When we do a long-haul journey (this time Dubai to the UK), I’m really intentional about what I pack to keep my girls—Isla (4) and Iris (2)—busy without screens. In this video I share exactly what I’m putting in one diaper backpack to get us through an eight-hour flight plus all the extra travel either side. I don’t split things into “toddler vs preschooler” because they genuinely play with a lot of the same things, and Iris is always wanting to do what Isla is doing. I focus on simple, hands-on activities that build fine motor skills and keep little hands busy: things like a lock/snapper board for practicing fastenings, lacing, sticker activities, dot-to-dots, water wow books, scratch art, and small pots of Play-Doh. I also bring a few lightweight books (nursery rhymes and tiny storybooks), plus small-world bits (little characters and loose parts) because Isla loves creating scenes and stories—and now Iris is joining in too. My biggest takeaway is to pack “cheap and cheerful” items that you won’t be upset about losing, and to choose mess-free, practical options that actually work in a plane seat.