2 year old travelling for 24 hours - help please!

[Snickals]

So this is my Baby Girl's 3rd trip to America, we are coming from Australia, but the last 2 trips she was just a lil baby and happily slept most the way. The international flight is 13hours plus 2 other flights (we finally land in Florida 24hrs after we first set off) but it's the international one I am concerned about. She is now a very active 2 year old who hates to sit still or be quiet so I am a little worried how she is going to go this time.

I have new crayons, blank scrapbook, colouring in book, stickers, stamps, toddler headphones (and converting plug to hook into airplane so she doesn't have to use theirs), an android tablet (like an ipad but android version) with games loaded (this usually only entertains her for 5mins though) and a couple of new story books she has never seen before. What are some other things I could take to keep her entertained for long periods of time???

Thank you in advance!

 

[Carriemel]

Pipe cleaners work well.

See what shapes you can make them into.

 

[Happyjen27]

Play Doh, Aquadoodle,

This book:

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-...d=1381493141&sr=8-9&keywords=paint+with+water

Overall this is just going to have to be a "do your best to survive" trip. Hopefully people are understanding about your little one's need to move around. The few times I have traveled the long 24 hour jobbers (including one to Australia) there are always kids on the plane, and they are up and around any time the seatbelt sign isn't on. I think it's understood that a little one can't sit the whole time quietly. Just do your best and know you'll all survive.

 

[jennylyn_b]

Can you load some movies on the tablet? That may help. Snacks help pass time. Small playsets and cars. Masking tape or post its can provide lots of fun.

 

[SamSam]

Can you load some movies on the tablet? That may help. Snacks help pass time. Small playsets and cars. Masking tape or post its can provide lots of fun.

Yes, Disney Movies or other kids movies might help keep her entertained, at least in short spurts. Our twin almost 3 year old grandsons really enjoyed watching movies. They also loved their travel size Magna Doodles.

 

[wiigirl]

Play Doh, Aquadoodle,

This book:

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-...d=1381493141&sr=8-9&keywords=paint+with+water

Overall this is just going to have to be a "do your best to survive" trip. Hopefully people are understanding about your little one's need to move around. The few times I have traveled the long 24 hour jobbers (including one to Australia) there are always kids on the plane, and they are up and around any time the seatbelt sign isn't on. I think it's understood that a little one can't sit the whole time quietly. Just do your best and know you'll all survive.

 

[Zeebs]

We live in the UK but I am from New Zealand so we have done the 24 hour flight with kids of various different ages.

I won't lie its hard work, I think on one of them I actually walked my way all the way there. We take turns hubby and I which should work well for you being two adults to one child. One rests and they other entertains. (this becomes harder the more children you have)

Snacks, lots of snacks. We try and get a night time flight so that they will be tired to sleep. When you get off the plane between flights, let them run.....

While I never want to discomfort or disturb fellow flyers, I also know that there are a heap of people in a flying tin can, its going to be noisy, its going to be uncomfortable and no body is really going to be happy about any of it.

Good luck and have a great trip. We are heading to WDW in May but the flight is only 10 hours but 10 hours is a long time with an ants in your pants 3 year old.

Kirsten

 

[LMN]

Snacks, lots of snacks! You are smart to be bringing new things that she hasn't seen before. While i have never done international flights with small kiddos, I have done many 18 hour car rides. Do you have somewhere that you can buy travel games? The ones with magnets are especially good for travel. They even make easy ones for toddlers. Also...look for the magnet version of paper dolls. Both my girls loved these when they were little and it kept them busy for hours. They come in a metal tin and the dolls, clothes, accessories are all made out of magnets. They can "dress" their dolls and move the magnets around for hours! Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[LeahZ]

Here's a link to my list of tips for traveling with kids:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=48813983&postcount=6

Some are for older kids and some only pertain to driving, but there's a lot here that can be adapted!

 

[Trip planner]

Magnet tins
Finger puppets
Wiki stix
Silly putty
Slinky
Small cars/dinosaurs/figurines

 

[chris31997]

Usually, the international flights have the in-seat screens. I would turn on a movie or tv show she likes, and call it rest time. Make her rest(lay her head down on your lap) and hopefully she will go to sleep

I agree it is survival mode at this age and usually they fall asleep the last 30 minutes on the last flight

We do require rest times on all flights for Mom's sanity

 

[RMAMom]

Stickers or pieces of scotch tape, put them on her fingers and watch her try to get them off. It's entertaining for everyone! Once she tires of that, put the stickers on her arms, legs etc

 

[12and17]

Here is my go to trick. Warning- it will buy you 39 minutes if peace but could back fire after 30 minutes.

Note: my 2.5 year old has been on about 30 flights but no longer than 5 hours long.


LOLLIPOP ! I never reveal I have it . It's the only time I have food bribed. And it's the only time DS has received a treat for bad behavior. But it works everytime. I have had to use it 3 times.