Activities with Kids
From 18 months to big kids – how to keep it together on a plane (expert tips, top gear & travel checklist)
Jessie Day, Senior Editor | 29 Oct 2025
Flying with kids of whatever age can feel like preparing for a lunar landing. From navigating airports to keeping little ones calm in cramped cabin seats, there are approximately 9,807 situations to plan for, despite this flight being one miniscule moment in the grand scheme of, well, everything.
It’s almost enough to put you off entirely. But, not quite. And to be honest, packing and handling a drive from London to Cornwall with my five and seven year-olds this summer took just as much energy as any flight I’ve booked and navigated.
We move. And with careful planning, some creative ideas plus the right gear, air travel with young children can be surprisingly okay. There’s a point at which you just have to surrender into it, too, and know that you will reach your destination, in whatever state necessary.
Here’s a practical guide to keeping your kids happy, engaged and (hopefully) rested from take-off to landing, with best-rated product recommendations and a handy checklist.
Pre-flight planning: start smart
Before you even think about flying, set yourself up for success. My friend, mum of two and sleep coach Emma from Twinkle Twinkle Sleep shares her top tips for starting strong:
1. Book strategically
- Short flights? Align your trip with your child’s usual nap time. The gentle hum and vibration of the plane often help toddlers drift off.
- Long-haul flights? Overnight journeys can work in your favour, thanks to your child’s internal clock being already primed for sleep.
2. Sleep prep at home
Emma says: “Good travel sleep starts before you leave home. As much as possible, keep naps on track the day before and day of travel. Overtired and overstimulated children are much harder to settle on a plane.
Aim for an early bedtime the night before your flight to top up their sleep tank. If your flight leaves very early in the morning, consider shifting your child’s wake-up time 15-30 minutes earlier for a few days beforehand to help their body adjust”
3. Bring familiar cues
- Travel sleep items: portable white noise machines, favourite blanket, or comforter.
- Mini version of bedtime routine: PJs, milk, story, lullaby.
Top travel sleep product recs
My go-tos for managing sleep on a plane (and they’re all top-rated on Amazon, too).
- Easy@Home White Noise Machine – Amazon’s best-rated right now, check the reviews for interesting reading and more top tips! I also love our Yoto Mini players for white noise options, and soothing sounds for bigger kids.
- Trunki Toddler Travel Blanket – soft, machine washable, perfect for plane seats and my mum friend from school swears by these amazing, award-winning travel cushions for kids aged 3+, from Seat to Sleep – literally a portable nest that they can snuggle into.
- Inflatable toddler footrest and/or travel bed – transforms a seat into a comfortable rest space for long flights (a quick scan will return a tonne of options – these were the best-rated on Amazon in 2025).
Packing essentials: what to take (& leave behind)
Parents often overpack – and I am the guiltiest of the very guilty here. The trick (I’m told), is balance – bring the items that genuinely keep your toddler engaged and comfortable. Leave behind anything bulky or easily lost, irreplaceable, or annoying.
On-board must-haves:
Don’t board without these. My WhatsApp parent chats are super-clear on this.
- Snacks & drinks – small, easy-to-eat items. Opt for fruit boxes, individually-wrapped cheeses, crackers, and water bottles with spill-proof lids – I swear by Hydro Flask.
My 7-year old is a big fan of these baked cheese sachets – single ingredient and no rubbish in them at all, delivering a hard-to-find protein punch on the go. Find them on Amazon, Waitrose or Holland & Barrett – Starbucks & M&S do a similar version, too. - Change of clothes – for both child and parent. My two-year-old spilled a tropical fruit smoothie all over herself and me on a (very quiet) take-off to Oslo one Christmas, and I have at least three friends who’ve shared on-board vom stories with me via WhatsApp in the writing of this feature. One particular hero ended up crafting a makeshift outfit for herself using her husband’s jumper and a seat cover as a sarong to disembark in Greece this year. It’s not opinions, it’s survival.
- Buggy or foldable pram – check your airline’s policy. Some allow gate check for easy boarding.
- Ear defenders – great for take-off and landing to ease pressure on sensitive ears.
Top toddler travel gear recs
The 2025 hot list for toddler plan travel, all best-rated on Amazon too.
- Skip Hop Toddler Backpack – cute, lightweight, with compartments for toys and snacks.
- BabyBanz Kids Hearing Protection – soft, adjustable, highly rated for comfort.
- Munchkin Snack Catcher – prevents messes and keeps snacks accessible. I’m not a fan of the plastic, but for every now and again these are fab.
Activities to keep them busy
The key to survival is variety, novelty and rotation.
“New stuff, small, that they haven’t seen before,” advises Jenny on my local families WhatsApp group. “You can get big packs of fidget toys from Amazon and ‘quiet books’ with Velcro stuff. Oh and stickers, snacks, plus a tablet with content downloaded. We have a stash of mini books from an old book advent calendar which have done loads of flights with us now.”
Top airplane activity recs
Straight from my own experience, plus my combined WhatsApp top tips and recommendations.
- Busy/quiet books: Pretty much anything made by Melissa & Doug is the go-to here, with top ratings for Take-Along Shapes and Magnetic Dress-Up. Special mention too for the Usborne First Experiences and Look inside airport books – they’re classics and so handy for prepping little ones.
- Fidget toys & boards: Mini packs of sensory spinners, zips, locks, and padlocks for hands-on engagement.
- Stickers & washi tape: Puffy or removable stickers, plus mini road washi tape for creating play scenarios on tray tables.
- Small building toys: Mini Lego sets or Magna-Tiles for construction on the go.
I recommend a good circuit of Flying Tiger before you pack – genius for new little bits and bobs all kids will love, from age 0 to, well 39. Ahem.
Bonus picks for pre-loaded entertainment:
Because relying on the in-flight entertainment is a fool’s game. Novelty, sure. But if you’ve ever been in the seat with the bokeh device, never again. Bring your old favourites, just in case, with everything charged and downloaded.
- Yoto player with headphones – audio stories and music, perfect for kids of all ages who love their regular content. My kids sit and listen while colouring – our current favourites are The Magic Faraway Tree series, K-pop Demon Hunters and Fantastic Mr Fox. Or a Tonie Box (whichever you’re into!
- Tablet downloads: Preload favourite TV shows or apps for screen time (ensure headphones are kid-friendly and volume-limited). If it’s of interest, our last downloads for a five and seven year-old were The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Disney’s Coco, Stick Man and multiple Pepa Pigs.
Handling tantrums and illness
Even the most prepared parents face tantrums or sickness mid-flight. I feel you – and my humble tips include:
- Stay calm – toddlers mirror your stress.
- Dim lights, use white noise, offer quiet cuddles.
- Keep a small first aid kit including Calpol (or Nurofen) and spare clothing.
Sleep coach expert Emma adds, “Even a 20-minute cat nap is better than nothing. Prioritise rest over perfection.”
Toddler plane travel checklist
These are what I bring. Your list will shift and change over the years but see this as the baseline to build from.
Travel essentials
- Foldable buggy/pram (check airline policy for gate check)
- Baby carrier/sling
- Travel documents & passports
- Spare clothes for toddler and parent
- Diapers / wipes / nappy bags
- Hand sanitizer & tissues
- Device chargers
Snacks & drinks
- Spill-proof water bottles
- Finger foods: rice cakes, fruit, veggie sticks, cheese
- Favourite treats in moderation
- Milk/formula if required
Comfort & sleep
- Travel pillow or inflatable toddler footrest/bed
- Favourite blanket/comforter
- PJs & bedtime routine items
- Portable white noise machine or app
- Snoozeshade or breathable plane cover
Activities & entertainment
- Busy/quiet books (Velcro, magnetic, lift-the-flap)
- Mini fidget toys, spinners, or sensory boards
- Stickers & removable washi tape for tray play
- Mini Lego/Magna Tiles or small building toys
- Preloaded tablet/Yoto player/Tonie Box content
- Painter tape, Post-it notes, or mini games (Connect 4, Uno)
Health & safety
- Calpol/Nurofen for emergencies
- Ear defenders for take-off and landing
- Small first aid kit
- Hand sanitizer/wipes
Tips for parents
- Align flight with toddler’s nap or sleep schedule
- For babies, feed during take-off and landing to ease ear pressure
- Maintain familiar bedtime cues on board
- Plan for flexibility: even 20-minute naps help
- Keep calm – kids and toddlers pick up on your stress
Happy travels
Flying with toddlers doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Pack strategically, embrace variety in activities, maintain sleep routines, and keep snacks handy. A calm parent, combined with familiar comforts, is the secret to a happy flight.
Remember, travel is also a gift for children. Exposing toddlers to new environments and experiences helps them grow, learn and develop adaptability – skills that last a lifetime.
With preparation, the right gear, and as Twinkle Twinkle Sleep founder Emma reminds me – a sprinkle of flexibility – even the most daunting flights can become an adventure for your little one, and maybe even for you.
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