Best Toys for Planes
Flights both short and long haul do not need to be something you dread. A little planning and the right entertainment can help ensure your flight is a success. Below are some recommended toys for babies and toddlers - all tested by actual children and guaranteed to please.
BABIES
Suction Spinners
These suction cup spinners come in a pack of 3 and stick on any flat surface (think tray table and airport or airplane window). They spin fast to keep your kiddos engaged. As a bonus, it helps your baby's hand eye coordination by prompting them to reach out and spin the toy. Something to keep them occupied AND helps with their development? Sign us up.
TOMY Tommies Hide & Squeak Eggs
These eggs don't look like much and take up a bit of room in your carry-on, but we promise they won't disappoint. I'm not quite sure what makes these so great, but I do know both of my children won't stop playing with them. We even had to get a second set so they each had their own!
Nuby Ice Gel Teether Keys
Take-off and landing can be particularly tough on your baby due to the changes in elevation. Teethers are the perfect tool to help your baby's ears pop and keep them comfortable throughout the ride. These gel keys come with the added bonus of helps your little ones who have new teeth with their cool gel tecnhology that can help inflammed gums. The handle makes them easy to grip and you can loop a pacifier clip through them to keep them from ending up on the not-so-clean airplane floor.
Post-It Notes
Stick plain Post-It notes all over the seat back and watch your baby delightedly pull them off or use them with your toddler to reinforce colors. Draw numbers and shapes, the possibilities are truly endless.
Pacifier Clips
Pacifier clips can be your favorite accessory on a plane. Secure them to pacifiers, teethers, and toys to keep them from hitting the ground. No more obsessive cleaning when your baby decides to inevitably throw their toy for the millionth time. Take that virus season!
Painter's Tape Rolls
Painter's tape. like Post-It Notes, is a great and easy way to take up some flight time while working on your baby's pincer grip. Rip the tape into pieces and stick it all over the seat back or tape up some objects to have them pull the tape off to reveal them.
TODDLERS
Squigz Starter Kit
This set of suction cups by Fat Brain Toys might not seem so exciting, but you may be surprised how quickly your toddler picks them up. They are perfect to build and create on the plane without the nuisance of tiny Legos or blocks falling all over the airplane floor.
Coloring Books
Your little artist will be delighted to pass some time with a few themed coloring books with a set of crayons. The adding bonus? These take up almost none of the precious space in your carry-on bag.
Busy Board
Also a crowd favorite due to their ability to pack away easily in your carry-on. There are many different styles available based on the skills you are working on with your toddler.
Kids Fire Tablet
Every parent is likely fighting the battle on screen-time. A flight can be a great time to allow your child a brief period of screen time. This "special treat" can still be educational with downloadable content available for parents to select ahead of the flight.
LCD Writing Tablet
If screen time does not appeal to you, there is a different kind of tablet that you can gift them. This LCD Writing Tablet makes art time fun and comes with the bonus of not having to clean-up afterward.
Water Reveal Activity Pads
These paint-with-water books for kids feature reusable white pages that show simple line drawings when they are dry and become filled with color when wet. The "paintbrush" is easy to hold for little hands. These books come in a wide variety of themes based upon your child's interests.
Reusable Sticker Books
These sticker books may be the MVP of your next flight, taking up virtually no room in your carry-on and the stickers can be used in the books or on the plane windows. These held the attention of my toddler longer than anything else on our last flight. I went bought another set the next day.
Brain Quest
Brain Quest is like educational flash cards for your toddler that can be completed on their own or as a group game. This consolidated deck fits easily in your carry-on and kept my kiddo engaged for a full 30 minutes which is a win in my book! They are available in a variety of age groups to grow with your child.
Fat Brain Dimpl Toy
Simple yet brilliant; push and pop them, poke and grab them; a perfect, portable sensory delight. This popper is listed as suitable for ages 10 months+ but I have found my toddler really started to be interested in using this at about the 18 month mark. It's another easy toy to throw in the carry-on bag.
Bentgo Lunch Box
Though not technically a toy, your independent toddler will thoroughly appreciate selecting their own snacks out of this lunchbox and you won't have to be at the mercy of the limited menu available on-board. This is a must-pack for every flight I take with toddler in tow.