Ideas to keep my 26 month old son occupied during flight?

[connorsmom911]

I had to laugh when we were planning our trip last fall when DS was 20 mo old. I had called SWA to ask some questions and mentioned about our buying a ticket for my son. She said because he was under 2 that I didn't need to, he could just sit on my lap for the flight. I burst out laughing and said, "Lady, if my son is not strapped down in a 5 point harness in his car seat he will be all over your plane!!!". (Really he is an absolute angel, just on the go all the time).

Anyways, I did pack a backpack just for him with snacks, drinks, soothers, blankies, new books, new toys...and he ended up sleeping from 10 minutes after take off to 10 minutes before we landed, go figure. The ride home he was awake a little more but still slept for most of the trip.

I have read that window clingers work good if they have the window seat.

Tracey

 

[jiggerj]

If the bulk head seats are available I try to get those. They are usually reserved for handicapped but if they are open you might want to ask at boarding. A few years ago my ds at one point kicked by accident the seat in front of him (his legs were just the right length to the seat in front) and the very nasty man in the seat had a fit in the plane that my son kicked his seat. Believe me he wasnt nice about it and almost had my son in tears.

If you are flying song, you can check the seating and they have great tv's that are attached to the back of the seat in front. Last trip my son really enjoyed tracking the plane on the map!

 

[ladydancer]

I bought suckers for take off and landing. The toys I brought were new toys that the child had never seen before. I took each toy and wrapped them like a gift. Eating the sucker took awhile then opening each gift takes awhile also. By the time the child has the sucker opens 3 or 4 toys and plays with them has a another sucker during landing. The plane ride is over.

 

[caribear]

I have flown many times with my now 2 1/2 year old. When she was younger she would sleep for most of the flight, but now all she wants to do is get out of her car seat and walk around. I really wish I had a portable DVD player as the one in our car can keep her calm on our 3 hour drives. Some good items to bring are crayons/coloring book, mini magna-doodle, color wonder finger paints/markers, small books (lift the flap books are great! DD can spend a while on a new lift the flap book.).

 

[mimif1]

I used to fly pretty often with my daughter when she was little. All the little presents are a great idea and finger snacks. Who knew that the seatbelt in the emply seat next to her would be her favorite toy. She buckled and unbuckled that seatbelt for over an hour! Go figure. Also, if you plan on doing the medication route, make sure you try it out at home first to see how your child reacts. I have one of the hyper reactors! You sure don't want to find that out on the plane!