Travelling with a toddler is always an adventure.

The bags somehow fill up faster than expected, snacks disappear before you've even left home and every journey comes with a few surprises along the way. Whether you're heading off for a weekend away or a much-anticipated family holiday, having a few favourite toys close by can make the day feel calmer for everyone.

The best travel toys don't just keep little hands busy. They bring comfort, spark imagination and help children feel at home wherever the journey takes them.

What makes a great travel toy?

When space is limited, every toy earns its place in the bag.

Here are a few things worth looking for:

• Small and easy to carry. Lightweight companions are easy to tuck into a backpack or carry from one adventure to the next.

• Simple to pack. Toys without lots of loose pieces are easier to keep track of on busy travel days.

• Open-ended. The more ways children can play, the longer the adventure lasts.

• Familiar and comforting. A well-loved companion can make unfamiliar places feel that little bit more reassuring.

1. A familiar companion

A favourite companion is often the first thing little ones reach for when they're away from home.

Whether they're watching the clouds from the plane window, joining in for a café stop or snuggling up for a nap in the car, having a trusted friend nearby can bring comfort throughout the journey.

The companions children already know and love often become part of the adventure itself, sharing every new place right alongside them.

2. Little characters with big imaginations

Pocket-sized companions are perfect for travelling.

They fit neatly into small bags, are easy to carry from place to place and can become whoever your child needs them to be. One minute they're exploring a rainforest, the next they're enjoying an in-flight picnic or helping to spot boats from the ferry.

Characters with their own names and personalities give children even more inspiration for the stories they create along the way.

3. Favourite board books

A familiar story can be wonderfully calming during a busy day of travelling.

Sharing a favourite book while waiting to board, during a train journey or before a holiday nap creates a quiet moment together, wherever you are.

Choosing books your little one already knows and loves often makes story time even more comforting.

4. Reusable sticker books

Sticker books are a travel favourite for good reason.

Reusable stickers can be peeled away, rearranged and turned into brand-new scenes again and again. They're easy to pack, simple to use and offer plenty of opportunities for creative play throughout the journey.

5. A colouring book

A small colouring pad and a handful of chunky crayons are always handy to have nearby.

Whether your child is drawing holiday adventures, favourite animals or colourful new worlds, colouring offers another quiet activity that's easy to enjoy almost anywhere.

You might even come home with a few holiday masterpieces to keep.

A few things you can leave at home

Packing light often makes travelling that little bit easier.

Large toys, activities with lots of loose pieces or anything that's tricky to carry can quickly become more work than fun. Choosing a few familiar favourites usually gives children plenty to enjoy without filling every corner of your bag.

A handful of well-loved companions often goes much further than a suitcase full of toys.

Adventures travel well with Dinkum World

Every friend in Dinkum World arrives with their own name, personality and little story, ready to become part of yours.

From first flights and family road trips to train journeys and holidays by the sea, they're always ready to come along for the adventure. Every cuddle, every new place and every make-believe moment adds another chapter to a story that's completely your own.

Touch the rainbow over your Dinkum's heart, close your eyes and imagine where your next adventure will take you.

Meet your new little companion and discover a world of play.