15 Airplane Toys for Toddlers That Actually Keep Them Busy

1- Melissa & Doug Puffy Reusable Sticker Books

Our #1 must-pack — every single trip.

These reusable sticker pads are compact, mess-free, and totally reusable. My kids are obsessed. I always keep one hidden in my bag and pull it out as a surprise right after takeoff. My son is so into the Paw Patrol and construction versions that he barely noticed the food being served. 🙌

Themes include trucks, princesses, mermaids, Paw Patrol, farm — you name it.

It’s always the first toy they pack in their own carry-on backpack!

💡 Mom tip: Choose a new theme for each trip to keep the novelty magic alive.

2. Crayola Mess-Free Coloring Kits

No ink. No stress. No tray-table graffiti.

I love these themed Crayola Mess Free Coloring kits — the markers only work on the special paper. That means no stained clothes, no scribbles on your lap, and no panicked apologies to the person in the next row. Just quiet, happy coloring time.

My son used his Spiderman one for almost 40 minutes on our flight to Rome. An actual miracle.

Those coloring kits are also a good way to keep your kids entertained at the airport – either before boarding or during a connection! My kids love to lay on the floor (free immune system booster 🤣) and color!

💡 Mom tip: Bring a Ziploc to keep the markers so they don’t roll under the seat.

3. Doodle Boards

Screen-free + surprisingly absorbing.

These slim little boards let toddlers draw endlessly with no mess. Just press the button and poof — blank slate again. My 2-year-old thinks it’s magic. It’s perfect for the seat pocket, and way more fun than I expected.

It’s also a toy that’s easy to take out if you’re looking for ways to entertain your kids during layovers.

💡 Mom tip: Get one per kid. Trust me.

4. Pop-Its

Sensory gold — and totally silent.

I was skeptical at first, I didn’t understand the hype around pop its… But my toddler got one and popped away quietly for a full 20 minute in the air. They’re soft, light, and give fidgety hands something to do without bothering anyone.

💡 Mom tip: Clip a small one to their backpack so it’s easy to grab mid-flight.

5. Barbie, Doll, or Figurine

One tiny toy = 30 minutes of pretend play.

This one surprised me — I packed a single Barbie in my daughter’s carry-on, and she spent half the flight feeding it snacks with a coffee stir stick and making it “nap” on the tray table. 😂

Whether it’s a mini doll, animal, or superhero, having just one familiar figurine gives toddlers a sense of comfort and control — and so much play potential.

💡 Mom tip: If you’re packing a Barbie or a doll, don’t bring all the accessories that come with it. They’ll 100% get lost.

6. Cars (But Only the Seat-Friendly Kind)

A tiny toy with big staying power.

When my son was still a toddler, I always packed one or two chunky, rubber cars in his carry-on. No tiny wheels, no roll-away disasters. Just a toy that can “drive” up tray tables, legs, windows — you name it.

On our last flight, my son zoomed his car up the side of the seat and made parking spots on my armrest. It kept him quietly focused during boarding, which was honestly the hardest part of that flight.

💡 Mom tip: Avoid pull-back cars unless you want to spend half the flight crawling under the seats.

7. Books

Underrated Airplane Magic

I honestly think books are one of the most underrated airplane toys for toddlers. They’re like a silent MVP when flying with kids!

I always pack a few of my kids’ favorites — and I’ll usually buy one brand-new book before a big trip as a little airplane surprise. The novelty alone buys you time. 🙌

Toddlers love books. Even if they can’t read yet, they’ll happily flip through pages, point to pictures, and “read” to themselves. It’s quiet. It’s calming. And it feels familiar in an unfamiliar space.

On flights, I like to bring a mix:

• A short storybook they already love (comfort = gold)
• A texture or touch-and-feel book (both of our toddlers LOVED this collection)
• Something interactive with flaps or little doors to open
• And one new surprise book for takeoff or mid-flight meltdown prevention

Books are also my secret weapon for the rest routine on the plane. When the cabin lights dim and it’s time to wind down, pulling out a familiar bedtime story signals to my toddler that it’s time to slow their body — even at 30,000 feet.

Sometimes we read together. Sometimes they just flip quietly while I sip my drink and pretend I’m on vacation already. 😅

💡 Mom tip: Keep them short and sturdy. Board books are way more durable than paper pages mid-flight.

8. Apple Threading Toy

Quiet Fine-Motor Win

Okay, I haven’t personally flown with this one yet — but my sister-in-law packed it on a trip with my nephew, and he was OBSESSED.

It’s this adorable little apple with chunky laces that toddlers “thread” through the holes like sewing. And it checks all the airplane boxes:

• Small and easy to pack
• No tiny loose pieces
• Completely quiet
• Keeps little hands busy

My nephew sat there happily threading and unthreading the apple over and over again on their flight — no screen, no noise, just focused little fingers working away.

And honestly? That fine-motor concentration is gold on a plane. Toddlers love repetitive motions, and this one feels like a “big kid” activity without being frustrating.

💡 Mom tip: This is a great “mid-flight surprise” toy when attention starts to fade. It’s simple but oddly captivating.

9. Soft Busy Board

The Coolest Lap-Friendly Activity

I haven’t personally packed a busy board on a flight yet — but my sister-in-law brought one when they flew to Mexico with my 1-year-old nephew, and it was a huge win.

He sat there happily zipping, snapping, buckling, and flipping for long stretches. No noise. No rolling pieces. No stress.

What makes this different from the threading toy? It’s more of a self-contained activity panel. Everything is attached. Nothing falls. Nothing gets lost under the seat.

It basically turns your toddler’s lap into their own little “work station.”

And what I really love about this one is that it’s not just an airplane toy.

It’s perfect for:

• Hotel room downtime while you unpack
• Restaurants when you’re waiting for food
• Quiet time in the Airbnb
• Even car rides at your destination

It folds up easily, doesn’t take much space in your carry-on, and feels engaging without being overstimulating.

💡 Mom tip: Choose a soft fabric version with attached pieces — wooden ones are heavier and louder if dropped.

10. Suction Cup Fidget Spinner

amazing for younger toddlers

I cannot tell you how many travel parents swear by these little suction cup spinners, especially for younger toddlers.

If you’ve got a 1-year-old or early 2-year-old, this one is such a simple win.

It sticks right onto:

• The airplane window
• The tray table
• Even the side wall of the seat

And toddlers just… spin. And spin. And spin again. 😅

What makes this one especially great for flights is that:

• There are no loose pieces
• It doesn’t make noise
• It stays attached (which means fewer “uh oh it rolled away!” moments)

For little ones who aren’t quite ready for doodle boards or sticker scenes, this is the perfect “I need something to keep my hands busy” toy.

💡 Mom tip: Test it on different surfaces at home first. Some stick better than others, and airplane tray tables can vary.

11. Tonie Box or Yoto Mini

But ONLY If You Bring Headphones

This one can be an absolute flight game-changer — but I’m going to be strict about this:

If you pack a Tonie Box or Yoto Mini, you must bring toddler headphones.

No headphones = no airplane audio toy.

These little story players are amazing for toddlers who can sit and listen. My daughter started really using ours around 3, and once she had her Frozen story playing through her headphones, she was completely absorbed. I’m talking peaceful, focused, not-moving-for-30-minutes absorbed.

But here’s what matters:

• Your toddler needs to already be comfortable wearing headphones
• You need to test the volume before boarding
• You should practice using it at home first

A plane is not the time to introduce a brand-new device.

When it works, though? It’s magic. Screen-free stories, calming music, and hands-free quiet time while you sip your drink and pretend you planned this whole trip effortlessly.

🔗 Tonie Box
🔗 Yoto Mini
🔗 Toddler Headphones – Volume Limited

💡 Mom tip: I personally prefer wired headphones for flights. Bluetooth can be finicky mid-air, and cords are just more predictable when you’re tired and juggling snacks.

12. Silicone Sensory Pull Toy

Perfect for Younger Toddlers

If you’re flying with a younger toddler — think 9 months to 18 months — this kind of silicone sensory toy is SUCH a smart pick.

I haven’t personally packed this exact one on a flight yet, but these pull-string sensory toys are wildly popular with parents for a reason.

They’re:

• Soft
• Quiet
• Easy to grip
• Completely self-contained
• And basically impossible to lose pieces from

Toddlers love the repetitive pulling motion. They’ll sit there pushing, pulling, and flipping it over again and again — which is exactly what you want on a plane.

It’s also super lightweight and flexible, so you can toss it in a diaper bag without it taking up precious space.

This is especially great if your toddler isn’t quite ready for doodle boards or sticker books yet. It’s simple, soothing, and doesn’t require any instructions.

💡 Mom tip: These are amazing during boarding when your little one just needs something to hold and fiddle with while you’re juggling bags and seat assignments.

13. Magnetic Drawing Board

The “Erase and Repeat” Classic

This is different from the slim doodle board we mentioned earlier — this is the chunkier, classic magnetic drawing board with the attached pen and sometimes little stamp shapes (which I would leave at home!).

I love this one for older toddlers (closer to 3) who want to “draw like a big kid” but still need something durable and mess-free.

What makes it great for airplanes:

• No loose pieces (if it comes with stamps, they stay home!)
• No markers
• No cleanup
• The pen is attached
• The erase slider is deeply satisfying

Toddlers will draw a scribble… erase… draw again… erase again… over and over. It’s repetitive, calming, and surprisingly absorbing.

💡 Mom tip: Look for a smaller version. The full-size ones can be bulky in a carry-on.

14. Magnetic Tiles

The perfect travel set

This one is definitely best for older toddlers (closer to 3), but a travel magnetic tile set can actually work really well on a plane — especially if it comes in its own little storage box.

I’m not talking about the giant 100-piece sets. The travel versions usually come with 15–30 pieces and fit neatly inside a compact carrying case. That’s the key.

What I love about the travel sets:

• They’re contained in a small box (no digging through your bag)
• The magnets help pieces stick together instead of sliding everywhere
• It feels like a “big kid” activity
• They pack up quickly once you’re landing

Because they come in their own case, you can just toss the whole box into your carry-on without worrying about losing individual tiles.

That said — this works best if:

• You’ve got a tray table
• Your toddler isn’t in the throwing phase
• They’ve played with magnetic tiles before

For the right kid, though? They’ll quietly build little towers and shapes for surprisingly long stretches.

💡 Mom tip: Stick to a smaller 15–20 piece set for flights. More pieces = more stress.

15. Melissa & Doug Sticker Wow! (Sticker Pen)

If you love the reusable sticker books, you’re going to love this one too.

The Melissa & Doug Sticker Wow pen is basically a stamp-style sticker dispenser. Toddlers press the pen down and a single sticker pops out onto the page.

Why it’s great for flights:

• Stickers are controlled (not a full sheet at once)
• Compact
• Feels interactive
• Minimal mess

It’s especially good for toddlers who love stickers but aren’t quite ready for managing a whole sticker pad independently.

And let’s be honest — anything Melissa & Doug tends to hold toddler attention better than random dollar-store toys.

💡 Mom tip: Save this as a mid-flight surprise for when energy starts dipping.

Read More on Flying With Kids:

• Free Printable Travel Day Checklist
• Free Printable Toddler Carry-On Packing List
• Flying With Kids: A Real Mom’s Guide After 25+ Flights
• Flying With a Toddler: A Real Mom’s Full Survival Guide
• Preparing For Your Child’s First Flight: What Worked For Us
• How to Get Through Airport Security With Kids
• How I Keep My Kids Busy at the Airport Without Overpacking
• What to Pack in Your Toddler’s Carry-On (And What to Skip!)
• 7 Easy Tips to Help Beat Jet Lag with Children
• 8 Great Tips for Surviving Layovers with Kids
• The Travel Stroller Bag We Use on Every Flight (and love!)
• 11 Excellent Carry-On Backpacks for Kids
• The 15 Best Airplane Toys for Toddlers – compact and mess-free