Gearing up for a family plane trip? Make sure the friendly skies stay friendly with airplane games and activities that kids will love! These ideas are simple, mess-free, and guaranteed to help distract youngsters until it’s time to land. Keep scrolling for your new favorite in-flight entertainment!

Make Ten Card Game

Mama. Papa. Bubba

Card games are a classic way to entertain kiddos during a plane ride. We like how this Make Ten game from Mama. Papa. Bubba calls for a deck of cards (easy!) and basic math skills (educational!). Get the free printable here.

Simple origami

Tavins Origami via Flickr

Use your airplane tray table as a flat surface for folding origami! This activity proves you can do crafts on a plane, and there are no fancy materials involved. Just pick up the folding paper before your trip or bring along some scratch paper.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

M Pincus via Flickr

Turn plane time into story time! Queue up a few audiobooks before taking to the skies (Bonus: kids can listen to their favorite stories narrated by famous voices.). You can even download some awesome family-friendly podcasts

 

DIY LEGO Travel Kit

Mama. Papa. Bubba

Shoutout to Mama. Papa. Bubba for coming up with this portable LEGO kit. It's perfect for little builders and also helps keep track of each and every beloved block. Get the DIY instructions here.

Printable Mazes

PrintActivities.com

Print off a few maze worksheets (they're free!), and join the maze craze! There are tons of mazes to choose from and kids can always turn them into coloring sheets after they're done. Find more mazes here.

Postcards

Radarsmum67 via Flickr

On your return route, write a bunch of postcards to friends and family telling them all about your family trip! Forgot to pick up a stack of postcards? Write letters instead!

DIY Geoboard

Hands on as We Grow

This homemade geoboard is the perfect on-the-go activity for an airplane trip! It's hands-on fun with zero mess, and it upcycles two common household items. Find out how to make one over at Hands on as We Grow.

Coloring Pages

Crayola

Did you know the Crayola website has free printable coloring pages? It's easy to stick a stack in your carry-on, and kids can choose from Disney characters, nature scenes, and more!

Airplane Scavenger Hunt

Mama. Papa. Bubba.

This super simple scavenger hunt (courtesy of Mama. Papa. Bubba.) is a fun way to build kids' powers of observation. And who doesn't love a chance to color? Get the free airplane game here.

Dry Erase DVD Case

Teaches Third in Georgia

Copy this genius idea from Teaches Third in Georgia and turn an old DVD case into an airplane-friendly dry erase board! Use it for Pictionary, practicing sight words or just doodling around. Learn more here.

 

—Abigail Matsumoto

 

RELATED STORIES:

Air Travel Hacks That Make Flying with Kids a Breeze

17 Ways to Keep Your Kid Busy in an Airport

14 Airports That Make Traveling with Kids Easier

Breastfeeding Moms Can Finally Nurse in Comfort at Every Major U.S. Airport

Featured photo: Suyeon Choi via Unsplash 

 

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