique tactile experience for young children.

20. Bunny Sticky Wall

• Black marker

Start by drawing a simple outline of a bunny on the contact paper using the black marker. You can make it as big or as small as you like, depending on the space available. Next, affix the contact paper to a wall or any vertical surface with the sticky side facing out, securing it firmly with painters tape around the edges. Provide your toddler with a pile of cotton balls and encourage them to stick them along the bunny outline to fill it in. This activity is great for developing fine motor skills as little hands pick up and place the cotton balls, and it also encourages creativity and sensory exploration.

21. Yellow Rubber Ducky Sensory Bin

• Yellow food coloring

Fill your sensory bin with water and add a few drops of yellow food coloring to achieve a bright, cheerful yellow hue. Place several yellow rubber ducks in the water. Provide slotted spoons for your toddler to use, allowing them to scoop and catch the ducks as they float around. This simple setup not only makes for a visually appealing activity but also encourages motor skill development and hand-eye coordination as children attempt to scoop up the ducks with the spoons.

22. Playing with a Salad Spinner

• Salad spinner
• Pouch caps or small, lightweight objects
• Water and soap (optional for a bubbly effect)

Place the salad spinner on the floor or a stable, flat surface and open the top. If using pouch caps, have your toddler fill the basket with them. Alternatively, you can create a bubbly sensory experience by adding a small amount of water and a squirt of soap into the spinner. Show your toddler how to push down on the spinner handle or turn it, depending on the model. As they spin, they’ll be delighted by the whirling motion and, if using soap, the creation of bubbles. This activity is excellent for teaching cause and effect, as well as improving hand coordination and strength.

23. Snack Necklaces

• String or yarn (ensure it’s safe for children)
• Plastic embroidery needles
• Edible items with holes or that can be easily pierced, such as pretzels, cereal loops, dried apple rings, or gummy rings

Cut the string or yarn to a length that will comfortably fit over your child’s head once tied. Tape one end of the string to make it stiff, which will act like a needle and make threading easier or use a plastic embroidery needle. Lay out the edible items on a plate or tray and demonstrate to your toddler how to thread them onto the string. Once they have added enough items to make a full necklace, help them tie the ends together securely. This activity is great for fine motor development as kids practice their threading skills, and it also offers a tasty treat they can enjoy later.

24. Tape Rescue

• Colorful bowls for sorting

Start by taping the ball pit balls or plastic Easter eggs to a flat surface like a table or a large tray using Washi tape. Create a criss-cross pattern over each ball or egg to secure them down, but ensure the tape is not too tightly wrapped so your toddler can pull them free. Place the colorful bowls nearby, assigning each bowl a color that matches the balls or eggs. Encourage your toddler to rescue the taped items by peeling off the tape and then sorting them into the corresponding colored bowls. This activity is excellent for developing fine motor skills as your child works to remove the tape, and it also teaches color recognition and sorting skills.

25. Balloon Ball Pit

• Sensory Bin

Start by blowing up several balloons in different colors. Place them in a sensory bin. Allow you toddler to discover them! Super easy. My twin toddlers loved this one.

26. Pouch Lid Drop

• Cardboard tubes (from paper towel or toilet paper rolls)
• Pouch lids (from baby food pouches or similar)

Begin by using painters tape to attach several cardboard tubes vertically to a wall or the side of a large furniture item like a bookshelf. Make sure the tubes are securely fastened and at a height accessible to your toddler. Next, give your toddler the collection of pouch lids. Show them how to drop the lids into the tops of the tubes and watch them as they travel down and emerge at the bottom. This activity encourages fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they manipulate the small lids and aim them into the tubes. It’s also great for teaching cause and effect, as toddlers see the immediate results of their actions.

27. Post-it Push

• Post-It notes
• Diaper wipes box (empty)

Start by sticking several Post-It notes on the wall. Leave the top of the box slightly open or remove the lid if possible. Show your toddler how to grab the post its notes from the wall and then push the Post-It notes through the slot where wipes typically come out. This simple action helps develop fine motor skills as they manipulate the small, lightweight papers and aim to get them into the box. The tactile feedback of the sticky notes and the soft resistance of the box slot make this a delightful sensory experience.

28. Under the Sea Sensory Bin

• Dried seaweed
• Plastic fish and under-the-sea creatures (such as starfish, crabs, and octopuses)

Fill the sensory bin with water to create an ocean-like environment. Add the dried seaweed to the water, allowing it to spread and float to enhance the undersea effect. Introduce various plastic under-the-sea creatures into the bin, placing them among the seaweed and on the bottom. This setup invites your toddler to dive into an imaginative play session, exploring the textures of the seaweed and the shapes and colors of the sea creatures. The water adds an extra layer of sensory experience, making the creatures seem as if they are swimming in the sea.

29. Farm Sensory & Discovery Bag

• Large Ziplock bag
• Wooden farm animal puzzle pieces
• Packing tape

Start by filling the large Ziplock bag with bird seed, which will serve as your base. Next, place several wooden farm animal puzzle pieces into the bag. These can include shapes like cows, chickens, pigs, and horses, adding a variety of textures and visual interest. Once all items are in the bag, seal it tightly, ensuring that it’s secure. Go over the seal with packing tape for extra security to prevent any spills. This sensory and discovery bag allows toddlers to manipulate the contents through the bag, feeling the shapes and textures of the puzzle pieces mixed with the bird seed without any mess.

30. Cloudy Day Sticky Wall

• Blue and yellow construction paper

Begin by taping blue construction paper and sun shapes from the yellow construction paper to the wall. Next, unroll a large piece of contact paper and carefully remove the backing to expose the sticky side. Use painters tape to secure the contact paper to a wall, sticky side facing out over the sky and sun. Provide a pile of cotton balls, which your toddler can stick onto the sky. This activity encourages creative expression as children decorate their cloudy day scene, and it’s great for developing fine motor skills as they handle the small cotton balls and delicate paper pieces.

31. Water Table and Pom Poms

• Water table or large shallow bin
• Pom poms (preferably large and colorful)
• Various scooping tools (such as cups, spoons, or small nets)

Fill your water table or a large shallow bin with water. Add a generous amount of colorful pom poms to the water. These will float and provide a visually appealing element for toddlers to interact with. Provide your toddler with various scooping tools like cups, spoons, or small nets to enhance the play experience. Encourage your one-year old to scoop, catch, and play with the pom poms using the tools provided. This activity not only allows for sensory exploration of different textures and weights as pom poms absorb water and change their buoyancy, but it also helps develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

32. Free the Musical Instruments

• Musical instruments
• Masking tape

Tape your musical instruments to the floor. Invite your toddler to free them and then start making music!

33. Corn Sensory Bin

• Sensory bin or large container
• Frozen corn kernels

Fill your sensory bin with a generous amount of frozen corn kernels. Add cold water to the bin, enough to partially submerge the corn. The addition of water will gradually thaw the corn, providing an interesting sensory contrast between the cold, hard kernels and the eventual softness as they warm up. This setup allows children to experience changes in texture and temperature, enhancing their sensory exploration. Encourage them to scoop, pour, and feel the corn with their hands, which promotes fine motor skills and provides a cooling play activity, especially beneficial on warm days.

34. Bubble Wrap Rainbow Stomp Painting

• Bubble wrap
• Non-toxic washable paint (multiple colors)
• Large sheets of paper or a roll of butcher paper
• Old clothes or a smock for your child

Start by taping a large sheet of paper or butcher paper to a flat surface, like the floor or a long table. Cut pieces of bubble wrap to fit over your toddler’s feet. Tape them around your one-ears bare feet. Hold their hands to help avoid slipping. Squirt different colors of paint onto the paper in a random or patterned design, creating a rainbow effect. Dress your child in old clothes or a smock. Let them step onto the paper with their bubble wrap feet and start stomping, walking, or even dancing to burst the bubbles and spread the paint around. The pressure from their movements will transfer colorful paint patterns onto the paper beneath, creating a vibrant, textured masterpiece.

35. Egg or Ball Balance

Collect several cardboard tubes and stand them upright on a flat surface, like a table or the floor. You might need to cut the tubes to different lengths for varied difficulty levels. Place the ball pit balls or plastic Easter eggs near the base of each tube. The challenge for your child is to balance each ball or egg on top of the tubes without letting them fall off. This requires careful coordination and gentle handling, making it a great exercise for developing fine motor skills and patience.

36. Painting with Water

• Construction paper (blue works best)
• Paintbrushes or cotton balls or sponges

Begin by setting up a workspace for your child, ideally outdoors if weather permits, or on a surface that’s easy to clean. Lay out sheets of blue construction paper or a flatten or regular cardboard box to use as a canvas. Fill a bowl with water and provide your toddler with paintbrushes or cotton balls to use as painting tools. Show them how to dip their brush or cotton balls into the water and then “paint” on the paper or cardboard. The water will darken the paper where it’s applied, creating a “wet effect” that visually resembles actual paint. As the paper dries, the designs will fade, allowing for endless opportunities to create new artwork.

37. Color Sorting Box with Popsicle Sticks

• Large craft sticks

Quick Setup : Start by coloring each end of the large craft sticks with different colors using markers. You can use a range of colors depending on how challenging you want the sorting activity to be. Next, cut slits in the lid of the shoe box, ensuring each slit is wide enough to fit a craft stick. Label each slit with a color that corresponds to the colors on the craft sticks. Your child can then match the color on the stick to the labeled slit and insert the stick into the correct slot. This activity is excellent for teaching color recognition and improving fine motor skills.

38. Mushy Green Pea Sensory Bin

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with frozen green peas. Add enough water to slightly cover the peas. Let the peas thaw in the water, which creates a mushy texture for sensory play. This setup invites your one year old to scoop, mash, and explore the peas with their hands or with tools like spoons or cups. This activity is fantastic for sensory exploration as it allows children to feel the textures change from solid, icy peas to soft, mushy ones. It’s also a great way for them to develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination while engaging in creative, messy play.

39. Drop the Acorns

• Acorns (or Pom Poms)

Quick Setup : Begin by using the scissors to carefully cut holes in the top of the cardboard box, each large enough for an acorn or pom pom to pass through. Additionally, cut an entrance on one side of the box to allow your toddler to reach in and retrieve the acorns or pom poms later. Distribute the acorns or pom poms along with a pair of tongs to your child. Encourage them to use the tongs to pick up each acorn or pom pom and drop it through the holes. This activity helps develop fine motor skills through the use of tongs and provides a fun challenge in aiming and dropping the items through the holes. It’s also great for problem-solving as they figure out how to retrieve the items from inside the box.

40. Flower Tea Party Sensory Bin

• Tea party set (teacups, teapot, plates)
• Artificial sunflowers or other safe flowers
• Food coloring (optional)

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with water, adding a few drops of food coloring if you want to create a more visually stimulating experience—yellow works well to mimic a sunny, cheerful environment. Arrange the tea party set within the bin, placing the teacups, teapot, and plates so they are partially submerged or floating. Scatter the artificial flowers around the bin to enhance the thematic feel of a garden tea party. Invite your toddler to host a tea party, pouring and serving ‘tea’ (the colored water), and enjoying imaginative play with the floating flowers and tea set. This activity encourages creative play, fine motor skills development, and sensory exploration, all within a delightfully thematic setup.

41. Super Easy DIY Edible Paint Recipe

• Food coloring or natural coloring alternatives (beet juice, spinach juice, etc.)
• Small mixing bowls
• Whisk or spoon for stirring
• Paintbrushes
• White paper or edible paper (rice paper, wafer paper) for painting

Quick Setup : Begin by mixing equal parts of cornstarch and water in small mixing bowls to create a smooth paste. Adjust the consistency as needed; if it’s too thick, add more water; if too runny, add more cornstarch. Once you have a smooth base, divide it among different bowls depending on how many colors you want to make. Add a few drops of food coloring or natural juice to each bowl to achieve your desired colors. Stir well with a whisk or spoon until the color is evenly distributed. Set out your paper or edible paper and paintbrushes, and let your child experiment with their homemade, non-toxic edible paint. This recipe is not only safe for young children who might be tempted to taste their art materials, but it also allows for creative play without worrying about stains or chemicals.

42. Construction Site Ice Painting

• Ice cube tray
• Small construction trucks

Quick Setup : Start by filling the ice cube tray with water. Add a few drops of different colored food coloring to each compartment to create colorful ice cubes. Mix the colors gently to ensure they’re well distributed. Place the tray in the freezer and let the water freeze completely. Once the ice cubes are solid, pop them out of the tray and onto a large, flat surface that can get wet, such as a tray or a plastic tablecloth. Give your child the small construction trucks to push and maneuver the ice cubes around. As the ice melts, the colors will blend on the surface, creating a fun and colorful painting effect. This activity is not only a creative way to use construction trucks in play, but it also introduces concepts of color mixing and melting, making it educational as well as fun.

43. Cotton Pad Art Water Table

• Water table or sensory bin
• Washable markers
• Cotton pads

Quick Setup : Fill your water table or sensory bin with a shallow layer of water, just enough to allow the cotton pads to float without submerging completely. Hand out washable markers to your toddler and let them color on the cotton pads while they are dry. Encourage them to create various designs and patterns using different colors. Once they have finished decorating, place the colored cotton pads into the water. The children can then watch as the water begins to interact with the markers’ ink, creating beautiful watercolor effects. This activity encourages creativity and provides a fantastic visual display of how colors mix and spread on a different medium. It’s also a great opportunity for sensory play, combining the tactile experience of the cotton pads with the visual stimulation of changing colors.

44. Frozen Flower Bombs

• Reusable water balloons or an ice cube tray
• Faded flowers

Quick Setup : Begin by placing a few faded flower petals inside each compartment of your reusable water balloons or ice cube tray. If using an ice cube tray, you can arrange the petals to create visually appealing patterns. Fill each compartment with water, ensuring that the flowers are completely submerged. Carefully place the tray or balloons into the freezer and leave them overnight to freeze completely. Once frozen, remove the flower bombs from their molds. These can be used for sensory play, especially on a warm day, where toddlers can watch the ice melt and flowers emerge, or they can use the frozen flower bombs for gentle play in a pool or during a water table activity, observing how ice interacts with water and the environment. This activity not only offers sensory stimulation but also teaches children about the properties of water and ice and the natural beauty of flowers.

45. Pool Noodle Boats

• Pool noodles
• Scissors or a knife (for adult use only)
• Toothpicks or small sticks
• Paper or fabric (for sails)
• Permanent markers or stickers for decoration

Quick Setup : Start by cutting the pool noodles into sections about 3 inches sections, using scissors or a knife (adults only). These sections will serve as the boat hulls. . For the sails, cut triangles from paper or fabric. Attach each sail to a toothpick or small stick, then insert it into the pool noodle section. Once all the boats are assembled, fill a water table, bathtub, or even a small pool with water and let the children float their noodle boats. This activity is great for teaching basic principles of buoyancy and engineering, while also allowing kids to engage in creative play and water play simultaneously.

46. Fizzy Jungle

• Baking soda
• Eye droppers
• Jungle animal figurines
• Rocks, sticks, and leaves
• Green food coloring (optional)

Quick Setup : Begin by covering the bottom of your tray or sensory bin with a generous layer of baking soda. If you want to add an extra touch of the jungle, mix some green food coloring into the vinegar before the activity starts. Place various jungle animal figurines, rocks, sticks, and leaves on top of the baking soda to create a jungle scene. Fill several small containers with the colored vinegar and provide eye droppers for your toddler. Invite them to use the eye droppers to squirt vinegar onto the baking soda.

47. Bubble Foam Sensory Bin

• Large bin or container
• Hand mixer or whisk
• Toys or utensils for playing (optional)

Quick Setup : Start by filling your bin about a quarter full with water and add a generous squirt of dish soap. If you want to add a splash of color, mix in a few drops of food coloring. Use a hand mixer or whisk to whip the mixture until you get thick, fluffy foam. Once your bubble foam is ready, you can place a few waterproof toys or utensils in the bin for your child to explore with. This sensory bin activity is perfect for tactile exploration and can keep little ones entertained with the fascinating textures and visual appeal of colorful foam.

48. Pom Pom Tape Spider Web

• Masking or painters tape
• A doorway or large empty wall space

Quick Setup : Choose a doorway or a section of wall where you can easily create a tape spider web. Start by sticking lengths of tape across the space in a radial pattern, mimicking the spokes of a spider web. Overlap more tape to create a sticky surface with the sticky side facing out. Once your tape spider web is complete, give your child the pom poms and encourage them to throw them at the web. The goal is for the pom poms to stick to the tape, which can be a delightful challenge for little ones. This activity is great for developing hand-eye coordination and motor skills, and it also provides a fun way for children to learn about cause and effect as they see which pom poms stick and which fall off.

49. Shape Grab and Sort

• Shape sorter
• Plastic shapes

Start by securing a large piece of contact paper to a wall or vertical surface, sticky side out, using painters tape around the edges to hold it in place. Next, place the plastic shapes on the sticky contact paper. This could include various shapes like circles, squares, triangles, and more. Have your shape sorter nearby and ready. Encourage your toddler to peel each shape off the contact paper and then match and sort it into the corresponding slot on the shape sorter. This activity is excellent for developing fine motor skills as toddlers need to carefully grasp and pull the shapes off the sticky surface, and it also enhances cognitive abilities through the sorting and matching process.

50. Playing with Colored Rice

• Colored rice (various colors)
• A large sensory bin
• Spoons and scoopers
• Optional: funnels, small containers, or other pouring tools

Quick Setup : To prepare the colored rice . Find the easy recipe here . Fill your sensory bin with the now vibrant colored rice. Place colorful bowls around the bin and provide spoons, scoopers, and if available, funnels and small containers. This setup invites children to scoop, pour, and transfer the rice from the bin to the bowls, exploring the textures and sounds of the rice while manipulating the tools provided.

51. Mega Blok Painting

• Mega Bloks or similar large building blocks
• Washable paint
• Paper or large sheets of butcher paper
• Plates or shallow containers for paint

Quick Setup : Lay out large sheets of paper on a flat surface, or place the Mega Bloks in a sensory bin. Pour different colors of washable paint into plates or shallow containers. Show your toddler how to dip the flat sides or edges of the Mega Bloks into the paint, then press them onto the paper to create colorful prints and patterns. Or you can invite your toddler to use paint brushes to paint the Mega Bloks themselves. This activity is excellent for exploring color and printmaking, and it helps develop fine motor skills and creativity. Using the blocks in an unconventional way also adds a fun twist to typical painting activities, making it engaging and exciting for young children.

52. Ice Treasure Hunt

• Small toys, beads, or waterproof trinkets
• Ice cube trays or small containers
• Large container or sensory bin
• Tools for excavation (small hammers, salt, warm water in squeeze bottles)

Quick Setup : Begin by placing small toys, beads, or trinkets into ice cube trays or small containers. If you’d like, add a drop of food coloring to the water for a colorful effect. Fill the containers with water and freeze until solid, creating ice blocks with treasures embedded inside. Once frozen, pop the ice blocks out and place them into a large container or sensory bin. Provide your one-year old with tools like small hammers, salt, or warm water in squeeze bottles to help melt the ice and excavate the treasures. This activity is fantastic for sensory play and fine motor development as children chip away at the ice and discover hidden objects. It also introduces basic scientific concepts like the properties of water (freezing and melting) and encourages problem-solving and perseverance as they work to retrieve their treasures

53. Pom Pom Water Sensory Bin

• Pom poms (preferably large and waterproof)
• Slotted spoons, scoops, or nets

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin or large container with water. Toss in a generous amount of large, colorful pom poms. These should be waterproof or able to float to keep the activity engaging and not soggy. Hand out slotted spoons, scoops, or nets to your toddler for them to fish out the pom poms from the water. This activity not only provides a delightful sensory experience but also aids in the development of fine motor skills as your one-year old scoops and catchy the floating pom poms. It’s a simple setup that offers ample opportunities for play and exploration, enhancing hand-eye coordination and encouraging imaginative scenarios as children might pretend to cook, fish, or treasure hunt with the pom poms.

54. Tubes & Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin

• Rainbow colored rice
• Variety of cardboard tubes

Quick Setup : Out of all the activities listed here this one has the longest set but my toddler played with it for days and days. It was totally worth the effort! Find the fill expanded instructions here .

55. Frozen LEGO

• LEGO bricks
• Small containers or ice cube trays

Quick Setup : Place Lego bricks into containers or ice cube trays, fill with water, and freeze. Once frozen, pop out the ice blocks and let children melt them or chip away at them to free the Legos. This activity is excellent for sensory play and teaching basic thermodynamics through a fun, interactive medium.

56. Playing with a Spray Bottle

• Spray bottle filled with water
• Various surfaces or plants to spray

Quick Setup : Fill a spray bottle with water and adjust to a gentle spray setting. Show children how to use the bottle to spray water on plants, outdoor walls, or even over chalk drawings to observe the effects. This activity is great for motor skill development and understanding cause and effect.

57. Feed the Fish Colour Sort

• Stacking cups
• Construction paper

Quick Setup : Cut out fish tails from construciton paper to match the colors of the stacking cups. Tape them to the floor and place the stacking bowls on them so they looks like little colorful fish. Invite toddler to sort the Pom Poms based on color.

58. Feed the Squirrel

• Empty dish soap bottled, marker, construction paper and glue
• sensory bin

Quick Setup : Create a squirrel out of the dish soap bottle by drawing the face and glueing on the tail from construction paper. Fill sensory bin with birdseed. Add bowls and scoopers and invite toddler to feed the squirrel the birdseed by filling up the dish soap bottle.

59. Cereal Sensory Bin

• Scoops, cups, and tweezers or toy animals like dinosaurs or farm animals

Quick Setup : Fill a sensory bin with cereal, especially those with different shapes, sizes, and textures. Provide tools like scoops and tweezers for children to explore and manipulate the cereal. This simple yet effective sensory bin is perfect for tactile and visual sensory development.

60. Ball Drop

• Ball pit ball

Cut holes in the cardboard box large enough to fit the ball pit balls. Colour the outside of the box using the marker to match the different colors of the ball. Invite your toddler to drop balls down the box based on the colors.

61. Button Match

What You’ll Need : Buttons, markers, a cardboard tube, contact paper .

Quick Setup : Trace the different button shapes on the cardboard tube using a marker or if your buttons are al the same shape, create colored dots based on the different buttons you have. Wrap a cardboard tube with contact paper, sticky side out. Let your toddler match and stick additional buttons over the shape or color.

62. Oats Sensory Bin

What You’ll Need : Oats, sensory bin, cups, scoops, or toy diggers, Easter eggs

Quick Setup : Fill the bin with oats and place various scoops, cups, or toy diggers inside. Encourage your child to scoop, pour, and dig through the oats, which helps improve their sensory exploration and motor skills while they enjoy the soothing texture of the oats.

63. DIY Lid Drop Box

What You’ll Need : Large box, various lids, scissors.

Quick Setup : Cut slots of different shapes and sizes into the sides of a large box. Collect various lids and teach your child to match each lid to the correctly shaped slot, improving their problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.

64. LEGO Duplo Car Wash

• LEGO vehicles
• Brushes or sponges,
• Shallow tray.

Quick Setup : Fill a shallow tray with soapy water, and place various LEGO vehicles into it. Give your child brushes or sponges to wash the vehicles. This not only simulates a real-life car wash but also helps improve fine motor skills and sensory processing through tactile play with water and soap. Help you toddler build a mini car wash building using the LEGO.

65. Pipe Cleaner Lacing

What You’ll Need : Pipe cleaners, a colander or a salt spinner basket.

Quick Setup : Flip the colander or basket upside down and provide colorful pipe cleaners. Show your child how to thread the pipe cleaners through the holes, which helps develop their dexterity and cognitive skills through playful interaction.

66. Ball Wash

• Plastic balls,

Quick Setup : Fill a container with water and add some mild soap. Place dirty plastic balls into the water and give your child sponges or brushes to clean them. This activity mimics everyday cleaning tasks, teaching practical life skills and enhancing sensory experiences.

67. Pom Pom Drop

• Tubes (such as PVC pipes, cardboard tubes, or paper towel rolls)
• Tape (masking or painters)
• Pom poms in various sizes and colors
• Containers or buckets

Quick Setup : Start by securing the tubes vertically to a wall or chair using tape, arranging them so they create a series of chutes. Place containers or buckets at the bottom of each tube to catch the pom poms. Provide your child with a collection of colorful pom poms. Show them how to drop the pom poms into the tops of the tubes and watch as they tumble down into the containers. This activity is excellent for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as your child picks up and places each pom pom. It also introduces basic concepts of gravity and cause and effect, making it a fun and educational experience.

68. Mega Blok Wash

• Mega Bloks or large building blocks
• Mild soap or baby shampoo
• Brushes or sponges

Quick Setup : Fill a large bin or container with warm water and add a squirt of mild soap or baby shampoo to create a gentle cleaning solution. Place the Mega Bloks in the bin. Provide your child with brushes or sponges suitable for their hands. Encourage them to scrub and clean each block. This not only mimics real-life cleaning tasks, helping them to learn about household chores in a fun way, but also enhances their fine motor skills and sensory development through tactile play with soapy water.

69. Pom Pom Sensory Bin

• A large sensory bin or container
• A variety of colorful pom poms
• Tools such as tongs, scoops, or spoons
• Optional: Cups or small containers for sorting

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with a colorful assortment of pom poms, which can vary in size and texture for a richer sensory experience. Provide your toddler with tools like tongs or scoops to handle and manipulate the pom poms. I added popsicle molds for something different. This helps enhance their fine motor skills and coordination. If you include cups or small containers, toddlers can also engage in sorting activities, which are great for color recognition and cognitive development.

70. Bubble Wrap Road

• Toy cars, trucks, or other small wheeled toys

Quick Setup : Lay out lengths of bubble wrap on the floor, securing the edges with tape to prevent slipping. The bubble wrap should be laid out like roads or tracks, you can use a sharpie to draw the lines in the road in the middle of the bubble wrap. Provide your child with toy cars, trucks, or any small wheeled toys to drive over the bubble wrap. As the toys move over the bubble wrap, the popping sound creates a fun auditory experience, and the texture under their hands or feet (if they walk on it) adds a tactile element to their play.

71. Painting Ice Cubes

• Food coloring or washable paint
• Popsicle sticks or small spoons (optional)
• Paper or a plastic tray

Begin by filling a sensory bin with ice cubes. Grab your washable kids paint and brushes and invite your child to paint the ice. This activity is not only great for exploring colors and cause and effect (observing how ice melts) but also for sensory play and fine motor development as they maneuver the cold cubes.

72. Frozen Pom Poms

• Colorful pom poms

Start by placing a few colorful pom poms into each compartment of an ice cube tray or small container. Fill each with water, ensuring the pom poms are submerged. Place the trays or containers in the freezer and let them freeze completely. Once frozen, remove the ice blocks from the trays and give them to your toddler to play with in a safe, supervised area, perhaps during bath time or on a water-resistant play mat. This activity is perfect for sensory exploration and can help teach concepts like cold, melting, and color mixing as the ice melts and the pom poms are freed.

73. Taste-Safe Bubble Foam

• 1 Can of Chick peas
• 1/4  Cream of Tartar
• Hand blender
• Blue food colouring

Begin by draining the liquid from a can of chickpeas into a large bowl. Add cream of tartar to help stabilize the mixture. If you want to add a splash of color, now’s the time to mix in a few drops of food coloring. Using a hand mixer or a whisk, beat the chickpea liquid vigorously until it becomes light and foamy, much like whipped cream. The texture should be thick enough to hold peaks. Once it’s ready, spread the foam out on a tray or directly onto a table covered with a clean surface. Let your toddler dive in and explore the fluffy texture with their hands. This activity is excellent for sensory play, allowing children to feel and play with the foam safely, and even taste it without worry.

74. Birdseed Kitchen Sensory Bin

• Kitchen utensils like pots, pans, spoons, and measuring cups
• Optional: small toy figures or additional natural elements like pine cones, leaves, and small stones

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with birdseed to create a base that mimics tiny grains or pebbles. Introduce various kitchen utensils such as pots, pans, spoons, and measuring cups into the bin. These tools will allow children to scoop, pour, and transfer the birdseed, mimicking cooking activities. If you choose, add small toy figures or natural elements like pine cones and leaves to enrich the sensory experience and inspire more imaginative play scenarios.

75. Ball Painting

• Washable paints in various colors
• Balls of different sizes and textures (such as golf balls, ping pong balls, and small rubber balls)
• A shallow box or tray to contain the paper and paint

Quick Setup : Spread the large sheets of paper or unroll a section of butcher paper to create your painting surface. Squirt different colors of washable paint onto the paper in various spots. Let your toddler roll, toss, or drop the balls across the paper. As the balls move through the paint and across the paper, they’ll create unique patterns and lines, depending on their size and texture.

76. Tube Pattern Matching

Quick Setup : Start by decorating the cardboard tubes ends with the different pattered washi tape. Cut holes in the cardboard box large enough to fit the tubes. Decorate the outside of the holes with the same tape used on the different tubes. Invite your toddler to sort the tubes by pattern by pushing them through the correct hole!

77. Magna-Tile Colour Sorting Boxes

• Magna-Tiles or similar magnetic building tiles
• Pom Poms or squeeze bottle caps
• Colorful tongs

Quick Setup : Use the magnetic tiles to create boxes in all the colors of the rainbow. Put the squeeze bottle caps in a pile and invite your one-year old toddler to use the tongs or their fingers to sort the caps in the correct colored box. This activity not only allows children to work on their color recognition skills but also encourages spatial awareness and fine motor development as they manipulate the magnetic tiles and match them to the right containers.

78. Water Table Kitchen

• Water table
• Various kitchen utensils (spoons, cups, funnels, ladles)
• Optional: Soap bubbles, plastic food items

Quick Setup : Fill the water table with water and if desired, add a few squirts of child-safe soap to create bubbles. Place the kitchen utensils and plastic food items in the water table. Invite your child to ‘cook’ and ‘serve’ meals using the utensils, enhancing their imaginative play and giving them a fun, sensory experience with the water and bubbles.

79. Paint the Toys

• Washable paints
• Old or washable toys that can be painted

Quick Setup : Set up a painting station with washable paints and brushes or sponges. Select a variety of old toys that are safe to paint. Show your child how to paint the toys, encouraging them to experiment with different colors and techniques. Once they are down, hand them a sponge and bucket pilled with warms soapy water and invite them to wash off the paint!

80. DIY obstacle course

• Various household items (chairs, cushions, boxes, blankets) or Various backyard toys if doing it outside such as slides, skipping ropes, chairs, boxes, hola hoops
• Small cones or markers
• Timer (optional for older children)

Quick Setup : Use household items to create a course in your living area or backyard. Set up stations that children need to navigate around, under, or through. For example, lay a blanket over two chairs to create a tunnel, use cushions for a hopping section, and boxes can be obstacles to weave around. This activity is excellent for promoting physical activity, enhancing motor skills, and improving problem-solving abilities as children figure out the best ways to navigate the course.

81. Rubber Duck Pond Sensory Bag

• Large resealable plastic bag
• Blue food coloring (optional)
• Small rubber ducks
• Green foam sheets

Quick Setup : Fill the plastic bag about halfway with water, adding a few drops of blue food coloring for a pond-like effect (option). Cut out Lilly pads from green foam sheets and place them in the bag. Seal the bag tightly, removing as much air as possible, and secure with additional tape for safety. Secure with duct tape. Hand your toddlers some rubber duct and let the bound and swim their ducts on top of the pond, letting them ‘swim’ through the water. This is great mess-free sensory exploration and can be very calming for one-year old toddler.

82. Dried Pasta Sensory Bin

• Various types of dried pasta (different shapes and sizes)
• Additional items like scoops, cups, or toy cars (optional)

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with an assortment of dried pasta. You can enhance the sensory experience by adding items like scoops or cups for pouring and measuring, or toy cars for creating pasta ‘roads’ and landscapes. This setup encourages fine motor development, tactile exploration, and imaginative play, providing hours of engaging fun for little ones.

83. Sensory Bin with Shaving Cream

• Large sensory bin or container
• Shaving cream
• Toy animals, spoons, or small plastic items

Quick Setup : Fill the sensory bin with a generous amount of shaving cream to cover the bottom. Place various toy animals or spoons within the bin for your child to find and manipulate. This setup allows children to explore texture and sensory play, encouraging them to dig through the shaving cream to uncover hidden toys. It’s a fun and messy activity that enhances tactile awareness and can be very calming.

84. Mega Blok Rescue

• Painter’s tape or string

Quick Setup : Place Mega Bloks in the sensory bin. Place masking tape or string across the sensory bin in various directions. Invite your toddler to try and grab or rescue the blocks without touching the tape or string.

85. Feed and Wash the Animals

• Sensory table
• Toy animals
• Small bowls or containers for ‘food’ (can use pompoms, beads, or pretend food)
• Crushed cereal like cheerios
• Towels or sponges

Quick Setup : Fill one side of the sensory table or sensory bin with water and the other side with crushed cereal or oats. Add farm animal toys and small bowls and scooper. Add towels and sponges. Invite your toddler to feed the animals in. one bin and then wash them in the other bin with a sponge and dry them off with towels.

86. Fruit Sensory Water Play

• Large bin or water table
• Plastic fruits or real fruit
• Nets or scoops

Quick Setup : Fill the bin or water table with water and drop in various cut fruits. Provide nets or scoops for your toddler to ‘fish’ the fruits out of the water. This play activity is excellent for sensory exploration, developing fine motor skills, and teaching about different fruits while providing a cooling activity on hot days.

87. Magna Tile Cap Drop

• Bottle caps
• A container or designated drop zone

Quick Setup : Construct towers or various structures using Magna-Tiles and incorporate ledges or platforms where bottle caps can be balanced. Encourage your child to carefully place and drop bottle caps from the top of the magnetic tile structures into a container below. This game aids in the development of fine motor skills, coordination, and understanding of gravity and spatial relationships.

88. DIY Flip Book

• A stack of paper (Post-it notes work well for beginners)
• Book or puzzle

Quick Setup : Grab your toddler’s favorite book or puzzle. Place post-it notes over different picture in the book. You can also do this with a puzzle. Remove the pieces and place the post it notes over the space where the puzzle pieces go. Invite your one-ear old to remove the post its in the book and identify the object. For the puzzle have them remove the post it notes and return the correct puzzle piece.

89. Sensory bin with shredded paper

• Shredded paper
• Small balls, cups, or other small toys
• Optional: small figurines or items for hiding and seeking

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with a generous amount of shredded paper, creating a fluffy, tactile base. Add small balls, cups, and other toys that your child can bury and discover within the paper. If you like, hide small figurines or items throughout the bin and encourage your child to go on a treasure hunt. This activity is excellent for sensory exploration as your toddler digs, pours, and scoops through the shredded paper. It helps develop fine motor skills and promotes imaginative play, offering endless opportunities for creative scenarios.

90. Easter Egg Puzzle Activity

• Large sheet of paper
• Dot markers
• Plastic Easter eggs (halved)
• Basket to hold the egg halves

Quick Setup : Lay the large sheet of paper on a flat surface. Use dot markers to create various colored dots across the page, spacing them out enough so each dot can be covered by a halved Easter egg. Place the halves of the plastic Easter eggs in different colors in a basket. Invite your one-year-old to match the color of each egg half to a corresponding dot on the paper and cover it. This activity is excellent for color recognition and fine motor development as your toddler needs to grasp the egg halves and place them precisely over the dots.

91. Painting Bread

• White bread slices
• Small bowls
• Clean paintbrushes

Quick Setup : Start by pouring a small amount of milk into several small bowls. Add a few drops of different food coloring to each bowl to create various “paint” colors. Stir well to mix the colors with the milk. Give your toddler a clean paintbrush for each color to avoid mixing the paints. Lay out the slices of white bread on a clean surface, and let your one year old paint on the bread with the milk and food coloring mixture. They can create colorful designs and patterns. Once they’re done painting, the bread can be toasted and then eaten as a fun and tasty treat.

92. Hand Sock Painting

• Non-toxic washable paint
• Paper or a large roll of butcher paper
• A tray or shallow containers for the paint
• Tape (if using paper)

Quick Setup : Spread out the paper or butcher paper on the floor or a table, securing it with tape to keep it in place if necessary. Pour different colors of washable paint into the tray or shallow containers. Have your toddler put on an old sock over each hand. Encourage them to dip their sock-covered hand into the paint and then press or smear the paint onto the paper, creating various designs and patterns. This activity is excellent for sensory exploration as the sock provides a unique texture, and the activity itself encourages creative expression and motor skill development.

93. Cardboard Tube Bowling

• Several cardboard tubes (from paper towel or toilet paper rolls)
• A small ball or a beanbag
• Tape or markers for decorating (optional)
• A flat surface like a hallway or a room with sufficient space

Quick Setup : If you wish, begin by decorating the cardboard tubes with tape or markers to make them more visually appealing and engaging for your one year old. Arrange the tubes in a triangle formation at one end of your chosen play area to mimic traditional bowling pin setup. Provide your toddler with a ball to use as the bowling ball. Encourage them to roll or toss the ball towards the tubes to try and knock them down.

94. Shredded Paper Garden Sensory Bin

• Brown shredded paper (as a substitute for soil)
• Pieces of brown material or brown yarn to enhance the dirt effect
• Artificial flowers
• Toy spade or small gardening tools
• Small pots or containers
• Gardening gloves (child-sized)

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with brown shredded paper, spreading it evenly to mimic the look of garden soil. If available, add extra layers of brown material or yarn for a more textured “dirt” feel. Scatter artificial flowers throughout the “soil,” partially burying them to look like they are growing. Place small pots or containers within the bin, which can be used to “plant” the flowers. Provide your toddler with a toy spade or gardening tools and a pair of gardening gloves to make the experience feel more authentic. Encourage them to dig, plant, and rearrange the flowers in the pots, mimicking real gardening activities.

95. Water Transfer Activity

• Two containers (one filled with water, the other empty)
• Sponges or pom poms
• Towels for spill management (optional)

Quick Setup : Place one container filled with water and the empty container side by side. You might want to set this up in an area where minor spills are not a concern, or place towels underneath for easier cleanup. Provide your toddler with sponges or pom poms. Show them how to soak the sponge or pom poms in the water-filled container, then squeeze them over the empty container to transfer the water. Encourage them to continue this process until the water is moved from one container to the other, or as long as their interest persists.

96. Spaghetti Drop Activity

• Dried spaghetti or thin sticks
• Tape (optional to secure tubes)

Quick Setup : Arrange the cardboard tubes vertically by standing them up on a table or taping them to a wall or edge of a table so they don’t tip over. Provide your child with handfuls of dried spaghetti or thin sticks. Challenge them to drop the spaghetti through the tubes, aiming to get them to pass through without sticking out. This simple yet engaging activity tests and enhances their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they learn to align and adjust their approach based on the tube’s position and the fall of the spaghetti.

97. Muffin Tin Veggie Sort

• Variety of small vegetables and fruit or play food vegetables
• Labels or colored markers (optional)

Quick Setup : Clean the muffin tin and prepare it for the sorting activity. If using real vegetables, select small ones such as cherry tomatoes, baby carrots, broccoli florets, and snap peas, ensuring they are washed and safe for handling. If using play food, gather a variety of vegetable and fruit types. Optionally, you can label each muffin cup with a sticker or a colored marker to specify where each type of vegetable should go. Invite your child to sort the vegetables into the muffin cups based on type, color, or size, depending on the learning objective you wish to focus on.

98. Discovery Bin Activity

• A large bin or basket
• A variety of items to discover that are all similar (small toys the same color, or all soft items, or all kitchen tools, or all round fruits). Optional: themed items to fit a specific learning topic or season

Quick Setup : Scatter a variety of interesting objects throughout the bin. These can be anything from small toy figures that are the same color, soft balls and small stuffed animals or all kitchen tools or different types of veggies.

99. Wine Cork Push Activity

• Yogurt container with a lid

Quick Setup : Use the scissors to carefully cut a hole in the lid of the yogurt container. The hole should be just large enough to snugly fit the wine corks. Ensure the edges around the hole are smooth to avoid any sharp edges. Place several wine corks in front of your one-year-old, and show them how to push the corks through the hole into the container. This activity helps develop fine motor skills as the child practices pushing the corks through the hole, and also enhances problem-solving abilities as they figure out how to align and fit the corks into the hole.

100. Jumbo Pasta Sensory Bin

• Jumbo pasta (various shapes like shells, tubes, and spirals)
• Rice or dried peas for additional texture
• Optional: scoops, spoons, cups, or small containers for sorting and transferring

Quick Setup : Fill your sensory bin with a mix of jumbo pasta and either rice or dried peas to create a diverse tactile environment. The different textures and shapes will stimulate your child’s sensory exploration. Provide tools such as scoops and cups to encourage scooping, pouring, and transferring activities, which are great for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You can also incorporate color sorting or counting games by asking your child to sort the pasta types or count how many of each shape they can find, making the activity both fun and educational.

• Large cardboard boxes
• Tape (duct tape or strong packing tape)
• Scissors or a box cutter (for adult use only)
• Optional: markers, paint, or stickers for decoration

Quick Setup : Start by selecting one or more large cardboard boxes. If you have several boxes, you can create a longer tunnel by cutting off one end of each box and securely taping them together end-to-end. If using a single box, cut out both ends to form a tunnel. Reinforce the connections and any cut edges with tape to ensure stability and safety. If desired, decorate the outside of the tunnel with markers, paint, or stickers to add a fun, creative element. Place the tunnel in a play area, and encourage your child to crawl through. If you have other play tunnels, connect them to the box. This activity promotes gross motor skills as children crawl or scoot through the tunnel and can also spark imaginative play, as the tunnel can be integrated into various play scenarios like a race course, secret passageway, or fort.

Playing Safely

It’s important to note that when it comes to playing with 1 year olds, constant adult supervision is required to ensure their safety. While these no-prep activities can be fun and educational for young children, it’s important to remember that they may still be exploring the world and learning about cause and effect. This means that there may be potential hazards in the environment that they might not recognize, and it’s up to adults to ensure that they stay safe.

Therefore, before engaging in any of these activities, it’s important to make sure that the environment is free of any potential hazards, such as sharp objects or small items that could be choking hazards. Additionally, parents and caregivers should remain actively engaged and attentive to the child’s behavior and any changes in their surroundings during playtime.

While these activities can be enjoyable for both children and adults, safety should always be the top priority. By providing constant supervision and taking necessary precautions, parents and caregivers can ensure that their child has a fun and safe experience while playing and learning.

Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers

There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!

But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.

Play2Learn for Toddlers  includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.

Play2Learn Preschool  which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years.  That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again! 

These  toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities  will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!

Click here for more information: Play2Learn

Book:  Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids

Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information  Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids . Or grab your copy at  Amazon . 

Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.

Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.

Book:  Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids

Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more. 

Find out more and grab your copy  here .

Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.

Book:  Big Book of Riddles for Kids

Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast?  The Big Riddle Book for Kids , of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.

• 350 riddles for kids —Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
• Level up their skills —Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
• Double-check their work —Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.

Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!

Designed for kids ages 6 years   old and up.

TV Show:  Curious Crafting

I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show  Curious Crafting  which launched in July 2022 on  TVOkids  and  TVOkids YouTube ! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.

Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC ! Watch it here !

Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.

In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create. 

Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.

This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up. 

WANT YOU TRY ANY OF THESE NO-PREP ACTIVITIES FOR 1 YEAR OLDS WITH YOURS LATER? PIN IT NOW, AND FIND IT LATER!

Filed Under:

• Fine Motor Skills
• One Year Olds
• Sensory Bins, Bottles and Bags

Other Posts You May Like...

DIY Watering Can Craft for Kids

Ice Cream Water Table

19 Pool Noodle Activities for Kids

Pool Noodle Haircuts: Scissors Skills Activity for Preschoolers

Review and rate this post cancel reply.

I love hearing from you! Submit your question or review here. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Traveling Abroad With A Toddler: Tips And Tricks

• Last updated Jun 29, 2024
• Difficulty Advanced

• Category Travel

Travelling abroad with a 1-year-old can be a daunting task, but with some preparation, it can be a fun and memorable experience for the whole family. Here are some essential tips to make your trip go smoothly:

- Consult your child's healthcare provider before booking your trip. They can advise on whether your child is old enough and healthy enough to travel, recommend any necessary vaccinations, and suggest ways to keep your child healthy during the trip.

- Ensure your child has a valid passport and any other necessary travel documents, such as a letter of consent from the other parent if you are a single parent.

- Research your destination to check for any specific entry requirements, such as additional vaccinations or travel visas.

- Pack wisely, bringing along all the essentials your child will need, including enough formula, diapers, and familiar comfort items like their favourite toy or blanket.

- Consider investing in travel insurance that covers children to give you peace of mind in case of any unexpected illnesses or accidents during your trip.

- Plan for jet lag by gradually adjusting your child's sleep schedule before the trip and sticking to their regular bedtime routine as much as possible while travelling.

- Allow yourself plenty of extra time at the airport and during transit, as travelling with a young child can be unpredictable and often takes longer than expected.

What You'll Learn

Travel documents and visas, travel insurance, baby-friendly activities, packing essentials, jet lag preparation.

When travelling abroad with a 1-year-old, it is important to have all the necessary travel documents and visas in order. Here is a detailed guide to help you navigate the process:

Travel Documents:

• Passport: Regardless of age, all individuals, including infants, require a valid passport when travelling internationally. It is recommended to make a passport appointment when your baby is calm and alert to ensure a clear photo without any screaming or crying.
• Trusted Traveller Program Documentation: In certain cases, children may be able to enter specific countries using documentation from a Trusted Traveller Program. However, this may vary depending on the country of entry, so it is essential to check the requirements beforehand.
• Parental Consent: If you are travelling as a single parent or with a grandchild, niece, or nephew, a notarised letter of consent from the child's other parent(s) is strongly recommended by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This letter should grant permission for the child to travel overseas and include the statement: "I acknowledge that my son/daughter is travelling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission." If one parent has sole custody, a copy of the custody document can be provided instead of the other parent's letter.
• Birth Certificate: In some cases, a child's birth certificate may be required as proof of identity or age. This is particularly relevant when travelling with a lap child under 2 years old, as some airlines may request this documentation to verify the child's age and eligibility for free travel.
• Other Forms of Identification: While not always necessary, it is advisable to carry additional forms of identification for your child. This could include a government-issued photo ID, a social security card, or even a digital copy of their passport on your phone.
• Travel Visas: If your destination country requires a travel visa, your child will need to apply for one. It is important to initiate this process as early as possible, as obtaining a visa can take time.
• Global Entry: Unlike TSA PreCheck, which extends to children under 17, Global Entry does not automatically apply to your child. If you want your infant to accompany you through the Global Entry line, they will need to undergo a similar application process, including paying the application fee and possibly completing an interview.

Remember to always review the specific requirements of your destination country and consult official government websites for the most up-to-date information. Each country may have unique entry and exit requirements, so being informed will help ensure a smooth travel experience with your 1-year-old.

Traveling the Day After a Colonoscopy: What to Expect

You may want to see also

Choosing the Right Policy:

• Family Travel Insurance: If you're travelling with your 1-year-old, consider a family travel insurance policy that covers all family members under one plan. This option is often more cost-effective than purchasing individual policies for each member.
• Group Travel Insurance: If your child is travelling with another family or a group, consider a group travel insurance policy that can cover up to 10 people, regardless of their relation. This can be useful if your child is travelling with friends or extended family.
• Individual Travel Insurance: If your 1-year-old is travelling alone, which is unlikely at this age, you would need to purchase an individual travel insurance policy specifically for them.

Understanding Coverage:

• Medical Emergencies: Ensure that the policy covers medical emergencies and illnesses abroad. This includes emergency medical care, medication, and emergency transportation or medical evacuation if needed.
• Cancellation and Delays: Opt for a policy that covers cancellation, delays, and curtailment. This is especially important when travelling with children, as plans can easily be disrupted. Ensure the cancellation coverage amount is sufficient to cover the cost of your trip.
• Loss, Theft, and Damage: Protect your child's belongings by choosing a policy that covers loss, theft, or damage to their luggage and personal items. This includes important documents, gadgets, and accessories such as travel cots and buggies.
• Activities and Sports: If you plan to engage in any adventurous activities or sports during your trip, ensure that your policy covers these. For activities like skiing, snowboarding, or water sports, you may need to purchase additional sports coverage.

Additional Considerations:

• Pre-existing Conditions: It is crucial to declare any pre-existing medical conditions your child may have to the insurer. Failure to do so may result in a rejected claim related to that condition.
• Travel Documents: Ensure your child has all the necessary travel documents, such as a passport, visas, and any required permissions or consent letters if travelling without both parents.
• EHIC or GHIC Card: If travelling within Europe, your child should have their own European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). These cards provide access to free or discounted healthcare in EU countries and some other European countries.

Top Baby-Friendly Travel Destinations for September

Travelling with a one-year-old can be challenging, but it's also rewarding and possible! Here are some baby-friendly activities to keep your little one entertained while abroad:

• Visit local playgrounds: If there is a playground within walking distance of your hotel or accommodation, this can be a great way to let your toddler run around and interact with local children. It's also an easy way to get them excited about the day.
• Explore nature: Take your little one on nature walks to spot local wildlife and connect with the environment. Look for parks, lakes, or beaches where they can observe birds, insects, or other animals.
• Enjoy indoor play areas: If the weather isn't cooperating, look for indoor play areas such as soft play centres or kids' cafes, which can be a lifesaver in extreme weather conditions. These places often have dedicated spaces for children to play and burn off some energy.
• Visit museums and kid-friendly attractions: Many museums have interactive exhibits or hands-on activities designed for children. Look for science museums, children's museums, or art galleries with kid-friendly exhibits.
• Take advantage of hotel amenities: Many family-friendly hotels offer amenities such as kids' clubs, pools, and play areas. These can provide entertainment for your one-year-old while also giving you some time to relax.
• Indulge in local cuisine: Trying new foods can be an adventure for your toddler's taste buds. Look for family-friendly restaurants or resorts that offer kid-friendly menus and high chairs.
• Participate in cultural activities: Depending on your destination, there may be cultural activities geared towards families, such as cooking classes, dance lessons, or music workshops. These can be a fun way to expose your child to the local culture.
• Stroll through markets: Exploring local markets or food halls can be a great way to introduce your toddler to new flavours and cultures. Look for farmer's markets, food halls, or street food vendors selling a variety of tasty treats.

Essential Immunizations for Travel to China: A Comprehensive Guide

Packing for a trip abroad with a 1-year-old can be a daunting task, but with some careful planning, you can ensure you have all the essentials for a comfortable journey and stay. Here is a detailed list of packing essentials for your trip:

Diapering and Toiletries:

• Diapers or pull-ups: Pack enough for the entire trip, or consider buying more at your destination if available.
• Diaper cream to protect your little one's delicate skin.
• Wipes: Pack plenty, as they are useful for diaper changes, cleaning hands, and sanitizing surfaces.
• Portable changing mat: Look for one that is lightweight and foldable, making it easy to carry and store.
• Potty seat: If your toddler is toilet-trained, bring a portable potty seat for added comfort and convenience during bathroom breaks.
• Toddler-sized toiletries: This includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, and toddler-sized nail clippers. You can transfer some of their regular toiletries into travel-size bottles to save space.

Clothing and Accessories:

• Easy-on, easy-off outfits: Opt for comfortable clothing with minimal buttons or fasteners. Bring enough for two outfit changes per day, plus a few extra sets for unexpected messes.
• Pajamas: Pack at least one set for each night, or two if your toddler tends to sleep in their clothes.
• Shoes: Bring at least two pairs, as shoes can get lost or dirty. Soft-soled shoes with a non-slip sole are ideal for indoor and outdoor use.
• Weather-appropriate gear: Depending on your destination's climate, pack rain gear, a warm coat, hats, gloves, and/or a sun hat.
• Swimwear: If your trip involves water activities or pool time, pack swim diapers and a swimsuit.

Feeding and Snacks:

• Bottles: If your toddler is bottle-fed, bring enough bottles for the trip, or consider using disposable bottles for convenience.
• Formula: Bring pre-measured formula containers or ready-to-feed bottles for ease of feeding.
• Baby food and snacks: Pack enough for the duration of your trip, or plan to purchase more at your destination. Include a variety of soft, easy-to-eat foods that your toddler enjoys.
• Sippy cup: A spill-proof cup is ideal for keeping your toddler hydrated throughout the trip.
• Utensils: Pack toddler-sized utensils, such as a spoon, fork, and cup.
• Portable high chair or booster seat: This will come in handy during mealtimes, providing a safe and comfortable place for your toddler to eat.

Entertainment and Comfort:

• Books and small toys: Bring a mix of familiar and new items to keep your toddler engaged during the trip.
• Crayons and paper: For creative play and quiet entertainment.
• Favorite stuffed animal or blanket: This can provide comfort and help your toddler feel secure in a new environment.
• Portable crib or travel bed: Ensure your toddler has a safe and familiar sleeping space. A travel crib or a pack-and-play can be useful, especially if you're staying in a hotel or rental home.
• Baby monitor: This will allow you to keep an eye on your toddler while they sleep in a separate room.

Travel Gear:

• Umbrella stroller: A lightweight, compact stroller is ideal for travel, as it can be easily folded and carried.
• Baby carrier: A carrier that can be worn on the front or back will give your arms a break while keeping your toddler close.
• Car seat: If you plan to use a rental car or taxi, bring a car seat that is approved for air travel and compatible with various vehicles.

Documents and First Aid:

• Passport: Ensure your toddler has a valid passport for international travel.
• Consent letter: If you're traveling solo, bring a notarized letter of consent from the other parent(s).
• First aid kit: Pack essential medications, bandages, antiseptic cream, a thermometer, and any other items recommended by your pediatrician.

Remember to also pack some essentials for yourself, such as a change of clothes, snacks, and basic toiletries. Happy travels!

Traveling from the Philippines to London: Your Ultimate Guide

Jet lag can be a challenging aspect of travelling with a one-year-old, but there are several strategies to help you and your child adjust to the new time zone. Here is a comprehensive guide to preparing for and dealing with jet lag:

Before the Trip:

• Adjust their schedule: Gradually shift your child's sleep and meal times closer to those of your destination. This will make it easier for them to adapt to the new time zone when you arrive.
• Choose a night flight: Opting for a night flight can help your child sleep during the journey and arrive more rested. It also allows you to take advantage of the darkness on the plane to encourage sleep.
• Book a stopover: If you're travelling a significant distance, consider booking a stopover to break up the journey and give your child (and yourself) some rest.
• Prepare for the flight: Bring items that will aid your child's sleep, such as their favourite sleep sack, stuffed animal, or a lightweight dark blanket to block out light. For older toddlers, a travel mattress or bed box can turn their seat into a bed.
• Plan for meals: Bring or ensure access to your child's favourite foods. Having meals at the appropriate times in the new time zone will help adjust their body clock.
• Stay hydrated: Bring refillable water bottles to ensure adequate hydration for both you and your child. This is especially important for breastfeeding mothers, as staying hydrated helps maintain milk production.

During the Trip:

• Embrace the outdoors: Get outside and expose your child to natural light as much as possible. This will help reset their body clock and give them energy.
• Stick to a routine: Establish a consistent morning wake-up time and bedtime. Maintain normal mealtimes and nap times as much as possible to provide a sense of familiarity and aid adjustment.
• Limit napping: While it's important to let your child rest, try to avoid overly long naps during the day, as this may disrupt their nighttime sleep. An early bedtime is preferable to a long nap.
• Encourage activity: Ensure your child has ample opportunities to run around and play. This will help them expend energy and adjust to the new time zone.
• Avoid electronic devices: The light emitted by devices like iPads can stimulate your child and make it harder for them to fall asleep. Opt for quiet, non-stimulating activities or toys instead.
• Prepare for early wakings: Your child may wake up during the night or very early in the morning due to jet lag. Mentally prepare yourself, and have some quiet activities or books ready to keep them occupied without fully stimulating their brains.
• Offer snacks: Jet lag can cause an upset stomach and grogginess. Offer small, frequent snacks and hydrating drinks to keep their energy levels up and encourage longer sleep.

Stick to a loose routine: After a few days of adjustment, aim for a consistent daily routine with regular mealtimes, outdoor playtime, and a decent bedtime. This will help your child's body adjust to the new time zone and improve their sleep.

Remember, the key to dealing with jet lag is flexibility and patience. Every child is different, so find what works best for you and your little one.

Understanding how to enter known traveler number for American flights

Frequently asked questions.

You will need a valid passport for your child. If you are travelling without your partner, you should also carry a notarised letter of consent from them. If you have sole custody of your child, you may want to bring a copy of the custody agreement.

Bring all the essentials, including a change of clothes, sleep essentials, entertainment, favourite toys, and bedding from home. Don't forget to pack any medication your child will need.

Consult your child's healthcare provider before planning your trip. Update your child's immunisations and collect important documents, such as your child's vaccination record and birth certificate.

You may want to get travel insurance that covers children for free. Additionally, you should check travel advisories and health recommendations for your destination.

• Julia May Author Editor Reviewer Traveller

• Naim Haliti Author Editor Reviewer Traveller

It is awesome. Thank you for your feedback!

We are sorry. Plesae let us know what went wrong?

We will update our content. Thank you for your feedback!

Leave a comment

Travel photos, related posts.

Fixing Your 21-Day Routine While Traveling

• Jun 19, 2024

How to Find Travel Lodge Telephone Number

• Jun 06, 2024

Tips for Traveling with Your Gun at the Airport: A Complete Guide

• May 20, 2024

Exploring the Caribbean: Traveling While Pregnant

• May 15, 2024

Traveling to Australia with a Business Visitor Visa: Everything You Need to Know

• Mar 28, 2024

The Importance of Travel History for Canada Student Visa Applications

• Apr 11, 2024

sign up here

Sign up for The Mama Notes newsletter, sent a few times a month with original content not published on the site! 

In Your Inbox

keep your kids busy with this affordable DIY

dollar tree sensory kit

FIND ME ELSEWHERE

mandy, emma and i wrote a book full of pretend play ideas!

20 Toddler Activities For Long Road Trips

We are heading on a long road trip to Maine and I thought I’d update this old post with toddler friendly activities for the car. While I’m all for using the iPad to watch movies and shows on long road trips I definietly don’t want Piper glued to a screen for 15 hours. Many of these work for airplanes, and going out to eat too! Remember to save some of these activities for your way home so you still have some “new” tricks up your sleeve! Also THESE are the packing cubes I posted about!!!

Mini Coloring Boxes – Use an empty first aid kit box ($1 in the travel section at Target) and attach a new square size post it with hot glue or double stick foam tape to the back and stick a few crayons in. It’s the perfect size to hold everything and you can toss it in your purse for when you eat out, too. Just don’t leave the crayons in a hot car! Got the idea here .

Popsicle Stick Puzzles-  This genius idea could not be easier and will keep toddlers entertained for a while! Use it on a small cookie sheet and the fridge after you travel! See how to make it in this post!

Popsicle Sticks With Velcro – Add velcro dots to the back of colored popsicle sticks and let your child create different shapes. Will be fun to use out of the car too, be sure to pack in a small box to keep everything together.

Magnetic Puzzles – Pick up a few new puzzles and stick on adhesive magnetic dots to the back  and stick it on a cookie sheet.

Clipboard Coloring – Attach sheets from coloring books to a clipboard to allow your little one a better coloring experience on the go!

Lego Boxes – Can’t wait to see how these little lego boxes go – I got everything at the dollar store and the idea here .

Sticker Matching –  This could not be easier to make before you leave, just clip your sticker sheets to a clipboard with a crayon or colored pencil and let your little one practice fine motor skills +  development. Got the idea here .

Snack Boxes – Fill up tackle or craft boxes (I found for $3 at Michael’s) with various snacks. Not sure how our 3 year old will do with these and spilling so we may let her pick her snack from each section and put in a spill proof cup for eating.

Truck Spotting- Piper is really into looking out the window now that her car seat is turned around– though it may be better for 3-4 year olds and up – you could make a simplified version for younger kids. Idea found here .

Water Painting – Water Wow books from Melissa & Doug are a lifesaver as are their Paint With Water coloring pads – simply put a little bit of water in a cup in your child’s cupholder on their car seat and let them go to town (use a clip board)!

Window C lings – These won’t work for children sitting in the middle seat too well but older ones may enjoy sticking window clings to the windows.

Discovery Boxes – Every few hours give your child a new box or bag full of discovery items — this can be anything from kitchen utensils to small toys, the name of the game is offering them items they haven’t played with before or in a while.

Spools of ribbon or crepe paper  – This kept Piper busy during our last road trip, she enjoyed unrolling spools of ribbon, and then I would just roll them back up for her, over and over and over….

Play kids music – Have your child’s favorite tunes cued up — they almost always calm Piper down and she has fun singing along to familiar music.

Stickers- No-fail and always on hand. I cut up some new sticker strips and put them in a little coupon organizer I got at the Dollar Store to make them a bit more exciting for Piper.

Magnet or felt board – I’m hoping these entertain Piper… here is a great post on how to make a magnet board and here’s one for a felt board  – I’m going to make mine with cardboard in a smaller size.

New books – Head to the library before your trip to surprise your little one with plenty of new books!

Busy Wallet – I’m so excited to make this for Piper and give it to her during our trip, I read about it here . She loves to take my wallet out of my purse and pull it apart. I can’t wait to give her one to play with in the car!

Mini Post Its – We’ve used these on the airplane before with success — simply let your kid go to town with post it’s – sticking them on the back of the seat, a book or peeling ones off that you’ve stuck.

iPad – When all else fails I’m not above resorting to the iPad. We have two games we let her play in the car ( Fisher Price farm animals & shapes ) and we’ll also download some Pixar Shorts and episodes of Sesame Street. Piper’s usually not too interested in really watching long but it does help calm her down if she’s really upset.

kid and baby

SHARE THIS POst

VIEW THE COMMENTS

Just got around to reading this and you have some great ideas in here. Can’t wait to try!

Tips For Keeping Your Home Germ Free! »

« Our Living Room Makeover!

the previous post

the next post

our favorite baby toy

easter dot activity pages

watercolor gel crayons

the best sticker books

nibbles! loved by our girls

interactive lift-a-flap

Caitlin's Picks

READ THE POST

Our Christmas Morning Breakfast

Advent Calendars

2020 Gift Guides

The Best Vegan Sugar Cookies

Holiday Books!

Holiday PJs For The Family

Popular Posts

Last year my friend Mandy and I launched Magic Playbook - a monthly printable subscription for moms to keep their  kids busy & having fun!

the monthly printable  subscription for moms

Magic playbook.

check it out

Children's books have always had a special place in my heart, and sharing them with my girls is one of my favorite parts of motherhood.  Learn more about my Usborne Books & More business! 

learn more 

find your way around

GRAB THE print

Download my FREE alphabet print

grab the freebie of the month

Design by Davey & Krista

© 2020 The mama notes | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

follow me on instagram!

@themamanotes.

Keep your kids busy & having fun with a membership to Magic Playbook -- the monthly printable subscription for kids! 

say goodbye to boredom!

Summer Olympians will get their support systems back in Paris after Tokyo's COVID bans

By howard fendrich and eddie pells, associated press | posted - july 3, 2024 at 4:00 a.m..

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

Athletes at the last Summer Olympics remember the unmistakable sadness of competing with nearly no one in the stands amid pandemic-era restrictions in Tokyo three years ago. There were no spectators, and most parents, siblings and lifelong pals couldn't even travel to Japan. Those are the people who helped raise and shape Olympians and Paralympians. Those folks can all join in for the ride when the Paris Games begin this month. The family and friends will offer something that was missing the last time: a support system that can help improve results, get through the tough moments and celebrate the best ones.

Most recent Olympics stories

South african police find the body of former high jump world champion freitag, who was shot, post-pandemic paris olympics signal a return to 'normal' for athletes and fans, olympic champion caslick set to lead australia's charge for rugby sevens gold at paris games, related topics, more stories you may be interested in.

Richardson, McLaughlin and Lyles set to lead the Americans to a big medal haul at Olympic track

Hurdler Alaysha Johnson earns spot to Paris Games wearing borrowed spikes and uniform she designed

Most viewed.

• Utah woman charged in child porn investigation 3 weeks after warrant issued for husband
• Blake Anderson out as Utah State football coach after he 'violated' university policies
• Sheriff's office locates man accused of brandishing gun in road rage incident
• Driver of semi that crashed into Tooele dealership criminally charged
• Patrick Kinahan: Is trading Markkanen really the best Jazz move?
• Utah family mourns loss of 14-year-old son after construction accident
• Rocky Mountain Power explains huge rate hike proposal
• Proposed Smith Entertainment Group agreement includes tax hike, new Delta Center ticket fees
• Where you can and can't launch fireworks in Utah this year
• 80-year-old hiker found dead in Big Cottonwood Canyon after 200-foot fall

ARE YOU GAME?

KSL Weather Forecast

21-year-old man killed in head-on Hawaii Island crash

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A 21-year-old man was killed in a crash in North Kona early Friday, Hawaii Island police said.

Officials said just before 5 a.m., a SUV was crossing over the centerline on Mamalahoa Highway near the 23-mile marker when it collided head-on with a sedan.

The driver of the sedan was transported to the North Hawaii Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

He has been identified as 21-year-old Alvin Godfrey Castro III, of Kailua-Kona.

The 40-year-old female driver of the SUV was taken to the Kona Community Hospital, where she remains hospitalized.

A negligent homicide investigation has been launched.

Anyone with further information is asked to call Officer Dayson Taniguchi at (808) 326-4646 ext. 229 or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

This is the 20th traffic death this year compared to 10 at the same time last year.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family here .

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

As suspects sought in teen boy’s shooting, frustration over West Oahu crime grows

Police investigating armed robbery in Kapolei involving 2 teens

Fiery crash in West Oahu leaves woman seriously injured, knocks out power to hundreds

Police: Shooting that left 15-year-old hospitalized was ‘not random’

Groom shot in head during robbery at backyard wedding, police say

‘He was so loving’: Family identifies 26-year-old man who apparently drowned in waters off Kakaako

Mourning her dad’s loss, she quit softball. But his legacy and love brought her back

State to send out checks to descendants of DHHL beneficiaries as part of landmark settlement

Latest news.

First Alert Forecast: Breezy winds with minor splashes expected through the weekend

HECO customers frustrated with reimbursement process after Downtown-Chinatown outage

‘They want proof’: HECO customers frustrated with reimbursement process after Downtown-Chinatown outage

Hawaii Kai drivers, prepare for extra traffic as 6-month bridge rehab project kicks off

Oahu woman indicted for manslaughter in deadly Punchbowl crash

Want a say in the construction of Skyline? HART Board of Directors seeks 9th member

Hawaiian Electric extends grace period for Maui wildfire survivors unable to pay electric bills

• Top Stories
• Listen Live
• ArizonaSports.com

Arizona News

• Arizona Sports
• Arizona Business
• Arizona Votes
• Arizona Immigration
• Arizona Education
• Arizona Health
• Arizona Traffic
• Arizona Weather
• East Valley Youth Violence
• Arizona Technology
• Arizona Wildfires
• Community Spotlight

Sponsored Articles

• Arizona's Morning News
• The Mike Broomhead Show
• The Ramsey Show
• The Chris and Joe Show
• Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos
• The Chad Benson Show
• Complete Lineup
• Silent Witness
• Rosie on the House
• Chew On This
• Data Doctors
• Kim Komando Tech Tips
• On-Air Schedule
• Staff Social Media
• Contests and Events
• Text Alerts
• Everyday Strong

ARIZONA NEWS

Phoenix ranked 14th-best city to celebrate Fourth of July in 2024

Jul 1, 2024, 4:15 AM

Fans sit on the field and watch a 4th of July fireworks show following a MLB game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies at Chase Field on July 4, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

BY PAYNE MOSES

PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix was ranked No.14 in WalletHub’s “Best Places to Celebrate 4th of July” with the patriotic holiday just days away.

WalletHub rated the top-100 most populated cities in the United States based on the following five criteria:

• Fourth of July Celebrations
• Affordability
• Attractions and Activities
• Safety and Accessibility
• Fourth of July Weather Forecast

Within those five markers, 100 total points were made available for each city. “Fourth of July Celebrations” was the most heavily-weighted at 40 points, whereas the remainder were each weighted at 15.

RELATED STORIES

AAA expecting millions of Arizonans to travel for Fourth of July

Phoenix scored 64.12 total points, just behind Atlanta.

Los Angeles, New York City, Seattle, Las Vegas and Minneapolis rounded out the lists’ top-five cities in 2024.

Arizona’s capital performed best in the weather category (tied-first) and finished top-20 in both celebration viability (17th) and affordability (14th). It struggled in both attractions and activities (57th) and safety and accessibility (80th).

As far as day-of events go, firework lovers can indulge in the annual Fabulous Phoenix 4th or attend Light Up The Sky Independence Day Celebration at Phoenix Raceway. Both events are free admission and offer family-friendly environments including food and drinks, games and space for children to play.

AAA expects an excess of 1.5 million Arizonans to travel over the Fourth of July holiday, defined as Saturday, June 29 to Sunday, July 7.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here .

Serena O'Sullivan

71-year-old man burned by pavement warns Phoenix residents to stay safe this summer

Fifty people were admitted to the Diane and Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center for severe contact burns in June alone. Four of them died.

17 minutes ago

Kevin Stone

Metro Phoenix freeways free of construction closures over long Fourth of July weekend

Fourth of July weekend travelers don't have to worry about closures on metro Phoenix freeways, but don't rule out unexpected delays.

27 minutes ago

Tucson man sentenced for October mass shooting threat at University of Arizona

A Tucson man was sentenced on Tuesday after pleading guilty to making threats of a mass shooting at the University of Arizona last October.

37 minutes ago

Chandler PD seizes nearly $10,000 of illegal fireworks ahead of Fourth of July

The Chandler Police Department encourages responsible celebrating during the Fourth of July, including the use of permissible fireworks.

47 minutes ago

Here’s what we know about 2024 Arizona State Fair Coliseum Concert Series

The Arizona State Fair revealed three acts for its 2024 Coliseum Concert Series. Here's what we know about the shows.

9 hours ago

Watch: Arizona Legislative District 1 Republican debate

The Arizona Legislative District 1 Republican debate occurred on July 2 and featured three of the five candidates.

11 hours ago

Sanderson Ford

3 new rides for 3 new road trips in Arizona

It's time for the Sanderson Ford Memorial Day sale with the Mighty Fine 69 Anniversary, as Sanderson Ford turned 69 years old in May.

DESERT INSTITUTE FOR SPINE CARE

Desert Institute for Spine Care is the place for weekend warriors to fix their back pain

Spring has sprung and nothing is better than March in Arizona. The temperatures are perfect and with the beautiful weather, Arizona has become a hotbed for hikers, runners, golfers, pickleball players and all types of weekend warriors.

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

Sciatica pain is treatable but surgery may be required

Sciatica pain is one of the most common ailments a person can face, and if not taken seriously, it could become one of the most harmful.

• River City Live
• Newsletters

Florida bill changes work limits for 16- and 17-year-olds

Ariel Schiller , Reporter , Jacksonville

FLORIDA – The rules for teens in the workforce will look different in Florida because of House Bill 49.

The new bill, which went into effect on Monday, allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work 30 hours per week when school is in session. A parent or guardian can waive that limitation.

Melissa Judine is 18 years old and felt like 30 hours was too much for teens to work.

“I’m not really a fan of that. The brain develops more when you’re 25, right? It’s just like for you to be making those hard decisions and your brain isn’t really developed yet,” Judine said.

Stephanie Arroyave, who is 20 years old, said she feels the law is good for teens who want to work as many hours as possible.

“I personally like it,” Arroyave said. “Whenever I was at that age I struggled finding a job that would let me work certain hours. I always wanted more hours to work.”

The law also includes several other changes like getting a 30-minute lunch break after four hours of work if someone is scheduled to work a total of eight hours for the day.

Teens can only be scheduled between 6:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. if they have school the next day. They also can’t work more than eight hours when school is scheduled for the next day with the exception to this rule being Sundays and holidays.

In 2021, 36% of 16- to 19-year-olds had a paying job for at least part of the summer, according to the Pew Research Center.

For Arroyave, lessening restrictions can help with the labor shortage and, also, help teens get more work experience.

“It was hard to find something other than a restaurant job. If I want to work in an office, they require a certain amount of experience already. And obviously, in high school I couldn’t get that much experience due to the lack of hours I was able to work,” Arroyave said.

While some teens want to work as many hours as possible, Judine felt like teens should focus more on succeeding in school instead of working so many hours at a job.

“If you have bigger dreams than the job that you have, I think you should focus on that more, as well as your education,” Judine said.

The changes to the law don’t apply to teens 15 years old or younger. They can’t work more than 15 hours per week when school is in session. The only exception is if the teen faces hardship and gets approval from their district’s superintendent to work longer hours.

Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Ariel schiller.

Ariel Schiller joined the News4Jax team as an evening reporter in September of 2023. She comes to Jacksonville from Tallahassee where she worked at ABC27 as a Weekend Anchor/Reporter for 10 months.

Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines.

Recommended Videos

The youngest Olympians competing at the 2024 Paris Games

Hezly rivera is among the youngest athletes after making the u.s. gymnastics roster., by sanjesh singh • published july 1, 2024 • updated on july 2, 2024 at 1:38 pm.

There's no such thing as being too young for the Olympics .

That's because there are no specific age limit for taking part in the competition. As long as you show you're good enough, you can compete against the world's best, unless a specific sporting federation sets its own rule on age.

24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are

That paves the way for some incredibly young and talented athletes to make their mark early, such as 16-year-old American gymnast Hezly Rivera .

Rivera qualified for the U.S. women's gymnastics team alongside stars like Simone Biles and Suni Lee . Along with Rivera, here are other young athletes to keep tabs on:

Get San Diego local news, weather forecasts, sports and lifestyle stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC San Diego newsletters.

Who are the youngest Olympians in Paris?

Along with Rivera, here's a list of young athletes in Paris along with the event they'll be competing in:

• Zheng Haohao, China skateboarding: 11 years old
• Sky Brown, Great Britain skateboarding: 15 years old
• Hezly Rivera, Team USA gymnastics: 16 years old
• Quincy Wilson , Team USA track and field: 16 years old
• Lola Tambling, Great Britain skateboarding: 16 years old
• Dominika Banevič (B-Girl Nicka), Lithuania breaking: 17 years old
• Aubrey Kim, Team USA Paralympics swimming athlete alternate: 17 years old
• Minna Stess , Team USA skateboarding: 17 years old
• Alex Shackell, Team USA swimming: 17 years old
• Phoebe Gill, Great Britain track and field: 17 years old
• Summer McIntosh, Canada swimming: 17 years old
• Thomas Heilman, Team USA swimming: 17 years old
• Eva Okaro, Great Britain swimming: 17 years old
• Baptiste Addis, French recurve archery: 17 years old

2024 Paris Olympics: See dates, sports, how to watch and more

Here are the rules for the 2024 Olympics in Paris

Get to know Team USA Olympians ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics

When is the paris olympics.

The  2024 Paris Olympics  will run from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, Aug. 11 .

How to watch the 2024 Olympics in Paris

NBC  and  Peacock  will present live coverage of all Olympic events throughout each respective day.

This article tagged under:

Advertisement

• Software and apps

The Best Video Games of 2024 So Far

By Arthur Gies and Haley Perry

The best video games aren’t just fun to play; they say something about the spirit of the time. Our favorite games of 2024 offer an escape from the mundane (who's excited to climb a minotaur?). They also dabble in nostalgia (think  Starship Troopers  vibes) and the bizarre (what will the next deep, dark cavern hold?).

Whether you’re looking for an action-packed adventure, a new twist on a favorite franchise, or a wildly addictive card game, these are the new games you should play this year.

Prince of Persia The Lost Crown

A stunning return to 2D acrobatic exploration

A classic series returns to side-scrolling acrobatics in the best action-adventure game of 2024 so far.

Buying Options

Free (delayed) shipping for Prime members

Prince of Persia The Lost Crown is a reboot of a legendary gaming franchise, but it pulls from some of the best side-scrolling video games of the past 15 years. Putting you in the role of Sargon, an Immortal tasked with rescuing a prince lost in a bizarre, time-distorted castle, The Lost Crown mixes sword and bow combat with dashes, jumps, teleports, and more. The result will feel familiar to anyone who has played games such as Super Metroid, Super Meat Boy, and Celeste , but the whole is more than just the sum of its influences.

All the great gameplay inspiration in the world wouldn’t mean much if The Lost Crown were not an absolute joy to control. But developer Ubisoft Montpellier has created a game that responds instantly and intuitively to what you’re doing on the controller, and soon you’re bouncing off walls and weaving in and out of enemies and various environmental hazards as you explore a kingdom frozen and shattered in time. Prince of Persia The Lost Crown released in January of this year on every currently available console.

—Arthur Gies

Helldivers 2

The best cooperative shooter

This cooperative shooter throws you and three other friends into planetside battles in one of 2024’s biggest hits.

Helldivers 2 has set the gaming world on fire this year as more than 12 million players on PC and PlayStation 5 have joined together to beat back hordes of alien bugs and terrifying robotic soldiers across the galaxy. But there’s more going on here than you might think at a glance. Developer Arrowhead’s strictly cooperative shooter—yes, Helldivers 2 is teamwork-only, though you can “accidentally” shoot at or blow up your teammates—borrows liberally from the 1997 film adaptation of Starship Troopers, which mixed sci-fi imagery with some heavy social satire and commentary on war and the threat of fascism.

Helldivers 2 takes place in a galaxy where Super Earth has conquered everything around it and uses its military might to bring Super Democracy to the masses. The game has received new weapons and enemies over time, but players keep coming back for the evolving narrative of planets being newly overrun, in-game rumors of enemies yet to be seen, and the age-old question of “Are we the baddies?” But mostly, it’s a lot of wildly unpredictable fun with friends.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Climb a minotaur today

An open-world action RPG, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is full of hilarious combat possibilities and unusual player-made companions.

You save $14 (20%)

On the surface, Dragon’s Dogma 2 looks like just another fantasy action game, but there’s more—and also less—going on here than appearances suggest. Your character starts the game by, well, having their heart plucked out on the pinky talon of a dragon. That makes you the Arisen, a mortal whose fate is tied to that of the dragon in question, granted the power to control an extra-dimensional race of Pawns as companions.

All of that still sounds like a fantasy action game, and Dragon’s Dogma 2 has plenty of character classes and magic for you to find and wield, but it sets itself apart in two main ways. Its Pawn system is a unique pseudo-multiplayer system where you create a companion character for yourself, and the rest of your four-person party consists of other Pawns created by other players. In turn, your Pawn will hire itself out to other players and learn about the world around you to better lead you to secrets and quest destinations. Then there’s climbing—for some reason, everyone in Dragon’s Dogma 2 can climb the larger monsters that infest the landscape, from minotaurs to ogres, griffons, and even dragons. Once you climb an ogre and smack it in the head with a sword as you avoid its grabby hands, you’ll wonder (if you’re anything like us) why every game isn’t exactly like this. And, of course, there are sidequests, kingdom-spanning conspiracies, and strange mysteries to discover.

Animal Well

A mysterious retro adventure

Animal Well takes 8-bit visual cues and music and throws them down into a weird, subterranean world full of mysteries to unravel.

Animal Well is a game that never tells you exactly what it is with words, but it somehow communicates everything you need to become hypnotized by its weirdness. The game starts as your blobby in-game character emerges from a strange, blooming flower in a series of caverns holding mysterious structures and statues. A variety of wildlife and apparitions fill them, and you need to use your wits and a series of tools to overcome those that mean to find out whether you’re edible. Animal Well is the rare game that seems to do everything just right: It plays well, it’s gorgeous, and it’s both accessible and challenging enough to keep players of almost any skill level engaged.

Every year seems to have its own independently developed sleeper hit, and Animal Well certainly fits the bill this time. Although its visuals and music often seem simple, they have their own kind of beauty and sophistication, and the game never quite seems to run out of new things to show you—even after you beat it the first time. Animal Well ’s solo developer Billy Basso has promised that it contains some secrets that players will likely take years to find, and while only time will tell, there’s already an army of fans trying to prove him wrong.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

A papercraft Mario adventure

The Thousand-Year Door is Mario’s most clever, most character-filled adventure ever.

I know that Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door , which puts Mario and the rest of the cast of characters into a papercraft fantasy adventure, sounds strange, but if you own a Nintendo Switch, I’m begging you not to write off what might be the best game on the system this year. The Thousand-Year Door drops Mario and his friends (and enemies) into a turn-based role-playing game full of wild new worlds, clever writing, and gameplay that mixes RPG stuff with Mario-appropriate jumping and special attacks. This is a remake of a decades-old GameCube game, but you’d never know it—the game is energetic, vital, and charming from top to bottom. Younger kids might have trouble with all the reading, but otherwise, this is one of the best titles for all ages that 2024 will likely see.

A strange spin on poker

This unpredictable game of cards is simple to grasp but devilishly difficult to put down.

Balatro is ruining my life. This roguelike card game about scoring points with various poker hands is difficult to master—and nearly impossible to put down. In Balatro , you try to beat a series of increasing scores in a limited amount of turns by playing powerful hands to earn chips. At first, the scoring system follows standard poker rules—a royal flush ranks higher than a straight flush, which beats a four of a kind, and so on. But as you progress, you drastically change the scoring system by modifying your deck with different perks, bonus cards, and jokers that you can purchase in between rounds. For example, you can tune your deck to upgrade a pair or straight high enough to outrank a full house, or you can add enough cards to play illegal hands, such as a five of a kind.

It’s fiercely addicting to try out new strategies each time you start a new run, and the game has so many cards, decks, and challenges to unlock that every attempt is fresh and unpredictable. I’ve spent over 200 hours playing this game, and I’m nowhere close to unlocking everything or calling it quits—though the list of responsibilities I’ve shirked since Balatro came out would be a lot shorter if I did.

—Haley Perry

This article was edited by Arthur Gies and Signe Brewster.

Meet your guides

Arthur Gies

Arthur Gies is a supervising editor for tech at Wirecutter. He has covered video games and hardware since 2008, has consulted on a number of popular (and not popular) video games, and wrote a book about the Gears of War franchise. He also has a BFA and MFA in drawing and painting, which comes in handy when he reviews drawing tablets and styluses.

Haley Perry

Haley Perry is an associate staff writer at Wirecutter covering video games and technology. She used to review video games full-time, and she’s also a big fan of mezcal. If you get enough in her, she may just admit that she still plays The Sims ... a lot.

Further reading

The Best Gaming Headsets

by Haley Perry

The HyperX Cloud Stinger 2 offers better sound than many more-expensive gaming headsets, has an excellent onboard microphone, and is comfortable enough to wear for hours.

The Best Gaming TV for PS5 & Xbox Series X

by Lee Neikirk

The LG C3 ’s comprehensive set of gaming features and excellent picture quality make it our pick for the best gaming TV.

The Best Cheap Gaming Laptop

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get great gaming performance in a laptop for years to come.

The Best Strategy Board Games

by James Austin

The best strategy games pit you against your friends in an intense battle of wits. These are six of our favorites.