How Can I Entertain My Toddler on an International Flight?

J.,
I just flew back to the states with my 2 1/2, if you are flying Delta I know they play at least one kids movie and headphones are free. The novilty of how the food was served was enough for my very picky eater to like it. You are however allowed to bring nonliquid snackes.
Good Luck
Ashlee

Yes you can bring snacks your child likes but as far as drinks be sure to check the TSA site to see it you can bring juice boxes, etc. Airlines usually have a good variety of drinks but I believe they are starting to charge for them. I know they allow formula for babies, they have to. I have brought teddy grahms, ritz, gummy bears, etc with me on the plane for my kids. I also agree with the previous poster, get some small toys and what nots and give them to your daughter every hour or so to keep her entertained. I usually waited until my boys were getting fussy to break out a new toy. Now they are older where Nintendo DS' andf iPods will keep them occupied for hours upon hours.

Get a few cheap items (stickers, mini notebook, my little pony, box of crayons, a book, a box of character band-aids, a special snack (lollipop), etc) and wrap them up in wrapping paper and give out at set times like every hour. My daughters always loved this on plane rides. It could even be a few of her favorite things that she hasn't seen in awhile. :) I always just hit the dollar store but in Turkey it might take some creative looking! I always end up wearing a lot of band-aids but hey, it's fun! If security has an issue with wrapped gifts (??) just take along a gift bag and tissue and when you rummage into your carry-on bag put the gift in the gift bag and instant gift!

Also, if you have an i-pod with video you can download video clips from dora and blues' clues for free (under podcasts) and you may even be able to buy an episode or two. It's small and has head-phones!

Three words: Portable DVD player. Can't say it enough. Get Cinderella, other non-scary videos and an extra charged battery pack. I'd also get her a small prize like a little stuffed animal or something else she'd like and give it to her as a surprise for being a good girl. (Don't show it to her, just tell her she will get a present if she's quiet and helps mommy)I know this sounds like bribery but sometimes we just have to do what we have to do! the good thing is your little baby will probably rest or sleep most of the time so you can give some attention to your two year old. She will like the earphones and all the other fun gadgets on the plane. Don't worry, it won't be as bad as you imagine. Good luck! PS pack her a sippy cup and snacks, the airline will let you bring them especially if they'r pre-packaged like individual goldfish cracker packs and things like that.

Puppets can do wonders and you can make 'em out of socks. Have her act out the stories from her books with you. Photo albums from when she was a baby could also keep her busy for a while, especially if you have exciting stories about her or can think up some good fiction ones with her as the character. I don't know about the portable dvd player I've seen people suggest. My son, at two, was not at all interested in tv. He was all about outside, books, himself, and learning in general. It would be great if she could be in a window seat too.
Last time I flew you could take snacks. Dry snacks and baby stuff, but not fluids. You can check with the airline's website or the airport website on item restrictions.

Good luck, I hope your flight is enjoyable or at least not bad.

You might be back home already from your travels but I thought I'd write anyhow either for other's who look up the post or in case you have not travelled yet.

I find it easier to travel alone with the kids at times because everybody is so much more helpful and friendly. Travelling with hubby and 2 kids I find people rude at times and you are just one of them and that's how you get treated.

Call the airline definatley beforehand and ask for on child menue, see if you can get a bulk head seat (has it's positive sides--more space and it negative sides though as well--the trays come out from the side of your seat oposed to from the front seat) which is very hard to get though because all sorts of people qualify for them. If you still think you want bulk head seats then make sure you are one of the very first people to check-in which means being there about another 1- 1/2 hour before the regular guide line. Also when you call the air line tell them you are travelling alone and you would like to have an escort in the airport--I had that one time with British Air and the lady told me that this is her job, though if nobody tells her in advance she is not psycic and does not know that someone needs her help.

My best experience I had with Singapur Airlines--they are bendig over backwards. They gave my son juce before even taking off, asking how he wanted it (straight, diluted with water). They make the Americans seem bad when it comes to customer service, and I have experienced very good customer service in the US opposed to Europe.

I also like having my own car seat (making sure it's air line approved--know where it's written on the seat that it is approved for travel) as even 2 year old can open the seat belt in an airplane. Also if she decides to sleep you can prop the car seat back a lot better than just the back of the seat and if need be you can strap her in and she can't get out on her own, besides you might need the seat anyhow at your destinaton.

So my post was not so much about keeping a child occupied bit I found these things helpful and have gained these experiences by many overseas flights with and without hubby travelling with us. If we flew one leg alone then I always made sure if possible that he could be with us on the day flights (going to the US) opposed to the night flights when kids usually sleep most of the time and little attention is needed.

If I'm too late with my post I hope that you had a good experience though!

We flew from the States to Germany with a very busy 2 year old and I recomend a portable DVD player. I know some people are so against it but it saved us. i bought some Little Einstein cartoons and her favorite movies also. Suckers so her ears wouldnt hurt on take off or landing and teeting tablets. They are natural and just help nerves. you already have the creative stuff the rest is what is light and your kid friendly..Good luck S. A

Hi J.,
I am currently in Okinawa, Japan, and have flown to the States several times with my daughter, starting from age 15 months until now (she is 3). If your daughter will watch videos, I highly recommend bringing a portable DVD player or Ipod - something that she can watch to stay entertained. The plane also often has good kid movies. I also go to the dollar store and buy some inexpensive toys that are new to her for the plane ride. As for food, call your airline - I know United offers kid meals instead of the adult option. But if not, yes, it is totally fine to bring snacks. I would bring some for you and the kids, anyway, as you cannot plan exactly when they will bring the food. I have one last suggestion. I was kind of shocked the first time someone suggested this, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I always travel with some Benadryl, and if she is just really wild and cannot settle down, I dose my daughter so that she might take a nap. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Hi, I have been in your shoes! I have flown from Korea to the states(14 hours) twice by myself with 3 kids...one being 15 months and then 2 years! Soooo, what I do is purchase some very small toys, cars, action figures etc and put them in a gallon ziplock baggy. At every hour that he/she is awake, pull out a new toy. I also included colored pencils(they travel better than markers or crayons) and drawing paper along with new small board books. If the toy kept him occupied for more than an hour, I would wait to pull out the next one. They have to be toys he/she has not seen before. And yes, you can take snacks. I included some fun foods in another baggy that I could pull out as well. Happy flying!

Bring a gift bag with a wrapped present your kiddo can unwrap each hour. Something like a coloring book, or a mini playdough. Cheap things are great.

You can bring food, just no liquids. Don't forge the wipes.

And a spare change of clothes as carry on. Food spillages etc happen and a spare change is always a good idea.

If you have an iPod you can load stories for her to listen to. Even a CD player with CDs. all else fails, a portable DVD player. It's like a laptop that just plays DVD's.

Good Luck!

For my 2 year old, books and coloring works best. That and eating snacks, which I always make sure to have plenty of. Just remember that if you have something like an apple, to make sure it's eaten by the time you land! I had one confiscated by customs because I forgot about it. The earphones and movies are usually pretty interesting too. A friend gave me some teething tablets to help calm nerves and I'm not sure how much they helped (although she was pretty good), but I think you would probably find them at your commissary. I know how nerve wracking it is to travel with your kids without your husband. Good luck!

I recently flew with my son from Okinawa to Utah and back. They were really good about letting me take on snacks and the little Gerber juice bottles. I also tried to stock up a little at the shops by the gate with banana's and other fruits. If you have a portable DVD player that was one of my lifesavers. Just remember most of the people will get up and move around during that long of a flight and you should let your toddler do the same. My son was excited just to be able to stand up in his car seat and stretch.

A portable DVD player was a lifesaver for me when I travelled with my older son at that age!

In addition to the previous suggestions, I would say make sure you bring a baby carrier for your little one so you can chase after the 2 year old better. Also, if you can get hold of one of those animal back pack/kid leashes, they are good for the plane and airport if the child is restless and wants to walk but you want to keep her from running off.

I know this may sound a bit odd, but would she wear headphones? I know when my kids were little and we flew, I grew desperate for even a few minutes break from being the entertainer, so I would take along cassette books on tape or even Raffi or other songs. We had some Sesame Street chunky books that came with tapes that my daughter loved. And of course, depending on how you feel about it, portable DVD players (again, with headphones) would give a brief break. As far as food goes, you'll need to check and see what they allow you to bring through security, because otherwise you'll be stuck with what you can buy in the airport before you board. Best of luck to you--and remember, most people will be quite understanding of what you're be going through.