After 54+ flights with kids, I’ve tested a LOT of “travel toys,” and in this kickoff to my 2026 Best and Worst Series, I’m sharing what actually earns a spot in my carry-on (and what’s a total nope). I’m talking real-life, in-the-seat, on-the-go activities that keep little hands busy without turning your trip into a chaotic mess—because if you’re headed to Disney (or anywhere), the travel day sets the tone for the whole vacation. In this video, I walk through my favorite categories for stress-free flying: suction toys that stick to windows and trays, mess-free coloring and painting options, magnetic sets that don’t instantly explode all over the floor, and a few “parent sanity savers” like airplane trays and an LCD writing tablet. I also share what I’ve learned about storage—mesh pouches and bins make a huge difference when you’re trying to rotate activities without digging through a black hole of toys. My big takeaway: the best travel toys are compact, reusable, low-mess, and easy to pack—and the “worst” are usually the ones with too many pieces, too much mess, or not enough replay value.