active 2-yr-old and flying

[epcotfan]

Children's Gravol (Dramamine) Anti-motion sickness medication works wonders for inducing sleepiness. My mom flew to MCO with my cousins and their mom gave them children's gravol. It kept them more relaxed and they slept through the flight. This is always a must-have for preventing air sickness. It must be taken about 30-45 minutes before departure time for it to work.

 

[skiptomypooh]

We just got back from a Colorado trip with our two-plus DS (went to DW in November too). He sat in the car seat the whole way. One thing really made a difference: he loves music and we found speakers made to go in the car seat or on the stroller. They are very small in a cushioned pocket at fit over the top of the seat/stroller. They plug into any portable music device using the standard headset jack. You adjust volume very low, and the child can hear, but others can't. Once you're at the parks you can hang it on the stroller and use it then too.

I second all the other notes about activities and the importance of bringing drinks. Just one other warning, my DS's car seat was great, but we couldn't put down the tray table. It became quite the struggle when we got wiggly towards the end. Better if he doesn't know it's there.

Have a great trip!

 

[marcyinPA]

Has anyone ever brought Play-doh on the plane? It would keep my little one occupied for hurs, and I'm seriously considering packing it in the activity bag for next week, but I don't know if I'll get dirty looks from the flight attendants???

 

[DVC-LEROY]

Our son's first trip was when he was around 2 and we made sure to have a backpack full of snacks, juice boxes, sticker books, blankie and a tiny travel magna doodle. During our 3 hour flight we pushed the arm rests up and let him stretch out a bit and even get out of his seat every so often. He's incredibly active. Trying to put his hands between the seats in front of us to distract people was his biggest thrill besides eating the snacks that the flight attendants brought. Our pediatrician had us give him a decongestant before the flight - for ears (as well as drinking/eating during take-off and landing) - though it did keep him a bit more settled. He'll be on his third trip at 4 this year - and he can't wait to get on the plane!

 

[Laurabearz]

We are pros at flying with our two active girls.... (now 3 and 1 1/2 years, but we have flown a lot with them)

Masking tape.... this is a great ammusment for them. They make giant webs (still in there seat) and love taping everything (the seat in front of them, the window, the tray table) It is messy.... yet easy to clean up. And importantly.... novel... it is the ONLY time they play with it so it keeps them occupied for a while.

Try your best not to go to the bathroom (IE get up) from YOUR seat.... that always opens up a can of worms... coz then they want to get out too.... keep them locked up if posible (now that my oldest is potty trained.... UGH LOL)

Run around a lot before you get on the plane.... run up and down and around and round...... but allow about 15 minutes to calm down before boarding the plane.... read a book about planes... look at the plane out the window.... talk about being safe in the plane like you are in the car..... waiting in line.... that sort of thing.

::::::::::shrug::::::::::: Hope some of that helps... I could go on and on..... HAVE FUN!!!!!!

 

[tjmw2727]

All Great suggestions. I agree that the car-seat on the airplane is a must. Keeps them seated and they are familiar and comfy in it also most kiddos know they can't get up. I use lollypops for take off and landing - they don't get many at home so its new, helps with the ears to be sucking and the sugar helps with airsickness. We bring lots of junior juice boxes and sports water bottles to help with ears and keep hydrated. Personally I don't offer milk as you tend to get dehydrated in flight and milk can make it worse, YMMV. I also bring healthy snacks as the air food is often not suited for children. We have used model magic - similar to playdough but not as messy and no odor. Comes in individual bags so its handy to pull out. I also save happy meal toys that won't be missed if lost under the seats! We have also found a paint with water book to occupy over an hour!

To the poster (sorry can't remember name) who found the speaker/earphones - could you post more info, that sounds great!
TJ

 

[surfgirl]

*love* the masking tape idea -- that WOULD be a treat for my dd!

I have a fried who's 2 yr. old dd was very apprehensive about flying. She wished she had a few "old" books/toys that were comfort items instead of ALL new things. I hide favorite toys about 2 wks. before we go away and then its a big surprise to see them again!

for car seats -- if it says "approved for airplane use" or "FAA certified" then you should not have to call ahead, but you may have to show that label (printed on the side) to a flight attendant (I did about 25% of the time).

Has anyone ever used the car seat vests? (from One Step Ahead). They are only FMVSS (car) certified, but look great for traveling on planes also. I don't think they are airplane certified - does anyone know why? Has anyone tried them and been rejected? They fold incredibly small and while not as safe as primary car seat, look ok for short distances.

 

[almostGoofy]

Here's the website for DVD rentals at airports for those of you who are interested:

www.inmotionpictures.com

Rental is only $12 - 15/day. You can pick up at one airport and drop off at the other. Unfortunately, they're only at about a dozen airports and they weren't available at mine (LAX) but are at MCO.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Another easy cheap idea is pipe cleaners. Take of package of multi clolored one and let your child create all sorts of things. They will spend hours, they are quite and so cheap it does not matter if they get lost. You can get these at the craft section of Wal-mart or simular store. Happy flying.

Jordan's mom

 

[ppony]

I was just going to get on and say that we had already purchased a portable DVD player for the trip. I'm PARANOID about being one of "THOSE" people with the kid that won't stop screaming. It's been great in the car in longer trips too. But I've herad SO many good tips here...I think I'll be loaded for Bear when I hit that loading ramp. Love ALL the ideas. Gotta print them out!

You guys are masters.
Drugs...duct tape...

I think the car seat is a great idea...I was wondering if we had to check it and what could happen to it "down there". This avoids the issue.

 

[skiptomypooh]

Hi All,

Sorry for the delay, didn't check this thread. The product is called Quiet Rider and I bought it online. I can give you the location if you PM me (I'm new, but I don't think we're supposed to post web pages).

As I said above, they plug into a standard headset jack on a portable tape/CD player. The come with a cord about 10ft long which you can wrap up and stash behind the speakers or use to run throug a car from the backseat up to the player in the front seat. You just use the volume control on the player that you have. They are very quiet, so, in the car or on the plane, the child hears the music, but the adults around them wouldn't know it was going on. They cost about $30, but were definitely worth it.

Hope this is helpful.

 

[KJMAX1]

We just used our Sharp viewcam to record several of my daughter's favorite videos, and the Disney channel. We drove from Seattle, to Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, Oregon, and back home. My daughter LOVED watching her shows, and it kept her very entertained in her carseat! We also had magnetic colorforms, not the plastic window kind, that we purchased from Zany Brainy. They had a ton of little things that we bought for the trip and my daughter loved them. They will also gift wrap for free, which added a special feature to my daughter's new toys.