Any suggestions for keeping a toddler occupied on a plane ride?

Karla - posted on 11/14/2008

We travel ALOT - My son loves listening to the ipod. We let him use our big headphones so they cover his ears nice and don't fall off as easy. Otherwise your best bet is a DVD player or Hand held game. We moved recently and to get to family it is a 2 1/2 day drive or 13 hours at airports and in planes. These things owrk really well for us. Also, pack snacks that take a while to eat. Like the cracker packs that come with cheese to spread - my son took 30 mins to eat that!

Kelly - posted on 11/14/2008

Because my family lives in Chicago I have made the trip countless times with my 2 toddlers alone and sometimes its great and in all honesty sometimes it sucks, but it is only a few hours of our lives, it is sooo worth it in the end and none one is hoping to make new friends on the plane ride. With that said I have found it most helpful to buy new little toys and books that neither have seen. I pack snacks and candy that they love, but normally don't get. Chewy candy is the best b/c it takes the longest to eat and can help their ears too. My kids love to get the snack pack on the plane. We could investigate and snack on those goddies for 20 min. plus. I try to switch up the snack, toy and book about every 10-15 minutes. The minute they get bored is the minute things start get bad. Visit the bathroom every once in a while too--toddlers love to wash their hands and look at themselves in the mirror. Don't stress too much about it. Just remember it will end, your not on the plane to make friends and once you reach you destination how you got there really doesn't even matter. Good luck!

Nicole - posted on 11/12/2008

We bought my daughter a bunch of new toys from the dollar store...new stuff is always more amusing than old stuff and only gave it to her after take off when things calmed down and she started getting bored.

Luanne - posted on 11/11/2008

or you could try dramamine! oh I'm just kidding.............I like the new bag of toys idea and small touchy, feely books he hasn't see before. earphones with a story recorded and book to go along. they love headphones

Hendrika - posted on 11/11/2008

I have flown probably over 20 times with my 5 year old since he was little and last year I started flying with my 6 week old (at the time) I've flown with both multiple times... my family lives in CA but we live near my husbands family in NJ.
The #1 thing for toddlers, which I learned on a flight to Hawaii, bubbles. They are quiet and don't annoy people cause they are clean!
#2 food, obviously, everyone has pretty much got that.
#3 I'd die w/o my portable DVD player
#4 everyone thought I was crazy but I took a red eye back from Cali the last time and both my boys slept the entire time. (Now, my kids are really good sleepers) but they get pretty tired with just the flying itself, plus usually they are off cause of time zones, etc...
Hope this helps and have a good time on your trip.

Lisa - posted on 11/11/2008

I HAD TWO YEAR OLD TWINS AND A 4 YEAR OLD. I WENT AND BOUGHT A BUNCH OF SMALL, INEXPENSIVE TOYS THEY DID NOT HAVE ALREADY. THAT WAY IT WAS LIKE CHRISTMAS. ALSO, WE FLEW DURING MEAL TIME SO THAT TOOK UP SOME TIME. FOR DESERT, I BOUGHT SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT AGAIN, THEY HAD NEVER HAD. ALL THE NEW STUFF KEPT THEM HAPPY. AND YES, I GAVE THE TWINS SOME DIMATAPP TO MAKE THEM DROWSY AND THEY FELL ASLEEP. THE DOCTOR SUGGESTED IT SO THAT IT KEPT THE EAR PASSAGES FROM GETTING SWOLLEN FROM THE PRESSURE AND IT MADE THEM SLEEPY. THEIR EARS DID NOT HURT AT THE END OF THE FLIGHT.

Leah - posted on 11/11/2008

Buy and Ipod - best investment I made. We spend alot of time in the hospital and traveling and it has been great. They are expensive but they can use them while in their stroller - anywhere.

Jessi - posted on 11/10/2008

bring multiple things for the trip!! kids lose interest quick! I often take a 12 hour plane ride to Alaska to visit the grandparents, I've found this to help! We bring coloring books, story books, gum (or gummy type candy...anything to get your kid to get those little ears popped during take-off and landing!), easy card games (Old Maid, Uno...you'd be suprised how easily they pick up on how to play from early ages!), a favorite stuffed animal...and so on. It's a lot to lug around an airport, but definately a necessity!!

Ashley - posted on 11/10/2008

been there, done that! portable dvd player and lots of crayons and snacks!!

Jennifer - posted on 11/10/2008

I took my 2 1/2 year old and 3 month old(at the time) on a plane trip last year by myself for a friends wedding. I let my older son take his very own little backpack on wheels and it was full of snacks, coloring books, weeble wobbles and other small toys. he got to feel like he was carrying something too and loved helping me get everything together for the baby. We even had a lay over. I think the biggest thing is booking a flight where you kids will be at their best behavior (if possible) and being prepared way ahead of time. It really isn't that bad.

Alyssa - posted on 11/09/2008

crayons and snacks...we had to go to california from wisconsin (with my nephew) and we brought his favorite coloring books/crayons, fav snacks, and a book of his choice...the 3 hr trip was much more relaxing this way

Shameeka - posted on 11/09/2008

Portable dvd player!

Dawn - posted on 11/09/2008

My husband and I traveled to Berlin, Germany when my 3 yr old was 20 mo old. We brought books that could easily fit into a backpack, little cars for him to play with (which are his favorite things to play with, even now!), a couple new toys (Thomas trains), his pillow and blanket, and a LOT of snacks. He didn't sleep much on any of the flights. So we did a lot of walking up and down the plane which I think is the key to a happy toddler. We also played movies on my husband's laptop. People didn't mind him being there. He actually made quite a few "friends" with the adults. I've taken both my boys on several trips w/o my husband. Most of the time it's been okay. My oldest has been on about 5 trips that required a plane. Hopefully things will go smoothly for you. Good luck!!

Sofia - posted on 11/09/2008

Hi Daisy! My daugther is 2 and has been on about 16 plane rides...and we have learned to come prepared. I always have little things that she usually shows interest in that I don't normally let her play with, like cupcake baking cups (I know, wierd,but she once spent 2 hours stacking and restacking these little cups, it was great!) then there is always a new toy bought especially for the trip, DVD player with new and favorite characters...I think that keys is to have tons of stuff that is new and interesting to the baby. Oh, and you can't forget all the snacks too! If all else fails, a little Benedryl helped ease my daughter on a 16 hour trip, my husband is a doctor and says that it is perfectly safe and will only make the baby drousy, but you should always check with your doctor. Goodluck :-)

Sharon - posted on 11/09/2008

Hi there Daisy! My pediatrician actually had a great suggestion in that you go to the dollar store and get several small little toys and then on the flight, if the kids start getting anxious or whiny, give one toy to them! This is a great idea because they have never seen that toy, so it definitely occupies them for a while! Also, I think someone else mentioned one of those Doodle Pro things, and we got one as well! It was GREAT! That was our saving grace on the flight because that became her favorite toy and she couldn't get enough of Mommy and Daddy drawing lots of fun things! The snack thing is great too and don't forget to pack lots of diapers and wipes because sometimes if the kids get scared or nervous on the flight, you might end of going through more diapers than usual. Another idea is to download a bunch of kids songs to your MP3 player and let them listen to it on the plane, and also small board books help too! Anyway, hope this helps and good luck on your flight!!

Monise - posted on 11/09/2008

feed them before hand and bring a favorite toy!

Cassie - posted on 11/09/2008

best thing i learned from my mom about kids and plane rides. works like a charm. give them their own little carry-on back pack with there favorite toy(s),and snacks.

examples: stuffed animal, book, pudding packs, cheese and peanut butter crackers, etc

this gives them 'their own bag' and makes them feel special plus its their favorite things so they'll feel comfortable as well. my mom did this for all her kids every time we took a trip some where.

Alicia - posted on 11/09/2008

We took a 9 hour plane ride with our daughter. Find a open area at the airport while waiting for your flight. Have your child run and jump as much as possible to get their wiggles out safely without bothering other people. They will be excited and will need to burn some energy. Bring a carry-on full of inexspensive projects from the craft store. Things that will be easy to clean up. Bring out one item at a time, play with your child to keep the interest up as long as possible. As a last resort, try a portable DVD player.

Leslie - posted on 11/09/2008

I have flown several times with my 2 year old and he slept the first few rides until he got used to the sensation from the plane rides, but as he got older we found some magnetic face books *similar to a mr. potato head man* and loved playing with those. We also tied odd color ribbons to our bags to make sure that we could spot ours coming off the luggage belts. Also it told other people with similar bags that it wasn't theirs. We also didn't push strollers through the airport he walked on one of those leashes it made bathroom stops and carrying bags easier when I wasn't trying to push a stroller. Take snacks as well...planes don't always have that on them anymore. Maybe even a sandwich!

Mary - posted on 11/09/2008

Buy a couple of new toys that he will be sure to like (they can just be matchcars or whatever, and inexpensive). ALso bring some old, familiar favorites. Put them in a special backpack for your child to carry (but one that isn't too big or heavy to add to your own load). Books, coloring books, even playdough. Things that are quiet. Bring snacks, because one measly bag of peanuts won't be enough. Bring something chewy for the ascent and descent so the child's ears will pop and not hurt so much. (I am not sure if you can bring drinks...) Depending on the age of the child think of games to play like "I spy" etc. If you have an MP3 player consider dowloading some stories for him - but get cheap headphones for him to use. Most libraires nowdays will have a way to download books onto your computer, which you then transfer to the MP3 player. This, of course, depends on whether your child will sit still for that. You could try downloading the story and checking out the book, so they can hear and look at the sme time, but it is quiet for the other passengers. Also be sure to remember that the only passengers who will act annoyed or even perhaps say something are the ones who either don't have kids, or never traveled with little ones. Just remember that you are doing the best you can, and so is your toddler. If you have a laptop, bring it and some favorite or new movies.

Nanci - posted on 11/09/2008

We've taken our son overseas a few times. We were lucky and had the seats with the TV's in them. If you don't have that, then a portable DVD player works well. Also, make sure to have a lot of items with you since the attention span isn't that long. A tip, I tied a string around all the toys so that if they fell, I could easily pick them up without bending over. There's not a lot of room to bend down on a plane, as you know.

Brandy - posted on 11/09/2008

I agree with Jacqueline I would have more then one small game / toy they get board so quick! Don't forget a small snack that can be a distraction as well. Good luck! :)

Cheryl - posted on 11/09/2008

Just two months ago we flew from the US to the United Arab Emirates. Our longest plane ride was 14 hours! (thanksfully, overnight). Tough stuff. I suggest bringing a "special bag" full of little toys he has never seen - little cars, Iittle doodle pros, etc. Also Benadryl will help if it's during a naptime! And favorite special snacks. Good luck! :)

Debbie - posted on 11/08/2008

We keep our 2 year old occupied for occasions where he has to sit for a long time with sticker books :)

Rachael - posted on 11/08/2008

I flew with my children back in may. aged 6,5,and at that time 12 mo. I just made sure that I had some of their favorite toys(that did not make noise), plenty of snack and books (coloring and otherwise). Plus I tried to book my flights for nap time. This helped me. Good luck!!!

Colette - posted on 11/08/2008

another idea is to maybe buy some small gifts like from a dollar store and wrap them. have one for each hour of the flight. they have something to look forward to and an incentive to have better behavior. good luck!!

Michele - posted on 11/08/2008

I took my twin 2 years old on a plane this summer. Bring a dvd player and alot of snacks and it should be fine.

Rhea - posted on 11/08/2008

take a sedative type medicine (Dozol if you're in the UK, Children's gravol if in Canada) JUST IN CASE! Other than that what ever keeps your wee one busy, I travelled from Dublin, Ireland to Vancouver, Canada this past June and I found that the handheld leapster games worked wonders for my three children aged 6, 3 & 2 at the time. Not too many small things as you'l just be chasing them all over, and lots of wee snacks and drink boxes as I found when the cart came around, they were either very expensive or my child was sleeping! Each child had a small back pack that held their respective goodies... crayons, colouring book, Leapster snacks etc.

Antoinette - posted on 11/08/2008

Hi my name is Antoinette and when my children were small I often used to bring electronic toys where the children could sit and play with them for hours. Even music (microphone *(for their hands) and a tape recorder with headphones with thier favorite songs on it (depending on how small the child is eg nursery rhymes, wiggles etc) The only problem for me was the children loved singing loudly. Colouring books worked wonders as well. Good luch and cheers.

Daisy - posted on 11/08/2008

thanks ladies!

Amanda - posted on 11/08/2008

My son and I travel alot to see my husband who works out of town....I have noticed the plane rides are fairly easy if he is a little hungry so he can snack the whole ride....I also take crayons, and paper...If you have a travel size DVD player it does WONDERS.....Those are a few things I use on the plane...Ive been lucky the past two flights and my son has slept the whole time...GOod luck with ur flight

Jennifer - posted on 11/08/2008

DVD's and Cheerios are the key! I would also recommend a Magna Doodle or Doodle Pro. My son has loved his VSmile pocket electronic games(imagine a Gameboy device for Toddlers). We bought it for him when he was almost 3. Those games are terrific because they are leveled. All of the games are academic skills based.

Krista - posted on 11/08/2008

I have flown several times with my little one who is now 2 and a half. If you purchased a seat for your toddler, make sure you take their car seat. It has to have the flight approved sticker. It is hard to carry but so worth it. If you are traveling alone, the flight attendant will carry it on to the plane for you and set it in your seat but, you have to hook it up. My son sat up higher and was able to look out the window. He also felt more secure in a familiar seat. I took a portable DVD player with his favorite movie. I also had a ton of his favorite snacks too. I brought some Color Wonder paper and markers, a view finder, his favorite Elmo doll and a small toy that he had not seen in a while. Believe it or not all of this stuff fit comfortably in a JanSport backpack. He did not have any trouble staying occupied. I also scheduled my flight close to his nap time. He ended up sleeping for an hour of the flight. I hope this info helps and you have a great flight.

Sheila - posted on 11/08/2008

I am a mom of 3 under 7 who has taken all 3 on a plane alone...Ok...bring snacks for sure very important....pack coloring books, crayons and if u are lucky bring a portable DVD player....if u don't have one excellent investment....best $$$ u will ever spend...they can watch movies on the DVD on the plane and will love it. Give the baby a bottle when u take off ....and when u land....even if it isn't time...tylenol also helps for a smooth flight...just makes them relax and sleep....All the best to you...last time I flew the flight attendants actually came up to me personally and said how wonderfully behaved my kids were and how nice it was to have them a flight!!!

Jackie - posted on 11/08/2008

I bought some new toys and lots of variety of snacks. He is just at the age where playdoh is a huge hit (particularly since I won't let him play with it at home-too messy!!) Between the new toys, the playdoh and some new books and stickers, he didn't seem to notice we were on a plane and not in a car.

Renee - posted on 11/08/2008

When my oldest was 19months old we had a 11 hour flight! Yah it was long! We bought some of the simplest things like one of those Doodle pros..Wow that really helped we would play guess (if he could) what mommy and daddy were drawing. We also now my 3 year old on our flight for thanksgiving will have the feel and read and the flip books. any thing that your toddler likes now find that stuff to keep him entertained. There is color wonder, and those water color books that can be done over and over again. I know this is a lot, but i have traveled with 2 different toddler personalities so good luck!

Toni Marie - posted on 11/08/2008

Have you considered a hand held game for toddlers. There are many educational games. And if your child likes to have you read to him or her, you can bring a couple books as well? Portable DVD player and some movies?