Try a few short tape strips on your own reusable activity board, with an adult beside the child. Keep tape out of mouths and use a different activity if your child mouths materials.
You pack an activity bag, and somehow the least impressive object becomes the thing your child wants to explore. A roll of painter’s tape fits that category: ordinary, portable, and full of possible little jobs.
The idea has circulated through parent travel videos and lifestyle coverage. Motherly covered the tip in August 2025, while Mental Floss described Nichola Knox’s Instagram demonstration and hundreds of positive comments. The appeal is easy to see: one ordinary item, a few simple activities, and very little to pack.
Our version starts at home with your own activity surface and close adult supervision. Tape is a material to handle thoughtfully, not a ready-made toy for every child.
Make a tiny practice kit Use a small, sturdy activity card or reusable board that belongs to you. Check that it has no sharp edges or loose parts. An adult can place two or three short, broad strips across the surface, leaving a small end easy to lift.
Sit beside your child and show how to peel one strip. Offer the next turn without a big explanation. The entire first activity can be as simple as removing the strips and handing them back to you.
The adult should keep the roll and collect loose tape immediately. Skip this activity if your child puts craft materials in their mouth, and follow any product age or handling warnings. Don’t leave a child alone with the materials.
Try a matching game on paper If your child enjoys patterns, try this: draw two large shapes on a sheet inside your board, then invite your child to place one strip beside each shape. You can take turns inventing a simple arrangement for the other person to copy.
Another option is to make a short path on the card and trace it with a finger. There’s no need to add small toy parts or to wrap tape around a person or an object.
Follow your child’s interest. If the peeling is the fun part, stop turning it into a lesson. If the texture is unpleasant, put it away and choose a book or another familiar activity.
Keep shared spaces untouched On a trip, use your own board. Don’t assume that removable tape is suitable for an airline seat, window, screen, hotel wall, or painted furniture. Products and surfaces vary, and staff may have their own rules.
Keep the activity away from buckles, controls, exits, and safety equipment. It must never interfere with the child’s restraint or the crew’s instructions. Put it away whenever the tray and personal items need to be stowed.
Tape is also not a substitute for approved childproofing equipment. Use proper safeguards and supervision wherever you stay rather than relying on a strip over a latch or outlet.
Pack an ending, too Keep a small waste bag with the activity materials so you can collect every piece as you go. Stop when your child is finished, rather than trying to stretch the idea through an entire journey.
Before packing, try it once during an ordinary afternoon. You will learn whether your child enjoys it and whether you can comfortably supervise it. If the answer is no, you’ve saved yourself space in the bag. The best travel activity is one that fits your child, your setting, and the attention you can give.
Further reading
Motherly: How parents use painter’s tape for travel (August 11, 2025)
Mental Floss: The reason parents pack painter’s tape
Adapt these ideas to your family. For concerns about your child’s health or development, talk with a qualified professional who knows them.
Daniel Brooks
Play, connection & family life
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