Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
KIDS AIRPLANE & TRAVEL ACTIVITIES
48
items Traveling with kids? I got you! As an auntie and godmom, I've learned that a well-packed activity bag is the difference between a smooth flight and a meltdown at 30,000 feet. These are my go-to mess-free art supplies, travel games, fidgets, and enter...
Sections
6
MESS-FREE ART & COLORING
FIDGETS & SENSORY TOYS
TECH & ENTERTAINMENT
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
GAMES & PUZZLES
Stem & Building Activities
MESS-FREE ART & COLORING
You just add water to the pen and colors appear on the page. When it dries, they can do it all over again. No mess, no stains, no stress. Every parent needs these.
Melissa & Doug On The Go Water Wow! Reusable
The markers ONLY show up on the special paper so your kid can't destroy the airplane seat I always pack a few of these for my little cousins when we travel.
Mess Free Coloring
This little tablet lets them draw, write, erase, and start over a million times. No paper, no markers, no cleanup. Lightweight and fits right in a carry-on.
2 Pack LCD Writing Tablet Electronic Board
They scribble with the pen and hidden pictures appear, it's like magic to them. Keeps them quiet and entertained for a good while. No mess at all!
Invisible Ink Activity Book
This has everything markers, colored pencils, crayons, paper, and the case turns into a lap desk. Perfect for the airplane tray table. Make your little ones feel like real artists with this.
Crayola Create 'N Carry Travel Art Set (75pcs)
Simple, cheap, and effective. Hand them out one at a time during the flight. New coloring book = at least 20 more minutes of quiet
Mini Coloring Books for Kids
They scratch the black surface and rainbow colors appear underneath. So cool looking and they can make their own little art pieces on the plane.
ZMLM Scratch Rainbow Art Paper Set - 100Pcs
A classic for a reason. Draw, erase, repeat. No batteries, no mess. Small enough to fit in any bag and keeps little hands busy.
Mini Magna-Doodle
If your child loves stickers, this is a fun one. It's basically a sticker stamper and activity book in one, and unlike loose sticker sheets, everything stays together. Great for airplanes, waiting rooms, and road trips.
Sticker WOW! Stampers & Activity Kits
This is one of those activities that feels special without creating a mess. Kids get to make sparkly pictures with no glue, no paint, and no cleanup. Easy to toss in a travel bag.
Foil Art - Amazon.com
FIDGETS & SENSORY TOYS
These are STILL popular with kids and honestly I get it. The popping is so satisfying. Grab a variety pack so they don't get bored with one shape.
4 Pack Rainbow Pop It Fidget Toy Bubble Sensory
They stretch, twist, squish, and make funny sounds. Super cute giraffe design too. My little cousins went through a whole flight just stretching these.
Giraffe Sensory Pop Tubes, 4 Pack Telescopic
Soft, quiet, and they can squeeze them forever. I always toss a few in my bag when I know I'll have the kids. Way better than them squeezing the person next to them
18 Pack Mini Stress Balls for Kids & Adults
A tiny handheld maze with a marble inside. They tilt it to get the marble through keeps them focused and quiet. Win-win.
5 Pcs Marble Maze Mat Sensory Fidget
This little backpack has buckles, zippers, buttons, and snaps all over it. Toddlers are OBSESSED. It teaches them skills while keeping them entertained.
Buckle Backpacks
Ten different activities on one cube latches, gears, zippers, locks. It's like a fidget toy on steroids. Screen-free and keeps them busy FOREVER.
Vanmor 10-in-1 Busy Cube for Toddlers
Buttons, switches, latches, spinners — all on one board. Keeps curious little hands SO busy. Great for toddlers who need to touch everything.
RichBoy Busy Board Montessori Sensory Toy 37-in-1
Soft felt pages with activities like matching, buttoning, and lacing. No noise, no mess. Over 1,200 five-star ratings on Amazon for a reason. A must for any flight with a toddler.
Melissa & Doug K's Kids My First Activity Book
I can totally see kids playing with this for way longer than you'd expect. It bends, twists, clicks, and keeps little hands busy during long car rides, flights, or restaurant waits.
Kabvy Sensory Slug Fidget Toys 6 Pack
TECH & ENTERTAINMENT
Protects their little ears AND saves everyone around you from hearing Cocomelon on repeat. Wireless, comfy, and adjustable as they grow. Non-negotiable for flights.
Volume Safe Headphones For Kids - Amazon.com
These are SO cute — they light up and the cat ears make any kid feel special. Foldable for travel, volume-limited, and they come with a cable for the airplane screen too.
iClever Cat Ear Kids Bluetooth Headphones LED
Let them take their own vacation photos! They feel like little photographers and you get the cutest pictures from their point of view. Waterproof too so no stress.
Pool Toy & Kids Underwater Camera 99FT Waterproof
This is SO cool no screen! They place a little figurine on top and it plays stories and songs. My goddaughter sits there hugging it while she listens. Perfect for flights when you want to limit screen time.
Tonie Box - Walmart
Another screen-free option — they insert a card and it plays stories, music, or podcasts for kids. Small enough for little hands and the sound quality is surprisingly good.
The On The Go Mini Audio Companion For Kids - Yoto
Educational games and activities that feel like fun to them. Durable, made for little hands, and they actually learn while playing. Parents love this one.
New! LeapPad ® Academy Educational Tablet - LeapFrog
Loaded with kid-friendly apps, games, videos, and books. Download everything before the flight and they're set for hours. The parental controls are great too so you know they're safe.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet, Ages 6-12
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
Clips right onto the airplane tray table and has raised edges so toys and snacks don't fall off. Pockets on the side for crayons and supplies. This is a game changer for parents.
Kids Travel Tray - Amazon.com
The stickers peel on and off so they can rearrange the scenes over and over. No residue, no mess. I always keep a few of these in my bag, instant entertainment.
JOYIN 3-Pack Animal Reusable Sticker Book
Little hands + snacks + turbulence = disaster. These cups have a lid that lets them reach in but nothing falls out. Goldfish crackers stay IN the cup where they belong.
No-spill Snack Cups For Toddlers - Amazon.com
The cutest little travel pillows shaped like animals so kids actually WANT to use them. My goddaughter won't fly without her unicorn one. They pass out so fast with these.
Animal Neck Pillow - Amazon.com
They can ride it through the airport AND it's their carry-on. My little cousin thinks he's so cool riding through the terminal on his suitcase. Keeps them entertained before you even board.
advwin 20" Carry-On Luggage with Seat
Honestly, this might be more for parents than kids. It keeps crayons, markers, snacks, stickers, and small toys organized so you're not digging through bags every five minutes.
Kids Travel Organizer Bag - Amazon.com
GAMES & PUZZLES
The pieces are magnetic so nothing falls off during turbulence! Also small enough to fit in a pocket.
2-in-1 Travel Checkers & Tic Tac Toe Game
A mini word tile game that fits perfectly on the airplane tray table. Great for kids who are learning to read and spell.
My First Bananagrams - Amazon.com
That classic memory game but tiny! Follow the light pattern, repeat it, try not to mess up. Kids get SO competitive with this one. Fair warning: it beeps, so best with headphones nearby.
Hasbro Gaming Simon Micro Series Game
They use a magnetic pen to move colored balls through a maze. Everything stays sealed inside so no pieces to lose. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
Magnet Maze - Walmart
Comes with 119 magnets and a wooden travel case with a lid. Kids recreate different scenes it's like a puzzle and art project in one. My go-to gift for little travelers.
Magnetic Matching Picture Game - Melissa & Doug
Classic shape puzzles in a travel-size case. Great for problem-solving skills and keeps older kids focused for a long time. Quiet and compact!
Coogam Travel Tangram Puzzle - Magnetic Book
For the older kids who need a challenge. This will keep them busy trying to solve it the ENTIRE flight. And if they can't? Even better — more time occupied
World's Smallest Rubik's Cube - Pocket 3D Puzzle
You can never go wrong with card games. Uno gets intense even with little kids. Compact and easy to play on the tray table.
Travel Size Card Games - Amazon.com
Little puzzle challenges that get harder as you go. My cousins get so determined to finish them. Quiet, small, and keeps their brains working.
Brain Teasers Puzzles
The pieces stick to the board so they don't go flying everywhere. Perfect for planes! Come in different themes and difficulty levels for all ages.
Magnetic Puzzles for Kids, Screen-Free Fun - Mudpuppy
Sounds random but trust me kids can stick it on the airplane window and peel it off, make shapes, "draw" on the tray table with it. Zero residue, costs nothing, and buys you at least 20 minutes of peace. The best hack I've ever learned!
Painters Tape - Amazon.com
A fun strategy game that's easy to learn but keeps everyone thinking. This is one of those games kids and parents can actually enjoy together while traveling.
OK Play Ultimate Travel Tile Game - Waterproof & Indestructible
Perfect for kids who love challenges. It comes loaded with puzzles, so instead of asking for a screen, they can work through levels and try to beat their best score.
GiiKER Super Slide Puzzle, 500+ Challenges
This takes regular Tic Tac Toe and makes it way more interesting. It has different game modes and challenges, making it a great boredom buster for trips.
GiiKER Tic-Tac-Toe Bolt
These are great for younger kids who love making up stories. They're lightweight, easy to pack, and can turn a long wait into a mini puppet show.
20pcs Cartoon Animal Finger Puppets Soft Velvet
Stem & Building Activities
I love that this takes a favorite building toy and makes it travel friendly. The metal case helps keep pieces together, and kids can build over and over without needing a lot of space.
MEIQ 42PCS Mini Magnetic Tiles Travel Set