Have an upcoming flight with your kids? Then you must check out this detailed list of must-haves for entertainment on flights for your kids, as well as airplane activities for preschoolers and kids of all ages.
Aiden, at 4 years old, had already been on so many flights, both domestic and international, to 26 states and 16 countries, to be accurate.
He has been on flights as short as 2 hours (Denver – With Kids) and as long as 13 hours (Beijing – With Kids).
After being on so many flights with a toddler, I have pretty much gotten it all down, especially what to pack in his backpack. If I left it up to Aiden, he’d try to fit his train table in his backpack.
This list pretty much sums up things to keep kids occupied during short or long flights. Sometimes he is so busy with what he packs that he doesn’t even use his tablet or watch in-flight TV.
I also love this list below because it’s great for when you need downtime at your destination.
What are the best tips for entertainment on flights?
1. Pack quiet hands-on activities
2. Download shows before boarding
3. Rotate toys throughout the flight
4. Save new items for hard moments
5. Keep snacks and wipes nearby
Before I talk about what goes in his backpack, I want to mention the most important thing – Backpack !!
Kids Travel Backpack
Over the years, Aiden has had several backpacks and pieces of luggage. When he was younger, a small kid’s suitcase with wheels was perfect. We’d fill it up with his essentials, and he’d pull it through the airport.
As he got a bit older, we switched to a backpack. We’ve used a few different types, but our ultimate favorite is the Osprey Youth Jet 12 Backpack. Before packing your child’s travel backpack, check your airline’s current carry-on rules. Some fares allow a carry-on bag and a personal item, while some basic fares may only include a personal item that fits under the seat. This matters when you are packing snacks, tablets, headphones, medicine, wipes, chargers, and extra clothes for the flight.
Stroller gate-check policies can also vary by airline. Many airlines allow families to check a stroller for free, but larger strollers, non-collapsible strollers, or stroller wagons may need to be checked at the ticket counter instead of at the gate. Always confirm this before travel so you are not surprised at boarding.
Family seating is also not handled the same way across every airline. Some airlines commit to seating a child 13 or under next to an accompanying adult at no extra cost when certain conditions are met, while others do not make the same commitment. You can review official family seating guidance through the Airline Family Seating Dashboard.
If your flight is part of a bigger international trip, my ultimate guide to traveling internationally with kids can help you prepare for passports, documents, long flights, and what to expect outside the U.S. You can also use my family destination guides for extra planning, including Tokyo, Japan with kids, a day trip to Tijuana with kids, Puerto Vallarta with kids, and the best time to travel to Portugal.
What should you pack in a carry-on for kids?
1. Snacks and an empty water bottle
2. Tablet with downloaded shows
3. Change of clothes per child
4. Small new toys or activities
5. Wipes and basic medicine
When packing snacks, drinks, or baby items, you can also review the TSA rules for traveling with children, especially if you are bringing formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, baby food, or puree pouches through security.
What To Pack To Keep Kids Entertained On Flights
We have plenty of toys, books, etc that we save in our travel box. Prior to our trip, Aiden gets to pick a few things to take with him. Sometimes I’ll add a few or take out a few depending on how long our trip is.
If I left the decision solely up to Aiden, he’d put each one of them in his bag. I don’t generally let him play with the toys in his travel box at home because I want him to be excited about these items.
It’s easier to keep him occupied this way. He has plenty of other toys at home which are not travel friendly, so the travel friendly, lightweight and portable ones, I save it for when we travel.
“Below is a long list of awesome items guarantee to keep any kid busy on flights”
Reading, Activity & Sticker Books
- A Day At The Airport
- Little Airport Sticker Activity Book
- My Plane Trip
- Play Town Airport
- My Airplane Trip Activity Book
- At The Airport
- My First Airplane Ride
- 50 States Facts & Fun
- Hidden Pictures Around The World
- Melissa & Doug Puffy Sticker Activity Book
- Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad
Toys To Keep Kids Entertained On Flights
1. Safari Ltd TOOB
These are mini figurines, and there are all sorts of them. Aiden loves playing with these, especially the Safari Ltd TOOB – People, which has everyday Heroes such as a policeman, firefighter, etc.
The Safari Ltd TOOB – In The Sky, which has airplanes, helicopters, etc and his favorite of all, Safari Ltd TOOB – Around The World, which has the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty, etc.
2. Magnetic Fun
Small and easy to carry, these come in different varieties. There are 3 sheets of magnets in each, and it comes with a carry case for easy storage and clean-up. Aiden’s favorites are the Magnetic Cars, Planes and Trains and the Silly Faces Magnetic Fun.
3. Play-Doh
I can’t sing enough praises about Play-Doh. We take it everywhere, even when we are not travelling. It is perfect for little hands and fine motor skills, and perfect for the plane as well.
We purchased this Play-Soh 10 Pack Set, which is perfect. We just grab and go. Make sure you close the containers well so they don’t get dry.
We also have several Play-Doh Tool Sets at home, so we grab a few from our stash. Play-Doh is fun, but it is even more fun with tools. Some good tool sets are Melissa & Doug Shape Model Mold, Melissa & Doug Cut Sculpt Roll, Kare & Kind 16 Piece Set, Dough Tools 5 Piece, Strokes Art Durable Clay and Dough, CaryKon Dough Extruders, Strokes Arts Education Shapes and Kare & Kind 20 Piece Set.
4. Playfoam
Playfoam is very similar to Play-Doh, like twin sisters, but not identical. Aiden loves Play-Foam. It has a completely different feel from play-soh, but works the same way. This Playfoam 8 Pack Combo is great and convenient for travel.
You can also use Play-Doh Tool Sets with a playfoam. This PlayFoam Shape & Learn Alphabet Set is perfect for kids learning the alphabet.
5. Wind Ups
Aiden can wind these and laugh at them moving for what seems like forever. His favorite is the Z WindUps – Skully Skeleton. He loves these, and I’m sure other kids will too.
6. Legos
What kid doesn’t love Legos? Aiden loves Legos and Legoland. He has the LEGO Classic Creative Supplement. We don’t take the whole box when we travel, but we do take a few in a zip-lock bag.
I found a much better way to carry these around other than in a zip-lock bag and will share as soon as I’m done making it.
Brickyard Building Bricks are awesome, so much cheaper than Legos, and work just as well. Our favorite set is the Brickyard Duplo Block Toys, which are similar to Lego Duplo; these are my favorite because they come with building idea cards.
Also, the Brickyard Building Blocks are a great addition to any LEGO set because of the cost, obviously. We also purchased these Brickyard Building Block Vehicles. More LEGO variety means more fun!
These Lego Minifigures, which are also not Lego brand, are much cheaper but go perfectly with any Lego set. If you want the actual LEGO brand mini figurines, then the Community Minifigure Set for Role Play by LEGO is perfect.
7. Mini Balls
We usually pack one or 2 small balls as well when we travel. Great pastime while waiting for our flight, layovers, etc.
World Map Foam Ball is our favorite. Aiden gave this to the kids at his birthday party, and they loved it. We also have the Sports Balls Set and the OgoSport Mini Koosh Ball.
8. Magna Tiles
Aiden has been playing with these since he was 2, and he just doesn’t get tired of them. He has the Magformers 30 Piece Set. It’s perfect for travel and not as heavy as the others.
Other great Magna-Tiles are the Playmags 50 Piece Accessory Set and the PicassoTiles 60 Piece Set. These sets can get heavy if you pack too many, but they are guaranteed to keep the kids busy.
8. Gel Glings
Gel cling is awesome. I even like playing with these myself, especially sticking them on the airplane window. Some cool ones are ABC & 123 Gel Clings, School of Fish Gel Clings, and Car Theme Gel Clings. Remember to snag a window seat.
9. Fidget Toys
These are great, easy to pack, and keep little hands busy.
Puzzles – Flexi Puzzle or the Wood Fidget Puzzle. They are both the same, except one is made from wood and the other is made from plastic.
Other nice fidget toys are: Tangle Jr Set Of 3, Toysmith Wacky Tracks, and the now very popular Fidget Spinner.
10. Card Games
Aiden loves card games, so we usually take one that he picks. We have a variety so that we get a chance to play something new each time. These sets include some favorites such as Go Fish, Old Maid, Crazy 8s, and Animal Rummy.
Melissa & Doug Classic Card Games Set, Classic Children’s Card Games Set of 4 (I like this set because it includes card holders, which are perfect for kids) and Classic Children’s Card Game Set of 3. Looking for a value pack, this one has a set of 6 card games Classic Kid’s Card games 6 Pack.
Other great ones too are Uno Card Game, Sleeping Queens, Slamwich, and Travel Scavenger Hunt Card Game
11. Sand Timer
We love activities on the plane that involve time. I usually ask Aiden to do something and start the timer to see how long it’ll take him to complete the task. He loves it.
12. Most Importantly – Your Kids’ Favorite Toys
Don’t forget to ask your kid to pick 2 or 3 of his favorite toys to take with him. Guarantee these toys aren’t huge/heavy/bulky.
Aiden’s go-to toys are Transformers, Thomas the Tank, Hot Wheels Race Cars, Blaze & The Monster Machines, Paw Patrol, Disney Planes and Super Wings. Because he doesn’t have all of the minis, once in a while I’ll surprise him with a new one, especially depending on the length of the flight.
He’s been asking for this Chase Sea Patrol, and because we have an upcoming LONG flight to Japan, I got it for him and will hide it in his backpack after it’s been packed so he’ll be extra excited when he opens it and sees it on the plane.
All these toys listed above have minis and are the perfect size for travel. I usually have him take 2 of each toy so that he can share with a friend.
He always makes friends everywhere we travel, and it’s nice to share a toy and be able to play with them. This helps encourage him to share too, because he knows he needs to pack 1 extra for a friend.
Arts & Crafts Activities To Keep Kids Entertained On Flights
1. Melissa & Doug Triangular Crayons
We used to use the round ones, and then had to pick each up when Aiden dropped them. Plus, you know how tight the seats are. Trying to pick things up is No Fun! So this is the way to go. We also like the Crayola Dry Erase Crayons, although not triangular, they are pretty nice too.
2. Markers
Mini markers are easier to pack for travel as they take up less space. Our favorites are Crayola Color Wonder, Mini Monsters Scented Markers, and Alex Toys Young Artist Studio Color Changing Markers.
I also like the Crayola Pip-Squeaks Washable Marker Kit because it’s like an all-in-one marker and paper holder with a case. Do A Dot Art Markers are also a great addition to every travel art kit.
3. Mess-Free Writing/Painting With Water Pens
This is one of our favorites, and it comes with reusable white pages and a chunky-sized refillable water pen for an easy grip. Your kids will definitely enjoy this. Melissa & Doug On The Go Water Wow.
AquaDoodle – Travel Doodle is very similar to the Melissa & Doug one above. It’s bigger and will take up more room in a backpack, but still very convenient and mess-free.
Crayola Color Wonder Mess-Free Coloring also comes with a storage case and a 12-page color activity book.
4. Coloring book/pages
There are several coloring books/pages. A few of the ones we like are Alex Toys Little Hands First Scribble, Melissa & Doug Jumbo Coloring Pad, My First Big Book Of Coloring, Disney Pixar Adventure Coloring Book, and Here Come The Heroes.
Most of the time, instead of taking the whole book with us, we just take out a few pages from the book, and that works perfectly.
5. Educational Workbooks
We try to make sure that we get some learning in during our travels as well, and preschool workbooks do the trick. Some good ones are Early Learning Activity Workbook, Tracing Letters Preschool Workbook, Big Preschool Workbook, Preschool Scholar, Preschool Basics, and Trace Letters.
Aiden prefers doing this over coloring most of the time, so we have several workbooks. We just rip out the pages that we need and put them in a folder in his backpack.
6. Wikki Stix
I love that you can create all sorts of things with Wikki Stix. There are a few pictures that come in each packet, and you can encourage your child to create one of them. For kids still learning the alphabet, they’ll love the Wikki Stix Alphabet Fun Cards.
7. Melissa & Doug Tape Activity Book
If you have a kid like mine, then I’m pretty sure you know how much kids love tape. Aiden is constantly taping things. Well, this is perfect for plane rides. And they get to tape the activity book, which is awesome.
8. Sticky Mosaics
Aiden recently saw a few kids playing with it and loved it. I thought it was pretty cool too. So it is definitely going on our travel must-haves list. It kept him and his friends busy for a while, and that’s a total win! Aiden likes robots, so I got him the Sticky Mosaics Robots.
9. Paper
We have plain paper at home, so I usually just grab a few sheets. I also pack lined paper or a lined notebook for writing practice.
You can read more on our Homeschool Curriculum, as well as how we homeschool and worldschool on the go.
Electronics To Keep Kids Entertained On Flights
1. Headphones
Flying without headphones? noooo wayyyyyy !! We always pack headphones, perfect for when Aiden wants to watch in-flight TV, watch something on his tablet, or even on my phone. This is a top must-have. Aiden has used several pairs, but our favorite is the Beats By Dre Solo Wireless Headphones.
I prefer not to deal with wires if I don’t have to; that’s why we chose those for him. We all use Beats by Dre wireless headphones as well. Another less expensive Bluetooth option that works just as well is the Mpow Bluetooth Headphone.
Aiden’s first pair of headphones was the Spiderman Over the Ear Headphone, he still uses it at home occasionally.
Other really good pairs are Kidz Gear Wire Headphones and LilGadgets Connect Premium Volume Limited Headphones.
A really good one for younger kids or kids who don’t like headphones is the CozyPhones Kids Headphones with Ultra Thin Speaker (I love this one because it’s actually in the form of a headband and super comfy.
2. Tablet
There are all sorts of tablets for kids out there. Aiden uses a Samsung Galaxy Tab 8inch. He has had this since he was 2 years old, and we’ve never had any issues with it.
A good case, such as the Supcase Unicorn Beetle, is key because I can guarantee you that it’ll drop at least a million times. I highly recommend the Samsung tablet because it’s so easy to download movies, shows, and kid-friendly apps that don’t require internet, especially since not all flights have internet.
Other good kids tablets are Apple iPad Mini, Fire HD 8 Kids Edition, Fire HD 8 (cheaper than the kids), Orbo Jr. Android, Leap Frog Epic, Dragon Touch, and one just for babies, Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Smart Stages.
3. Boogie Board
Sometimes you need something other than a tablet to keep kids busy. This comes with a pen, and kids can write/draw and erase as many times as they want to. This is perfect for practicing writing letters.
Aiden has the Boogie Board 8.5inch which is perfect for kids his age and older. It comes with a Boogie Board Sleeve, which I highly recommend, so the screen doesn’t get scratched.
For younger kids, I recommend the Boogie Board Scribble ‘n Play or the Boogie Board Play & Trace.
Nintendo and PlayStation make several good-quality handheld games, which are another good option as well. This is common with older kids, mostly. Aiden has a Nintendo 2DS.
It’s small and handy and fits in his hands pretty well. His favorite games are Super Mario Bros (my ultimate favorite as I grew up playing it as a kid. I love it when he gets stuck and asks for help :D) and Lego Batman. Don’t forget a protective case or sleeve as well; we love the Lilyy Soft Silicone Rubber Gel Skin Case Cover.
Some other good handheld video game systems are the Sony PlayStation Vita, the PlayStation Portable 3000, the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo DS Lite, Wolsen Portable Handheld, and I’m Game (which comes with 120 pre-downloaded games), and JXD Retro.
Other Must-Have Items To Have When Traveling With Kids
I have searched high and low and have yet to see anything as awesome as the TRAYblecloth Airplane Tray Activity Cover.
You know how filthy some airplane tray tables can be. This is great as it has pockets to put things inside. You can also put up the tray table with ease while the cover is still on it.
Kids’ sunglasses are a must-have, and we take them on every single trip. Aiden owns a pair of the Kids Junior Aviator Classic Sunglasses. Super cool sunshades, and Aiden loves to be complimented when he wears them.
My favorite part is the carrying case; it is shaped like a car, so it makes it even more fun. The Kids Soft Feel Matte Frame Sunglasses are awesome too.
3. Kids’ Hat
Aiden loves hats. He always has one most of the time, and we don’t travel without one, so this is always in his backpack.
4. Wipes
You can’t forget this. Aiden gets his hands dirty all the time, so wet wipes are a must. Also, sometimes we get on flights, and the tray table doesn’t seem as clean, so this comes in handy too. We use the Pampers Sensitive Travel Pack.
If you don’t have one, run and purchase one ASAP. We use the Leg Rest Travel Pillow on every trip over 4 hours, and it is perfect. Aiden is usually very comfortable and sleeps like a baby.
I usually put this in my bag as it can be a bit heavy. I highly recommend this one! It is the original one, and the others came after.
A few other ones are Fly Tot Inflatable Airplane Cushion, Kuki Inflatable Travel Pillow, JJMG Air Travel Leg Rest Pillow, and the Jet Kids Bed Box.
Frequently Asked Questions About Entertainment On Flights With Kids
1. Do toddlers need their own plane seat?
Toddlers under 2 can usually fly as lap infants on many domestic flights, but buying a separate seat is the safer and more comfortable option. The FAA recommends using an approved child restraint system on the plane because it gives your child better protection during turbulence. Once a child turns 2, they need their own ticketed seat.
2. Can you bring a car seat on a plane?
Yes, you can bring a car seat on a plane if it is approved for aircraft use and your child has a ticketed seat. Before flying, check the label on the car seat so you can show proof if a flight attendant asks. A window seat is usually the easiest place to install it.
3. How early should you arrive at the airport with kids?
You should arrive at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight when traveling with kids. Children move more slowly, security can take longer, and you may need extra time for snacks, bathroom breaks, stroller tags, seat issues, or extra screening before boarding.
4. What are the best seats on a plane with kids?
The best seats on a plane with kids depend on your child’s needs. Window seats are best for car seats, aisle seats work well for older kids who need bathroom breaks, and seats together are most important for families. Choose seats early when booking so you have more options.
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