Forget Kids, These 24 Items Will Keep *You* Entertained On An Airplane

Buzz Feed

06-05-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
A flower bookmark kit, in-flight facial, A Court of Thorns and Roses coloring book, and 21 other unique and useful things to keep *you* entertained in economy.
1. A set of Olive & June press-on nails — a glue-free temporary manicure that reviewers say looks and feels as strong as dip manis. These use tabs instead of glue, making them super simple to take on and off. If you spent so much time prepping for your vacation that there wasn't any time left for a proper manicure, here's your solution! If you'd 1) enjoy an economy-seat-friendly activity while flying and 2) like your nail beds to look their very best at your destination, this is just waiting for you to press "add to cart!"
You'll get 32 nails and damage-free tabs in this compact box. To use, add a tab to your natural nail and then hold the press-on onto your nail for 30 seconds. That's it! They should last up to a week, with many reviewers saying they lasted around two weeks.
Promising review:"These tab press-ons are perfect! They have it all: fun colors, a cute pattern, and they're so easy to apply. I got so many compliments on these, and I did them from the passenger seat of the car. If you're going to get one pair of tab press-ons, let it be these!" — Taylor F.
Get them from Olive & June for $8 (available in several styles).
2. A flower bookmark crochet kit that'll satisfy crafters who need to be doing *something* productive at all times (as if soaring 600 mph to cross the entire country isn't productive enough). Take this out of the box, and the products can easily fit inside a bag, tucked snug into your purse or carry-on. Not only is this a fun way to pass the time, but you can also make these as little gifts for the folks you're on your way to visit!
Amazon
The kit includes enough tools and yarn to crochet eight unique flower bookmarks. You'll have eight colors of yarn, a yarn needle, six stitch markers, a crochet hook, and instructions.
Promising review:"This beginner crochet kit is fantastic! It comes with everything you need to get started, including high-quality yarn, a variety of hooks, and easy-to-follow instructions. The materials are perfect for learning, and I love how organized everything is. It's a great way to dive into crochet, and I highly recommend it for anyone just starting out!" — Amber
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
3. "A Court of Thorns and Roses" coloring book for readers with *great* taste who think coloring inside the lines may make them feel a little steadier while flying in the sky despite gravity existing. If the fae can do it...why not us?! Go ahead and live your best Spring Court Feyre life and paint (or color pencil) away!
Yeah, yeah, I know this post is about adults and I've got a gif of my toddler scribbling away up there *but* that's because I got this to share with my kid while on a five-hour flight over the holidays. And you better believe I was the one who was most entertained! Well, me, and all the other romantasy readers on the flight who caught what my kid was coloring on. We all got a good laugh. This coloring book is way better than it has any reason to be. The pages are thick, the illustrations are detailed and interesting, and the quotes pulled from the books make it even more fun.
BTW, I got these colored pencils for myself (great travel pack) and these crayons for my kid. Both were great on the flight!
Promising review:"I'm so glad I got this coloring book. The illustrations throughout are gorgeous, and I love the quotes opposite each picture. It's detailed but not to the point of being stressful to color. The pages are nice and thick, smooth to blend. The style in which it's drawn makes for a nice guide if you decide to do some shading. It's been years since I've done any visual art, but I've been relaxing and enjoying this each night. I recommend soft colored pencils as opposed to the harder, more waxy ones. I am using Faber Castel soft pencils in the attached photo. Unfortunately, I tore part of a different page by trying to blend and burnish with too firm pencils, so just keep that in mind. Slowly add your layers and enjoy the process." — Mary
Get it from Amazon for $11.79.
4. Or a reviewer-adored Cozy Spaces-themed coloring book to help out anyone who considers airplanes *anything* other than cozy. Put on your noise-canceling headphones and remind yourself that there's no need to think about anything other than coloring on your flight. This is designed to distract your busy brain with tiny bears making turnip tinctures and bugs decorating their overturned teacup homes. Cute.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Start a collection! Coco Wyo has a *ton* of other cozy stress relief coloring books with different themes in their Amazon storefront!
Add to their gift with this cult-fave colored pencil set on Amazon for $9.99!
Promising review: "This coloring book is a wonderful way to unwind and de-stress. The illustrations feature familiar, cozy corners that are both charming and relaxing to color. The designs are intricate enough to keep you engaged but not overly complicated, making it perfect for both adults and teens. The quality of the paper is great, holding up well to colored pencils, markers, and gel pens. I love how each page feels like a little escape, and coloring them has become a therapeutic routine." — Ali El-Khatib
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
5. Spot It! — a multi-game deck of cards inside a tin the size of a tuna can (so you can easily toss it into your tote bag) that you can play from the comfort of your tray table. Either time yourself and enjoy a little game break on your own, or play with the people you're traveling with/hopefully sitting beside. There only needs to be one card out for each player at a time, so there's no need to worry about cards tossing around during turbulence.
Amazon
Promising review:"This is a favorite game to bring with the family on trips. Everyone can play, from the 3-year-old to the 36-year-old, and it's super easy to teach new people (grandma, visiting friend, etc.). Each game can be as short as you need, so we like to bring it to restaurants or doctors' offices where waiting is inevitable. The game is very compact in the tin and good as long as it's not wet or windy (there is a waterproof version though!)
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
6. A deck of Disney villains tarot cards to soothe the souls of Disney adults who have been waiting all year to go to Magic Kingdom and are practically jumping out of their seats on the three-hour flight to Mickey. This includes a guidebook, so whether you're a seasoned tarot pro or simply got this set to enjoy some villainous fun on your flight, The Evil Queen, Scar, and Ursula are sure to be a part of your future.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I've been wanting to dive into tarot for some time now. I wanted to find a deck that I could relate to. I've always related to the 'bad guys' in Disney. If you think about it, they're not really bad, just misunderstood. Anyway, when I saw this deck, I knew I had to have it. The pictures are absolutely beautiful. The sturdiness of the cards is amazing. I don't feel like I'm going to crush them as I shuffle. The guidebook is very informative, with actual examples of interpretations. I'm very pleased with my first tarot deck." — kinni
Get it from Amazon for $22.49.
7. Beyond Bored, a 200-page activity book intended for entertaining adults in the most surprising (and hilariously mundane) ways possible. Its spiral-bound design makes it super easy to handle in small airplane seats, and the activities range from the "sensible sedan coloring sheet" to "complete the drawing tasks," involving trash raccoons who wish they were in Paris. One reviewer complained that there are too many haunted dolls in this book, and I've gotta say...that's when I knew I had to have it.
Amazon
Promising review:"This has the perfect mix of humor, creativity, and randomness to keep things interesting. The activities are clever and unexpected, definitely not your typical word searches and crossword puzzles. It's a fun way to unwind and take a break from screens. And the quality of the book is great, with a nice design and plenty of quirky prompts that make you think (or just laugh). If you're looking for something unique to pass the time or a fun gift for someone who enjoys a little wit and absurdity, this is a great choice! There are many, many 'naughty' words, so definitely keep away from kids." — Lainey
Get it from Amazon for $13.82.
8. A textured NeeDoh gumdrop that'll be the best stimming toy this side of Willie Wonka's Chocolate Factory. These are made to be extra squishable with a satisfying weight *and* although they are silicone, they won't gather dust if packed into your carry-on. It's basically a real-life Everlasting Gobstopper, and it'll gladly keep you soothed when the flight gets a little...wonky.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Let me stop you right there. Do *not* try and eat this Gobstopper.
Promising review: "Got these for my niece (8) and nephews (4 and 5), and they LOVED them! My niece liked that no matter how hard she tried to mold them, they always popped right back to the same shape in just a few seconds!" — shaymdahl
Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in various colors chosen at random).
9. On The Fly, a *literal* airplane facial kit from Patchology with two hydrating face masks, both day and night eye gels, and a lip gel mask. Each piece is designed to be opened and applied while in the air, so you can be confident knowing they won't be too messy to use in the window seat. Give your skin a chance to relax during a long travel day and put this in your purse!
My sister-in-law got us these kits for a recent trip we took together. She knows I'm a terrified flyer and *also* knew she'd have to sit next to me, so she pulled out all the stops to keep me calm while we were in the air. This was a very sneaky way to soothe me, I'll give her that. Not only did this leave us feeling fresh after the flight, but it was fun to apply *during* it. I've used skincare on flights before, but was impressed because this kit makes *zero* mess, so I wasn't stressing out about getting goop or a facial spray anywhere. I'm glad she got us these. And next time? I'm buying.
Get it from Amazon for $20.
10. The newest Kindle Paperwhite — the fastest Kindle yet — for anyone who genuinely thinks it's about the journey (aaand all the hours of uninterrupted reading they can sneak in on a flight) and not just the destination. A single charge can last up to 12 weeks, so go ahead and start reading Throne of Glass now (is this the second Sarah J. Mass reference I've made in this post? YES!). Plus, this is waterproof, so you can cry your heckin' eyes out after finishing the final book without waterlogging your reader.
www.amazon.com
It also comes with three months of Kindle Unlimited for free!
Promising review: "I am absolutely loving my new Kindle Paperwhite. In the past, I have been reading my books on my iPad and was seemingly happy with that format until I tried to read outside. The iPad screen was extremely difficult to view outside, and the battery life drained rapidly. Enter the new 2024 Kindle Paperwhite... The screen is so comfortable to view both inside, at night, and especially outside. Actually, the screen is fantastic for outside readability. Due to the Kindle's water resistance, on a recent vacation, I read for over an hour while in the resort's hot tub without worry of imposing water damage. The battery life on the Kindle seems to last forever! I've since read multiple books, and it still has more than an adequate charge remaining. I feel that the new 7" size is perfect for page viewing and holding while reading. I can now highly recommend this Kindle Paperwhite. It has made my reading so much more enjoyable." — SRW
Get it from Amazon for $159.99 (16 GB of storage; available in three colors).
11. A teeny-tiny Etch A Sketch — a spiffy and silly little gadget you can pull out of your pocket to keep yourself entertained when you realize you've ended up on a dreaded screen-free flight and don't have a tiny screen to entertain you.
Amazon
Promising review:"I love tiny things and this one cracks me up. It does work! Super fun and tiny!" — Risa Matsumura
Get it from Amazon for $6.95.
12. A granny square bag crochet kit so you can make the third bag you wanted to bring onto the flight, when the requirements said only one carry-on and one personal item. Joke's on you, Delta. I know how to CRAFT!
Amazon
The kit includes four colors of yarn, a bag strap, a pre-started crochet piece, a crochet hook, threading needle, marking clip, and is recommended for intermediate crocheters by reviewers.
Promising review: "I've worked on this for a few days and I'm almost finished! I went online to find step by step instructions and it's basically the same steps for each row. Very simple to follow!" — Nicole
Get it from Amazon for $19.97 (available in six colors).
13. Or a canvas tote bag embroidery kit if embroidery is more your thing. This'll be particularly useful to 1) keep your hands busy while you cruise through your audiobook mid-air and 2) give you some extra room for all the souvenirs you know you'll be bringing home.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
This embroidery kit includes a canvas tote bag and printed botanical pattern, an embroidery hoop, a pack of multi-colored embroidery threads, two embroidery needles, and instructions.
Promising review:"This was really fun to make. I gave it to my mother for Mother's Day and she loved it. I'd totally buy it again. This is beginner friendly. It's not too challenging of a design but takes a bit of time. Highly recommend." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in five colors).
14. The Endless Art Challenge, a deck of 90 cards that'll combine to make over 25,000 prompt variations. The challenge is intended for artists of all sorts, whether seasoned sketchers or folks who'll love the chance to up their stick-figure game.
Amazon
Grab a spiral bound sketchbook to go with it if you want to draw using something you can easily fit on the tiny tray table.
Promising review: "This is an amazing idea and so fun! The prompts are amazing to unlock a creative block if you feel like drawing but don't know *what*. It's also a super fun screen-free activity to do with my 8-year-old — she draws the cards and we each make an illustration, all the while discussing ideas and why they work. I'm buying two more sets for gifts. This is perfect for kids and adults!" — Megan Theile
Get it from Amazon for $16.97.
15. An AirFly wireless transmitter to connect your AirPods (or wireless headphones) to your airplane's screen the next time you travel, no Bluetooth needed!!
www.amazon.com
Promising review:" You don't know it yet but you need this. A friend recommended this and I decided to try it. It works well in flight. Huge improvement in comfort and sound quality over the airlines headphones. Also used for various tours when traveling. Again far more comfortable than the typical tour listening equipment." — PJ14
Get it from Amazon for $19.97+ (available in five variations and two colors).
16. A pine needle puck, a cleaner version of the super popular putty-covered lava rocks, that'll be a super soothing way to spend a few hours in the air. The pine needles are long, so they'll be easy to store in a cup while you pluck and pull to your heart's content!
The Kyndred Spirit / Etsy
This small business is owned by Kiona and based in Jasper, Indiana. The shop has a bunch of picking pucks, all with unique styles (beads, needles, toys) and aesthetics.
Promising review:"These are the perfect size, I absolutely love them and will be a regular customer!" — Michele Perkins
Get it from The Kyndred Spirit on Etsy for $18 (available with long or short needles).
17. Or a quirky blackhead remover anxiety relief toy — this little pal can clip onto your backpack before your flight! If nothing soothes you more than plucking out awkward little hairs or pushing out puss, this thing is about to become your favorite travel companion.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I have trichotillomania and really love these little guys. They help refocus my habit, and the pull is very satisfying and realistic. I've had to repurchase already, and I'll reorder more in the future. Can't recommend these enough, as I've been searching for this type of tool for a long time." — Danika Hill
Get it from Amazon for $23.59 (available in two styles).
18. Murdle, Volume 1, a bestselling book that has 100 mystery-themed logic puzzles designed to be completed on your own or with friends (maybe it'll help you make friends with the travelers beside you...good job, you social butterfly you!) Follow Deductive Logico and Inspector Irratino on their perilous, ridiculous journey throughout your entire trip!
www.amazon.com
Check out a TikTok of Murdle in action.
That's not all! Once you finish "Murdling," you can move onto Volume 2, Volume 3, and also dig into these themed Murdle books!
Promising review: "The puzzles are a lot of fun, but the characters, story lines, and other details take the Murdle experience to another level. I have no idea how the author came up with all of this creativity! You can Murdle solo or with friends. I look forward to future volumes, but this one will keep me busy for a while!" — Liz Gately
Get it from Amazon for $10.25.
19. A friendship bracelet making kit so you can spend your flight home making sure every kid in the family knows *you* are the cool aunt, visiting from a far-off land with handmade presents. You are *definitely* the cool aunt.
www.amazon.com
Each set comes with the holder mount and 20 pre-cut threads in 10 colors as well as access to an online instruction manual for all kinds of different designs.
Promising review:"I bought this for my daughter for a craft night. I made friendship bracelets when I was a kid, but I could not remember how to make them. This helped so much! I had to buy another one for myself so we can work on them at the same time. Love this product!" — hollyhock
Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in five colors).
20. The Big Activity Book For Anxious People with pages full of journaling prompts, pictures to color, and clever coping methods. It's also totally funny, which is something all of us anxious flyers can appreciate.
Amazon
Promising review:"This book is exactly what it says it is: a big activity book for anxious people! It's got some great activities inside that totally keep me busy and keep my anxiety in check. It truly is a great time-suck to keep my mind focused on the activities and an escape from whatever is consuming me those days. I can't recommend this book enough!" — Alex R. Pepin
Get it from Amazon for $12.84.
21. Talking Hearts, a darling deck of conversation cards that'll keep you and your boo entertained for hours on your way to and from your next vacation. This includes 200 questions intended to help you learn about each other, even if you've been together forever.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "This game is so fun! My husband and I pick one card, and if the question is a little more difficult, we put it on the fridge and give each other time to answer. Has added a little more genuine conversation into our weeknights, while raising two girls." — Derrek
Get it from Amazon for $18.99.
22. A copy of The Book of Myself: A Do-It-Yourself Autobiography in 201 Questions that has 201 prompts around your memories, life experiences, and views on the world. Because traveling might be one of the best times to really zone into who you are and what matters most to you. Preserve your memories with this helpful guidebook and watch your travel time ~fly~ by while you stroll down memory lane.
Hachette Books
Promising review:"I'm really enjoying this structured approach to sharing my thoughts and experiences in life. It is easy to pick up and write a bit or more in a given session. I have many more questions to answer, but do not feel compelled to do it all in one sitting. I'm not overwhelmed by the task and look forward to doing it over time. It makes a great gift, both new and completed." — Mary Angert
Get it from Amazon for $14.31.
23. A travel-themed paint-by-sticker set with designs of vintage travel posters made up of, you guessed it, hundreds of tiny stickers! This is a mess-free way to work on something with teeny tiny details while flying, so you can listen to music or podcasts and have somewhere for your eyes to look other than the other passengers. Because making eye contact with any of them would be....catastrophic.
Workman Publishing
This includes 12 posters and the stickers to complete them, including iconic travel posters from gondolas in Venice to the pyramids in Cairo.
Promising review:"Fun for adults and kids — especially when you have a lot of time to pass, like on a long car trip or flight." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $11.23.
24. A cord-free portable charger for keeping your iPhone and iPad alive and making SURE you have all your preferred forms of at-home entertainment with you even while you're away.