Crafts, Toys and Games to Keep Kids Busy on Flights

Give that tray table a hefty wiping down and then let your little one spread out! An easy-to-transport and easy-(enough)-to-clean craft is *chef's kiss*.

These kid-approved books are nice and sturdy, so no need to worry about them getting bent out of shape in an over-stuffed backpack, and even though you might read them 26 times before the end of the flight, a well-read kid is better than a screaming one!

This just-add-water marker means no ink stains on kiddo or the tray table, and the "magical" drawing mat erases itself every so often. Endless hours of artwork? Yes, please.

Stickers go so far. Fun books like this one create endless possibilities for your child to show off their creativity, and the non-permanence of the stickers mean they can start over again and again.

It sounds so lame, but you all remember LeapFrog, right?! These books are great and give your kiddo a little bit of autonomy on a flying tin can, which is always nice.

Remember what I said about autonomy? No better way to get someone in the mood for a trip than the responsibility of documenting it all! Task your middle-seater with taking as many photos as they can on every part of the trip – that'll keep 'em busy, all right.

Annnd we're back to stickers! Because they work. Sure, you'll have to give up your middle seat, but providing a window as a sticker surface to create fun scenes will go a long way.