Movie for flight necessary?

[kopmom]

We are getting ready for our first flight with our children and nephew ages 7,4 and 3. My son who is 4 gets major "ants in the pants" so we are getting some new activities for the flight. Even though it is only a 2 hour flight do you think we should bring a portable DVD player?

 

[Astro Orbiter]

You know your kiddo best.

What will it take to keep him quiet, calm, and not kicking the seat in front of him for 2.5-3 hours? A DVD? Music on an ipod? Playing Go Fish? Feeding him constantly? Sitting next to whom? And not next to whom?

What tricks work in restaurants and car rides?

My DD won't watch movies on airplanes. I think it's a function of the fact that she has a hard time hearing (even with headphones) and that she'd rather be crafting. (I bring scissors, tape, post-its, pens, and twistables on every flight. Post-its stick to anything!) I don't bring the DVD on planes any more.

 

[Padstack]

If you think the ants in the pants will be a problem on the plane and the movie will help calm him, then absolutely yes.

Nothing like trying to corral a kid on an airplane. I have watched a few flustered moms and dads chasing their kids up and down the aisle because the kids are bored. Not worth the headache IMHO.

 

[a1tinkfans]

We ALWAYS take the dvd, it is distracting, time flies by and YUP, You've arrived before you know it.
Have a great trip.

 

[snoopy5386]

remember even though your flight is only 2 hours, you could always end up with major delays. You could be stuck in the airport, or worse on the plane for hours.

 

[MJAJmom]

Always take the DVD player!!! Bring a favorite movie or buy a new movie. Every trip we take, I buy a new movie to watch on the plane. Makes it very exciting for them, plus they focus more on watching the movie since they are seeing it for the first time. For a 2hour flight, I would buy 2 new movies.

 

[imthatgirl]

we take along a dvd player if we dont fly jet blue. the only problem i find with them is the head phones. my kids get agrevated keeping them in and them when they do have them in they tend to yell over them at least every 2 minutes.

along with the dvd, we alos bring crayons and paper. white boards and dry erase markers. nintendo ds. mini magnadoodle.

 

[christa112]

We are definately bringing ours. Our flight is just about 3 hrs. I will buy a new movie the kids have not seen, which always keeps their attention and put it when we are all settled in and hopefully they will just sit and watch the movie the entire flight.

 

[Ashlander]

Definitely take it. Traveling is stressful and it may be good for your sanity to have it

 

[tjmw2727]

If he likes to watch and your concerned then bring it and bring headphones he is comfortable wearing. I just got a pair specially designed for kids in the electronics asile in wallmart. Nice padded earpeaces and a smaller design to fit smaller heads.

Since its a shorter flight I would try some TV on DVD to keep him engaged.

I would also try and keep an eye out for what he is playing with now and see if you can modify it for play on the airplane. My kids liked stickers, tape and post it notes as well as the magic pen sets.

If you have a leapster that's what my 6yo nephew likes as it can be more interactive than a DVD (and can be used with headphones!).

I would also like to second the PP about seating arrangements. We often sit an adult in our party in front of toddlers/preschoolers in case of seat kicking etc.

TJ

 

[WDWorBUST]

I got an IPOD Nano for Christmas this past year that I have only used a handful of times. It finally dawned on me that I could put some TV episodes (Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) on there for DD and then maybe a couple of movies too and not have the hassle of the DVD player through security. So just something to think about (although I'm sure most IPOD owners already have).

 

[deedeetoo]

I'm surprised at how many people have these things. My kids fly once or twice per year and we don't even own a portable dvd player so I would say its not necessary. They keep themselves busy with books, coloring, snacks (which I bring), and little toys. Our one bow to technology is a Nintendo DS. which my son brings on both car trips and on the plane.

That said, if you have a portable dvd player and it works to keep him quiet, why not bring it?

 

[brandylouwho]

Yes, cartoons on the iPod are awesome. It even helped us greatly when our daughter broker her collar bone (dad had a few cartoons on his iPhone--she zoned in on the show and stopped the screaming while we were at the ER).

Anytime we have flown with the kids we brought the dvd player (or in more recent years the iPod) along with other activities. We start out with coloring, card games, etc and break out the videos when the other activities get old or we need a break. This works great with the now 4 year old.

I am a bit concerned about our next trip. Our 15 mo old doesn't really watch TV. She loves music (so the iPod could help there too, but I got to get her to keep her head phones on).

oh the joys of travel with kids. I always worry, but only once so far have we had a real issue--daughter was 2 and was royally ticked when we were asked to turn off Findign Nemo during landing. Longest 15 minutes of my life, she cried the whole time.

 

[5 for WDW]

We always bring the portable DVD player with us. Usually one of the kids (the youngest) will watch a movie. Some trips it does not get used and they are all fine reading, drawing, etc.
Heck, I even brought it in June when my husband and I went down without the kids. I didn't watch it on the flight there but, I did watch a movie on the way home. My husband fell asleep as soon as we took off so, I had no one to keep me occupied (I am not a fan of flying). The movie was over right as they were making the announcement to turn off all electronic devices. It made the time pass very quickly.

 

[perkinsrose]

Starting flying when youngest was 18 months. My two kids easily focus on books & paper activities for long periods. I bring notebook, drawing pad, sticker books, & reading books and never had the need for movies. They love to fly. Our longest flight is 2 1/2 hours.

These DK sticker books are great for kids under 6yrs --ish. Maybe some older would like them too?? Most (under $10) are buy3 get 1 free at Amazon.com with free shipping for orders $25 or more. There are many more available. Here are a few. . .

http://www.amazon.com/Incredibles-U...r_1_27?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218724017&sr=8-27

http://www.amazon.com/Star-Ultimate...r_1_31?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218724017&sr=8-31

http://www.amazon.com/Cars-Ultimate...r_1_32?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218724017&sr=8-32

http://www.amazon.com/Disney-Ultima...r_1_34?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218724182&sr=8-34

http://www.amazon.com/Winnie-Pooh-U...r_1_36?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218724182&sr=8-36

 

[LisaInNc]

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst!

I would make sure I had plenty to keep those boys seated quiet and happy on the flight and during any delays.

 

[kopmom]

Thanks for all the great advice and tips.

Great idea about the seating, luckly my husband and dd can sit in the row in front of us. I think I may bring it and his leapster and MP3 player. My ds has a fine motor delay and we think ADHD, so he is not much into coloring or drawing.