Moving Distractions
You can't wait for the family holiday, but you're dreading that four-hour flight with—gasp—no videos! Fear not—we've put together a veritable shopping list of carry-on activities to keep your kids busy throughout the flight. Rolling bag recommended; Dramamine not included.
By Lexy Schmertz
Travel basics include colored construction paper for paper airplanes, hangman, and tic-tac-toe, along with triangular crayons—there are no caps to lose, and the funky shape stops them from rolling onto the floor.
For more drawing activities, consider a spiral kit such as the hypotrochoid art set or Scratch Magic, black-coated boards that kids scratch to reveal the colors underneath.
If packing space is truly limited, then go with pipe cleaners or wax sticks—perfect for making people, cars, and other abstract structures. Sewing is another great activity that takes a mere corner of your bag. Younger kids can practice with these adorable lacing cards and older kids can make bracelets and key chains using brightly colored gimp, or plastic lanyard.
Workbooks can keep even the bounciest kid in his seat for at least 20 minutes (hey, bring three and you'll be set for an entire hour!) Age-appropriate maze books work well for both younger and older kids. Dot-to-dot books and sudoku will also keep kids busy and challenged.
More than one child to keep occupied? Let them entertain each other with this travel set of magnetic games including Chinese checkers, hangman, and four-in-a-row.
Older kids will have a blast with this travel version of Battleship, which folds up into its own carrying case.
And if you're looking for a family activity, try Namits, a pack of cards on a key ring that will take everyone's mind off the flight's two-hour delay as players scramble to be first to name a number of items.
