Fun 3-year-old Plane Activities

The good news is there are lots of 3-year-old plane activities that are compact and light or require almost nothing at all. Even if you're not planning a trip, you can do these activities with your 3-year-old wherever you both are. It's handy to have these kinds of 3-year-old activities for waiting rooms, medical appointments, restaurants, public transport, and road trips (especially if you bring a tray).

For long-haul flights, I wrap each activity in wrapping paper. It adds to the time that activities take. It also ensures that all the surprises won't get spoiled because 3-year-olds tend to be noisy. These happened before I had a camera on my phone.

Drawing 3-Year-Old Plane Activities 

Water Drawing Pads for 3-Year -Old Plane Activities

These create perfect 3-year-old airplane activities if your child is expressive when drawing because mess is not an issue. The special pages reveal parts of a picture as it's affected by the water in the specific pen it comes with. You can either fill up the water pens after airport security or pack them pre-filled in your carry-on liquid ziplock bag, as security requires. 

Some water drawing pads have a place to store the pen at the top of the pad; however, when the packaging is removed, the pen falls out. I have cut them off below the spiral binding because that allows the pages in front of the one your child wants to use to be stored neatly behind the pad. I found that this eliminates any frustration the pen 'holder' causes.

I put the pen and the pad in a waterproof bag. I also make sure the lid is in the bag at the beginning of each use and that the pen and pad are returned to the bag before they are allowed anything else.

Sticker Books or Stickers for 3-Year-Old Plane Activities

Stickers hold a lot of value, especially when traveling with young children. Sticker books can be worth their size and weight too.

Finger Puppets for 3-Year-Old Plane Activities 

Great for imaginative little ones! I recommend finger puppets that have a small hidden elastic opening with extra material at the bottom, which means they stay on their fingers. I've found 3-year-olds lose interest very quickly with the basic wide opening at the bottom because they fall off their fingers. 

Small Puzzle: 3-Year-Old Plane Activities 

For 3-year-old plane activities, make sure the puzzle will fit on a fold-down tray when complete. I'd let them try it out at home first because some are so small and flimsy that a 3-year-old might find it too tricky, and no one wants to frustrate a little kid on a flight. The jigsaw puzzles that have a base with a border would be helpful in case they can't comfortably reach or see the puzzle on the tray table. I put each puzzle in a Ziploc bag to protect the pieces. 

Threading 3-Year-Old Plane Activities 

It's up to you whether to use a threading bead set or create a DIY version. I have wrapped sticky tape around one end of the string to make it easier to thread; however, a spare shoelace or a short piece of fishing line would work too.

I tend to tie a few knots in the same spot at one end of the thread-like object. Test any beads or dried tube pasta you choose to see how easy they are to use, whether they stay when shaken, and how many fit on one. If the pieces are slipping over the knots, then tie one of the pasta pieces or beads to the end. 

You might want to pack two or more strings and however many bead-like objects fit on them so you can join in too, as many three- year-olds love that. Put only as many beads as needed in a small plastic container (that's easy for your three-year-old to put a finger and thumb into). Beads often come in hard-to-use bags, which are not resealable and any bag carries a significant spilling risk during the activity. 

Kids' threading boards can be bought or made by cutting out simple shapes from card (ideally laminated) and using a paper hole punch around the edge. Use lace or string with tape tightly wrapped on one end and knotted at the other. The great thing about the threading boards is that you won't have the embarrassing task of picking up tiny pieces that have rolled far and wide.

I Spy With My Little Eye: 3-Year-Old Plane Activities

It's handy to know some three-year-old plane activities that don't require anything. They can be especially useful in long queues/lines at airports or when you’re packed and waiting to leave the plane.

Hopefully, you remember this classic game from your childhood. For three-year-olds, I say, "I spy with my little eye something that is *name a color*." We take turns guessing what the other person is thinking of. We don't even mention winning or losing.

Small Books: 3-Year-Old Plane Activities

They could be storybooks, picture non-fiction books, or even a kid's joke book. 

Small Color Sorting 3-Year-Old Plane Activities 

I've found that 3-year-olds enjoy color sorting tiny objects into small colored plastic containers meant for pill doses. If you are buying a set of pill pots for this (as I call them), get containers that come in different colors and can be separated.

If you already packed beads that fit, use those unless your child likes to turn threading activities into jewelry; then bring extra. Craft gems and buttons have worked well too.

Try it out before you leave to check the quantities, which is what I was doing when I took the photo above. When I was done, I emptied the colored containers into that clear plastic container shown and gave it a shake with the lid on. Bags for tiny items carry a large spilling risk during the activity. However, a ziplock bag or reusable zipper bag can be useful to keep all the containers together.

Felt Activity Book: 3-Year-Old Plane Activities 

If you decide to buy a felt activity book, be aware that it requires some lengthy prep work. You have to separate out the game pieces and stick the Velcro dots on all of them, as well as where they go in the activity book.

I personally put each page's pieces in a ziplock bag and place them next to where they are needed, which all stay still thanks to the closure button on the cover.

Click the link for more Activities for 3-Year-Olds.