How to Engage 1–2 Year Old Toddlers During Flights

Flying with a toddler? Breathe deeply; you can do this. 

Traveling with a 1-2 year old can feel like packing a tiny whirlwind into a metal tube at 30,000 feet. They’re wiggly, curious, and not exactly known for sitting still. However, your flight can go from tense to surprisingly easy with the correct balance of preparation, perseverance, and play.

Here are some tips for keeping your child content during a flight, and you might even be able to get some quiet time for yourself.

Pack Smart: Think Activities in Layers

Pack wisely instead of bringing the entire toybox. Consider variety, quietness, and compactness. Make a miniature "activity kit" with six to eight compact, lightweight choices:

• Stickers and a small notebook
• Reusable water-reveal coloring books
• Montessori-style fidget toys, such as buckles, lacing cards, and poppers
• Stacking cups or nesting toys
• Soft board books
• Snacks (yes, snacks count as activities)
• Velcro fabric busy books
• Surprise toy bags (wrap a few tiny toys individually – they LOVE unwrapping)
  

Pro tip: Rotate toys every 20-30 minutes to keep interest fresh.

Turn Snacks into Playtime

Toddlers love snacks. Use them to your advantage! Bring:

• Snacks in playful containers or stackable snack towers
• Pouches, puffs, cereal loops – easy grab-and-go
• A snack that requires time (such as peeling a banana or slow-munch crackers)

You can even offer "snack challenges" like:

• Feed a teddy first
• Match the color of the snack to their shirt
• Count each bite (excellent for language + math)

Move When You Can

Let them stretch before boarding, and take advantage of aisle walks mid-flight. Try:

• Touch-and-find games on the back seat
• Peekaboo behind the tray table
• Pointing out people, lights, clouds, or seat numbers
  

A little movement helps burn energy—and reduces meltdowns.

Keep Calm Activities on Standby

Use soothing activities or toys when things become noisy, too stimulating, or drowsy:

• Cuddle with a loved one you know well.
• A playlist of gentle lullabies
• Soft tales or whisper games
• Window gazing + gentle narration (“Look! Tiny cars down there!”)
  

Create a mini wind-down routine if you're flying near nap or bedtime.

Bonus Tip: Try a Busy Bag Swap:

Traveling with other parents? Organize a "busy bag swap." Bring 1-2 new toys or crafts per family, and swap in-flight. New = fun!

You can even make a travel-themed sensory bag or set of flashcards to give your toddler on the plane.

Progress Over Perfection

Your 1–2 year old will wiggle. They might cry. They’ll probably spill something. That’s okay.

But with a bit of planning, some flexible expectations, and a stash of engaging activities, flying with a toddler doesn’t have to be a nightmare. It can actually be an adventure.

Just keep in mind: for your toddler, the flight itself is the destination.