tips for keeping children happy on the plane

[stahshee]

that is a 2 yr and 4 yr. im not getting a portable dvd player because the screen is to small and 2yr old will not watch tv

 

[tjmw2727]

My girls are and 8 and 10 but we fly often and at that age they liked -

Portable magna doodle,

scotch tape - don't know why but my youngest, at 2 used it an entire 3 hour flight

books - they always had a favorite and I would get something new - paperback and very lightweight of course

colorforms - do they still have them?

coloring books, or plain paper and crayon - my sil uses color wonder and raves about them

gummy snacks, they have everything from gerber to arthur and even mickey mouse. Help with the ear poping because of the chewing and the sugar helps with airsickness. Add to that the fact that I didn't serve them at home and they loved them.

juice box - again something we didn't have much at home.

Sometimes just opening the snack tray for coloring or a snack will keep them busy for a while.

I will add that I often didn't bring all of the above on every flight and took things out one at a time. If you notice things that your children are enjoying at home make a note of it and see if you can adapt it for the airplane.

Its important to keep them drinking - preferably water as flying tends to dehydrate. Save the milk and dairy for after the flight.

Dannon has a great 8 oz sports water bottle that my kids love.

HTH
TJ

eta - We have taken 5-10 flights a year with our kids since they were born and only last Christmas did my oldest (now 10) get a portable DVD so don't worry it isn't essential !!

 

[kareneast]

When DS was that age we used to take any combination of the following:

paper & colored pencils or crayons (coloring books would work too - my DS never liked to color but liked drawing)

a couple of books

travel magna doodle

travel etch-a-sketch

1 or 2 hotwheel/matchbox cars

1 or 2 small action figures

a magnetic puzzle

travel size games

plenty of snacks & drink boxes

 

[melanie18]

Crayola Color Wonder coloring books
Colorful pipe cleaners (I know, I know...DD4 played with them for an hour twisting them around)
Travel size Magna Doodle
Silly Putty
Push-up lollipops

 

[ReninDetroit]

All of the above things mentioned are excellent ideas.

Perhaps a gameboy if you have one, my DS8 will play his gameboy for the entire flight, and he knows not to take it out until the flight attendant says its alright and he always puts it away when they say to (and he knows that that's also the time to look out the window and get a good look at wdw! )

Maybe you can rent them at blockbuster if you don't own one? I know they used to rent N64's but I haven't been in a blockbuster in years so I couldn't tell you for sure...

And also, bring out things one at a time. Otherwise you will lose things, or they'll get spilled or something else. It's alot easier to just have a "grab bag" of stuff and pick out things one at a time.

 

[aimeeme]

For DD (17 mos ) I brought lollipops (which she never gets) so it was a huge treat and kept her very happy. I bought a cute fold up Cabbage Patch Kids magnetic board at Target that kept her busy. Also someone recommended giving them straws to keep little hands busy and you know what? They really worked. Of course these are things you need to supervise them with, but when your on a plane & your child starts screaming, you'll do just about anything to keep them happy! Good luck!

 

[seashoreCM]

You may want to take note of and try to recall activities that make your kids carsick (reading does for me), and don't emphasize those items or activities.

Gummy snacks are bad for the teeth. I am told that chewing gum isn't as bad.

Although a DVD player is nice, it is one more expensive item that could get broken in a moving vehicle, or stolen.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[tjmw2727]

You may want to take note of and try to recall activities that make your kids carsick (reading does for me), and don't emphasize those items or activities.

Gummy snacks are bad for the teeth. I am told that chewing gum isn't as bad.

Although a DVD player is nice, it is one more expensive item that could get broken in a moving vehicle, or stolen.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Actually there are now several kinds of "gummy snacks" that are ok like the gerber graduates and the annie's brands. For a once in a while treat while on an airplane they are well worth it. For my kids it was the novelty as they don't get them at home as well as the help with the ears. With good dental habits a gummy bear now and then won't rot the teeth.

fwiw - I have never met a 2yo who could chew gum! (mine couldn't at 4 either!)

I remembered another favorite, books on tape! You can find a cheap portable cassette player at target or wallmart if you don't already have one. Most librarys have lots of books on tape to borrow. I left the books at home and my kids loved to listen to the stories. You can also tape yourself reading favorite stories.

My nephew loves the "meal toys" from McD's and BK. My sil went in a bought a few of the "toddler toys" they offer. They were inexpensive and different and my nephew used them for a long time.

You didn't say if you had boys or girls but my girls LOVED polly pocket - too small for the 2yo but perfect for a 4yo girl and small.

TJ

 

[purplebelle]

My mom used to laminate those cut-out paper dolls you can dress up. We would play with those on the plane over to Disney. Also, I remember eating a lot of snacks, and coloring a lot.

 

[antmaril]

When my son was little (he's graduating HS next week), I always had new little gifts (toys) for him in my bag. Legos, Matchbox cars, action figures, books, etc. It worked like a charm. I would save a couple for the return trip too. Just when he was getting bored with an item, I'd pull something else out of my bag. To this day, he's still looking for something new when we travel. I laugh and tell him I expect him to behave himself without new toys to play with!

 

[dougsmom98]

We have three children and have taken trips withing the last 2-3 years with them when they were 2,2 and 4 as well as 3,3,and 5. We don't take a ton of things with us because you'll have a ton to carry as it is. My kids love stickers. It takes them a while to unpeal them and then stick them. You can either buy the sticker type coloring books or just plain old stickers and bring some plain paper. We have bought the colorform things too and that worked well. The last trip, I bought magic ink coloring books. We got them from the book section at Target for $5 each. They had Dora, Spongebob and Blue Clues. That kept my boys occupied for the entire 3 hour flight. Just getting served a drink and a snack is excitement for kids and that helps pass a good 20-30 minutes of a flight. Another thing that worked well for my oldest son when he flew at 17 months was a brand new lift the flap book. It had something like 100 flaps. It took the entire flight for him to get them all open and that was really nice. I find I need less on the flight home because the kids are usually tired from the trip and they actually have slept.
Good luck.
Amy

 

[disneymom3]

magnetic letters and shapes on a magnectic board (you can get them at Lakeshore Learning if you have enough time to order or live near a store)

Wikki Sticks

I second the pipe cleaners!!

Stickers and paper--those little circle ones with bugs or Peace or whatever that come in a book of like a 1000. My 3 yo is entertained endlessly by those.

Model Magic--kinda like playdough but waaaayyy cleaner.

I Spy Books or similar. It takes a long time to find all the stuff. Usborne has several that are perfect for the preschool set. (www.ubah.com)

dougsmom--I love all of your ideas! I think those magic ink books are sooo fun. We like to use them in restaurants too to pass the time.