Another vote for Water Wow books. I also would get office supplies -- interesting shaped post its, index cards on rings, those sorts of things -- and fresh crayons.

Melissa & Doug sticker books (spiral bound ones with loads of pages); wikkistix; magnetic puzzles; small pad of paper and baggie of colored pencils; iPad with learning app.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is our favorite purchase ever for travel: https://www.amazon.com/mloong-Writing-Drawing-Tablets-Electronic/dp/B08LD81XPP/?th=1

+1. There are a number of variations on this on amazon between $10-$20. If you haven't used one they are pretty cool.

This was a huge hit for our PK/K kid. Great for drawing but you can also use it to play games, practice writing, etc. So lightweight and a good alternative to paper and crayons.

Anonymous wrote:The Dover Little Activity and sticker books. Lots of options, they are inexpensive, take up little space and can be thrown out after use. They were a lifesaver for us during travel and restaurant meals at that age.

For those familiar, would they be appropriate for a young kindergartener (not yet 6)? DD loves activity books for travel and just in general but the ones we get tend to be huge and heavy. Would love something like this for some plane travel we have coming up but I can't tell if they'd be too basic for her. She loves stickers a lot.

Anonymous wrote:This is our favorite purchase ever for travel: https://www.amazon.com/mloong-Writing-Drawing-Tablets-Electronic/dp/B08LD81XPP/?th=1

+1. There are a number of variations on this on amazon between $10-$20. If you haven't used one they are pretty cool.

Stickers, snacks, screens.
That’s it..

This is our favorite purchase ever for travel: https://www.amazon.com/mloong-Writing-Drawing-Tablets-Electronic/dp/B08LD81XPP/?th=1

IPad/Tablet loaded with games and favorite movies/TV shows. Never needed anything else. We traveling frequently.

Anonymous wrote:Second water wows. Tegu blocks (there’s a travel pack), finger puppets, washi tape.

wow, I have never heard of Tegu blocks! I just looked it up. I wish I had these earlier. I will probably get some for christmas for my 5 yr old but I guess a small amount of magnatiles would work too.

My kids love "building things" but legos and other small building things always get lost on planes; but are perfect during the trip itself so we always pack a small bag. It's dependent on what your kid likes but my freshly 5 yr old loves cars/trucks/figurines so I always pack a few SMALL ones but those will get lost on the plane so pack them for later.

Things we also like are those little "wikkistix" that are waxed yarn and can be molded and stuck on things but really aren't messy.

A small container of thinking putty is cool but needs to be monitored closely as it can get ground into fabrics.

Reusable sticker pads are great but I haven't found a lot of small ones for travel.

I load up my kids kindle fire with an extra card with space and then download tons of stuff, creative games, and books. little headphones are a must.

Wiki stix are good. Any kind of sticker book. Magnetic puzzles

Second water wows. Tegu blocks (there’s a travel pack), finger puppets, washi tape.

Water wow books.

Anonymous wrote:The Dover Little Activity and sticker books. Lots of options, they are inexpensive, take up little space and can be thrown out after use. They were a lifesaver for us during travel and restaurant meals at that age.

These are great, I didn’t even know they existed! Just ordered a bunch

The Dover Little Activity and sticker books. Lots of options, they are inexpensive, take up little space and can be thrown out after use. They were a lifesaver for us during travel and restaurant meals at that age.

What worked well for your preschooler / early kindergartner for airplane travel?