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10 Best Airplane Activities For Kids 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Cupkin Animal Sticker Book Activity for Kids, Toddler Airplane Travel Essentials, 500+ Habitat Stickers for Kids + 12 Scenes + 12 Coloring Book Pages, Animal Lover Gift, Childrens Crafts for Ages 2-8

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,274
Age Appropriateness
Portability
Duration of Engagement

Most important from
1255 reviews

Age Appropriateness
Highly recommended for toddlers, offering both fun and educational value.
Portability
The ability to pull out sticker pages makes it easier for young children to use independently.
Duration of Engagement
The sticker book is durable and offers amazing value with hours of entertainment.
Educational Value
Highly recommended for toddlers, offering both fun and educational value.

The Cupkin Animal Sticker Book is a fantastic travel companion for kids aged 2 to 8, especially during flights. One of its standout features is the unique lay-flat design, allowing little hands to easily access stickers without flipping pages. This design enhances focus and engagement, making it perfect for long travels. With over 500 stickers and 12 colorful scenes, children can unleash their creativity while learning about different animal habitats, which adds educational value to their playtime. The spiral binding is also a great touch, ensuring the book stays open for uninterrupted fun.

In terms of portability, the book is lightweight and easy to pack, making it a mess-free option for parents looking for quiet entertainment during trips. The activity promotes fine motor skills and spatial awareness, which is a wonderful bonus for young learners while they’re busy creating.

It’s important to note that while the book is suitable for a broad age range, it may be best suited for children between 3 to 5 years due to the complexity of the scenes. Additionally, while the stickers are easy to peel off, there may be some instances where younger children might require assistance, which can be a downside for independent play. As a gift, it appeals to animal lovers and is well-received among grandparents and parents alike, adding to its charm as a thoughtful present. However, for older kids or those who might prefer more interactive or digital play, this might not hold their attention for long periods.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,274
Age Appropriateness
Portability
Duration of Engagement

Most important from
1255 reviews

Age Appropriateness
Highly recommended for toddlers, offering both fun and educational value.
Portability
The ability to pull out sticker pages makes it easier for young children to use independently.
Duration of Engagement
The sticker book is durable and offers amazing value with hours of entertainment.
Educational Value
Highly recommended for toddlers, offering both fun and educational value.
#2

Crayola Disney Color Wonder Bundle (3 Pack), Mess Free Activity Pads & Markers, Toddler Coloring, Disney Gift for Kids, 3+

Rating
9.8
Portability
Mess-Free
Duration of Engagement

Most important from
32 reviews

Portability
Its portability makes it convenient for both car trips and airplane journeys, providing a reliable way to keep kids occupied.
Mess-Free
The mess-free coloring is a huge hit, especially appreciated by parents who don't want to worry about stains on clothes, skin, or airplane seats.
Duration of Engagement
Children find the themed activity pads engaging, particularly those who love drawing and coloring, making it a perfect distraction during travel.

The Crayola Disney Color Wonder Bundle is an ideal choice for airplane activities for kids, particularly those aged 3 and beyond. One of its standout features is mess-free coloring, which ensures that parents don't have to worry about accidental stains on clothes, skin, or airplane seats, as the colors only appear on special Crayola paper. This makes it highly suitable for travel, meeting the portability requirement effectively. The bundle includes three themed activity pads featuring popular Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Disney Princesses, and Frozen, likely to keep children engaged for a respectable duration. However, the engagement might vary based on the child's interest in coloring and the specific Disney themes.

The product is travel-friendly, thanks to its compact size and spiral binding that keeps everything organized and easy to manage in confined spaces like an airplane. In terms of educational value, while the activity primarily focuses on coloring, it encourages creativity and fine motor skills development, albeit not offering comprehensive educational content. The familiarity of beloved Disney characters adds a comforting element for young kids, enhancing their experience.

On the downside, once kids finish coloring the pages provided, they might lose interest, so it might be prudent to have additional activities planned for longer flights. Also, while the nontoxic materials are a definite plus for safety, the product does not offer interactive or tech-based learning elements that some parents might look for. This product is particularly well-suited for parents seeking a clean, portable, and engaging activity that is simple yet effective for keeping young children entertained during flights.

Rating
9.8
Portability
Mess-Free
Duration of Engagement

Most important from
32 reviews

Portability
Its portability makes it convenient for both car trips and airplane journeys, providing a reliable way to keep kids occupied.
Mess-Free
The mess-free coloring is a huge hit, especially appreciated by parents who don't want to worry about stains on clothes, skin, or airplane seats.
Duration of Engagement
Children find the themed activity pads engaging, particularly those who love drawing and coloring, making it a perfect distraction during travel.
#3

Esjay Toddler Busy Board Montessori Toys, Sensory Board Educational Activities for Learning Fine Motor Skills, Gifts for Girls Boys Toddlers, Travel Toys for Airplane Car,Blue Dinosaur

Rating
9.7
Age Appropriateness
Portability
Duration of Engagement

Most important from
1649 reviews

Age Appropriateness
Perfect for keeping a 3-year-old engaged on plane rides, offering 45 minutes of distraction with varied and educational activities.
Portability
Great for travel due to its easy portability and educational value, despite the initial setup of adhering Velcro pieces.
Duration of Engagement
Perfect for keeping a 3-year-old engaged on plane rides, offering 45 minutes of distraction with varied and educational activities.
Educational Value
Perfect for keeping a 3-year-old engaged on plane rides, offering 45 minutes of distraction with varied and educational activities.

The Esjay Toddler Busy Board is a well-designed travel toy that offers a variety of engaging activities for children aged 3 and above. With eight pages filled with different tasks, it effectively keeps toddlers entertained for long periods, making it ideal for airplane trips or long car rides. The diversity of activities—from dressing skills to shape matching—fosters fine motor development and cognitive skills, making it both fun and educational.

One of its significant advantages is its portability. Weighing just over a pound and designed with a handle, it fits easily into diaper bags or backpacks. The soft fabric and lack of hard corners ensure that it's safe for little hands, which is a plus for parents concerned about safety during travel.

In terms of engagement, the board is designed to keep toddlers interested without overwhelming them, featuring varying difficulty levels that can suit different developmental stages. It allows for interactive play between parents and children, providing a great opportunity for learning together, which is a nice alternative to screen time.

Rating
9.7
Age Appropriateness
Portability
Duration of Engagement

Most important from
1649 reviews

Age Appropriateness
Perfect for keeping a 3-year-old engaged on plane rides, offering 45 minutes of distraction with varied and educational activities.
Portability
Great for travel due to its easy portability and educational value, despite the initial setup of adhering Velcro pieces.
Duration of Engagement
Perfect for keeping a 3-year-old engaged on plane rides, offering 45 minutes of distraction with varied and educational activities.
Educational Value
Perfect for keeping a 3-year-old engaged on plane rides, offering 45 minutes of distraction with varied and educational activities.

Buying Guide for the Best Airplane Activities For Kids

When choosing airplane activities for kids, it's important to consider their interests, age, and the duration of the flight. The goal is to keep them entertained, engaged, and comfortable throughout the journey. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting the best activities for your child during a flight.
Age AppropriatenessAge appropriateness is crucial because activities need to match the developmental stage of your child. For toddlers, simple toys like stacking cups or soft books are ideal. Preschoolers might enjoy coloring books, puzzles, or interactive storybooks. Older kids can be engaged with more complex activities like travel games, reading books, or educational apps. Choose activities that are safe and suitable for your child's age to ensure they are both entertained and challenged appropriately.
PortabilityPortability refers to how easy it is to carry and manage the activities during the flight. Since space is limited on an airplane, opt for compact and lightweight items that can be easily packed in a carry-on bag. Look for travel-sized versions of games, foldable activity sets, or digital devices that can store multiple activities. This ensures that you have a variety of options without taking up too much space.
Mess-FreeMess-free activities are important to keep the airplane environment clean and avoid any inconvenience. Activities that involve minimal cleanup, such as sticker books, magnetic drawing boards, or pre-loaded tablets with educational apps, are ideal. Avoid activities that involve small pieces that can get lost or messy materials like paint or glue. This helps maintain a tidy space and reduces stress for both you and the flight attendants.
Duration of EngagementDuration of engagement refers to how long an activity can keep your child entertained. Choose activities that can hold their attention for extended periods, especially for long flights. Puzzles, interactive books, and multi-level games can provide prolonged entertainment. It's also a good idea to have a variety of activities to switch between, preventing boredom and keeping your child engaged throughout the flight.
Educational ValueEducational value is an added benefit, as it allows your child to learn while having fun. Look for activities that promote cognitive skills, creativity, and problem-solving. Educational apps, travel-sized science kits, or books that teach new concepts can be both entertaining and informative. This ensures that your child is not only occupied but also gaining knowledge during the flight.
Comfort and FamiliarityComfort and familiarity can help ease any anxiety your child might have about flying. Bringing along a favorite toy, blanket, or book can provide a sense of security. Familiar activities can also be comforting, so consider including some of your child's favorite games or books. This helps create a more relaxed and enjoyable experience for your child.

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