‘Tis the season for Santa lists and snowball fights, but for many families, it’s also the season of airline travel—which, if you’ve got little ones in tow, can be challenging to say the least.

But fear not—we’ve armed you with 25 airplane activities to keep your kids quietly entertained while you’re in the air.

1. Highlights activity books

Highlights hidden pictures sticker books

Highlights

$29.99

Hidden Pictures Sticker Books

There’s a reason Highlights magazines and books have stood the test of time. They are as entertaining as they were when we were young—even for today’s tech-savvy kids who have been raised on iPads. Grab some of these for your next plane ride and you’ll enjoy the sweet, sweet silence of your kids solving puzzles and peeling stickers as you sit back and relax.

2. Dollar Store stickers

Or, hit the Dollar Store and buy a bulk pack of stickers and a pad of construction paper or notebook paper. Let them cover all the sheets they want with stickers… and boom. Entertainment provided.

3. Wikki Stix

Wikki Stix travel pack

Wikki Stix

$19.17

Wikki Stix Travel Pack

Wikki Stix are a dream for exhausted parents traveling with kids. These bendable craft sticks are made from yarn and non-toxic food-grade wax, making them fun to create with, easy to reuse, and safe for kids’ tiny hands. This travel pack comes with an activity book chockfull of ideas, more Wikki Stix than your kids will know what to do with, and a handy case to carry it all in.

4. Wooden lacing cards by Melissa & Doug

wooden lacing cards

Melissa & Doug

$28.49

Wooden Lacing Cards

These wooden lacing cards are another great idea for airplane travel. No tiny pieces that can get lost, no loud noises to distract those around you, and easy to pack. A winner for sure.

5. Colorful craft tape

craft tape

Kunminger

$12.89

40 Rolls Washi Tape Set

If there’s one thing kids love, it’s tape. So tossing some fun, colorful crafting tape into your bag is not a bad idea at all. Let your kids stick their “fun” tape all over paper or card stock or workbooks or whatever else you brought with you and watch their creativity soar.

6. iPad or tablet and headphones

Seriously, no screen time judgment. Download their favorite movies or games onto that sucker and simply enjoy the quiet. We live in the 21st century, so we might as well reap the benefits of technology!

7. Colorforms

Bluey colorforms

Colorforms

$14.99

Bluey Colorforms Set

Colorforms have been popular since we were kids—for good reason. Only now, our kids can get specialty ones like this set with their favorite Bluey characters. Not a big Bluey fan? No problem. There are only about 900 other options as well, so pick one your kid will love!

8. Pipe cleaners

pipe cleaners

Bundooraking

$6.99

Pipe Cleaners

Pack pipe cleaners! Your kids can let their imaginations run wild bending and shaping them into whatever they like. Or, you can come prepared with extra activities—like bringing an empty coffee can or an oatmeal container with holes punched through the lid. Let your toddler feed their pipe cleaners through the holes and they’ll happily sit still for a while.

9. Reusable water reveal books by Melissa & Doug

Water Wow! books

Melissa & Doug

$11.99

Water Wow! Reusable Water Reveal Activity Pads

You can never go wrong with a Melissa & Doug product, and these Water Wow! reusable activity pads are no different. You can choose from all sorts of categories including vehicles, safari animals, farm animals, and dinosaurs. Your kiddos will love coloring page after page, watching all the colors “appear” like magic.

10. Dollar Spot at Target!

You’ll find coloring books, activity books, inexpensive books to read, sticker packs and more. Fill your carry-on with some Dollar Spot treasures and your trip will be exponentially quieter—we’re sure of it.

11. Electronic Sketch Doodle Pad

Electronic Sketch Doodle Pad

Orsen

$13.98

Electronic Sketch Doodle Pad

If you have a child who loves to draw, this doodle pad might just the thing for a long plane ride. It’s colorful, bright, and the screen can be cleared to start anew with the click of a button.

12. Magna Tiles

Magna Tiles

Magna Tiles

$49.99

Magna Tiles

This toy is an investment you will not regret. Parents everywhere rave about how much their kids love creating with, snapping together, and pulling apart their Magna Tiles. Long after this plane ride, these magnetic shapes will be played with for hours on end wherever your kids are—we promise.

13. Legos

Encanto Lego set

Lego

$16.49

Disney Encanto Lego Kit

If your child loves Legos, you know that having all those tiny pieces on a plane is risky. But a Lego set like this one is perfect for travel as everything is contained in a base with walls, keeping all those treasures well contained. This choice is perfect for a child who loves Encanto, but if not, have no fear—Lego makes something for everyone.

14. Tackle box for snacks

tackle box

Xiaoyztan

$13.69

Hard Plastic Case with Dividers

Every mom traveling with kids knows she definitely needs to pack snacks. But how about packing them into your child’s own personal tackle box? How fun would this be to open up on the plane and see that it’s full of treats?

15. Books!

Stock up at the public library before you go. Your kid is super into Pete the Cat books right now? Get a bunch. Have one who loves super heroes? They got those too. Grab as many books as you can pack, and now you’re prepared for when your little one starts getting squirmy and needs a distraction.

16. Quiet busy books

The Ultimate Quiet Book

Quiet Book Club

$36.95

Quiet Busy Book for Toddlers

This one is literally called The Ultimate Quiet Book. It’s a busy book for busy little fingers that includes 10 pages of learning activities. With page after page of moveable, touchable, interactive pieces and parts—this one is a must-have in your carry-on.

17. Finger puppets

finger puppets

Acekid

$8.99

10-Piece Plush Animal Finger Puppet Set

For an imaginative child who loves to create, tell and act out stories, a finger puppet like this one can help them do just that—even if they are stuck in a chair for a few hours on an airplane.

18. Workbooks

Sesame Street workbooks

Sesame Street

$8.98

Sesame Street 4-Pack of Workbooks

Preschool workbooks are always a good option for travel entertainment. This Sesame Street 4-pack is a classic and never goes out of style.

19. Cheerios necklaces and bracelets

This one’s an oldie but a goodie. Just toss some Cheerios and yarn or pipe cleaners into a baggie, and watch those tiny hands go to work. And bonus, now Mom will have ready-made jewelry for when the plane lands.

20. Alphabet magnets

magnetic alphabet letters

Gamenote

$26.99

Magnetic Alphabet Kit with Magnet Board

Keep your little ones quietly busy on a long airplane trip while also helping them practice their letters and spelling. This one will make you feel good as your kid is doing something educational, and it will make for a more peaceful trip for everyone around you.

21. Card games

card games

LotFancy

$14.59

6-Pack of Card Games

Nothing beats a good old game of Go Fish or Old Maid. Help your kids appreciate the simplicity of our childhood with this 6-pack of classic card games. And, this one’s perfect for the plane ride as it barely takes up any room in your bag and will keep your kids entertained for hours.

22. I-Spy, 20 Questions, Would You Rather?

A plane ride is a great opportunity to just talk to your kids and let them be a little silly. You can spend a good chunk of the trip playing any of these classic games by simply looking around you, talking to one another and spending quality time together making memories.

23. Magnetic puzzle game

wooden magnetic ball maze

HABA

$22.99

Town Maze Magnetic Puzzle Game

Here’s another great choice for travel and little ones because it’s one big piece. This magnetic ball maze game by HABA will keep your kids focused for a while so you can hopefully enjoy a coffee or a cocktail or maybe even close your eyes for a second.

24. Dry-erase busy book

dry erase busy book for preschoolers

Foayex

$24.97

Dry Erase Busy Book for Preschoolers

Dry-erase books are the greatest gift ever to parents of young kids. Knowing that our little ones can redo pages over and over makes for a very happy mommy (and very busy child!) This busy book is full of endless activities to make that plane ride “fly” right by.

25. Journal or scrapbook

Even for tiny toddlers, you can begin teaching them the concept of writing, drawing and scrapbooking about whatever journey they are going on. Whether it’s to visit Grandma or to Disney or maybe you are moving to another state, bring along a notebook, sketchpad, Crayons or washable markers, and begin writing about it. Ask your child, “What do you think you’ll see?” “What are you most excited about?” “Who is on this trip with you?” and let them draw pictures, write any words they know, and start what will hopefully be a book they’ll keep for a long time to come.