First trip little gift ideas?

[Jhondy210]

I'm taking my 6 year old niece on her first Disney World trip in September…this could be her only trip to WDW or at least her only one until she is a teenager or later. I'm working on making this trip as special as possible. I already have the majority of things planned for once we get to WDW (BBB, CRT, MNSSHP, BOG, etc.) and now I'm working on things to give her once at the airport to make the trip just a bit more special. I just bought her an Olaf Backpack and now I need to fill it with neat things for her to do while on the plane and to use at WDW. So far I have bought:

Coloring books and crayons
many different types of glow sticks/bracelets/wands
3 new outfits (that likely won't go in the backpack)
a disney game for on the airplane
One of those flat water bottle pouch things that you can fill with water
A lanyard
Some pins for trading
An autograph book
a light-up Frozen Pen

So, what else would you pack in a backpack for some small surprises and to keep her entertained during the airplane and/or to enhance the trip. She already has a camera so that is why it isn't listed in the backpack. I'm hoping to find some more fun items otherwise I'm looking at getting her at least one more outfit (maybe 2 more) and maybe a new nightgown or a new beach towel but those things really don't go in the backpack.

I've never taken a 6 year old on a plane so what else do you use (besides electronics) to keep them entertained?

Edited to add: I know she will have fun at all the parks regardless of the little add on gifts but I still want the little gifts to make it even more special.

 

[Pesky]

Oh how fun and so thoughtful of you to try and make her experience so special! The good news is you won't have to do much -- all the excitement and attractions will speak for themselves and you have some pretty magical excursions planned.
* A coupon book! My new favorite thing thanks to the Creative DISigns board here. I have coupons for some free things (coin for Snow White's wishing well, Kilamanjaro Safari ride, JTA, pool time, a "break" (I put in several of those to remind the kids that it's okay to just sit and relax for a bit), train ride, "Pick the Next Ride", etc.), some food items (popcorn, cake pop, cupcake, Mickey Bar, American Dream, special treat, etc.), some of our special activities (MNSSHP, Behind the Seed tour, etc.), souvenirs (pick a pearl, build your own lightsaber, etc.) and so on. My DS is a planner but we are surprising them by going sooner than we had promised so this will help him get used to the idea of the trip, have some control as to when to use his coupons, and feel excited about what is to come.
* SNACKS! Don't stress about making those disney just some decent snacks including non-sugar ones like pretzels, apple/banana, cheerios, kind bars, etc. Maybe in a new Disney lunchbox to be sure there isn't smushed banana over everything or bruised apple rolling around. Make sure she can fill her water bottle before boarding.
* gum, fruit snacks, or lollipop(s) for her ears during flight
* a new DVD/movie. Finding Dory might be coming out on DVD around then.
* books -- you can get her a book on WDW (the Birnbaum guide for kids) or some disney books.
* socks
* sunglasses and/or hat (check the sizing on sunglasses as those can run small sometimes)
* Disney bandaids -- pays to be prepared
* new Disney toothbrush
* stickers
* if she likes coloring books, new coloring book and crayons/colored pencils. If she's not into coloring books, blank pad of paper. My kids always preferred the blank pad of paper. Learned the hard way. If you like the coloring books, dollar spot at Target often has pouches with a little coloring book, stickers and 4 crayons for $1. I'd still get a nicer set of Crayola or colored pencils in a disney pencil case to go with that stuff.
* Disney plush of a fav character or soft blanket or beach towel to carry -- the beach towel can pull double duty as a blanket and then a towel.
* fun necklace, nail decals
* Minnie mouse lip balm

Ours are pretty much entertained by music, iPad games, and movies on a portable DVD player with kid headphones (kidz gear). I am putting together a play list with Disney music for DD and I to listen to on the way out and will use a splitter so we can both here (for the movies there are 2 jacks on the DVD player). Occasionally they want to read but only DD -- DS has motion sickness issues. BTW that's something to ask about and be prepared if you need it.

 

[Kelly014]

Lots of good suggestions in the pp. A six year old should do pretty well on the plane, electronics and some snacks should do it. Books if she reads. If you want to bring coloring stuff the packs with markers that only color on special paper are nice for the plane, and they always have Disney themed ones!

 

[blemon]

I don't know if you're going to Epcot, but I bought a cinderella carriage pearl cage on eBay to give her the morning we go to Epcot. We'll do the pick-a-pearl there. It was maybe 11 total.

 

[Ravens girl]

If she's prone to motion sickness or if you're not sure take some ginger candy or ginger snaps. Ginger is great for motion sickness and doesn't make you feel drugged up.

 

[Aliceacc]

Get her the Birnbaum book "WDW for kids" well ahead of time. She can look at the rides, the descriptions, and really anticipate her trip.

 

[dancemonkey]

I'd keep the backpack relatively light. I'm not sure where your traveling from but if she gets tired you don't want to be lugging it around. I love the idea about the Cinderella carriage to hold the pearl. I wouldn't bring too many things. There's so much great shopping in Disney. I usually pick one thing I want to search for. In terms of snacking there is a fabulous place with fruits and healthy snacks by the hall of presidents. Don't forget your fast passes. But you seem to know what you're doing any way. My kids love pin trading.

 

[Polybound]

I'm taking my 6 year old niece on her first Disney World trip in September…this could be her only trip to WDW or at least her only one until she is a teenager or later. I'm working on making this trip as special as possible. I already have the majority of things planned for once we get to WDW (BBB, CRT, MNSSHP, BOG, etc.) and now I'm working on things to give her once at the airport to make the trip just a bit more special. I just bought her an Olaf Backpack and now I need to fill it with neat things for her to do while on the plane and to use at WDW. So far I have bought:

Coloring books and crayons
many different types of glow sticks/bracelets/wands
3 new outfits (that likely won't go in the backpack)
a disney game for on the airplane
One of those flat water bottle pouch things that you can fill with water
A lanyard
Some pins for trading
An autograph book
a light-up Frozen Pen

So, what else would you pack in a backpack for some small surprises and to keep her entertained during the airplane and/or to enhance the trip. She already has a camera so that is why it isn't listed in the backpack. I'm hoping to find some more fun items otherwise I'm looking at getting her at least one more outfit (maybe 2 more) and maybe a new nightgown or a new beach towel but those things really don't go in the backpack.

I've never taken a 6 year old on a plane so what else do you use (besides electronics) to keep them entertained?

Edited to add: I know she will have fun at all the parks regardless of the little add on gifts but I still want the little gifts to make it even more special.

We've got neighbors that we feed each others pets whenever either of us are out of town. We'd always bring a souvinier or two back for their kids after each trip. The ones they used to love the most were the Disney Character headed pens and refrigerator magnets.

 

[Tay N Evie's Mom]

Go to Dollar Tree or any dollar store by your house. My twins are now 18 and I don't have to pack stuff to keep them busy anymore. But, they've been traveling regularly since they were 3. I had a tradition of filling their backpacks with stuff from the dollar store and some snacks and they weren't allowed to open them until we were at the gait at the airport. They thought that was the best! We never heard a peep out of them the whole flight.

 

[blemon]

I thought of something else -- there are these super cute princess magnet sets. We have snow white. My daughter (who is now 8) loved dressing her. It's very contained and great for the plane. Here is the Tangled one:
https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Fun...20854&sr=8-9&keywords=disney+princess+magnets

 

[AngieInOH]

I bought my girls little notebooks with disney characters on them. I thought they would use them to draw pictures etc. They ended up using them as a journal and wrote down things about each day. It is priceless.

 

[Ericaxo0528]

I did this same thing for my goddaughters before their first trip to Disney. (They absolutely LOVED the bag full of goodies by the way!) A couple things I got them in addition to many of the things already mentioned were some Disney temporary tattoos and a disposable camera so they could take their own pictures. Of course they werent of any great quality but theyll have them to look back on their first trip and laugh when theyre older. A couple things I didnt get them but would be a great idea are a pair of sunglasses and maybe a hat/mickey ears.

 

[tink9702]

Definitely check out the Dollar Store for stuff. My kids love small Disney themed notebooks. They also love the smooshed up little towels. Those are hard to describe so hopefully you know what I'm talking about! lol They also have Disney themed packs of tissues which are useful & fun. My 5.5 year old also ADORES princess stickers and you can get a TON at the Dollar store! It's not useful for the plane, but a puzzle can be fun for the hotel room if you'll spend any time there at all.

 

[Jhondy210]

I totally did hit up the dollar store a couple days ago and plan to hit it up again as we get closer to the trip. I forgot that I bought her sunglasses already! Thanks for all the ideas, I've gotta go shopping for some more of the small stuff.

I plan on buying her Mickey Ears when we get to WDW because I want her to be able to pick out the pair she wants (it is the same reason I won't buy a princess dress early…even though it would be cheaper to do so).

She also already has a kids camera that she will bring along so I don't need to get that. I don't plan on getting her a book because I have two books for her to look at, she has been watching youtube videos with my dad, and my older brother is bringing me back Disney Maps to put in the backpack from his trip.

I just keep watching for Disney Store sales online or things on sale at stores to try to keep this backpack cheap.

 

[kaybee1476]

You've got some great things already and have gotten a lot of good suggestions. You may not want to put everything in her backpack up front. She probably won't need a whole lot to keep her busy on the plane. When we go to WDW, Tinker Bell brings our girls gifts during the night so that they're surprised with goodies each morning when they get up. Last time, I bought so much ahead of time that I shipped it all to our resort ahead of time rather than trying to pack it all. (Not planning to go overboard this time!) When they were smaller and I was packing their suitcases myself, it was easier to leave out shirts and nightgowns because I knew Tink was going to deliver a new Disney shirt each day and at least one princess nightgown during the trip. Now, they want to pick out their own clothes and pack their own suitcases, so we'll see how this next trip works. No matter what, your niece will have a wonderful trip!

 

[Jhondy210]

You've got some great things already and have gotten a lot of good suggestions. You may not want to put everything in her backpack up front. She probably won't need a whole lot to keep her busy on the plane. When we go to WDW, Tinker Bell brings our girls gifts during the night so that they're surprised with goodies each morning when they get up. Last time, I bought so much ahead of time that I shipped it all to our resort ahead of time rather than trying to pack it all. (Not planning to go overboard this time!) When they were smaller and I was packing their suitcases myself, it was easier to leave out shirts and nightgowns because I knew Tink was going to deliver a new Disney shirt each day and at least one princess nightgown during the trip. Now, they want to pick out their own clothes and pack their own suitcases, so we'll see how this next trip works. No matter what, your niece will have a wonderful trip!

Thanks I'm putting everything in her backpack for her to carry on the plane. I just ordered my last big item for the backpack…a Shellie May bear and a shirt for it that says My First Walt Disney World Trip and the book about Shellie May. I wanted to get her Duffy but Duffy was more expensive on Amazon (I had Amazon credit I wanted to use for the purchase).

I'm super excited to give her all the gifts…I probably should have waited to purchase so much of it because I don't know how I'm going to wait till Sept!! Only 73 more days to go!

 

[disneyfam23]

I want to travel with you!! Sounds like so much fun!! I didn't read all the responses but quarters and pennies for the penny press! You can stack them in those little cylinder m&m containers. It's something I have on my list for our sept trip. Have fun!!

 

[JPKnapp]

Not necessarily for backpack, but great for the trip are the glow bracelets. You can get them at dollar store or Amazon = tube of 100 is $10. We brought a tube each night to the parks and let my daughter hand them out to other kids. It was a cheap and fun way to spread some magic. And, it prevented her from asking for all the light up sticks and glow bracelets they sell for a zillion dollars.

 

[Jhondy210]

Not necessarily for backpack, but great for the trip are the glow bracelets. You can get them at dollar store or Amazon = tube of 100 is $10. We brought a tube each night to the parks and let my daughter hand them out to other kids. It was a cheap and fun way to spread some magic. And, it prevented her from asking for all the light up sticks and glow bracelets they sell for a zillion dollars.

Yep got the glow sticks already. I got a bunch of ones to make bracelets, some wants, a mask, a glove, and a few others. They had some neat ones at the dollar store.

 

[Jhondy210]

I want to travel with you!! Sounds like so much fun!! I didn't read all the responses but quarters and pennies for the penny press! You can stack them in those little cylinder m&m containers. It's something I have on my list for our sept trip. Have fun!!

Haha Thanks. I do have to get quarters and pennies. That is something I started collecting on my last trip and I'm sure when my niece sees me getting them she is going to want to get them too. I'm really excited to make this an amazing trip for my niece. I'm now just trying to figure out what our days will look like and whether we will park hop a lot or not. My original thought was to skip HS but she seems interested to do Jedi Training so that is messing with my plans.