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27 Things That Are More Exciting To Do On A Plane Than Stare At The Flight Tracker

You are now free to self-care and craft about the cabin.

Posted 13 hours ago

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by Courtney Hayes BuzzFeed Contributor

Courtney Hayes is a freelancer who has been writing for BuzzFeed Shopping since 2019, covering a wide range of topics including home decor, fashion, beauty and skincare, gift guides, pet products, and more.

1. A Murdoku murder mystery that'll keep you occupied for the first leg of your flight. There are 80 "crime scene" puzzles for you to solve, so channel your inner Nancy Drew and start cracking! 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This book turned out to be much more entertaining than I expected. The puzzles combine logic and deduction with small murder mystery scenarios, which makes them feel more interesting than traditional sudoku or standard logic puzzles. The progression of difficulty feels well-balanced, starting with easier puzzles and gradually becoming more challenging. The visual format also helps make everything easier to follow and more engaging. The book's quality is good, and it is a great option for relaxing while keeping your brain active. It is especially enjoyable if you like detective stories, puzzle games, or logic challenges. Overall, a very creative and fun puzzle book that is easy to spend hours with." —Juan David Vega Lopez

Get it from Amazon for $15.19.

2. A travel chess set to challenge fellow travelers to a round. Since the pieces are magnetic, they won't go flying if you run into any turbulence. Checkmate! 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Great quality, light, perfect totravelwith. Loved it so much, gave it as a gift too." —T. Molnar

Get it from Amazon for $12.56.

3. A pack of under-eye patches so you'll arrive at your destination looking like you got a good night's rest, even if you stayed awake the entire flight re-watching every Olsen twin movie. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "They really do temporarily reduce fine lines and under-eye puffiness that can happen with dehydration and sleeplessness from travel! I'm actually amazed at the difference they can make (my mom and I both use and love them, but we leave them on waaay longer than 20 minutes). Easy to pack." —Ri

Get 24 pairs from Amazon for $23.95 (also available in other colors and quantities).

4. A crossword solitaire game for Bananagram and Scrabble fans who want to stay sharp while they're on the go. Play this when you're traveling solo to keep your crossword skills honed. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

It contains 12 letter dice in a travel tin. To play, roll the dice and then build a crossword using all the letters you roll. 

Promising review: "Fun! A great little mind game. This is small, but the cubes are pretty big! They all fit nicely and snugly in the pan. You can carry this in your pocket if you want a game on the go. Great for all ages; I got mine to have for fun, strengthen my vocabulary, and to keep off my phone." —Lance Mullins

Get it from Amazon for $14.95.

5. A travel coloring kit, because it's got pencils, coloring pages, a sharpener, and a flat surface... literally everything you need to get your scribble on. Since you'll be in the zone, you might even forget to check how much longer ’til arrival time.

www.amazon.com

The set includes 12 premium double-sided colored pencils for 24 unique colors, 12 durable cardstock art postcards, and a built-in pencil sharpener.

Promising review: "I love this thing! It comes with postcards to color, colored dual-tip pencils, and a pencil sharpener. The 12 colored pencils (24 colors) are stored in their own little drawer. The postcards are stored in their own little drawer. The hard case provides a portable surface for coloring. I color the postcards and send them as thank-you notes, message cards, and greeting cards to friends and family. It fits in a medium-sized handbag or a backpack. You can color on the go or when you are stuck waiting for something. It is sturdy, extremely well designed, easy to use, and well-made. I bought myself one and several others as gifts. Highly recommend." —NJEMJ50

Get it from Amazon for $25.59 (available in three colors).

6. A mind games book with 400 (!!!) puzzles to keep you occupied from takeoff to landing. It's got sudoku, word searches, crosswords, and other games you'll enjoy more than watching the flight tracker.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I love this book. The puzzles are a bit different than your normal puzzle book. It has a nice variety. There's ranging levels of difficulty. It's small, it's compact. It's easy to travel with. I wish there was a second as I have finished everything in this one." —cara

Get it from Amazon for $7.43.

7. Or alarge-print word search bookso you won't have to wear your reading glasses while searching for each themed list of words.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I like that there are so many word find puzzles in this book, different sizes, and different themes. You never get bored; it's also great for travel, when you're on the go, or when you're at home, because it has puzzles on one side and words on the other. Plus, its binded, which makes it easier to get to the next puzzle, no more annoying folding." —Roxy78

Get it from Amazon for $9.60.

8. A wooden triangle game, because it's similar to the one you played with at Cracker Barrel on road trips. Now you can work on your strategy skills in the sky! 

www.amazon.com

To play, arrange the pegs in the holes (one will stay empty) and then "jump" pegs to see how many you can remove. The goal is to get down to one peg.

Promising reviews: "If you have ever played this game as a child, then you are about to revisit your childhood years. Loved the game then, love the game now." —LadyAleta

"Great for quick entertainment. We got it as a travel game for the kids, and it worked wonders!" —Viri Nielsen

Get it from Amazon for $5.58.

9. A journal for writing down all your hopes, dreams, and travel plans while you wait for flight attendants to reach your row with the much-anticipated refreshments. A wise woman (Natasha Bedingfield) once said, "the rest is still unwritten," but you can take matters into your own hands, one entry at a time. Many reviewers say it also makes for a great junk journal! 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I LOVE THESE JOURNALS! Aside from the incredible range of colors (I've purchased light blue, dark blue, green, purple, and yellow), these are fantastic quality for the price. My pens don't bleed through, and they come with me everywhere. I journal nightly, so the size is great for traveling or any occasion. will continue to buy these — big fan!" — trudy

Get it from Amazon for $11.99+ (available in seven styles and 25 colors).

10. A Tamagotchi so you can redeem yourself after not taking such good care of yours in middle school. You're older, wiser, and have nothing better to do for the next few hours than take care of a precious digital baby. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Takes me back to the '90s. Keep in mind this is identical to the first gen versions, which are stunningly difficult to keep alive" —MedicalMystery

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in 38 colors).

11. A watercolor painting kit, because it's small enough to pack in your carry-on and includes a paintbrush that you can fill with water to paint with. No mess, just colorful in-flight entertainment.

www.amazon.com

It comes with watercolors, brushes, a swatch sheet, and a sponge, all in a carrying case. 

Promising review: "I’m really impressed with these watercolor paints. The colors are vibrant and blend beautifully, and the pens are so easy to use, especially for beginners. Everything feels simple and convenient, which makes painting a lot more fun and less intimidating. I also love the cute carrying case – it keeps everything organized and makes it easy to take anywhere. This is a great little set for anyone starting out with watercolor painting. Definitely a 5-star buy." —Mikayla Barker

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five styles).

12. And an Emily Lex Studio watercolor workbook so you can learn how to paint a variety of flowers or birds by the time you touch down. It includes instructions and a sketch to help you put your new skills to work. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This watercolor book is absolutely perfect for beginners. The pages are high quality and hold paint really well without warping or bleeding through. It makes learning watercolor feel easy and enjoyable, and the results come out looking clean and professional, even if you’re just starting out. Overall, a great value and a really fun way to get into painting." —Nat

Get it from Amazon for $24(available in flowers, autumn, birds, and bouquets options).

13. A friendship bracelet kit for making accessories to wear with all the outfits you packed. It includes 20 pre-cut threads that make up to eight bracelets. Bespoke jewelry, here you come! 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "The threads are small but make nice bracelets. I'll buy some thicker threads and make different styles. The holder is good to hold the lines and great for travel, too." —Darcy

Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in four colors).

14. A The New York Times puzzle book because it's filled with your favorite NYT games, like Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Mini, and more. If you haven't missed a day of Wordle since it debuted, you need this book for your next flight. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Fun variety of puzzles. Most of them are word-related, like the daily NYT puzzles, so if you like those, these will be similar (but more interesting). Nice to have something to work through before bed that isn't on a screen. Some of the larger puzzles are tricky and take several sessions to work through, so this book should last you a while!" —Cheyene 123

Get it from Amazon for $19.

15. A Kindle so you can bring your entire TBR "pile" with you and still have plenty of room for your clothes and souvenirs. It's got 16 GB of storage, so be sure to download lots of books before you board — you've got the storage space!

www.amazon.com

I love to take my Kindle on vacation, including flights. It doesn't require any overhead light, doesn't take up space, and holds way more books than my carry-on ever could. 

Promising review: "I love this Kindle so much. I still buy books, but when I’m traveling or want to lie down, this is way more convenient." —Liz O

Get it from Amazon for $149.99 (available in two colors).

16. Or a copy of Dolly All the Timeby Annabel Monaghanto read cover to cover. You'll wish your flight was longer so you have more time to devour this book! If you loved How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days or She's All That you'll adore this novel. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I absolutely loved Dolly All the Time! 💕 Such a sweet, heartwarming read that pulled me in from the very beginning. I loved the story, the characters, and all the emotions it brought out. This was such a fun and memorable book, and I didn’t want it to end! Definitely a 5-star read for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️" —Sindy

Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in Kindle, paperback, and hardcover options).

17. A paint-by-sticker book, because it's much tidier than taking actual paint on the plane. Create works of art simply by placing stickers in their designated spot. If you get stressed on flights, this can offer a little zen! 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I had so much fun doing these as an adult. They're not for younger, unfocused children — probably just teenagers and adults — there are super tiny pieces, sometimes lots of them. Nice that it makes it take longer. A focused/detail-oriented older kid could do these, though. Not all of them have tiny pieces, just some." —REC

Get it from Amazon for $9.51.

18. A facial roller and gua sha toolto give yourself a facial while you fly through the air at 600 MPH. You've got plenty of flight time on your hands, so why not do a little self-care along the way?

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

The roller can be used to depuff your face, while the gua sha tool can be used to help with lymphatic drainage and sculpting. The set comes with instructions on how to use it.

Promising review: "Really enjoy this product! The coolness of the roller on my face feels really good. I really do feel as if it has reduced puffiness. Also makes for a nice gift." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $9.49+(available in five colors).

19. An origami kitso you can master the fine art of folding while you travel to a faraway land. Let your creativity ~bloom~ while you're stuck in the middle seat. 

Amazon

The kit includes 100 sheets of vibrant folding paper, 20 bendable stems, 30 buttons, and jewels to create a full 3D paper bouquet.

Promising review: "This is very fun and easy to read the instructions. Some are more suited for adults or an advanced level, but there are also some flowers that are simpler for younger crowds/beginners. These were fun to create; it comes with everything you need to make some pretty paper origami flowers, enough for a vase full!" —Christie N.

Get it from Amazon for $25.56+ (available in two floral styles and a larger pack).

20. A lanyard-making kit, because it'll make people of any age feel like a kid again. Craft yourself a shiny keychain for your sensible Subaru. If you're traveling to a work conference, you might as well have a little fun on the flight. 

www.amazon.com

It comes with 20 key chain rings, 20 snap clips, 10 lobster clips, and 12 rolls of plastic cord.

Promising review: "Great nostalgic fun! Got to teach my kids a childhood craft. They have made many for friends. Comes with everything to get started." —glenndon

Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (also available in another style).

21. A paracord rope crafting kit to make a variety of things, including jewelry. It comes with enough colorful ropes and hardware for you to make oodles of summer camp-inspired pieces. Plus, it can be used for way more than crafting — the cord can also be used as shoelaces, sewing, camping gear, and more. 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

It comes with two sizes of paracord rope, 20 buckles, two carabiners, two key rings, two D-rings, a paracord needle, a tape measure, and instructions in a drawstring bag. The paracord can be "sewn" with the included needle or woven to create a variety of items, including bracelets and keychains. 

Promising review: "This kit comes with so many color choices. The little booklet was very helpful when making the bracelets. A 12-year-old was able to follow the directions and complete a bracelet without assistance (except for the melting of the cords at the beginning and end). I would advise getting a jig to hold the bracelet more stably when working. There are plenty of end clips to choose from, and the two paracord sizes let you create even more varied designs. This was a fun vacation activity." —djor

Get it from Amazon for $14.71+ (available in three colors).

22. Apicture puzzles book that'll challenge you to find differences between (extremely) similar photos. Some are so challenging that you might have to loop in your seat neighbor! Eagle eyes are gonna love this activity. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This spot the difference book is a lot of fun! Had with me during a recent trip — helped pass the time. The puzzles keep you alert and focused, too." —Copper

Get it from Amazon for $11.22.

23. A dot-by-letter coloring book for artists who have trouble staying in the lines. Enjoy 60 (yes, 60!!) hours of bliss as you "color" each page by dotting it. That should get you through many flights and layovers! 

www.amazon.com

Each pack includes three activity pads and 12 markers. 

Promising review: "This is a fun and uncomplicated activity. I’m enjoying how easy it is to understand the instructions. The markers attach to the pad with a quality tool, the dot pages are perfect, and the markers seem to be good quality. I’m still working on my first page, but am enjoying it. Great project for on the go and also in the car to keep kids occupied on a longer trip." —Emilie

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in six designs and a mini size),

24. A Reverse Coloring Book so your mind can wander while you do the same. Each page is full of colors, and it's your job to turn them into shapes and doodles. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "This was entertaining. I bought it for a trip with a long layover and was so glad I did! All I needed was a pen to help me get creative. No mess, easy to carry, and endless possibilities to be creative." —Michelle

Get it from Amazon for $7.87.

25. A history buff quiz to test your knowledge and learn a little something, too. It's got 600 trivia questions covering 5,000 years of world history to keep you occupied. No guarantees, but I'm pretty sure this will make you invincible on trivia nights. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Great range of trivia questions! Simple enough to enjoy but challenging enough to have fun. Super fun to read through with a friend or group, we actually used this as part of a game night and had a blast!" —EmilyH

Get it from Amazon for $12.30.

26. A floral stationery set so you can keep up with your correspondence while you're traveling the globe. Use your plane time to finally write thank you notes, a letter to your grandma, or get ahead on birthday messages for your buds. Or play Bridgerton and start every note with "Dearest gentle reader..."

www.amazon.com

It comes with 44 premium letter double-sided paper sheets and 22 perfectly matched envelopes. 

Promising review: "Beautiful and perfect for letter writing! Would definitely recommend. I normally don’t write reviews, but I felt I needed to for this one because it’s that good. Don’t hesitate, just get it." —Brook

Get it from Amazon for $9.99.

27. A gratitude journal that'll help you tap into your thankful side and appreciate the big and little things in your life, like that crisp Diet Coke the stewardess is about to hand you. 

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I bought this at the beginning of the year as a New Year’s resolution to rewire my brain into positive thinking. Two weeks in, and I feel like it has already helped. It makes you think of the little things to be grateful for and reflect on your day. Very well made, great value, and it’s cute!" —Kelsey Young

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in eight colors). 

Still need to grab a few more things before your next trip? Let us help:

* Dust Off Your Suitcase And Make Sure You Didn’t Forget To Pack These 27 Useful Travel Products

* Things Sure To Come In Clutch If You’re Traveling With Pets

* Things That’ll Ensure You’re Never Bored If You’re Trapped On A Plane, Train, Bus, Or In A Car

* Travel Products That Make The Whole Airport And Plane Part A Bit Less Annoying

* Things That’ll Make Your Next Longggg Trip As Comfortable As Possible

Plus, finds from Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

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Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.