What are the best ways to keep my kids entertained on a long flight?

The trick is not to entertain them nonstop—it’s to have enough different options that you can rotate through them. The American Academy of Pediatrics specifically recommends treating screens as one tool among several, with offline activities available for easier transitions.

My go-to long-flight strategy

• Pack a small “flight bag” for each child. Let them carry it and choose what goes inside.
• Use surprise activities. Wrap or put individual activities in little bags and hand out a new one every hour or two. Novelty helps hold attention.
• Bring low-mess activities: sticker books, coloring books, Water Wow–type books, magnetic puzzles, small LEGO sets, activity books, cards, and reusable drawing tablets.
• Download screens before leaving. Don't depend on Wi-Fi. Download movies, shows, games and audiobooks, and test them in airplane mode.
• Don't feel guilty about extra screen time. A long flight is an unusual situation, and pediatric guidance notes that some additional screen use during travel is reasonable—especially when balanced with other activities.
• Pack favorite snacks plus a few “special” ones. Snacks can double as entertainment, and having familiar food is particularly useful when airline choices don't appeal to your child.
• Make sleep part of the plan. For overnight flights, pajamas, a familiar stuffed animal/blanket, and a normal bedtime routine can help signal that it's time to wind down.
• Let them participate. Looking out the window, tracking the flight, spotting different types of planes, or helping with little travel tasks can make the flight itself entertaining.
• Burn energy before boarding. A good airport walk or play area can make the transition to sitting for hours easier.

A simple 10-hour-flight rotation

Hour 1: Snacks + window watching + explore the seat Hour 2: Activity book/stickers Hour 3: Movie or favorite show Hour 4: Surprise toy/game Hour 5: Lunch + audiobook Hour 6: Nap/quiet time Hour 7: New movie/game Hour 8: Coloring/LEGO/magnetic puzzle Hour 9: Snacks + family card game Hour 10: Movie + get-ready-to-land routine

One particularly useful trick: don't give them everything at once. Keep most activities hidden in your carry-on and reveal them gradually. That turns a bag of toys into several separate “events.”

If you tell me their ages and how long the flight is, I can make you a specific packing list and hour-by-hour entertainment plan.

Keeping kids entertained on a long flight is all about novelty, variety, and pacing yourself . Here are the best strategies and entertainment ideas to keep the journey smooth:

• The Wrapped Toy Trick : Wrap a few inexpensive dollar-store toys, small books, or travel games like little presents. Let them unwrap a new "surprise" every hour or two. The novelty and anticipation buy a surprising amount of quiet time.
• Magnetic Travel Games : Bring compact, magnetic versions of classics like checkers, tangrams, or snakes and ladders. Because the pieces lock onto the board, you won't have to spend half the flight crawling under seats looking for lost tokens.
• Mess-Free Art Supplies : Pack water-reveal coloring books (like Water Wow Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ), mess-free markers, or magnetic drawing boards. They give kids the creative outlet of drawing without the disaster of rolling crayons or spilled ink.
• Travel-Friendly Card Games : Compact card games like Go Fish, Uno , or matching games are lightweight, take up zero space, and double as a fun family activity that builds basic math and strategy skills.
• The New App / Download Strategy : If you use screens, download brand-new apps, shows, or movies offline right before you leave. Don't let them see the content beforehand—save that fresh excitement for when cruising altitude hits. Bring a comfortable pair of kids' size headphones.
• Interactive Activity Books : Opt for maze books, connect-the-dots, sticker-mosaic books, or "design your own comic strip" pads. These encourage deep focus and eat up big chunks of time without needing batteries.
• The Snack Tackle Box : Buy a cheap, clean plastic tackle box or craft organizer with multiple compartments and fill each section with a different snack (berries, pretzels, raisins, crackers, M&Ms). It turns eating into an activity that takes way longer than a standard baggie of chips.

If you share the ages of your kids , I can give you more tailored toy and activity recommendations that fit their specific developmental stage!

The best way to keep kids entertained on a long flight is to pack a surprise novelty bag of wrapped, inexpensive toys and snacks , doling out one new item every hour to maximize excitement and focus.

Watch these helpful video guides for proven tips and packing ideas to keep kids happy and entertained during long flights:

Interactive and Screen-Free Activities

• Magnetic games and puzzles : Compact magnetic tangrams, chess, or building tiles stay on the tray table and won't roll down the aisle.
• Mess-free art supplies : Water-reveal coloring pads (like Melissa & Doug Water Wow Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ) and reusable sticker books offer quiet entertainment without stray markers.
• Travel card games : Classic games like Go Fish, Uno, or spot-it cards are lightweight and engaging for elementary-aged children and up.
• Activity and maze books : Books focused on dot-to-dot, mazes, or invisible ink create long stretches of focused concentration.

Tech and Screen Strategies

• Pre-load and download : Download movies, shows, and interactive games ahead of time, and verify offline functionality before leaving home.
• Headphone comfort : Bring a pair of kid-sized, volume-limiting over-ear headphones that fit securely and comfortably for hours.
• Strategic timing : Save screen time for the second half of the flight when novelty toys have worn off and restlessness peaks.

Snacks and Comfort Hacks

• Bento box snacking : Pack a divided container with small, varied snacks to turn eating into a slow, engaging activity.
• Sippy cups or lollipops : Offer something to suck or chew on during takeoff and landing to help equalize ear pressure.
• Familiar comfort items : Pack a small blanket or a familiar plush toy that smells like home to help them settle down for naps.

If you'd like, let me know:

• The ages of your kids
• The length of the flight

I can give you a more tailored packing list or age-specific ideas.

Absolutely. The trick is not to pack one giant activity bag—it’s to create a rotation so something new appears every hour or two. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends mixing screens with books, puzzles, toys, and interactive activities rather than relying on screens for the whole flight.

✈️ A great long-flight strategy

• Pack a few “surprise” activities. Wrap inexpensive coloring books, sticker books, small puzzles, activity pads, or little toys and let your kids open one at intervals.
• Download movies and shows beforehand. Don't depend on airplane Wi-Fi or the entertainment system. Download several choices, plus headphones and a backup charger. The AAP specifically recommends preparing digital content before leaving home.
• Bring sticker books. They're quiet, compact, and can occupy younger kids for surprisingly long stretches.
• Try magnetic travel games. Magnetic chess/checkers, tangrams, puzzles, and matching games are much less likely to end up under the seat.
• Pack coloring/drawing supplies. Colored pencils or washable markers are usually easier to manage than crayons that can roll everywhere.
• Bring audiobooks or podcasts for kids. Great for the period when everyone is tired of looking at a screen.
• Play airplane-specific games. Count the number of people wearing red, guess what the next announcement will be about, make up stories about people in the airport, or let kids be the “flight attendant” who checks everyone's imaginary orders.
• Use snacks as entertainment. Pack several small portions rather than one big snack. A snack box with compartments can become an activity in itself.
• Let them explore the airplane. When it's safe and appropriate, looking out the window, examining the seat controls, reading the safety card, and watching the cabin crew can break up the monotony.
• Save the best screen entertainment for later. Don't immediately turn on the tablet at boarding. Having a movie or favorite game in reserve can be extremely useful when patience starts running out.

🎒 My ideal carry-on formula

For each child, I'd aim for:

1 comfort item + 1 book + 1 coloring/activity book + 1 puzzle/game + 1 small toy + headphones/tablet + snacks + 2–3 surprise activities.

And don't feel guilty about giving them more screen time than usual on a long flight. The AAP notes that using movies, games, or videos during travel is reasonable, particularly when balanced with other activities.

One important bonus: bring water or a drink for takeoff and especially descent; swallowing can help with ear discomfort from pressure changes.

If you tell me your kids' ages and how long the flight is, I can give you a specific flight entertainment schedule + packing list for them.

Keeping kids entertained on a long flight is all about strategy, variety, and a few well-timed surprises. Here is a breakdown of the best ways to keep them happy, calm, and busy from takeoff to landing:

1. Pack the "New Toy" Surprise Bag

• Dollar store gems: Wrap 3 to 5 small, inexpensive items (mini LEGO sets, sticker books, figurines, or fidget toys) in wrapping paper or tissue paper.
• The reveal: Let them unwrap one new item every hour or two. The novelty buys you a solid chunk of quiet time.

2. Tech Prep (And Offline Readiness)

• Download everything: Don't rely on in-flight Wi-Fi. Download movies, shows, games, and audiobooks onto your tablet or phone ahead of time.
• Child-friendly headphones: Bring a comfortable, volume-limiting pair of headphones that actually fit their heads.
• Splitters or wireless pairing: If you have two kids sharing a screen or device, a headphone splitter is a lifesaver.

3. Mess-Free Creative Supplies

• Water-reveal books: Options like Water Wow Go to product viewer dialog for this item. pads let kids "paint" with water, meaning zero mess on the tray table.
• Reusable sticker pads: Puffy or static stickers that can be peeled and repositioned on a glossy background keep toddlers and young kids engaged.
• Magnetic drawing boards: A classic etch-a-sketch or magnetic doodle board allows for endless drawing without loose crayons rolling down the aisle.

4. Snack-tivities (Snacks as Entertainment)

• Pill box dispenser: Fill a clean weekly pill organizer or a tackle box with a variety of small snacks (cheerios, raisins, M&Ms, pretzels). Opening each little compartment takes time and focus.
• Lacing snacks: Bring a piece of clean yarn or a pipe cleaner and let them string O-shaped cereal or dried fruit into a necklace before eating it.

5. Movement and Logistics

• Bulkhead seats or aisle seats: If budget allows, booking a bulkhead row gives extra legroom for a toddler to sit and play on the floor. Aisle seats make it easier to get up for a stretch walk.
• Wiggle breaks: Plan strategic trips to the lavatory just to stretch legs, look out a window in the galley area (with flight attendant permission), or do a few gentle stretches in the back.

If you let me know:

• The ages of your children
• The length of the flight

I can tailor these recommendations with specific toy ideas or age-appropriate survival tips!

Absolutely—the key is not bringing a mountain of toys, but having a rotation of different activities so each one feels fresh.

A good long-flight strategy

• Pack a “surprise bag.” Wrap or bag up 5–8 small activities and let your child open one every hour or whenever they get restless. Think sticker books, small puzzles, coloring, activity cards, or a new little toy.
• Bring screen entertainment—but save it. Download movies, shows, games, and audiobooks before leaving. Rather than starting with the tablet at boarding, keep it as a high-value backup for the harder stretches. The American Academy of Pediatrics specifically recommends having digital entertainment ready while balancing it with other activities.
• Use mess-free creative activities. Water-reveal coloring books, reusable sticker books, magnetic drawing boards, and colored pencils are much easier in an airplane seat than paints or anything with lots of loose pieces.
• Pack a few tiny games. Magnetic travel games, cards, tic-tac-toe, "Would You Rather?", I Spy, and simple trivia work well. Pen-and-paper games are particularly easy to improvise.
• Make the airplane itself an activity. Let younger kids watch the crew, look out the window, count airplanes, identify clouds, or help with little travel tasks. Turning the trip into an adventure can make the waiting easier.
• Bring books and audiobooks. Alternate quiet reading with an audiobook or kid-friendly podcast so they're not constantly looking at a screen.
• Use snacks strategically. Bring several small, familiar snacks rather than one large stash. Eating can provide another natural activity break.
• Build in sleep/quiet time. Comfy clothes, a familiar blanket or stuffed animal, headphones, and an eye mask can help signal that it's time to wind down.
• Don't feel guilty about boredom. You don't need to fill every minute. A little staring out the window, daydreaming, or simply doing nothing can actually be good for kids.

My ideal carry-on formula

1 comfort item + 2 books + 2–3 small games + 2 creative activities + snacks + headphones/tablet + 2 emergency surprises.

And don't reveal everything at once. The novelty of something they haven't seen for three hours is incredibly useful at 35,000 feet. 😄

If you tell me your kids' ages and how many hours the flight is, I can make you a specific flight-entertainment plan (including exactly what to pack and when to use it).

Keeping kids entertained on a long flight is all about strategy, variety, and a few well-timed surprises. Here is how to survive the skies with your sanity intact:

• Download offline entertainment : Load up tablets or phones with their favorite shows, movies, and games beforehand. Don't rely on in-flight Wi-Fi; test everything while you're still on the ground.
• Pack new, cheap surprises : Buy a few dollar-store toys, coloring books, or mini sticker pads and wrap them individually. Unwrapping a "new" toy every hour buys a massive amount of quiet time.
• Bring mess-free creative supplies : Opt for water-reveal coloring books (like Water Wow), magnetic drawing boards, or chunky crayons rather than markers or loose glitter.
• Invest in kid-safe headphones : Bring a comfortable, volume-limiting pair that actually fits their heads so they aren't constantly fighting to keep them on.
• Change up the snacks : Pack a heavy rotation of familiar favorites alongside tedious-to-eat snacks (like string cheese, grapes, or a box of raisins) that take a long time to unpack and consume.
• Use painter's tape : Bring a roll of blue painter's tape—kids can peel it, stick it to the tray table, stick toys to it, and peel it off again without ruining any surfaces.

Parent Perspectives

Here is what other parents have experienced when flying with little ones:

I always wrap a few cheap dollar store toys like little surprise presents and hand one out every hour or so. It buys so much time!

Painter's tape was a total lifesaver for us. My toddler spent an entire hour sticking and unsticking it from the tray table.

If you want, let me know:

• The ages of your kids
• How long the flight is

I can give you age-specific packing lists or age-targeted distraction ideas.

Keeping kids happy on a long flight is usually less about bringing more stuff and more about having a good rotation of activities, snacks, movement, and rest. A mix of screen and non-screen options works well. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that using media during travel can be a practical tool, especially when balanced with other activities.

Before the flight

• Create a “flight-only” activity bag

• Wrap a few inexpensive surprises so they get revealed gradually.

• Include small, quiet items they haven’t seen before.

• Keep everything in a backpack they can access themselves if they’re old enough.

• Download entertainment ahead of time

• Movies or shows

• Audiobooks

• Offline games

• Kid-friendly podcasts

• Digital coloring apps Don’t rely on airplane Wi-Fi.

• Pack comfort items

• Favorite stuffed animal

• Small blanket

• Hoodie or cozy layer

• Child-sized headphones

Great airplane activities

Quiet, low-mess options

• Sticker books (especially reusable ones)
• Coloring books and triangle crayons
• Water-reveal activity books
• Magnetic puzzles or games
• Small LEGO-style sets in a container
• Maze books
• Activity pads
• Seek-and-find books
• Origami paper
• Travel card games

Games that require no supplies

• “I Spy”
• Would You Rather?
• 20 Questions
• Alphabet scavenger hunt (“find something that starts with A”)
• Make up a story together, taking turns adding one sentence
• Guess the animal/person/object

Make the airplane itself interesting

• Let younger kids watch the airport activity from the window.
• Give them “jobs”: - Count luggage carts
• Spot different airplane colors
• Help check boarding passes
• Look for clouds or landmarks Turning the travel experience into an activity can help prevent boredom.

Snack strategy

Bring more than you think you’ll need:

• Crackers
• Pretzels
• Fruit snacks or pouches
• Granola bars
• Dry cereal
• Gum or a drink with a straw for older kids during descent (if appropriate) to help with ear pressure

Try to avoid snacks that create a huge mess or sugar spikes right before you want them to rest.

A good “flight schedule”

For a long flight, think in chunks:

1. Takeoff: window watching, snacks, small activity
2. First hour: new toy/activity
3. Meal time: eat + watch something
4. Middle of flight: puzzles, books, games, stretching walk
5. Later: movie, audiobook, nap setup

Rotating activities every 30–60 minutes keeps things feeling fresh.

For toddlers and preschoolers

• Bring several tiny activities rather than one big toy.
• Avoid toys with lots of loose pieces.
• Expect shorter attention spans.
• Use screens strategically rather than as the only activity.

For older kids

Give them some independence:

• Their own backpack
• A travel journal
• A camera or old phone for photos (if appropriate)
• A “flight challenge” list: - Learn 5 facts about the destination
• Draw the plane
• Write a story about the trip

A small “emergency stash” of activities you don’t reveal until the toughest part of the flight can be surprisingly effective.

If you tell me your kids’ ages and flight length (for example, 2 kids ages 3 and 7 on an 8-hour flight), I can suggest a more specific packing list and activity schedule.

Long flights go much more smoothly when you pace entertainment out instead of handing kids everything at once. A mix of surprises, snacks, movement, and quiet activities usually works better than relying on one thing for the whole trip.

Before the flight

• Create an “airplane activity bag.” Put a few items in a small backpack and reveal them gradually:

• Sticker books or reusable stickers

• Coloring books and mess-free markers

• Magnetic puzzles or travel games

• Small LEGO sets or building challenges

• Card games

• Activity books (mazes, word searches, puzzles)

• A new toy or surprise item they haven’t seen before

• Download entertainment ahead of time.

• Movies or shows

• Offline games

• Audiobooks or podcasts

• Digital drawing apps Don’t forget kid-friendly headphones and a charger/power bank if needed.

• Let kids pack a small personal bag. Giving them ownership over a few toys, books, or snacks can make the trip feel like an adventure.

During the flight

• Use a rotation schedule. For example:

1. Snack + window watching
2. Coloring/activity book
3. Game with a parent
4. Movie or tablet time
5. Book or nap attempt

• Save the “big guns.” Keep a favorite show, special toy, or new activity for the moment boredom really hits rather than using everything during boarding.

• Turn the plane into a game.

• “I Spy”

• Count certain things you see

• Make up a story where each person adds a sentence

• Airport/airplane bingo

• Guess the destination game

• Draw what you think the clouds look like

• Use snacks as entertainment.

• Pack a variety of small snacks

• Bring treats that take time to eat

• Make a “snack box” with compartments Snacks can also help with takeoff and landing discomfort from ear pressure for some kids because chewing and swallowing may help.

• Build in movement.

• Walk the aisle when appropriate

• Stretch in the seat

• Do quiet movement games (“touch your toes,” “wiggle fingers,” etc.)

Good low-mess airplane activities by age

Toddlers/preschoolers

• Reusable sticker books
• Water-reveal coloring books
• Finger puppets
• Magnetic drawing boards
• Soft toys
• Simple picture books

Elementary-age kids

• Travel-sized board games
• Sudoku/word searches
• Journals for drawing or writing
• Origami
• Puzzle books
• “Build something” challenges with small bricks

Tweens

• Downloaded games
• Graphic novels
• Sketchbooks
• Card games
• Podcasts/audiobooks
• Travel photography challenges

A few things parents often forget

• Bring extra clothes for kids and yourself.
• Pack wipes and plastic bags for messes.
• Bring comfort items for sleep (favorite stuffed animal, small blanket, pajamas if it’s an overnight flight).
• Avoid toys with lots of tiny pieces that can disappear under airplane seats.

If you tell me your kids’ ages and the flight length (for example, “2 kids, ages 3 and 7, 10-hour flight”), I can suggest a more specific entertainment kit.

• Activity Books & Sticker Books : Reusable sticker pads or water-reveal coloring books keep messes to a minimum and can be used over and over.
• Downloaded Media : Load up a tablet with their favorite shows, movies, and offline games. Don't forget a sturdy pair of kid-safe headphones
• No-Mess Art Supplies : Grab a magnetic drawing board or color-wonder markers that only work on special paper so the tray stays clean.
• New "Surprise" Toys : Wrap up a few cheap dollar-store toys or mini-games like tiny puzzles or new action figures. Unwrapping a new surprise every hour buys you plenty of quiet time.
• Snack Tackle Box : Fill a clean, compartmentalized plastic tackle box or craft organizer with a colorful variety of dry snacks (grapes, pretzels, cheese cubes, M&Ms). It turns eating into a fun, slow-paced activity.
• Interactive Tape : A roll of painter's tape or masking tape provides endless entertainment. Kids can stick it to the tray table, peel it off, or make "roads" for toy cars without damaging anything.

If you want, tell me:

• The ages of your kids
• How long the flight is

I can give you tailored age-specific toy and snack ideas.