Generally, the fun of a vacation starts the moment you arrive at your destination. The time between “being here” and “going there” can be tedious and boring. Nothing is more boring than sitting on an airplane for hours. If taking a nap at 35,000 feet isn’t your thing, it helps to occupy yourself with something. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of products that will help you pass the time and eliminate boredom, anxiety, and stress.
From simple solutions like listening to music, audiobooks or podcasts on noise-canceling headphones to playing games alone or with your travel buddies or getting artistic with an adult colouring book in your seat, here are 10 calming techniques to bring with you on your next air voyage.
Amazon
Don’t believe anyone who says adult coloring is childish. Quite the opposite: many adults say coloring is a low-key way to calm their mind and stay focused. If you’re someone who has flying anxiety, coloring might be a hobby you didn’t know you had.
This coloring book has 31 soothing pages with images of shells, flowers, feathers, and more, all in large print and with plenty of room to fill in. The pages are thick, so you don’t have to worry about shading, and if you use pens or markers instead of colored pencils, the ink won’t bleed through.
“I’m 75 and I’ve started coloring again and it’s so much fun,” one shopper wrote. “It’s true, we all go back to where we were. Coloring is fun, time-consuming, enjoyable, stress-free and calming.”
$6 on Amazon
Amazon
If you’re planning on buying a coloring book for adults, add these colored pencils to your cart for the perfect experience. Get over 70 colors for under $10 and create vibrant paintings right from your airplane seat. Buyers say the colored pencils glide smoothly across the page and cover 100% for beautiful color without multiple layers.
“These are the best colored pencils I’ve ever used,” wrote one enthralled shopper. “They’re durable (the tips don’t break easily) and silky smooth. The colors are vibrant and you can adjust the pressure to create beautiful blending results.”
$8 on Amazon
Amazon
Here are some tried-and-true games that travelers always have in their bags: You could buy a collection of Sudoku games at the airport kiosk near your gate, but you might run into two problems: they’re too expensive and the blocks are too big to fit in your carry-on luggage.
Meanwhile, this Sudoku book literally fits in your pocket, making it perfect for traveling. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, it offers puzzles in 5 difficulty levels (easy, normal, hard, very hard and extreme) and over 150 grids. If you get stuck or want to check your progress, you’ll find the solutions to all the puzzles at the end.
“I love Sudoku,” one reviewer wrote. “I’m happy to have found a smaller size that fits perfectly. [in] A handbag. And most importantly, I don’t get bored on the plane.”
$7 on Amazon
Amazon
If you’re traveling with friends or family, this game is fun – it’s a little interactive but won’t disturb your neighbors, especially if they’re napping. This palm-sized tin contains 50 cards with fun ideas to keep you and your travel buddies busy.
From quirky picture themes to crossword puzzles, there are countless ways to stave off boredom if you keep one in your carry-on luggage. If nothing else, the ability to keep kids entertained and entertained is worth gold on friendly air travel.
$9 on Amazon
Amazon
If you’re traveling alone or with a companion, traditional card games might be a better option: This book shows you how to play (yes, that’s right) 52 different games, from popular classics like Solitaire to more sophisticated games like Poker Square, but keep in mind that you’ll need to provide your own deck of cards.
“My husband and I don’t get out much, so this book is full of fun card games to pass the time and keep our old brains working,” one reviewer wrote.
$13 on Amazon
Amazon
If your economy class doesn’t have in-flight entertainment (or the shows and movies offered aren’t up to par), this is plan B. This phone holder lets you prop up your device and watch your favorite downloaded shows, hands-free and at eye level. It easily attaches to your tray table or luggage handle, making it a no-thought, no-space addition. And, oh yeah, it’s flight crew approved.
“I’m a flight attendant and I fly from Utah to New York and watch TV on my phone the whole time,” one professional flight attendant wrote. “My hands always hurt from holding onto my phone the whole time, but now I have this and it’s the perfect solution. Everyone who travels should have one of these, especially those who fly.”
$10 on Amazon
Amazon
This is one of the most used products in my travel bag. On some airlines, the in-flight entertainment is top-notch, with the latest releases not even available on streaming platforms. But with low-quality wired earphones that plug into the headphone jack on your seat, you end up hearing the plane’s engines more than the conversation. With this Bluetooth transmitter, I can tune in with my noise-canceling headphones, and it only took about 5 seconds to set up.
“it was [a] “A game changer for a nine-hour flight,” one Amazon reviewer wrote. “The free earbuds hurt my ears after a while and don’t cancel out the plane noise. This device is exactly what I was looking for.”
$55 on Amazon
Amazon
And of course, a good pair of noise-canceling headphones would be a lifesaver. These are both fairly affordable and Yahoo-certified. They’re also foldable for easy storage during takeoff and landing. They have built-in control buttons, offer both Bluetooth and wired connectivity, and boast a battery that can provide up to 55 hours of audio playback on a single charge.
“It also has a wired connection, which is great for airplanes where there’s a screen that allows you to plug in headphones with a 3.5mm jack,” one traveler wrote. “It comes with a cord and a carry pouch.”
$99 on Amazon
Amazon
On the other hand, pulling out your laptop to watch downloaded content on a plane can be a bit of a pain, and your phone’s screen might be too small to really enjoy (or even see) the content you watch. A tablet is the perfect middle ground, and this iPad is on sale for just $199 on Amazon.
This model comes with 64GB of storage, giving you plenty of room to keep you entertained even on long flights.
“It’s the perfect size for traveling and super sturdy,” one shopper wrote. “It’s great for painting and has lots of storage space.”
$199 on Amazon
Amazon
If you’re a bookworm, the Kindle might be the best travel purchase you can make. Sometimes all you need is a good book to get you from takeoff to landing. Books can be bulky when you’re working with limited space. Plus, when the cabin lights are dimmed or turned off completely, you have to use an overhead reading light, which can be a nuisance to the passenger next to you. The Kindle is the best in every way: it can hold thousands of books, it’s almost as thin as a passport, it’s lightweight, and it’s easy to read even without a bright light.
$100 on Amazon
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, shipping is free, of course. If you’re not yet a member, don’t worry. You can sign up for a free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, even if you don’t have Prime, shipping is free on orders over $35.)
The above review reflects the most current version at the time of publication.