how do you entertain a 2yr old on a flight?

[Pills]

When we last went down to WDW with our then 2 year old (she was a month shy of 3), we followed a lot of the advice here - new toys, etc. We were on JetBlue, and got regular headphones for her (though she had a hard time keeping them on). She also liked WikiStix, which are essentially 6" long bits of wax covered string.

Did I mention that our flight, while supposed to take off at 8:55 PM didn't go until 11, land until 1:45 AM or so... and she didn't fall asleep until we were on the ME about halfway to the hotel?

 

[maxiesmom]

In double checking both the written regulations and with customer service for the airline we fly most often, there is no rule requiring the use of headphones. Further, on just about every flight I've been on since the dawn of portable electronic media (which has covered most of the major air carriers), there has been someone watching a movie on a laptop or DVD player without headphones. I've never seen anyone give them a hard time about it or enforce the use of headphones. Perhaps that is the case in your experience, but clearly it is not an enforced regulation on all airlines.

Kind of like how Disney sometimes enforces the no flash on rides rule, yet other times does not. It would just stink to be the family that was told they had to use the headphones, and have a child that refused to, wouldn't it? Or to be on a flight where the person next to you complained about it.

Not to mention, it is just common courtesy. I don't want to hear you kids movie, and I'm sure they don't want to listen to my music. No matter how soft you think it is playing, if it is loud enough for your child to hear it, it is loud enough for the person in front of them to hear it too. And I can't remember a time in flight where I have seen people use DVD players and NOT use headphones.


Best thing is to have headphones and have the child prepared to use them. That is what I am saying.

 

[2meezers]

We have travelled with both boys since they were 1-1/2 years old. I would always get a larger pencil case and fill it with all new things....pencils, small pad of paper, cars, lunch box size snacks, dollar store toys,etc.....little things that occupied alot of their time....

sticker sheets.....they would love to just sit there and peel stickers and stick them on their notepads and paper

rolls of scoth tape......they would just sit there and pull out the tape and make balls and stick it everywhere and just be completely occupied

lock and key.....they loved opening and locking the lock with the key

Washroom.....the "blue water" and flushing the toilet was always a great way to get them out of the seat and distracted.

You just have to be flexible and realize that most people around you are really not as intoleratnt as you think they will be.

So manytimes, I have gotten off a flight and thought that my boys were horrible only to have comments from passengers around us how well behaved they were.

 

[stacym]

When our son was 2, we brought his car seat at the advice of our friend who is a flight attendant. Kind of a pain to get it through the airport but well worth it. We brought the portable DVD player with some new movies, bought several inexpensive little new toys from him to open on the plane i.e. Hotwheels and snacks. That being said, he slept most of the three hour flight and stayed in his car seat the entire time.

 

[pixarmom]

If our pre-schooler doesn't want to wear the headphones, he just watches with the sound entirely off. He's little enough that the sound is not always the main attraction! So that might be another option for little ones who do not like to wear headphones.

 

[pixarmom]

So manytimes, I have gotten off a flight and thought that my boys were horrible only to have comments from passengers around us how well behaved they were.

So funny! That's happened to us several times, too!

 

[LisaxMarie]

What airline are you flying? Maybe find out if they have a televsion in the seat infront of you? The portable DVD player never goes wrong. Just bring whatever he likes thats portable.. Also encourage a nap time!

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this to our transportation board.

 

[malibuconlee]

I didn't read all the replies. however you said you would be sitting by your 2 yo in his car seat and across the aisle from your other boys. You do realize your 2 yo will have to sit in the window seat, you in the middle, then the older two across the aisle not next to you? Just wanted to be sure you understood that.

Anyway, snacks, stickers, and a laptop with a dvd are what kept my daughter busy on the plane. She also napped on one flight this past trip. Kinda miss when she would sleep on all flights!

 

[LeeMomto3]

I'm curious, I will be traveling shortly with my 3 children 7, 5 and 2. Why does the 2 year old have to have the window seat?

Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

Most airlines have a rule requiring headphones if you want to listen to music or watch a movie. I've seen FA enforce the rule and once told a passenger to please use his headphones or turn off the sound. The passenger was sitting across the aisle and one row up from me. The sound was loud enough to bother me. Passengers in surrounding seats thanked me for speaking up. It was an action movie with explosions.

A rule that's listed in the magazine is certainly valid. There are also rules that require passengers follow the instructions of the flight crew. That includes a FA telling a passenger to turn off the speakers.

Common courtesy suggests headphones even if you can't find a specific rule.

At a minimum the passenger next to you and the passenger in the seat in front of you will be bothered if the volume is loud enough for the person with the DVD/MP3 player to hear.

Years ago I was on a flight with a handful of movie screens down the cabin. There was an announcement made that they forgot to load the headphones. The pilot said he would play the audio using the intercom speakers (no charge) but wouldn't do that if a single passenger objected.

 

[ccgirl]

I'm curious, I will be traveling shortly with my 3 children 7, 5 and 2. Why does the 2 year old have to have the window seat?

Thanks!

The Carseat has to be next to the window so as not to impede a person from moving in/out of the row. If you are not bringing a car seat, it does not matter where the child sits. Of course, they cannot sit in an exit row. Other than that...they should be fine.

 

[ccgirl]

Just remember, you are not alone. Especially on a flight to Orlando. I remember being petrified of bringing my son on the plane a few months ago because he is very hard to keep still and keep quiet. His car seat was a Godsend! Although it was "inconvenient" to lug around. It kept him in one place and in a familiar surrounding. He did not sleep as I thought he would - and I booked the flight around his nap time. He hated the window - doesn't like bright sun, so I had to keep the shade down the whole time. I could not bring playdoh...got taken by TSA. Albeit, it was homemade playdoh. Maybe they would have allowed it if it was in the can??? I also brought the DVD player but he was not into that at all. He colored for a bit. The thing that really made him quiet was I made a snack mix that he absolutely LOVED. Definitely doing that for December. I am also going to use the PP idea of having "surprise" bags. Thanks for the idea! If you use the tape idea..watch they don't cut themselves. The area where the tape is torn off can be very sharp. Other people have suggested sticky notes...similar to the tape idea without the sharp edges. Again....please don't worry - you are not alone.

 

[Deesknee]

Having flown with kids of all ages ranging from 11 mnths - 18ys. it's not always the young ones that get freaked out.

Judging solely by my experiences the best advise i can pass on i got from someone else (i'm pretty sure from these boards) In each of your childrens backpack/carry-on have a WRAPPED surprise (inexpensive- they will remember & anticipate it future trips). If you are really nervous, maybe have extras in your carryon incase anyone of your children need more distractions. When oldest 3 were young I found polly pocket type toys for my boys. The ones i found were Ninja Turtles. They LOVED them. I don't know if they still make them. Also...remember to wrap gifts for the flight home.

Also, don;t forget that special blankie/teddy if anyone needs one to sleep. Make sure it's in the carry-on, not checked.

Also, my pediatrician suggested small amounts of dimetapp for the 3 nights previous to flying. ( I forget how much). Our doctor stated it helps to keep the ears from blocking. Honestly we all (even adults) still do this before flying. Coincidence or not we have had very few issues with ears. You should check with your childrens doctors. Also, check with airline regulations if you can bring 3oz or < as ajuice box. Doctors also suggested this as the pressure that build in the box combined with the sucking the straw helps with ear pressure. Or if your youngest still drinks from a bottle that would work also.

Have fun. Good luck.