A Dallas, Texas mum is facing a wave of online backlash after sharing a simple idea she says helps keep toddlers occupied on flights. Travel influencer Tabetha Weeks posted an Instagram video showing her young son playing with bright blue painter’s tape while on a plane, with strips placed around him on the seat, tray table and window.
In her caption, Weeks pitched it as a budget friendly alternative to screens. “Flying with toddlers? Here’s my favourite cheap travel hack for kids,” she wrote. She explained, “After tons of flights travelling with kids, I found the easiest and most inexpensive plane activity for toddlers… painter’s tape…this works every time.” Weeks listed the reasons she likes it: “Keeps toddlers busy on a plane, encourages creative play while travelling, no screens required, no mess and easy clean up, and costs just a few dollars.” She also described how her family uses it mid flight, saying, “We use it to make roads, shapes, letters and games right on the plane seat or tray table.”
Anticipating criticism about leaving a mess behind, Weeks added that she “always cleans up” and teaches her children “to pick up after themselves and others”.
Even so, the post attracted nearly 2,000 comments, with many viewers unimpressed. One wrote: “This is why I don’t want kids.” Another criticised the practicality and the idea of letting children stick tape around the cabin: “I have never heard such a ridiculous suggestion. Also, how many toddlers have spare seats next to them! Look after your child and entertain them rather than just trying to silence them,” while a third questioned why not stick to more typical in flight entertainment: “This is so over the top! How about you watch a movie like everyone else?” Others focused on the potential annoyance to fellow passengers, with one comment reading: “Imagine hearing tape rip the entire flight,”
The video also prompted warnings from people identifying as aviation staff, who urged parents not to try it. One wrote: “As a pilot, don’t do this. Basically, anything that gets stuck to or attached in any way to the aircraft needs to be approved. That includes tape. This is not your regular transit bus,” A flight attendant echoed the concern: “As a flight attendant, PLEASE bring toys, do not do this,” Another commenter went further, alleging the idea should never have been allowed: “All that tape is a massive freaking safety hazard and I’m surprised the cabin crew didn’t shut it down,”
Still, not everyone saw the hack as a problem, arguing that painter’s tape is designed to be removable and less sticky than other options. One supporter hit back at the safety concerns with a blunt defence: “Do you weigh as much as a mosquito? Like, seriously, because if you don’t, we don’t need to talk about exiting the aircraft in an emergency. It’s painter’s tape. Use your brain. Oh my God,” Others simply praised the creativity, with one writing: “This is brilliant. I am sad to report that I never thought to do this. What a brilliant mother,” and another agreeing: “This is such a genius idea,”
