I used to go to the dollar store and load up on "activity" toys. Twisty clay straws, activity books, leggo type blocks, snacks (including candy). I had a special bag (also a dollar store find) that I kept these in. From age 2 on my children knew the rule "they had to sit nicely until the seat belt sign went off" when it did they got their bag. When the seat belt sign went back on the items had to be put away until the return flight. These were airplane only toys and there were always new things added each trip. The kids flew 50,000 miles a year with us and I honestly never had problems with behavior on a plane. The problem now is that after so many years they still look forward to the "seat belt bags". They are 21 and 18 and I hate to admit that I still make them up. Unfortunately, I can no longer go to the dollar store. I now have to get new hand held games, DVD's, magazines, etc. Funny as it may be, they don't open them until the seat belt sign goes off.