helP! last minute purchase for trip

[mikkiwikki]

Does ANYONE know where I can get QUIET activities for kids to do during long plane ride.

I was thinking today about some fun hand held WATER games..I had as a kid...yknow - no batteries required...but you push a button and things (balls, rings, whatever) float around in a clear plastic container.

I loved these as a kid..but it seems the game boys have overrun this market, and I am trying to hold out paying 100bucks just for a toy to keep my kid occupied on the plane.

Anyone seen these..? Just checked toyrus.com no luck

 

[staci]

Maybe try any dollar stores in your area? also, I know that some local drugstores still have a 'toy' isle with some older type toys. Or a party supply store, with the party favors.

I like the idea on here about pipe cleaners to play with, we got a big bag for $1 at dollar tree and dh and I played with them as much/more than ds!

 

[staci]

Just saw your kid's ages. ds also played with a barrel of monkeys alot, and although we lost many its not like they were expensive. Also, I found some little cars (matchbox type) with disney characters driving them at big lots, although this has been a few months, he liked playing with them on the tray.

Stickers were great, some disney ones at the dollar tree , perfectly quiet and he stuck them all over the seat in front of him, they came right off the fabric quickly upon landing

I have heard of getting window clings for the airplane windows.

i got a little magnadoodle. i brought his happy meal disney characters from mcdonalds.

tons of little snacks, fruit snacks, 100 calorie cracker packs, etc.


hope this helps you

 

[susykt4]

I got a really inexpensive 2 pack of generic magna doodles in the store brand toy aisle at ShopKo. My kids (5 & 3) also enjoyed magnetic books that came with LOTS of magnets that I found at WalMart for about $5 or $6 each- got a truck one for DS and princesses for DD. I saw some SpongeBob water games at Big Lots but they played stupid music/sound effects when you pushed the buttons. My local party store sells the good old magnetic Doodle Balls and Wooly Willy.

 

[go cowboys]

COLOR WONDER!!!

We always get crayola color wonder stuff and the kids love it. Plus it doesn't write anywhere but the specific paper.

 

[mjh8955]

There are so many wonderful educational things now, Leap Pads are made even for toddlers. Our nephew is 4 and took one on a plane recently and it really helped make the time go faster for him. Avoid anything with pieces; you will be scrambling around on the floor looking for things. He also did well with stickers. Our flight was only about an hour and a half and he did great for his first flight. (Except he couldn't potty in the airplane bathroom. Too wierd for him I guess.) A magna doodle works too. Once our kids started reading we never had a problem with trips. About Gameboys (or similar things); we have one for each child, DD11 and DS14. They are older models with very few games. The ONLY time they get to play with them is when we are traveling. They are put up the rest of the year. It does help the time go by and because they rarely get to play with them I don't think we are doing too much damage

 

[ntburns22]

I second the color wonder! The fingert paints were great! We didn't have to worry about dropping the caps to the markers.

 

[lmogs]

From a mom who flies across the Atlantic at least twice a year, these are all great ideas. I'm usually alone with 2 small children (2 and 3), and I think my favorite item is the car seat so I can strap one of them down!! Here is my MUST have list:

**Lots of different snacks (trail mix, granola bars, fruit gummies, gum) and sippie cups (in a zip loc - they always leak just a bit!!)
**Magnet books
**Magnet blocks
**Color wonder markers and paints
**Several sticker books (all stickers are HUGE hit)
**Mini magna doodle
**Favorite stuffed animal, blankie and a few fav. books
**Balloons and bubbles (great for lay-overs - don't forget the zip loc!)
**DVD player
**Some spare money in case I need to buy the people around me a drink!

Most important, though. . .is to keep all of these things NEW! My kids don't touch most of these for at least two months before we go. . .so they are so excited to play with them on the plane. Approach it as an adventure instead of dreading it. . .you'll all enjoy the trip more! Good luck!!!