Entertaining a Toddler in Flight – Packing Ideas

I don’t think there’s any parent out there who isn’t overcome by a wave of fear at the thought of flying long haul with a little person. You never know what mood they’re going to be in and how “good” they’ll be. Let’s face it, riding for 8 hours plus being confined to a small space is a bit crappy! Arjun will happily watch an episode or 2 of something on the in flight entertainment, or play a game on the iPad for half an hour and then he’ll get bored. So arming ourselves with plenty to keep him entertained is super important!

We invested in a travel bag for him which comes with a fold out tray – perfect for holding little pieces in a confined space rather than sliding around on an aircraft table where it’s likely to slip!

 

On our latest flight, this is what I packed:

• A mini play dough set – I found this at The Works for a bargain price of £3. It comes with 3 pieces of play doh, some cutters, a rolling pin and a little carry case. I purchased an additional set of play doh from Poundland. I’d highly recommend The Works for cute little activity sets.

• Lego – can’t go wrong with endless amounts of imaginative play with building cars to houses to stairs! I just take a few pieces from home and pop them in a freezer bag for transport
• Mini puzzles – we’ve taken two – a Cars one and a Paw Patrol one. We got them from eBay. Again the travel bag is great for having a little space to ensure the pieces don’t slip out.

• Water magic alphabet practice – I love these as they are reusable and educational
• Stabilo felt tip pens with link – brilliant as they come with a tie to ensure you don’t lose lids!

• Play doh wipe clean book – to practice shapes and again you can reuse the book by wiping it clean.  It also comes with cutters which Arjun can use with his play doh.
• Aircraft set – we purchased it on our last flight and Arj loves playing with the little transport models
• Mini Chinese checkers set – a bargain price of £1 from The Works!
• A magazine – this time we’re taking a Transformers one which includes stickers.
• Gel window stickers– for him to place on the windows in the plane by his seat
• Counting book – if he wants to study!
• Mini food cutting set – Arj loves pretending to cook and this set that I purchased on Amazon is brilliant. It comes with pieces of food velcroed together and he uses a knife to prize them apart. He loves pretending to cook for us.

• A plain drawing pad to make his own pictures

Arj is pretty obsessed with aqua beads at the moment but I figured it wouldn’t be sensible to take tiny beads on a plane – I’ve had the pleasure of having to clear them up at home and it isn’t fun!

Any tips on what to pack?