Airplane Entertainment

I got this idea from a kids magazine . . buy a pill case with lots of compartments (the one we found has the days of the week on it) and fill them with little treats like M&M's, cheerios, etc. It keeps the child busy opening each little "door" and it's easy to refill. Good-luck!

I would say don't stress yourself out about what to carry. We've traveled a bit (with 3 1/2 year old twins) and I found I just got exasperated because I spent all this time packing the toys and they didn't even want them.

What we brought that has been most successful:

Magna Doodle (or something similar) - I do not recommend crayons for the simple fact that you will spend 5 hours bending down to pick them up. (I personally don't find that fun).

We have however brought a pencil and little notepads and have had a little more success with them holding on to it.

usually we bring one or two storybooks.

And if they have little character toys/figurines, I bring one each so they can have pretend time on the plane. That can last a long while.

That's all I bring.

As far as snacks, I usually bring a couple packs of fruit snacks. Depending which airline you might get some pretzels, but you wouldn't give your child more than 2 snacks in 5 hours, so don't worry about packing the cupboard.

Airlines will generally let you bring in a sippy cup of water, they've recommended at the airport security that I carry my girls through security so it looks like they are smaller than they are and need their sippy cup. I've never had one taken away or emptied yet.

It's really about your style. I have one friend that wrapped a small toy for each 30 minutes on the plane. I couldn't even imagine doing that.

I would sit on the isle with the two kids on the inside (so they don't feel like they can get up and walk in the isle). Make friends with the flight attendants, that goes a long way if the kids decide to be super cranky!

With the airports having the high security and all that, you have to make sure you don't break any rules when packing for your trip...

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitt...

Last year we went on a trip to Vegas with our 2y/o...without a DVD player... here's some of the things we did:
-Brought an empty sippy cup and got some juice on the other side of the security line (for take off and landing)
-Had 'triangle' crayons, some coloring books, and blank paper (I think we found the crayons at Target)
-Finger Puppets for songs and games
-His favorite toys (bedtime bear, two trucks, etc)
-A new toy/game to open
-Plenty of healthy snacks (we mixed small bags of dried fruit, pretzels, some favorite cereals, pieces of granola bars, and M&M's after passing security; then we put them in small bags or containers on the plane to keep him busy and make him feel like he was helping)
-LOTS of books!

My 18 month old has been to Ireland 5 times (8 hrs each way) and it somewhat varies depending on temperament of child and age = very easy with newborn, not so easy with toddler. I bring the portable DVD, coloring materials, a little etch a sketch, some little finger toys and a few books and her baby (doll). I pack a lot of snacks in those snack ziploc bags = cheerios, raisins, cheese, crackers, yobaby, whatever fruit she is currently eating. I bring nothing for me ie no book, no magazine etc as I know she will be a full time job. And then I pray and take deep breaths. We got stuck on the tarmac at National over thanksgiving for 4 hrs with her on my lap where they told us we had to stay in our seats as we might take off at any moment and we had one of those up tight very young executives with no kids in front of us growling at me to control my child (ahhhhh) - I was in need of a glass of wine or more ( promise only had one) by the time we took off. But most of the time it goes fine and is much better than I am expecting. Good luck.

fruit loops and shoe laces. They can make necklaces, AND eat them for a snack. Great one
Get triangle shaped crayons, thy don't roll off tables.
New coloring books
Stickers and blank notebooks.
Gummies
Dum dum lolly pops
Small containers of playdo
New DVDs for player
Wrap all of the above items in wrapping paper or tissue so it's an activity and surprise to open 'gifts'
Hit the dollar store to get lots of above and look for other stuff.

Good luck!

K.. Mom of 4 kids.. Ages 4-8. Travel lots with all

Hi A.! We took our daughter to Hawaii last year when she turned 2 and the DVD player definitely was a huge help. Also, bring things that are lightweight and easy to pack in your carry-on, like puzzles, coloring books, thin picture books and cards. Our daughter did really well on the 8 hour flight - we sat her inbetween us which I think helped contain her as well. A couple of times, my husband got up with her during the flight and walked her around the plane so she could get a change of scenery. I think that helped too.

As for snacks, again, lightweight is key. Cherrios or fruit loops are great - stuff a gallon size ziplock full of them. We also brought some small Gerber Toddler containers of ravioli - they don't need to be heated to be eaten and they are small enough to stash in your bag. Since they don't really feed you on the plane anymore, we wanted to be sure we had something of substance for her. We also brought some containers of baby food - like vanilla pudding and applesauce, because those don't need to be refrigerated and they make great snack cups. Get yourself some "take along" disposable spoons and forks too. You'll need them.

Have fun and happy travels!

My friend's husband is a pilot, they have 3 boys under 4. Her recs for me were the Aquadoodle, my daughter loved this! Also lollipops to suck on for cabin/ear pressure. I agree with not bringing crayons, you just have to keep track of them.

We've been flying with out kids since they were born (now 5 and 3). The most important thing to remember - you're not on vacation. Your attention during the 5 hours on the plane should be solely on the kids. I've seen lots of parents pick up a book and try to ignore their kids during flights and the result is always screaming kids.

I usually try and bring a few small toys, books, etc. Most of what I bring is usually something we can work on with the kids like workbooks with stickers. Pipe cleaners have always been a hit, we usually build things together. My daughter loves making them into glasses, crowns, etc (just don't let them chew on them). Crayola Color Wonder books & markers are perfect for planes - no need to panic if they color on the seats or walls. When my son was about 2 he loves bringing his Brio trains on the plane along with a few matchbox cars & planes.

If you bring a DVD, make sure to pack headphones. Whether you'll need them depends on the flight attendant, some make a big deal out of it and others don't. Make sure to bring along a new DVD of their favorite show.

For our last trip we found some new luggage for the kids that worked out awesome - Trunki. Basically it is a rolling carry on suitcase that is made for the kids to sit on. It is great for riding around the airport (you pulling them or under their own power). They are a little tough to steer and sometimes we needed the kids to push themselves in the right direction while we were turning - which may not make it appropriate for 2 1/2 yr olds. Then again, 2 1/2 yr olds are much lighter than my 5 yr old and so you may not have that problem. Check it out at: http://www.trunki.net/

traveled all day yesterday, recommend the aquadoodle travel for sure!

My 2 year old spent much of an entire flight to Japan (and back!) sticking reusable stickers on her dad. We tried to get some from the bargain section because we knew they wouldn't last long. The "reusable" means they aren't that sticky and you won't have a hard time getting them different parts of the plane.

The Aquadoodle is also good.

I love the Water Wow doodle books. You just need water to "color" the pictures then they dry and you can do them again and again and again.

Dear A.,

I took my 2 year old daughter on an international flight & I just brought a wide variety of snacks & plenty of milk, because they always run out on the plane---I bring a thermos full & a sippy cup full in a lunch bag---bring a second battery for the DVD if yours doesnt hold a long charge 2 little books is what I bring--next flight I plan on bringing the doodle pro (travel) they really get a lot of entertainment out of drawing---if you need any other suggestions, dont hesitate to contact me.

We traveled to Disney by plane when my kids were almost 3 and 4 1/2. They actually liked to look out the window a lot too so on the way there one sat by the window and on the way back, the other got the window seat.

I brought a bag of snacks and a bag of activities on the plane. I also bought all new stuff to take with (like items from the dollar store so if they were lost, it wasn't a huge investment) and so they'd be new to the kids.

crayons (Crayola twisters that need no sharpening and don't break)
a spiral notebook (small) for each
coloring books
stickers (for paper)
Crayola mess free marker books and finger paints that don't stain clothes, seats, etc.
Fisher Price Doodle Pro (they sell a travel size one)-the pen is attached by string so it can't get lost
Various books with lift flaps and activities to them
Small cars and dolls
iPod with movies and music loaded

fruit chews
granola bars
small ziplocs with cheerios and fish crackers
raisins
fruit leathers
yogurt covered raisins
small individual bags of crackers and cookies

(I packed food to have with us all week and have some left for the trip home too.)

Have fun!

We've been in lots of long flights with our kids. Besides lost of things like the other moms... I always take a first aid kit with me that includes tylenol, motrin and a thermometer. And any prescription they take... THe lollipops work for the ears but the gummy bears are better because they really need to chew on them. If they put the lollipos in their mouths but don't suck they don't help (I use gum for myself but they are too little...). I take new books with a favorite character. And play-dough - it is a little messy but they can play during the flight and you throw away at the end. A change of clothes and a light blanket per child. Maybe it sounds like a lot but one of the flights we are used to takes 9 1/2 hours... Good luck!