Activities to survive a long flight

[pigletto]

I don't know .. this may be OT. It sort of has to do with the budget..because I booked a Looooonnnngggg flight to save some money going to Florida.

My husband and the kids are on a 5.5 hour flight next week to get to Orlando. There's 2 stops. Bottom line is that it was $89 dollars when everything else was over $300.
So my son is 6 and my daughter is 13. They do well on our flights normally but those are usually non stops.
I am thinking of loading movies on the Iphone and the Touch so they will have something to watch. Any other ideas? Dad will be on his own with them as I have to work and will meet them late that night. So I want them to be entertained.

 

[juliebean]

My kids are now 5,8, and 14 and we fly across the country frequently. They the oldest one brings books(not library - learned that the hard way..), a sudoku book and his ipod. Middle child - books & DS, and youngest - her lovey, books, a bag of polly pockets and brand new color wonder.

I'm sure yours will be just fine - mine always sleep a good chunk of it because you are always tired by the time you actually get on the plane. Have a good time!

 

[homedad]

the key is varity....having multiple option so if something get boring they can move to next thing....we have ds, movies, new books, pokemon cards, markers,ipod ND the kitchen sink when they were younger. Once we had a 8 hr layover in Miami so I rented a car and when to the Seaquarium. Good luck.

 

[Dewy]

I second the variety of things to do/play. Our kids are close to your youngest (7 & 5) and we find that strategically pulling out new things when they get bored with something works best. Whe they have every thing within reach they seem to get bored with everything at the same time.

 

[phred52]

Also don't forget to pack a nice assortment of snacks and simple sandwiches. We also pack empty water bottles then fill them from a water fountain after going through security. When my kids were little, snacks used up large chunks of time. A full tummy is a happy tummy.

 

[figment41]

New things are very helpful especially for the 6 year old. Triangle crayons are great because they won't roll of the tray table. Some figurines of their favorite characters

IPod games that are new. For the 13 let her pick out some new games books or movies herself before you leave. Also a journal and cool colored pens. Some teen magazines. Playing Cards are good too. The older can teach the younger how to play.

How about games they can play together or some books the older one can read to the younger one.

I know it sounds silly but when ever i see a younger person coloring I always feel like maybe the older kids want to color also.

I would make a bag for each with things that they have never seen before and can carry themselves. Target dollar stop and dollar stores are helpful for this. Goto a travel agency and get some brochures and maps for them to plan their trip (FREE)

They will be fine especially with the stops everytime they stop and take off again it will take up time and drinks and snacks will help during 3 flights there won't be much time. They will be in Florida before they know it. Good Luck

 

[Nik's Mom]

We took several cross-country flights when our kids were small. Make sure you have plenty of snacks. I always made sure we had a new dvd to watch. The flight really isn't that long, so as long as you have a few different things to do, the time will fly by.

 

[prncess674]

Since you are on a two stop flight you will have three take off and three landings in the 5.5 hours so a good chunk of that time all electronics will need to be off, tray tables up and seat back in the upright position. If you are going to watch movies you are going to have to store the DVD/computer 3 times. You will also get three drink services which will pass some of the time.

 

[holden]

Blank paper, stickers and crayons can keep my kids happy for a while. Maybe give them a fun task to do: create cards for upcoming birthdays, holidays, etc.

Bring a deck of cards too. They are at a good age to learn some card games/tricks. Rummy is a fun one to teach, and your 6yo should grasp most of the concepts.

I agree on the snacks. We always bring a large variety of snacks for plane rides - a mix of our usual suspects (Goldfish, etc.) and some "forbidden" snacks (a.k.a. candy, gum, etc.).

We have a 12hr. plane ride coming up. I hope my kids sleep some of the time!

 

[bethy]

the fact that you are changing planes so often will make things easier in terms of keeping them from getting bored. But on the flip side it will be more tiring from a physical energy perspective.

When the flight itself stretches to longer than 3 hours or so I have to really make sure I plan well. All of the suggestions are good one. The key is that everything is NEW and fresh and that there is some variety. I pack bags for each kid plus keep a couple of things in my bag that I don't get out unless it's an emergency (if we don't need to use them then I save them for the next trip.)

We always plan for at least one brand new movie that no one has seen. We plan to the point of banning them from watching a certain newly released DvD a a friends house, for example. On our last trip - it was Despicable me and Toy Story 3 we held in reserve.

Speaking of that - one other thing is to make sure you save some of the special and new things for the return trip home. I pack those things in our regular luggage. Plus the trip home always seems longer than the trip there so you'll need a few "sure things" to get you through.

 

[sam_gordon]

What ever happened to a good book? You can use it at the gate, you can use it when you get on the plane, you can use it during take off & landings.

Is the 5.5 hours flight time or total time (including the two stops)? If that includes the stops, it's not really long. I'm guessing each flight will be about 75-90 minutes. You'll have about 15-30 minutes on each end that you can't use electronics. There will also be some time when you can't use the tray table.

Maybe pack a deck of cards? One of the 'travel' size checkers games (that has magnets)? Something they can use without the tray table and not electronic.

Maybe bring 1-2 'action figures' and/or hot wheels cars for DS.

 

[pigletto]

Wonderful ideas everyone! Thank you. It's not such a big deal.. and dad is great with them, but mom is feeling guilty that I won't be there for their flight. I hadn't even considered how many times they are stopping and starting would really cut into a movie anyway. I think I'll send books and some small surprises and the Nintendo ds's and the rest is up to them. They are good kids. One of the stops is changing planes as well.. so it's less down time then I was thinking initially. Dd will likely read the entire time, but ds who is also an avid reader gets motion sick if he tries to read. They'll be fine.. my mommy guilt is on overdrive sometimes.

 

[mnasf]

We flew to Asia the first time when my youngest was 5 and with stops it was long. We also live in San Francisco so any trip to Orlando is long for us. We ususally stop in Dallas, Los Angeles, or Miami to get there. I agree that new games on the Ipod are good. I've done TV shows for my youngest because the 30 minute shows are good for her. Sometimes you might get interrupted. When my kids were younger they liked sticker books. They can take some time to do. Like someone said you can't use the electronics on take off or landing so other things are good. A new book. My 11 year old daughter likes to draw so how to draw Disney characters and some paper are good for her. A couple of special snacks is always fun. Gum in case ears hurt is good. They also sell these travel games that my kids have liked. The kids can play these together. I remember Guess Who and Yahtzee as two my kids liked. My kids are 16, 11, and 7 if that helps any.

I don't know .. this may be OT. It sort of has to do with the budget..because I booked a Looooonnnngggg flight to save some money going to Florida.

My husband and the kids are on a 5.5 hour flight next week to get to Orlando. There's 2 stops. Bottom line is that it was $89 dollars when everything else was over $300.
So my son is 6 and my daughter is 13. They do well on our flights normally but those are usually non stops.
I am thinking of loading movies on the Iphone and the Touch so they will have something to watch. Any other ideas? Dad will be on his own with them as I have to work and will meet them late that night. So I want them to be entertained.

 

[DisneyScraps]

puzzle books can be fun, I found some for my DD a few years ago when she was 6 it was Suduko with stickers, that was a huge hit.

Maybe give them a small craft like making their own autograph books, provide blank books, lots of stickers, crayons and let them make something for the trip.

When I travel with my DD I always pack her a backpack with snacks that she can control, meaning she can eat them any time she wants, that was always a big deal. In it was always new crayons, coloring pages, stickers, magazines and little things I would pick up to keep her busy. That helps for the plane and the hotel, I also had her bring it for long dinners in the Signature restaurants.

It's been 18 trips to Disney, some a long 12 hour drive or a flight once with looooooong delays. That backpack always keeps her happy. It's a big deal with her and she can't open it until we are on our way.

Lisa

 

[ConnieB]

I don't know .. this may be OT. It sort of has to do with the budget..because I booked a Looooonnnngggg flight to save some money going to Florida.

My husband and the kids are on a 5.5 hour flight next week to get to Orlando. There's 2 stops. Bottom line is that it was $89 dollars when everything else was over $300.
So my son is 6 and my daughter is 13. They do well on our flights normally but those are usually non stops.
I am thinking of loading movies on the Iphone and the Touch so they will have something to watch. Any other ideas? Dad will be on his own with them as I have to work and will meet them late that night. So I want them to be entertained.

Audiobooks! We borrow them from the library and put them on our MP3 player...and bring comfortable headphones. Even a small MP3 player can fit a half dozen audiobooks or more (depending on length of course). So if they aren't enjoying one they can switch to another. Lay your head back, close your eyes and be transported INTO the story (oh, and carsick/seasick/airsick feelings doesn't happen because you're listening not looking at a moving page, lol). A few recommendations that have Disney themes:


Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson

Peter and the Starcatchers (first in a series of 5 books) by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry

Escape from the Carnivale (first in the Neverland series) by Ridley Pearson

Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean

Swiss Family Robinson (then be sure to climb their treehouse and see how many of the items make a lot more sense to you!)



Not Disney related but still great stories to listen to:

The Mysterious Benedict Society (first in series) by Trenton Lee

Chasing Vermeer (first in series) by Blue Balliett

Penderwicks series by Jeanne Birdsall


And probably about a half million others, lol.

 

[pigletto]

Audiobooks! We borrow them from the library and put them on our MP3 player...and bring comfortable headphones. Even a small MP3 player can fit a half dozen audiobooks or more (depending on length of course). So if they aren't enjoying one they can switch to another. Lay your head back, close your eyes and be transported INTO the story (oh, and carsick/seasick/airsick feelings doesn't happen because you're listening not looking at a moving page, lol). A few recommendations that have Disney themes:


Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson

Peter and the Starcatchers (first in a series of 5 books) by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry

Escape from the Carnivale (first in the Neverland series) by Ridley Pearson

Peter Pan in Scarlet by Geraldine McCaughrean

Swiss Family Robinson (then be sure to climb their treehouse and see how many of the items make a lot more sense to you!)



Not Disney related but still great stories to listen to:

The Mysterious Benedict Society (first in series) by Trenton Lee

Chasing Vermeer (first in series) by Blue Balliett

Penderwicks series by Jeanne Birdsall


And probably about a half million others, lol.

LOVE THIS IDEA!!!!!!!!!!
Perfect for my kids. I didn't know you could put them on an ipod or mp3 player. We are at the library once a week at least. Love Love Love it. Thank you!

 

[thebeesknees]

LOVE THIS IDEA!!!!!!!!!!
Perfect for my kids. I didn't know you could put them on an ipod or mp3 player. We are at the library once a week at least. Love Love Love it. Thank you!

Please can someone tell me how to put audiobooks on to an mp3 player? I am sadly electronic-illiterate, and the thought of bringing library items with us on the trip is scary! We are headed to Asia this summer out of JFK, and our first flight is 19 hours non-stop, then another 15 hours from there to our final destination. My kids will be 7 and 9 and this would be perfect if I could figure out how to load them onto my mp3 player. Thanks!

 

[At World's End]

We flew for 5.5 hours with no stops with our 4yo and 7yo. They both did fine. We had a portable DVD player, along with a little activity pack that I made for each of them. I found great stuff at the Dollar Tree. My older son's favorites were a word search book and this peg game.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...a=X&ei=QcVdTbv7L468sQPC7Yi7CA&ved=0CGkQ9QEwDA

 

[ConnieB]

Please can someone tell me how to put audiobooks on to an mp3 player? I am sadly electronic-illiterate, and the thought of bringing library items with us on the trip is scary! We are headed to Asia this summer out of JFK, and our first flight is 19 hours non-stop, then another 15 hours from there to our final destination. My kids will be 7 and 9 and this would be perfect if I could figure out how to load them onto my mp3 player. Thanks!

I use a product called FreeRip: http://freerip.com/

 

[thebeesknees]

I use a product called FreeRip: http://freerip.com/

Thank you!