Toys for long flights from Dubai: a carry-on guide for parents

The best toys for a long flight are small, quiet, screen-free and open-ended, so one toy can be played with in lots of ways. Pack a few different ones, such as a pocket pack of building pieces, a sticker or drawing book and a favourite comfort toy, and bring them out one at a time.

For many families in the UAE, the winter break means a long flight home. Under the Ministry of Education calendar that most public and private schools follow, the 2026 winter break runs from 14 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 (check your own school's dates, as some curricula differ). Whether you're flying to London, Mumbai or Manila, that's a lot of hours in one seat.

A good plan won't make a flight perfect, but it makes it much easier. Here's what we'd pack for children aged 4 and up.

What makes a good toy for a plane?

• Small. It fits in a coat pocket or a small pouch, so it doesn't fill the carry-on.
• Quiet. No beeps, songs or rattles that the next row will hear.
• No charging. No batteries to run out and no cable to find halfway through the flight.
• Tray-table sized. Something a child can play with in the space in front of them.
• Open-ended. It can be played with in lots of ways, so it holds attention for longer than a toy with one trick.
• Easy to count and clean. A few pieces you can check back into the pouch before landing, and wash at the other end.

Which Clixo pack is best for a flight?

Tiny & Mighty, Clixo's pocket-sized pack. It's what we'd take ourselves. Tap a video to see why it suits a flight.

The other Tiny & Mighty packs work just as well: Classic Rainbow, Marine, Jungle, Sparkle, Dino and the Timothy Goodman artist edition. Two children? Give them a pack each in different colours, then let them swap pieces halfway, because every Clixo piece connects to every other one.

For a child of 6 or older on a long trip, the Mars Rovers Pack (30 pieces, with glow-in-the-dark parts) is a bigger project for the hotel or grandma's house.

Clixo contains small magnets, so it isn't suitable for children under 3. If a baby is travelling on your lap, keep the pieces with the older child.

How do I keep a 4-year-old busy on a long-haul flight?

• Pack in layers. Don't hand everything over at take-off. Bring out one thing at a time, and save something for the last stretch, when everyone is tired.
• Let them choose. Ask your child to pick two toys to bring from a short list you're happy with. Children who chose the toy are more likely to play with it.
• Give them a mission. "Build an aeroplane." "Make a crown for your teddy." "Build something that glows when the lights go off." A small challenge gives a game somewhere to go.
• Keep something new. One small toy they haven't seen before, saved for the moment you need it most.

What else should go in the carry-on?

Here's our carry-on checklist. Tick things off as you pack: your ticks stay on your phone, so you can come back to the list the night before you fly.

And take children to the toilet before boarding, even if they say they don't need to go.

How do I cut down on screen time on a flight?

You don't have to ban screens. Just don't start with them. If the first hour is snacks, building and drawing, the screen becomes one activity among several rather than the only one. A screen-free toy also keeps working when the seatback screen doesn't.

What about after landing?

Plan a quiet first day if you can, with no big outings, while everyone adjusts to the new time zone. A pocket pack you already have with you is handy for the first jet-lagged morning, too.

Quick answers

What age is Clixo suitable for on a plane?

Clixo is made for ages 4 and up. It contains small magnets, so it isn't suitable for children under 3. If a baby or toddler is travelling too, keep the pieces with the older child and count them back into the pouch.

How many toys should I pack for a long flight?

A few small, different things work better than one big bag: one building toy, one drawing or sticker activity, a book and a comfort toy. Bring them out one at a time.

Will the pieces get lost on the plane?

A Tiny & Mighty pack has nine pieces, so it is easy to count them back in before landing. Build on the tray table and keep a zip pouch for the pieces.

Is Clixo noisy?

No. Apart from the gentle click of the magnets connecting, it makes no sound, and there are no batteries or electronic noises.

How do I clean Clixo after a trip?

Clixo pieces can be washed in water or put in the dishwasher.