Car seats and airline trays?

[GEM]

I've been reading all these great tips to keep my then 20 month old entertained on the airplane in December (snacks, games, books, etc.) I just read someplace else, though, that his tray table probably won't be able to be used because his car seat won't allow it to come all the way down. If that's true, what do I do with all his snacks, games, toys, books, etc? I was planning on putting cheeries and other little things out on his tray because those keep him busy for a long time since he eats them one at a time. I was also thinking of getting some new little toys and things. However, with no tray, it will be hard for him to use the things I was thinking of. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[jel0511]

Yes, its true, most if not all carseats, make the tray unusable. Ziplocs are great for keeping foods and giving them to little ones. Just put a few in an empty one and keep refilling it. I also bring a rather large board book, and by balancing it on DS's lap, it can be used for coloring. Everything else will have to be held by you, and you'll have to be the main sorce of entertainment. Also, start taking yoga classes. You need to be a gumby-like individual to get the things that will inevitably end up on the floor.

 

[NotUrsula]

I solved this issue by creating a lap desk for DS especially for airplanes. I went to a fast-food restaurant and bought one of their plastic trays (just ask the manager and see if they can suggest a price; mine was $2). This gives you a small child-sized tray w/ raised edges.

I cut four 1" slots just inside the side edges of the tray: the first two about 2 inches from the bottom of the tray, the second two about 3 inches from the top edge. I put long strips of hook-side velcro through the slots and sewed them so that they were permanently attached and dangled about 12 inches all around. (You want the gripper side of the velcro to face toward the middle of the tray when it is dangling down loose.)

I just slid the tray down inside my carryon or behind the carseat back, and took it out when we boarded. The velcro hooks onto the fabric of the carseat upholstery and holds the tray in place. (If the fabric of your seat won't grip, put some stick-on loop velcro on the bottom sides of the carseat shell for it to grip.)

 

[Lollipop Mom]

Check out this fold up tray. It attaches to our car seat and to the stroller as well as those wooden restaurant high chairs. It folds up pretty small too so it's easy to tuck away in the diaper bag!

 

[GEM]

Thanks! I knew there was a way around this.