Help me pack for the plane for my 18 mo old!!!

[horner5]

Now that I'm nearing the 'week away' mark, I'm trying to think of things that will keep my 1 1/2 year old daughter amused on the flight. I've thought about renting a portable dvd player, but for the rental cost, you could buy a new one and since we already have a dvd player in the car, that seems a little extreme. The flight to Orlando will be from 6:50 a.m. to 9:18 a.m. , so she'll still be groggy, yet awake. I may hold off on feeding her breakfast until we get on the plane so that will take up 20 minutes of flight time. She rides pretty well in the car and usually sleeps, but I'm not counting on that for the plane.

What do you suggest packing for her to keep her entertained? Unfortunately, I don't think the "thrill" of being on an airplane will phase her.


Thanks so much!!!

 

[tiggerzpalz]

We just recently flew with my son who was 16 months at the time. I just paked some juice, a few of his favorite snacks, a few small travel toys and some small books. We killed some time with the food, he fell asleep for a bit and then he played with his toys. I packed a variety because I was so worried that everyone on the flight would hate me by the end if he cried but he was excellent both ways. Our flight time was about the same too. Hope that helps. Enjoy your trip.

 

[EpcotLover]

The first time our daughter went to WDW was at 6 months...what a trip.

One cool thing that is easy to pack and is easily contained are magnets and a magnetic board. We found one in a toy store that opened like a book with little animal magnets inside....great fun and they weren't falling on the floor all the time!

Another cool thing is "books on tape" you can pick up a boatload at your local library and as long as you have a portable tape player with working headphones...you're golden!

Good luck and remember to hope for the best! but prepare for the worst!

 

[dlrhine]

We went to WDW Dec. 7-14 2003 and took our 2 year old, almost 3 DD and our 18 month DD. We flew out of Baltimore to Orlando on an 8:10am flight and we had no problems. I like you was worried since we had two little ones to keep occupied. What I found is being at the airport two hours early woke them up before they normally would and then I let them walk around until it was time to board the plane...this was wonderful it made them both sleepy. They both were asleep by the time we took off and the youngest didn't wake up until we were at the gate and the oldedst woke up 15 min. before we landed. We bought both girls seats and put their carseats in the airplane seat, this helps being they are use to riding in them and don't ask to get up, they know when they are in them they stay in them, plus when we go on long car rides I don't have anything to entertain them other than look out the window. I might be bad for not doing that but they are now use to sitting still and not being occupied for 2 hrs. Good luck...just in case I packed books, snacks, juice, crayons, even the baby will scribble. They'll do fine. Enjoy your trip to the world, it was wonderful my kids loved and can't wait to go back in April.

 

[DisFam95]

Just got back with our 18mo. He slept 1hr on the 2.5hr flight down. We spent time eating and I bought a travel size magnadoodle that was new to him for the trip. I brought coloring book/crayons, colorforms set, goldfish crackers and raisins. Don't bring things that have too many little pieces so if they drop them you don't have to contort yourself under the seat to fish around!!!

He did like to swing his feet and was kicking the seat in front of him. I now realize how hard it is to stop a toddler from doing that. There was no one in the seat thank goodness but I took his tennis shoes off on the flight home so it was not such a thump and his sock feet slipped around on the tray.

He slept the entire ride home..I think he was just exhausted from the week off schedule.

 

[horner5]

Thanks for all of your replies!!!

I went shopping over the weekend and got some goldfish and other easy to eat foods and juice boxes. Sometime this week I'm going to go to our local toy store and grab some cool travel toys (with not so many pieces!).

I definitely like the idea of letting her use up her energy at the airport before we depart. I think I plan on being one of the last ones on so she doesn't has to wait in the seat for so long.

Here's my philosophy-prepare for the worst and hope for the best. She came down with pink eye over the weekend and we're heading to the doctor this morning. I am so grateful that it happened this weekend and not next weekend!

Thanks again!

 

[dreamalittledream]

I have flown with my DD when she was 9 mths, 17 mths and 19 mths. She was very good for the most part. The $1 store is a great place for new small toys, keep a few hidden for the trip home. She loved the magnadoodle too.
Here are a few things that helped distract her (besides food LOL):
1. I filled a small box with different textured fabric cut in shapes, bits of lace, string, pompoms, etc... costs nothing and if you loose a piece, very replaceable. she liked laying them all out or matching them up and we talked about the textures, colors and shapes. I have since transfered it to a ziploc and she still plays with it at 2 1/2.
2. She loves Little People so we brought a ziploc of those. They did tend to roll under the seats though so keep a count of how many you bring.
3. Wooden beads and a shoelace string, (bring non round ones so they don't roll)
4. stickers and paper or colorforms (without the box)
also ask your Dr. about a mild cold medicine that would make them drowsy. I didn't need it but my brother's child responded well to that. Also, bring a straw or sippy cup to drink during take off for the ears.
sorry this post is so long, traveling with that age can be great, they see all the things you miss!
Have a great trip!

 

[Amyality]

Bring a stroller! You will get ahead in line at the security check points not to mention all the obvious advantages of having a stroller for a little one like not having to carry them, can hang purses and things on stroller, kid can be restrained. They take your stroller right at the door to the plane and store it in an auxillary storage area then your stroller is waiting for you when you step off the airplane. It was GREAT having a stroller (I love my CHCCO CADDY...it is THE BEST for the $$). I have two small children and the best things we had last trip were colorforms, tiny play dough containers, gummy snacks and juice boxes. Do pack extra clothes for them, this is the time you will have a diaper blow out or something.
Best,
Amy

 

[horner5]

Do pack extra clothes for them, this is the time you will have a diaper blow out or something.


Yup! I'm already planning on that one

I think that's my Murphy's law kind of thing.