Flying with a 1yo and 5yo for the first time

[stephanie23]

OK we are going to disny in august and it will be our first time ever on a plane for me and my 2 kids. My 1yo does NOT sit still. I did not buy a seat for him (which I now regret) so how do you keep a 1yo calm during a plane ride? It is only 2 hours but he can barley sit still for a 30 minute dinner let alone 2 hours. Do you bring toys? Book? Both? HELP

 

[katied]

Last trip with DS (13 months) I brought many things. I made sure I had a wide variety, and still, you never know what will happen.

I try to find some "new" toys for him - which may be old favorites that have been put away for several weeks before the trip - or new things. I try to bring out toys over time, so he does not see all at once and get bored. On one recent trip, I had a new soft book with a dog bone attached. He spent quite a while happily putting the dog bone in the "Water" in the book.

I also make sure I have lots of different snacks. I have a snack trap for him (from babies r us). I'll fill it with Cheerios or small crackers, and it may occupy him for 30 minutes at a time. Sometimes, just a small bag of cookies is enough to occupy him for a while - just because he likes the crinkly bag.

Then - I make sure I have plenty of beverages - milk, water, juice - in both bottles and sippy cups. I make sure I have as many options as possible to get him to drink during take off and landing.

Still - sometimes it goes well and it a very easy flight, and sometimes, it is a disaster. Most often, it does smoothly. I always buy DS his own seat - but that does not always help. On last trip to WDW, flight attendant asked me to take him out of car seat and hold him because he was screaming so much during landing. Thankfully, it was only for about 30 min or so (but it seemed like hours). However, more than 24 hrs travelling to Athens, DS cryed for less than 10 min the entire trip.

Good luck.

 

[imfortune8]

We have traveled extensively with our three kids from pretty much the month they were born. When they were little, I bought new "lift the flap books" and didn't show them until they were a necessity on the plane. They can keep them busy for hours. Just make sure you don't buy anything that makes noises. That isn't very considerate of the people around you. I also found that the "Sticker books" were excellent for taking up a good chunk of time. Another idea is the mini magnadoodle boards. We play a game in which I draw something and they guess what it is. Once the child is old enough, we can reverse the game and I guess what they have drawn. We also download some of the Little Einstein videos to my husbands phone, or our computer so they can listen with headphones. Just try the headphones a couple times to get them used to it before the plane.
Mostly, you can't get on the plane thinking you can read a book, or take a nap. When your with kids, flights are not that type of experience. You are pretty much responsible for keeping them "entertained" for the flight. I actually do make them sit in their own seat with their buckle done up the whole flight. It may be a battle for a little bit, but it will save you in the long run.

Hope these ideas help.

Oh, one more thing. There are people that recommend you dosing your kids with allergy/cold meds, so they will sleep on the plane. I really caution you against this. You never know how the excitement of the plane and different experience will interact with their system. It could have the opposite effect and they could be bouncing off the walls. I don't sleep deprive my kids either for the same reason. I try to pretty much keep the same schedule, even though we are in a very different environment. It isn't easy, but with some creativity you can do it. I once had a sister who let her boys stay up way late the night before they flew, with the idea that it would increase the likelihood they would sleep on the plane. Huge mistake. Her boys were complete monsters that would not go to sleep even though they were exhausted.

Best wished,

Heidi

 

[brandylouwho]

I don't have one perfect answer, but these are things we have done in the past with our little ones.

iPod or travel dvd player w/ cartoons (must wear headphones or watch without sound though). We never bring this out right away. Don't want it to lose it's novelty. This was very successful at keeping DD entertained until we turned it off for landing...DD (barely 2 yrs old at the time) had a big meltdown. (Worst 20 minutes I have ever spent on a plane).

Sticker books or colorforms or magnetic board toys (repositionable), snacks like goldfish crackers, plenty of drinks, color book/paper & crayons or small dry erase board, a few books to read.

I have never flown with a 1 year old, but I will be this winter. I plan to bring her favorite toy (baby doll), paper & crayons, special (cheap) stickers for her to play with & plenty of snacks & drinks. As bad as it sounds, I am hoping she is into TV a little, so that she can watch cartoons. Last time we flew she was only 4 months old and slept the entire flight (thank goodness!)

Oh- and plan a trip to the restroom, little ones can't resist checking out the potty.

 

[MJAJmom]

I've travelled with both my boys at a young age. For a 1yo, I brought lots of snacks/food/drinks. He nibbled most of the flight. Bring favorite books to read, small notepad and crayons to scribble with. A DVD player could be watched by both your kids. Let your 5yo bring a backpack filled with their toys of choice. At the airport, I let the kids run around, they like to play with the telephones. We board the plane last instead of first -- wanting to spend the least amount of time in the seats. Most important, bring lots of patience and sense of humor!!

 

[KEMdisney]

Last month when we went to DW, my 19 month old niece pretty much cried for the first hour and a half of the flight. She is not a "lap baby"...hates to be held, doesnt want to sit with you -- really just wants to be alone. So when my sister tried to hold her on her lap for 2 and 1/2 hours, she didnt really react well. She had a bunch of snacks, books, crayons, etc...but those things all seemed to last less than 5 minutes each. Finally, after hearing her squirm, and seeing my sisters frustrated face-- my mom and I took her off her hands and brought her to our seats. All we had was a page of stickers, and we played with the stickers for a good 30 minutes straight. When she got tired of taking the stickers off the paper, and putting them onto the page -- we switched things up. I would put the stickers on her legs, she would take them off and put them on the back of the seat in front of us. Then I would take the stickers off the seat, and put them back on her legs. For some reason this was the only things that worked! I just thought Id add my tip in case it worked for someone else!

 

[mandi149]

I traveled with my almost two year old last November. I brought a little portable TV. Her favorite movie was Nemo, so we watched that. It was perfect cause it kept her seated. We also brought tons of snacks and juice. We gave her twizzlers, because she loved them and she rarely ever got to eat it....so she spent a lot of time trying to eat that. We also brought an etch a sketch and magnetic sketch those worked great too. I am from Pittsburgh too, so the flight goes really fast. Good Luck! Have fun!

 

[Dustin & Shelby's Mom]

My kids are much older now, but I would always carry EarPlanes for them. They have helped out even when they had slight colds. I could always find them at Walmart for not too much money.

 

[despina]

bring a dvd player with movies they picked out. bring some snacks.

since your first time flying, bring gum for ear popping, and I bought from CVS ear plugs (called earplanes) They worked great on this trip, they didnt have any ear pain with them.

 

[miprender]

We flew in 2006 with my DD3 & DS10mths at the time. I was so nervous because I didn't know how the children would behave. Well they were actually quite good. I think a must have is a portable DVD player with some of there favorite movies. I see some bring earplugs for it but I just turned it down low and it was fine. It also was great after in the hotel room when they wanted some down time and my DH & I were able to watch the regular TV.We also bring along the mini magna doodles on all our car trips too!!

I'll be flying again in April, this time with three kids who will be DD5, DS3 & DS1 so I am getting anxious again. We live in RI so the flight is about 3 hours but you can't beat the convience even if my anxiety level increases with each passing moment.

 

[dislover78]

Well I have traveled many times and had to do different things with each child. Be prepared! Have lots of fun and new activities for them to do. Dollar stores are great for inexspensive fun activities for kids to do while traveling. I have had to give my daughters tylenol a few times, and if you can try it out before hand - see how it affect them. Now that the older ones don't need that we all still use a saline nasal spray. The air in planes isn't new, it's just recirculated and I suffered from Sinus infections, and there is nothing worse than the heat and humidity and a sinus headache!

I also use some homeopathic remedies to help with relaxation - basically like drinking some chamomile tea!

 

[stephanie23]

Wow these are great ideas! I was really worried about my sons ears hurting him (my DD can chew gum so she should be fine). I didnt know that ear plugs helped. Its also my first time flying so I am new to this too. I am hoping for the best... getting ready for the worst

 

[daleswife]

OK we are going to disny in august and it will be our first time ever on a plane for me and my 2 kids. My 1yo does NOT sit still. I did not buy a seat for him (which I now regret) so how do you keep a 1yo calm during a plane ride? It is only 2 hours but he can barley sit still for a 30 minute dinner let alone 2 hours. Do you bring toys? Book? Both? HELP

OMG!!! I really could have written this post myself!!! Everything in your post is my worry too!!!. first trip on a plane with my 2 kids ages 1 and 5. 1 yr old dont set still, wish I would have bought him a seat...didnt. 2 hour trip from Knoxville TN to Orlando. Im just wondering if I should go ahead and get him a tix and if I should bring ear plugs for him......im gonna stay with this thread!!! BTW......my name is Stephanie too!!!

 

[stephanie23]

OMG!!! I really could have written this post myself!!! Everything in your post is my worry too!!!. first trip on a plane with my 2 kids ages 1 and 5. 1 yr old dont set still, wish I would have bought him a seat...didnt. 2 hour trip from Knoxville TN to Orlando. Im just wondering if I should go ahead and get him a tix and if I should bring ear plugs for him......im gonna stay with this thread!!! BTW......my name is Stephanie too!!!

Haha too funny! I am going to buy him ear plugs. I don't think I am going to buy him a seat. He hates his car seat and will prob. scream the whole time..lol

Our flight is 2 hours too, I have been told it will go by fast.. thats whay I am praying for

 

[daisy2jae]

When we took our 3 year for the first time we kept her busy with a movie on our laptop. (which we bring with to upload our photos on to make sure we don't have any problems with our memory disk) We also pack snacks, coloring books, books, etc... She even brought her barbie along and it kept her busy in the airport while we were delayed.

 

[AlisonR80]

For those of you who wished you'd bought your child a seat you can still bring the car seat and if there is a seat available you can use it. If not, then just gate check the car seat.

 

[peemagg]

Here is a tip that we learned the hard way. We traveled in January with 3 children ages 13 months, 13 months, and 2.5 years. We did have seats for all of them. We made the mistake of getting our seats close to the front of the plane. We thought that would be best with trying to get down the aisle. If I was to do it again I would get them closer to the back for the shear ability to load first. It gives you more time to hook in the car seat and stow away gear. DO NOT count on the airline allowing you to pre-board. Ours would not allow us. What I suggest if there is at least 2 adults, 1 load as soon as possible with as much of the gear as they can carry, then the other wait till the last boarding call is called and then go with the kids. This way the children are out of the seats just that much longer.


Do not forget to bring pacifiers, sippy cups and bottles for the babies to suck on on both the way up and on descent. This will help to clear their ears. Snacks the rest of the time will also help. Also if they have a special friend or blanket bring that on the plane with you. If it helps them feel more comfortable then do it. It will only be easier on you.

 

[tjmw2727]

ear plugs -

Just to clarify an earlier post, regular ear plugs won't help a childs ears but there is a product that helps some kids called ear planes. You can find them in the eye/ear care asile at wallmart or rite aid/cvs pharmacy's etc.

http://www.cirrushealthcare.com/EarPlanes-C8.aspx

Most kids are fine if they they can sip and swallow or chew and swallow so bottles, sippie cups or sport bottles are great. Gum or chewey candy like starbursts or gummies are good for older kids and even cheerios or gerber toddler chews are good for younger kids.

TJ