anyone have any tips for plane travel with toddlers?

[peg2001]

I wanted to add my thanks to everyone who posted sharing tips on traveling with young children. I've gotten some great ideas from this thread.

Peggy

 

[aprilgail2]

I put my daughter right into her car seat and she remains there the whole flight, same as if we were driving in a car, she knows that once she is in her car seat we do not get out of it until we reach our destintation, same as an auto trip! I usually bring a travel magna doodle places with us and snacks..other than that we just talk or nap.

 

[peg2001]

Pick up some 1-cent stamps from the post office. Save up the return envelopes that come in all your junk mail. Provide small paper or index cards. And let your young children "make mail" on the airplane. My almost-3 DD LOVES this activity and it costs literally pennies.

Peggy

 

[ladybugs]

My kids are prone to stuffy ears and sinus problems. They have never flown before. They are 4, 9, and 11. Our flight out is around 8 am. It is only a 2 hour flight. So, my question is when should I give them a decongestion? Is that the best thing? Should I do ear plugs? Any other tips on this.....
I have only flew once and have terriable sinus problems but made out fine without anything. I really don't want to take a chance with the girls..... HELP

 

[prymsu]

I had my son on a twenty hour flight once, and this worked for us! Prior to our trip i rounded up a bunch of things at wal-mart, such as crayons, activity books, little puzzle books, candies, hand held electronic games, and other stuff that i thought he would enjoy. Then i packed all this stuff in a separate backpack that i carried on. Of course, i hadn't let him see the stuff so the first time he said he was bored, i gave him one of the things out of the bag, and that kept him happy and busy. Then later on when he was bored with that, i was able to pull out something that kept him busy for a while longer. By not letting him see the stuff prior to the flight, he was not expecting all the different little things that i had in the bag, and i am ever so glad that i did this for him, and helped to make a long flight go faster.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by ladybugs

My kids are prone to stuffy ears and sinus problems. Should I do ear plugs?

There is a product on the market called EarPlanes. They are earplugs that are supposed to attenuate the rapid changes in pressure experienced in aircraft. They make them in both adult and children's sizes. I would definitely consider getting some for your kids.

Here's the manufacturer's web site. Although you can order them online, you can also purchase them at most major chain drugstores.

www.cirrushealthcare.com