Top travel toys for kids

When buying travel toys for kids, make sure that they are portable, fairly quiet and not messy. Finding a toy with these three prerequisites is easier than you think. Here are our top picks for travel toys:

Pillow Pets

This pillow/stuffed animal hybrid helps you deal with the dilemma of the child who wants to pack both for the trip. The Pillow Pet ($19.99) combines the best of both worlds and comes in adorable shapes like Ms. Lady Bug, Monkey, Panda and Hungry Hippo.

Tiny Love Musical Nature Car Seat Toy

Simply attach the Tiny Love Musical Nature toy to your baby's carseat, stroller or high chair for hours of entertainment that your child will love. Recommended for kids birth – 24 months and priced around $25, this features many engaging activities that are great for baby's development, including baby-activated mirror, parrot rattle, baby-activated propeller and more.

AquaDoodle – Travel Doodle

Markers and colors can get messy -- and you have to worry with your child "accidentally" marking on the car/plane/person sitting next to them. The AquaDoodle ($20) lets your child draw and create with his water-filled doodle pen on the doodle mat.

LeapFrog Leapster Explorer Learning Experience ($59)

This handheld device is recommended for kids ages 4-6 and will keep them busy for hours when traveling. It includes more than 40 educational games and activities!

iPod Touch

For your older child/tween/teen, the iPod Touch is a great travel toy! It is expensive (around $299), but just like your iPhone, you can download apps, games, movies and songs.

Battleship Travel Fun on the Run

If your children love games, the Battleship travel edition ($7.99) will help keep them busy for hours. Recommended for ages 7-9, this game features a self-contained storage desk which is also the game board. You can easily set this up in the car or airplane.

Educo Fun Farm

The Educo Fun Farm toy features a colorful magnetic maze in which you use the attached magnetic pen to move the marble through the maze. It is compact, contained and quiet.

Rubik's Slide

The Rubik's Cube has gone high-tech! The Rubik's Slide features over 10,000 puzzles to rearrange, twist and shift, according to the pattern of the lights. Recommended for ages 8-10, one review said, "Three levels of difficulty and two modes or play make for hours and hours of fun."

Wooden magnetic My First ABC Book

This toy has won multiple awards and is the perfect travel toy for kids age 2 -5. It features 52 removable wooden matching magnets and will keep your child entertained for hours. Plus, it is educational! Wooden Magnetic My First ABC Book is available at GeniusBabies.com for $16.95.

LeapFrog Scribble and Write

This toy is the perfect size for travel! Recommended for kids age 3-5, it allows them to trace letters, shapes and pictures. This toy includes an attached pen so you don't have to worry about it getting lost in the shuffle. Available for $16.99.

Don't count out toys like matchbox cars, books or cards. It is also good to take along at least one of your child's favorite toys.

Find out how to save money on travel toys by checking out our articles on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

>>Tell us: What are your top picks for travel toys?

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Read more about traveling with kids:

• Travel kids for kids: 15 ideas
• Travel with kids: Pack it up!
• Travel with kids: A vacation theme