Musical Books on Airplane O.K.????

[Anna'smom]

Is it o.k. to bring musical books on the plane? My DD loves the different Disney books that light up and play music at the touch of a button. I just have to make sure that they wouldn't be too noisy for the others on the plane. I'm trying to come up with as many things as possible to keep my hyperactive toddler occupied. I think people might appreciate a musical book over a screaming child. Thanks in advance for any help.

Laura

 

[PrincessGracie]

I thought of this exact thing when we went to WDW last December...
You'd be surprised how loud it is on the airplane because of the plane engines. My DS played with his music books on the plane and my mom said she could barely hear it and she was sitting across the aisle!!

Good luck!!

 

[tttessa]

Hiya
I think you have to think - would it be ok if everyone in the seats around me did this if I was trying to rest. Sorry, but I would hate it, and I would seethe for about 30 min and then say something I would totally regret.

I think noisy stuff is ok FOR SHORT periods - but anything over 20-30 min is just plain annoying...... sorry...

My girls have a hand held game system with headphones for that very reason.

Tessa

 

[mommytoone]

I agree with PP. I would not like to listen to that for 2 hours, thats how long our flight is.

 

[livndisney]

I agree, I would not like it.

 

[PEANUT1]

Is it o.k. to bring musical books on the plane? My DD loves the different Disney books that light up and play music at the touch of a button. I just have to make sure that they wouldn't be too noisy for the others on the plane. I'm trying to come up with as many things as possible to keep my hyperactive toddler occupied. I think people might appreciate a musical book over a screaming child. Thanks in advance for any help.

Laura

I think it is probably ok bc it is so noisy on the plane. Bring the book and see what happens. You could always ask the people around you to let you know if the noise is bothering them. Being upfront about it will probably cause people to be less annoyed with it. We bring our laptop with movies and all and my 4 year old doesn't like wearing headphones...I don't even think anyone can hear the movies bc of the engine noise.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Instead, how about

coloring books and crayons
color wonder marker sets
regular books
stickers
magnets
colorforms
cd player or i-pod loaded with her music and headphones
pipe cleaners
magna doodle

There are so many other quiet options

 

[liznboys]

I have to say no. Those noisy books annoy ME after a bit, I wouldn't want to force that upon anyone else. Also, if I were on a plane and wanted my own little one to sleep, and the people near us had a little one with a noisy book that was keeping my little one awake.....that would greatly bother me.

I do get your point about people would rather hear a noisy book than an unhappy toddler. But I think it's your job to keep all noise to a minimum. So you'll need to find other non-noisy ways to keep your toddler happy. I understand first hand what a challenge & stress that can be! (We flew 4 times (so 8 flights) last year and my youngest was 11 months, 16 months, 16 months again, and 17 months for those flights.) But I do believe if we parents of toddlers choose to travel in a public way, then it's a task we have to undertake.

Here are some things I remember giving him: small plastic slinky, post it notes, ziploc baggie with the slider top so he could open and close himself-put small portions of snacks in them and let feed himself, empty plastic airplane cups-a few-put a few snacks in them toddlers love to sort/empty/fill over and over, stickers in combonation with all of the above (stick them inside the cups etc), little character figures who can play inside the cups as houses, small cars, straws... I was creative and gave him anything safe that I could think of. And I would really, really play with him, engage him and distract him. It is not an easy task, I was always emotionally TIRED after our flights! But it was worth it for the shorter travel time to WDW.

I also wanted to add that although the plane engines do muffle some sounds, you can hear the people close to you, especially in front of and behind you. We've had some noisy neighbors on flights and it is bothersome, especially when your toddler is asleep and you are praying they will stay asleep and the noisy person behind you keeps almost waking them up...

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Do not bring such a thing under any circumstances. It's completely obnoxious...and if your kid even knows you have with you, they will want to play with it.

Bring something with headphones....that's what every considerate adult does. No one listens to music on their laptop speakers.

 

[Zeebs]

No no no no......... and I have two small children that I will need to entertain so I know how you feel about finding something that will keep them entertained. But don't those toys get on your wick after a while imagine how you, little lone, the people sat near you will feel after even 10 mins of musical beeps and bips. Planes are not that noisy to drown out repeatative music to everyone around you.

And to prove my point Cullen has just switched on his most noisiest toy. Yikes.......

Kirsten

 

[frtchr]

My guess is that everyone gets it. No musical books. Moving on...

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I think its fine. We didn't bring books on the plane with us, but a play flip phone and a play calculator. We could barely ear them, and they are acutally pretty loud toys!! But on the plane the engines are so loud I could barely hear let, let alone the people rows away. And I agree - just tell the people around you if they think its to loud, just let you know. Kids are kids, get over it people!

 

[DVCJEN]

Don't do it. There are too many people in a small space. Someone will get annoyed and complain or worse. I guarentee it.

 

[BeckyScott]

Depending on when you're taking your vacation, if it is a direct flight or not... I sincerely doubt your kids will be the only kids on the flight, and you're not going to be the only family all hepped up going to Disney. I fully expect both of my boys to be so totally buzzed about the trip, plus it's their first plane ride.... I apologize in advance to anyone who is looking forward to a quiet flight, but if you get on a plane in June headed to Orlando, there's gonna be kids on the flight, and they're gonna be excited kids.

Given that, it is quite likely there will be other families with kids around you, and the toy isn't going to make much difference one way or the other.

I'd take it, but pack it in your carry-on and not tell her you've got it. If it turns out that there are other kids close by with their GameBoys and screaming babies then it wouldn't be a big deal. If you are flying a red-eye and are on a flight surrounded by adults, not a good idea, save it.

Some of those books are louder than others. Maybe a bit of shopping and experimenting in the store, you can find the ones that are a little quieter?

 

[hoosiergirl7]

I have to agree with everyone that says no. I can't stand the musical books - we've never owned them. If I were on the plane with you I would probably confront you about bringing them. Yes planes are noisy however, they're not that noisy because I can hear people's iPods because they have them up so loud. Maybe I've also just got really sharp hearing.

There are plenty of other things you can bring to entertain your child. My DS is 4 and has been on airplanes 3 - 4 dozen times in his short existence already and I've had very little problems finding things to keep him entertained.

 

[Anna'smom]

Thank you, everyone, for your frank replies. I really appreciate it! I have to admit that I don't like to fly in the first place, but I do it. I get very anxious. To add to that, I am very stressed out and nervous about flying with our daughter. Not only am I concerned about how we're going to feel (hubby and I) if our child gets fussy, I'm really worried about the other people on the plane. I always do whatever I can to not have her upset others when we are in public places. I don't want to upset anyone.

What makes this situation complex is that our daughter has special needs. While she's 3 1/2 years old, she's more like a 2 year old. She doesn't talk yet so she can't express her needs and feelings. This, at times, causes great frustration on her part (cries, freaks out). Also, she has low vision; she can see, we just don't know to what degree yet. We think she might have difficulty with details and pictures that are busy with little contrast.

I tell you all of this because it gives you somewhat of an idea as to how challenging this will be for us. I am limited on what things I can bring that will keep her happy and calm. While she loves books, we are limited due to her vision. She is not really into play-doh or the doodle pads. We are bringing a portable DVD player so that we can play her select few Baby Einstein movies that she likes. I am bringing lots of picture cards that she likes, as well. Oh, I can't forget the food items that she "will" eat. She loves music and lights. We just bought a headset, but we're afraid she will not tolerate it. I am going to practice it with her tonight. We are leaving tomorrow morning (Friday) so we won't have much practice unfortunately.

I might bring a few of the books and feel the situation out. I will definitely ask those around me to let me know if the noise bothers them. I am so stressed out about upsetting anyone. Unfortunately, I can't guarantee that I can keep that from happening. I am very limited. We do have a behaviorist that we work with and we do discipline her in a suitable manner. I don't want anyone to think that we let her get away with things because of her special needs. Thanks for letting me ramble on!

Laura

P.S. The best flight we could get was this: CA to Tennesse--stay on plane--head to Orlando. She will be in her carseat on her own seat.

 

[NotUrsula]

If she likes to be read to, make some CD or MP3 recordings of you reading her favorite books, and have her use them with the headphones. Make it clear that on airplanes headphones are required, or you don't get to play with the toy.

If you absolutely must bring something that makes noise, put a piece of duct tape (or 2) over the speaker holes -- it will cut the volume considerably.