Let’s face it, it’s not fun flying with kids – even if you are flying somewhere nice! Here are my top tips on how to entertain toddlers and older children on a plane…
While younger kids can moan, complain and whine, older children and teenagers may do things to annoy you or other passengers to entertain themselves.
Let’s be fair to our little ones; it’s difficult enough for us adults to sit still for that many hours, let alone when you have as much energy to expend as kids do.
It’s a difficult journey for them as much as it is for you.
However, it doesn’t need to be that way.
Using these tips the next time you are travelling with either younger children or older kids will hopefully keep them entertained, so the flight is as fun for them as it is for you and everyone else taking the flight.
Keeping Younger Kids Occupied On A Plane
Toddlers are usually more demanding compared to their older siblings.
You need to be prepared to answer their questions constantly and give them a lot of your attention.
The following ideas and tips may help make it a little more bearable and enjoyable even.
You could take turns at telling a combined story
To start with, one opens up the story with a couple of lines, then the other person takes a turn at continuing it.
That is basically all there is to it.
Repeat the process until the story is finished.
It’s really simple, but can make for a lot of fun and laughter, and if you are both particularly creative and imaginative, they could take some wacky and wild detours, twists and turns.
PRO TIP: As an added layer you could even record it on your smartphone or tablet and play it back to them.
Take along your kid’s favourite books
It can help to relax and comfort even the rowdiest or unsettled child if they have a familiar and much-loved story to listen to and read along with.
Remember to pack the colouring set
Crayons, pens and coloring books are lightweight and compact enough that they are easy to fit in your carry-on luggage and can keep kids of all ages occupied and focused for long periods of time.
To save even more space, you should consider taking drawing games that are self-contained like Magna Doodle and Etch-a-Sketch for classic travel games like Hangman without generating a lot of wasted paper.
Keeping Older Children Occupied on a Plane
Although it’s true that older kids do not need quite as much attention as their young brothers and sisters, they can still be quite demanding in their own right.
Make life better for you while you are flying by keeping the following tips in mind.
Travel games
There is a stunning range of pocket or travel editions of classic board games that are not only compact, lightweight and self-contained – but also a lot of fun.
As most are magnetic, there is less chance of play pieces and other important items falling off the game board and getting lost.
Playing cards can be a lifesaver
Give a pack to an older teen to play a game of solitaire themselves or play games like 21, Old Maid, War and Rummy with them.
Don’t forget the handheld games console
Depending on how you feel about them, video games on a smart phone or handheld console can also work to keep older kids occupied.
Games don’t need to be negative or mindless button bashing.
There are plenty of games to increase focus, brain training and are educational.
There’s nothing quite like getting some extra “cool parent” points by joining in some two-player co-op games with your kids too.
You’re Now Ready To Board…
There you have it, with some diligent planning beforehand and for not much investment, you can provide your kids with enough to keep them busy and entertained on flights of any length.
Whether they are young or older, there are many options to choose from.
When you engage, play fun games and participate in activities with them, you’ll love flying with your kids and they’ll look forward to flying with you as much as they look forward to the holiday.
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Last Updated on July 1, 2023 by Lucy Clarke
9 comments
This is going to be a big help to a lot of parents. Kids get so bored on planes, and I don’t blame them. They’re full of energy, but they’re required to sit for hours on end.
I traveled from Virginia to Seattle with an infant and two toddlers to meet my deployed husband. People were so mad at me for just getting on the plane. But the kids were great and there were no issues. By the end of the flight, people were complimenting me on helping make the flight enjoyable. And my infant got to spend time in the cockpit with the captain! (It was before 9/11!) I had plenty for them to do, lots of snacks, and for takeoff and landing had drinks for them so they would swallow and their ears would pop with the altitude. The flight attendants even took them for some walks which they loved!
Telling a combined story….that is a new one to me. I could try it out. Wait…it can even work for those long road-trips!
It can be so hard keeping little ones entertained on flights, especially long-haul ones! These are such great tips and tricks.
This is extremely helpful because can be super stressful when it comes to keeping your kids entertained. These are some great tips on making flights a little easier!
Kileen
cute & little
Games, Games, Games and cartoons, lol. Definitely a good idea to download movies, videos, and games before going. Also some airlines have free wifi with entertainment and games already as well. Books and coloring are awesome ideas.
watching FLIGHT 93 and then i see your post. oh the timing on 9/11. i remember my brother and i would love books on the plane – like crosswords and coloring books.
The combined story is a great idea. To be honest, I do that with my family all the time and we are all adults, haha.
I usually give my niece apiece of paper and crayon to doodle. I also have a small stuff toy that she can hug. As much as possible, I take her to sleep so she will not be too stressed.