Tips for flying with very active 19 month old

[goofy4wdw2]

HELP!! DD will be 19 months in March when I fly alone with her to visit family in Florida, and then will be just over 2 when when DH and I take her to WDW this fall. She did fine for our WDW trip at 8 months old, but now she likes to run and she's fast! The flight might be ok since she'll be in her carseat and will hopefully know she has to stay there, but I'm really nervous about how to keep her occupied while waiting in the airport...and she doesn't like to stay in her stroller very long. I'm especially nervous to attempt this without the help of my DH in March (accountant...tax season...can't go). So please tell me...do you have any tips for occupying a 19 month old in the airport and on the plane, and in general making the trip easier? Thank you in advance!!!

 

[Cory's Gal]

We are taking my son who will be turning two 1 week before our trip this month. He is an active guy but has gotten a few things that have REALLY kept his attention. Magna Doodle or Doodle pro drawing pad, he LOVES this and will play with it for 30-45 minutes sometimes. We also bought him one of the puppy back packs that has the long tail for us to hold on to. This gives him the independence to walk but not the freedom to take off. He has already practiced wearing it on his back and he LOVES it! Also bought a Mickey coloring book in the dollar spot at Target and crayons.We are using the waiting time at the airport for doing a lot of walking and exploring to burn some energy!! Good luck!

 

[MNdisneymom]

We took my now almost 4 year old DS when he was 20 months for his first tip to WDW. At the airport...one thing he really loved was he had his very own itty bitty backpack which was really only big enough to put in a few board books and small toys (I think it was supposed to be a backpack-style purse, but it was perfectly sized for him)...he was so happy to have that little bag, he thought he was such a big shot wearing it on his back We purposefully scheduled flights at nap time--he slept almost the whole time both ways. But before the flight he loved sitting by the window, staring out at all the planes. (Plane was one of his first words--to this day, he still loves them

the parks, I used a kid harness that had elmo on it--he was going through a realllyy big Elmo stage at the time and loved wearing it.

Hope that helps.

 

[DizKarAzy]

A few years ago I traveled to Florida to visit my parents with my 2.5 year old DD and 6 month old DS. I went by myself because my DH was at home redoing our kitchen (which is why I took the trip!).. I knew it would be very difficult w/ the 2 kids and all the luggage, etc at the airport. My DH drove us to the airport and we asked at check in if it would be possible for my DH to accompany me to the gate so I could have help until boarding time. They said sure and he showed them ID and issued him a "gate pass". He was allowed to stay with me and help with the kids at the gate until we boarded the plane. We called my parents in Fla and told him about this and they also received "gate passes" and met me at the gate once I arrived. Therefore, the only time I was really alone was while I was on the actual plane! Just make sure the people bringing/meeting you bring their ID with them. I'm not sure if this is still allowed because it was 2 years ago but it's worth the try! As for keeping them busy, I recommend a portable DVD player and/or lots of books and crayons..
Hope this helps!

 

[happypooh]

I second the portable dvd player! Saved our trip when we were delayed 2 hours at the airport with nothing to do. Also, bring snacks with you and small toys to dole out at appropriate times. Stickers helped while we were on the plane too. DH had his laptop with him and it was funny seeing him with his computer and our 21 mth old son with his small dvd player!

 

[Shells9]

When DD was little I used to save Happy Meal toys for long trips, and every so often (15, 20 minutes) give her a new one. That kept her occupied for a long time!

 

[NotUrsula]

Use a chest harness and rein, but make sure there is are no metal parts on the harness. This will be especially useful at security, where they will prefer for her to walk through, and where she won't be in her stroller because it will have to go through the scanner. You'll want to get her used to it before the trip.

If there is an unused gate area somewhere on your concourse, and you have the time, take her over there and let her run before the flight. My airport has a whole section of unused gates, and with toddlers we used to make a point of getting to the airport early, going to that section for 20 minutes and let them run themselves into the ground. (In this particular case we are talking about a deserted area about half the size of a football field that has active concourses on both ends, so it can't be blocked off. It's an economic bane on the city, but a great racetrack for toddlers.) We used to stay at convention hotels for much the same reason in those days; at night the hallways of the convention sections are usually deserted, and there is no one sleeping in the area.

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Thank you for all of your suggestions so far! I'm making a list of your tips and things to bring. Any tips on how to navigate the airport with our stuff when DH isn't there to help? Please keep the suggestions coming! Thanks!

 

[NewoLij]

I agree with Shells9 - we entertained our over active 18 month old by keeping it fresh. Read a favorite book, then play with a toy, then eat a snack, etc. Have as much planned out before you leave.

The best trick we used was watching our camcorder on the plane. I videoed DD's favorite TV show and then we watched it on the plane via the LCD screen. It kept the peace for almost an hour!

Some people suggest giving your child Benedryl to make them drousy. I'm not a fan of that but others swear by it.

Good luck (I've felt your pain)

 

[NotUrsula]

How to navigate: skycaps. Check most of what you have. Carry about $30 in singles in an easily accessible place, and tip like a madwoman. Do not carry a separate handbag -- put your wallet, phone and necessities in an inside pocket of your diaper bag, which should be a backpack if at all possible.

Again, use the reins when she needs to walk. Remove the canopy and bar from your stroller and put those in your checked baggage; that will make it lighter and less bulky, and also protect those parts from being broken in transit. You can prop the carseat on the stroller to get it to the gate, and walk with the little one holding your hand, with the (short - no more than 36 inches) rein looped around your wrist in case she tries to bolt. Keep the stroller basket empty while in the airport; you would only have to empty it to put it through security and again to gate-check it.

Wheeled bags are not a great idea when dealing with a toddler, a stroller and a carseat. You need to keep one hand free to deal with the child, and that's nearly impossible to do while pushing a stroller and pulling a bag.

 

[all4fun]

Thank you for all of your suggestions so far! I'm making a list of your tips and things to bring. Any tips on how to navigate the airport with our stuff when DH isn't there to help? Please keep the suggestions coming! Thanks!

I've never had to do this by myself however if I did I'd second the recommendation for a safety harness. Walmart & Target have the ones that look like little plush animal backpacks that are really cute (the "tail" is the leash part). I have used a safety harness on my ds when he was about that age and it allowed him the freedom & independence he craved while also providing a physical boundary he could see. It really worked wonders keeping him by side without too much of a fuss (he wasn't much of a hand holder and was prone to pulling and running away). Every childs personality is different of course, but the harness really worked well for us, especially at places like the airport.

It sounds like you'll have the car seat. You could try putting it back to back with your stroller (might work or not, depending what kind of stroller you have). I flipped the f/fing foot down and hook it on the stroller basket, then ran a bungee cord thru the f/fing belt path and hooked it on either side of the stroller. This way my ds could sit in the stroller and I didn't have to carry the car seat. I did this with our lightweight umbrella stroller (Kidco brand) and our Cosco Touriva car seat. Put your carryon stuff in a backpack or messenger - whichever you find more comfortable to wear.

Hth!