9 BEST Travel Activity Ideas for Toddlers (12-18 Months Old) | NO SCREENS Airplane or Road Trip

Screen-Free Activities for Flights and Road Trips

Brittany of Wayfaring Humans shares nine screen-free activities that kept her son entertained when he was around 12–18 months old. After about 30 flights, she recommends bringing several lightweight options rather than relying on a screen.

1. Snack-filled pill organizer: Put small amounts of dry snacks, such as Cheerios or Goldfish, into the compartments. Opening each little door becomes part of the activity. You can also use the organizer for small objects, if appropriate for your child.
2. Sticker books: Dollar-store books work well. Puffy or thicker stickers are easier for little hands to pick up.
3. Post-it notes: Let your toddler peel colored notes off their shirt, face, or a window.
4. Chunky window-cling stickers: These work on a window, tray table, or while waiting at the gate.
5. Plastic figurines and tape: Bring small animals or bugs and painter’s or masking tape. Stick the figures to a tray table or window for your toddler to pull off. Even the toy container can be entertaining.
6. Snack catcher cups: These make snack time engaging while helping contain mess.
7. Coloring books and chunky crayons: Larger crayons are easier for young toddlers to grip and less likely to break than thin ones.
8. Plastic pin-art board: Brittany found this unusual, lightweight toy held her son’s interest. She recommends looking for a plastic version.
9. Airplane seat-area items: The safety card, seat belt, seat pocket, and seat buttons can provide free entertainment. Wipe down the seating area first if you’re concerned about germs.

Other Ideas

• Magnetic blocks can work especially well at the airport, where they’re less likely to get lost than on a plane.
• Origami is another possibility, though Brittany hadn’t tried it with her son yet.
• Let toddlers burn off energy at the airport when possible, and save calmer activities for times they need to sit still.

Mentioned Items and Places

Items include a monthly pill organizer, puffy stickers, Post-it notes, window-cling stickers, plastic figurines, painter’s or masking tape, Munchkin snack catchers, chunky crayons, a plastic pin-art board, and magnetic blocks.

Places mentioned include airplane cabins, airport gates, Scotland, and the dollar store.