55+ Best Airplane Games, Toys, and Activities for Toddlers — A Mom Explores | Family Travel Tips, Destination Guides with Kids, Family Vacation Ideas, and more!

Got a long flight coming up with your toddler? I know how stressful that can be. I’m a mom of 4 and a family travel blogger, so we’ve experienced plenty of flights with babies, toddlers, and young children.

And the toddler stage is definitely the most challenging, especially if you have a busy toddler like mine. (Check out my Top Tips for Flying with a 1-Year-Old here!)

At this age, they’re just discovering their independence and free will, and would much rather explore the aisles of the airplane than stay seated for hours on end.

I remember on one of my first flights with a toddler (actually I was flying across the country by myself with a 1-, 3-, and 5-year-old), I thought if I just did enough research and brought just the right toys and activities that the flight would go smoothly.

But, honestly, so many factors go into how your toddler handles the flight! They might be tired, teething, off their schedule, scared, or dealing with an earache. Or they might be so excited about the new adventure you’re going on that everything goes perfectly smoothly.

It also depends on your toddler and their temperament. And believe me, as a mom of 4, I’ve dealt with all of the toddler temperaments.

So while I hope you get a few ideas for keeping your toddler entertained on the airplane from this blog post, just know that you don’t need to overpack toys and activities. Bring a few key ones. Make sure they’re new to your toddler. But don’t worry about it if you end up doing unlimited snacks and screen time.

Here are the best ways to keep toddlers and young children engaged on long-haul flights (or short-haul!). I've compiled the best travel toys that my kids have enjoyed playing with on the airplane tray table, in their seats, on the floor as they wait for their flight, or in a long line.

(You might also be interested in my Top Road Trip Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers!)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

55+ Airplane Activities for Toddlers and Little Kids

1. Mess-Free Coloring Books

These Crayola Color Wonder Coloring Books are my all-time favorite travel toy for both younger and older children. (I’ve even entertained myself with these at some point).

The coloring books come with a special set of markers that only show up on the coloring books. I love these because my toddler is obsessed with markers, but doesn’t always remember that we only color on paper.

This way you don’t have to worry about them making a mess on their seat or tray table.

2. Reusable Sticker Books

Sticker books are a great way to practice fine motor skills, and kids just love using them! Reusable sticker books are great because they can reposition the stickers if needed, and create different scenes over and over again.

Melissa & Doug have some fun ones with puffy stickers! These are wonderful for toddlers, but I've found that my older kids enjoy playing with them, too!

3. Post-It Notes

It might seem silly, but I always keep a pack of colorful post-it notes in the kids’ travel backpacks. They can write on them or use them as stickers on their tray table or window.

They are also easy enough to clean up if your toddler uses a ton of them.

It might not keep them occupied for a long time, but they are small and light enough to pack and use in a pinch.

4. Window Clings

Window clings are such a fun way to entertain kids! You can rearrange the different parts to make pictures on the airplane window or tray table.

Be sure to stock up on seasonal ones whenever you see them at the dollar store or in the Dollar Spot at Target.

5. Calculator

I always grab a few oversized calculators at the dollar store before a flight and let my toddler play with them.

It can be a fun way to practice numbers, but they also just feel like they’re using a cell phone or electronics.

6. Coloring Book and Triangular Crayons

You can also just grab a regular coloring book from home or the dollar store and pick up some special triangular crayons for your toddler. That way they won’t roll off the tray table, plus they’re easier for your little one to grip!

7. Duct Tape or Washi Tape

For some reason, kids are obsessed with tape, so I always throw a roll of colorful duct tape or a pack of Washi Tape in my bag.

It’s easy to tear a piece off, so older toddlers can do this independently. Plus, it’s not too sticky so you won’t have trouble peeling it off whatever surfaces they use.

On our trip to Costa Rica this past summer, my 4-year-old loved this tape activity book and even played with it when we were in our hotel room, too!

8. Water Wow Book (Melissa & Doug)

These Water Wow books are one of the most genius inventions for kids I’ve ever seen. You simply fill the brush up with water, brush it like a paintbrush on the pages, and beautiful colors appear!

Once the water dries, the colors fade, and your toddler can paint their picture all over again.

No mess, reusable, and endless fun. Our 2-year-old used hers on the Costa Rica flight, as well as on our flight to Disney World for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

9. Airplane Scavenger Hunt

Before our first flight as a family of 6 this past spring break, I created these fun Airplane Scavenger Hunt printables for the kids to use in the airport.

We put them in dry-erase page protectors and give each kid one dry-erase marker and eraser so they can reuse the scavenger hunts for the air travel home! The kids had a great time searching for all of the items on the page.

If you don’t yet trust your toddler with a dry-erase marker (we certainly don’t), just hold onto that for your child, or let them cross the items off with a crayon directly on the page.

(A travel clipboard might help!)

10. Indestructible Books

For the younger toddlers (12 months to 24 months) these Indestructible Books are amazing! They’re bright and colorful, VERY lightweight, and the best part is that they are, in fact, indestructible!

Your little one can chew on them, try to rip them, bend them, or fold them, and they stay intact.

This cute transportation-themed one will be perfect for your next flight with your toddler.

11. Suction Cup Spinner Toys

This is another great idea for younger children. I haven’t personally tested this out, but I saw one of my fellow passengers using this with her young toddler, and I didn’t hear a peep out of them! I was very impressed.

You can stick them to the window or tray table with the suction cup so your little one can’t knock them over, and let the baby go to town.

12. Flash Cards

There are always fun toddler-friendly flash cards in the dollar spot at Target, so we grabbed some before our flight to Disney World.

They had colors, shapes, and Disney characters on each card, so we quizzed her for a while with the cards.

If you want to make sure you don’t lose cards, you can always punch a hole in the corner and put them on a binder ring.

13. Snack Box

The viral “snackle box” concept has taken over the internet! Parents put small portions of snacks into tackle boxes or bento box-type containers so that snacks will be more entertaining and possibly last longer with their toddlers.

You can mix up all kinds of snack options from healthy (orange slices, dried fruit) to standby favorites (teddy graham crackers, dry cereal) to fun treats (mini Oreos, candy).

I love this adorable snack spinner that’s perfect for toddlers.

14. Lacing Cards

Lacing cards are shapes that come with holes dotting the outline so that kids can practice threading the laces through the holes. It’s perfect for practicing fine motor skills and keeps toddlers busy for quite a while.

I will say this activity is better suited for older toddlers (ages 2-3) than younger ones (12-24 months).

15. Explore Your Seatback Pocket

Do you know how your toddler would rather play with the remote control or a cardboard box than their own toys? That’s exactly how the seatback pocket is. It’s a treasure trove of things your toddler will want to touch and look at.

My 2-year-old spent a good 10 minutes paging through the laminated safety information card. It was very colorful, so I kind of get the appeal! Anyway, if you’re going crazy, look around and see what’s available. You might buy yourself a few minutes!

16. Magnadoodle

Yes, this classic toy from our childhood is still fun for kids! I love the miniature versions for travel, and the no-mess factor is appealing for parents, too!

17. Magnet Tins

My toddlers always love playing with magnets, whether it’s shape magnets, animals, alphabet, or even Magnatiles. Use a tin pencil box to store magnets and double as a magnetic surface to play!

18. LCD Writing Tablet (Boogie Board)

We have been huge fans of LCD writing tablets for a long time. We originally got the Boogie Boards for our oldest 2 kids, but have since added a few generic brand ones as we’ve added more kids to the family. They all work great, and I love that you can erase the drawing with the press of a button. Be sure to get one where the stylus is attached so you don’t keep losing them!

19. Busy Book

For younger toddlers, a busy book might be your best bet! I’ve seen families use homemade ones, or you can find premade ones like this! They’re full of educational activities, gadgets to help with fine motor skills and bright colors.

20. Small Toys

I thought I would throw this generic “small toys” item on the list because some toddlers are really attached to a certain toy or really drawn to a certain franchise (one of my boys was SUPER into the Disney Cars movies).

If they have a favorite toy that won’t take up too much room in the carry-on, definitely bring that along! Figurines, toy cars, or even a surprise from the Dollar Store or Dollar Spot at Target!

21. Pipe Cleaners

Pipe cleaners are so fun to play with, bend, twist, tie, or poke through holes! You can just bring a pack of them, or bring a spice jar so they can practice hand-eye coordination by threading a pipe cleaner through the holes!

22. Wikki Stix

We discovered Wikki Stix a few years ago and they are the perfect travel activity! They stick to whatever surface you’re using, but they’re not so sticky that you won’t be able to peel them off or have trouble cleaning them up.

You can bend them into shapes, make pictures, practice letters or numbers, and more! I love this little travel pack!

I would definitely recommend this for older toddlers, probably ages 3 and up.

23. Dot Stickers

Do you know those garage sale stickers? The brightly colored circles? Toddlers LOVE to play with these. Give them a notepad and colorful dot stickers, and let them go to work!

Here are some larger stickers for smaller fingers, or a sheet of them for older toddlers! Hint: when letting toddlers play with stickers, peel off the white background in between the stickers so it’s easier for them to peel the stickers off!

24. Notebook

Our youngest loves to steal her older siblings’ notebooks, so getting her her own special notebook for our trip made her feel so special!

Since we were going to Disney World, I made sure to get her a Disney-themed notebook (Dollar Store fo the win!) and she could color in it, draw in it, or put her stickers in it.

25. Wallet with Toy Cards

After going through security and having to show your ID, ticket, and passport, your toddler might want to mimic everything they just experienced!

Bring a cheap wallet (not a toy one…they somehow know when they aren’t real), and fill it with old gift cards or hotel key cards that your toddler can pretend are plane tickets, ID cards, or money.

Or they just might want to take the cards out and put them back in over and over.

26. Play-Doh (play dough)

Grab one or two mini Play-Doh, a few accessories like cutout shapes and those little Play-Doh knives, and even a few things to stick in the Play-Doh (figurines, popsicle sticks, etc.)

Put them in a small pencil box, and you have a cute little play set!

I wouldn’t pack too many, though, because this activity could easily get a little messy or out of control, or you’re going to have to keep opening tiny Play-Doh canisters.

27. Dry Erase Activity Books

I always hesitate to recommend these, but it definitely depends on the age, temperament, and developmental level of your toddler.

There are so many fun dry-erase activity books for this age level where kids can practice tracing shapes, letters, and numbers, complete easy activities like matching or circling items, or just have fun coloring with a real marker.

Definitely for older, calmer toddlers who won’t color all over their tray table or seat.

28. Stuffed Animals

Bringing a small stuffed animal or baby doll on the plane can make your child feel comforted and safe. Plus, my 2-year-old loved showing her Curious George everything she was seeing out the window! It actually kept her busy for a few minutes playing pretend with her stuffy.

I do speak from experience when I say that you should probably avoid bringing an irreplaceable stuffed animal or lovey. We have left stuffies at hotels, and lived to regret it.

29. Toy Cars (use tape as roads)

This one is a bit risky but could really pay off for vehicle-loving toddlers. Bring some road tape for toy cars and spread them out on the tray table. Let your child zoom and vroom their toy cars along the road.

I would caution not to bring tons and tons of cars, though, or they’ll all end up accidentally rolling onto the floor.

30. Legos or Duplos (LEGO travel boxes from the dollar store)

When I was at the dollar store I found small LEGO storage boxes (they just had 4 compartments inside and a LEGO plate on top - you could easily make one yourself by gluing a LEGO plate to any storage box you like).

For a toddler, it would probably be better to bring a LEGO DUPLO set since the pieces are bigger, which means a little one is less likely to swallow one, and they’re easier to grab. This little farm set would be so much fun!

31. Glow Stick

Glow sticks come in so many fun shapes and size these days, and make a fun toy for early morning or late night flights.

Grab a glow stick wand for a Disney trip, a glow stick sword, or bracelets and necklaces. The possibilities are endless!

32. Tablet and Headphones

On public transportation, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with resorting to tablets with shows, games, or music for your toddler. Everyone else on the plane is relaxing on their screens, so any screen time rules you typically have for your kids can safely be forgotten until you’re back on solid ground.

We love the Amazon Fire Kids Tablet that comes with a kid-proof case and a year-long subscription to Amazon Kids+.

33. Lift Flap Books

We only have so much space in our carry-on bags, so we must be wise about which books we choose to bring.

I feel like lift-the-flap books are a good choice because they provide a bit of entertainment along with a story, and kids can play with them somewhat independently.

34. Foam Stickers

My mom brought some of these colorful shape foam stickers when my kids were at her house, and they were absolutely enthralled. They ended up playing for so long!

I thought they would be perfect to play with on a flight for little ones! The fact that they are bigger than normal stickers makes them perfect for small fingers, though you may still have to peel off the backing for younger toddlers.

35. Seek and Find Books

Seek-and-find books are a fun option for older toddlers! They can be very time-consuming, too, so if you’re looking to kill some time on the flight, pull out a seek-and-find book!

This Bluey one is adorable, but there are so many other fun options out there!

36. Toy Catalogs

Every year around Christmas, companies like Amazon and Walmart send toy catalogs in the mail, and our kids love to circle their favorite items to add to their Christmas lists.

Next time you get one of these, save them for your next flight and let your kids look through them and pick out the toys that appeal to them!

37. Maps

Whether you print out some blank maps for kids to color, give them an old paper map, bring an atlas or book of maps, or use some map placemats, there’s just something about maps that fascinates kids.

38. Cereal Necklace

For one road trip, I made all of my kid's cereal necklaces with Froot Loops and string! I think it would be so fun to do for a plane ride with toddlers, too, because it combines a bit of whimsy with snack time, plus they will take so much longer to eat the cereal if it’s on a necklace than if it’s just in a bowl.

39. Sensory Toys

Sensory toys are a great distraction for kids that are feeling nervous or out of their comfort zone!

Nowadays you can find “pop it” or dimple toys in travel sizes that toddlers can press and play with.

40. Digital Books

In recent years, I’ve had so much fun discovering new things at our local library, including read-along audio-enabled books for kids! The VOX books read books aloud to kids as they turn the pages.

You can charge them and even plug headphones into the jack so that kids can listen to their own personal books while they follow along with the pictures.

This has come in so handy for us when we have multiple kids with us that need our attention.

Another alternative to this would be downloading digital books on the kids’ Amazon Fire tablets that read aloud to them.

41. Playaway Books

Along the same note, our library also offers Playaway books, which are basically just audiobooks for kids without needing an electronic device.

You do need to make sure you have batteries for these and a set of headphones that work, but it’s another free option for kids to read books. These are definitely better for older toddlers than younger ones.

42. Colorforms

Colorforms are basically reusable stickers, but they each come with a background, and you can make countless different scenes by moving the stickers around.

We found some at our local dollar store, but here’s an example of what I’m talking about.

43. Magnetic Puzzles

My kids have all gone through a puzzle phase in their toddler and preschool years, and I can’t say that I mind it! I would much rather do a puzzle with them than play pretend.

If your kid is really into puzzles, consider a magnetic puzzle for toddlers to get their brains working! This way they won’t lose all the loose pieces when they’re trying to put everything together.

44. Play Guessing Games or Memory Games

On our trip to Costa Rica this past summer, we had a drive with lots of twists and turns in the rain at night, and our driver recommended we stop reading or watching screens so we wouldn’t get motion sickness.

We resorted to playing some fun guessing games or word games with the kids and ended up laughing so hard. I still treasure that memory!

Some guessing games you could do with toddlers include i-spy, asking them what their favorite thing is in different categories, quizzing them on animal sounds, and playing copycat.

If your kids are a little older and better at conversation, try these 100 conversation starters for families!

45. Kids' Cameras

A few years ago we got these cameras for our oldest 2 kids, and they’ve been a huge hit with all ages and stages of kids!

Of course, they can take pictures of the trip (and you could even do a photo scavenger hunt or checklist), but they can also play games on the camera, take videos, and take selfies!

46. Look out the window with child-size binoculars

When we went on our big South Dakota road trip, we bought child-size binoculars for each of the kids so they could look for animals out the window!

I think these would be really fun to bring on the plane, too, so your toddler can look at all of the far away buildings, cars, fields, mountains, and lakes!

47. Suction Construction Toys

If you have a child that loves to build, bring some of these suction construction toys! You can also use them in the bath, so they don’t have to be just a plane toy.

They connect to the window and to each other so kids can build whatever creation they want!

48. Pop Tubes

I found some of these at our local dollar store and was so intrigued! They stretch and scrunch, they connect with each other, and you can make bracelets and necklaces, or you can just listen to the satisfying crinkling sound they make when you play with them.

49. Portable Shape Sorter

Very young toddlers will love playing with a portable shape sorter as they practice their motor skills and shape recognition!

50. Eye Found It or Spot It

A friend introduced us to Eye Found It, a fun game for kids ages 3 and up! It’s a card game, and each person gets a few cards. Each turn you have to hunt for a hidden picture, and the first person to find it gets to discard their card.

We also love Spot It in our family. Compare 2 cards with lots of symbols on them until you find the matching symbol. The first to spot it gets to keep the pair. There’s a Spot It Junior version that older toddlers and preschoolers will really enjoy!

51. Practice Writing ABCs

3-year-old toddlers will love the challenge of writing their letters! You can print out letter tracing worksheets for free online, or find a letter tracing workbook to bring along.

52. Magnetic Blocks

Magnetic cubes are great for building towers on an airplane so that your toddler won’t constantly be knocking over their creations!

53. LeapFrog Interactive Toys

Our family has really grown to love the LeapFrog interactive toys and books over the years because kids can play with them fairly independently and still learn about the world around them!

I love the Things that Go interactive book for little ones!

54. Organic Lollipops

Let’s face it, parents. Sometimes you’ve tried everything and you’re desperate for a break or a distraction.

I always keep a bag of emergency stash organic lollipops in my bag for just those situations. YumEarth is our favorite, and they are also perfect for takeoff and landing to help their little ears!

55. Nap Time!

And last but not least, don’t underestimate the power of getting your child to sleep during the flight.

We’ve started bringing the kids’ car seats on the plane with us (this is a great travel car seat for younger toddlers, and this one is perfect for tall toddlers), and it’s so nice to get them settled in the seat with a blanket, stuffed animal, and portable sound machine.

Airplane travel will always be a challenge for a toddler, so it's a good idea to be prepared with the best airplane activities and toys out there. But don't beat yourself up if your toddler still struggles. Travel days are hard for everyone, and these little people are still trying to figure out what's going on in the world.