Flying with a baby can feel overwhelming. You start wondering—what if my little one is the baby who cries the whole way? How will I keep them happy in such a small space for hours? And what if they get restless and squirmy, right when the seatbelt sign is on?
I’ve been there—many times. Between my babies and toddlers, I’ve been on 24 flights with little kids in tow, and I’ve learned a lot about what actually works (and what doesn’t). Sometimes the simplest tricks, even random items from the plane itself, have saved the day.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the best ways I’ve found to keep a baby entertained on a flight—activities, snack ideas, and toy tips that can help the hours pass a whole lot smoother.
✈️ My Favorite Baby Flight Items
Flying with a baby? These are the things that actually made it easier:
- Ergobaby Carrier – Supportive, comfy, and lets baby face out to see what’s going on.
- Doona Stroller – Stroller and car seat in one. So convenient for airports and getting in/out of cars.
- Elvie Wearable Pumps – Wireless, quiet, and super discreet. I’ve used it on car rides, walks, and even at a wedding under my coat.
- Pop-it Fidget Spinner – Always in my diaper bag. My 1-year-old loves it, my 4-year-old still plays with it. Great for planes, restaurants, anywhere we need quiet fun.
- Comotomo Baby Bottles – Soft, easy to hold, and never leaked in my bag or on the plane.
- Quick Clean Pump Wipes – I’ve used these on pump parts, bottles, airplane seat tables, restaurant high chairs. So versatile.
- Silicone Travel Bottles – TSA-sized and great for baby’s shampoo, lotion, or soap. No spills.
By Age Breakdown
Under 6 Months: Breastfeed
When your baby is under six months, they’re primarily focused on sleeping and eating…a lot. Like every 2-3 hours a lot.
The good news is that entertaining this age group doesn’t require much in terms of entertainment. Also, in my experience, the plane just gave the right amount of white noise and movement.
I found that breastfeeding (or bottle-feeding) on the plane kept my babies happily occupied—and if their mouths are busy, they can’t cry (usually)! Feeding often leads to sleep, which is a win-win for everyone. When they’re awake, you can play peekaboo, do some raspberries on their tummy, or sing a little song. It’s all about keeping it light and fun!
6 Months to 1 Year: Show Them Random Objects In Your Surroundings
As your baby grows and becomes more interactive, they’ll need a bit more stimulation. This is when you can start incorporating more activities to keep them entertained.
In addition to feeding and peekaboo, I found that letting them touch and hold random items on the plane continued to be effective. A plastic cup? Check! The safety guide? Double-check!
Use Items In Your Surroundings
Do you know kids (and even adults) are attracted to novel things or things they have never seen before? That’s probably why we like to travel!
Well it’s not that far off for babies, and lucky for us, in the baby’s short span of life, almost everything is new and exciting.
I’ll be honest: I hardly pack any toys for my babies on our flights. Instead, I used my surroundings!
I found that opening up the laminated safety guide and reading and pointing to each picture was a hit. My little one loved exploring the colorful pages. Even crunching a plastic cup could provide endless entertainment. And let me tell you, shaking a bag of chips and a box of fruit loops cereal like a rattle was equally awesome. It’s amazing how resourceful you can be when you need to keep a baby occupied.
You can use items in your surroundings to entertain your baby like this:
- Squeezing Plastic Water Bottles: The crunching sound is fascinating!
- Pointing at Pictures in Safety Guides: Babies seem to follow the pictures that you point to, and you can read or make up a story about the pictures too.
- Flipping Through Travel Magazines: The colorful images can capture their interest.
- Using a Plastic Cup as a Teether: Babies love to chew on things!
- Creating a Water Bottle Rattle: Put small items in a plastic water bottle for a DIY rattle.
- Shake Snacks As a Rattle: Use snacks like chips or nuts to create a fun shaking sound.
Of course, every baby has a different temperament, but these worked for me for both of my kids when they were under 1 years old.
Free Engaging Activities
Here are some activities that worked well for me:
- Playing Peekaboo: A classic that never gets old!
- Singing Songs: Babies love music, even if it’s just your off-key rendition. (Twinkle Twinkle, ABCs, Baa Baa Black Sheep)
- Raspberries on the Stomach: This always gets smiles and giggles.
- Making Funny Faces: Babies love to mimic expressions!
- Storytime: Use hand gestures and facial expressions to keep their attention.
- Painter’s Tape Fun: Tape small strips onto the tray table and let your baby rip them off—such a simple yet effective distraction!
- Give Them High Fives: Get them to try to mimic you and high five you back.
- Point Your Index Finger: Get them to try to mimic you and point to your finger too.
Choosing the Right Toys
When it comes to toys for the plane, I recommend choosing items that are lightweight and reusable. Look for toys that are textured, colorful, or musical, but not too loud or else it can get annoying for your plane seat neighbors). Avoid anything with detached pieces, as those can easily get lost in the chaos of travel, and avoid toys that have small pieces to prevent your baby from swallowing anything they shouldn’t be.
What To Look For in Baby Toys When Traveling
- Lightweight and reusable toys
- Textured, colorful, or musical toys (but not too loud)
Items to Avoid
- Toys with detached pieces that can get lost
- Toys with small pieces that pose a choking hazard
Our Favorite Baby Toys for the Plane
Snacks and Drinks: A Tasty Distraction
Snacks can be great for keeping babies entertained, but when they’re just starting solids, I stick to options with little-to-no choking risk. One less thing to stress about while traveling.
Here are some of my go-to options:
- Fruit Puree Pouches: Pouches are easy and mess-free. I once brought baby food jars and that got messy real quick! Pouches are better (from personal experience).
- Dissolvable Puffs: These dissolve in the mouth, so they’re never a choking hazard, and just good, crunchy texture.
- Yogurt Melts: A delicious treat that keeps them busy.
- Gentle Teething Wafers: My babies couldn’t get enough of these.
- Bananas: Easy to pack and sweet and a favorite for many babies.
If you forget to pack any snacks, you can always ask the flight attendant if there are any snacks you can have for your baby.
Embracing Screen Time
Let’s be real: sometimes nothing works and your child is having a meltdown, and needs a reset. If you can’t get your baby to nap immediately with breastfeed or bottle-feed, then my last resort would be getting help from technology.
Before your flight, download some videos and apps on your tablet or phone and make sure they work even without wifi. (To do this, just toggle off the wifi on your device, and see what apps or games or videos are still available)
Here are some ideas for apps:
- YouTube Kids Videos or Disney Movies: Great for viewing videos offline.
- Baby Piano App: Fun sounds to engage their curiosity.
- Drawing App: Let them doodle and explore.
- Family Photos/Videos: Show pictures of loved ones to keep them connected.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with a baby may seem challenging, but with a little creativity and preparation, you can keep them entertained and make the flight enjoyable for everyone. Remember, it’s all about being flexible and using what you have around you.
If you found these tips helpful, please share this post with a friend who might be gearing up for a flight with their little one! I’d also love to hear your experiences and any additional tips you have—feel free to comment below. And if you try out any of these suggestions on your next flight, don’t forget to tag @diaperstodestinations on social media. Safe travels and enjoy those precious moments with your little one!
Learn more about Flying With a Baby, including
- what documents you need
- the options for flying with a car seat and stroller
- how to get through TSA screening faster
- how to fly with breast milk or formula
Also check out our Baby Airplane Packing List and printable Baby Flight Checklist.
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