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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
10.0
Chosen by1,238
Age Appropriateness
Portability
Duration of Engagement

Most important from
3303 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
10.0
Chosen by1,238
Age Appropriateness
Portability
Duration of Engagement

Most important from
3303 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 Clicks Retractable Tip Markers (10ct), Stocking Stuffers for Kids & Toddlers, Cone Tip Washable Art Marker Set, Coloring Book Supplies, No Dry, 3+

Rating
10.0
Age Appropriateness
Portability
Mess-Free

Most important from
5164 reviews

Age Appropriateness
The retractable tip design eliminates the hassle of losing caps and is simple enough for young children to operate independently.
Portability
These markers don’t dry out quickly, even after multiple clicks, making them ideal for travel and long flights.
Mess-Free
Washable ink cleans up effortlessly from surfaces and skin, which is a huge relief when children color outside the lines.
Duration of Engagement
Vibrant colors and fine tip precision make it easy for kids to create detailed artwork, keeping them engaged for extended periods.
Comfort and Familiarity
The markers are perfectly sized for small hands, providing a comfortable grip that encourages daily creative use.

The Crayola Clicks Retractable Tip Marker Set is a solid choice for keeping kids aged 6 and up entertained during airplane trips. Its retractable design means no caps to lose, which adds convenience and tidiness—an important plus for travel. The markers are washable and non-toxic, making them safe and relatively mess-free, though some care is still needed to avoid stains on clothes or surfaces, especially in tight spaces like airplane seats.

With 10 vibrant colors and a cone tip that allows for both fine and broad lines, these markers can engage children creatively for a good stretch of time, helping them practice drawing and coloring skills. The ink is designed to last longer without drying out, which supports longer flights or multiple uses. However, while they are travel-friendly, the set's size (about 6 inches long) might be a bit bulky for very small hands or for packing in very tight travel kits.

The educational value lies mostly in encouraging artistic expression and fine motor skills rather than specific learning content. If you want a portable, familiar, and relatively clean creative activity to keep kids busy on a plane, these markers fit the bill well.

Rating
10.0
Age Appropriateness
Portability
Mess-Free

Most important from
5164 reviews

Age Appropriateness
The retractable tip design eliminates the hassle of losing caps and is simple enough for young children to operate independently.
Portability
These markers don’t dry out quickly, even after multiple clicks, making them ideal for travel and long flights.
Mess-Free
Washable ink cleans up effortlessly from surfaces and skin, which is a huge relief when children color outside the lines.
Duration of Engagement
Vibrant colors and fine tip precision make it easy for kids to create detailed artwork, keeping them engaged for extended periods.
Comfort and Familiarity
The markers are perfectly sized for small hands, providing a comfortable grip that encourages daily creative use.
#3

SUSSED The Wacky ‘What Would You Do’ Card Game - Social Fun for Kids - Summer Travel Game - for Road Trip Activities & Family Vacations - Ages 6+ - Yellow Pack

Rating
9.7
Age Appropriateness
Portability
Mess-Free

Most important from
6037 reviews

Age Appropriateness
Perfect for kids aged 6 and up, it brings families together for easy and engaging play sessions.
Portability
Its compact, mess-free design makes it ideal for travel, fitting effortlessly into any carry bag.
Mess-Free
Its compact, mess-free design makes it ideal for travel, fitting effortlessly into any carry bag.
Duration of Engagement
This card game turns long trips into quick, fun experiences with its simple rules and endless entertainment.
Educational Value
The game sparks creative thinking and social interaction, making it more than just a pastime.
Comfort and Familiarity
Loved by both younger and older children, it’s a versatile choice for family bonding during travel.

The SUSSED The Wacky ‘What Would You Do’ Card Game is a fun and social activity well-suited for kids aged 6 and up, making it age-appropriate for younger travelers. Its small, pocket-sized design makes it highly portable and easy to carry in a travel bag, which is perfect for airplane trips where space is limited. Since it’s a card game that requires no extra tools or messy materials, it’s mess-free and convenient to play on a plane without worrying about spills or cleanup.

With 110 cards and hundreds of questions and answers, the game offers a good duration of engagement that can keep kids entertained for a while, especially when played with family or friends. It also encourages communication and social skills, adding some educational value by helping kids think creatively and understand others better. The game’s familiar card format and simple rules provide comfort and ease of use, which helps kids feel confident and involved during travel.

Because it relies on group interaction, it works best if there are several players; solo play isn’t really an option. While it’s great for social bonding, it might not fully engage kids looking for more active or hands-on activities during a flight. This card game is an excellent choice for families seeking a light, portable, and interactive way to pass time on planes without mess or fuss.

Rating
9.7
Age Appropriateness
Portability
Mess-Free

Most important from
6037 reviews

Age Appropriateness
Perfect for kids aged 6 and up, it brings families together for easy and engaging play sessions.
Portability
Its compact, mess-free design makes it ideal for travel, fitting effortlessly into any carry bag.
Mess-Free
Its compact, mess-free design makes it ideal for travel, fitting effortlessly into any carry bag.
Duration of Engagement
This card game turns long trips into quick, fun experiences with its simple rules and endless entertainment.
Educational Value
The game sparks creative thinking and social interaction, making it more than just a pastime.
Comfort and Familiarity
Loved by both younger and older children, it’s a versatile choice for family bonding during travel.

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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