Traveling with toddlers can be so rewarding—but let’s be honest, it can also be a test of patience (and creativity). On our recent trip, I realized that having the right activities made all the difference between calm travel days and full-on meltdowns.
Here are the 6 things I brought to keep my toddler entertained—all suitcase-friendly, screen-free, and easy to pack.
1. Wooden Hamburger Stacker 🍔
A compact, hands-on toy that kept my toddler busy for ages. It’s great for pretend play and hand–eye coordination, and I love that it’s wooden (no loud clicking sounds in public, thank you!).
👉 Shop the Wooden Hamburger Stacker on Amazon
2. Mini Magnetic Tiles
These were a huge hit! Perfect for building on the airplane tray table or the hotel bed. They come in a small travel case and encourage creativity wherever we go.
👉 Shop Mini Magnetic Tiles on Amazon
3. Dot Sticker Art
If you haven’t discovered the magic of dot stickers yet—this is your sign. I packed a small folder with pages for dot art, and it kept my toddler calm and focused during flights and dinners out.
👉 Shop Dot Sticker Art Set on Amazon
4. Watercolour Books 🎨
Mess-free painting for the win! Just add water and your toddler feels like a real artist. These are reusable, lightweight, and perfect for travel days.
👉 Shop Watercolour Books on Amazon
5. Busy Books
A total lifesaver! I brought a travel-sized busy book filled with zippers, Velcro, and matching activities. It’s perfect for keeping little hands occupied while waiting for food or during downtime.
👉 Shop Busy Book on Amazon
6. Wipe-Clean Workbook ✏️
This one surprised me! My toddler loved tracing letters and shapes over and over again. It’s educational and fun—and you only need one marker that wipes right off.
👉 Shop Wipe-Clean Workbook on Amazon
Final Thoughts
Having a mix of creative, hands-on, and quiet activities made such a difference on our trip. It turned travel time into playtime and gave me a few blissful moments to breathe (and sip my coffee while it was still hot ☕).
Because let’s face it: an entertained toddler = a peaceful vacation.
Just a heads up! Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them — at no extra cost to you! I only share products I truly love and use myself 💛
Till next time loves, Mary!







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