Flight activities for toddlers: a plan for trips from Changi
Quick answer: For flying with a 1–3 year old, pack quiet, flat toys with no loose parts, such as a fabric busy book, stickers and board books, and rotate them every 15–20 minutes. A few crayons work on the tray table. During take-off and landing, a drink or snack may help with ear pressure. Check your airline's rules first.
Last updated
Many Singapore families fly regularly, whether it is a short hop to Penang or Bangkok or a long-haul trip to visit grandparents. A flight with a toddler is very different from flying alone. There is a small seat, a lap or a bassinet, very little space, and a child who wants to move. This guide breaks a flight into stages and suggests quiet, low-mess activities for each, so you are not relying on one tablet battery from boarding to landing.
What should I do before the flight?
Check your airline's rules, pack one small activity bag, hide a few new items, and let your toddler walk around the airport before boarding.
- Check your airline's rules. Seat options for infants, bassinet age and weight limits, and cabin baggage allowances differ by airline. Read the current rules on your airline's website before you pack.
- Pack one small activity bag that fits under the seat in front, separate from the diaper bag.
- Wrap or hide a few items your child has not seen before. Novelty is useful at 30,000 feet.
- Use the airport. Changi has plenty of space to walk around. Let your toddler move as much as possible before boarding.
What goes in the activity bag?
Pack a fabric busy board, a few chunky crayons and a notebook, stickers, board books, a comfort item and familiar snacks.
- A fabric busy board. Flat, quiet and full of things to do: zips, buckles, buttons, laces, and pages of letters, numbers and colours. Our 7-in-1 / 8-in-1 busy board is about 28 × 22 cm closed, so it fits a seat-back pocket or an under-seat bag. Show one page at a time.
- A few chunky crayons and a small notebook. Three or four triangle-grip crayons roll less on a tray table than round ones. Keep the rest in the box.
- Stickers. Reusable or regular, plus a notebook or the inside of a paper bag.
- Board books, especially lift-the-flap ones.
- A comfort item for sleep.
- Snacks your child already likes, in small containers. Check the destination country's rules on bringing food.
Avoid toys with small loose pieces (they disappear under seats) and noisy electronic toys that might disturb other passengers.
What helps during boarding and take-off?
Keep the busy board handy for the waiting, and offer a drink or snack during take-off, since swallowing may help with ear pressure.
Boarding can involve a lot of waiting. Keep the busy board handy for the gate and the aisle wait. During take-off and landing, many parents offer a drink, a bottle or a snack because swallowing may help with ear pressure. Follow your airline crew's instructions about seatbelts and infant belts.
What helps during cruising?
Rotate activities roughly every 15–20 minutes: busy board, drawing, snack, books, stickers and a short aisle walk when allowed.
This is the longest stretch. Rotate activities roughly every 15–20 minutes, or whenever interest drops:
- Busy board (one or two pages)
- Drawing on the tray table
- Snack
- Books
- Stickers
- A short walk in the aisle when the seatbelt sign is off and the crew are not serving
Simple drawing prompts work well: draw the plane, draw the clouds outside, draw who you are visiting. Tear out the page and give it to grandma on arrival.
What helps with meals and sleep on board?
Put toys away during meal service, and before sleep dim the screen, read a familiar book and offer the comfort item.
Put toys away during meal service to keep the tray clear. Before sleep, dim the screen, read a familiar book and offer the comfort item. Keep the activity bag zipped so you can find things in the dark.
What helps during descent and landing?
Save one new item for the descent, and offer a drink or snack, which may help with ear pressure.
Toddlers are often tired and restless by the end. Save one "new" thing for the descent: a busy-board page you have not shown, a new sticker sheet, or a book. As at take-off, a drink or snack may help with ear pressure.
What is a realistic view of screens?
Many families use screens on long flights, and that is a reasonable choice. A screen-light approach simply means you have other options ready, so the tablet is one tool among several rather than the only plan. Our screen-free play guide has more ideas.
What safety notes apply?
- Follow crew instructions on seatbelts, infant belts and bassinets.
- Keep hot drinks well away from your child's reach on the tray table.
- Supervise play with laces and strings on busy boards.
- Check toys for loose parts before the trip.
What should I pack?
Pack a busy board, a few crayons and a notebook, stickers, two books, a comfort item, snacks and a drink, spare clothes for child and parent, wipes and a rubbish bag.
- Busy board
- 3–4 crayons and a notebook
- Stickers
- 2 books
- Comfort item
- Snacks and drink
- Change of clothes for child and parent
- Wipes
- Small bag for rubbish
For journeys to and from the airport, see our MRT and bus quiet-play kit.
FAQ
What is the best toy for a plane with a toddler?
Quiet, flat toys with no loose parts work well, such as a fabric busy book, stickers and board books. Rotate them so each feels fresh.
Are crayons OK on a plane?
Yes, with a few colours at a time on the tray table. Triangular crayons roll less. Bring wipes for marks.
How do I help my toddler's ears during take-off?
Many parents offer a drink or snack so the child swallows. If your child has ear problems, ask your doctor before flying.
Can I bring a busy board in cabin baggage?
Soft fabric busy boards are generally fine in cabin bags, but always check your airline's and the airport's current rules.
Links go to our Shopee shop. Prices and stock are shown live on Shopee.