10 Genius Ways To Entertain Toddlers On Plane Journeys

No doubt you’ve heard stories of friends who found flying with their toddler an absolute nightmare. And we’re not going to sugarcoat it – it may not be the smooth ride you’re hoping for thanks to that passive aggressive passenger you’re bound to encounter.

But these surefire entertainment ideas will keep your tot happy throughout the journey - and you feeling much calmer.

Get Downloading
Forget about weighing down your luggage with your toddler’s favourite books and get all digital savvy instead.

“Downloading interactive books to a tablet is an ideal way of keeping packing down, and still have a great selection of books available,” says leading parenting expert Fi Star-Stone.

If you don’t have a tablet and want to to take a book, buy a new one to surprise your child with on the plane – he’ll be interested in it for longer than if it’s a book he’s already seen.

Put On A Puppet Show
Finger puppets will only take up a little space in your luggage and are a great source of amusement on a flight. You can use them to tell your toddler stories and encourage him to tell you some, too.

Make Use Of The Inflight Entertainment
Many toddlers will find the bright lights and colours of the children’s channels on flights fascinating.

“While I wouldn’t suggest leaving toddlers in front of the TV for long periods at home, I think sometimes a little screen time on a long flight can be very helpful,” says Fi.

“The same applies to tablet games – there are some fantastic interactive toddler apps available that are educational too!”

Don’t Forget Toys
A favourite toy or comforter can make your toddler feel a lot calmer onboard a plane – especially during takeoff and landing, when his ears feel uncomfortable.

“If your flight is a long one, and you're lucky, your child’s likely sleep for part of it," says Fi. "Have a blanket to hand to make him feel secure and cosy."

Play A (Toddler-Friendly) Card Game
A game of Pairs or Go Fish will wile away some time and be fun for you both. Or task your tot with sorting a pack of cards into their sets – that’s sure to take him a good 15 minutes!

Go For Strolls
It's important to take regular breaks from your seat - so get moving around the plane with your toddler.

“Although this may seem like a nightmare, it'll really help him to feel less constricted and more relaxed,” says Fi. “Safety first – check the aisles for the drinks/meal trolley and don't let your child run off.”

Create An Art Pack
Just because you’re on a flight it doesn’t mean your tot can’t indulge in some crafting.

“Pack an art pack in a drawstring bag and hang it on the seat arm so it's close to hand,” says Fi. “Fill it with notebooks, crayons, stickers and stamp sets for flight crafting fun! Ideally you should keep this as a surprise – that way your toddler will find it hugely exciting and keep entertained for quite some time.”

Take Plenty Of Drinks
We all know that plane food isn’t all that great, which is why it often pays to pack your child’s favourite drinks and snacks to hand.

“A hungry toddler isn't a fun toddler,” says Fi. “Pack non-perishable items and have enough to last for your journey.”

Pack Sticker Books
Sticker books are a lifesaver on long haul flights. “They’re mess free and lots of fun for toddlers – plus no workspace is needed because there’s none to play with,” says Fi.

They’re normally really flat, making them easy to pack and leaving you more space to pack your own essentials!

Plan
Finally, plan your flight in 15-minute slots. So if your flight is six hours long, plan 24 ‘things to do’.

One slot could be taken up with reading, another with having a snack, another with a game and four slots could equal a nap – you get the idea.

[7 Ways To Keep Your Baby Happy On A Flight]

[5 Ways To Amuse Your Baby On Car Journeys]

Do you have any other entertainment ideas to add? Let us know in the comments.