20 Toddler Airplane Activities: Keep Your Little Tornado Busy (and Save Your Sanity at 30,000 Feet!)
Flying with young kids can feel like an epic adventure—or a battle you never signed up for, especially in a confined space ! We’ve all sat there, wondering how we’re going to keep our little ones happy and busy for hours in a cramped airplane seat.
We’ve rounded up helpful tips that are simple, fun, and fuss-free to keep those tiny hands and curious minds occupied, so we can keep our kids entertained and survive the flight with at least a shred of sanity left.
Let’s be honest, calm flights with toddlers don’t just happen by accident. With a few clever ideas and some planning, we can actually enjoy the journey—or at least keep meltdowns to a dull roar.
Here are our favorite tried-and-true activities to turn that long plane ride into something a little less chaotic and a lot more giggly.
1) Water Wow coloring books for zero mess magic
Let’s talk about the mighty Water Wow coloring books, which can be a special treat during flight ! These things are hands-down one of our favorite ways to sneak in some quiet fun on a plane.
No crayons, no markers, and—wait for it—no mess in your purse or on the seats. Just fill up the little water “pen,” and suddenly your toddler is an instant artist.
These books are basically coloring pages with a twist. When our little ones brush the water pen across the page, colors magically appear like a mini rainbow party.
The best part? The pages dry and reset, so it’s endless coloring fun with zero cleanup. They’re perfect for airplane travel because they don’t spill or stain anything.
Plus, they’re compact, easy to pack, and can keep our toddlers busy for way longer than actual markers ever could. Some parents notice the pages can scratch if used too roughly when wet, but honestly, we’re just thrilled anything holds their attention for more than five minutes.
Check out more details on Water Wow coloring books and see if your next flight gets a little more magical along with favorite movies .
2) Dollar Store sticker books that buy you quiet time
Can we just talk about the magic of Dollar Store sticker books? Seriously, these little booklets are like the superhero of travel toys.
We love how cheap and easy they are to grab last minute—you don’t have to stress if they get lost or torn up. It’s stress-free parenting, which is exactly our vibe.
Our 2 year old toddlers go wild for stickers and will stick them on every page…and sometimes on themselves. We’re talking about actual quiet time up in the sky.
Sometimes, they’ll peel and stick for ages, which means we might get to sip some coffee and pretend we’re on vacation too. The options are endless—animal stickers, trucks, fairies, whatever you find at the Dollar Store.
We saw a mom recommend this sticker magic on a recent travel list, and we’re 100% convinced. If you haven’t tried sticker books for your next flight, you’re missing out.
Plus, they hardly take up any room in our bag, so there’s really no downside.
3) Melissa & Doug wooden lacing cards for fine motor fun
Let’s talk about a mom fave: Melissa & Doug wooden lacing cards. These are our go-to when we need our toddlers busy and at least a little quiet (no promises, but hey, we can dream).
The bright colors grab our kids’ attention, and the chunky wooden pieces are easy for little hands to hold. We love how these cards sneak in some learning without our kids even noticing.
Lacing helps boost those fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, which is basically parent code for “maybe they’ll learn to zip up their own jackets soon.”
The best part? They’re pretty much mess-free and super portable, making them awesome for airplanes. Just toss them in your carry-on and boom—instant toddler activity.
If you want to see more details or snag a pack, check them out at Melissa & Doug Alphabet Wooden Lacing Cards. We also love that there are enough cards to pass around if you’re traveling with siblings.
Sharing is caring (and sometimes also surviving, let’s be real)!
4) Magnetic puzzles that snap and click
Magnetic puzzles are a total lifesaver for us on air travel with our toddlers. They’re bright, fun, and make that super satisfying snap when the pieces click together.
We love anything that keeps tiny hands busy, and these do the trick without taking up much space. Plus, we don’t have to worry about pieces flying everywhere.
Magnetic puzzles stick right to the board or case, so we’re not crawling down airplane aisles looking for lost pieces. There are so many cute options out there—farm animals, vehicles, even simple shape puzzles.
Most come in travel-friendly tins that actually fit in our carry-ons (thank goodness). Some brands even design their magnetic puzzles for travel, so they’re basically made for plane adventures.
Our toddlers think they’re just playing, but secretly, they’re working on coordination and problem-solving too. That’s a parenting high-five right there.
5) Animal-shaped biscuits snack break (yum!)
Let’s be real, snacks keep us all sane on flights—especially our wild toddlers. Animal-shaped biscuits are a total win because they’re cute, easy to eat (less mess on our leggings!), and double as mini toys.
We love chatting about what animal our kiddo picked before the next bite disappears. Sometimes we even make up goofy animal sounds—yes, the other passengers probably think we’re a little extra, but anything for five quiet minutes, right?
These little snacks travel well, don’t melt everywhere, and come in tons of flavors. We like to stash a pack so there’s always a backup.
If you want to make snack time even more fun, especially if facing jet lag use them for a quick guessing game: “Can you find the lion?” For more ideas like this, check out how others survived long flights with animal shaped biscuits.
6) Highlights activity books for classic kid fun
We all know Highlights activity books are pretty much instant nostalgia, right? These books are stuffed with puzzles, mazes, and silly jokes—perfect for keeping busy little hands and brains occupied at 30,000 feet.
They’re just the right size to toss in our carry-on and pull out whenever our toddler decides the seatbelt sign means it’s time for gymnastics. Plus, they’re screen-free, which is honestly a win for our parenting egos.
Highlights offers a bunch of plane activities in kids’ activity books that mix in fun and learning without any mess. We love seeing our toddlers’ faces when they find the hidden pictures or solve a matching game all by themselves.
Need more options? There are travel-friendly ones from the Fun to Go series, so we can basically level up our travel game and maybe avoid a meltdown—or at least delay it till snack time.
7) Portable DVD player stocked with fave shows
Let’s be totally real—sometimes screen time is just what we need to survive a flight with a toddler. That’s why we love packing a portable DVD player and loading it up with our little one’s top picks.
No internet? No problem. The movies and shows are all right there.
A portable DVD player is old school, but in the best way. We don’t have to worry about connection issues or battery-hogging apps.
There are options with a swivel screen so our kiddo can watch from any angle, and some even come with a remote—they feel like little bosses! Portable players also tend to have a longer battery life, which helps us avoid meltdowns at 32,000 feet.
If you want more info or ideas about packing for hand luggage , check out this portable DVD player for kids. Let’s be honest—we all get tired of repeating the same songs and shows on our own devices.
With their own player, toddlers feel so grown up, and we get to enjoy a few minutes of peace. That’s what we call a win-win!
8) QTips in a sealed spice jar for funky craft time
Okay, moms and dads, this one’s pure magic for plane rides. We grab an empty spice jar with a tight lid and toss in a handful of Q-Tips.
The goal? Our toddler gets to poke Q-Tips through those tiny holes, one by one, and we get a few minutes where nobody’s flinging snacks down the aisle.
It sounds simple, but honestly, it keeps little hands busy for way longer than you’d expect. We’re talking fine motor skills and focus, all while stuck in seat 18B.
This activity is easy to pack and makes barely any noise. Plus, you don’t need Wi-Fi—major travel win!
If we want a little extra hype, we call it “toddler craft time” and pretend the Q-Tips are secret agent gadgets.
For more ideas like this, check out the Q-Tip posting game and other clever hacks from fellow parents.
9) Yoto Player for screen-lite storytelling
Let’s talk about our new BFF for toddler travel—the Yoto Player. This little gadget is magic for airplane rides because it plays stories, music, and even bedtime sounds.
No screens, no fight over tablets, just fun listening! All we do is pop in a Yoto card, and our littles pick what they want to hear.
They feel so grown-up flipping through their own “audio library.” So fancy, right?
It’s easy for tiny hands to use, and it doesn’t blast at full volume (our seatmates say thank you). Flying somewhere? The Yoto Mini makes the perfect travel buddy for our kids.
It keeps them happy in their seats, giving us a tiny break—which, let’s be honest, we totally need. And we don’t even have to worry about them zoning out on screens the whole flight!
Not sure if it’s worth it? We’ve seen plenty of parents swear by the Yoto for long hauls and even short hops.
It gives us a screen-lite activity that feels special and calming.
10) Blue painter’s tape for customizable airplane roads
Our secret weapon for fun on a flight? Blue painter’s tape! Seriously, we never board without it now.
It’s cheap, light, and takes up almost zero space. We just tear off strips and make instant roads or tracks right on the tray table.
Grab a few toy cars or even use your toddler’s snack crackers as “vehicles”—anything goes! The best part? The tape peels off cleanly and won’t leave sticky gunk behind.
We’ve used it as part of our travel hacks to make shapes, hopscotch squares, or little “runways” for toy planes. Kids can decorate, pretend, and create endless games.
It’s wild how much creativity painter’s tape brings out! Other moms and dads totally rave about this hack on social media, too.
If you want more ideas, check out why painter’s tape is the new must-have travel toy for kids on flights.
Let’s be honest—anything that buys us some quiet snack time deserves a spot in the carry-on.
11) Airport scavenger hunt printable to burn energy
You know those long waits at the gate when our kids start climbing the seats? That’s when it’s crucial to pack snacks. Let’s turn that wild energy into a game with an airport scavenger hunt printable.
It’s so easy—just print it out before the trip and you’re ready. We can hand our toddlers the sheet and suddenly, the airport is full of adventures.
They’ll be searching for signs, uniforms, rolling suitcases, and so much more. It gives them something to focus on (and keeps us from losing our minds).
If you want a jump-start, you can grab a free airport scavenger hunt from sites like Pinterest or Twinkl.
Super low prep, but major fun points. We love that it helps burn off some of that wiggly energy.
When our toddlers get to “find” something on their list, we get to celebrate those little wins right along with them.
12) Dot stickers to decorate everything in sight
Dot stickers are basically magic on a plane. We give our toddlers a sheet (or two… or five), and suddenly, the tray table transforms into a work of art.
Dot stickers go on arms, water bottles, favorite toys—honestly, nothing’s safe, and we’re not even mad about it. We love how these little stickers keep those hands busy.
No mess, no stress, and zero chance of a crayon meltdown, just lots of opportunities for simple games . All we have to do is peel and stick.
Even if someone covers their whole face in dots, it could be worse, right? The best part? Kids start making patterns, sorting colors, and decorating their coloring pages with zero direction from us.
If you want extra fun options, there are even vintage plane sticker packs that add a travel vibe.
Next time we’re packing, you better believe we’re grabbing a fresh pack of dot stickers. They weigh almost nothing and save SO much sanity.
13) Amazon Kids Fire tablet loaded with games
Can we just agree that the Amazon Kids Fire tablet is a total game-changer for flying with toddlers? We can load that thing up with age-appropriate games, puzzles, and videos.
Our little ones stay busy tapping, swiping, and laughing, while we, you know, try to drink our coffee while it’s actually hot. The Fire tablet has built-in parental controls.
No more surprise in-app purchases or random videos popping up out of nowhere. We can hand over the tablet and know that our toddlers are playing safely.
There are tons of cute apps like Sago Mini games and Toca Boca World that are total toddler magnets (check out some favorites).
If we’re Prime members, we can sometimes score a good deal on Amazon Fire HD Kids Edition tablets.
Honestly, anything that buys us a few moments of peace on long haul flights is a total win in our book!
14) Belkin wireless headphones so no ears get mad
We all know toddlers and headphones have a love-hate relationship. They either rock them like mini DJs or instantly declare war on anything that touches their ears.
That’s why we like to pack Belkin wireless headphones for kids for flights. These headphones are actually made for tiny noggins, so the fit isn’t too tight or dangly.
They’ve got a volume cap, so we don’t need to worry about little ears getting blasted. Plus, there’s no annoying wire for our wild ones to yank or tangle up.
Long battery life means fewer meltdowns when Paw Patrol is suddenly silent. These things can last over 30 hours on one charge.
If you’ve ever tried to wrangle a headphone-hating toddler, we feel you, and it’s a great idea to find the right pair . Sometimes all it takes is the right pair—so everyone’s ears win.
15) Play dough in travel-size tubs (tiny squish joy)
Let’s talk about travel-size play dough! These little tubs are pure gold when we’re trying to keep our toddlers busy on a plane.
They fit right into your carry-on, and honestly, they’re way less messy than you might think—especially if we stick to a tray table. We can roll, squish, and mold together, and somehow those tiny hands never seem to get bored.
It’s wild how long they’ll poke at one blob of dough. Lots of parents swear by adding in a few mini plastic animals, cars, or random little toys so the dough adventures never get old.
Some people even make a little guessing game with hidden objects for extra giggles—totally inspired by what we saw in this clever video.
Travel kits with play dough are super easy to DIY if we’re feeling crafty. Or we can buy ones that are ready to pack—we call that a mom win!
Play dough is honestly such a simple joy for kids and us alike.
16) LCD writing tablet for doodling on the go
Okay, let’s talk about how much we love an LCD writing tablet for toddlers on their first flight. These little boards are basically magic for travel days!
Our kids get a fun spot to doodle or write over and over. Plus, we’re blessed with a mess-free zone—no markers or crayons rolling under seats or getting lost.
The screens are easy on the eyes, with no glare or weird radiation. I don’t stress about them using it for a while.
They can draw with the stylus, their fingers, or whatever random thing they dig out of the seat pocket. If your kiddo loves rainbows, some boards reveal colors as they scribble—honestly, it’s kind of mesmerizing.
Need to erase? Just tap a button, and bam—blank slate.
We’re all about activities that actually keep little hands busy without any prep or big clean-ups. It even fits in our carry-on, which makes us want to high-five ourselves every time we pack.
17) A backpack they can carry for a lil’ independence
Toddlers love to do things “all by myself.” Giving them their own little backpack to carry on the plane is a tiny step toward big kid status.
Packing some favorite toys, a lovey, or a surprise snack in their very own bag? Game changer.
Suddenly, they’re the boss of their stuff, and we get a minute to breathe. Win-win!
We can load up the backpack with simple things like stickers, a small activity book, or a crayon set we know will keep their little hands busy for a while.
Let them pick which stuffies or books they want to bring, and you might even avoid a meltdown at 30,000 feet.
The best part? When they’re walking through the airport doing their “big kid” strut, we get to catch that proud smile—major heart melt.
If you want ideas, check out a few kid-sized backpack options that are not only cute but actually comfy for little shoulders.
18) Matching card games for brain flex
Ever notice when toddlers hit a wall of energy and need a brain boost? That’s when matching card games swoop in and save our sanity.
We just pull out a cute set, deal the cards, and let our kiddos go wild hunting for pairs. These games are the perfect mix of learning and giggles.
Toddlers practice memory, focus, and even a little bit of patience—all while having a blast. The cards are small and easy to tuck into a carry-on, so they’re perfect for flights.
We’re huge fans of printable or travel versions you don’t mind losing under a tray table. If you need ideas, there’s even a free airplane memory matching game printable that makes last-minute packing a little less stressful.
Honestly, it’s so fun watching our littles celebrate every match like they just won the lottery. We can play along, bond, and laugh together. That tray table has never looked so exciting!
19) Animal and car toys, the timeless distractors
Let’s be real, we all have a secret stash of tiny cars and animals somewhere. These little toys are basically magic on an airplane.
When everything else starts to fall apart, those familiar wheels and paws can hold our toddlers’ attention like nothing else. We like to hide a few toy animals or cars in our carry-on and only bring them out when the rest of our tricks stop working.
Sometimes we even make it a game, like pulling them out of paper bags for extra excitement. It’s such a simple way to surprise them, but it really works.
These little toys don’t take up much space and don’t make loud noises. Nobody is side-eyeing us because our kid is pretending to drive a zebra up the seat.
For even more fun, we grab some press-and-go car toys that don’t need batteries. They offer hands-on play without hassle.
If we ever find ourselves desperate for backup, you can get more ideas on using small figures on planes at Family Trip Guides.
20) Printable flashcards for sneaky learning
Who says learning can’t be fun on first class, especially for a mom traveling with toddler ? Let’s sneak in some knowledge with printable flashcards!
We can print out sets for ABCs, animals, shapes, or even colors and keep those busy toddler brains working while we cruise at 30,000 feet. Flashcards don’t take up much space at all.
We toss them in a zip bag, our purse, or even a seat-back pocket. No mess, no fuss, just easy-peasy learning on the go.
There are loads of cute and free airplane flashcards for kids and other printable activities online. We can choose everything from matching games to fun vocab practice.
And if we drop a card or two during our trip , no worries. That’s just bonus exercise for us as we play pick-up from the aisle!
Why Airplane Activities Matter for Toddlers
Long flights with toddlers and car trips bring a special kind of chaos to parenting. Our little ones don’t get the luxury of roaming free or burning off energy, so we need a survival strategy packed with fun, snacks, and zero regret.
Traveling with Tiny Humans: The Real Struggle
Flying with a toddler means strapping a ball of energy into a cramped seat for hours. They don’t care about “quiet time” or “airplane mode.”
We’ve all been there, glancing around to see if our kid’s meltdown is going viral on some other parent’s social feed. Toddlers get bored fast.
Their attention span is shorter than our last attempt at a hot coffee. The right activities mean fewer tantrums, less squirming, and fewer sideways glances from fellow passengers.
When we keep little hands busy, time seems to pass quicker for them (and us). As one mom shared, packing small toys, books, and snacks helped her daughter stay content on a six-hour flight—and honestly, it kept her calm too.
You can find more tips about entertaining a 2 year old during flights.
Keeping Your Sanity (And Everyone Else’s)
We want to keep our sanity—and maybe even get a few peaceful minutes to sip water or scroll memes among other things . Good activity planning means less whining, more giggles, and yes, maybe fewer crumbs under the airplane seat.
It’s not just about our own stress levels. The people sitting near us? They’re silently counting down the minutes until landing.
Thoughtful airplane activities turn us into everyone’s favorite row-mate (and hopefully, not the dreaded “row 18 scream factory”).
Tip List:
- Break out new toys mid-flight
- Offer snacks for distraction
- Get creative—stickers, window clings, or even animal-shaped snacks
The more we plan, the more we can actually enjoy traveling as a family. Toddler airplane activities are the carry-on essentials we never skip.
For more ideas, check out tips for airplane activities for toddlers.
Setting Expectations: What Actually Works at 30,000 Feet
Toddler travel is not Instagram-perfect, but it can be done without losing our minds. Success isn’t measured in hours of quiet but in those tiny wins (like five minutes of silence or one sticker kept stuck).
Flexibility Over Perfection, Mama
We can show up with a bag packed with snacks, stickers, and brand-new toys, but sometimes, nothing works like we planned. And you know what? That’s normal.
Airplanes are weird for little ones—strange smells, loud sounds, and tiny seats can throw off anyone’s groove. A toddler might love coloring at home but decide crayons are only fun for throwing at 30,000 feet.
Instead of stressing, we keep a grab bag of activities and switch things up when needed. Things like window watching or “I spy” games might save us more than any toy ever could.
When the inevitable meltdown happens, we remind ourselves: perfection is not the goal. We go with the flow, trade seats if we have to, and maybe bribe with a snack. (No shame! Snacks are magic.)
Small wins count as big victories up here, and every parent has been in the same spot.
Signs of Toddler Overload
Airplanes can turn even the chillest toddler into a tiny tornado. When we notice rapid mood changes, rubbing their eyes, fidgeting with their seatbelt, or getting super whiny, those are our clues: hello, sensory overload.
Crying isn’t always “bad” behavior. Usually, it’s just our kiddo saying, “I’m overwhelmed and don’t know how to deal!”
If we tune into these little signals early—like tossing aside toys or covering their ears—we can step in before things explode. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple reset.
Let them look out the window for a bit. Maybe offer a cuddle or pull out their favorite plush.
No need for panic or big reactions—just us reading our toddler’s cues and trying to offer comfort when the airplane world gets too much. Sometimes we all need a minute to regroup and breathe together.
