Ideas on How to Entertain My 20 Month on a Hour and Half Flight.

Whenever I fly with my young kids, I always have a "bag o' tricks" with toys and books that are new and they haven't seen yet. Also, TONS of snacks, when in doubt, feed 'em! I keep "emergency lollipops" in my purse for those situations when nothing else will do-lollipops do the trick!

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books, personal DVD player with one of his favorite movies. I also try to fly dying nap time. Hope it goes well.

I took my son on a plane when he was just 12 months. I was nervous about it too. I had heard that a little benadryl could do wonders however I felt really uncomfortable about "drugging" my son. So, I called my doctor and asked his opinion and voiced my concerns. He said it wasn't a big deal and it wouldn't hurt him at all and that people do it all the time. So, it's just a thought. Hope you have a wonderful trip!

I have flown 5 or 6 times with my daughter who is now 3 1/2, first time when she was only 5 months old! Here are my tips, make sure he is well rested so he is a happy child, keep as close to his schedule as you can. Go to the dollar store and buy some "new" toys, I like to get a special coloring book, some crayons, some markers and maybe an action figure. I also travel with a portable DVD player, but when I fly I am leaving first thing in the morning EST and heading to the west coast, so three planes and lots of layovers. I also set the expectation with her for a few days before "Woo Hoo!! We get to go on a PLANE RIDE!! This is going to be SO MUCH FUN!!!" I say it over and over again so that she starts saying it too!

I took a 2-day train trip with my daughter when she was 18 months and it was just the two of us. I packed a backpack just for her. Lots of little treats, don't forget drinks too. And new toys, everything little, and as quiet as possible so we didn't disturb the other travelers. A few of her favorites, but mostly new stuff. I also picked up a few story books to read to her & just read over & over. It was exhausting for me, but she did just fine. The first time can be very nerve wracking beforehand, then once you arrive, you'll realize that it was a lot more enjoyable that you thought it would be. Have a save & fun trip!
M.

I don't know if this is a good suggestion or not...but you might want to try a portable dvd player along with what the other mother said about making sure he is tired. Once you take off, play one of his favorite movies (make sure that battery is charged lol) and maybe he will just relax and/or fall asleep. Unfortunately..that is the only idea I have. It's been a long time since my kid was that young...and boy do I miss it lol.

Toys with links, like the platic alpha chains, or barrell of monkey's. If your little one likes to color that is great airport entertainment if you are delayed.

I've flown with my daughter many times...don't worry...you'll both do great and it's only temporary! Here's a few suggestions that have made flying with my daughter much easier. When you check in, ask if it's a full flight. If it isn't a full flight usually you can be moved around so that your son can have a seat (I always double check at the gate as well...just in case someone didn't show up last minute) I prepare her and tell her she will need to sit in the stroller while we stand in lines. I tell her that after we go through security (and I explain what that is) if she can hold my hand or the stroller she may walk by me. This does make things a bit slower and I'm always paranoid while she's walking, but it helps her burn off energy and makes it so she isn't sitting the whole day.

The second thing I do is have 2 sets of play things. One for the airport and one set for the plane. The airport toys are toys that keep her occupied playing on the floor in a confined area, but she can still move around. Things my daughter likes are her little people and a few cars to drive around. I try to sit on a chair right by the window and give her boundaries she has to stay within on the floor.

Toys for the plane that have been amazingly great for us are color wonder markers, a small aquadoodle and some of her favorite books and comfort items. Once the fasten seat belt sign is off I let her stand in between my legs. (If you can't get an extra seat for your son, sitting in the first row is also helpful b/c there is a little more floor room...you just have to store your bags above.)

The third tip...pack lots of yummy snacks. I never worry about nutrition on travel days...whatever she'll eat and whenever is great. I allow her special juice I buy once past security and I pack fruit leathers and other fun treats she doesn't usually get. All of these things make time go by quicker than you'll realize. Also, make sure you prepare yourself for realistic expectations...continue to encourage and praise him for behaving and don't get to frustrated if he's antsy or cranky...travel is stressful for them too!

Also, if you are flying during naptime I find it's helpful to talk about how when the plane takes off he will cuddle on mommy's lap and take a nap NUMEROUS times. I've found that the times I've talked about that ahead of time she's just curled in and taken a nap once we take off but if we didn't talk about it ahead of time she can't quite fall asleep.

Good Luck and Have Fun!! If it's an aweful day just remember "this too shall pass"

Pack a travel bag for him. Think about what amuses him and keeps his attention the most. Then go get him those items but new ones he hasn't seen or played with before. Don't let him see these items before the flight. Then give him an item, do it 1 item at a time so every time it is something new. I did this with my daughter for her first long road trip and it really helped!!
V.

Hi D.,

Don't be nervous!! Our children pick up on our feelings and stress, think of it as the grand adventure that it is! If he has anything that already keeps him occupied, use that as your inspiration. Variety and newness are usually the key, books/music on CD(with a headset of course), movies, magnadoodle, finger puppets, small electronic games and of course lots of snacks. Don't get anything w/a lot of small pieces that you may have to try to bend over and pick up off the floor in a tiny cramped airplane! Also, if you have a laptop and a movie service like netflix, you can download a movie to watch immediately. I use my kids diaper bag as the goody/carry on, because it has the cooler pockets, so i froze juice boxes and yogurt tubes the night before and they were thawed and ready to eat when we were on the plane. And of course a promise of a special treat when you land could be a help also! Good Luck!!

Hi D.
Thats a short flight, should be fun. I've taken my daughter from MI to MN a few times by air. She loved it as long as I could stay calm. I picked up a few little toys from once apon a child from the .25 bin. I try to get window seats and we talk about how the cars and buildings look like toys. Get someone to take your picture together, and make a kids album she they can remember it for next time. I talked about how we were up in the clouds, everything. Oh I also always take rescue remedy with us for stress. http://www.rescueremedy.com/ It's all natural, I take it when I'm stressed, or can't sleep, give it to the cat before going to the vet, it helps my daughter when she's havening a hard day. Great stuff! You could also take pictures of who your visiting, or talk about what your going to do there. Muu there's a great moving book I think it's called gallop, the images move as you turn the page.
Happy flying, A. H

Does he like videos - if so a portable DVD player with headphones may help. It helps when I travel with my 3 children all uner 5 years old.

Have a nice trip

D.,

You've already gotten some great ideas on how to keep your little man entertained on your flight. The only thing I can think of to add is snacks. If your little guy is anything like mine food is always a good thing because they're always hungry. He too is a strong willed and independent child (now 4 years old).

Small Magnadoodles and Etch a Sketch works well for us too. They go with us everytime we travel to grandma's house (10 hour drive).

Good luck and have a safe and happy flight.

D.,

I think it is great that you are traveling with your son, but if it is at all possible I would get him a seat too. I know my son would be very tired sitting on my lap for that length of time, as would I. Also the safety consideration. Check out the F.A.A. website:
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/ and really look at their ads at the bottom of the page.

Good luck with your son. We packed small gifts (play dough was a real mess though) like race cars, coloring books and crayons. I'm bringing my iPod loaded with Poems from the Poems for Children book this summer for our trip.

Good luck with your trip, should be fun!

-C..

Hi D. - I flew alone several times with my first-born, starting from the age of 3 months. The first thing you need to do is RELAX! You will be amazed at how much travellers around you will be willing to help & assist - and they'll get over the crying, should it occur.
One thing my doctor recommended was tylenol about an hour before take off - in case there is any ear pain. Also, if he takes a soother, encourage sucking during take off & landing as much as possible. Next, take along activities that he has never seen before - buy a new toy, coloring book, etch-a-sketch - or multiple things that will intrique him. Take along your "bag of tricks", along with special 'treats' that he doesn't normally get to eat (maybe something chocolate!), some extra wipes, a change of clothes (for him & you...at least a change of shirt for yourself), and lots of books! Good luck!

Books that get him involved. Maybe a CD player to listen to a favorite character story, or one of those books that comes with a CD/Cassette. Then he can turn the pages and get involved.
You might just want to in future buy an extra ticket for him. If he conks out it'll lighten the load for you.

Hi! I took my 3 and 1 year old kids on a 2 hour flight recently by myself and a few things that worked for me were a portable DVD player, books to read, coloring books, snacks and lots of singing. We love to sing anywhere so just get creative...simon says, ABC's, etc. You'll do great! The trip will fly by.

A little about me:
I am a stay at home mom with a son 3yrs., and a daughter turning 2 today. I'm been married to my wonderful husband for 7 years.

Take a bag of fun stuff onto the plane--drinks, snacks, books, matchbox cars, crayons, little figures, Duplos, kiddie cd player--whatever will help keep him occupied. Try to have him eating or drinking while the plane is taking off and landing so his ears don't hurt. Also, try for an aisle seat so that you can get up and take him for walks if you have to.

Good luck.

B. C

We have taken our son on an airplane every year since he was one year old. (He's three now.) I know you said you didn't buy him a seat, but we always buy one for our son. We strap him in his car seat and he knows he cannot get out, just like when we are in the car. We we bring a portable DVD player and about four books. He watches DVDs and we read to him. He has always been very good. If I had to try to hold him on my lap the whole time, I know it would be a disaster. Our son is very independent and it would be a real fight to get him to stay in my lap. If it's not too late, I would buy a seat for him. If that's not possible, I still recommend the DVD player and books. He could hold the player while you hold him. Best of luck to you!

Because you did not buy him his own seat, unfortunately, it's going to be a little difficult. I would strongly recommend sitting in the very first row - where there is more leg room. Once the plane gets to cruising altitude, your son can stand in front of you and "get the wiggles out".

A friend has taken several flights with her baby so perhaps this is not applicable, but she invested in a sturdy DVD player and several child-friendly DVDs for her last trip. Her flights are over 10 hr so she had to have a number of "tricks" up her sleeve.

A protable DVD player and movies he likes usually work. My two year old doesn't sit still at all, except if I put in Thomas the Tank Engine or VeggieTales, I get 30-60 minutes of downtime. Planning a short flight with him was a little scary, but the DVD player worked.

My older kids flew with me when they were 3 and 1, we didn't have the DVD player then so we kept them occupied with books and talking about the plane, passengers, trip, etc. The flight wasn't very relaxing for us, but the kids made it through without screaming and running around.

I smiled when I read an hour and a half flight. I flew with my daughter to Africa at the same age - it was about 26 hours all told in each direction. And the exact age and personality will determine if this idea works, but you could try wrapping up little "gifts" and giving one to him every x amount of time. That could include, for example, a fancy pen with a wiggly thing on top, a small puppet, etc. They don't even have to be new - sometimes an old familiar toy wrapped elicits attention and fun. When they get a little older they will know to expect the next gift. On a long interstate drive I would give my daughter a new wrapped package every hour. The time goes faster that way. Good luck!

My best idea is really the dvd player. My son will watch different shows, such as little bear from Noggin, and just be still for a while. Since he will be on your lap you can do coloring or something like that too to mix in.

Is he into Thomas the train yet? Some trains would be great. They are small and you can buy them from target or toys r us. It kept my son busy for a good while just pushing the trains along.

Here's what I brought for my 2 sons last year (one of whom was 2): silly putty, play dough, snacks, portable DVD, coloring book, blank paper to scribble on, markers and/or crayons. Bring way more than you anticipate to use because at that age, they'll be bored in 5 seconds. Also, go with very low expectations. Last year when I flew to Philadelphia, we suddenly had a rain delay at Metro. We sat in the plane (including flight time) for about 5 hours...and my boys don't sit. Unless your toddler sits well and likes books, coloring and the sort (mine didn't), you may end up having to let him walk the aisle. And if he does fuss, be prepared for looks and/or comments. Not that it could happen, but try and prepare yourself for every possible scenario!