10 Best Airplane Activities For Kids 2026 in the United States

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.

The Crayola Baby Shark Color Wonder Pages are designed for toddlers aged 3 and up, making them well-suited for young children who enjoy the popular Baby Shark characters. This coloring set is especially good for airplane trips because it is mess-free—markers only color on the special pages, so there's no risk of stains on clothes, skin, or seats. It’s also compact and comes with a folder-style case that keeps everything organized and easy to carry, which adds to its portability. With 18 coloring pages and five markers, the set offers a reasonable amount of engagement time, enough to keep a child entertained during a flight without being overwhelming. The Baby Shark theme adds a comforting, familiar element that can help hold a toddler’s interest.

While it encourages creativity, the educational value is mostly limited to coloring skills and character recognition rather than more advanced learning. The materials are non-toxic and safe for young kids, and the lightweight design won’t add bulk to your carry-on. One minor downside is that the color choices are fixed by the markers, which might feel less versatile compared to traditional crayons or markers. For parents seeking a clean, portable, and age-appropriate activity that suits airplane travel, this set represents a strong choice.

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.