? about air travel with a 4 year old

[shellybaxter]

Hi,

DH and I are taking our 4.5 year-old niece to WDW for her first trip the first week in May. She's traveled on a plane before, but she was only 18 months and it was only 45 minutes in the air. I am a pre-school teacher, so I have some idea about how to keep her entertained. I was wondering if anyone has ever used a Leapad on the airplane? Do they allow it, I wonder because it's electronic. Also, if you did, did you have any trouble getting through security? Did you have to take it out and turn it on?

Not being a mom, I don't have any idea about health issues. I read on another post that some kids get earplug things. What are they, and why would you use them?

Any help, suggestions, or advise welcome

Thank you,

Shelly

 

[Tinkerbutt]

Never used a leap pad but gameboys, portable dvd players etc...at a certain point they allow you to turn on electronic devices. Some kids have trouble w/ the pressure in the cabin during take off and landing. The whole "popping your ears" thing is a difficult concept for them, plus for some reason kids are more apt to have pain from the pressure. Airplugs work great and you can get them at the drug store fairly inexpensive. Better to have them and not need them then to not have them and need them! Gum, lollipops and juice boxes also help.

 

[cgcw]

WE just traveled last month to WDW with our DS4. For weeks before hand, I hyped up using the leap pad on the airplane. As soon as we were given the go ahead for personal devices, I took it out, turned it on and it didn't work.

Worked fine at home, worked fine once we landed, but I could not get it work in the air. Ours is not one of the newer ones -- it's about 4 years old. We've never had a problem before and all I can think is it had something to do with flying.

Strange, I know.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

My DD is 2 1/2 and she has flown 3 times. I usually go to the $1 store and get her some cheap toys/books to entertain her on the plane. Some other things to try are a Magna Doodle and Color Wonder markers w/ coloring book. DD loves to use these. We also make sure to bring snacks and she loves to get her own drink from the beverage cart. That keeps her entertained for quite a while.

DD has never had a problems with her ears while flying. I believe the earplugs are called Earplanes.

 

[Beast fan]

How about a "Magna-doodle"? My DS's each were kept busy with those!

Good luck!

Dave

 

[disneyfor3]

My son is 3 and we have traveled with him by plane several times over the last year. He has never had a problem with the ear pressure - I always give him a lollipop to help. I pack a small plastic baggie with different snacks like raisins, nutrigrain bars, etc., although he tends to prefer the airline snack and they always give him a drink with a lid on it and straw.

I do bring his small leap pad which he uses some. I let him pack a small rolling Thomas suitcase backpack with items he wants for the trip and carry it on board. His favorites are the color wonder markers and books, the Crayola modeling clay (it isn't messy at all and I bring a baggy to put it in when we are done so it doesn't dry out), and a reusable sticker book. I've never had a problem with going thru security with any of these items, including the leap pad.

 

[Tinkerbutt]

Earplanes! Thats it...been so long since I've bought them!

 

[Goof]

Shelly, here is a link for other useful info on flying with children:

http://www.tsa.dot.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1020.xml

 

[shellybaxter]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I've not ever seen Color Wonder Markers? What are they?

Shelly

 

[debster812]

Color Wonder are GREAT. They are special markers that will only write on Color Wonder paper. Not on walls, rugs, floors, siblings, airplane tray tables, seats, etc. They are a bit spendy, but I have found some good sales at Kohl's. We generally don't use them at home, and save them for plane or long car rides. Crayola makes them.

I would also recommend a set of headphones with the LeapPad, so everyone else around you does not have to enjoy the stories along with you. We did this with DS's gameboy and LeapPad, and he feels cool and 'like a big kid' when he wears them.

 

[tjmw2727]

Don't worry 4 1/5 is a great age to fly with kids as so many things interest them! My girls loved to read everything and anything found in the seatback!

Ask mom (assuming your not primary caregiver?) what she is lovin right now and get something new in that area. IE my kids loved Polly Pocket at that age so a new set was a marvel for over an hour at that age. By 4 1/2 I don't think you need to do color wonder as they are probably ok with crayons and coloring book. My kids just loved a new set of crayons or colored pencils and a notebook.

I have used the leap-pad in air and it worked fine, I second the idea of the headphones for the consideration of the other passengers. Although a cassette player with some read along boks on tape is cheaper if you haven't bought the leap pad and can entertain as long or longer. My girls loved it when dh or I taped a reading of a favorite book and then they followed along. (Dh even said "beep" to turn the page!). Again if she is traveling away from mom & dad this may be a great (or sad) think.

I offer snacks not always allowed at home, ring pops or starburst for ears, juice boxes and those small sports water bottles are great. I make a big "party mix" in a sliding zip lock baggie of favorite snacks. At 4-5 I would probably put kix, raisins, a cereal bar cut in several peices, gummies, m&m's and skiddles, cheerios and fruit loops. You can vary this acc'd to what you like to give but again - adding forbidden foods helps with the entertainment value.

TJ

 

[Twende]

We used a leap pad on the plane and had no problems with it. We took earphones and used them when we were not sharing the activity. It worked great and I made sure I had some new books so it was all a surprise! We had no trouble with security!

We have used ear planes but I have found that chewing and swallowing works just as well for a child. We used pretzels and the drink offered during the flight and a chewy fruit chew during the landing as that is when the pressure changes seem to bother people the most. I do not allow my young children to have gum but if they know how to chew it that would work, too!

Remember to take pictures on the plane as the kids love to look back at them and on two of our flights the kids were invited to look and step into the cockpit and speak to the pilot! We were surprised by this invitation and the kids were thrilled!

Enjoy!