Activities for Toddler on Airplane

[ClaraOswald]

Have you tried stickers yet? If he likes them you can get good ones with characters and everything for very cheap at party supply stores. Good luck!

I considered that. But I don't really want him sticking them on the seats and whatnot. So I probably won't bring any. And...he'd probably just want to eat them. Haha!

 

[RebeccaW23]

I considered that. But I don't really want him sticking them on the seats and whatnot. So I probably won't bring any. And...he'd probably just want to eat them. Haha!

If he's in a car seat with the tray though he probably won't be able to reach anything else. Not much you can do about putting them in his mouth unfortunately!

 

[ClaraOswald]

Yeah, I'll be happy when the "trying to eat everything" phase is over. I am constantly telling him "don't eat my shirt" and "take that out of your mouth." It's exhausting.

I don't think he'll be in his seat the entire time. He'd go insane. He'll probably be on our laps a bit and maybe standing in front of his seat (using seat as a table to roll cars on.) Plus we'll probably have to do a few laps up and down the aisle.

 

[splashtastic!]

A friend gave me some good advice:

Save the "trips" up and down the aisle for the last-minute-I'm-going-insane option or better yet, not at all.

Her youngest (20 months) drags one (or both!) parents up and down the aisle like he's training for a marathon. Back and forth, exhausting his parents and annoying every passenger next to them. He's darling and adorable but he thinks flights are his personal exercise time and can barely make it through being seat belted for take off and landing.

He FREAKS out being seat belted because then he can't be aisle-pacing, but only in planes, not cars. They used to fly frequently to visit family that lives fairly close (1 hour flights) but now they are thinking of driving, even though it will take longer, just so the trip can be more relaxing for them.

 

[akmomesq]

I've gone through this with two kids/many flights. I've done the cheap toy thing and that works, and so does bringing small random things he's never played with before. Tooth floss worked for us and so did scotch tape and a piece of paper. I also wrapped the small stuff. Anything that eats up time is good and unwrapping takes a little time. (I just carried a big ziplock bag to use as a trash bag for the floss and wrapping paper.).

 

[ClaraOswald]

He couldn't have cared less for unwrapping presents on Christmas so I don't think I'll fuss with that.

As far as walking up and down the aisle...I'm sure we'll need to do it at some point in our 3 hour flight. Especially since he's just started walking and loves it. But I won't be going up and down a million times. No thanks. I'd rather let him throw a fit. Usually we can distract him with something new so the fit doesn't last long.

We are definitely going to keep him in his seat as long as we can before we move him around or walk around at all.

 

[RebeccaW23]

This may sound silly, but does he like emptying Kleenex boxes or diaper wipe containers? If you buy some cheap ones that could entertain him for a bit? Just bring a tiny trash bag too!

 

[ClaraOswald]

I was actually considering putting strips of fabric into a small wipes container because he may enjoy doing that. But then I didn't think I'd want to have to pick it all up...haha.

 

[ctrcar]

Just wanted to say thanks for the post. We are flying to WDW next month when our triplets will be 17-months-old and there are some great ideas on this thread. The plane ride is the part of the trip that I'm most nervous about.

 

[splashtastic!]

Another thing I wanted to mention:

MOST people will see you trying to keep your little guy busy, and as a result they will be kind and sometimes even helpful.

 

[momsmail]

Our little one, when he was that young, loved playing with felt pieces. It sticks to itself, so you can use one large piece (white or black) and cut out other shapes of different colors and sizes (large enough so he won't eat them) so he can make shapes and patterns on the larger piece. Keep them in a baggy when not in use. That might buy you 5-10 minutes.

Ice cup to touch? What's funner than that?

Our guy was never one to play with things for long, not into stickers or coloring. He might surprise you and watch a little bit of a show/movie.

What about one of those stuffed animals that has buttons, ties, zippers, pockets, etc. Just a bunch of stuff on it to "do"... that might buy you some time?

Good luck, can't wait to hear how it goes!

 

[tinkmt]

The first time I flew with my youngest, she was the same age. The best thing was those gel window clings. They stick to the seat, windows and trays without a mess. They were a life saver!

 

[ClaraOswald]

Our little one, when he was that young, loved playing with felt pieces. It sticks to itself, so you can use one large piece (white or black) and cut out other shapes of different colors and sizes (large enough so he won't eat them) so he can make shapes and patterns on the larger piece. Keep them in a baggy when not in use. That might buy you 5-10 minutes.

Ice cup to touch? What's funner than that?

Our guy was never one to play with things for long, not into stickers or coloring. He might surprise you and watch a little bit of a show/movie.

What about one of those stuffed animals that has buttons, ties, zippers, pockets, etc. Just a bunch of stuff on it to "do"... that might buy you some time?

Good luck, can't wait to hear how it goes!

I like the idea of felt. I think I'll have to get some. Thanks!

A friend of mine had a buckle toy whale they used on a road trip for his son my son's age. It's pretty big but the same company makes a smaller square stuffed one with buckles. Just not sure I want to spend $20 on it.

 

[AZMermaid]

In watching Dora, I was reminded of our brief obsession with Yo Gabba Gabba. I know he was under 2- maybe try that!

 

[ClaraOswald]

In watching Dora, I was reminded of our brief obsession with Yo Gabba Gabba. I know he was under 2- maybe try that!

I've seen Yo Gabba Gabba a few times with my nephews. I don't think it's on streaming though. Boo.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

I do not believe the plane will have milk. We've flown three or four different airlines with our DD, and not a one of them had milk. You can usually purchase the shelf-stable milk boxes at Starbucks in the airport, and then you don't have to worry about keeping them chilled. Most have white and chocolate. The rules may have changed, but when our DD was smaller, they allowed more liquids for small children. I know on several trips I purchased the milk boxes at the store beforehand and carried them through security and onto the plane. But who knows if that will still work. Now, we always try to stop at the first Starbucks past security to pick one or two up before boarding.

What about finger puppets? They're small and you could put on a little show.

I just got lots and lots and lots of new board books when DD was that age, usually at the Target dollar bin or at Dollar Tree. I would read them and she would flip through the pages. 5-10 minutes (or more) each.

Do not underestimate the power of tiny snacks that have to be picked up individually. Cheerios. Kix. Goldfish. Those freeze-dried yogurt puff things. Raisins.

Have you checked out the Disneyland app? Granted, my DD is older, but she loves it. You can scroll through the various lands and click on rides. Some of them just have pictures, but others have games and little movies that go with them. It may occupy him, and will set the stage for where you're going and what you're going to see.

Have a great trip!

 

[AZMermaid]

Oooooh that's a good idea! We went to a wedding that gave Finger Monsters (Set of 8 in each order) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DVME2T4/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_7gyPub0GEX91N these as a favor. My kids loved them. We ended up with like 8 of them. In fact, last week, I pulled them off the floor and put them away for our Hawaii flight!

 

[thatgrljme]

Our plane back from LAX had milk, it was Virgin Airlines and we flew from DFW to LAX, however most planes don't carry it. I just flew in November to Colorado and both times I brought a sippy cupped filled with milk that had a frozen ice piece inside of it to keep it cold. They did some scan on it and let me thru with it with no issues.

 

[Disneyluvr2]

[QUOTE Have you checked out the Disneyland app? Granted, my DD is older, but she loves it. You can scroll through the various lands and click on rides. Some of them just have pictures, but others have games and little movies that go with them. It may occupy him, and will set the stage for where you're going and what you're going to see.[/QUOTE]

My grand kids LOVE this app!! I must admit, so do I. LOL!! It's called Disneyland Explorer. When you go through Mickey's house, you can click on several different short Mickey cartoons. The kids seem to love the old classic ones.

If your son likes animals, Disneynature Explorer is another good app for the iPad. This one will be a little advanced for him, but he might have fun listening to the animal sounds. And the best part....Both of these apps are free!

 

[ClaraOswald]

I will have to check out that app. Though he's not really into 'screens' at all.

Unfortunately he has some swallowing issues so a lot of those kinds of snacks he can't eat. It does make snack time (and meals) a bit tricky for us.

I've never heard of shelf stable milk. I'll look into that. Our airport doesn't have a Starbucks though (lame.)