Distractions/activities for 1 Year Old on Airplane

We just flew to California with our 20 month old. I had packed a ton of snacks and toys, and wouldn't you know it he fell asleep just as we were lifting off, slept two hours, and then spent an unusually long amount of time playing with his binky and the barf bag. Then, when he accidentally ripped off the little twistie from the bag, it was like a bonus toy! He also liked the empty plastic milk chug we got from Mc Donalds. Not that you'll be so lucky ;) but I'd say don't stress about packing too much. The best things we brought were snacks, a small magnadoodle, stickers and a portable dvd player. Quiet, novel and inexpensive toys are best. I like the dollar store idea. If your daughter uses a pacifier, make sure you bring a few because ours got launched on the bathroom floor. It was good to have a back-up! Also, try to time the flight so it's just about naptime. Friends tell me that sitting in the back of the plane helps, too, because the engine noise ensures a long nap. Good luck!

I've flown a LOT with my 14- month old - most recently just last weekend, in fact. For the last few months he's been very into containers and lids. We brought several toys and books for him, and the thing that ended up keeping him happiest during the flight a month ago was the plastic airline cup (empty) and the lid to his sippy cup. This last trip I broke down and bought him a stuffed kitty (he loves the cats at home) at the toy store in the airport. It worked great! Plus, he charmed everyone in the security area by walking around hugging the kitty and talking to it.

Another good trick (if you're flying Southwest, especially) is to sit next to another kid - they tend to entertain each other. HOWEVER this can be counterproductive if you're trying to get your daughter to sleep (good luck with that one). If you are, I suggest sitting far away from other kids.

Here is a link I found that looks like it has a lot of helpful info - good luck and have a great trip!

http://www.babycenter.com/dilemma/baby/babytravel/1337023...

My daughter and I have been flying pretty much every 3-4 months since she was born. (she is now 4) I found,when she was younger, that everytime I brought the car seat with me they found a empty seat. It's amazing how a full plane usually has at least one extra seat on it. That worked wonders,I also tried to get the flight right around her normal nap time, so this way she was more willing to kick back and relax (if not sleep)plus I bought a portable DvD player and her favorite movies, this kept her occupied for the trips. She also loved books, so I would load the bag with books, movies, snacks, and drinks. I have never had a problem with her on the plane, and have even had some compliments on how well behaved she was.
Here's another tip, during take off and landing try to make sure they are eating or drinking something, it helps with the ear pop.
Good luck and enjoy.

We just flew to Florida with our 11 month old daughter. We were worried about her dropping her toys and hitting another person or us not being able to get it because we couldn't reach the thing. We brought toys that attached to those rings. The ones that attach to each other and we made the rings part really long and attached the end to the seat tray. (I hope you know what I am talking about). This meant she could still play with her toys but she couldn't drop or throw them. THat worked out great for us.

We flew United and we upgraded to United Plus on both trips as those 5 inches were really important. We actually gots ours upgraded for free by very nice airline people so see if you can make that happen as well.

We got our daughter one of those books that comes with a water pen. You fill it with water and they can color the pages. The pages turn colors when they get wet. Also, going to the dollar store and buying 5 or 6 toys is a great distraction- you can pull out a new toy very few minutes.

My daughter went on her first airplane ride when she was 1 year old and she did just fine. I brough lots of little toys to play with in her seat and with all the new things around her she was occupied the whole time. Now depending on how long the flight you many need other suggestions.

I agree with courtney's suggestions, esp getting few new toys so your child will be distracted. Also works is a portable DVD player, which u can play einstein videos or something alike that. Bring enough munchies, water, and milk on board -- don't rely on the airlines having food/drinks for your child.

If possible bring her car seat. Most kids "get" that car seat means staying put. Even if you didn't buy a seat, if you bring the seat to the gate you may be able to get the use of the seat next to you if you're lucky and the plane isn't full (if not they will gate-check the car seat.)

Other than that, I agree with the other suggestions. My kids weren't interested in TV at that age but I did fly with a 1yo (internationally) and we just brought bottles, snacks, and a variety of small things to play with. At that age I remember things that can go in and out of containers were big, so I might bring a little bag with crayons, stacking cups, that type of thing. Travel-size magnadoodle is good for a short time. My kids also liked having us draw pictures at their command ("now draw a dog").

Novelty is big - buy inexpensive little things you don't mind leaving behind so you don't have to carry them back.