10 Travel Puzzles and Games for Kids to Entertain, Starting at $5

My three-year-old daughter is already an experienced traveler and generally enjoys traveling as long as she has a few games to keep her occupied. A happy toddler makes travel go more smoothly, so keeping her entertained while on the road is my top priority – and there are few things that capture her attention better than a travel puzzle or game.

So far we’ve had a variety of different types of puzzle games, and her collection is quite impressive. I prefer magnetic puzzles or pocket puzzles because they are more convenient for tight airplane seats. Puzzle books that she can color in the airport or while sitting in her car seat for a few hours are also helpful. Below, I’ve listed all the travel puzzles and games I always bring with me when I leave home, and they start at just $5.

Mud Puppy I could be a…vet! Magnetic toy set

Paper Dolls is a classic children’s game and I love its modern magnetic take on it. This Mudpuppy magnetic playset comes with two illustrated scenes and three magnets, all housed in a metal tin for easy travel. Kids can dress up their vet friend in different costumes, adding their favorite animals like turtles, cats, goldfish, and more.

These Mudpuppy playsets come in other fun themes to spark your child’s imagination, including scientists, chefs and happy campers.

Highlights Puzzle book, set of 4

Highlights These materials have entertained my children for decades. I read this magazine as a kid and now my daughter has ordered it. These Highlights Educational books are particularly attractive for older children. These pages include search, find and match games, mazes, brainteasers, and fill-in-the-blank questions that will make the people in the back seat laugh if you take them on a road trip.

Melissa & Doug Take Magnetic Puzzles With You Everywhere

Magnetic puzzles like this one are a great option for bumpy car trips or flights because all the pieces stay in one place on the board. Both pages of Melissa & Doug’s Take-A-Go Magnetic Puzzle are magnetic, so they don’t have to worry about losing any pieces while putting it together. The skateboard even comes with handles so little ones can take it with them on their adventures.

Mud Puppy Puzzle Go

If you’re going on a road trip or staying at a hotel where you know you’ll have more room, take this 36-piece Mudpuppy jigsaw puzzle with you. Puzzle measures 12 x 9 inches and fits comfortably on an airplane tray. This is a great activity to have in your back pocket if you ever get the dreaded rainy day on vacation.

Mud Puppy Bag Puzzle

If you want a smaller, travel-friendly puzzle, choose this one, which comes in a zipper bag that holds all 12 pieces. This Mudpuppy children’s puzzle is perfect for plane or train travel where you’ll be sitting in it for a long time. Plus, it can entertain you once you reach your destination.

Cupkin Animal Sticker Book

This sticker book contains 500 animal stickers and blank landscape pages that children can stick animals on to create their own wildlife scenes. The spiral design is particularly attractive because it’s easy for little hands to open it and remove the sticker. On the other hand, books with bound spines are stiff and difficult for young children to open on their own.

As a bonus, this animal sticker book contains 12 coloring pages, giving kids something else to do after they’re done with the stickers.

Melissa and Doug drink water on the go! activity mat

We have at least four Melissa & Doug water activity mats; I always have one in my bag whenever we travel. The pads come in a variety of themes, such as fairy tales and vehicles, and contain four pages each.

My kids love seeing the bright colors pop up on the page, and I love that it provides a way to mess around with drawing anywhere (at a restaurant, an Airbnb, or in the backseat of a car). Once the water dries and the color fades, kids can repeat drawing on the page, making this one of the best travel toys.

Anpole popular puzzle game

This educational game is a combination of an educational game and a fidget toy. Bubbles light up in different patterns, and players must recreate these patterns. This game is easy for kids to understand, compact enough to fit into almost any travel bag, and the fluffy bubbles are satisfying when they pop. Flashing lights always seem to grab the attention of little ones, and I love that this puzzle game incorporates this feature without a screen.

Amazon currently has it 63% off, selling it for less than $10.

Mud Puppy Magnetic Board Game

Older children may show an interest in board games, and this game is a great choice for travel because the board folds into a neat square. Plus, all small parts are magnetized directly to the board. The vibrant ocean theme can accommodate up to 6 players, making it a practical choice for a family holiday, or one you can reuse at home on game night.

Haba magnetic maze puzzle

My kids love the Haba Magnetic Maze Puzzle, which requires kids to use the included magnetic wand to put beads into different buckets. All small parts are located behind a plastic barrier, so they’re convenient for car seats or plane travel (and don’t pose a choking hazard). The square shape fits seamlessly into my handbag or my toddler’s travel backpack for on-the-go entertainment.

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