Games and Electronics

From Mad Libs to DVDs, these games and electronics will keep your kids 
focused on fun during the plane trip.

1. Leapster 
   Learning Game System: A variety of Leapster games are compatible 
   with this system, which is designed to develop your child’s basic "school 
   skills" while keeping them entertained. The device is handheld for easy 
   packing.


2. 20 Questions 
   Junior: This travel-sized 20 Q game is perfect for younger 
   children, ages 8 and up.


3. Touch Chess and 
   Checkers: Playing regular chess or checkers on an airplane is a 
   terrible idea, but this electronic version allows the competition to continue 
   even when you’re on the plane. Kids can play with each other or against the 
   machine, and the Game Save feature will pause your game if you have to quickly 
   shut it off during takeoff or landing.


4. Travel 
   Candyland: Little kids love Candyland, and this travel-size version 
   makes it possible to play even when you’re in the air.


5. Magnetic Travel 
   Games: These magnetic travel kits like Magnet Dress Up, Tangrams 
   and a collection of dinosaur scenes will keep game pieces from falling beneath 
   the seats.


6. Electronic 
   Mad Libs: This family favorite has a new twist: it now comes in an 
   electronic version! Pressing different buttons results in kooky new word 
   combinations that will keep your kids giggling during the trip.


7. DVDs: 
   One of these portable DVD players could keep your kids quiet for the entire 
   flight. Plug in headphones so that they can enjoy the movie or doze off without 
   disturbing other passengers.


8. Card Games: Card games 
   may sound too traditional for your technologically-savvy children, but they’ll 
   love learning the new games from this site.


9. Disney 
   Mix Max Player: This mp3 player is especially designed for kids, 
   who will love listening to music, watching videos, or looking at pictures from 
   their very own portable player.


10. Games 
    and Activity Sheets: Child Parenting at About.com publishes lots of 
    different games and activity sheets that you can print out for your kids to 
    color on the plane.

Taking children on a plane could be the most hectic part of your entire 
vacation. Managing snack time, keeping them quiet, taking trips back and forth 
to the bathroom, and conquering the ear-popping phenomenon are just some of the 
struggles you’ll have to deal with. Keeping your kids entertained, though, will 
be a no-brainer with these fun games and activities that are also airplane 
appropriate. 

Books and Magazines 

Books and Magazines


These magazines and activity books come with fun games, coloring projects and 
other cool crafts that will occupy your kids during the trip.

1. Highlights 
   Magazine: This traditional favorite continues to publish issues 
   full of word puzzles, stories, crafts and comics.


2. Ultimate 
   Sticker Book Series: Kids of all ages will love playing with 
   stickers in the Star Wars, Disney Princesses, Dora the Explorer or Transformer 
   sticker books.


3. National 
   Geographic Kids: This magazine is packed full of colorful pictures 
   and stories about animals, the environment and adventure-filled fun for children 
   ages 8-14.


4. Nickelodeon Fun 
   Puzzles and Games: Keep the little ones busy with the word 
   searches, riddles, puzzles and other games found in this kids-only book.


5. Kids @ 
   Random: This Random House site recommends the best books for 
   children from preschool aged to teens.


6. Ramona and 
   Henry Huggins books: This list of classic children’s books include 
   the Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins books, which will keep boys and girls 
   engrossed for hours.


7. Make your own coloring 
   books: Instead of buying another coloring book for your kids, let 
   them pick out their own coloring pages from this website. Once you’ve printed 
   them all out, staple them together to make a custom-designed booklet.


8. The 
   Everything Crossword and Puzzle Book: This book of "brain-teasing 
   fun" is full of puzzles and crosswords for "puzzlers at all levels."

Other Creative Activities 

Here are some additional ideas and games to keep your children entertained 
while you’re in the sky.

1. Scavenger 
   Hunt on the Plane: This clever game from FamilyFun.com challenges 
   your kids to find items like sleeping passengers, a red dress, dessert, a 
   mustache, and more.


2. Finger 
   puppets: Have fun making finger puppets before your trip, and then 
   pack them in your carry on for silly fun on the plane. Take turns putting on 
   finger puppet plays with your new friends.


3. Create a 
   Travel  Journal: Encourage your kids to keep a journal of your 
   trip. They can write about the flight, draw pictures of the places they visited, 
   and tape mementos like museum tickets to the pages. If you didn’t have the time 
   to maintain the journal in your hotel, the plane is the perfect place to catch 
   up on your craft.


4. Create your own snacks: Chances are, your kids are going to 
   be hungry way before that snack cart comes rolling down the aisle. Bring your 
   own kid-friendly snacks that you can assemble from your seat. Ants 
   on a log (minus the messy peanut butter) is just one idea.


5. Pack a surprise: Packing a surprise present for your child 
   will create a delightful distraction from the boring airplane. A toy 
   car, stuffed animal, or even a favorite toy from home wrapped up like a present 
   will do the trick.


6. Take pictures: Use a disposable or digital 
   camera to take pictures during the flight. Your kids will have fun posing 
   for funny pictures to document their trip. Just make sure you use the flash as 
   sparingly as possible; otherwise, you’ll disturb the other passengers.


7. Colorforms 
   Silly Faces Stick-Ons Game: Kids can stick on and peel off 
   colorforms to create silly faces over and over again.


8. Make a map of your flight path: Help your kids draw a map 
   of the flight path you’re taking. You can trace a map of the region you’re 
   traveling through ahead of time, and then try to guess which state or country 
   you’re flying over at any given time.


9. Build a fort with blankets and pillows: Without hogging all 
   of the pillows and blankets on the airplane, let your kids pitch a tent in their 
   seats. With any luck, they’ll eventually get cozy enough to fall 
   asleep!

In a perfect world, babies and children would fall asleep the minute they 
ease into their airplane seats. In the real world, parents have to struggle to 
keep their kids from crying, bouncing around in the aisles and spilling their 
drinks all over themselves. With these nifty games and activities, though, you 
can keep your children entertained and under control for (hopefully!) the entire 
flight.