The $3 item parents swear by for keeping babies and toddlers entertained on flights

If you’ve ever flown with a baby or toddler, you know the stakes: You’ve packed the snacks, the toys, the iPad, the books… and you’re still bracing for the inevitable moment when your child wants off that plane.

But one mom’s low-lift, genius solution is earning high praise from parents—and it costs less than your airport coffee: painter’s tape.

Why painter’s tape works so well for little travelers

Painter’s tape is basically masking tape’s gentler cousin. It’s designed to stick without leaving residue, which means it’s safe for airplane seatbacks, tray tables, or even your child’s clothes.

For little ones, tape is magic. They can peel it, stick it, crumple it, rip it, wrap it around things, and use it for endless imaginative play—no batteries required.

Mom and photographer Nichola Knox first shared the idea after a flight with her toddler. She used it for everything from:

• Creating little “rescue missions” for toys wrapped in tape
  
• Building mini bridges for toy trucks
  
• Making shapes and letters on the tray table
  
• Fashioning a bib out of a napkin
  
• Labeling cups
  
• Even making “roads” for toy cars in the hotel room after landing

“That’s how I keep my son entertained while making him dinner and he is in the high chair. It’s magical. Hope you have a great trip.” Nicole Kressman wrote. Another mom Sara B said, “My youngest is 7 and painters tape is still a top ten in demand item 😂”

Related: 12 smart airplane travel tips from a mother of three kids 4 and under

How to pack and use painter’s tape for travel with kids

The beauty of painter’s tape is that it takes up almost no space. Pop it into your carry-on, loop it over your wrist like a bracelet, or hook it to a backpack strap for easy access.

A few quick ideas to try mid-flight:

• Stick pieces to the seat back for your child to peel off one by one
  
• Create shapes, letters, or numbers for them to copy
  
• Make a “fishing game” by taping toys in place and letting them pull them free
  
• Use it to secure lightweight toys so they don’t slide onto the floor

And when you land? Painter’s tape becomes an instant babyproofing tool in your hotel room—covering outlets, taping shut drawers, or labeling water bottles.

Related: This mom was shamed for soothing her baby on the exit row of an airplane

The bottom line

For under $3, painter’s tape can save your sanity on long flights with babies and toddlers. It’s mess-free, screen-free, and endlessly adaptable—exactly the kind of hack every traveling parent needs in their back pocket.

If you’re flying soon, toss a roll in your carry-on. Your future in-flight self will thank you.