Flying with toddlers can be quite the adventure, but with a bit of prep and the right activities, it doesn’t have to be a struggle.
Before we jump into our list of 10 go-to plane activities, let’s go over a few key things to help you feel ready and confident for the journey ahead.
Understanding Toddlers on a Plane
When we talk about toddlers, we’re referring to kids aged 1 to 3.
These little ones are full of curiosity and constant energy, making plane rides a bit of a challenge. They’re still developing their motor skills and language, so they need engaging activities to keep them entertained without getting too restless.
Real Reasons to Pack Activities on a Plane
Travelling can be overwhelming for young children, especially when faced with unfamiliar surroundings and long hours in a confined space. Here are some reasons why packing travel-friendly toys and activities is a must:
- Comfort and Security: Familiar activities help ease anxiety and make the plane feel like a more comfortable space.
- Keeping them occupied: Toddlers have short attention spans, so a variety of quiet, mess-free activities can keep them busy and make the flight more enjoyable for everyone.
- Travel activities for the destination: Toys and activities you bring can also be used once you reach your destination, giving your child something fun to look forward to.
A Checklist for Plane-Friendly Activities
Not all toys and activities are created equal when it comes to air travel. Here’s a quick checklist to make sure the activities you choose are plane-friendly:
- Compact & Lightweight: Space is limited on a plane, so smaller, portable toys or materials are ideal.
- Safe for Customs and for using During the Flight: Choose items that are approved for flight. Steer clear of liquids above 100ml or toys with sharp edges or small parts that could be a hazard in-flight – especially during turbulence.
- Mess-Free: No one wants to deal with spilled paint or glitter in a confined space. Opt for toys that are easy to clean up or don’t require cleanup at all. This includes avoiding activities that have multiple small pieces that can easily get lost under the seat or become a tripping hazard.
- Quiet: Be considerate of fellow passengers. Toys that make loud noises or constant sounds are a no-go in such close quarters.
Our Tried and Tested Toddler Activities for a Plane
Now that we’ve covered the essentials, it’s time for the fun part! Here are 10 activities that we’ve found to be toddler-friendly, mess-free, and perfect for air travel:
HeyDoodle Reusable Colouring Mat
Made from food-grade silicone, these engaging doodling mats come in different designs, allowing kids to express their creativity in the form of drawing, doodling, and colouring while also providing them with hours of entertainment. The best part? They’re completely reusable!
Once your toddler is done drawing or colouring them, you can wipe it so they can start again. It’s lightweight, easy to roll up, and tucks perfectly into your carry-on, making it a convenient and clean option for travel. With no crayons rolling under the seat, it’s ideal for a stress-free flight, keeping toddlers busy for hours without the mess.
Tip: Find out what your child’s current obsessions are (ie. animals, space, letters, numbers, fruit) and choose mats with those themes.
Fine Motor Skills Activities
Simple activities like weaving yarn through big loops or playing with lightweight blocks are great for fine motor skills. They’re compact and easy to pack, keeping little hands and minds busy.
Here are a few examples and how to set them up: thread chunky yarn through lacing cards to create colourful patterns, or stack and connect interlocking plastic blocks to build small towers or shapes. Both activities are simple to organise, require minimal pieces, and are perfect for keeping toddlers focused during a long flight.
Portable Puzzle Books
Simple jigsaw or felt puzzles are great for developing minds, giving toddlers a visual and tactile challenge that’s both fun and educational. Compact and easy to handle, these puzzles provide a quiet challenge that’s perfect for keeping toddlers entertained during the flight.
Magnetic puzzles are a great option for travel since the pieces stay securely in place, preventing any lost parts mid-flight while still offering all the fun and developmental benefits of traditional puzzles.
Fidget Toys
Toddlers love the satisfying action of pushing soft silicone bubbles in and out, making fidget toys or poppers a favourite. These toys are small, compact, and great for little hands, providing a quiet, sensory play experience that’s ideal for the confined space of an aeroplane.
Bendable Wax Sticks
These colourful, wax-coated bendable sticks can be twisted and shaped into endless creations, like animals, letters, or fun shapes. They’re perfect for encouraging creativity without any mess. Plus, their flexibility makes them a safe and hassle-free option during travel.
Quiet Scene-Building Books
Interactive fabric books with zippers, Velcro, buttons, and other fun elements captivate toddlers by allowing them to explore, play, and imagine. These quiet books are ideal for flights, offering engaging activities that are entirely silent, ensuring that your little one is entertained without disturbing other passengers.
An alternative is reusable sticker books. These are great for encouraging creativity as toddlers can place and remove stickers over and over, creating new scenes each time, all while staying mess-free and easy to pack for travel.
An Audiobook or Downloaded Podcast
Toddlers enjoy listening to familiar songs or stories, and audiobooks or calming music can help soothe them during takeoff, landing, or when they’re feeling restless. Get a pair of headphones that come with a noise-cancelling setting to help keep the sound contained while protecting their ears from the plane’s noise.
Magnetic Tiles or Blocks
Magnetic toys are a fantastic option. The pieces stick together, so you won’t have to worry about them getting lost under seats. They’re compact, quiet, and great for building and creating.
Reusable Gel Window Clings
Toddlers love placing soft, colourful gel shapes on the plane window and moving them around to create fun designs. Lightweight and mess-free, these window clings stick easily to smooth surfaces like plane windows and tray tables without leaving residue, making them a delightful way to pass the time.
Edible Activities
Creating a cereal necklace is a fun, hands-on activity that doubles as a snack. Threading the cereal pieces onto a string keeps their little hands occupied while providing a tasty and mess-free treat to nibble on during the flight. A mystery snack container is another great option—fill it with a variety of snacks, and let your toddler guess what’s inside each compartment throughout the flight or to reinforce good behaviour.
Conclusion
Flying with toddlers doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With these 10 tried and tested activities, your little one can stay happily occupied throughout the flight, giving you a bit of breathing room.
Whether it’s HeyDoodle’s reusable colouring mats or a soothing audiobook through headphones, these activities are all about keeping your child engaged, entertained, and relaxed—all while being considerate of the passengers around you.
Happy travels!
