Top 8 Best Toys to Entertain Toddlers On a Flight

Flying with a toddler can feel overwhelming, can’t it? Will they have a tantrum on board? Be grumpy? Refuse to sleep? Want to get off the plane? After navigating over seven flights with a baby—and now with a baby and a toddler, both domestic and international—I’ve picked up some tricks to make flying more manageable and, dare I say, enjoyable.

When it comes to packing, I recommend bringing 2-3 toys or activities per flight. For shorter flights (5 hours or less), pack 2 toys; for longer flights (over 5 hours), plan for 3. Don’t pull them out all at once! Save the toys for when your toddler starts getting restless, and introduce them one at a time to keep their attention fresh.

For an extra element of surprise, you can wrap toys in tissue paper—your toddler will love the “unwrapping” moment (though it does take a little extra prep). And, of course, don’t forget the iPad as a backup—it’s a lifesaver when nothing else works!

💡 Pro tip: On your return flight, pick up a small toy or souvenir from your destination. It’s not only a fun keepsake but also a fresh activity to keep your toddler occupied on the way home.

Best Toddler Toys Tried-And-Tested On Flights

These are tried-and-tested toys that my toddler, Serena, who was 2-3 years old at the time, played with again and again on flights, airports, airport lounges, restaurants, car rides, and other waiting areas. We survived!…and now are living to tell the tale!

1. Water Wow Coloring

We first received this as a birthday gift, and wow, it’s cool. It’s a spiral coloring book with a pen that you put water into. As soon as the brush hits that special paper, boom…COLORS! Even cooler than that is that once the page dries, it becomes white like a blank canvas again, ready to color another time. We took this to Thailand with us and our 2 year old, Serena, loved coloring it on the plane and sometimes when we had downtime at the hotel. You can also buy several of these to keep it interesting and new. I also use these as educational and we can identify different objects on the page together.

💡 Pro-tip: Make sure to empty the pen of the water before crossing TSA security check and then fill up with water after you pass security, since liquids over 3ml are not allowed. I don’t think it’s over 3ml, but you don’t want to get stopped or delayed over it either. Also, remove the top cardboard piece to save space in your backpack.

2. Fidget Spinning Toys

These pop-it fidget spinners have a permanent spot in our diaper bag because of how versatile they are. We used it on a window of the airport while waiting to board, on the window of the airplane during multiple international flights to Asia, at restaurant tables in Europe, and even on train windows and trays. There are 3 different colors with different animals/objects, so I would rotate between them to keep it new and interesting. Ultimately, fidget toys are fun, even for me! And these specific ones allow popping too.

3. “Make a Face” Sticker Sets

I initially bought these sticker sets for Christmas party favor gift bags, but they turned out to be great as a toy to leave in the diaper backpack. They had 6 different designs and many sticker sheets. Even if you got another gingerbread sticker sheet, you could decorate it differently. I loved that you could be creative with these and put different eyes or noses or eyebrows to create different expressions. I also added sticker sheets that are not Christmas-themed (since it’s not Christmas anymore), but I’m sure they’re just as fun!

4. Pop-Its

Something about tactile or sensory toys makes toys like pop-its very reusable. It’s fun to pop-it, and on top of that, you can get different shapes and colors, and it’s very light. You can also play games with them so you both pop-it together.

5. Busy Books

These books have a variety of different shapes, colors, textures that make each page fun as kids want to touch the textures and identify shapes and more. Basically each page has a slightly different activity. I’m a huge fan of these. However, stay away from the busy books that have a lot of pieces. Pieces must be attached! You don’t want another item to bring where you can lose pieces. It’ll make your child whine and you frustrated.

6. Slinky

This is random and not a toy I would have thought to bring, but someone on the trip gave Serena a rainbow slinky when we were in London. Well we ended up playing with it the entire trip, at restaurants and on our downtime at home. We would open and close it, identify colors, and play a game where we both held one end of the rainbow slinky and then identified where to put it and then we would both do it (learned this from our friend in London who was great with Serena). “Put it on your eye.” “Put it on your elbow.” “Put it on your hair.” Who would have thought a rainbow slinky could be so fun?

7. Drawing

This never seems to get old. We were gifted this drawing tablet that we used for weeks and put in the diaper backpack to use at restaurants whenever Serena got restless. We drew shapes and quizzed her on it. As she started learning more, this turned into letters and numbers too. She also liked me drawing happy faces a lot. Sometimes I draw trees and other random objects and ask her to tell me what it is. She likes to scribble on this too. She’s not at the point where she can draw many things that I recognize yet haha.

However, if you don’t have a drawing tablet or don’t want to get one, the iPad has free drawing apps and also good old-fashioned pen/pencil and paper will do too. Or on a flight if you didn’t prepare, then just ask the flight attendant for a pen and a napkin.

8. iPad (or Tablet)

Serena has an iPad mini, and it’s pretty hard to beat in terms of what to bring on a plane (or anywhere for that matter). The iPad (or any tablet) is relatively light, and has unlimited games, movies, shows, and e-books. I would recommend downloading some Disney movies or cartoons, YouTube videos, and games for offline use before the flight, so if you don’t want to pay for wifi on the plane, you still have some videos on the iPad. Serena’s favorite Disney movie is Encanto and her favorite short is Bao. She can watch those 2 so many times. Like most parents, I don’t want her to be on screen time all the time, but I think exceptions can be made for 3+ hour flights. Let’s make it a vacation for all of us. ✈️😄 There will be plenty of engaging things to do with your toddler once you arrive to the destination.

💡 Pro-tip: Do not let your toddler near 10 feet of the iPad or tablet without a case! Serena has dropped, thrown, and definitely abused her iPad, so from a parent to a parent, protect the iPad from your child! What did the iPad ever do to you?! 😭 We have the iPad mini, but check which kind of iPad or tablet you have before buying the case.

What to Look for in Toddler Airplane Toys

Traveling with toddlers can be unpredictable. Waiting at the airport feels endless, sitting on the airplane can seem even longer, and delays can stretch your patience to its limits. Add in the time it takes to get from the airport to your destination, and it’s clear why having grumpy, whining kids can make traveling stressful for everyone.

That’s why pre-selecting the right toys is essential for a smoother flight and a great start to your vacation!

Lightweight Toys That Won’t Weigh You Down

The toy must be lightweight. It should easily fit in your diaper bag, which you’ll carry onto the flight and likely use throughout your trip.

Let’s be real—diaper bags are heavy enough! I often find myself complaining to my husband, “Why is this bag so heavy?!” 😭 Usually, it’s because of a full pack of Costco wipes, too many extra clothes, or a water bottle weighing it down. The last thing I need is another heavy item.

Reusable Toys for Maximum Entertainment

A good travel toy should entertain your child multiple times. Think about the flight itself, the wait at the airport, restaurant visits, and any downtime during your trip.

If the toy can only hold their attention once, it’s not worth the precious space in your bag. Look for activities or toys that your toddler will enjoy using again and again.

Avoid Toys with Small, Detached Pieces

Small pieces are a nightmare when traveling! On an airplane, tiny parts can easily get lost under seats, between rows, or in the aisle. Add turbulence, people walking by, and tight spaces—it’s a recipe for frustration.

When your child inevitably starts whining about a missing piece, you’ll find yourself crawling around trying to locate it in the least convenient places. Avoid this headache by choosing toys that are self-contained or have minimal parts.

Choose Toys You Don’t Mind Losing

Traveling can be hectic, and it’s easy to misplace things in the chaos of flights, lines, buses, and subways. Don’t bring your child’s favorite, irreplaceable toy—it’s just too risky.

Instead, pack affordable toys you won’t be heartbroken to lose. I often opt for items under $10 or even inexpensive finds from the Dollar Tree.

Opt for “New-ish” Toys for Maximum Interest

Kids love novelty! Toys they haven’t seen before—or ones they don’t get to play with often—are perfect for keeping their attention.

Whether it’s a new purchase or an older toy you’ve hidden for a while, presenting it as “new” can work wonders. It’s like what McDonald’s does with the McRib—bring that excitement and “newness” back to capture their interest!

Final Thoughts: Best Toys to Entertain Toddlers On a Flight

I hope this list gives you some great ideas to keep your little one engaged during those long flights. But hey, parenting is a team sport, right? If you’ve got a toy or trick that’s worked wonders for your toddler, drop it in the comments below!

Your genius idea could be another parent’s lifesaver. And if you know a fellow mom or dad gearing up for a flight with their tiny traveler, why not share this post? Let’s spread the love and make flying with toddlers a little easier for everyone.

Remember, we’re all in this adventure together! So, got any toys to add to the list? I’d love to hear from you.

I know toys can be a lifesaver on flights, but let’s be real – sometimes you need more tricks up your sleeve, right? Check out Toddler Plane Activities That Actually Worked for Long Haul Flights. It’s packed with fun ideas beyond just toys – we’re talking everything from silly sing-alongs to creative games. Between these activities and your toy stash, you’ll be ready to tackle that long flight like a pro.

Happy flying, and may the odds (and the toys) be ever in your favor!