Airplane "packages" for a 5 yo

[Mickeys_n_me]

I am thinking about getting somethings together to entertain my nephews during their flight. We have a 3.5 hour flight so thought it would be cute to pack a small backpack with some things they can each have to occupy there time.

So far I have coloring books, some candy (I'm their auntie I can spoil with candy ), some crayons.

Can you give me some ideas of what else to include. I don't want anything that makes noise to disturb people around us. I went to the Disney Store thinking I could come up with some things and everything blinked and beeped it seemed.

 

[Hannahsmom]

I always pack some surprises for my DD. In fact, I just got home from the grocery store where I picked up a few for our trip in a few weeks. I picked up a Minnie Mouse PEZ dispenser, POP Rocks and a package of Glowing Gummy Worms. She doesn't get candy often, so this is a real treat and it will keep her occupied and chewing (to help with popping ears). I also try to find a new sticker activity book and/or a new coloring/activity book with sparkle crayons. We also have a portable DVD player, so I try to find a movie she hasn't seen yet and burn a disc for the plane. And she brings her leapster for something to do while waiting in the airport. She doesn't get to get into her treats until we are in our seats on the plane, and she gets almost as excited over that as the trip itself.

They make candy that is shaped like legos. What about colorforms? They could stick them to the tray and the windows. If they are older, I know they sell travel size games like Connect Four and Yahtzee. How about Old Maid or Go Fish?

 

[dopeydiva]

I have 4 yr old twin sons, and I do the same thing. Put a bunch of fun things in a 'travel bag' for them to enjoy and occupy their time. I also include some things for them to look forward to using when we get there. I put in bubbles, a rain poncho from the $1 strore or Walmart, temporary tatoo, lots of snacks, sunglasses. Check out the dollar area at your local craft stores. Great quiet activities. The crayola wonder paints and markers are great--no mess, lots of fun. Mini etch a sketch, small puzzles usually found around holidays such as Valentine's and Christmas, or even at the party stores. I found Buzz and Winnie yo yo's. Don't forget an autograph book and how about a disposable camera-might make them feel like 'big' boys to take their own pictures. How lucky to have such a nice aunt. They will have a blast. Hope some of this helps. Have a great time.
Stay well,
AnnMarie

 

[dopeydiva]

check out a few threads ahead of this one-printable activities for road trip. I'm heading there now to print out a bunch for the plane. Definitely include these in your backpacks. Also, other website had homework sheets that were Disney themed and journal pages, too.

 

[Hannahsmom]

The disposable camera is a great idea, but a word of caution. Do not give them the camera before you actually get to Disney. We gave DD a camera last year and she used every stinkin' picture before we even got to the resort. Consequently, we have many dark and grainey pictures of the plane, MCO and the ME bus.

 

[Perditamarie]

Here are some ideas:

* sticker book
* Mr. Potatohead w/basics -- and pick up a box o'parts at WDW for the return trip (and you will have more room in your box as you already have the potato)
* I love the colorforms idea -- there are also magnetic playsets
* Disney workbooks - like for writing, matching, etc appropriate for age/grade and have seen these at the Dollar Store
* music in cd player/mp3 player etc
* get your hands on a portable DVD player!!
* get a new sports bottle, Disney themed of course, and fill up after security or on the plane w/ water/juice

 

[PatricenPete]

Lollipops, Lollipops, Lollipops.

DS flew for the first time at 7 months. He has flown 6 times total (7 months, 1 year, 14 months, 17 months, 2 yrs 2 mos, and 2 1/2 years) and every time I brought lollipops and he was happier than a pig in mud. We have also flown twice with DD at 5 months and 8 months and used lollipops as well.

We also bring them new books and coloring books.

 

[Tink3Belle]

Magnadoodle, like etch a sketch smaller versions available. Handheld pen attached.

 

[Mickeys_n_me]

Thanks everyone - I knew you would all come up with great ideas... Colorforms, a blast from the past - I didn't even think they still made these!
I am off to the toy store =)

 

[dawnball]

I fly fairly frequently with my DD. On our last trip she had:
a homemade activity book in a paper folder with brads
- coloring sheets
- letter puzzles and other "worksheet" things
- little books printed from Disney Magic Artist website
- stickers
- tic-tac-toe set from the Magic Artist website
- I mixed the pages up and every few sheets there was a sheet of colorful paper and some stickers to apply. The back of every page was blank as well for doodling on/writing words/paper and pencil games. I brought colored pencils and a sharpener since they wouldn't color on the upholstery easily or melt.

1 pretend play toy - she brought a small (8"?) stuffed mickey mouse

a deck of cards

a magnet board with magnets (it was dollhouse themed, but they have a ton of themes, a felt board would work fine too)

a clipboard (we had bulkhead seats the whole way, so no tray tables. the clipboard gave us a "table" to use)

a few individually wax-wrapped cheese rounds for snacks

A disney store mickey mouse cell phone

All tucked inside a Minnie beach backpack from the disney store.

I had 12 hours airport to airport on the way out and 10 hours on the way home. We never ran out of things to do. I found that while the cell phone did make noise - even sitting right next to her I couldn't hear it or could barely hear it. The engine noise blocked most of it out. She didn't really have a lot of interest in it either, probably because she had to hold it very close to her ear.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I second the cameras and also did one of those big swirled lollipops. I printed Disney coloring pages from the computer, and brought new crayons, also and let DS pick out a few things to pack himself.

A friend just introduced us to "Wicki Sticks" a few weeks ago, and they would be great, too! You can bend them and shape them. They stick together and come apart when you want, and the kids can make make all sorts of toys, practice letters, play tic-tac-toe with them, whatever.

 

[joeysmommy]

I went to the dollar store today and found Disney Villains coloring books and a Mickey Sorcerer book and Alice in Wonderland book.
I also picked up some pipe cleaners for my 3yr old and 5 yr old to twist into interesting creatures.

I was looking everywhere (Target, Walmart, ebay, Toys r Us etc) for a magnetic game set. My 5 yr old is on a checkers and Tic Tac Toe kick right now.
I found a great 12 in 1 magnetic game set for $8 at Longs Drugs of all places.
Of course when I went to the Dollar store right after that they now have 3 in 1 magnetic games but weren't as nice as the other set.

Also, at Costco today they had a huge Travel fun book for kids $7.99. The pages can be ripped out and brought along, the book was as thick as a Dictionary. It would be great if you;re driving, but nobody would want to lug that huge book along.
I know there are great pages here on Disboards to print out, but then I'll have to replace my ink cartridge at $30 a pop.

It came in different age group editions which is great.
I'm going to put these new fun

 

[karliebug]

pipe cleaners. They are quiet, don't take up much space, and you and the kids can make all kinds of animals and people from them.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

My suggestion would be to break the larger bag of goodies into smaller increments. My almost 4y.o. has a tendency to "play" with a whole bunch of things a lot quicker than if I presented each item on its own, give her time to play with it, then eventually she is bored and wants something new. Maybe you could break your treat bag into 3 small ones- one for each hour of your flight. It could also be a way to keep them in line if they are getting the wiggles. "Remember, you have to be really good to earn your next treat bag..." . Just an idea.

 

[minnie4me]

when we traveled to WDW w/ DS just turning 3 I brought one or 2 small sized books. Read one in the airport and on plane so many times he had it memorized. I skipped the coloring book/crayons, as I imagined them all over the airplane floor and found "coloring sheets that use a water pen. (like an aquadoodle pen.) there were 4 sheets that changed colors as he "colored w/ water pen, then as they dry they fade and can do it all over again. Now, they even have activity books that are bound, I know they have in Disney store w/ coloring and activities that use water. Less mess, as water would dry quickly if it did spill and only one pen to worry about. It is a must for our upcoming trip. Little handheld pinball type games are good too. I let DS bring 2 or 3 matchbox size cars for in the hotel to zoom around on table or bed. I try not to bring our favorites, incase something gets lost/stolen. I found a tic-tac-toe that you turn the X & O by a wheel, so no parts to lose. Card games are good for hotel.
stickers are a good idea too, especially for plane. We had a magnetic playboard once, but it was sorta cheap and magnets did not stick well if they were small.
There a ton of items to find that are great for planes/hotels and car trips. I try to pick things that will not be too noisy for the plane, incase someone else is napping.