How do sensory toys help children on the spectrum? According to Autism Speaks, sensory toys are beneficial to children on the spectrum by “helping them engage with their senses, provide feedback to their sensory systems, and regulate their sensory needs.” Below we’ve listed the best sensory toys for travel so that everyone in your family can have a comfortable and fun experience, whether on the road or on a plane.
Don’t be deceived by these being recommended for children on the spectrum. Most kids, on the spectrum or not, will enjoy playing with these toys while traveling!
1. Hoberman Mini Sphere
The Hoberman Mini Sphere is the “magically expanding” sphere that kids will love opening and closing. Per the KGH Autism Services, “the rainbow of colors expanding and contracting can be visually stimulating.” The original Hoberman sphere expands to 30” in diameter, whereas the Mini Sphere expands to just 12” in diameter, making it one of the best sensory toys for travel.
- Ages: 3 years+
- Dimensions: 6.25”D x 6.25”W x 5.8”H
- Batteries: None
2. Friendly Cuddle Weighted Lap Pad
The Friendly Cuddle Weighted Lap Pad is the perfect companion (named “Charlie”) for road trips or flights. Unlike most lap pads that resemble a blanket, this lap pad is inviting and warm as it resembles a child’s favorite stuffed animal or pet. Five pounds of weight is evenly distributed among 12 sections of Charlie’s body. Microbeads within Charlie provide a soft and cuddly feel without giving off any unnecessary odors. Dirty? You can throw this lap pad into your washing machine easily and safely. As lap pads go, this is the best sensory toy for travel.
- Ages: Does not specify
- Dimensions: 21”L x 21”W
- Batteries: None
3. Rainmaker Mini Rainstick
If a noisy toy is okay with you (and the other passengers), then the Rainmaker Mini Rainstick can be a relaxing sensory toy for travel as it resembles the sound of rain when the beads fall from one end to the other end. The Rainmaker produces different sounds depending on if you turn it, roll it, or shake it. In addition, a variety of colors make it a fun toy to look at.
- Ages: Does not specify
- Dimensions: 2 x 2 x 8 inches
- Batteries: None
4. Liquid Motion Bubbler
The Liquid Motion Bubbler is one of the best sensory toys for its calming visual entertainment. And great for caretakers as it’s silent! Bubbles drop like rain from the top of the bubbler to the bottom. Then kids can flip it for more bubbler fun. These are great toys for travel because they’re easy to transport, easy to hold, and relaxing to watch. Each Liquid Motion Bubbler features 2 colors.
- Ages: 3 years+
- Dimensions: 5.79 x 2.6 x 1.46 inches
- Batteries: None
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- Best Travel Toys for Babies & Kids
- What to Pack When Traveling with Kids: Road Trip Edition
- Best Cleaning Toys for Toddlers
- 11 Tips for Traveling with Grandchildren
5. Textured Silly Stretchy Strings
These Textured Silly Stretchy Strings each have a different texture to them, making them one of the best sensory toys for travel. They are easy to throw in a bag and carry around. Children will enjoy feeling each string and each unique texture. They are also fun to stretch and are easy to clean if the strings get dirty.
- Ages: 3 years+
- Dimensions: 11.97 x 5.16 x 0.87 inches
- Batteries: None
6. LCD Writing Tablet
The LCD Writing Tablet keeps kids busy in the car or on the plane as they draw colorful pictures. With the LCD screen, children are able to see what they’re drawing without glare or risk of hurting their eyes. By pushing the bottom button, the entire screen can be cleared. The pen is attached to the tablet, so there are no worries about losing it.
- Ages: 3 years+
- Dimensions: 9.69 x 6.5 x 0.75 inches
- Batteries: Yes (included)
7. Sensory Water Beads Toy
This 6-pack of Sensory Water Beads is fun and an odorless toy that can easily be packed in a bag for travel. Each pack is a different shape from the others and includes water beads within them that are fun for kids to push and squeeze around. They can be used to help calm kids down, making the water beads toy one of the best sensory toys for travel.
- Ages: 3 months+
- Dimensions: 5.31 x 5.16 x 2.32 inches
- Batteries: None
8. Pop It Fidget Toy
This 4-pack of Pop It Fidget Toys is one of the best sensory toys for travel because they are fairly silent and easy to hold. Children can push (or pop) each of the “bubbles” on one side, flip it over, and pop it again. The non-BPA silicone material is soft on hands and relaxing to touch. Kids can pop the bubbles at random, by color, by row, etc.
- Ages: 3 years+
- Dimensions: 5 x 5 x 0.7 inches
- Batteries: None
9. Fidget Spinner
The Fidget Spinner is a classic sensory toy among children and one of our list’s most portable sensory toys. These spinners can easily fit into a pant or jacket pocket, making them one of the best sensory toys for travel. Children can hold the middle circle with one hand and spin the toy with their other hand for relaxing enjoyment.
- Ages: 3 years+
- Dimensions: 2.95 x 2.95 x 0.05 inches
- Batteries: None
10. CuberSpeed Rainbow Ball
Similar to a Rubik’s Cube, the CuberSpeed Rainbow Ball is a puzzle where the goal is to match colored balls with their colored holes. The CuberSpeed features 12 holes and 11 balls inside the larger ball. Children can push the balls around in order to match them up with their colored holes and complete the puzzle. This is one of the best sensory toys for travel because it works the brain, is relaxing, and is easy to transport.
- Ages: 3-8 years
- Dimensions: 11.81 x 5.91 x 7.87 inches
- Batteries: None
Thankfully, there are many sensory toys available that are portable and great for travel. If you and or your child are sensitive to noise, avoid the Rainmaker and maybe even the Pop It for a better experience. From lap weights to puzzles, to toys that are visually entertaining, hopefully, you now have a great idea of what toys to bring along with you on your next trip!
What is your child’s favorite sensory toy? Share with us below!
Morgan French is a wife, mom of two, writer & editor. After traveling for 3 years with her family, she now lives back in her hometown of Dayton, OH. She makes frequent stops for coffee, enjoys the outdoors, and loves board games.
We can’t even think about going anywhere via plane unless we have the pop it toy or the drawing tablet. We keep them only for plane rides and my son loves when he gets to play with them again. I’m going to look into the weighted lap pad, I’d never seen that before! Thank you
My little Hanna can’t travel without her beloved stuffed animal haha, she is so cute that I can’t say no to her on all her trips.