Flying with kids

[EKimberlyE]

We are taking our kids dd 6 and ds 2 to Disney for the first time in September. Looking for advice on how to keep them occupied on the plane. I'm mostly nervous about my ds 2, he as a really hard time sitting still.

 

[TinaLala]

My advice is to find a toy he really likes that makes minimum noise and bring it. Do you have a mini-dvd player? What about taping yourself reading some of his favorite books? a Cd player with his favoire music. coloring books. Vtech has some great learning 'books' that you can teach and have fun at the same time.

 

[stacy6552]

Movies movies movies. Get a dvd player with dual headphone jacks.

 

[asoko]

Pipe cleaners kept my kids (4/2) busy for the whole flight home. The 2 year old would ask for one and the 4 year old would pick it out, crumple it and pass it to her. It was funny, but they were busy and happy. Every once and a while DH or I would make a car or crown.

 

[MiniGirl]

Pipe cleaners kept my kids (4/2) busy for the whole flight home. The 2 year old would ask for one and the 4 year old would pick it out, crumple it and pass it to her. It was funny, but they were busy and happy. Every once and a while DH or I would make a car or crown.

I was going to suggest bendaroos -- as long as they won't put them in their mouths. Pipe cleaners/chenilles do the same thing except stick on things like the window.

DVDs are great entertainment, too, but may be a llittle bulky/heavy.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I would bring ds2's car seat. Most kids sit better in their car seats because they're comfy and familiar.

 

[LWatson]

If you have a hand held learning or regular game for them those are what kept me sane w/ my 3yr old. My hubby had an old GameBoy Advance SP laying around and I just picked up a couple games for my oldest that were like $1 (like The Incredibles) or so (the most I paid was like $6) and let him play them on the flight. My youngest colored with the Color Wonder markers, played w/ a few action figures, or played with peanuts.

 

[tinkmom2]

I packed crayons, coloring book, and load my ipod with children's songs and videos to keep her busy.

 

[Erica09M]

I would put your 2 year old in thier car seat, especially since you said the child has a hard time sitting still.

 

[cmusschoot]

If you can get those gel window clings, and you child sits by the window, they can play with them for a while.

I have had both of my kids on a plane at under 2 and 1 flies very well, and the other doesn't.

While I am not a big candy mom...I have also found that Dum-Dum lolly pops work well..as it takes them a while to eat them and they are low(ish) on calories...and sugar. Also helps during take-off and landing with cabin pressure.

Happy flying!

 

[DisneyBuffinDE]

As for put the kids in the car seat not sure it is a great idea for some kids. First make sure that the car seat has a sticker that says it is FAA approved. If this sticker is not on the car seat they will not allow it on the plane. We went down in Feb with my now 2 year old and 5 year old. 5 DS is fine 2 dd not so good. She hated being in her car seat on the way down and the first thing they did when we boarded was flip it over and make sure it said FAA approved which it did. On the way home we checked the car seat and it was a much better flight. I suggest iPods. We are probably getting refurb ones for Christmas so they have their own. We also got magnet books at The book store so they can move the things around. But it will be fine trust me.

 

[cheap traveler]

This is a great tip I have read, just won't work for me. }
They allow people traveling with small children to board first - DONT.

Let kids run around the terminal until final boarding call to run off some energy.

I can't do that because my DD5 needs extra time to warm up to a new place. So we do board first, but my two have no trouble sitting still.

 

[mousygirl]

I totally agree with not getting on the plane until the last minute. Last time we went with our DS5 and our DDwas 18 months. My son and I got on the plane early and carried on all of the gear and my husband and daughter waited until the last minute to board the plane. The flight attendants were totally fine with us going on early.
Our plane ride was a 2 hour disaster with our DD. This time I am going to load my Itouch with movies and songs for her to watch/listen to on the plane.
I also may use the lollipops, although I am not a fan either, but lately it seems to be the only thing that works.
The only nice thing is that it is a flight to Orlando and people have to know that there will be a million kids on the flight.

 

[FunkyDuck]

I agree with pp. I'm loading my ipod or DH's laptop with a few movies and music she likes.

She did surprisingly well last year at 18mos. During that trip I just kept pulling items out of my backpack one at a time...i.e. post it notes, disney figurines, colorwonder, etc...small items that were new to her.

Now she's a tad older...I think the movies should hold her attention for a majority of the trip. Fingers crossed!!!

 

[treehugnmama]

we read stories. Last trip I bought a disney book for each chold from costco and each book had 8 stories in it. My kids love books and were happy to be be read to for two hours at a time lol

 

[waltskids]

The carseat is a great help (especially if your little one doesn't sit still). We also bring the DVD player with movies (don't forget headphones), stickers and a sticker book, snacks, lollipops to help with ear pressure, and DS's favorite Eeyore stuffed animal. This year I think I will try the pipe cleaners. Have a great trip!