Flights with kids can be long, cramped and full of waiting. A good coloring kit takes up little space and can fill a surprising amount of time, especially if it includes something new.
The plane coloring kit
- One slim coloring book, ideally new
- Twistable crayons or colored pencils (rolling crayons disappear under seats)
- A small clipboard that fits the tray table
- A few sticker sheets
- A small pouch to keep it all together
- Wipes for sticky fingers
Skip anything that needs water, glitter, or many small pieces.
Tray table tips
- Clean the tray table first.
- Use a clipboard or tray with a lip to stop crayons rolling.
- Keep only a few crayons out at a time.
- Hand out the next thing when the current one loses its charm.
Choose pages that last
On a plane, you want pages that absorb kids for a while:
- Space adventures in Trace Then Color: Cartoon Aliens (they’re flying, after all)
- Magical creatures in Trace Then Color: Unicorn Animals
- Friendly monsters in Trace Then Color: Cute Cartoon Monsters
Tracing adds time: tracing plus coloring takes longer than coloring alone.
Make it last
- Ration. Hand out one page at a time.
- Surprise. Save a new book or sticker sheet for the hardest stretch.
- Games. Color the sky outside the window, design an alien passenger, make a postcard.
Security and rules
Crayons, colored pencils and small pencil sharpeners are generally allowed in carry-on bags, but rules vary by country and airline, so check before you fly.
Questions parents ask
What’s best for toddlers on a plane?
Chunky crayons, stickers and a simple page. Expect short bursts of attention.
Are markers OK on a plane?
Washable markers are fine for older kids, but caps get lost and pressure changes can occasionally make markers leak. Crayons and pencils are simpler.
How many activities should I pack?
A few: coloring, stickers, a book and an audio option. Variety beats volume.
About Kevin Coulston
Kevin Coulston is a cartoonist and member of the National Cartoonists Society who has written and illustrated more than 100 drawing, tracing and coloring books for kids, including the Trace Then Color series. Meet Kevin or browse all his books on FirstArtBooks.com.
