Travelling with a baby is not the easiest thing to do. One of the things that worried me is the baby crying. Now I’ve been on either end of the spectrum. The one where I am a passenger who is affected by the crying of a baby and the one where I am the parent trying to calm my child.
I have to say that it isn’t easy to be in either place and the judgement that comes along with a crying child just adds to the stress of the whole situation. One of the ways to deal with the situation is distraction. That is where carrying the right kind of travel toys for babies comes in.
Oh and by the way… You may also want to stay on top of things. I would also recommend checking out some travel toys for preschoolers while you are it. We usually buy these along with our own travel board games when we travel because it is quite hard to get them in India.
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Things To Consider When Selecting Travel Toys For Babies
There are a couple of things that you should consider when selecting travel toys for babies. This involves the mode of transport, the age of your baby, the kid’s preferences and so much more. Let us take a look at these points one at a time.
Age
One of the things that I quickly realized as Joanne was growing up was that time when it comes to babies sort of measures differently. We normally don’t blink much when a week passes by. That is because as an adult nothing changes that much. With a baby however everything is always in flux.
There are so many growth and developmental milestones that are constantly coming in play at every week and month that goes by. Needless to say, the travel toys for babies that you select should be appropriate for the month/developmental milestone that your child has achieved.
Let’s take an example. Children who cannot hold their head or sit will probably not be able to use interactive toys. They will need more visual and auditory stimuli. They will also require more of your attention and are likely to sleep more than their older counterparts.
Mode Of Transport
You probably would want to think of the kind of mode of transport you will be using to travel. Trains and flights have a table in front of their seats which can be used for you to set up the toys. Cars require the use of car seats and you will need to keep in mind that it isn’t always easy for a child to keep the toy in their hands.
The Child’s Preferences
Sometimes you don’t have to look very far to find the perfect travel toys for babies. Take a look at your child’s favourite toys and ask yourself which one would provide the most entertainment and which one the kid is most likely not to get bored with. The answer will be the one you should pack for your journey.
Safety Concerns
When buying travel toys for babies make sure that you check the safety note on the item. Every toy is ear marked for a particular age. This is largely because of parts that can be swallowed and because every toy is ear marked to help with different developmental milestones.
Travel Toys For Babies
With all the things to consider out of the way, let’s take a look at the different travel toys for babies that you may want to consider. There are loads of products in the market.
From experience, I know that personal preferences differ. That is why, I am going to group the items together under sections and you can pick the travel toys for babies that you like best.
1. Hand Held Rattles
⭐️ Rating: 4.7/5 (44,720 Reviews) Price: $7.99 Details: Read more on Amazon!
Rattles are one of the go to choices when it comes to buying travel toys for babies. Unlike in the years gone by, there are so many different types of rattles that are available in the market today. We found ourselves with a bunch of them.
Some which we bought and some which were given to to our kids as gifts. Each one of them is great in different circumstances.
“I gave them to my grandson when he was 2 months old. He loved them. The colors, patterns and gentle shaking noise was so intriguing to him. We still play together with them and he is now 10 months old.
They are well made, easy to clean and light so do not hurt him if he bops his head. My highest recommendation as a first holding/teething toy.”
Jo-Ann (read more reviews now!)
I’ll be honest though. The hand held rattles have one big downside. Babies tend to drop them a lot so you spend a lot of time picking them up again. Plus, babies tend to put them in their mouth and it can get unsanitary if the rattle falls down.
2. Wrist Rattles
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 (7,250 Reviews) Price: $4.98 Details: Read more on Amazon!
The wrist rattles are rather innovative. These are great for small babies who do not have the strength to lift the rattle up. They have a small strap with a Velcro edge that allows you to attach it to the baby’s wrist. Every time the baby moves his/her hand the rattle makes a noise.
“These are super affordable and super adorable to let your infant wear on their wrist or even their ankle if you wanted to. They’re great for teething and helps entertain your baby some with rattling noises.”
Amber (read more reviews now!)
It is simple and effective. I’ve found that these rattles are useful even when you are moving about on foot. It avoids the inevitable dropping of toys and keeps the baby entertained while you have your hands and mind free.
3. Rattle With A Teether
⭐️ Rating: 4.8/5 (8,441 Reviews) Price: $15.99 Details: Read more on Amazon!
Another great idea when it comes to rattles as travel toys for babies, are rattles with teethers. Teething is a phase that all babies go through. As the teeth make their way through the gums, it causes anything from annoyance to pain.
Many babies even have swollen gums. In order to sooth this irritation, babies tend to bite down on things. The pressure on the gums helps. Now most babies start teething around 6 months of age.
“Bought this for my 3mo who has been more alert and curious. This toy has so many different fabrics and sounds. It keeps my baby occupied for a while and helps with tummy time!
There’s a squeaker, mirror, lots of crinkle fabric, and multiple silicone teething pieces. Such a great purchase for young infants!”
Emily (read more reviews now!)
Combining a teething toy and a rattle means that you can use the toy for soothing the gums as well as entertaining the child. Just make sure that the baby does not drop the toy and that the toy is sterilized so that there is no infection.
4. Hanging Rattles
⭐️ Rating: 4.5/5 (19,192 Reviews) Price: $13.87 Details: Read more on Amazon!
Another great type of travel toys for babies are the hanging rattles. These toys can be suspended just above the baby’s head.
When they move, they make a sound that attracts the babies attention. This works well for babies who haven’t begun to crawl yet.
“Driving isn’t always fun my baby can stay on for a good hour but if I’m doing errands where I have to keep taking him in and out of the car he’ll get quit fuzzy this toy is perfect the color really get his attention and loves the purple monkey in the middle”
Juliana (read more reviews now!)
A tip is to use them when you place the baby in a bassinet in the flight. The baby will tend to reach out and try and grab it. Keep it at reach for this very same reason or the baby may lose interest in it. The hanging rattles can also be dangled from car seat handles or in strollers.
5. Animal Toy Socks
⭐️ Rating: /5 ( Reviews) Price: $ Details: Read more on Amazon!
At some point of time, you are going to realize that your baby will pay an inordinate amount of attention to his/her toes. It is fun to see them grab their toes and play. A great idea among our list of travel toys for babies is Animal socks.
“My son was very intrigued and entertained by these socks and wrist wraps!”
Jade (read more reviews now!)
Not sure what I mean? Think of puppets… Just ones that go onto your baby’s feet instead of your hands. The colors and the animal designs serve to keep your little one entertained every time he/she raises her legs up to play. Oh and they also keep those toes warm. A total lifesaver if your kids keep pulling off their socks like mine did!
6. Stacking Toys
⭐️ Rating: 4.8/5 (54,951 Reviews) Price: $8.98 Details: Read more on Amazon!
Stacking toys are great for babies that have learned to sit up. It helps children with their gross motor abilities.
Plus, most babies love the colorful blocks. Stacking the blocks up and throwing them down again is all part of the fun.
“My 6mo loves to grab it and tip it over to get the rings off. Baby loves the clear rattle ring the most. Great for mouthing, teething and playing with baby. I highly recommend this toy”
Amy (read more reviews now!)
These toys however would require a table or an area where the child can sit. They aren’t suited for a car ride. It isn’t an item that I would take along though but that is largely because we travel light.
If you don’t mind the space that they occupy, it is definitely worth taking especially since they keep children occupied for a long while.
7. Interactive Toys
⭐️ Rating: 4.8/5 (1,26,893 Reviews) Price: $16.49 Details: Read more on Amazon!
Interactive toys are great when it comes to traveling with a baby. There are all kinds of interactive toys that are available today. Most of them however cater to children above 6 months of age. They come with a range of sounds, colors, moving parts and even flashing lights.
“I have wanted this for a while and finally purchased it to help my little one become more confident with speaking. She immediately fell in love with it and loves pushing the buttons. She doesn’t have to push hard on it to get it to speak and I appreciate that because she can play with it with or without me. It teaches words and sounds and it’s not too bulky or heavy at all.”
Kristina (read more reviews now!)
The thing that you need to consider is where you will be using the toy. If the noise annoys you (and sometimes it does!), you probably may not want to play it in a confined space unless it is your last resort because chances are you will here the same sounds over and over again for hours on end.
8. Fabric Interactive Activity Books
⭐️ Rating: 4.8/5 (12,064 Reviews) Price: $11.99 Details: Read more on Amazon!
One of the travel toys for babies that I have yet to add to my collection is an interactive activity book. I haven’t been able to lay my hands on one just yet. These books are designed to stimulate the child on so many levels.
“This is a great soft book for babies. The colors are bright and engages my baby well. It’s also nice to have the ring to attach to other items.”
Lindsey (read more reviews now!)
In addition to different activities, they also have different fabrics that stimulate a child’s sense of touch, colors to stimulate the child visually and some even have crinkly sounds that the pages make. They are small, light and easy to carry making them the perfect travel toys for babies.
9. Car Seat Toys
In the beginning, every time we bundled the baby into the car seat and set out for even the shortest drive, it felt like we were on an adventure of a lifetime. We would cross our fingers and toes hoping that she would sleep through it.
We still do but it has gotten easier to entertain her with the help of toys that are designed to be dangled on the head rest. It keeps the baby entertained on the way and can be a life saver.
10. Soft Toys/Stuffed Toys
Soft toys are another item that you will find on most lists of travel toys for babies. Choosing the right stuffed toy is rather hard. Most of the time parents pick up one that the baby has bonded with. That is the safest way to go.
I would suggest picking a small and light one that is easy to carry. Also, keep an eye open to ensure that it does not get misplaced. Babies tend to drop their toys and if they do go missing, there will be hell to pay for.
11. Nursery Rhymes /Story Books
Nursery rhyme books and story books aren’t technically toys, but I thought I would add them to the list largely because Joanne loves them.
She loves flipping through the pages and listening to u read out from them. If your child shares this love, you may want to carry a book with you to read to him/her from. It is a great way to pass the time on a long journey.
No matter which way you look at it, heading out on a long (or short) journey with a baby can be stressful. It does not matter whether you head out by plane, train or car. Heck, it does not matter if you walk! It is always a challenge.
Over time, I have found that these travel toys for babies have made my life a bit easier. Plus they double up as toys at home. So do yourself a favor and make sure you have a travel pack ready with one or two of them before you head out!
Do you have any travel toys for babies that you like? Let us know in the comments below.
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Susan Pazera
Sunday 19th of January 2020
What great ideas! Not having kids ourselves, we always feel sympathy for flying parents with fussy kids. The toys are really cute and innovative - who knew there were wrist rattles?
Penny
Monday 20th of January 2020
I used to feel really bad for parents with fussy kids too. Then suddenly I found myself in their shoes. It ain't easy but it definitely should not be a reason that people avoid travel. The wrist rattle is such a life saver btw! Already helped us loads.