In Need Of Travel Ideas...

[mommy2boyz]

We're about to move from Germany back to the states. It's a 10.5 hour flight and I have a 5 month old and a 2.5 year old. I've got the little one covered...as long as he's not hungry...he's happy! However, I'm in need of ideas on how to entertain a toddler in flight for that long!!! Whatcha got??

[KateD]

When my boys were that age crayons and a notebook would keep them occupied for hours. Actually, they still do except they've graduated to colored pencils now. :)

If you have a portable DVD player or laptop that plays DVD's, that works wonders with a pair of headphones. The catch there is keeping it charged up, but many airplanes now have outlets you can plug them into, I think.

When my boys were that age they loved to use their leap pads. I think they have headphone jacks so you could use them on the plane.

When my boys travel (they're now 9 and 11) they bring legos on the plane and build them during the flight.

Where are you moving to in the States?

[kristijoy]

We had a laptop with us to play DVD's. A laptop battery won't last that long though. I would definately look at portable DVD players and battery life.

The other thing my son loved (he's not a big colorer) was sticker books. I found some fun themed sticker books like trains, space, ABC's that we played with together for quite awhile.

Books: I read alot of books too. Look for lightweight ones!

My son also likes 'make-believe' games. One one flight we built airports over and over and over again. One part of his seat was 'steel town' where we got the steel beams for the buildings another was the electronics shop. I think we had one toy airplane that would fly into the pretend 'airport'.

Good luck on that flight! You are a brave woman!!

[kristijoy]

Another thought...on that long of a flight I would definately consider having some special toys that the 2.5 year old hasn't seen yet. You could even wrap them up and make it fun to discover something new. Novelty goes along way with my kid, so a new truck or something if it's new might engage him for awhile.

Snacks...seems like we spend alot of time eating on airplanes. Have fun food that takes up some time!

[KateD]

Snacks...seems like we spend alot of time eating on airplanes. Have fun food that takes up some time!

Food is definitely a good idea!

[DawnMarch]

Great suggestions so far. My kids have definitely spent lots of airplane time with sticker books and DVDs. Also Wikki sticks, magnetic story and play scenes, books, Matchbox cars, and those tubes of plastic animals or figures.

[MamaBee]

I read on a blog (shoot, wish I remembered where I read that) a mom put together surprise bags of little trinkets, little activities or snacks that she new here kids would enjoy and they gave one out every hour. It help the time go by quickly and it gave the child anticipation of when and what the next bag was.

Otherwise... my son probably would be anything electronic and alphabet related. And if that didn't work... food and more food... things he wouldn't normally get at home.

Good luck and safe travels!! ;)

[NeverendingJen]

Good luck with your move! Where are you guys headed? If you are on the military rotator, they usually play kids movies on the flight, so that can help with some entertainment. I'd bring lots of snacks, already parceled out into kid size portions so you can just pull out each snack as you need it. Get some new toys that are quiet for him to play with as well.

[rach3975]

In addition to some of the things mentioned, we also bring Matchbox cars (or another kind small enough to play with on an airplane tray) and playdough. Just make sure to buy the tiny playdough canisters because they can be considered a gel and need to be under whatever number of ounces is currently approved for carry-on toiletries.

[KateD]

Good luck with your move! Where are you guys headed? If you are on the military rotator, they usually play kids movies on the flight, so that can help with some entertainment. I'd bring lots of snacks, already parceled out into kid size portions so you can just pull out each snack as you need it. Get some new toys that are quiet for him to play with as well.

Sounds like you've done this once or twice :)

[aggiefamily]

Bendaroos! http://www.bendaroosstore.com/default.aspx
I would think an almost 3 year old could have fun with them. They keep my guys entertained!

If you have a mp3 player or something like that you could get some audiobooks or stories for him to listen to.

Anything Color Wonder! http://www.crayolastore.com/category.asp?NAV=COLOR

This looks neat: http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Doodle-Pro-Travel-Light/dp/B002YK2WU0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1280777370&sr=8-3

[Joana1n]

In addition to some of the things mentioned, we also bring Matchbox cars (or another kind small enough to play with on an airplane tray) and playdough. Just make sure to buy the tiny playdough canisters because they can be considered a gel and need to be under whatever number of ounces is currently approved for carry-on toiletries.

I know some people have had Play-Doh confiscated at security b/c it looks a lot like C4. Might not be an issue for you but I thought I'd mention it. :)

[KateD]

I know some people have had Play-Doh confiscated at security b/c it looks a lot like C4. Might not be an issue for you but I thought I'd mention it. :)

Can they make C4 smell like play-doh?

[AllieP]

We moved to Germany from the US when my boys were 1, 3, and 5 years old, and then moved back home 15 months later. The flights were a little crazy. :) There are some good ideas already mentioned, but one thing that I liked was that I got them each 4 or 5 small gifts (like a few dollars each) and wrapped them up in wrapping paper. Every few hours, they got to unwrap a new "present." They loved the idea of a new present!

[Misty Cato]

Another thought...on that long of a flight I would definately consider having some special toys that the 2.5 year old hasn't seen yet. You could even wrap them up and make it fun to discover something new. Novelty goes along way with my kid, so a new truck or something if it's new might engage him for awhile.

We did something like this on a long car trip. Every 30 minutes the kids opened up a new toy (small lego set, notepad/paper, playdough). We wrapped them tightly in several layers of tinfoil. Just getting them unwrapped kept the kids occupied for a bit and after they got bored with the toys, they played with the tinfoil.

Now I don't know if things wrapped in tinfoil would get past security, but it sure worked well for our car trip.

[Kara]

Tinfoil - that is a great idea, Misty!

[corinnz]

We flew to the UK last year with a just 2 yo and a 7week baby - 28hours + of flying. Baby no bother. For my DD we had a trunki case great for riding through airports and they can pick up quite a bit of speed on gentle slopes! We packed sticker story books, which she loved, had some 'magic pictures' which are the ones that have a water pen (only a small amount), and a the picture is revealed by colouring over it. Disappears as the water dried out, so reusable! Also the crayola magic markers, although she was a bit young for these and a few new books to read. It was the first time she had flown, so she was really over excited and tired by the time we got on the first flight, so was a bit of a pickle. She settled down and slept on the next fights.

HTH

[scrap2day]

Definitely the new little gifts to be distributed every hour or so but I'm guessing you can't wrap them. And definitely snacks/drinks.

[corinnz]

Just remembered that I was given this link with a few ideas. http://www.trunki.co.uk/tips/travelling-abroad_31/surviving-long-haul-flights_32
We survived, and I was on crutches, travelling with assistance for boarding and transfers.
Shouldn't be a problem wrapping small presents as you know what is in it! I did have some milk in a cup for DD for waiting/take off, and the crew warmed it for me. (Had to sip it to prove it was drinkable at security!) They are usually helpful as the last thing they want is upset kids! I also found the male flight generally better with the kids needs than the female.
Also DD was better on the return flight - we bought her a new car seat in the UK and she was in that. We had no problems taking it on board - checked before hand and the airline allowed up to 3 year olds to travel in their car seat provided they met certain international regulations.

Best compliment we had was one older lady who said that she did not realise we had any children with us until close to the end of a VERY long flight - when DD was walking about, and she ended up being entertained/entertaining this lady and another who had just finished visiting her grandchild of a similar age in Australia.