Entertaining a 14 month old on a 3 hour flight...

[KelleyGirl]

Any tips for keeping a 14 month old entertained on a 3 hr flight from Boston to Orlando? He's too young to watch a movie, and I don't know if he would sit still for storytime for 3 hours... we've never sat for that long at home! Any age appropriate, and small for convenience, toys that have worked for you?? Thanks!

 

[NHAnn]

Benedryl?? (sorry, couldn't resist...just got back Tuesday on a flight that was PACKED with little ones who were not too happy about leaving Orlando I guess )

Maybe a mix of new and old things....new for novelty and distraction - and old for comfort/security....like books and small toys. With my grandaughter at 17 months last year, what worked best was food...but that always works with her...you'd never know it from the size of her but she grazes constantly. Small fruit pieces, crackers, juices boxes and sippy cups....and lollipops were a great novelty/treat.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[dougsmom98]

It probably won't be as bad as you think. Stickers worked for us with a 16 month old. I would peal up the edge and he would pull it off and put it on a piece of paper. We also had a Busy Town lift the flap book. He was mesmorized with that. It was brand new and there were tons of flaps, it was great. They love the tray table on the seat in front of them and empty paper cups and magazines that you don't care about the pages ripping. Three hours really isn't that bad.
Good luck.

 

[MrShiny]

Any music player with headphones might work - try it out at home to make sure he'll keep them on, and keep the volume low, of course!

You might want to put off feeding until right before the flight too, so he's all full and content when he gets on.

Ask your pediatrician, but Benadryl can seriously be useful. Not only will it let him sleep, but it can open up his ears to help withy the pressure.

 

[scanne]

Do you have a small, portable DVD player? We have used this with our son since his 1st trip to WDW in 2003. We put a favorite DVD in - Blue's Clues, the Wiggles, etc. and that keeps him totally occupied for the 2 hour flight. We are going to buy another portable DVD player for my DD - she'll be 2 when we go and I know she won't like sitting in her car seat (unless she falls asleep - I can hope for that, right?) So I'll bring some DVDs and pray she gets caught up in those, snacks a bit then falls asleep. Then poof! We'll be in Orlando!

 

[NotUrsula]

That age is prime for squirminess, so I would advise using a carseat if at all possible. I also second the food, especially animal crackers.

Things that worked well for us at that age included a roll of scotch tape (yes, scotch tape! It's so much fun to stick it all over yourself, and on Mommy's nose, etc.), and a couple of Dorling-Kindersley "first" photo board books, such as this one, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...002-4252262-6366467?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

 

[penjen]

I asked DS doctor when we went when he was 22 months he said to givr him Tylenol right before the flight. On the way home he slept for 1.5 hours and luckily I asked the doctor or I would feel guilty for giving him meds.

I kept my son busy with color wonder and a doodle board. He got a lolly pop too. I think this trip will be more difficult. He will be 3 years and he's a talker. I think he will talk the whole time and others will be annoyed.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

our ds2 had an problem and we gave him the benadryl it did nothing
he fell asleep for an hour but was good
now that he is over 2 but not 3 til feb he is a chatter box and his speech was delayed alittle so he tends to be loud
that isnt gonna be fun

 

[KelleyGirl]

Thanks for all your good ideas. We will be bringing the carseat, and have bought him his own seat, so hopefully the familiarity of the carseat will help. I'm sure I'm just worrying for nothing. Its good to hear that others have survived the flight! Some of you expressed concerns about flying with 2/3 year olds. My others kids have flown at that age and it was a piece of cake. For my daughter, we bought her a sticker book that kept her pretty busy. We fly jetblue, so they had some shows to watch, but most of the time they were interested in the in-flight flight display, letting them know where we were, how high up, etc. For my 14 month old, I will definitely get the board books, and food! I talked to the pediatrician and he suggested benadryl or decongestant for the ears, which I will probably do, too.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Please SERIOUSLY consider removing your son's shoes while he's in the carseat! While, ideally, you can prevent him from kicking the seat in front of him, at least shoeless kicks won't be quite as frustrating to the passenger in front of your son. Alternatively, a member of your party could try to get the seat in front of him.