The holidays are coming, and for many families, that means travel—sometimes across the ocean, sometimes just a few hours away. Traveling with little ones can feel like an adventure… and a challenge. Over the years, I’ve discovered a few flight activities for toddlers that have truly saved us during our US–France trips.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you. I only share products I’ve personally used and loved. Thank you for supporting my work!
The key? I only pack a few carefully chosen items in my son’s backpack. Not too many, not too bulky—just enough to keep him engaged, happy, and calm.
One lovely side effect of this approach is that it gives him a sense of control. Everything is in his bag, his own little set of travel activities. He knows he can choose what to use, which makes the journey more enjoyable and far less stressful for both of us.
Here are our go-to flight activities:
Indestructible Books
Perfect for babies and younger toddlers. We used these indestructible books when he was little, and they were wonderful for flights. They survive enthusiastic handling, twisting, crinkling—everything. The simple illustrations kept his attention, and their durability makes them ideal for encouraging even the youngest children to handle books independently.
Stickers
My son adores them. The sticker set we’ve used has been a hit, and even a small sheet can keep him busy peeling, sticking, and rearranging. That said, I’m not fond of PVC-based stickers, so I’m still looking for a non-toxic option that feels more aligned with what we use at home.
Mini Buddha Board
This has been a wonderful discovery—for children and adults alike. You simply add a little water to the tray, and your toddler can paint freely. The marks fade on their own as the surface dries, making it a calming, almost meditative activity. The Buddha Board was my son’s favorite activity. It’s fully reusable and completely mess-free.
Crayons and Drawing Books
A timeless option. A small notebook and a few crayons or tempera sticks take very little space and offer so much freedom. When he was younger, he loved scribbling and watching colors blend. Now, as a preschooler, he fills pages with drawings and his own little “writing.”
Washi or Painter’s Tape
Shockingly simple and endlessly engaging. I stick pieces on the tray table, and he peels them off, repositions them, folds them, lines them up… It’s wonderful for fine motor skills and leaves no residue behind.
It’s also lightweight and easy to pack, which makes it a perfect travel item.
For older toddlers who are past the mouthing stage, you can tape down small figures—like tiny TOOB animals or TOOB vehicles—so your child can “rescue” them by peeling the tape. You can even create a little runway, road, or pathway on the tray table. This creates a playful, contained space for little travelers without any mess.
Tegu Blocks / Mini Magna-Tiles
Lightweight, compact, and magnetic—perfect for airplane tray tables. These encourage spatial reasoning, creativity, and focused play without taking up much space. A small Tegu block set goes a long way, offering endless creative possibilities from simple towers to imaginative little structures.
Traveling with toddlers doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With a few intentionally chosen activities, you can turn long flights into opportunities for creativity, independence, and connection. And often, these small, intentional moments turn into the sweetest memories of the journey.
