How was your Child's first plane trip?

[PaulaSue]

Can you tell I am getting nervous to take the girls on the airplane. I don't want to be the family that everyone hates by the end of the trip. At least is is only a 2 hour flight. My oldest 2 fight like cats and dogs if not kept busy.

I am planning on each girl carrying her own backpack and packing snacks, coloring stuff and little stuff like that that can be used and thrown away for each way. (I want to pack lightly, a big joke considering how much I actually pack.) I am thinking of packing a DVD player in my bag also to help pass the time and keep me and the other fliers sane.

Any helpful tips, anything I forgot to include? TIA

 

[graygables]

My children's first plane trips were all when they were babies, so that's not a fair answer for you.

I don't know how old your kids are, but my oldest flew 8 hours when they were 4 and 6 with no problems. It is important to keep them occupied and seperated if they tend to fight. Gummi snacks, chewing gum, coloring books, playdough (either homemade in baggies, which mine love to do or in the "travel packs") or modeling wax. You'll be surprised how little "down time" you have on a 2 hour flight. The excitement of ascent and descent will eat up at least a half hour, plus any beverage service will keep them occupied for about 15 minutes. Keep their mouths and hands busy and you'll have a peaceful flight!

I've tried the DVD route before, but that means they have to sit together, and then they tend to fuss over who has the better headphones (identical), better view, it's too loud, it's not loud enough, etc.

On our next flight, I'm taking pictures we've printed from the internet for them to color to leave with our mousekeeping tips. They think it's great that they can leave a "present", too and it will keep them occupied.

Good luck!

 

[jonestavern]

I've flown with DNiece2 & with DS6now16.
Whatever toys/DVDs/CDs you decide on, make them ones just for that occassion. they'll be new & the girls' interest will be there--hopefully. For new DVDs, if you've brought 2, don't give them the choice, simply pull out one, to avoid fighting. Take these toys out one at a time & just when interest wanes & the girls get antsy, pull out another.
Bring some gum or other food requiring chewing, to clear their ears on take off & landing. Gum is usually not available at the airports any longer.
If you sit together a storybook is handy, also. I don't know how old they are, but when DSthen7 flew we did a travel journal, both written & voice recorded. We used his FisherPrice kiddies tape recorder & he did 'interviews' with FA, DH & I. Since he doesn't get airsick, he was also able to record journal notes (everytime he got a snack, used the restrms, safety drill, everything ) . A cheap little Polaroid would also work here.

Jean

 

[BlueBayou]

My oldest daughter's first trip was during the last week of my 6 week maternity leave so it was a piece of cake.

But we have traveled a couple of times in the last year with my DDs (just turned 5 and 2 1/2). It was not as bad as you would expect. One time I flew practically coast to coast with them by myself (and I have a very supportive DH who normally helps me control them).

Unless your kids are very 'difficult' I think you are worrying a little too much. Just the fact that they are doing something new/exciting really helps my girls act civil.

One thing to watch out for is what your kids pack in their backpacks. I let mine choose and since they were not heavy I did not bother to check what they brought. My 2 year old brought some toys that were totally worthless in terms of keeping them busy on the plane. I had stuff in my backpack and the diaper bag, so I was not counting on my 2-year-old to choose well, but she picked just about the most useless group of items. She must have been in a 'kitchen' mood, because she packed some play cups, plates and plastic food. To this day I have NEVER seen her play with these items. She didn't want them on the plane. She didn't play with them at grandma and grandpa's. I am at a loss as to why she selected those items. It was just odd.

Have fun on your trip.

 

[Disney Ella]

Mine were in kindergarten the first time they flew and did fine with the actual in the air part, but they really suffered with their ears when we descended. (They did have gum, but that didn't help.) Since then, they've always used ear planes and although they say their ears hurt a little, they aren't crying in pain anymore.

They had backpacks full of things to do and that, and looking out the window, kept them busy One was worried about the plane crashing. I told her that if I didn't think the plane was safe, we wouldn't be getting on it. She still worried, but not so much that it was a real problem.

 

[CleveRocks]

My then-5 year old son and then-2.5 year old daughter first flew back in May, which was also their first trip to WDW. We had ZERO problems. Each had a backpack with snacks and activities. Also, I checked out the airplane's layout well in advance of seating assignments being made. The left side of the plane was 2 seats, and the right side 3 seats. We chose to all sit on the left side, behind/in front of each other. In other words, my wife and daughter sat in seats 7A and 7B, and my son and I sat in seats 8A and 8B. That way, we could talk and pass things back and forth as needed, but the kids couldn't fight. By being lucky enough to have a plane with a "two seat" side, we also thankfully didn't have to involve anyone else in any shenanigans, such as the two times we ended up swapping seats, etc.

But like I said, we had no problems on either leg of the trip. Good luck!

-- Eric

 

[tlbwriter]

My DD was 5.5 on her first flight and it was fantastic. She had a backpack of toys and snacks, as well as her DVD player, but she was so interested in the airplane and the view that she probably would have been fine without them!

 

[minkydog]

You're taking a DVD player? Wow, unless you're kids are really badly behaved I don't think you're gonna need that. I agree with the previous posters who recommend separating the kids. Have each one bring a backpack with some small items in it. Truly, there will be so much going on I think they will be plenty distracted.

I took my autisitc DS10 on his first plane ride last summer(1-1/2hrs). Believe me, I was worried because he is not easily distracted, nor does he sit still for very long. But I brought a few of his favorite things(he chews on CD cases ) and he was happy. I did pack him his favorite treat--oatmeal --and glad I did. The return flight was almost 7 hrs due to weather delays.

 

[SSDonut]

I always have some sort of a coloring book or sticker book activity (one that is a surprise when they (DD7, DD4) get on the plane. I also pull out a special lollipop to help with ear popping (don't forget the wet wipes!).

Another favorite of ours to pass the time on a plane or in a restaurant, are those little magnetic tins with magnetic clothing--they come in all forms, even Disney princesses now. They can really entertain for a while.

Our flights (from PHL) are about 2 hours long, and I think you'll be amazed at how quickly the time goes--don't pack too much!!

 

[welovedisneyx4]

DD went on her 1st flight when she was 4. (She is 9 now) We flew from Raleigh to San Antonio, w/ a stop in St. Lewis, so it wasn't a real short flight. DD was fine, we did the gum thing and she had her favorite doll w/ her. I think we packed a backpack w/ a few toys, mostly coloring books and small things.

She says she doesn't remember alot about that flight, so our Disney flight will be almost new to her and we have DS5 this time for his 1st flight. We are going to take DD's Gameboy and probably our DVD player. I know DH will say we don't need it, but I am worried about getting stuck somewhere. We will be flying home the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so it will be super busy. I also have plans to take some gummi snacks and Cowtails--easy to pack and they go a long way in making the kids happy. This flight isn't a long one, so hopefully they won't be fighting!!!

 

[megan4777]

We just returned yesterday and it was both DD's first time on a plane. DD#1 is a bit over 2 and she was exhausted heading down. She kicked the seat in front of us whenever she got mad at me (and I did apologize several times..and held her legs when necessary). She did well with sticker books, picture cards and stuff. Oh we also gave her gummy snacks when taking off and landing which helped her ears.
On the way home she was fine and fell asleep. When she woke up we were looking at her sticker book and she proceeded to vomit EVERYWHERE!!! I'm not talking a little bit...the kid, her carseat, harness, everything was covered. We were in the front seat so the flight attendant gave us a garbage bag and a huge stack of paper towels.
I don't think that the flight caused the vomiting and she's not sick so perhaps she was just bored and wanted to liven up the flight for DH and I
DD#2 is only almost 4months so she slept and ate...
We only heard one other younger kid on the flight down and we heard a baby on the way home....that's it. I'm sure your kids will do great!! Have fun!

 

[disney_me]

DVD player all the way!! My DD was 6 her first trip on a plane. I also let her pack her own pack-pack with things to keep her busy. Snack yes, but we fly Southwest and they have plenty of snack I think. My daughter also got to see the captains before we took off. She really liked that. Books are good too if your kids are of reading age. Southwest also give out kids activity books with a crayon and stick on "captain wings" I got one too!! Don't worry too much they will do fine!

If not, tell them you will have the captain turn the plane around back home!!

 

[4lilpoohs]

My boys are going on their first flight in December. I've only been on a plane once when I was around 7. I'm nervous about everything I'm nervous about getting around the airport by myself with a 5 year old and a 2 year old. I'm nervous about flying! I worried about their ears. I'm still trying to find earplanes for them. I'm afraid my kids will bother someone else. Hmm I guess I didn't make you feel better did I?

 

[disney_me]

What are earplanes?

Am I a bad mon for not knowing what they are?

 

[4lilpoohs]

They keep you from having pain in your ears due to take off and landing. They screw in your ears.

 

[jonestavern]

I want to add that on one trip DS had the class Teddy Bear.
We got wings for DS & for the bear. I asked him if Teddy was nervous (we were on a flight packed with screaming children! & I could see the signs that it might be 'catchy" ). I told Teddy when the plane was taxiing, turning etc. Patrick soon took over 'soothing' Teddy & explaining the airplane to Teddy. It worked for us, along with the above methods in my previous post.

Jean

 

[Servants of Evan]

More than the on-board entertaining, you need to prepare your child.
The main thing is telling them a few times of what to expect in advance. Talk briefly about going through security, waiting and then boarding the plane, putting their backpack under the seat in front of them, fastening their seatbelt, etc. You can talk about taxiing, and then tell them about it getting a lot louder and then going real fast (my favorite part). You can warn them that a flight sometimes may be a bit bumpy -- we call it "chuckholes in the sky" but that it won't last that long.

If your kids are into science, bring on board a snack-sized bag of potato chips. Leave it sealed and place it on the tray in front of you after takeoff. As you climb, the bag will begin to puff up as the air inside was sealed at a higher atmospheric pressure. When you finally begin your descent, the bag will return to normal as the pressure in the cabin again increases. Yes, I know all commercial aircraft have pressurized cabins, but they are not pressurized in flight to the same extent as normal ground-level...

Give your kids something to chew for the descent (and I additionally suggest some decongestant before they fly -- making sure their sinus cavities are clear will help avoid pressurization problems). Lastly, you need to relax yourself. If you are nervous and tense, your kids will instantly know it and they will quickly become nervous as well. We all know how a little misgiving can quickly be blown out of proportion by a child's imagination.

Servants of Evan

 

[PaulaSue]

Thanks for ALL the tips!!!!

I am a planner and trying to make sure I can do everything I can to make sure everyone has a great vacation. I cringe when I read of kids kicking seats, etc...and I just want to keep my Yin (Cole) and Yang (Em) not on that list.

 

[Disney Pal]

Toys, Toys, and a DVD player. We just got back from Disney on Fri with our 2 year old triplets and it was crazy. They way down was bad. The confinement is what they didn't like. I felt so bad for the people in front of us. Then on the trip back someone had a DVD player in back of us and they went crazy when they could not go back to watch too. I was in tears when we got off the plane and said never again would I ever bring a two year old on a plane.

 

[sarsah]

Both my boys were infants for their first flights (DS#1 was 4 months old and DS#2 was 2 1/2 months old). My oldest has flown probably almost 30 times and he is only 5 1/2. My youngest is 2 1/2 and has flown 5 or 6 times. He is a terrible traveler -- always has been, although he is getting better.

Definately bring the DVD player -- that is a lifesaver for us -- and maybe a new DVD for them to watch. Also, buy some inexpensive toys (think Dollar Store), a new coloring book & crayons, etc. a new book or magazine if they can read, and pack those in your children's backpacks. The new stuff will keep them occupied. Also, bring some snacks -- maybe something that you don't let them have at home too often, so it is a real treat.

I flew, with my 2 1/2 year old two weeks ago, home for a funeral. Before the trip I bought him a package of Matchbox cars, a new book for his Leapad and a new Dora the Explorer (his favorite TV show) DVD. Expensive, I know, but I was desperate for him to be a good traveler for this trip. I also bought some snacks that he doesn't usually get at home. I had only a few very minor problems with him on the place (due to weather, once we left the gate, there were 35 planes ahead of ours to take off, so sat on the taxi-way for an hour, hardly moving, before being being able to take off). Once we were in the air, he was very well behaved.

Good luck!