In this post, we’ll look at twenty of the most brilliant airplane toys for toddlers that will keep them busy without bothering any other flyers!
Published: 8/28/24
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Before becoming parents, everyone says that they don’t want life as they know it to end when they have kids.
I agree that you can still keep adventuring as a family after adding little ones to your crew, but it’s undeniable that there are added challenges!
The key to traveling with toddlers is to be prepared in every way possible.
You need to have diapers, wet wipes, car seats, and plenty of snacks, but there’s something you definitely don’t want to forget.
Busy toys!
It’s no secret that toddlers aren’t exactly made to sit still for long periods of time, but there are ways to help them through this challenge.
We all know that using screens and tablets can be a huge help in keeping your child happy on a long flight, but sometimes we just don’t want to rely on them.
Especially for a longer flight, it’s smart to hold off screen time until it’s absolutely necessary. So what can you use in the meantime?
I’ve compiled twenty of the most genius airplane toys for toddlers that will keep their little hands busy for long periods of time without a tablet!
I’ve tried many of these myself and seen firsthand how helpful packing a toddler carryon can be. You’ll have to let me know what works best for you and yours!
20 Genius Airplane Toys for Toddlers
1. Suction Pipe Toys
Anything with suction makes the perfect toy to bring on a plane! Whether it’s on the back of the seat or the window itself, there’s a lot of surface area to work with.
These suction toys are some of our favorite because you can connect them to make unique “tunnels” and pipeways.
My son loves these and it’s perfect how they come in a travel friendly container!
2. Play-Doh and Tools
THE airplane toy of all airplane toys when it comes to keeping your little one engaged.
Play-doh is a tried and true classic that never fails to keep my son’s attention for longer than half an hour.
Especially if you also purchase these shape cutters and tools, this one is sure to be a success on the flight!
3. Magnetic Tiles
The goal when looking for the best airplane toys for toddlers is to find things that don’t make loud sounds, are easy to pack, and don’t require outside help.
That’s why these magnetic building blocks are perfect for long trips.
They’re absolutely silent and can be broken down and built up again a million different ways to keep your toddler entertained.
4. LCD Drawing Tablets
These travel drawing tablets were an absolute game changer for us as a family!
My son loves to draw on anything and everything, and this gives him a chance to color away without worrying about a mess being made.
The center button erases the picture when pushed so it’s easy for a toddler to operate on their own!
5. Busy Board Books
We keep one of these busy board books in our car at all times to make longer trips a little easier for my one year old.
Now in full transparency, we’ve never tried it on an airplane, but this bad boy can keep him happy for an hour and counting.
The trick for this and every toy on this list is to keep it separate from their everyday toys so they don’t get bored with it when you need it most!
6. Rolls of Painter’s Tape
I don’t know what it is about toddlers and tape, but it’s truly a match made in heaven.
Anyone who’s ever had a toddler can share a laugh about how even the most expensive and unique toys will be bypassed for everyday items.
When it comes to airplane toys for toddlers, this is going to be one of your cheapest options!
7. Interactive Snack Tray
It’s no secret that the key to keeping a toddler happy is an endless supply of their favorite snacks, but this tray takes it to the next level.
The button in the middle can be pushed to spin the tray compartments making snack time an interactive experience.
The contraption alone would fascinate my toddler for at least 15 minutes. Add snacks on top of that and you’re good to go!
8. Leap Frog Learning Book
The thing that is so great about Leap Frog toys is they sort of scratch the screen time itch while still being educational and interactive.
Plug some headphones into this learning book for your little one and let them get engrossed in all the buttons and sounds.
This is definitely one of the bulkier items on the list but what it takes up in space, it makes up for in attention span value!
9. Toddler Camera
How cute are these little digital cameras designed for easy toddler use?
Your kiddo will have so much fun playing photographer and taking photos of all the new things they’re seeing at the airport and on the plane.
Plus, you never know, maybe they’ll capture some really sweet moments of your family!
10. Suction Spinners
These little suction spinner toys are an absolute toddler staple. From bath time to car rides to airplanes, these will do the trick.
Just suction them to any surface then let your little one go crazy with spinning the wings and popping the buttons.
These are completely silent, and the suction is strong, so you don’t have to worry about losing them!
11. Fidget Toys
It goes without saying that fidget toys are a must have when it comes to airplane toys for toddlers.
These will come in handy not just in the plane, but in the airport and subsequent stops as well.
This Montessori pull string toy is one of my son’s favorites and it’s one he has continued to use since he was just a few months old!
12. Airplane Tray Cover
You may be seeing some of these airplane toys for toddlers and thinking what any mom would think- there’s so many pieces!
That’s where this foldable airplane tray cover comes in.
It’s easy to pack, easy to set up, and allows for messy toddler play time. This will save you the constant fear of dropping small pieces or staining airline seats.
13. Jelly Squish Toys
Do you remember these from when you were a kid? It’s a strange little toy, but I sure remember being fascinated by them when I was little.
Sometimes all little toddler hands need to stay calm is something to squeeze.
These look super cool, come in tons of colors, and can be slipped into any kind of purse or carry on for easy access.
14. Scratch Drawing Paper
Another great idea for the little ones who love to draw are these rainbow scratch papers!
It’s something that feels little more special than just regular paper and crayons.
This kit comes with the scratch tools you need as well so you don’t have to improvise or ruin a perfectly good pen.
15. Geometric Stencils
I don’t know if you ever had this set as a kid, but my sister and I put miles on these things when we were younger.
It’s a drawing tool where you place your pencil in one of the holes, then spin the tool to create stunning geometric shapes on the page.
This may have to be a toy reserved for older toddlers, but if they pick up on it, they’re sure to love it!
16. Toys with Buckles
This one is a favorite in our household. My son has always loved buckles or anything that clicks!
The best thing about this toy is how much concentration it takes little hands to fit the two pieces of the buckle into each other.
Not only will it keep them busy, but it will tucker them out enough to lead to a nap later on in the flight.
17. Water Wow Books
I had never heard of these until recently and I have to admit, they seem like the perfect airplane toys for toddlers.
It’s a painting book, but the only way to get color on the page is by using the special water wand that comes with the book.
Just fill the marker with water and use it to paint on the page for mess free craft time!
18. Gel Window Clings
If you know that your family is going to have a window seat, then you have to get some gel window clings!
Your little one will love playing with all the different shapes while taking breaks to look through window at the view.
The great thing about these is all they need is a rinse and they’ll be like new for your return flight.
19. Magnetic Books
Similar to the window clings, these magnetic tin books are an easy and reusable toy for your toddler.
All the pieces are kept within the tin for easy packing, and the inside of the tin itself has the backdrop for your magnet pieces.
They come in all types of themes so you can find the one your toddler will gravitate towards most!
20. Clear Carry On Bag
With all of these fun new toys that your toddler will be thrilled to get their hands on, it may be smart to purchase a separate carry on to keep them in.
These clear zipper totes are perfect because the bag can become one of the toys itself!
Your little one will love using their gel clings or suction toys on these. Plus, it allows them to see all the toys, so they don’t have to be noisy and dig through big bags to find what they want!
