Long Flight Activities for Kids, by Age

On a long flight, bring a small mix of quiet activities that match your child’s age, some snacks, and one surprise for each hour, and pack the carry-on so what you need first is on top. Children rarely run out of patience all at once, so spread new things across the trip instead of handing them out at the gate. Below is a list of ideas by age and a carry-on checklist you can adapt.

Before you pack: a few ground rules

Keep it quiet and contained. Choose activities that fit on a tray table and do not roll off.
Choose new-to-them items. A cheap book, sticker pad or small toy that your child has not seen holds attention longer than a favorite they know by heart.
Bring fewer, better items. A small bag per child is easier to manage than a huge pile.
Download screen content before you leave. Airplane Wi-Fi is unreliable. Bring headphones that fit small heads, and a charger. For a plan that goes beyond screens, see our screen-free activities by age.
Mind small parts. Anything that can end up under the seat will. Avoid toys with tiny pieces for babies and toddlers.

Activities by age

Babies (under 1)

Soft toys, board books and crinkly cloth books.
Teething rings and rattles that are easy to wash.
A feeding or a pacifier at takeoff and landing. Swallowing may help with ear pressure, but ask your pediatrician what is best for your baby, especially if your baby has a cold or ear infection.
A change of clothes, extra diapers and a blanket you can use as a barrier on the tray table.

Breast milk, formula and juice for a child are exempt from the TSA’s 3-1-1 liquid limit. Tell the officer at the start of screening. The TSA explains the details on its breast milk, formula and juice page.

Toddlers (1 to 3)

Reusable sticker books and window clings.
A water-reveal pen and mat, or a magnetic drawing board.
Finger puppets and a few board books.
A “mystery bag” with three or four wrapped small items to open over the flight.
Walks up and down the aisle when the seat belt sign is off, with a stop at the window.

Preschoolers (3 to 5)

Coloring books and crayons in a pencil case so they do not scatter.
Picture books and a short audiobook with headphones.
Pipe cleaners to bend into shapes.
Magnetic tiles or a small magnetic puzzle.
Simple games like “I spy” and finger plays.

School age (6 to 11)

Activity and puzzle books, such as mazes, word searches and drawing guides.
Cards, a travel-size board game or a deck of “would you rather” prompts.
A notebook for a flight journal or comic.
Books, e-readers and downloaded shows.
A flight tracker on the seat-back map, with a job such as “tell us when we are over the ocean.”

Tweens and teens (12+)

Downloaded music, podcasts, movies and games.
Books and a journal.
A deck of cards, or a challenge to learn a new trick.
A role in the trip, such as tracking connection times and gate numbers.
Good headphones, because comfort is half the battle.

Snacks that work on a plane

Pack more snacks than you think you need. Delays are common, and snacks double as a distraction. Choose foods that are not messy and are safe for your child’s age.

Crackers, cereal bars, dry cereal, cheese sticks cut into thin strips, fruit pouches, bread and sandwiches.
For children under 4, avoid foods listed as choking hazards by the American Academy of Pediatrics, including whole grapes, hot dogs, hard or sticky candy, nuts and large chunks of cheese. See the AAP’s choking prevention page.
An empty water bottle for each person that you fill after security.
Check for allergies before you share food with neighbors.

Carry-on checklist

Pack the bag in this order, from top (first needed) to bottom (last needed):

Top pocket: passports or IDs, boarding passes, wipes and hand sanitizer.
Next: snacks and empty water bottles, a zip-top bag of tissues and a bag for trash.
Middle: the activity bag, with items sorted by what you will use first and wrapped if you like.
Comfort: a sweater or blanket, a stuffed animal or lovey, and for babies a pacifier and spare bottle.
Bottom: a change of clothes for each child and a spare top for you, plus extra diapers.
Medicines and chargers: any prescribed medicines in their original containers, and a portable battery.

For a full list of what to pack, see our family vacation packing list.

Pacing the flight

Stage	What to do
At the gate	Let children move and burn energy. Save new activities for the plane.
Takeoff and landing	Seat belts on. A snack, drink or pacifier can help with ears.
First hour	A new item, a movie or a story to settle in.
Middle hours	One new activity per hour, a snack, a walk and a bathroom visit.
Rest time	Dim the area, offer a comfort item and let children sleep when they are ready.
Last hour	A final snack, tidy up and a simple game to pass the descent.

Flying near a holiday? Our guide to flying with kids for the holidays covers peak-season delays.

Safety notes

Car seats on planes. Children under 2 can generally fly on an adult’s lap on U.S. domestic flights, but the FAA encourages using an approved child restraint system, which gives a young child their own seat. Check the FAA and your airline for current rules, and ask your pediatrician for advice.
Medicine. Do not give a child any medicine, including sleep aids, unless your pediatrician has advised it.
Ears and colds. If your child has a cold or an ear infection, talk to your pediatrician before flying.

Bottom line

Pack a small, age-matched set of quiet activities, add snacks and comfort items, and bring one new thing for each hour. Put what you need first on top of the carry-on, and expect to adjust on the fly. A flexible plan beats a perfect one.

FAQ

How many activities should I bring?

Plan for roughly one new activity per hour of flight, plus a few backups. More than that gets heavy, and children often return to the same two or three favorites.

Should I wrap the items?

You can. Wrapping adds a little excitement, but it is optional and creates trash. A simple bag of items works just as well.

Are screens okay on a flight?

Yes. Many families use screens for part of a long flight, and it is fine to be flexible. Mix in books, drawing and games, and download shows ahead of time.

What if my child has a meltdown?

Stay calm, offer a snack or a walk, and remember that most passengers have been there. A short break in the aisle or near the galley can reset the mood.