Flight toys for 2 year old

TiredButTerrific · 2025-12-06T22:23:55+00:00

Hi everyone ! We have a long flight (around 10 hours or so) coming up with our 2 year old DS. He cannot sit still usually and we are wondering how to keep him occupied. Flight is necassary, it’s overnight one way (so hopefully some time spent sleeping) but a day flight on return and his first flight in recent times. My thoughts so far-few books (old and new), crayons+notebook, playdoh, maybe a busy book (never used this before), a small familiar stuffie for comfort and pretend play. Not too sure if he will manage a sticker book-can try this. But I worry he will get bored in no time and drive everyone crazy. Will download something age appropriate to watch. i would really appreciate ideas/inputs.

somanychristmaslights · 06/12/2025 22:34

Don’t bring playdoh, wouldn’t be great if it got on the floor.
I remember buying loads of packs of stickers from the poundshop, a blank note book and pencils. Don’t bring anything that will make noise like electronic toys. DS when he was 2 just used to walk up and down the aisle, at least I got my steps in 😂

Pringlebeak · 06/12/2025 22:39

Don't take playdoh or plasticene. Airport security will think it is semtex. Ask me how I know 😅

Original poster

TiredButTerrific · 06/12/2025 22:47

@somanychristmaslights oh I anticipate a lot of walking ! Thanks for the playdoh tip …

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Original poster

TiredButTerrific · 06/12/2025 22:50

@Pringlebeak gosh-I had to google Semtex. So no playdoh for sure ! Would love the story though…

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Pryceosh1987 · 07/12/2025 01:35

Perhaps you can subscribe him to netflix. it is for children and adults.

youegg · 07/12/2025 02:17

Don’t do what someone did on one overnight flight we had and bring a tambourine.

Forgottenmyphone · 07/12/2025 07:40

Toomies nesting eggs
Busy board
Aquadoodle travel mat
Pop it fidget toy

gogomomo2 · 07/12/2025 07:50

We used to take books, quiet fiddling toys (before fidget toys had been thought up but that sort of thing), colouring books/puzzles plus crayons and pencils, favourite snacks, juice boxes and milkshakes in mini boxes, paper dolls etc. usually (i generally was on my own too) as i boarded there was at least one or two nearby solo female travellers, if I got really lucky next to me, immediately making eye contact, talking to them etc and as soon as the seatbelt sign was off, offering to read stories etc - other passengers I hope loved Winnie the Pooh as this was dd1’s obsession (autistic). As soon as they turned 2 (2 years apart) I took their car seats on board as we had faa compatible ones (lived in USA). Every flight (flew 10 hours 3 return trips a year) I had more offers of help than I needed, so kind but it entertained those people too

Overthebow · 07/12/2025 07:57

Sticker books will be fine for a 2 year old, my almost 2 DS loves them. Other things that he likes on journeys are the lacing toys, colouring with crayons, search and find books, lift the flap books.

Original poster

TiredButTerrific · 07/12/2025 08:05

@Pryceosh1987 yeah I will download something from him although so far he hasn’t watched much and seems rather confused if we offer it to him…

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Plinketyplonks · 07/12/2025 08:18

At that age mine wouldn’t watch a tablet or the TV. I was like WHY?!!! The biggest success on a flight when he was 2 was I got a cheap wallet, the type with lots of pockets and squeezed things into each pocket. We had some slim animal magnets so put those in and a couple of photos of family. Can’t remember what else, I think one of those flappy red cellophane fish you get for Xmas stockings that lies in the palm of a hand? It took him ages to pull everything out, look at it and put it back in. But he did love getting things out of things - think there is a name for that kind of play at that stage and he just happened to be in it so it worked well! Lots of walks around the plane.

how long have you got before the flight? You could start getting him to watch some CBeebies and work out what his fave is, then ration it. Then on the plane let him free with Bluey or whatever, just make sure you have downloaded the episodes.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 07/12/2025 10:03

I would also bring along his favourite foods and plenty of it. Do not rely on the airline to fully provide.

Gymnopediegivesmethewillies · 07/12/2025 10:08

Plinketyplonks · 07/12/2025 08:18

At that age mine wouldn’t watch a tablet or the TV. I was like WHY?!!! The biggest success on a flight when he was 2 was I got a cheap wallet, the type with lots of pockets and squeezed things into each pocket. We had some slim animal magnets so put those in and a couple of photos of family. Can’t remember what else, I think one of those flappy red cellophane fish you get for Xmas stockings that lies in the palm of a hand? It took him ages to pull everything out, look at it and put it back in. But he did love getting things out of things - think there is a name for that kind of play at that stage and he just happened to be in it so it worked well! Lots of walks around the plane.

how long have you got before the flight? You could start getting him to watch some CBeebies and work out what his fave is, then ration it. Then on the plane let him free with Bluey or whatever, just make sure you have downloaded the episodes.

What a lovely idea, the wallet I mean!

Second the suggestion of Aqua Mats. No mess and endless possibilities. Maybe try and get him used to little headphones too in case he will listen to a story or watch tv. Best of luck.

Dliplop · 07/12/2025 10:15

AttilaTheMeerkat · 07/12/2025 10:03

I would also bring along his favourite foods and plenty of it. Do not rely on the airline to fully provide.

And at that age my kids didn’t get packaged “snack” foods often so pulling them out was super exciting for them. It was a big winner when they’d get bored.

Any little toy worked for us, like 1’or 2 little cars, then a fidget, then a few building toys, the 2 little people.

suhaha · 08/12/2025 07:15

A familiar stuffed toy is a lifesaver. We took ours on our kid's first flight, and added a few new toys to the mix. It really made the trip smoother.

Twilightstarbright · 08/12/2025 07:31

Wrap up new toys and pull one out every so often. Hot wheels cars worked well for this.

Nothing noisy!

We had some sort of travel magnetic farm that was good. I bought a friends toddler a magnetic dress the people set which would travel well.

stickers.

aqua doodle or magic colouring went down well, just fill the pen after security.