Sky-High Fun: Must-Have Activities for Toddlers on Airplanes!
Traveling with toddlers can be an adventure in itself, and any parent knows that maintaining the delicate balance between excitement and meltdowns during flights is no small feat. In the realm of tiny seats and limited space, ensuring that your little ones stay engaged and content becomes a top priority. That’s where strategic planning and a bag of tricks come into play. In this guide, we’ll explore 25+ fun activities for toddlers on airplanes, uncovering a treasure trove of travel-friendly products designed to turn potentially stressful journeys into enjoyable experiences for both parents and their tiny travelers.
So, fasten your seatbelts as we dive into a curated selection of toys, accessories, and essentials that can transform any flight into a smooth-sailing adventure for your toddlers. Let’s make the skies a playground for their imagination!
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25+ Activities for Toddlers on Airplanes
Unlock a world of learning for your little one with this Busy Board Book! Packed with engaging activities covering life skills, alphabet, numbers, and more, it’s the ultimate educational toy for toddlers. Watch as your child’s fine motor skills flourish with sensory activities, from tying shoelaces to working zippers – all designed for practical life skills and problem-solving.
Crafted from soft felted wool and certified child-friendly materials, this busy board is both safe and durable. Portable and perfect for travel, its compact size and handles make it a must-have for on-the-go entertainment.
Introducing the Busy Board Backpack – a versatile learning companion perfect for your child’s development and an ideal travel buddy for airplane journeys! Designed to enhance fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, and hand-eye coordination, this backpack is a sensory haven for toddlers and those with special needs. The soft shoulder straps adorned with numbers and shapes turn the backpack into an engaging math and counting lesson on the go.
With a spacious interior, it accommodates daily essentials like diapers, snacks, books, and toys, while a dedicated compartment ensures easy organization. Its compact size and plush construction make it a comfortable and entertaining companion for your child during long flights, ensuring a delightful and enriching experience on every journey.
Discover Jar Melo’s mess-free crayons – the ultimate art supply solution for toddlers, promising 99.99% cleanliness and vibrant colors without the worry of stains. These unbreakable crayons withstand toddler pressure and falls, ensuring a frustration-free coloring experience. Enjoy the bonus of 108 downloadable coloring pages for quiet activities during travel, covering captivating topics like dinosaurs, weather, and more.
The key-shaped design promotes proper pencil grip, and the included lanyard prevents crayon loss. Perfect for gifting, these creative and cute crayons offer 90 days of free replacement and quick response service. Make travel and coloring time hassle-free with Jar Melo’s mess-free crayons – the key to colorful, stress-free adventures for your little ones!
Unleash the magic of mess-free coloring with the Crayola Nickelodeon Color Wonder Bundle – a set of three activity pads featuring beloved characters like Paw Patrol, Blues Clues, and Baby Shark. Each pad includes 16 pages and three mess-free markers, ensuring a clean and vibrant coloring experience. Ideal for travel, these coloring adventures are perfect for keeping toddlers entertained during long journeys, whether it’s a road trip, car ride, or airplane travel.
The set is not only travel-friendly but also makes for an excellent holiday gift for toddlers and kids aged 3 and up. With colors appearing only on special Color Wonder Paper, the bundle guarantees a worry-free and creative escape for your little ones during those airborne adventures.
Discover the magic of mess-free creativity with the Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Water-Reveal Activity Pad 3-Pack. Each themed watercolor book (Colors & Shapes, Fairy Tale, Animals) includes 4 reusable pages and a refillable water pen. Watch hidden colors and pictures come to life with every stroke, and then simply let the pages dry for endless artistic fun.
The chunky-sized water pen is designed for smaller hands, making it a perfect travel companion. This activity pad is both delightful and educational, making it a fantastic screen-free gift for on-the-go creativity. Perfect for keeping little ones engaged during those long airplane journeys!
The ORSEN LCD Writing Tablet Toy is a unique and delightful screen-free activity for toddlers. Shaped like a friendly dinosaur, this doodle board sparks imagination and creativity, serving as a drawing pad, writing board, and magic graphic tablet. The highly sensitive LCD color screen is safe for your child’s eyes and offers a mess-free alternative to traditional drawing tools.
Portable and durable, this toddler learning toy is ideal for on-the-go entertainment, making it a perfect companion for airplanes, cars, and more. With a one-click clear and screen lock function, this drawing tablet provides endless fun while ensuring ease of use. Get your ORSEN LCD Writing Tablet for an enchanting and mess-free drawing experience during your travels!
The Qiaojoy Kids Learning Tablet is the ultimate bilingual learning experience for toddlers aged 2 and above. This innovative tablet offers both English and Spanish teaching, with adjustable sound levels and personified interaction. With five engaging learning modes, including word learning, language switch, amazing sounds, and quizzes, it fosters foundational skills, bilingual abilities, and interactive learning.
The screen-free design ensures a healthy break from electronic screens, making it an ideal travel companion for airplanes, promoting family interaction, and serving as an excellent sensory toy. With 40 themes covered across 20 durable learning cards, this tablet is a comprehensive educational tool covering alphabets, numbers, emotions, animals, and more – perfect for expanding your child’s horizons during those long flights!
Explore endless learning possibilities with this Dry Erase Learning Activity Book! Designed for early educational cognitive development, this interactive book includes tracing lines, shapes, numbers, colors, and more. With a durable, waterproof, and reusable design, these flash cards are perfect for on-the-go learning, whether on airplanes or anywhere else.
The set includes 24 double-sided activity cards, 12 double-sided drawing cards, dry erase markers, an eraser, and buttons—all crafted to promote reading and comprehension, creative thinking, concentration, observation, and writing skills in toddlers aged 2-4. This Montessori-inspired learning tool is a must-have for preschoolers, making it an ideal gift or classroom essential. Elevate your child’s learning experience wherever you go!
These Portable Jelly Reusable Sticker Books are an engaging and educational activity for toddlers. Themed around animals, they not only foster fine motor skills, concentration, and observation but also sparks imagination and creativity. Crafted with safe and non-toxic materials, the Q bomb jelly stickers are waterproof, tear-resistant, and leave no traces when stuck.
With a corresponding word for each pattern, it’s an excellent tool for early learning of simple vocabulary. The convenient handle design makes it a portable and perfect travel companion for airplanes.
The SOOVSY Dot Stickers Art Activity Kit features 6 double-sided animal-themed dot sticker sheets with captivating wildlife patterns. This engaging and mess-free art activity is perfect for toddlers, enhancing their concentration, fine motor skills, and imagination.
With over 3000 easy-to-peel colorful dot stickers, children can unleash their creativity by filling animal graphics with their favorite colors. The thick cardboard animal stickers are sturdy and ideal for teamwork, making it a perfect travel companion for toddlers to enjoy imaginative play on airplanes.
Discover endless fun with these 3-Piece Suction Cup Pop up Fidget Spinner Toys – a quality and entertaining solution for your little ones! These spinners boast strong suction cups that adhere to any flat surface and spin remarkably fast, promoting hand-eye coordination in toddlers.
Ideal for use during travel, these spinners can be attached to airplane windows or seat trays, providing a captivating and hands-free activity for kids. Additionally, if the silicone suction cup gets deformed during transportation, a quick soak in hot water will restore its original shape.
Experience the magic of the Melissa & Doug Hide and Seek Board – a captivating magnetic puzzle with 9 doors and magnets. Watch as your child opens and closes doors to reveal surprises like a cow, cookie, or car. Crafted from high-quality materials, this sturdy wooden board is safe for tiny hands, ensuring durability.
Ideal for ages 3 to 5, it makes for an exceptional gift, providing screen-free entertainment. This magnetic toy ensure they stay securely in place, preventing any worry about falling off during the airplane journey.
Discover endless creativity with the 2-in-1 Magnetic Doodle Board – a dynamic play experience for your little ones. Crafted from high-quality and eco-friendly ABS plastic, this doodle board is designed with safety and fun in mind.
The lightweight and compact design make it an excellent travel companion, perfect as an airplane activity. With dual play options, kids can follow pattern cards or unleash their imagination, fostering developmental skills such as fine motor skills and cognitive abilities.
Discover the Round Jigsaw Sets by ChildUniverse – a unique creation printed on wood, a first-of-its-kind technology! Crafted from birch plywood with safe, non-toxic paints, these organic materials ensure a secure playtime for toddlers.
The set, featuring delightful designs like Fruits, Transportation, Vegetables, Animals, Woodland, Colors, and Clothes, comprises 9 circles divided into 3 puzzles, totaling 27 pieces.
Each circle, with a 3.94-inch diameter, offers a compact yet engaging activity for toddlers. Perfect for airplanes, these puzzles can be easily stored in a small pouch, allowing kids to take them out one by one and enjoy without the worry of pieces falling off the airplane seat tray.
The Wellchild Magnetic Drawing Board is the perfect toddler mess-free drawing toy. With smooth edges and a magnetic pen attached by a string to prevent loss, this educational learning toy is both safe and practical. The erasable magnetic sketch pad features four colored zones and a durable, smooth magnetic eraser for easy cleanup.
Crafted from non-BPA materials, this toy comes with three differently shaped stampers and a convenient carry bag, making it suitable for both home and outdoor travel. With a frame size of 10.4 x 7.5 inches and a portable handle, it’s an ideal on-the-go activity for airplanes.
These Pull and Stretch Tubes are a vibrant and interactive toy that offers endless play possibilities for kids. These colorful tubes allow children to stretch, build, connect, spin, bend, and engage in imaginative play. Not only are they a source of fun, but they also double as sound tubes, allowing kids to create unique sounds by adjusting their length and movement.
Perfect for stimulating creativity, these tactile tubes offer physical stimulation and help strengthen fine motor skills through their connectable and buildable design. Bring the joy of bending and pulling into any setting, making it an ideal travel activity for airplanes.
The Wooden Threading Toy set is a delightful lace-up and threading toy collection for boys and girls. The set includes an apple slice with a caterpillar, a watermelon slice with a worm, and a cheese wedge with a mouse, providing various play options for kids to enjoy independently or share with friends. This early childhood lace-up set is designed to enhance fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities in toddlers.
Perfect for on-the-go entertainment, these quiet travel games are lightweight, portable, and can be easily carried in pockets or bags, making them ideal for airplanes or long drives. Crafted from lightweight and durable beechwood, these blocks ensure safety with smooth, splinter-free surfaces and no sharp edges.
Embark on a journey of skill development with the Sensory Buckle Pillow Toy, featuring six different latches and 12 basic skills such as buckles, lacing, clasps, buttons, and more. This plush sensory toy aids toddlers in refining fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving skills, all while practicing real-life tasks. The pillow also offers an interactive learning experience by incorporating shapes, numbers, and the alphabet through various engaging elements.
Ideal for travel, this ‘quiet’ toy is durably crafted with fluffy polyester, ensuring comfort and long-lasting use during airplane rides. Its attractive and colorful design, coupled with a therapeutic touch, makes it a versatile tool suitable for various users, including special needs children and those engaged in cognitive behavioral therapy. Elevate your toddler’s learning experience with the engaging and therapeutic Sensory Buckle Pillow Toy!
Discover stress relief and educational fun with the Push Bubble Fidget Sensory Toy! Designed to alleviate anxiety and stress, this soft and durable silicone toy is perfect for individuals of all ages, including those with autism or the elderly. The toy features English letters, making it an engaging educational tool for kids learning the alphabet.
Additionally, it serves as a game to enhance mathematical thinking, logical ability, reasoning strategy, and fine motor skills. Portable and lightweight, it’s an ideal on-the-go toy for car rides, planes, school, and more. Give the gift of stress relief and educational enjoyment to your kids, family, and friends with this colorful and reusable push fidget toy!
Immerse your children in the world of educational play with the Cocomelon Friends & Family Set. Featuring beloved characters JJ, TomTom, YoYo, Cody, and Nina from the popular CoComelon YouTube series, these 3” figures bring both fun and learning to life. With intricate details and articulation, these adorable toys encourage endless imaginative play for your little ones.
Plus, the set includes not one, but two JJ figures in charming outfits, ensuring double the enjoyment. Perfect for airplane activities, these figures are based on the adored CoComelon YouTube videos, proving that toy figurines hold significant entertainment and educational value for toddlers.
Transform your toddler’s airplane journey into a captivating adventure by embracing the timeless joy of bringing their favorite books on board. These cherished companions provide a sense of comfort, turning the airplane seat into a cozy reading nook. For added excitement, surprise your little one with new books to explore.
With a vast selection available at Bookshop.org, including classics and modern gems, you can curate a mini library for your child, ensuring that each flight is filled with the magic of storytelling and the joy of discovery. Elevate travel moments and create lasting memories with the enchanting world of books from Bookshop.org.
Here are some delightful and engaging books for toddlers available on Bookshop.org:
- “Indestructibles Series” – Created by Amy Pixton and illustrated by Stephan Lomp, the Indestructibles series is designed to withstand the toughest toddler treatment.
“Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle – A classic with rhythmic text and vibrant illustrations that toddlers love.
“Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak – A timeless story of imagination and adventure.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle – An iconic book that introduces counting and days of the week through the journey of a little caterpillar.
“Goodnight Moon” by Margaret Wise Brown – A soothing bedtime story with rhythmic text and charming illustrations.
“Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney – A heartwarming tale of love between parent and child.
“Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault – A playful alphabet rhyme that is both entertaining and educational.
“Dear Zoo” by Rod Campbell – A lift-the-flap book that introduces animals and their characteristics.
“Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!” by Mo Willems – A humorous and interactive story featuring a persistent pigeon.
“We’re All Wonders” by R.J. Palacio – A beautifully illustrated picture book that teaches kindness and acceptance.
Introducing the GoBe Kids Snack Spinner — a game-changer for stress-free snacking on the go! With five interactive compartments, this lightweight container makes combining snack bowls and cups into one seamless experience. Perfectly portioned, each compartment holds 1/4 cups of solid food, making balanced eating a fun and enticing adventure for kids.
Crafted from BPA and PVC-free materials, it ensures worry-free feeding and is easy to clean with its top-rack dishwasher-safe feature. The 6.5-inch diameter and interactive button make it an ideal choice for toddler-sized portions, engaging them while developing fine and gross motor skills. Embrace mess-free and enjoyable snacking during travel with this transparent, airtight, and leakproof snack spinner!
The Munchkin® Miracle® 360 Toddler Sippy Cup is the perfect travel companion for parents and toddlers alike! This premium insulated cup features a vacuum-sealed stainless steel design that keeps drinks cool for an impressive 15 hours. With a dentist-recommended spotless 360-degree drinking edge, spills become a thing of the past.
The on-the-go cup lid makes it convenient for travel, automatically sealing when your child stops drinking. Plus, it’s top-rack dishwasher safe, ensuring easy cleaning without the hassle of extra valves or parts.
Presenting the perfect kids headphones tailored for your little ones, ideal for toddlers during airplane travel! Specifically designed for children aged 3-15, these headphones provide a comfortable fit with soft earpads and an adjustable headband. Crafted with food-grade material and tangle-free cords, they can withstand the twists and turns of children’s activities.
The 1.2M cord length and 3.5mm gold plug offer ample room for movement while connected to smartphones, tablets, DVD players, and more. Gift your children a terrific audio experience for music, games, and in-flight entertainment, making air travel more enjoyable for everyone!
Unleash endless entertainment for your little ones with the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet, now available with savings up to $70. Tailored for kids aged 3-7, this fully featured tablet boasts a vibrant 10.1″ 1080p Full HD display, comprehensive parental controls, and a kid-proof case. Parents can effortlessly manage screen-time limits, educational content, and app store requests directly from their phones.
The tablet includes a 1-year subscription of Amazon Kids+, offering a treasure trove of ad-free books, games, videos, and apps from renowned brands. With a 2-year worry-free guarantee and filters to adjust content, this tablet grows seamlessly with your kids. Enjoy their favorite shows on the large display, benefit from a 13-hour battery life, and revel in the 32 GB storage, expandable up to 1 TB. Loved by parents and designed for uninterrupted entertainment, the Fire HD 10 Kids tablet is an ideal companion for in-flight activities.
Cheap Activities for Toddlers on Airplanes
Sticky Notes are an affordable and engaging alternative for airborne entertainment. These colorful sticky wonders offer endless possibilities, allowing your little one to create, stick, and peel to their heart’s content. Unleash their creativity without breaking the bank, turning any journey into a delightful exploration with this pocket-sized and budget-friendly activity.
Pipe cleaners are bendable wonders that are a thrifty option, fostering creativity and keeping little hands busy throughout the journey. Unleash the potential of pipe cleaners as your toddler molds, twists, and shapes them into delightful creations, turning airplane time into an artistic adventure.
The WAPETASHI Washi Tape Set is an affordable and residue-free activity for endless creativity for toddlers on airplanes. With 38 rolls featuring a menagerie of adorable cartoon animals, let them embark on a fun-filled artistic adventure by using the washi tape to decorate their coloring books, create colorful borders on activity sheets, or personalize travel essentials like notebooks and pens.
The animal-themed tape can also inspire storytelling – encourage your little one to craft imaginative tales featuring the characters on the tape. Since washi tape is easy to tear and reposition, toddlers can explore endless possibilities, sticking and resticking to their heart’s content without leaving any mess. It’s a delightful, mess-free way to keep them engaged and entertained during the flight!
FAQ - Activities for Toddlers on Airplanes
1. What is the best age to fly with a toddler?
There isn’t a specific “best” age to fly with a toddler, as it can vary based on individual children and circumstances. However, many parents find that flying with toddlers becomes more manageable around the age of 2 or 3 when they can better understand instructions and enjoy certain activities.
It’s important to consider the child’s temperament, their ability to handle new environments, and the length of the flight. Additionally, some parents prefer to wait until their child is old enough to sit through a flight and engage in simple activities.
2. What is the hardest age to fly with a child?
The difficulty of flying with a child can vary from family to family, and each age presents its own unique challenges. However, some parents often find the toddler stage (around 1 to 3 years old) to be one of the more challenging periods for air travel. Toddlers are known for their energy, limited attention spans, and potential resistance to staying seated.
During this age, they may also be more prone to ear discomfort during takeoff and landing due to changes in air pressure. Nevertheless, with careful planning, preparation, and age-appropriate activities, flying with toddlers can be made more manageable.
3. Where is the best place to sit on a plane with a toddler?
When flying with a toddler, the best place to sit on a plane depends on various factors, but many parents prefer the following options:
- Bulkhead Seats: These seats are located at the front of each section and often provide more legroom. Some planes have bassinet attachments for bulkhead seats, which can be convenient for infants.
- Aisle Seats: Aisle seats allow easy access to the aisle, making it simpler to take your toddler to the restroom or for a walk without disturbing other passengers.
- Near the Lavatory: If your toddler is in the process of potty training, sitting near the lavatory can be practical for quick and easy bathroom trips.
- Window Seats: Some parents prefer window seats because they provide a view, which can be entertaining for toddlers. Additionally, it minimizes the chances of your child bumping into the aisle.
- Avoiding Exit Rows: Airlines often discourage families with children from sitting in exit rows due to safety regulations.
Consider the specific needs and preferences of your family when choosing seats, and check with the airline regarding their policies and any specific features of the aircraft.
Conclusion
In conclusion, navigating air travel with toddlers can be a challenging adventure, but with the right activities and tools, it can transform into an enjoyable journey for both parents and little ones. From portable games and educational toys to interactive books and creative stickers, the array of activities available ensures that boredom takes a backseat. Remember to pack a variety of options, considering your toddler’s interests and age.
Whether it’s the classic comfort of a beloved book or the engaging allure of sensory toys, these carefully chosen activities can turn a seemingly endless flight into a time of shared fun, learning, and precious bonding. So, buckle up, embrace the adventure, and make those sky-high moments with your toddler truly unforgettable. Safe travels!
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Are you look for more fun activities for toddlers in comforts of your own home? Check out this post on 23 Fun Backyard Activities for Toddlers.
