Tips for flying with a toddler

[DBDiz]

This really doesn't properly fit kids until closer to 4, despite the description. If it doesn't fit right he can slide out the bottom if there's bad turbulence or if he is wiggly. I really recommend bringing a car seat, if you don't want to bring your usual one, you can get a cosco scenera ( very light) at walmart for $39. Then either bungee it to a carryon or get this http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000JHN3AS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1397175918&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40 He might even nap in a car seat!

We bought a Scenera as well. We have a Chicco Nextfit that would be a nightmare to haul around (and I seriously question whether it would even fit in a standard airplane seat) but it was also the only car seat we had. The Scenera will function as our 2nd car/babysitter seat when needed. The harness wasn't an option for us, our DD will only be 17 months when we fly in July. But the fact that the Scenera is half the price of the harness would have swung me anyway.

 

[luvmy2babies]

We flew when my son was 2.5. I flew with my daughter at 2.5 as well. Both of mine do well with fruit gummy snacks during takeoff and landing. It is not always easy to get them to drink something, but the chewing it takes to eat the gummies has worked well and both of my children love them. My daughter is 10 now and isn’t a frequent flyer by any means, but has flown 8 times and says it’s been the best thing we’ve used for that.

Whatever kept them still and quiet and entertained at home usually worked on the plane for me. I have used coloring sheets, small quiet toys, , stickers and books. I haven’t used electronics with them on the plane yet because at 2.5, which was the last time my son flew, I didn’t feel he was old enough to understand when that announcement came that it is time to turn everything off and I was concerned about his reaction. I agree about the triangular crayons. Those are good for plane and automobile.

As to the CARES Harness you can rent them on eBay. I did that and it was easy. I don’t feel we fly enough to justify owning one. There are multiple sources for renting them on eBay. You set it up with the seller. They send it to you before your trip and you send it back to them within the time they specify after you return. The cost of the rental is reasonable and usually includes the shipping both ways.

My son was much happier in the CARES Harness than in his car seat on the plane so were my daughter and I. But in our case I am the only adult and it was a lot to carry bringing the seat along. But on the plane, with the CARES harness he could use his tray, he could sit in the middle instead of at the window, which meant dd could sit at the window and I got out of the middle seat and no worries about him kicking the seat in front of him.

But I used his car seat until he was big enough for the harness. Minimum weight for the CARES harness is 20 or 22 pounds I think. He's 4 now, but still on the small side, so I’m considering renting for our trip in May. Just put a pad under the bottom like the rubber pads used in cabinets. The lady I rented from recommended that because it prevents them sliding if the plane seats are leather like on Southwest. It worked with my son, the prince of energy.

 

[T4K]

I think they've lifted the restriction on electronics. All my most recent flights did not have the electronics restriction. They just ask that cell service is turned off and the device be placed in airplane mode.

 

[4leobeans]

We live in a community with no road, so our oldest daughters have flown many times. They've also taken vacations where we've had to fly. Both are pretty good fliers
They both bring a small backpack (filled) with whatever they want to bring...they have to carry them though. What's worked well:
-Magnetic doodle boards....seriously, spent entire flights entertaining them plus, the "pen" is attached so it can't be lost
-Stickers and notepads
-small board books
-little toys (playmobil etc)
As another poster mentioned, don't underestimate the novelty of the plane. Every flight we take now, the first 10-15 mins are spent reviewing the safety brochure...we look at the colours, numbers and see what the people are doing
Finally, if you're lucky, you'll have an understanding person behind you that likes peekaboo

Bring some self feeding snacks that don't make a mess (yes to gummies and raisins, no to goldfish)

Have fun!

 

[epsmith921]

If you still use sippy cups, bring an empty one for filling after you get through security.

 

[evedein]

When my grandson was 2y/o we took him to Disneyland. The flight from Baltimore to California was a long one. I brought a small roll of masking tape. It worked wonders. He spent hours playing with little strips of tape, sticking it to things & pulling it off, rolling it into a ball, etc. I highly recommend it. It's small,cheap,light weight & won't leave sticky residue on anything the way stickers do.

 

[denneg]

We have done the Boston to Orlando trip 7 times with our son between the ages of 10 months and now 5 years old. He's don't other flights as well, but that is the longest. For the most part, he's so excited to be on a plane he ends up conking out after it takes off! The whole excitement through the airport and spending time there wipes him out. I used to bring tons of stuff for him, but realized he doesn't want to color, and if I bring stickers (especially when he was younger) I spent the second half of the flight peeling them off the trays and arm rests! I load up the iPad and iPod with shows or a movie and games. Then I bring a couple of books, his leap pad, a few small toys and snacks. And lollipops, which he uses during take off and landing. I always get a few small treats as surprises on the plane, so when he starts to get restless I can pull out something new! It tends to go by pretty fast, and since flights to MCO are loaded with families, everyone is in the same boat and understands if a meltdown happens!

 

[prettylittlelady]

Next month will be our second trip from Honolulu to Orlando. We've also previously flown from Binghamton, NY to Honolulu and round trip from Honolulu to Newark. So, our kids are pretty use to flying and long flights at that.

I would definitely suggest buying a new (and inexpensive) toy for the flight. We usually surprise our kids with these during the flight. Fruit snacks or a lollipop (anything they can chew or suck on) will help during take off and landing. I even eat fruit snacks with them because my ears pop like crazy, haha. Bringing his LeapPad is a good idea too. I also suggest crayons and coloring pages, books and some snacks.

Good luck with your flight..I hope it goes smoothly!

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

I love the Melissa and Doug reusable sticker pads (they are like the old "Colorforms" I remember playing with when I was little - vinyl stickers.) We have one for home that my son loves and we got a new one that I'm not going to let him see until we get on the plane. You can get them on Amazon. Unfortunately DS is still using a pacifier at night and for naps - the past 2 times we've flown I've let him have it at takeoff just in case his ears bother him and that's my plan for our upcoming trip as well. It didn't really seem to phase him though.

 

[4leobeans]

We live in a community with no road, so our oldest daughters have flown many times. They've also taken vacations where we've had to fly. Both are pretty good fliers
They both bring a small backpack (filled) with whatever they want to bring...they have to carry them though. What's worked well:
-Magnetic doodle boards....seriously, spent entire flights entertaining them plus, the "pen" is attached so it can't be lost
-Stickers and notepads
-small board books
-little toys (playmobil etc)
As another poster mentioned, don't underestimate the novelty of the plane. Every flight we take now, the first 10-15 mins are spent reviewing the safety brochure...we look at the colours, numbers and see what the people are doing
Finally, if you're lucky, you'll have an understanding person behind you that likes peekaboo

Bring some self feeding snacks that don't make a mess (yes to gummies and raisins, no to goldfish)

Have fun!

Okay, just returned from a week long trip out (which also included two four hour road trips) and I want to update my response.

iPad loaded with the movie "Frozen" ....all you need even my three year old who can't sit still for a tv show watched it about 5 or 6 times over the week

 

[msmama]

I also always tuck in at least one grocery bag for trash collection during the flight (crayon shavings, wrapping from the new toy, food wrappers, etc). I find it's easier just storing it myself.

 

[darkpixie08]

We love the CARES harness, we've been using it since DD was about 18 months, and never had a problem. Use either that or the car seat.

We also love these for travel, and they are reusable, as soon as the water dries the page is blank again.

http://http://www.amazon.com/Bendon-Disney-Mickey-Clubhouse-Surprise/dp/B00A1AJY9C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1398352084&sr=8-2&keywords=Disney+water+ink

Lots of snacks are a must, I will also ditto the lollipop comments for take off and landing.

Also the other big thing is practice, practice. Play airplane at home, talk about how you need to stay in your seat, use inside voices, not kick the chair in front of you. Prepare them for it before hand, it will help immensely.

The other thing we try to do is be the last ones on the plane. Any extra time not sitting is good. Let them race back and forth to an out of the way pole or trash can to burn off some energy before the flight.

 

[lorenni]

This really doesn't properly fit kids until closer to 4, despite the description. If it doesn't fit right he can slide out the bottom if there's bad turbulence or if he is wiggly. I really recommend bringing a car seat, if you don't want to bring your usual one, you can get a cosco scenera ( very light) at walmart for $39. Then either bungee it to a carryon or get this http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000JHN3AS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1397175918&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40 He might even nap in a car seat!

I disagree - there are height and weight guidelines - and the harness fits so long as your child is within those parameters. Our 2.5 year old sits happily with his harness and he flies every couple of months. We bought it as soon as he was big enough to use it.

I know a number of 4 year olds who would be entirely too big for the Cares harness.

 

[DSNY4ever]

We just got back from a trip to Europe to visit family- an 11.5 hour flight with our 2.5 year old. He LOVED it. He actually asked if we could do it again the next day . My best tips-

- Talk a lot about airplanes and play "flying to the airport" with his toys.
- As everyone else mentioned iPad games and headphones, plus a few new episodes of whatever his favorite show is. My DS's favorite apps are Lazoo, Petting Zoo and Toca Cars.
- This color with water book is AMAZING and totally mess free, and can be used over and over again (great for times when electronics can't be on- http://www.diapers.com/p/melissa-doug-water-wow-animals-734599?site=CA&utm_source=cse&utm_medium=cpc_D&utm_term=MD-1095&utm_campaign=googleproductsearch&CAWELAID=1593687288 He also liked playing with this in the morning while we were getting dressed.
- Special snacks that he likes and doesn't usually get (for us this is fruit strips, cheddar bunnies, and those squeezable fruit pouches).
- Bring your own blanket for your toddler (because did you know they don't wash those pillows or blankets, they just put them back in the plastic bags and place them out?!?! So gross!).

Seriously, special tv shows, playing iPad games and having special snacks with a couple special surprises in mom's backpack made it "the best day ever". I wish I felt the same about the long flight, I am 6 months pregnant and was uncomfortable, tired and cranky! This was not DS's first flight, so he was looking forward to it and knew what to expect. But our 7 hour flight to WDW last year went great too. Good luck!

 

[DSNY4ever]

This really doesn't properly fit kids until closer to 4, despite the description. If it doesn't fit right he can slide out the bottom if there's bad turbulence or if he is wiggly. I really recommend bringing a car seat, if you don't want to bring your usual one, you can get a cosco scenera ( very light) at walmart for $39. Then either bungee it to a carryon or get this

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000JHN3AS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1397175918&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40


He might even nap in a car seat!

We used ours for the first time when DS turned 2 and he is average size. It fit just fine. The best tip I read (on here!) was to pack a small square of that rubbery shelf liner stuff and place it on the seat so he doesn't slide (especially if you end up with leather seats). I have actually found this to be a good tip whether you have a harness or not.