FAMILY TRAVEL · ACTIVITIES
Airplane Activities for Boarding, Takeoff and Landing
Boarding, takeoff and landing are the most active, rule-bound parts of any flight. They often demand that children remain seated and buckled, that items are stowed, and that attention is on safety briefings. This guide provides short, seat-friendly activities that keep kids calm without violating cabin rules or distracting the crew.
Quick principles for these flight moments
Plan activities that require minimal handling and can be paused instantly if crew members need passengers to return items to overhead bins or stow trays. Avoid anything that produces loose, small parts during takeoff and landing. Always follow crew instructions and airline policies about stowing items and seatbelts.
Prepare to switch activities based on the phase of flight: boarding is good for quick interactions and orientation; takeoff and landing require everyone to be fully restrained and mostly hands-free.
Boarding activities (5–15 minutes)
Use boarding time for identifying the child’s personal space and stowing routine. Give each child a small laminated card with their name and a picture of the seat area; have them point to where carry-on items go and where their comfort object is kept. This quiet task helps them feel settled.
Boarding is also a good time for a short storytelling prompt. Tell a one-minute story and let the child choose the ending once seated. Keep a small, soft object on the lap to hold during the briefing so the child has something tactile that won’t slide.
Takeoff activities (2–10 minutes)
During takeoff, seats must be upright and seatbelts fastened, and tray tables stowed. Offer a quiet sensory action: ask the child to press their hands gently together and stretch fingers, or sing a calm counting song. For toddlers, give them a soft cloth or a small snack to chew slowly for ear-pressure relief (safe, age-appropriate items only).
For older children, provide a short ‘spot the plane’ checklist: count clouds, identify runway lights, or look for emergency exit signs (from a seated perspective) to focus attention. Make sure any audio devices are connected to headphones and that volumes are low.