Entertaining children on airplanes—before they even leave the ground

Delays on the tarmac? It's all fun and games, when you play your cards right.

There are lots of clever ways you can entertain your child while waiting in the airport, but having to pass an extra hour (or more) on the tarmac before your flight even takes off presents some interesting challenges. For one, flight attendants most likely won’t want you leaving your seats. Drinks and pretzels will not be served. Restroom use is discouraged and in some cases might not even be allowed. It’s a frustrating proposition for many of us, but try it on a 2-year-old?

 

In case you find yourself grounded with a toddler on the tarmac, or facing an unanticipated delay with your child before you even take flight, don’t panic. And don’t be too quick to reveal the travel toys and snacks you’ll still need to help entertain your child one you finally take off.

 

Here are a few creative ways you can entertain children on the airplane before it even takes flight. Hit up your flight attendant for some extra airline napkins, and let the games begin.

 

1. Fold a stack of airline-issue cocktail napkins together and use a pen to create an all-new story book authored by your child (you can be editor-in-chief, naturally). You might tell the adventure of your child’s traveling stuffed animal, where you’d be going if the airplane could travel to outer space, or what he thinks the TSA really sees as they X-ray carry-ons passing through the scanner.

 

2. Look through the passenger safety brochure to assign names to the various characters within. Let your child help tell their story of the mommies and daddies discovering the big, big boat slide.

 

3. Create cocktail napkin origami. Paper hats are easiest to learn and remember how to make (see how here), and may be just the right size for some of your child’s travel-size stuffed animals to wear. Decorate the hats with crayons or, in a pinch, ask a neighbor to borrow a pen.

 

4. Have a cleaning party at your seats with your travel-size antibacterial hand wipes. Many small children love to be “a party” to scrubbing and wiping, and the physical activity, even as your child stays at her own seat, will be very helpful for your prolonged day of travel. Better still, you’ll have the added benefit of freshly sanitized airplane trays, arm rests, and seatbelt latches.

 

5. Turn your air sickness bags (a.k.a. vomit sacks) into hand puppets. Don’t be afraid to use your travel-size cosmetics to really bring them to life. Shredded napkins make great hair, and twisted napkins become the horns of a cow. If your back seat neighbors are not completely terrified by the suggestion and could use a break from the boredom themselves, give them a puppet show over the tops of your seats.

 

With the right attitude and raw materials, you may never view flying with children the same way again. Heck, you may even be tempted to add a glue stick to your carry-on just for fun. And, of course, a Scotch Brite pad.

 

 

> Entertaining toddlers and young children in the airport

> Changing diapers on airplanes…without a changing table?

> Flying with toddlers…without a car seat

For more tips and advice on flying with babies and young children: See Shelly's book Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Trips with Babies, Toddlers, and Preschool-Age Children.