What to bring for kids on plane?

[Karalynn]

Hi all! I'm looking for tips on what to pack for ds7 & dd5 for the flight. Its about 2 1/2-3 hr flight. I don't want to go overboard and pack a bunch of stuff they won't use, and how about snacks? They have never flown before so they will be excited to just be there!! Do you think I should have one back pack for them both, or let them each have their own? I like to pack as light as possible, but you know how that goes!

Thanks!!

 

[Goofyta]

My kids will be 10, 8 and 2.5 when we go. The older 2 have portable dvd players, so those are a must. Other than that, I might have them pack a book. I will probably put a few snacks in, but not too much.

 

[LynnTH]

I bought my kids DS6 and DD4 each a small rolling backpack (princesses and power rangers). In there I am going to have them each bring their gameboys, which they have movies for also. And I also got the Video Now Players for real cheap and have them packed away and will bring them out when we leave so it will be something new for them. I will also pack them snacks (slim jims, fruit snacks etc) I am also looking for small but fun stuff to keep them occupied - like those magic pads and sticker books and stuff. You also might want to pick up "Disney World for Kids" book. They will have fun looking through it and deciding what they want to do.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

DS11 & DS8

I use 1 backpack for their stuff & one for the adult stuff. Theirs usually ends up with:
video games
port. dvd
ipod/cd player
1 book each
small snack

DS8 is a grazer so snacks are very helpful for us. We usually fly out in early am so pop-tarts or granola bars & animal crackers box or chex mix.

 

[PrincessLindy]

My DD takes her Leapster everywhere she goes now. Last time I flew I had a laptop from work that played DVDs and that kept me entertained! If you do not have any of the electronic stuff, last time we flew to WDW we didn't, pack things like Disney coloring books and reading books. Especially if there are any movies they are not familar with. Maybe books that will introduce them to older characters or rides. We also check out kids books with read along tapes from the library for car trips to the in-laws. With a cheap $5 headphone set and tape player she listens to stories for a long time without bothering anyone. If they like to draw on the return trip they can draw memories of the trip and you can put them in a scrapbook.

Don't over do the snacks as it will be a bigger pain than anything if you over pack like I always do. Sugary snacks will give them a sugar high, especially when they are hyped up for the trip.

 

[Steamboat Bill]

DVD player + Movies + charged battery + headphones
Gameboy
Disney book/magazine

 

[G8RFAN]

DS4... we had a round trip 5 hour flight plus a 2 hour connector to Los Angeles. We entertained him with a GameBoy, a Thomas the train engine and couple of cars and enough small curve and straight track to make an small oval, and an activity book and markers. We had brought a DVD player, with his favorite DVD's, but never needed it because he fell asleep on both long legs of the trip. Few months earlier we had flown to Philadelphia and he slept thru most of that flight also. Bring some gum and juice boxes also.

 

[PlutoPony]

You may already be doing this, but make sure you pack a change of clothes in each of their backpacks (just put it in a ziplock bag and get all the air out so it doesn't take up much space). One year DS spilled a drink on himself on the plane and having a dry shirt was a lifesaver...
Also, I'd bring at least a water bottle for each. We've been on more than one flight that took much longer than it should have (sat on the runway a long time, circled in the air because of storms, etc) and have seen them run out of drinks. NOT fun with a kid who's thirsty!

 

[thelionqueen]

I pack separate back packs for each child and they do not get to see what is in them until we've been in the air for 10 minutes. They LOVE the anticipation of seeing what "surprises" I packed for them. They are also very receptive to carrying their own stuff for this reason. I pack..

1) Juice boxes (must, they go through like 2-3 of these each)
2) sandwiches (usually uncrustables, pack frozen are fresh when eaten)
3) chips (2 bags each, always eaten)
4) crossword puzzles and word searches
5) disney trivia cards
6) travel games like connect 4 & battleship (nice time for games w/parents)

I don't pack portable DVD players because both kids watch the inflight movie or listen to music.

Hope that helps!!

 

[gnuthca]

We fly alot w/our kids and while we invested in a leapster for a day of 11 hours in the air...our kids tend to be happier w/the cheaper stuff! I have an 8yr old DD and 4yr old DS and they both love Dover sticker and activity books ($1.50 each). We buy a ton before we go and whatever we don't use on the plane we have on reserve for long waits like at restaurants.

We bring simple card games (the dollar store near us has had Bear in the Big Blue house, Barbie etc), a few paperbacks to read to them or for DD now that she can read, blank paper, crayons, small cars, small plastic animals or people (again, $ Store is your friend), mini etch-a-sketch and magna doodles. When the kids were little they also *loved* mini-containers of playdoh.

We bring pre-packaged Lunchables on board w/us even if there's food service since the kids tend to hate whatever is served. And water bottles (too many juice spills so we tend to avoid juice boxes), granola bars, oranges, and a few candy treats. Also, don't forget to take care of those little ears w/lollipops, gum, fruit chews or something else that will have them chewing and swallowing during take-off and landing.

Karen

 

[Dizneydaz]

I agree with the surprise element. It's great to pull out a surprise toy or book (maybe one they've been wanting) when they're close to a melt down. I've been lucky, my DD6 has been a good traveler to date. Of course, she has had from 2 to 4 adults to entertain her.

If this is their first flight, make sure you let them know what to expect (step by step) on the plane. My DD loves to fly-on her first trip she was 2-3/4 yrs. I let her know what to expect (noises, bumps, etc.) and she had a great time.

She is now a seasoned traveler and our portable DVD keeps her entertained. I've burned a DVD with Kim Possible episodes and that keeps her entertained for hours. A few years ago, the best thing I brought was a set I found (Cinderella) in a small vinyl bag with stickers and stamping, markers, etc. She loved it! Keep her occupied for at least an hour. She still loves stickers and markers. I've also bought her this small magnetic set of horses and zoo animals that comes in a self contained tin. (about $6 at Walmart) Just removing the magnets from the sheet kept her interested and busy. I can bring her anything small (Littlest Pets, Beanies, etc.) and she'll keep her self entertained. I do bring snack on the plane, for her and for the adults.

Have a great flight!

12 days and counting to spur of moment trip!!!

 

[Karalynn]

Thanks for the awesome ideas everyone! I am taking notes! I like the idea of the lunchables! Even though our flight is at 7:15am

 

[droycro]

One great thing we like to bring on the plane is Model Magic. It's made by Crayola and is soft like play-doh but not messy at all. You can find it at any store by the Crayola products. The clay comes in standard colors but can be mixed together to make whatever color you like. The fun thing about this clay, besides the fact that it is not messy, is that it will harden up. My kids like to make small bowls and pretend food for the little animals or dolls that they bring along. At the end of the flight, I throw it all into a baggie, and it can be saved. This keeps them entertained for a long time, and the adults can play with it too!

 

[DisneyDreamingAubrey]

I love the idea of keeping what was packed a secret until we're in the air for ten minutes. I'm going to give this a try now when we go in March!!! Some people have such great ideas !!!!!

 

[sweetinmaine]

For our grandsons trips we've packed fruit snacks, a piece of fruit, water bottles, a book, the small cans of play doh and the travel magna doodle. All of this and the fact that we fly JetBlue with the televisions at every seat, really keeps the kids occupied.

 

[Karalynn]

I think Delta Song has tv's too? Does anyone know? Also, can I bring our own headset or do they give/rent you them?

 

[RalphiesRedRyder]

These are great ideas. We're in a similar situation - planning the first flight for ds(7) and dd(6) and we want to prepare them well. What do we want to be sure to cover beforehand? Anything you missed covering and regretted?

 

[carone0318]

Bring food - #1 priority to me. Our last trip down to Disney this past June, we were suppose to leave PHL at 5pm and land at like 7:15pm, well we boarded the plan on time and then due to a thunderstorm and a woman who had to get off the plane because she was clausterphobic (SP?) we sat on the plane and did not leave PHL until 11:30pm and we arrived in MCO close to 2am - all of this stemmed from a 10 minute thunderstorm that passed over at like 5:30pm. All they served on the plane were those little pretzels and drinks. Fortunately we had food and plenty for the kids dd (8) and ds (4) to do between portable dvd, ea has their own game boys and stuff. Same thing happened on our way home, we were suppose to leave at 3pm, boarded plane at 5:30 and sat there until after 7pm to take off to come home.

 

[thelionqueen]

Is to make personalized invitations for the boys (DH too) for different activities.

Like for this trip, they are doing the Pirate Adventure Cruise, the Grand Adventures in Cooking and a fishing excursion.

I use really cute paper (pirate stripes, chef's hats, fish, etc) and invite the "Princes" to their Disney Activities. Something like, "Pirate Mickey invites you, Prince Tristan, to his Adventure Cruise on May 30th @ 9:30. We'll be having lunch and looking for treasure...ARGHH..etc, along those lines.

The boys don't know what activities I have planned for them until they open the backpack. I always save one as a surprise for the night before the activity so they don't know everything

Just another thing I thought of after my original post. Yes, I need help, but isn't it just too fun???

 

[sweetinmaine]

I think Delta Song has tv's too? Does anyone know? Also, can I bring our own headset or do they give/rent you them?

I don't know anything about Delta Song but I know that you can bring your own headset onto JetBlue. They also have the really inexpensive kind for free both at the terminal as you enter the plane and on the plane itself. They've worked fine for our trips.