Toys for Plane for 2 Year Old

My sister in law lived in Oregon, USA and traveled frequently with her daughter to see Family in Germany, and she offered me great advice for flying with young toddlers. She would make a trip to the dollar store and buy up a bunch of cheap toys, stickers, etc. and also a trip to the grocery store for "special" treats that she normally didn't give her daughter (including suckers for example which last a while. Then she took all of these items and wrapped each one individually like a gift, filling a carry on with them.

Start talking to your daughter days before the flight about what to expect and make it fun, read a book about airplanes and maybe get an airplane toy. On the flight do as much stalling as you can but when needed, give her a toy "gift" and once she has played with it for about a half hour and is getting bored let her have a snack "gift" and so on and so forth.

Also, consider bringing an iPod with music she enjoys and short childrens videos on it as well or a portable dvd player. Good luck.

Stickers. Little bubbles (the little kind you get at weddings). Crayola coloring book with the markers that only color on the paper. Puppets. New books (save them for the plane ride as a special treat).
IF you do DVD player, you will need to get the headphones so that she can hear the DVD, otherwise, the plane is too loud to hear with just the regular speakers.
R.

Here are some ideas.
http://www.bigbluetrunk.com/ourcorner/550

Things that helped the most during our recent 11 hour flight with our 2 year old son:
1) Portable DVD player, DVDs of favorite shows and toddler headphones. Or, if you have a iPhone or similar, load up some cartoons. If none is an option, at least something electronic/with buttons to push that she has never seen before.
2) Stickers and paper
3) 5-6 NEW books (one or two about airplanes/airports) and a few favorite books
4) One or two tubs of playdoh
5) NEW small toys (in our case, match box cars; in your case dolls maybe?) It will be better if they can be played with in different ways (dressing up dolls or stacking cups or lacing pieces)
6) A big ziplock full of Lego pieces
7) Snacks (different shaped NEW type of crackers/cookies double as toys. I had some chick-shaped crackers)

What about something from leap frog, I know they make a toddler system. They are interactive books that read them a story, they can point to different things and make funny noises, and they also take headphones. Our little leap pad systems have come in handy on many road trips!

I would recommend the Leapfrog Tag or Tag jr. My DD is three and a half and loves it, as does my almost 2 yr old son. I would recommend the tag because it will read the tag jr. books which will be the most age appropriate for her, but you can still read the tag books which are for preschoolers. I have both the Tag and Tag Jr., but my son prefers the Tag which is shaped more like a pen.

The Tag will read the pages and there are sound effects and questions when you touch the illustrations.

It was a huge hit on the plane for both. (You can plug in headphones if you wish.) It also had an adjustable volume.

My son really likes the little spinning lights like they have at the circus. He loved that he could make it light up and spin. Just make sure it doesn't sing. There are only so many times you can listen to Bibbity Bobbity Boo ;) without going insane.

Portable DVD player. Pad and crayons. Small container of PlayDoh--maybe for on the tray table? Books, books, books.
They also have those "I Spy" type tubes with objects hidden in the sand/glitter.......like this O.:

http://www.officeplayground.com/Find-It-Glitz-and-Glamour...

The wrapping idea is great...but check with your airline/airport first, they may not allow wrapped packages!
I have flown from AZ to Boston several times with my almost 3 yr old. I have found that the key is a wide variety. Books and snacks are a must. I also try to find toys that can be played with in different ways, like a small set of MegaBloks. You can help her build different things, animals, castles, etc, and keep her engaged longer than some other toys. Crayons and paper, string and large beads, even a paper plate with holes punched around the edge and a shoelace to "sew" with can all be entertaining.
Also, be sure to bring a pillow and blanket of your own- they smell familiar and may help calm her down for sleeping. Best of luck!!

Leapfrog makes Lots of toys with buttons! So that would be great. Leapfrog.com. Also, Check at toysrus.com they have a great selection of toys. Books are great (the ones with the lift and look flaps) Also, a portable DVD player works great! You can get them so small and lightweight now. Hopefully that helps some!

It's Crayola Color Wonder Markers that Janis S. is thinking of! :)

If you take a dvd player, be sure to take head phones that fit over her head the ones we use just don't fit or stay in their ears. Let her run around in the airport as much as possible before the flight. This will burn off some energy and she will be much happier in flight. Small animals and dolls are good for keeping them occupied. Enjoy your flight.

Crayola Model Magic is great! Does not smell or crumble(like playdough)! We use it on every plane trip. Make sure you bring baggies to put it in after you open it though so you have it for the trip home :)
Also, Crayola markers/books that only write on the special paper....I can't remember the name right now. It is great because they can use markers but cannot get anything on themselves, you or the plane. Also, bring snacks :) Good luck.