Airplane Challenge Throwdown
Don’t just sit and watch TV, get some competition going!
Our Best Ideas
Flip cup, ‘beer’ pong with peanuts, bank a rubber band off the seat back into a cup, thumb war, slaps, 20 questions, 3-cup shuffle (guess which cup has the ice cube under it), first person to unbuckle and stand on the seat when the seat belt light goes off, first person to spot a body of water out the window, guess how many passengers, first to spot a fat guy in the middle seat, guess what drink the people in front of you will order, riddles, or tic-tac-toe with a dry erase marker on the window (which you can follow up with making a stained glass window, just be nice and clean it off before you leave), and as a last resort, the seat back video games (which are pretty terrible if we’re honest). Oh and snap chat filters can be fun too.
DADDIO TIP: Bring along some cheap toys (the kind you’d spend 200 tickets on at Chuck E Cheese) to give as prizes and bribes.
See the Related Activities section below this blog for more great ideas!
Other Finds from the Interweb:
Sneaker Doodle:
Get some fresh white sneakers and bring some sharpies, stencils, and bedazzle stuff to entertain the kids and give them something cool to show off when you get to your destination.
I Spy:
This classic game is perfect for any age and doesn’t require any extra materials. One person starts by saying “I spy with my little eye…” followed by a description of something they see in the area. The others have to guess what it is. The first person to guess correctly gets to be the next spy!
Would You Rather?:
This silly game is sure to spark some interesting conversations. Give your child two wacky or impossible choices and see what they pick. For example, “Would you rather have wings or be able to talk to animals?”
Storytelling:
Take turns making up a story one sentence at a time. Start with a simple prompt like “Once upon a time…” and see where your imaginations take you. You can even act out the story as you go!
Color Scavenger Hunt:
Make a list of different colors and see who can find them first in the environment around you. This is a great way to practice color recognition and observation skills.
Tic Tac Toe:
This classic game is easy to learn and can be played on almost any surface with a pen or pencil. You can even use small pebbles or coins as markers.
Simon Says:
Follow the leader’s instructions, but only if they start with “Simon says…”! If they don’t say it, and you do the action, you’re out. The last person standing wins!
Heads Up!:
This fun game is like a charades variation where players have to guess a word on their forehead based on other people’s clues. You can use a phone app or write words on slips of paper.
Guess the Sound:
Make different sounds (like animal noises, car horns, or even silly voices) and see if your child can guess what they are. You can take turns making the sounds and guessing.
Paper Chain Race:
Tear off strips of paper and see who can make the longest paper chain in a set amount of time. You can even decorate the chain with markers or crayons when you’re done.
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