Weighted Stuffed Toys Banned from U.S. Carry-On Luggage Says TSA

The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced new restrictions on carry-on baggage that may affect how families pack — and how toys are designed.

Effective June 30, 2025, weighted stuffed animals are no longer allowed in carry-on luggage on all flights entering, leaving, or connecting through the United States. These toys, often filled with glass beads or metal pellets to provide calming sensory input, are now classified as security risks due to their density and internal composition. According to TSA screening protocols, dense materials can obscure potential threats or be mistaken for concealed items during X-ray scans.

What’s Now Prohibited in Carry-Ons

• Weighted stuffed animals, including plush toys containing heavy internal filling

• These may still be packed in checked baggage, though they remain subject to inspection by airport security

Toy Weapons Still Not Permitted

TSA continues to prohibit toy weapons in carry-on luggage, including toy guns, foam dart blasters, bubble guns, and props that resemble firearms or blades. This has been a longstanding restriction and remains in effect. Parents are strongly encouraged to check the latest TSA guidelines before travel to ensure all items packed in carry-ons meet current security requirements.

Guidance for Traveling Families

For parents flying to the U.S. with children, this new policy means adjusting what goes into cabin bags. Children often form strong emotional attachments to specific toys, especially comfort items that play a role in travel routines, sleep, or sensory regulation.

Without their familiar plush toy onboard, some children — particularly those with sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or developmental needs — may experience distress or discomfort during flights. To ensure a smoother travel experience, parents are encouraged to:

• Avoid packing weighted stuffed toys in carry-on luggage

• Introduce an alternative comfort toy prior to departure

• Bring travel-friendly distractions such as books, fiber-filled plush toys, headphones, or coloring kits

• Review airline and TSA baggage guidelines ahead of time

Is It Time to Develop TSA-Safe Toys?

As families grow more mindful of what can be packed for air travel, is it time for the toy industry to consider designing TSA-friendly products? The restriction on weighted plush toys may signal a broader need for travel-ready comfort toys — lightweight, compliant, and clearly labeled. Whether that leads to design adaptations or even the creation of a TSA-safe certification standard, this development opens a new chapter worth watching.