TSA says these common children's toys may not be allowed on planes

Traveling with small children on a plane can be a major source of concern for parents.

Of course, it’s essential to take kids on vacations to make family memories, or even just to see grandma and grandpa. But having kids on a plane, in tight quarters, with impatient fellow passengers and no ability to run around and play, isn’t anyone’s favorite activity.

💵💰Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter 💰💵

Flying can also be a stressful experience for kids, especially if it’s their first time on an airplane or if they tend to be anxious about things like crowds or sitting still for long periods. Because of this stress, and to help children feel better about the journey, many parents allow their children to bring favored items on the plane.

Before bringing along your child’s beloved toys, though, it’s very important to understand the TSA rules, as the last thing you want is to have a precious item confiscated.

As a result of security restrictions, parents must be aware that certain kinds of toys will not be allowed in carry-ons.

Will the TSA take your kid's toy?

Image source: Van Buren/Albany Times Union via Getty Images

TSA may not allow you to bring this kind of child’s toy

According to a recent local news report on WFSB, a family tried to fly recently with a common child’s toy, but unfortunately, a problem arose.

The item was a stuffed dog that belonged to a six-year-old flyer who considered it his favorite toy. But despite the fact that the TSA website says that stuffed animals are permitted, Petey was not able to come onto the flight with the family.

This was an especially big issue because the item was a calming toy, and the child the dog belonged to had autism.

WFSB launched an investigation to find out why the stuffed toy was taken, and the problem was that the toy was a weighted one. This means it was filled with glass beads.

Unfortunately, numerous other passengers have also had trouble bringing weighted stuffed animals aboard flights.

One TikToker shared a similar experience with a weighted dinosaur that raised concerns at security. While that stuffed animal was eventually allowed to fly, over 1,000 people commenting on the TikTok post reported having different experiences, including their animals being confiscated and thrown away or their weighted stuffed animals being cut open to see what was inside.

Here is the TSA’s position on weighted stuffed animals

To resolve the confusion, WFSB reached out to the TSA, but there were unfortunately still no clear answers. The problem is that weighted stuffed animals can have different kinds of weights inside, including metal bearings, lead, and osmium.

In some cases, the materials can trigger security concerns, or the items can be flagged for explosive trace detection, which could mean that agents need to see what is inside them. That would mean cutting open the toys.

Since no one wants to have to leave their kids’ beloved stuffed animal behind or have it cut open, the best thing to do is follow the advice of the TSA spokesperson, who suggested that passengers consider putting these devices into checked bags where they won’t trigger concerns and potentially risk destruction.

Parents who are uncertain about what kinds of toys their kids can bring aboard can reach out to TSA directly for more info by texting “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872). Unfortunately, if the question is about a weighted stuffed animal, the answer is likely going to be “it depends,” just as the TSA spokesperson told reporters.