Best Ways to Entertain a Toddler on a plane

[Diz-Mommy]

Will they let you take pens on the plane now? I have no clue. If, so I would think even the aquadooble pens filled would be acceptable. But I really have no clue.

Should make things VERY interesting trying to pack a diaper bag for the plane I'm assuming Desitan is out of the question? Gas drop and Infant Tylenol??

I heard that Walgreens will put labels on those types of things though, so perhaps you could still carry them on if you get them labeled...

 

[NemoMOm]

I just flew from NY to WY with my 18 mos DS. I want go over some of the things such as crayons,stickers, and toys. (Just because everyone already mentioned) However, I brought post-its and my son loved them. Just peel the first page off and stick on the plane as an example and the toddler will spend endless time pulling them apart.

 

[maxtomsmom]

Aqua doodles can be filled on the airplane bathroom. If in doubt let a stewardess know that you are about to fill it with water to help keep your toddler quiet.

 

[MyZoeJane]

I wonder if they will prevent me from bringing wrapped trinkets? Or if they'll make me peel the paper off to reveal the contents? Ugh. That was going to be my lifesaver!

 

[TinkNH]

I have been stashing some of DD's favorite books and small toys out of sight for a while now..in what will be her carry-on. I have also bought her a few new coloring books, a new set of markers and crayons. Hoping the novelty of it all will entertain her for the 3 hr flight plus wait time in the airport. I have several of the aquadoodle things as well..I am just planning on bringing them empty and filling them onboard. (I found little notebook sized ones with a pen in the local craft store.) Also was planning on juice boxes..which is a no now..but still packing some favorite snacks for her.

 

[Hef4545]

When my son was that age, we flew may times since my parents were out of town. I always bought one new thing to catch his eye, plenty of different hand snacks like cheerios and for the take off, I would give him a bottle depending on age or something to drink so ears clogging up would not be a problem. Time it so you start the drink when you start feeling it in your ears. Same thing for the landing. You may be surprised how well behaved your little one is. My son was always an angel.

 

[lovehoney]

However, I brought post-its and my son loved them. Just peel the first page off and stick on the plane as an example and the toddler will spend endless time pulling them apart.

Brilliant! And you can use any leftover post-it notes to cover the electronic eye on the automatic flush toilets at WDW.

 

[ZachnElli]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I thought this thread had died and hadn't checked it in a while! My ds doesn't like videos yet or coloring. I think I'll try the stickers and I'll try some suckers (dumdums). With the new restrictions, I might not be able to take milk and who knows if they'll have some on the plane. I packed some mega blocks, he loves putting them together and taking them apart and his book "The Moon in my Room", he loves how the moon lights up.

 

[maxtomsmom]

I had another thought. I've done this at home, but never on the plane. Make paper bag puppets with your toddler. You can use crayons, markers, a glue stick (not bottle glue for obvious reasons), stickers, silly eyes (if he/she doesn't eat them) etc. When they dry you have a puppet that you and your toddler can play together. My sons love to make art projects and paper puppets are easy and entertaining.

 

[HappyLawyer]

i'll be using lots of M & M's

 

[Perditamarie]

44disney -- I am howling!!! A toddler with an eye for the ladies!

I accidently brought these one trip and my kids loved them -- window clings. They loved to put them on and peel them off --- over and over. I will bring some post-its if I don't pick up any window clings!

 

[MayMom]

Two things that I haven't seen listed:

Pipe cleaners - you can make little animals, etc.

At the suggestion of someone on these boards I bought magnetic kits from WalMart. These are in the playdoh section and are $5.97. They are small, about 6 inches across and 8 inches long. I bought an outer space one for DS6 and a dress up pets for DD2. The person that recommended them said to make sure NOT to take them "apart" before the trip. Her children spent a while just getting them ready for playing...I also found magnetic Dora paper dolls at Target for DD. They were $7.99.

I am also sneaking two new color wonder sets for the trip home into my luggage. This will give my kids a "new" thing to do on the return trip.

 

[MissMagnolia]

Another vote for Color Wonder. I love the fact that they can color and ONLY get it on the paper. I like the free-form pads so they can draw whatever they like.

 

[reelmom]

This may sound crazy but my kids(4 and 3) are fascinated with magnifying glasses. I bought them each one at Target for $1.00 each. I also got them some bags of animals from the dollar store to look at through the glasses. They think it is neat to "make" things big.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

I just wanted to brag for a second...(LOL) We took our dd then (3) on an airplane for the first time last Dec (2005) and she was awsome! Sat nicely in the seat and contently played with crayons and paper (bought her a new coloring/activity book before we left) and some tootsie rolls which kept her ears from popping and kept her busy for a few min. and we had a 3 hour flight. Plus switched planes once and were delayed in the airport for HOURS UPON HOURS UPON HOURS b/c of a snow storm. So we were really proud of her!
Good Luck and have a fun trip.

PS She was also quite facinated by the serving of drinks on board...and the pull down TV's and headphones right on the plane. For kids who don't fly often or never before...I'm tellin' ya..ours anyway was mroe than ammused by the experience alone.
Now when we fly in the upcoming months to AZ I am going to bring those Disney Read Along books on CD. Those keep her occupied for HOURS as well. LOVE THOSE! And they are rather cheap on Amazon and they have many different titles.

 

[disney0928]

We're driving this trip... leaving on Friday

Obviously, we have more packed than what you'll need. However, we have flown with our boys before. This may sound strange, but I always would give them a dose of liquid Tylenol before boarding. My little guy has sensory issues, and it releived the pain of his ears.

The fruit snacks work great for little ears on take off and landing. Kind of like chewing gum. Kellog's brand makes Disney character ones.

I saw one other poster include pipe cleaners. My kids have always loved these; I have two packs of them for the car trip. They are interesting colors, texture, and can make cool stuff.

I love the paper bag puppet idea! A craft to keep busy, and can be used afterwards.

One thing we found in the dollar section of our local Target were small scrap books. We bought these and glue sticks. With flight restrictions, you might want double-sided tape instead, though. We plan to pick up extra brochures in WDW; then give the kids safety sissors and let them create all the way home. This is another thing to use with stickers too.

Hope you have a magical trip!

 

[golden1]

I think some of these ideas are great! I am going with a 2 and 4 year old in Dec. and it will be their first flight so I am pretty nervous. After reading a lot of suggestions I came up with a plan. I am going to wrap small toys and activities up in wrapping presents and give one to each kid every hour of the plane ride (3 hours). The first gift, when we board, will be a sticker or coloring book. The second will be a small toy and the third will be some small disney related toy. Hopefully this will keep them occupied on the trip. We are also on Jet blue so they will have the TVs to watch.

 

[Schmeck]

Can you take wrapped gifts on board? I thought they unwrapped them and checked them at security. They unwrapped the presents we had in our checked bags when we flew to Norway, but maybe they just do it on international flights?

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Anyone flown in the last week who may have advice on entertaining toddlers with the new carry on restrictions?

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

This is my first time writing on this site. Kind of new to the whole Disney vacation thing.
Anyway, I just flew back from China and I know they are checking bags for liquid. They said before we were checked that liquid and gel were not allowed but my solid deoderant was taken so I would be careful on packing that. Also I had kids handi snacks and those were taken as well because of the chocolate part. No water of anykind. Don't even ask. Now in a few months things may become more relaxed but right now I wouldn't think glue sticks for the paper bag puppets would make it through and they unwrapped everything. So don't waste time wrapping your new toys as they will just undo your work. I had a hard time not being upset with the new rules teh airlines have, but someone had been planning something so they are for good reasons.
I had a question, has anyone ever given something to help their children fall asleep on a plane. Our flights and layovers total about 8-9 hours.
Thanks