Keeping a 3.5 Year Old Occupied on a Plane

[LexisAuntieLala]

I am taking my niece to WDW in March. We are flying about 3 hours from Boston and I would love any suggestions you may have how to keep her busy on the plane ride! We are bringing coloring books and crayons and my iPod with movies downloaded, but not sure these will be enough. We are traveling in the middle of the day, and with everything new on the plane, not sure she will be up for a nap!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Benedryl???

 

[aanderson5]

Three hours isn't that long. Bring snacks, a couple of favorite shows or a movie, stickers, story books (new) and you will be fine. I have flown a few times with DS the longest being 4.5hrs when he was at 18 months and have never had any problems.

 

[tammy1210]

I think you'll be fine with what you've got and some snacks. Have fun!

 

[Cibahwewah]

We have kept the kids occupied for hours with movies and small toys such as a Magna-Doodle

 

[karliebug]

pipe cleaners. They are quiet and you can make all kinds of animals and people out of them. Portable dvd player is great if you have one. Buy a bunch of little dollar store items and pull out a new one every 15-20 minutes.

 

[tammy1210]

I did just think of an idea that we used when my ds was 3 - I wrapped up new gifts - I think a magnadoodle was one of them, in addition to the videos and coloring books - she opened one on the way and one on the way back - it seems like "new" things hold their interest longer....

 

[mejkjj97]

I did just think of an idea that we used when my ds was 3 - I wrapped up new gifts - I think a magnadoodle was one of them, in addition to the videos and coloring books - she opened one on the way and one on the way back - it seems like "new" things hold their interest longer....

We did something very similar. We also flew from Boston and it was much better than I expected. I went to target and bought a backpack for her to use as a carryon. I added new toys inside- mini magnadoole, new crayons & coloring book, and some of her favorite snacks. She did not get to see it until we got to the airport.
that plus a portable dvd player and letting her sit by the window so she could look out side kept her very content.

 

[homemaker]

stickers, stickers & more stickers!!! I took plenty of stickers with us and when the plane landed DS and I were covered with them. He loved decorating my arms.

Also my boys love to play I spy. You know i spy with my little eye something ___(pick a color). This keeps them busy guessing and asking questions.

Have a great trip.

 

[bubba]

The first time we flew with DS he was 3 1/2. We were so worried as he is very high energy We took books, cards, small trucks, paper, crayons ... He didn't play with any of it ! He spent the whole trip looking out the window and playing with the in-flight radio !

 

[FigmentsFan]

Portable DVD player keeps our three year old busy for the flight

 

[northriver]

I've tried everything, with various levels of success.

Today I was at Target at 6am and bought my first portable DVD player. I know I can make it to Disney DVD free but I'm already dreading an 8 hour flight to Alaska in June - so I finally broke down and purchased the DVD player. While struggling to keep my child calm on the plane, I see so many happy, quiet, calm kids on planes and each and every one had a portable DVD player. Now I have one too, Thanks Target!

What I've done in the past:
1) only lightweight and SMALL toys are allowed in my bag
2) small paperback books
3) small disney figures
4) crayola model magic - doesn't crumble like playdoh
5) mangadoodle
6) post it notes - fun for HOURS stick all over mommy, the plane, write numbers and letters and have the child spell their name or put numbers in order. Plus we use them to cover the auto flush potty sensors - Disney has some SCARY auto fushers.
7) small activity books
8) FOOD - breakfast/lunch, rasins, m&m's, granola bars, cheese stick, etc. I go for things in small pieces that take lots of time to eat.
9) we still take our own carseat so my dd has a cozy familiar place to sleep. (and she is conveniently confined to ONE spot!)

*we have special "disney" books and toys. We pull them out ONCE a year for the plane ride to Disney. Better than new because it is rediscovering old "friends" and it gets us in the Dinsey mood too.

Now each and every time we fly, as I carefully pack my bag, I always chuckle because what is the big deal with flying anyway? I toss my kids in the car about once a month for a 3 hour drive with NOTHING to keep themselves entertained and I don't think anything of it and neither do they. I guess if they fuss in the car, no one has to hear but me - as long as I manage to keep the car in my own lane while they screem I'm good...

 

[colinsdad]

Portable DVD player and a bag of M&M's.

I kept my 3 y/o occupied for about an hour playing "guess what the next color M&M will be picked out of the bag" game.

Of course, you have to play slow and take turns with who actually gets to eat the M&M.

 

[JKnLydia]

Portable DVD player and a bag of M&M's.

I kept my 3 y/o occupied for about an hour playing "guess what the next color M&M will be picked out of the bag" game.

Of course, you have to play slow and take turns with who actually gets to eat the M&M.

M&M's sound dangerous. I'm not taking any chances on a sugar high for DD3.5. I'm glad someone mentioned the magnadoodle. That wasn't on our list yet.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

We uploaded a few movies and some 20 minute cartoon shows that she liked at the time (backyardigans, higgly-town, etc.) onto our Ipod. We did have to get her the over the head earphones, as the earbuds are not safe for small children.

 

[TexasBee]

Snacks, some books to read together, and a basic card game (Go Fish or the like.) My 3YO did good with those, plus just the whole novelty of the plane. One of Disney's magnetic play sets is another idea.

 

[nikkers]

I think you will be fine. I recommend no chocolate. It melts, and can be very messy. We let each of our kids pack a small back pack. We always have the travel magnadoodle, stickers, colors, colorbooks or small notepad, and of course snacks. Around Halloween Target had pencil top stamps in their $1 bins. We do not put them on top of pencils. They are small, and not messy. My kids love to play with them, it has kept them entertained for at least an hour. I just found some new one's at Michael's, 6 in a pack. I have not traveled with them, but I am bringing them on our January vacation.
Have a great trip!

 

[minnie1012]

Colorforms are great too. She can stick them on the plane window. The wrapping of the little things is great too. We did that for my daughter when she was 3 and just loved it. Spread them out, don't give them to her all at once. Remember you'll need stuff for the return trip too!

 

[Schmeck]

I am taking my niece to WDW in March. We are flying about 3 hours from Boston and I would love any suggestions you may have how to keep her busy on the plane ride! We are bringing coloring books and crayons and my iPod with movies downloaded, but not sure these will be enough. We are traveling in the middle of the day, and with everything new on the plane, not sure she will be up for a nap!

Our first two trips we drove from MA to WDW - a 3 hour plane ride will be a piece of cake! Girls were 5 and 2 1/2 on first trip, 7 1/2 and 5 on the second. I printed out Disney coloring pages, and bought some cheap things at the dollar store. We put our little tv into the van, and the girls watched one movie, that was it. We played a lot of games, like naming things with all the letters of the alphabet, singing songs, etc. I know no one wants to make a ton of noise on the plane, but spending some time just reading stories or talking to the little one could be the start of a great trip! Also, it would be practice for waiting in lines at WDW...

 

[sss]

Hi,
WE have been flying with my girls since they were 9 months old... they are ow 6, 6, and 4. New small toys are always great..i've always been afraid to put earphones on my kids so we have actually never done the dvd thing...things that have worked great for us include snacks (cheerios, animal crackers...one time a bagel and cream cheese took them an entire hour to eat, lol), new barbies (disney princess ones of course), sticker books (barnes and noble has a great selection), and the ever popular figurines. My youngest can talk to herself (fantasy play, not crazy) for literally two hours...if you're little one is a big imagination girl, these are great...there are no shoes or clothes to fall off! Also, on our most recent trip to WDW in Oct. (did i mention we fly from Newark Airport?) I got them each a fairy barbie size doll and those were a BIG hit....hth...good luck and and have fun!
sss