Do you pack any toys or things to entertain the kids?

[holly7347]

Hi all,
We are planning a 7 day trip to DW in October with a 5 1/2 and a 3 1/2 year old DD's. This is our first trip flying with them generally we have gone places closer and drove. When we drove it was no big deal to pack up the DVD player for the car ride and a bag of toys for the hotel. But since we are flying I'm trying to simplify. And I certainly don't want to pack so much that we have to pay extra for our bags.

Neither of my DD's nap anymore and since the parks close earlier in October we aren't planning a trip back to the room mid-day. So we should be out and about all day and the girls love to swim so we could always swim in the evening when we get back to the room. I hope to try to stick to a close to normal bed time since my DD's are bears when they don't get enough sleep. We do not plan on buying hardly any toys or other stuff in the parks so they won't have that stuff to play with. But on the other hand I don't think we will be spending that much time in the room anyway. I guess I just worry about the time in the mornng while they are waiting for the rest of us to shower and the time in the evening between when we get back to the room and when we can get them to sleep.

So do we need any toys? And if so what kind of stuff have you packed that is small yet entertaining for the 3-5 age group?

TIA

 

[java]

Please PLEASE pack a bag for each of them for the plane. Our 4 children happily carried on their backpacks(3,5,10,14) and had a few "new" surprises to keep them busy on the plane.

There was another family on the plane that used running up and down the aisles as entertainment And another that gave his screaming toddler a cell phone to play with??? Why not just pack some coloring books- some i-spy books, some stickers- ect to keep them amused for the flight. In the room- we didn't need anything. They were all exhausted by the time we got back.

Oh and we did end up buying a few "toys" down there- like a small monorail and the matchbox buses that my boys played with.

 

[Wendybird55]

I would strongly recommend that each pack their own little backpack with plane activities - coloring books, video games if they have, favorite toys - little things that will occupy them and not make too much noise. I would also definately pack a portable DVD.

Thsi will be my sons first Dieny trip and plane ride - he will almost be 2 when we go early Sept.and I am already putting aside things for the plane...magnadoodles are also great.

I got an addtional battery for his DVD player to make sure it will last the length of the flight and more in case we get delayed. He is a very active boy and I'm hoping to be able to keep him happy and occupied on the plane with toys and snacks and DVDs so that he won't bother the other passengers.

 

[momtomatthew]

Take a DVD player- we bring it even on the short flight (2 hrs) to WDW. We didn't take it in Feb when we went and regretted it! It will be the first thing packed in Sept. I also got him a new book, a coloring book, and Go Fish for the plane. He didn't really want any toys once we were at WDW- at the park all day and ready for bed at night.

 

[wrighter]

I might be wrong, but I felt like the OP might have been asking more about toys for the room. I definitely agree that activities for the plane ride are essential - and I highly recommend DVD players.

But if the question pertains more to once you've arrived - I can tell you we've done it both ways. The first year we went I took a bunch of toys and things to entertain our kids. Some got used, some didn't. Last year I took nothing for the room, and it certainly wasn't missed. Our kids were so tired and overstimulated, that any down time they had in the room they were eating or zoning out in front of the television.

Especially when you take into consideration the new luggage requirements, I would say you're safe not to bring toys for the room. They can use airplane leftovers (movies, coloring, cards, etc) if they're desperate. But I'm guessing you're going to be fine - and our kids are almost identical in age.

Good luck!

 

[kldmom2000]

When my girls were that age, the biggest hit by far was Mr. Potato head!!!! We brought 2 plain Mr. Potato heads from home (cheaper) and then let the girls fill one box to capacity @ DTD w/ the Disney parts. Every morning while we were getting ready, they had so much fun playing with it!

I brought coloring books and crayons that could be used both on the plane and in the room

The portable DVD player also came in handy for both the plane and the room w/ some favorite DVD's from home

 

[littlbugmom]

My kids are 8 and 4yrs. They each have a "mini" backpack that we'll use for small things to keep them busy on the plane. Some of those items can be played with in the room, as well.

I've decided to bring a suitcase with nothing but small gifts for the kids. I'm picking stuff up now and keeping them hidden so they'll have a surprise each day of our trip. One suitcase will be more than enough room for these toys.

There are 4 of us flying and we get one free bag per ticket. If I can't fit our clothes in 3 suitcases, I'll use 2 carry on bags for the gifts.

I plan on using our room for down time for my 4yr old so, a few new toys will help. If you don't think you'll need chillaxin time in the room, maybe just make sure the stuff you pack for the plane ride can be used in the room too.

When my daughter was your dd's ages, a few Princess dolls and some accessories would keep her busy. Some sticker and coloring books, a travel size magnadoodle, a bath toy or two...etc..

 

[Luv Bunnies]

When my kids were younger, we always packed a few little toys or books to keep them occupied on trips - whether in the plane, car or hotel room. Coloring books and sticker books are easy to bring along. My older son is a train nut and would bring his favorite little Thomas wooden trains. We always had a train running around the floor of wherever we were staying. My younger son was happy with his pack of plastic animals. Just don't bring out little toys on the plane. They tend to get dropped and lost between the seats and on the floor. And it's nice to refrain from noisy toys on the plane (for the sanity of the other passengers). A few new coloring or sticker books should keep their interest for at least part of the flight.

Now that my boys are older (13 and almost 10), we've graduated to iPods, Nintendos, model train magazines and comic books. Those are easy to pack!

 

[lkangell8201]

I have thought about this too. I figured in the room he'll probably be ok with TV, because I'm guessing he'll be exausted for the most part.
I bought him a small disney cars back pack at Ross for $5. I have slowing been filling it with a few disney things...a mini mickey mouse beanie and small wall e fix it toy. Before we leave I will get a coloring book, crayons, sticker book, and some disney candy (from party city). This will still leave more than enough room for the things we buy while there to go in it on the way back. And should be enough to keep busy on the plane and in the room if need be. Its small enough for him to carry with no problems and everything is new and a surpise so he shouldn't get bored with it.
I am also bringing my laptop which he can use for movies on the plane.

 

[Taja]

We traveled with a 9-year-old lass last December, so she was able to select what she wanted for on the plane and at the resort. She knew she wouldn't be getting a much stuff at WDW (her family has money, they just don't spend it on "stuff"), so she had to take a few things that were important to her.

She had a small backpack with paper, pens, coloured pencils, two books, a favourite small stuffed animal and a few other items. Good thing she left some space, because I brought her some word search puzzles, coloured pens, and a few other writing/drawing items. Everything still fit in her backpack!

If your little ones have a favourite small stuffed animal, a couple of books, etc., the probably will be fine. As PPs noted, each can have a small backpack to carry and everything they (or you) want for on the plane or at the resort for entertainment should fit in them.

 

[Nanu57v]

For DD3 we pack a couple books, a notebook, crayons, pencils, stickers, and coloring book. I also pack one small plush and sometimes cards or something. DD loves making games with 3x5 cards. We usually also have a DVD player on the plane, but not if its going to be a night flight when she'll sleep. During a 5 hour delay in Orlando, the DVD player was a lifesaver.

 

[vcgirl925]

Definitely pack things to occupy them on the plane. We are flying jetblue this time so thankfully they will each have their own tv to watch. But they are both goin to have little backpacks for the plane. With a couple of snacks, lollipops, coloring sheets, crayons, stickers, activity books for ds4, and some other little surprises. As for the room i don't think you'll need much. Maybe a barbie doll or something like that they'll play with. I usually bring a little ziplock with small toys. My ds 4 will pick dinosaurs, army men, and a couple of matchbox cars. DD2 probably won't bring much, maybe her little princess figures.

 

[holly7347]

I saw coloring books recomended a lot. Those would certainly be easy and light to pack. But my girls just really don't like to color very much. They never use crayons and just ocassionally use markers. But they do like magnadoodles so maybe I'll get them each a travel size one of those.

DD#1 likes card games like old maid and go fish so I could pack some of those. But neither DD plays video games. DD#1 will play nickjr games on the computer but we don't have a laptop so no computer. I'm trying to decide about the DVD player. I really didn't want to take it but maybe I better just incase. Our flight is 2 hours and our battery is only a 2 hour battery and we don't have an extra. I just better make sure we pick a movie that is less than 2 hours to watch on the plane.

 

[jessica52877]

We don't take anything but matchbox cars, which seldomly are played with. DS5 likes to look out the window, naps in his carseat and just enjoys the plane ride, the pretzels and soda, it is all a treat to him. He has been fine every time including the 5 hour flight to DL.

I think you know your kids best and if they would be entertained or not.

 

[Dopey Rocks!]

Before you take your laptop on the plane, test it out to see what your actual battery life is at home. That will give you a better idea of how long the movie should be for the plane. I know our laptop battery does not hold charge for very long at all! UGH! So, we are pricing DVD players now.

For our 3yo DS we are taking all the things mentioned above. I will be "wrapping" some of them and pulling them out every 15-30 minutes if needed on the plane. I am also taking our "school" work.....coloring pages/games etc that are educational as well as fun.

For the room, I will have the things from the plane, a couple of favorite books, his music CD he likes to go to sleep with, and a couple of favorite stuffed animals (their names are Mickey and Minnie I believe....) . We are also bringing small gifts for each day or two to put on his pillow.

I just get tired thinking about it all! The last thing I am doing in all of this is PRAYING that all of that-or even just some of it-will work!!!

 

[jenseib]

I t hink if you have a DVD palyer, it's a must to take it. You can look on ebay for an extra battery. Well worth it. We pack a bag for the plane, and most doesn't get used, but it's there just in case. And new stuff she ahs never seen before works well. We brought a package of pipe cleaners one year, and she loved them. We boht mad shapes wit ht hem and it was a real highlight. We don't really use anything in the room. She is a late nighter and sleeps in, so we are ready when we wake her. And we stay late at the parks. Or swim and then watch tv. We do buy at least 1 stuffed anmial for her. so thats a treat .
Honeslty, unless you go every year or several times a year, I can;t see how you won;t buy at least a few souveingers. We bought DD two dresses this last trip. (Sleeping beuaty and Ariels wedding dress) and brought two from hime, so some of her "down" time was spent in front of the mirror looking at herself. And twirling around

 

[CruisingCamper]

We will be taking our DS1, he'll be 22 months when we go to WDW. A friend of mine told me, that when they flew with their little one, that they collected toys from eating places, ones that come in McDonald's Happy Meals, Sonic Wacky Packs, Burger King Kids Meals, etc.. They took those for the flight and then bought some souvenirs there and left the meal toys there.

So that's what I have been doing, collecting the toys...it's a great idea. The toys will all be new!!!

 

[ChristusG]

I know that my DD(4 years old) would be "devastated" if we didnt allow her to bring any of her toys to the hotel. Especailly her stuffed animals. Some things get played with, some dont. We arent in the room too much, but sometimes in the mornings she will play as we get ready....or if we have a break time during the day. I give her a backpack and tell her she can put whatever she wants into it.....as long as it will close. However, I do sort through it and talk her out of anything that I think she will not use at the hotel.

Her biggest thing is her favorite stuffed animals.....which consists of a whole entourage of animals. I tell her she can bring 3....she usually convinces me to let her bring 5 LOL. But I understand, I used to love stuffed animals as well.

That being said, we live only 2.5 hours from Disney and we drive. I'm not sure what I would do about a plane. Probably tell her the same thing, but the stuffed animals would have to fit into a suitcase or her bag.....and I would probably limit those to two.

 

[Nanu57v]

I saw coloring books recomended a lot. Those would certainly be easy and light to pack. But my girls just really don't like to color very much. They never use crayons and just ocassionally use markers. But they do like magnadoodles so maybe I'll get them each a travel size one of those.

DD#1 likes card games like old maid and go fish so I could pack some of those. But neither DD plays video games. DD#1 will play nickjr games on the computer but we don't have a laptop so no computer. I'm trying to decide about the DVD player. I really didn't want to take it but maybe I better just incase. Our flight is 2 hours and our battery is only a 2 hour battery and we don't have an extra. I just better make sure we pick a movie that is less than 2 hours to watch on the plane.

Ooh, I just had another idea, my mom would always buy us lunchables (stacking kind) and those magic books where the pen is invisible and makes things appear, but only on trips.

 

[holly7347]

I t hink if you have a DVD palyer, it's a must to take it. You can look on ebay for an extra battery. Well worth it. We pack a bag for the plane, and most doesn't get used, but it's there just in case. And new stuff she ahs never seen before works well. We brought a package of pipe cleaners one year, and she loved them. We boht mad shapes wit ht hem and it was a real highlight. We don't really use anything in the room. She is a late nighter and sleeps in, so we are ready when we wake her. And we stay late at the parks. Or swim and then watch tv. We do buy at least 1 stuffed anmial for her. so thats a treat .
Honeslty, unless you go every year or several times a year, I can;t see how you won;t buy at least a few souveingers. We bought DD two dresses this last trip. (Sleeping beuaty and Ariels wedding dress) and brought two from hime, so some of her "down" time was spent in front of the mirror looking at herself. And twirling around

We are really going to try and skip the souveingers for several reasons. Mostly money we have had to do a few unexpected home repairs since we planned this trip so there isn't much left in the way of spending money. Not to mention that almost everything I have bought from the Disney store has fallen apart including the clothes. Another problem we have is space. We live in a bi-level with no basement and small closets and we are just out of storage space. We go through all their toys before Christmas and B-days to make room for the new stuff but they never want to get rid of their old stuff. So we have decided until they really outgrow some of their current toys no new toys. For presents they get things like memberships to the zoo, pool, children's museum etc. They are old enough to understand what those are and they really do enjoy going those places and our house doesn't get cluttered up with more junk. So we really are going to avoid souveigners during this trip. Disney has gotten enough of our money already and if I don't buy stuff while we are there I don't have to worry about how to get it home.

I guess we will just concentrate on a few toys for the plane and those can be used in the hotel as well if necessary. I'm just thankful it is only a 2 hour flight.