Baby Travel Activities (12-24 months)

I have to preface that the most challenging time to travel with children is when they are 12-24 months. Is it doable? Absolutely! And I love seeing the world through their eyes. I also find that my kids became much more flexible and adaptable when I had them travel as young children.

I don’t want to carry a heavy bag of entertaining activities, so I try to stick with more lightweight items that give me the most bang for my buck; meaning I can create several activities with one item. Kids are also able to be more creative and imaginative with fewer items, as they have to make use with what they have, whether that’s on the plane/train/car, in a hotel room, a home we’ve rented, etc. When traveling with a baby, I also think about how many different things I can do with this one item to keep baby sitting on my lap for an extended period of time.

But before I dive into some of my favorite baby toy travel items, I want to talk about travel food. Snacks are key and I try to pack a variety while still being healthy. I bring a Yeti cooler with me to bring these items and then use it again to reload with food on the way back from our trip or to bring back extra breastmilk. The Yeti ice packs last a long time so I stick with those over other generic ones. I also bring my Bapron bib for easier clean up. Here are some favorite snacks:

1. Berries. I find blueberries are the least messy.

2. Dutch pancakes 

3. Cucumber sticks 

4. Guacamole with lime slice on top

5. Hummus 

6. Veggie loaded muffins 

7. Once Upon a Farm veggie/fruit pouches

Now, as requested, here are some favorite travel activities and toys for this age. I like to observe what they do with an item and not show them “how” to use it. If an item comes in a reusable bag, keep it! I love using the bags toys come in; dumping the items out and putting them back in the bag again makes for a great activity.

Some of the items below still need to be carefully monitored so always watch your baby playing with them.  

Items available on Amazon: 

• Wallet with cards to pull out (It is no longer available on Amazon, can be found here).  I have not tried this wallet but it could be an option.

• Big fat brain silicone toys 

• A few favorite books as they love repetition

• Stainless steel fidget toy 

• Rapsrk Busy Cube 

• Sarah’s Silks scarf to play peek a boo and make puppet animals 

Items available on Etsy and small shops 

• Cats Crafts Toys Montessori Fine Motor Activity Matchstick Color Drop 

• Mama May I Peekaboo Acorn Play Set

Items available on Palumba 

• Nesting bowls- I love these because they are lightweight and easy to fold

• Knitted finger puppets