Travel Toys and Activities
There are endless resources for “busy bags” and “travel activities” online for babies, toddlers and kids, but as a mom it is difficult to know which activities will ACTUALLY keep your kids busy on a long plane flight. I have compiled a list that has been “kid-approved” by my children, kids I see daily at the clinic, and my friend’s kids. Here are the steps to making the perfect airplane bag:
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The first step is to determine what things keeps your child busy at home. Is it opening and closing containers? Drawing? Pulling strings? Eating? Once you determine this, you will then choose the toys from the list that will peak your child’s interest. Just because I tell you these toys kept my kids busy for hours, doesn’t mean they will keep your kids busy. As a pediatric Occupational Therapist, I also specifically chose toys that would work on fine motor skills, pre-reading, phonemic awareness, problem solving, etc.
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Choose the bag you are going to pack these items in. This is important, so you know how much space you have. I LOVE this bag and use it for work, as a diaper bag and for travel and it has been great! It’s also not expensive, so if the kids spill on it, I don’t have to worry!
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Get a bunch of reusable zipper bags. I like to go to Daiso for this (as a side note- this is my favorite store for stuff like this! It’s amazing!), but you can also get these from Amazon.
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Start compiling the toys that you want (see below).
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Pack your bag!
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Enjoy your plane flight! (enjoy might be a strong word, because even though you are now prepared with toys, depending on the age of your children, you will still have to be the one to “entertain” them with these toys, but at least you will have tools!)
Foam puzzle is great for toddlers (but my 4 year old likes it too!)
- Cut out shapes from an Amazon box (we all have these)
- Trace shapes onto patterned paper, cut and glue onto cardboard shapes
- Use sharpie to trace onto foam paper
- Stick velcro to adhere
Jumbo Nuts and bolts: Great for toddlers! Helps improve fine motor skills, bilateral coordination, learning colors, and more!
Lacing Activity: Love this one because it’s not your typical cardboard lacing card. The chunky plastic apple and chunky worm at the end of the lace make it perfect for little hands to figure out. Great for kids that like strings and putting things in and out!
This easy homemade activity is great for toddlers and preschoolers alike! Wiffle balls and pipe cleaners make a great toy for kids to keep busy while stuck on the airplane!
This buckle toy! Keeps toddlers busy for a long time trying to open and close the fasteners!
Water Wow! These books are great because there is no mess!
These water alphabet cards for preschoolers were a hit!
Crayola Color Wonder markers and paper always go in my travel/restaurant bags as well
Magic Pen books can keep toddlers busy for a long time, or this Magic Pen diary for your preschool/school-aged kiddo
VELCRO ANYTHING!
If you have a toddler, velcro is a must have on long plane flights. You can put them on simple wooden blocks, popsicle sticks, foam paper, etc. This will keep them busy for a long time!
Magnetic toys like this one are great for toddlers as well (as long as they are not still mouthing toys!)
For preschoolers or school-aged kids, these magnetic shapes are a great learning toy for home, but would also be a great addition to any plane bag!
Alphabet match with stickers (ages 4 -6). Super easy to make and keeps kids busy trying to match the lowercase letters with the uppercase. You could create something similar with colors or shapes as well!
Found this paper case at Daiso also and filled it with worksheets, pencils, stickers and a crayon for my pre-schooler to keep her busy (and learning) when she needed a break from “screen time”
Pre-reading skill cards with pictures, words and clips to match the letters. Helps fine motor skills, visual motor, and cognitive skills all while keeping them busy!
Window clings, Colorforms, and Reusable stickers are great if you have a window seat! Above all, they will keep your kids happy and busy!
Play doh and a few tools will keep kids busy and easy to find. Therefore, if it falls and gets gross, dries up or gets mixed, it’s not a huge deal since it is easily replaceable! My toddler just likes playing with the containers, so that could be an option as well if you’re worried your little one will eat the dough!
Founds this perfect little container (at Daiso) and put a pack of post-its and crayons in it. After that, the kids spent a very long time coloring the post-its and sticking them on me! (Whatever keeps them happy!)
Etch-a-Sketch and Magna doodle
Both great (mess free) options for plane flights, restaurants, and car trips!
Dry erase board! You can bring markers or these perfect dry erase crayons that wipe off (with some extra effort) and keep the kids excited with a new and fun twist on coloring!
These ribbon pull jars are easy enough to make and toddlers love them! Get a spice jar or other small jar, box, or container. Punch holes (if it doesn’t already have them) and then push ribbons through, knotting both ends.
