🔋 Battery-operated toys

The toy itself is fine in carry-on or checked baggage. If you have loose spare lithium batteries packed in checked luggage, however, screeners or bag handlers may flag them — spare lithium batteries are restricted to carry-on only. The batteries will need to be retrieved and brought into the cabin, or left behind.

The rule that spare lithium batteries must travel in carry-on is consistent across the US, EU, UK, Australia, Canada, and most other major aviation regions — it comes from international ICAO guidance. Where regions differ is in the watt-hour or milliamp-hour thresholds for larger battery packs, but AA and AAA alkaline batteries in toys are unrestricted everywhere.

This is occasionally done with electronic devices in some countries as a security check, though it is rare for toys specifically. If asked, simply switch the toy on to demonstrate it functions normally. Removing batteries before travel can actually prompt more questions, so it is easier to leave them in.

Switch the toy off or remove the batteries before boarding — accidental activation in an overhead bin can startle crew and passengers. If the toy has a travel lock or an on/off switch, use it. Pack spare lithium batteries in your carry-on in their original packaging or in a small battery case to prevent short circuits.