Traveling W/ Toddler

Lots of finger snacks, etch a sketch, books to read, favorite toy. If you get by a window seat it would be great. Looking out the window keeps a toddler interested. I never traveled with mine by plane but we traveled in a car and truck lots of times. We played a lot of I-Spy. A lot depends on how advanced the child is.

As a former flight attendant, I can say bring toys, books, and other items he can play with in his seat. Get to the airport in time to let him walk around for a while at the gate and get some of his energy out. Also, bring juice boxes and a bag of cereal or munchies for him so you aren't at the mercy of the flight schedule. Also, give him something to suck on when the plane begins to descend so his ears will pop. Good luck!

Hi E.
I don't really have advice, but was glad to see you posted this. I love the advice. I will be traveling soon to Atlanta alone with my 2 yr old daughter for a modeling interview, and was stressing out about what to do. She also does not sit still. I got lots of great ideas, crayons, stickers, and most of all the DVD player. Thanks and good luck to you.

E.,
When we travel we take our portable DVD player! That works well for us. I am so glad I have it. Lots of snacks. New books or small toys that the child has not seen yet. Or ones he has not played with for awhile. Make sure he eats or drinks something during the take off and landing. Helps with the ears.
Good Luck! N.

E.,
I've been traveling with my two kids since they were 8 months old so it's doable. Invest in a portable DVD and it'll save you!! The batteries usually last 2 to 3 hours. If he's not potty trained, just double him up so you don't have to worry about him getting soaked. Of course, make sure he eats before hand and bring a bottle or pacifier or something else he can suck on during take-off and landing. Those times are the toughest on the ears. Security can be a hassle, so make sure he has on velcro shoes that are easy to take off. Other than that, it's really not too hard, just stay calm and if he cries, dont' worry, the flight attendants (if they're nice ;-)) will help out, they usually have a kids pack with crayons and a coloring book too. Good luck!

Hi,
1. Portable DVD player & favorite DVDs (you can get one within $200 and use it in the car too)
2. Melatonin (pills) you crush it and add to the milk before flight (of course it is better if you travel during his nap time). Melatonin is the natural chemical that tells your brain to sleep, it is very safe we used it with our kid on the advice of our doctor. But make sure your son is awake for descending and have a snack or drink, it will help to keep his ears clear.
Let me know if you need more info.
Best,
O.

I just went to vegas with my husband and we took the baby. because he was traveling for buisness I was by myself on a different flight with my 19 month old. by the time we were at the layover point I wanted to leave him in new orleans. LOL. he talked, yelled, ran, and just would not sit still. But there is good news, EVERYONE in the airport was great. People saw me struggling and helped me. Bring lots of juice or water.Healthy snacks, limit sugar, bring a toy he loves his writing pad and we wrote and sang the ABC song about 101 times. and on the way up and down give him a sucker because of the ears popping. that was the hardest for my son. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, bring tylenol or motrin for possible ear aches, put your hair up and just enjoy the ride. Good luck.

as the boy scouts say "be prepared." we recently traveled on a plane with our two toddlers and we brought crayons, paper, coloring books, snacks, and small toys. anything you think may occupy time will help. just remember to bring a lot of little things because little ones have very short attention spans.
i would not advise giving any kind of products such as pills to make your child relax. just keep him busy and distracted.

There are many things we take on our trips, rather it be car or plane. Whatever we take doesn't seem to be enough or the right thing. My biggest advice would be a portable DVD player that you can buy for really really inexpensive now. Also, we let our little ones bring their "own" rolling suitcase or backpack so that it is "their" luggage and they feel very very important. Sometimes that helps. Also, they let parents with little ones board first...I do not recommend this. You will be extending your flight by about 30 minutes. Don't panic, just think positive and that he will be occupied. I would also recommend letting him pick out some toys he would like to bring. I hope this helps. I am also a 28 year old with a 3 year old and a 7 year old stepson...Good luck and you will have a blast!!!!

HI! I use a travel DVD player. My little girl loves all of the Baby Einsteins and Brainy Baby DVDs. We often travel between FL and Australia and what works for us is a mixture between good old fashioned boook reading, walking around, and watching fun dvds. Good luck!

When my husband and I took our son to Tahoe last May, we brought a portable DVD player on the plane. Bring along some favorite DVD's. This was a huge help.

Hi E.,

I am not sure if you have a direct flight or not. I used to travel all the time when I had only one child .. now it is different with 3 kids. I used to go to the airport well in time and make sure my son (he was super active) had enough time to run around and play -- so he was pretty exhausted by the time we were inside the plane. He would eat a snack and sleep. You can take some crayons and paper if he likes to color and request a window seat, so he can look outside. Take something to suck -- a candy -- so the air pressure does not bother his ears.

Many times I took a flight in the evening, and it was close to his sleep time, so he would just sleep. Another advantage of evening flight and window seat -- beautiful long sunsets ..

While returning I took red- eyes and he just slept. The next day we both were tired though.

Hope it helps.
S.

Hello,
I have been traveling with my 2 boys since they were babies...it really not so bad if you are prepared. I found that having a surprise bag full of toys, activities, and snacks works great (think dollar store) -- playdough, matchbox cars, crayons, books, and such. Keep him busy - if you have a portable DVD player - those are great too. Enjoy your trip!

Go to your local Dollar store and buy lots of little "new" toys to keep him busy. I did a plane ride (by myself with my 2 year old) and all the new and exciting things kept him busy for a long time. I packed them all in a new lunch box (a metal one with cars on it:) I also brought crayons, paper, try also bringing kid's plastic scissors for him to cut paper (this keeps my son occupied for a LONG time!) and playdough. Anything you think will keep his hands busy! I just rotated between all of those things and we also walked to the back of the plane to make many potty trips or "adventures" as I called them. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Everyone is already giving you ideas that I would suggest, so I will comfort you to know that I periodically fly with my three preschool aged boys. The tips others gave, plus planning the flying time around naptime for the littlest one worked well. And remember, even if your worst nightmare about the trip comes true( he screams the whole time, freaks out, everyone hates you on the plane) it's over in a matter of a few hours and you'll never see those people again. Also, flying out of the Tampa Airport is great because of that fun play area for the kids in the terminal. It wears them out so they can relax a bit on the flight. Food is awesome, coloring, movies, little walks to the bathroom. But, one suggestion, if he thinks he's allowed to get up, he might not want to sit. Make it as if he's in a car....locked and loaded. Then, there is one more battle you don't have to engage in. Feel free to ask me anything else. I've been doing this for 5 years.

Travel DVD player, Crayola Color Wonder, Snacks, favorite toys and books. Get him his own bag to carry with his entertainment. Ask your doc. When my girls flew the doc said I could give them benadryl, it will help with the uncomfortable ears, as well as make them tired, Empty sip cups, you can buy drinks to put in them after you pass through security. Carry on as little as possible.

Good Morning E., I have a 21 month son and I travel alot and the way I keep my son occupied is to travel with a portable CD player and some of his favorite kid movies. You can even bring headphones so that he is not disturbed by the noise. Of course I also carry books, snacks, and small toys he can hold in his hand. One thing I have suggested before to someone else that was traveling( if you have not bought your tickets yet), is to try to travel at a time when you know he will be tired. I bought a ticket recently for my sister and her daughter from Las Vegas to Michigan and they will fly the redeye which allows them to sleep the whole flight Hope this helps, E., and have a great trip.

Hi E. -

I've traveled a lot with my (now) 5 year old by myself - we've gone cross country and to Europe and I didn't have any problems and she didn't either! A couple of times someone would say that they didn't even know there was a 2 year old on the plane near them.

I think if you set certain expectations from the get-go, you'll have an easier go of it. We expect our little ones to be in their seat and buckled or on our laps the entire flight. No standing, no kneeling, etc. And absolutely no kicking or yelling. We practiced airplane voices for a while before going.

The other thing that took me a little longer to figure out is that I was not going to get to read, listen to my music, chill, etc. as long as she was awake. Once I gave in to that (I say that because I really struggled with this!) and decided to just be her amusement, it was all good.

If you're travelling out of Tampa Int'l, they are usually really helpful in security - they will often let you skip lines and give you a slower line to let you fold up a stroller, take off shoes, etc.

Have a lot of fun!!! I think travelling with little ones teaches them how to travel and appreciate the opportunities available to them!

C.

E.,

I agree with Libby, you need the portable DVD player. Bring your child's favorite books and be prepared to read them.

Also, I would bring a coloring book and some crayons.

Good Luck!

hi there! i have made the california/florida trip many times, my family is all in florida and my husband is stationed in california in the navy, so i go home to florida often, at first with one little one and now with two. my kids are both very active, hate to sit still, and hate to be held for more than 5 minutes. for some reason, every time we fly they both conk out. neither one will watch a movie, so i bring toys and snacks and books just in case, and it's always been easy. if you haven't gotten the ticket yet try to fly at night or during nap time, it may make him sleep even better. and make sure you give him a drink for on the way up and on the way down, since he's too little for gum he needs a drink to swallow to pop his ears. good luck...i'm pretty sure it will be easier than you think.

Another thing you might try are the paints and markers that you use on the special paper that don't make a mess.

Also, my daughter loves the Dora Wow! books that you color with a water pen and the picture fills with color . When it dries the color goes away and she can do it again. It comes with a water pen, but I find the Aquadoodle pen better. There are also other characters.

You can find all these things at WalMart. The paints with the art supplies and the Wow! books with the books and magazines.

Hi, my little girl is almost 2 and we have travelled on planes quite a bit. Snacks and DVD movies have been a bit hit. Also, one time I had some of those gel thinys that you decorate your windows with (not sure what they are called but I just bought some easter egg ones at the drug store). We were in a window seat and she could stick them on the window and take them off. Also, while I myself prefer an aisle seat, she really likes looking out the window before and during take-off so that is a good distraction.

HI E.... I've been flying with my daughter who is now 3 1/2 since she was 6months old and my son since he was born. I have a few tricks for my daughter. I first let her bring her own carry on... it helped to get her excited to fly when I took her shopping for her own little bag. They have little backpacks that can also be pulled on wheels and my daughter loved that she had one just like mommy. I also HIGHLY agree with the DVD idea... my daughter wouldn't always sit at home and watch a movie, but on the plane she gladly did because there wasn't anywhere for her to go. I usually let her pick out a new movie just for the plane right as a treat for good behavior. Another good idea is if your daughter still takes naps to try to plan your trip around her nap times. I fly to MI back and forwth once a month and I try to fly at night or during nap time because I fly with my 3 yr old and 10month old alone. I let her bring her blanket and a small pillow for the plane that can fit in her bag. The doctor suggested to give them benadryl to help make them drowsy. I hope some of these suggestions work for you. You'll be surprised at how easy it is and how quickly they get adjusted. Just assure her during take off that it will be fine and that you're there for her.

Hi E.,

A portable DVD player may be a good idea with his favorite movie. That may help for an hour or so

M.

I find that bringing a DVD player, snacks that your son loves and new toys that your child has never seen will help a lot. I went to Party City and bought a bunch of inexpensive small toys that my son loved. I hope this helps.

my suggestion would be to have several books and some toys - try to make the books his favorites and the toys new ones that he has never seen before. Snacks are always a plus as well... so he will be able to read, play and eat - just in a different place! this worked for my 2 year old when on a plane. good luck!!

Crayons on that special paper, where it doesn't mark anything else. Favorite quiet toys and favorite snack foods. I have 3 sons and recently flew back from Japan with mine. It's tough but you'll be fine. And make sure baby has their own seat, no lap baby, that is way too hard.

My husband and I have travelled often with our first son--who is now 3; and, now we also have a baby along for the flight. This is what we find that works for us:
-plenty of favorite snacks (in plastic baggies as to avoid spillage and allow reclosure)
-an empty sippy cup for beverages if he is not yet drinking from open containers
-a "bribe" snack/treat (we use Reeses Pieces because it is something he would rarely have--making it a great bribe treat) Bear in mind I am not a proponet of using food as reward or punishment, but on a long flight--you do what you need to do.
-favorite books (small and light enough to put in carry on) You may want to purchase a new one just for the flight.
-favorite toys (again, small and light enough to put in carry on) We used stickers, stuffed animal, and flash cards.
-portable DVD player and favorite DVDs (when all else fails, this has been quite the save-all) be sure to pack the charger for your battery and headphones for the child
-singing songs, rotating all of these items to avoid boredom, and plenty of diapers and wipes

It is a lot, but a bored child makes for a stressful flight. We also change some of the above items out with different items for the flight home (different books, new stickers, new movie) to once again deter boredom.

Good luck!