Airplane Activities for Kids to Keep Them Busy All Flight Long
Dreading a long flight with your kids? Entertain them with toddler airplane activities that will keep them busy and happy during a flight.
Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah Scott
It can be hard for anyone to sit for a long time, but this is especially true for most kids. However, flying with kids doesn't need to be boring, stressful, or fidgety. You can keep children grounded in their seats with toddler airplane activities that will keep them busy and happily engaged during a flight.
In addition to airplane activities for kids, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a few other things to keep kids comfortable and happy on a long flight: arriving early, dressing them in layers, and setting expectations.
Read on to learn how to keep your kids occupied (and well-behaved) for the hours they'll be cocooned in their seats.
Henrik Sorensen / Getty Images
Best Airplane Activities for Kids
Magnetic games
Bring along some magnetic travel games as one of your plane activities. For around $10 or less per game, kids can play the following games:
Bingo
Tic-tac-toe
Chess
Checkers
The game pieces are magnetic and stick to the board, so they're easier to keep track of mid-flight. Also, the game board itself is compact enough to easily slide into your carry-on luggage.
Card games
Pack a deck of playing cards for fun on the plane and at the hotel. You can't go wrong with classics like the following:
Regular playing cards
UNO
Skip-Bo
Phase 10
Canasta
Additionally, many versions of playing cards incorporate your favorite board games into card games. Look for Monopoly and Yahtzee decks to add a new twist to your old favorites.
Related: 6 Things I'm Glad I Knew Before Traveling With a Toddler
Movies
A portable DVD player or pre-loaded laptop or tablet gives your kids a customized viewing experience while they're trapped in their seats. You can take or download a few of their favorites or buy a new movie they haven't seen yet. Surprise them on the plane with their new movies to watch as you fly. Pack some popcorn as a snack to really bring the movie theater experience on board.
iPad games
If you're planning on taking a laptop or iPad with you, load some of your children's favorite games to take along with you. Familiar tablet games are one of those toddler airplane activities that make kids feel right at home and provide a welcome break from hours of watching TV shows or movies.
Related: This Mom Has the Best Tips for Traveling With Your Family
Play games online
Many airlines now offer Internet access during your flight. Access prices vary but in-flight Wi-Fi can be a lifesaver if you have kids that like to play games online. They'll be happily occupied while visiting all of their favorite websites 30,000 feet above the ground.
Learning activities
Turn the airplane into a classroom. There are many learning activities you can practice on your flight, such as:
Writing
Math
Colors
Sorting
Some ideas include asking your child to write a story, create an itinerary for your trip, or draw pictures of what they think you'll see or do on vacation.
Related: The Future of Sustainable Travel Is Family Travel—Here's Why
Workbooks
Pack workbooks that offer a variety of activities, such as:
Coloring pages
Mazes
Word puzzles
Hidden pictures
Stickers
You might also consider learning booklets that offer your kids grade-specific activities like spelling, the alphabet, reading, handwriting, fractions, geometry, geography, or pretty much any other area of study you can think of.
In fact, there is likely a workbook on just about any topic your child is interested in, from dinosaurs and daffodils to pixies and pets. You can also look for dry-erase workbooks so your kids can wipe away their answers and try again for longer-lasting fun.
Miniature versions of bigger toys
You can't pack all of your children's favorite toys so look for miniature versions to carry along with you. You can find mini versions of classics like the following:
Etch-A-Sketch
Simon game
Stuffed animals
Bop It
Coloring books and crayons
This old classic is a no-fail airplane activity for kids. Buy coloring books in advance of your trip when your children aren't with you to heighten their interest when you bring them out on the plane.
Choose coloring books with topics your kids already like, such as farm scenes, flowers, pirates, or superheroes, to increase the odds they will enjoy them for a longer period of time. Add a new set of markers, crayons, or colored pencils in a portable carrying case to up the allure of coloring and make the toting activity easier.
Related: 11 Mistakes to Avoid When Traveling with Kids
Color wonder markers and pads
Or, try an update on classic coloring books. Crayola offers a modern take on the old coloring book and crayons. The Color Wonder markers only work on the special pads to prevent messes. There are a variety of themed pads to choose from too, including Disney princesses, Toy Story, Cars, and blank drawing pads.
Sharing music
Enlist your family members in a music project for your kids. Have everyone pick out some of their favorite songs and put them on your listening device for your children to listen to while they're on the plane.
Sharing music with your children will expose them to a variety of genres or artists that they may never have known otherwise. Plus, it's a great activity to pair with coloring or other booklets during the flight to keep them quiet and focused as they listen to new songs.
Books
Ask your kids to come up with a list of books they would like to read, or head to the bookstore or library together to make some new selections. The trick is to hold off on letting your child read them until the flight. Then, unveil new books once you get to your seats, aiming to hold at least one back for the return flight.
Related: The Best Toddler Books to Get Kids Started on a Lifetime of Reading
Audio books
Audio storybooks are another way to get some quiet time out of your children while you're all on the plane. Recorded stories for toddlers all the way to young adults can be found in stores or at your local library. Podcasts are another great option for older children, which can be downloaded on your listening device ahead of time.
New toys
Buy some new toys or order a kids' subscription box to take on your flight, but don't show them to the kids before you take off. The toys don't have to be expensive to be entertaining. The key is to pick something you know your child will love, such as:
A new toy vehicle for a car fan
A new set of Play-Doh for an artist
A superhero figure for a comics fiend
A jewelry kit for a crafty kid
A Lego set for a dedicated brick-builder
Check with the airline
Airlines are also interested in keeping your kids happy on planes. Check with the airline to see what they have to offer in the way of airplane activities for kids. For example, Lufthansa gives kids small toys to play with during their flights.
Other airlines offer video screens that feature kid-friendly entertainment. Many pilots invite children into the cockpit before or after a flight, and numerous airlines also hand out airline pins.
Related: Why Accessible Family Travel Matters
For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Parents.
