Seeking Advice for Long Plane Ride with Almost Two-year-old

I am always flying from Kansas to California with my two kids age 5 and 2 by myself. And what works for me is having a back pack with always extra clothes, snacks they love, stickers, "NEW" toys. Umbrella stroller is great because they fold easily. I prefer sitting in the back of the plane so they can walk around with out disturbing to many people this also helps if you need to change a diaper. And yes she needs her own seat. I have a car seat waiting in California so I wont travel with one.
The less you have to carry on BETTER !!!...And let her be a kid everyone understands. Good luck.

I have traveled a couple times on a plane and had layovers and waiting to board with the kids. Since you have one it will be easier (still can be a headache). I traveled with my friend, her daughter, and my 3 daughters on a plane trip. I think we did it pretty smoothly. I had one on my lap (my 7 month old at the time) and 2 (my almost 2 year old and 4 year old) in seats at that time. My friend had her daughter on her lap.

When I went, I packed as light as I could. Having checked luggage is easy if you have someone helping you get it checked in and picking it up.

I had an umbrella stroller for easy transport through the airport (some airports you have to walk). If you are not taking a carseat it would be good. If you have a car seat and a carryon...you can look online, they have straps to hook the carseat onto the carryon as a stroller. Your carryon would have to be a good sturdy one if you choose that option. We had a rental car waiting with carseats at our destination so we didn't bother with having a carseat.

If you take a car seat, you have to make sure it is FAA approved. If not taking one, it might be easier for her actually lay down in the seat, she can sleep a little better.

I had a backpack with our carry on stuff on, so I could sling it on, and my hands would be free if I needed to carry someone. Like others had said, new toys are good. Magna Doodles, or Aqua Doodles, snacks, her sippy cup, favorite blanket, or something like that. Portable DVD players, with a new movie or her favorite or if she has a favorite CD she likes, a CD player would be good with headphones so you don't disturb your neighbors. I personally like the View Masters, and you can get lots of different pictures...we have dinosaurs, animals, Dora, Carebears.

You can make some silly putty or goo too that isn't too messy or playdoh too. Playdoh comes in little gift favor size so that is all you would need. You might have to check with the airline to make sure that is ok to take on...But that provides a lot of fun for a kid. We have a picture book of friends and family you can easily make up with your own. And it benefits if you daughter hasn't seen her grandparents in awhile, she knows who they are.

P., One way to keep kiddos entertained is to have new things to introduce to play with. Before going on a trip to California we stocked up on unopened McDonalds toys, my husband ate Happy Meals for lunch for a while. The kids were thrilled because it was new and in the package.

Just a thought.

Good Luck, M.

Whatever you do, buy your child her own seat. It makes a HUGE difference. We travel a lot with our 21 month old, and it makes it so much easier, not to menion less annoying to your fellow passengers, when she has her own space. I also got my daughter a kid-sized roller bag (at Target) that she can put her books, crayons, dolly & lovey blanket in. She is very concerned about taking care of the bag and it keeps her busy. Snacks: those 100 calorie packs of cookies, cracker-cut cheese squares, grapes (sliced in a throwaway container), & her own child sized water bottle/sippy. I have traveled both with the car seat when she was 8 months old, and without it on the last two trips (in Dec & Feb). Probably prefer not to have it since it gives her a little more room to play in the seat. Best of luck...we're planning to visit the family in Italy this year, so looking at some of the same concerns you have.

You should buy her a seat. She will not, nor will you or the person next to you, be comfortable for a long plane ride without her own space.
Check with your airline. I've flown several, and while I cannot bring a booster( which a 2 year old would not be using anyway) you are allowed a car seat. I still bring the car seat ( not booster) on for my 3 and a half year old. The car seat has to have straps. Strapping her in helps her be less antsy.
I bring crayons,paper,coloring books, books, snacks, and a portable DVD player. Get an etch a sketch-any little thing she can use to keep herself busy.
Let her get up from time to time and walk.
She'll be fine- just go prepared!

carrie balloons in your purse at everytime you are waiting in line or for the next flight bow a couple and allow her to share it with other kids at the airport and you can leave it behind when you have to board the plane light wieght entertainment / toy.

P. - Montessori Daycare provider.

I heard once that a box of band aids will entertain kids on planes for a long time. They are easy to remove and you can get fun ones like Spiderman.

On most airlines once their 2years of age you cant even bring a booster seat on the plane. They are required to sit in the regular seats. To keep my 3year old in her seat for at least 75% of the time we bring on a portable dvd player. It seems to do the trick.

I would also recommend buying her a seat. I am only going on a 4 hour flight with my 16 month old, but after flying recently when we shared a seat, I almost pulled my hair out!!! They are so busy now it is hard to keep them in your lap, if she has her own seat and her car seat you can strap her in and help entertain her much easier! One of the best things I've heard is to get those wind-up toys and use those to go across the tray table. My daughter loves it and it keeps her entertained for a little while. I have a variety and pull out a different one when she gets bored with the first! Pack a bag full of more stuff than you think necessary and hopefully it will be enough! Good luck!