How To Keep Toddler Entertained On Plane: Survival Guide

Flying with a toddler can feel like a big challenge. You might worry about meltdowns, keeping them happy, and what other people on the plane will think. The good news is, with some planning and the right tools, you absolutely can learn how to survive a flight with a toddler and even make it a good trip for everyone. This guide gives you flying with a toddler tips and ideas to help you keep your little one busy and happy from takeoff to landing, whether it’s a short hop or a long flight with toddler activities.

How To Keep Toddler Entertained On Plane
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Getting Ready Before You Fly

Good planning is the first step to a calm flight with a toddler. It helps you feel ready and gives you things to use when your toddler gets bored or fussy. Think about what your child likes and what calms them down.

Planning is Your Friend

Book flights that match your toddler’s sleep time if you can. A red-eye flight might mean they sleep for a lot of it. A flight during their usual nap time can also work well. If you fly during the day, be ready to entertain them the whole time.

Try to pick seats that give you a bit more space. Seats near the front of the plane might be closer to the bathrooms. Bulkhead seats (the ones with a wall in front) often have more legroom, but check if they allow toddlers there. Getting seats together is key so you can easily help your child.

Talk to your toddler about the trip before you go. Read books about flying. Look at pictures of planes. Explain what will happen in simple words. “We’re going on a big bus in the sky!” This can help them know what to expect.

Think about check-in. Can you do it online? This saves time at the airport. Going through security needs patience. You’ll likely need to take your toddler out of their stroller or carrier. Pack liquids and snacks you need for the baby according to rules (like formula or milk).

Allow lots of extra time at the airport. Rushing with a toddler is stressful. Extra time means you can let them walk around, burn some energy, and see the planes before you get on your flight. This makes them more likely to sit still later.

Packing Smart: The Essential Bag

Your carry-on bag for the plane is super important. This is where you keep everything you need to keep your toddler happy and deal with little problems. Think of it as a magic bag of tricks.

Here are some things to put in your carry-on:

Snacks: More than you think you’ll need!
Drinks: A sippy cup or bottle for water or milk. You can buy drinks after security.
Diapers and wipes: Enough for the flight and some extra in case of delays.
Change of clothes: For your toddler (and maybe a shirt for you!) in case of spills or accidents.
Small blanket or lovey: Something soft and familiar to help them feel safe.
Small pillow: For comfort or sleeping.
Basic medicines: Like pain reliever or motion sickness medicine, just in case.
Hand sanitizer and wipes: Planes can have germs.
Plastic bags: For trash, wet clothes, or dirty diapers.
A tablet or phone: With shows, movies, or apps downloaded ahead of time.
Headphones: Comfy ones for little ears.
Plenty of travel toys for toddlers plane: We’ll talk more about these!
A few new, surprise items: Something they haven’t seen before can buy you valuable time.
Sippy cup or bottle: Have it ready for takeoff and landing. Drinking can help little ears pop.

Packing a toddler busy bag airplane is a great idea. This is a smaller bag or pouch just for activities and toys. It makes it easy to grab and keeps everything together. You can fill it with small toys, books, and art supplies.

Toys That Make Flights Easier

Choosing the right toys is key to keeping your toddler busy and happy on the plane. You want toys that are small, quiet, don’t have lots of pieces that can roll away, and hold their attention.

Picking Great Travel Toys for Toddlers Plane

When picking toys for the plane, think about these things:

Size: Can it fit in your carry-on easily? Is it small enough to use on a small tray table?
Weight: You have to carry it!
Noise: Toys that make loud noises are not great for shared spaces like planes. Look for quiet activities for toddlers on a plane.
Pieces: Avoid toys with many tiny parts that are easy to lose under seats.
Mess: Crayons are better than markers that can stain. Water wow books are mess-free.
Interest: Will it keep your toddler busy for more than 30 seconds? Does it match their age and what they like right now?

Mixing familiar favorites with one or two new toys often works best. A new toy brings excitement, but a familiar one offers comfort.

Top Quiet Activities for Toddlers On a Plane

Keeping noise down is important on a plane. Here are some quiet ideas:

Sticker Books: Reusable sticker books or simple sticker sheets. Peeling and sticking is great for fine motor skills and keeps them quiet.
Coloring Books and Crayons: A small pad and a few chunky crayons work well. Avoid skinny crayons that break easily or markers that can draw on the tray table.
Water Wow Books: These use water pens to make colors appear. No mess! Just fill the pen with a little water before the flight.
Post-it Notes: Toddlers love peeling and sticking these everywhere (within reason, of course, maybe just on their own tray table or the seat back). It’s simple but entertaining.
Wikki Stix: Waxy sticks that bend and stick together. They can be reused and don’t leave a mess. Kids can make shapes or stick them on paper.
Small Building Blocks: Soft, quiet ones like Duplo are good. A small bag of just a few blocks is enough.
Lacing Beads: Big beads on a string are good for little hands and quiet play.
Finger Puppets: Small, soft puppets can lead to quiet, imaginative play.
Sorting Toys: A small container with different colored items (like pom-poms or large buttons) and a way to sort them into colored cups or sections.
Busy Boards/Books: Small, soft busy books with zippers, buttons, and buckles offer quiet, hands-on play. Travel-size busy boards are also available.

These types of toddler activities airplane are perfect because they don’t bother other passengers and focus your child’s attention.

Best Airplane Toys for 2 Year Old Ideas

Two-year-olds are exploring and learning so fast! They like doing things themselves. The best airplane toys for 2 year old are often simple, interactive, and safe for their age.

Here are some top picks for a 2-year-old on a plane:

Lift-the-Flap Books: Toddlers love guessing what’s under the flap. Small board books are best.
Reusable Sticker Books: As mentioned, these are great. They can stick and restick the pictures.
Chunky Puzzles: Simple puzzles with large pieces (2-4 pieces) that fit into a board.
Stacking Cups or Rings: A small set can be stacked, nested, or used for pretend play.
Animal or Car Figurines: A few small, favorite characters or vehicles can be used for quiet imaginative play on the tray table.
Sensory Ball: A small textured ball is nice for them to hold and feel.
Magnetic Drawing Board: A classic for a reason. They can draw and erase over and over without any mess. Choose a small, travel-size one.
Play-Doh (Small Container): A small pot of Play-Doh can keep hands busy. Be ready to pick up bits! Some people prefer avoiding this due to mess potential, but a tiny amount can be a hit.
Favorite Small Plush Toy: A comfort item that can also be part of their play.

Remember to keep the toy options limited at any one time. Pull out one or two things. When they lose interest, swap them for something else from the toddler busy bag airplane. This keeps things fresh.

Making a Toddler Busy Bag Airplane

A busy bag is your secret weapon. It’s a collection of small, engaging items packed into one easy-to-carry bag. You can make one yourself or buy pre-made kits.

To make your own toddler busy bag airplane:

Choose a small, lightweight bag or zipper pouch.
Gather several quiet activities for toddlers on a plane and travel toys for toddlers plane. Aim for variety.
Include things like:
- Mini coloring book and crayons
- Reusable stickers
- Water Wow book
- Post-it notes
- A few animal figures
- A small puzzle
- Wikki Stix
- A small book
- Maybe one new, surprise item.
Keep it small enough to fit in the seat pocket or under the seat easily.
Don’t show your toddler the bag until you are on the plane and need it. The newness adds to the fun.

Rotate the items in the busy bag. On the next flight, swap out some toys for others. This keeps the bag exciting each time you fly.

Keeping Them Busy Onboard

Once you’re on the plane, the real fun (and work!) begins. Have your plan ready, but also be flexible. Sometimes what you thought would work doesn’t, and something simple is a big hit.

Simple Toddler Activities Airplane

Start with simple things when you first get settled.

Look out the window: Point out things you see. “Look at the ground getting smaller!” “See the clouds?”
Explore the seat: Let them explore their seat area (safely!). Buckling the seatbelt, opening the tray table (when allowed), feeling the seat fabric. These small things can be interesting.
Read Books: Small board books or soft books are great. Read their favorites or a new travel-themed book.
Sing Songs Quietly: Sing nursery rhymes or other songs softly to them.
Play Peek-a-Boo: A simple game that can bring smiles.
Play with Cup Lids: Ask flight attendants for extra cup lids. Toddlers can stack them, sort them, or use them as pretend food. Simple items can be the best toddler activities airplane.
Paper Cups: Stack them, knock them down (gently!), or use them for pretend play.
Safety Card: Let them look at the airplane safety card. Point to the pictures.
Play with the Air Vent or Light Button: Show them how it works. Turning the light on and off or feeling the air can be fascinating (for a little while!).

These low-prep activities use what’s around you or simple items from your bag.

Activities for a Long Flight with Toddler Activities

For longer flights, you need more variety and things that take more time. This is where your toddler busy bag airplane and screen time come in handy.

Work Through the Busy Bag: Introduce one item at a time from your bag. When they seem bored with one, swap it for another.
Story Time with Props: Use small toys from your bag (like animal figures) to act out a story.
Coloring and Drawing: Spend focused time coloring together.
Sticker Scenes: Use a sticker book to create a picture scene together.
Wikki Stix Creation: Encourage them to make shapes, letters, or stick them onto a piece of paper from the seat pocket.
Lacing Toys: These take focus and time.
Water Wow Books: They can do these multiple times as they dry.
Simple Puzzles: Work on chunky puzzles together.
Sorting Games: Sort items by color or shape from your bag or snacks.
Play-Doh: If you brought it, this can occupy a good amount of time.
Threading Cheerios: Use a pipe cleaner or string and O-shaped cereal for a snack and activity in one.

Mix seated activities with moments where you can stand up and walk the aisle (when the seatbelt sign is off). A change of scenery helps.

Thinking About Screen Time on Plane Toddler

Many parents wonder about screen time on plane toddler. It’s okay to use screens! A long flight is a perfect time to relax your usual rules about screen time. Downloading their favorite shows, movies, or age-appropriate apps before you leave is crucial.

What to Watch: Load up on familiar comfort shows or movies they love. Add a new one for extra interest.
Apps: Simple puzzle apps, coloring apps, or interactive story apps can be great. Look for apps that don’t need Wi-Fi.
Headphones: Make sure you have comfortable, volume-limiting headphones that fit your toddler’s ears. Let them try them on before the trip.
Battery: Charge your device fully. A portable power bank is a lifesaver on a long flight.
How to Use It: Screen time can be used as a last resort when other things aren’t working, or you can use it to get through tough parts of the flight, like takeoff, landing, or the middle hours of a long flight with toddler activities. Don’t feel guilty about using it. It can save everyone’s sanity.

Balance screen time with other toddler activities airplane. You don’t want them glued to the screen the whole flight, but it’s a valuable tool.

Eating Right: Toddler Airplane Snacks

Snacks are more than just food on a plane. They are entertainment, comfort, and a good way to pass time. Pack a variety of toddler airplane snacks your child loves.

Good ideas for toddler airplane snacks:

Puffs or Cereal: Easy to eat and can be a quiet activity for toddlers on a plane (threading onto a string).
Fruit: Sliced apples, bananas, grapes (cut in half lengthwise for safety), or berries.
Veggies: Cucumber sticks, carrot sticks (if your toddler eats them easily).
Cheese Sticks or Cubes: Good protein.
Crackers or Rice Cakes: Simple and crunchy.
Pouches: Fruit or veggie pouches are easy and less messy.
Yogurt Tubes: If you can keep them cool or they don’t need chilling.
Dry Cereal Mix: Make your own mix of cereals, maybe some small pretzels or dried fruit.
Small Muffins or Bread: Something easy to hold and eat.
Raisins or Other Dried Fruit: Good for little fingers to pick up.

Pack snacks in small containers or bags. This makes them easy to get out and keeps them from getting squished. Pack more than you think you need because delays happen, and sometimes they eat just because they’re bored.

Having a special, maybe slightly sugary, treat tucked away can be a great motivator or distraction during a tough moment. Just use it wisely!

Remember to bring a sippy cup or bottle and fill it with water after you get through security. Staying hydrated is important for everyone.

More Flying with a Toddler Tips

Beyond toys and snacks, here are other things that can help you survive a flight with a toddler.

Handling Tough Moments

Meltdowns happen. It’s okay. Don’t let it stress you too much. People on planes are usually more understanding than you think, especially if they’ve flown with kids themselves.

Stay Calm: Your toddler feeds off your energy. If you get stressed, they will too. Take a deep breath.
Figure Out Why: Are they hungry? Thirsty? Tired? Bored? In pain (ears popping)? Hot or cold? Address the most likely reason first. Offer a snack, a drink, a cuddle, a toy, or try to help their ears pop.
Change of Scenery: If allowed, get up and walk the aisle. Sometimes just moving helps.
Offer Comfort: A hug, a familiar blanket, or a quiet song can help soothe them.
Distraction: Quickly pull out a new toy or snack. “Look at this!”
Ear Pain: Swallowing helps ears pop. Encourage them to drink from their cup or nurse/take a bottle or pacifier during takeoff and landing. Offering a snack they have to chew can also help.
Be Patient: It will end. The flight won’t last forever. Focus on getting through one moment at a time.

Don’t worry too much about what others think. Focus on your child’s needs. Most people are just hoping the child isn’t sitting right next to them, but they aren’t wishing you ill will. A quick, polite smile to your neighbors can help, but don’t feel like you need to apologize for your child being a child.

Rest and Sleep

Getting your toddler to sleep on a plane can be a game-changer, especially on a long flight with toddler activities.

Stick to Routine (as much as possible): If they usually nap at a certain time, try to create a sleep environment around then.
Comfort Items: Use their special blanket or lovey, and maybe a small travel pillow.
Wear Pajamas: Changing into PJs on a longer flight can signal that it’s time to rest.
Walk Them: Sometimes walking them up and down the aisle can help them fall asleep.
Nursing or Bottle: For younger toddlers, nursing or a bottle can be very soothing and help them drift off.
Use a Carrier: If they are used to sleeping in a soft carrier (like an Ergo or Tula), wearing them can help them feel secure and fall asleep.
Make it Dark and Quiet: Close the window shade. Use a blanket draped over you and your child (carefully, ensuring airflow) to create a dark space. White noise from headphones or a downloaded app can block out plane noise.
Seat Sleep Aids: There are inflatable cushions or travel beds that can turn their seat into a flat area for sleeping. Check airline rules first, as not all airlines allow these. Some flights might have bassinets for very young toddlers, but check age/weight limits and book ahead.

Don’t force sleep. If they’re not tired, trying to make them sleep will just lead to frustration. Use the quiet activities or screen time instead.

How to Survive a Flight with a Toddler: Putting it All Together

Successfully flying with a toddler is about being prepared, flexible, and patient. It’s a mix of having the right distractions, being ready to comfort them, and managing your own stress.

Here’s a quick summary of flying with a toddler tips:

Plan Ahead: Book smart, pack smart, check in early.
Pack the Magic Bag: Fill your carry-on with essentials, focusing on toddler airplane snacks and travel toys for toddlers plane.
Create a Busy Bag: Make a toddler busy bag airplane with a variety of quiet activities for toddlers on a plane.
Bring the Right Toys: Choose small, quiet, engaging toys like those recommended as best airplane toys for 2 year old.
Mix Activities: Rotate between toys, books, simple games, walking, and looking out the window.
Use Screen Time Wisely: It’s a powerful tool for long flight with toddler activities and tough moments.
Snacks are Your Friend: Pack plenty of favorite toddler airplane snacks.
Be Ready for Meltdowns: Stay calm, try to figure out the cause, and offer comfort or distraction.
Encourage Sleep: Try to create a sleep environment if possible, using comfort items or carriers.
Be Kind to Yourself: It’s not easy, but you can do it. Every flight is different.

Flying with a toddler might not be the most relaxing trip you ever take, but it can be manageable, and even have some sweet moments. Seeing their face light up at the window, or getting a quiet snuggle during a movie, makes the effort worth it. With these toddler activities airplane ideas and flying with a toddler tips, you’re well-equipped to handle the journey.

Questions You Might Ask (FAQ)

Q: What is the single most important thing to pack?

A: This is tough, but probably snacks. Hunger and thirst can cause major meltdowns, and snacks also work as toddler activities airplane and distractions. Pack more than you think you’ll need!

Q: How do I deal with ear pain during takeoff and landing?

A: Encourage your toddler to swallow. Giving them a sippy cup with a drink, a bottle, a pacifier, or a snack they have to chew (like puffs or crackers) during these times helps their ears pop and equalizes the pressure.

Q: Should I bring a stroller to the airport?

A: Yes, many parents find a stroller or carrier very helpful for getting through the airport, especially if you have luggage. You can usually gate-check your stroller right before you get on the plane.

Q: How many toys should I bring?

A: A good rule is maybe 5-10 small items that offer variety. This is where the toddler busy bag airplane concept is helpful. You don’t need a huge bag, just a few well-chosen travel toys for toddlers plane that are quiet and don’t have many pieces.

Q: Is it okay to let my toddler walk around the plane?

A: Yes, when the seatbelt sign is off, short walks up and down the aisle can be a good way for toddlers to move their bodies and change their environment. Just be mindful of flight attendants working and other passengers. Keep it brief and supervised.

Q: What if my toddler screams the whole flight?

A: First, try everything you can from the flying with a toddler tips like snacks, drinks, toys, comfort, checking for ear pain, etc. If nothing works and they are just having a tough time, focus on staying calm yourself. There’s only so much you can do. Offer comfort if they’ll accept it, and ride it out. It’s okay. Every parent who has flown with a toddler has faced tough moments.

Q: What are some good quiet activities for toddlers on a plane besides screens?

A: Reusable sticker books, Water Wow books, coloring with crayons, Wikki Stix, simple puzzles, lacing beads, and playing quietly with small figurines or items like cup lids are all great options for keeping noise down.

Q: How do I make sure my toddler’s headphones stay on?

A: Look for headphones designed for toddlers. They often have smaller headbands and might be softer. Letting your toddler try them on before the trip helps them get used to them. Sometimes, just resting them gently over their ears is enough for them to hear the sound without needing a tight fit.

Q: What’s the best way to pack toddler airplane snacks?

A: Use small, clear containers or reusable snack bags. This keeps things organized, prevents crushing, and makes it easy to see what’s inside. Pack a mix of favorites and maybe one or two special treats.

Q: Are there specific best airplane toys for 2 year old you recommend?

A: Yes, for 2-year-olds, focus on simple interaction. Lift-the-flap books, reusable stickers, chunky puzzles, magnetic drawing boards, and small sets of stacking items or animal figures often work very well.

Q: How long should screen time sessions be for a toddler on a plane?

A: There’s no set rule, especially on a long flight. Use your judgment. You might use it for takeoff and landing, or break up the flight into chunks – playtime, then snack time, then maybe a short screen time session. Don’t feel pressured to limit it strictly if it’s helping everyone stay calm and happy during a challenging journey.

This guide offers many ideas to help you prepare and manage flying with your little one. Remember to breathe, be prepared, and focus on your child’s needs. You’ve got this!