Flying with toddlers??? tips wanted. :)

[Zoesmama03]

What did you bring on the plane?

I KNOW I'm bringing and installing her carseat but what else should I bring other than a couple changes of clothes and diapers/pull ups(we are working on potty-learning but I don't want to chance an accident on the plane.

I most likely will be flying alone with a 2 year old. Kinda frightening but I know I'll do okay.


What did you pack in the diaper bag? I don't have portable tvs and such and frankly can't afford those but what other things did you do. I'm thinking maybe coloring book and a small(8?) pack of crayons or something. Maybe I can pull the tray down and she can color for part of the time.

It will be a nonstop flight so no transfers or nothing so that is good but to sit that long might be tough. Also is it even possible to fit a toddler and a "big"(I'm not average size) adult in the bathrooms in event that I have to use the restroom on the long flight from Arizona to Florida.


snacks, her soy milk, and blanket in case she gets cold I know I'll bring those things too. Gotta make a list eventually. I have 2 months until we leave but I like to be prepared and will want to make a list. We are actually moving to Florida but my hubby and brother will be driving and pulling our things. I have family there and my dad will be picking my dd and me up at the airport though his car has a built in carseat I still will be bringing my own though since we will need it for our car when dh and brother get there.

 

[Zoesmama03]

Also would it be a good idea to bring a stroller? For pushing her carseat through the airport. I will have some help getting to atleast the security checks but I believe our airport still does not allow people to escort you to your gate.

 

[DawnaJean]

I would take a stroller and gate check it. Before you go, I would "practice" pushing the stroller and figuring out a way to carry the car seat . Carrying the car seat is a bit awkward so any help you can get would be greatly appreciated. Depending on your car seat, the tray may not be accessible for your daughter. My son's seat sat too high for him to be able to use the drop table. While your DD could draw on top of a thick magazine, it is really hard to bend down and pick up crayons during the flight . Sippy cups are great for the plane. I have a cup with apple juice filled for take off and landing so he would continue to swallow and relieve the ear pressure. Some ideas for toys: pages of stickers and sticker book so she can reposition the stickers, small colorform set, travel doodle, one favorite toy/doll from home. DS liked Disney fruit snacks, goldfish.

Have a great flight and trip!
Dawna

 

[CEDmom]

I'd definitely bring a stroller and gate check it. Also get a carry bag for the carseat. Babies R Us should have them - I got ours online from One Step Ahead. They're around $25 but will fit the seat as well as a few changes of clothes in ziploc bags, some toys, snacks etc. For toys I'd recommend getting some of the Crayola Color Wonder products. The markers only work on the special paper included with them. The finger paints are also good but can leave grease stains on clothes if you don't wipe hands quickly enough. Crayola Model Magic is another good toy. It's like playdough but not as messy - it doesn't crumble. It's also softer so it's easy for the little ones to work with. Stickers activity books are also fun for that age. A new book or 2 would also be a good idea. Bring lots of snacks - those are always a good diversion.

The bathrooms are a tight fit but if you back in with your DD in front of you and wear something that's easy on/off you s/b ok. I'm not very big and when holding my DD I could barely turn around.

Have a safe trip.

 

[kelscross]

I know they call for families with small children to board first, but I have found that waiting to board last is better for my children because they would get restless sitting in the confined space until the entire plane loads. That way we board, and then they are pretty much ready for take off.

I don't know how you feel about sitting in the rear of the plane or at least nearest to the bathroom, with two toddlers I was up and down a million times to the bathroom and although I don't mind to fly I also don't like walking the length of the plane when we are moving...ha!

This year I am letting my girls pack a backpack with activities of their choice (ages 3 and 4). They will bring coloring books and crayons and when McDonald's had the brat dolls in the happy meals I kept them all for traveling. If they lose one big deal...it's a happy meal toy. I always bring snacks and a sippy cup. Even though my girls are drinking out of an open cup I always have them drink with a sippy on the plane to avoid spills.

Have fun...hopefully your little one will sleep on the plane it's not too bad then.

 

[hkite]

Suckers always come in handy when we fly with our 2 year old daughter. They help to clear her ears and keep her from going into meltdown mode.

Boarding last might be a problem with the carseat. It's very difficult to carry a carseat down the isle of a plane without hitting people in the head as you go. It's also hard to buckle them in, so if you have a stranger sitting next to you, they might appreciate it if you buckle the carseat in before they get onboard. I always preboard and hook the carseat in while my husband lets our daughter run around until the last minute. But, since you're traveling alone I would suggest taking advantage of the preboarding.

 

[KerriMc]

When we travelled in March, but girls were 4yrs and almost 20 months. The 4 yr old was great. She sat with my parents and our younger dd sat with dh and myself. She was great too. We did preboard, which was good because of the carseat. All of that action of people getting on the plane kept her occupied anyways. It didnt' seem to be that long before we got going. I had brought all kinds of things for her. The sucker was a hit before take off, but of course try getting it away from her!! The best entertainment for her was stickers. I had picked up tons of different sheets of stickers for a month or so before we left and packed a big ziploc bag for each girl with a mini sticker book and about ten different pages of stickers. This kept Olivia occupied for the majority of the trip. She couldn't colour because the tray was not able to come down without jamming into her legs. If you had one of the lap desks it would be handy, but that is just another thing to lug along. It is amazing how fast the time actually passes when you are travelling with them. Stickers, eating, drinking, singing (quietly) some songs, and before we knew it the plane was landing. She was awesome. People around us assumed she had slept the whole way!

When we go again next March she will be 2.5 yrs and we won't be taking the car seat. She will be probably potty trained, but I will have her in a pull up rather than worry about trying to make it to the bathroom. Actually ... the very first time we went my oldest was a month shy of 3yrs and she was toilet trained, but I knew that she wouldnt' like the toilets on the airplanes. So I put her in a pull up and told her that it was a "just in case" thing and she did have to go. So we went to the bathroom, but she didn't want to sit on the toilet, so I told her to pee in the pull up and we just took it off and changed her into a fresh one. Simple.

Good luck ... you can never start planning too early!!

Kerri

 

[traci]

Get a few small items/toys/books and don't give them to her until you have taken off (surprise her). That way she will have something "new" to entertain her, and the novelty may last longer

 

[rchristiansen]

RE: Bathrooms --- My DD needed my help to "go potty" on the plane. One plane I was on they had a bathroom in the back of the plane that was handicapped equiped. You simply left the door open and then the flight attendents closed a curtain around you --- like one of those hospital room curtains. Ask them to do that if you need a potty trip

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

When my dd was 2 we flew to California from NY..LONG TRIP!! I bought a bag with an airplane on it..and packed it with a few small new toys..a leap pad. And a special themed lunch box with snacks and stuff. The new toys kept her busy, and when that wore off..she could dig into her "fun snacks" we also brought our DVD player...that helped a litlte

 

[Zoesmama03]

Thanks ladies I will have to make a list today.

Her birthday is in 3 weeks and I'm sure she will get some new toys I can hide until we get on the plane.

I just might do the sticker book instead she LOVES stickers and gets them when she goes on her potty.


I had a travel magna doodle but dh hated it and threw it away. I may have to get another one for the plane then she can't throw crayons all over and she does do that at home.

 

[ptslp]

We just got back from 2 separate plane trips with my ds (2 1/2) and dd (6 mos). One thing I recommend is a marble notebook- I happened to have one in the house and brought it for my son's stickers. It was great because we didn't have tons of sheets of paper all over, plus the cover is hard, so it didn't bend, etc. He could color or just use the stickers without the tray table (though it did fold down over his seat). Snacks were also a big hit, as well as the small magna doodle. Books were good too.

As for the stroller/car seat, check to see if you can rest the carseat on the stroller somehow, rather than the bag- the bag was a big pain for us (we used it anyway because we had enough adults and only one stroller). We had to take the car seat out in most airports because of the size going through the scanners. Also, with your other stuff (probably at least one good size carry on, plus your stroller and daughter, carrying a bag over your shoulder or even pulling a bag may be difficult. Our carseat fit very nicely upside down on the handle of the stroller. It was perfect. Maybe you can figure out something like that.

Good luck and have a nice trip!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Rolls of stickers will keep my little ones entertained for HOURS! Snacks, such as goldfish crackers, are also good.

Crayons are a no-go for us. The kids draw on everything except their books. Also, the crayons roll to the floor; and guess who gets to retrieve them??

 

[have2getaway]

This came in so handy for temper tantrums on the flight. We do not allow our child to watch tv too often, but it can be a life saver on a 3 1/2 hour flight!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Window clings! If you are travelling witha car seat, FAA rules require that the car seat go in the window seat for safety reasons. Both of my DDs would spend the entire flight creating stories with their window clings on the window.

And if you think the airline bathrooms are tight with one person, try with an adult, 5 yo and 2 yo!! VERY tight then. LOL

 

[Jackson4]

I have to second the Crayola Color Wonder - They have sprial bound books so the pages won't go all over the place and there are little surprises that pop out when they color over the paper! The best part is the markers ONLY color on that special paper!!!!! Good luck

 

[utahkennedys]

When we traveled to WDW from Utah this past April (and we have our next trip coming up in Sept.), I had a Minnie Mouse backpack for 3 year old DD. Over a few weeks I picked up items to entertain her such as Silly Putty, a Glow Board with a pen that you can use over and over (peel back the plastic if that makes sense), Disney Princess paper dolls, new crayons, markers, coloring book, special treats, etc. Once I was on the look-out for things they were pretty easy and inexpensive to find. DD has LeapPad too but I hate when kids around me have loud games and I was afraid that may bother people. Delta also gave us this awesome snack pack with tons of little crackers, oreos, little cheeses, etc. which DD loved and it takes her a long time to eat. I am going to duplicate this on our next trip myself! My other tip is to travel when your toddler is rested, instead of during nap time, etc, unless your child really sleeps well on the plane.

 

[NoWorriesMate]

we live 14 hours flight from home and i am usually alone with DS2.5 for the trip and recently i also have DD 4mths.

things i have found useful are a small cheap photo album with photos of his favourite people in (also good when you are moving to help them feel more at home)

a velcrove wallet with old hotel key cards, monopoly money, a pictue or two etc - just like mummys. it is amazinghow long rearranging this can take.

a new book or two and a new car or plane (or what ever your DD is into)
and all of the drawing things people have already mentioned.
quiet singing is also good.

have a great flight it is not nearly as bad as expected

 

[lovesdumbo]

things i have found useful are a small cheap photo album with photos of his favourite people in (also good when you are moving to help them feel more at home)

a velcrove wallet with old hotel key cards, monopoly money, a pictue or two etc - just like mummys. it is amazinghow long rearranging this can take.

Those are great ideas!

I don't know if you'ld want to invest in this but I had great luck using this Backpack carrier Unlike a bag this sits close to your back and you can put a carryon on the carseat's seat. It worked great for us. Online its about $40 but I think I got mine for $30 from a Samsonite outlet store.

 

[FirstTimertoDiz]

What good ideas!!! I will be traveling with a 2 year old in December, and I will definitely try some of them out. Here is another link to a car seat carrier that I found- it can be used like a backpack, but it also has wheels to use. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/prod...dept=5427&path=0:5427:91365:164194#long_descr


HTH,
Lisa