Toys for 14mo on plane ride?

[voxana]

I'll be flying with my 14mo son and am thinking of getting him some new toys...any recommendations? Oh, and any general advice on plane travel with a 1yo would be much appreciated. ;-)
Thanks!

[azzeps]

That's a tough one! We have just been on a few trips, but our daughter is 2. I'm trying to remember what would have been most entertaining at that age (and portable, and quiet!). We have a couple of magnet sets - they come in flat little tins and you open them up and move all the magnets around. One is paper dolls and the other is Hungry Caterpillar. Got them at World Market. But I'm not sure that they'd be super safe with a child who is still "eating" things. However, if you are right there next to him supervising, it might be okay, and since you're going on a plane, I know you'll be strapped down right next to him!! The only other thing I can think of at the moment is stickers. Again, possible choking hazard but if you're sitting right there watching... We also liked the Babybug magazines for travel. Our daughter loved (still does) those! We bought a bunch of back issues on e-bay for her.

As far as traveling goes, definitely pack snacks and take water or milk or whatever he likes to drink on with you. A baby carrier like an Ergo is very helpful, or a sling or whatever you like to use. You can wear him straight through security and be hands free which is helpful. Especially if you are taking a stroller and car seat with you.

My only other advice re: traveling with children is that you can survive it - it is only a set amount of time and then it's done. So if your kid screams the whole time and kicks the back of the seat, well, you don't know these people and won't ever see them again anyway, so who cares. This is what you have to tell yourself even if you don't quite believe it!!

[MovnMama]

Diddo on the baby carrier. Great in the airport and up and down the aisles of the plane.

Stay away from anything that makes a lot of noise. It's not so much that others care, but you will be hyper-sensitive to how loud your kid is. At least I always was. Sticker books are amazing. Don't count on your LO putting the stickers in the right place. On the hands is a great distraction.

Also got a WONDERFUL toy from my MIL. It is a MAD drawing pad (mad as in madlibs - remember those?) so this is a board book with a low-toxic dry erase marker and a bunch of half-finished drawings (as in "can you draw a trunk on the elephant?" "can you draw stripes on the zebra?" etc). LIFESAVER of a toy we took it everywhere. Erases with a tissue - no water needed, and no wasted paper. I found the link! http://www.store.madlibs.com/product...-beach-mad-art

Other confined space manipulatives might be, like, an abacus? Or I also have this self contained block set, 4 blocks with different images, you match the images up and put them back in the holder. Like this: http://www.imagiplay.com/productsdet...Buddy%20Blocks This is the exact one I have. It's great. This brand is great and eco-friendly.

Oooh - how about a bead maze? Like the ones at the doctors office? Ikea has small and compact ones, I know... Maybe not the best idea, but I'm thinking...

Oh, the magna-doodle drawing pads are great for traveling as well. Always have one in the car. Always.

Good Luck and Happy Travels!

[LeoneLover13]

I have flown with my DD quite a few times, for loooong trips too. The latest, form Phoenix to Guam (home) which is two 5-8 hr flights...sigh...

So here are my tips:

-Snacks!
Some you know for sure he will eat and some new funs ones he's never seen before. Always, lots of snacks, that will always keep them entertained, especially if they are finger ones.

-Baby carrier for sure!!

-Sticker/magnet books
I got a little magnet board book that you have a few magnets and stick them throughout the book, easy for little fingers not to crumple. Window cling type stickers are good too, especially if you get a window seat!

-Travel Bingo http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-2.../dp/B000VNXSOQ
I found these at a toy store here in Guam. They are made by Melissa and Doug and all the kids love them. Even if they don't get the bingo part, they can learn what's behind each door and always love opening and closing the doors.

-Portable dvd player
Some may not agree, but this was a life saver for us. By far, the best thing I have bought for long trips on planes or in the car. If all else fails, you've gone through your snacks, all the new and old toys, they've had a nap and there is still 2 hours to go, bust out the dvd player!

If I think of more, I will come and update! Good luck!

[stephck]

I think NEW (to your kiddo at least) toys are good so they are interested in them. I went to Chicago a few months back and we went to the aquarium. I bought one of those little bags of assorted plastic fish. (For like $4). I just kept pulling out a new fish/whale/ray and she thought it was great. And no big deal to lose a few in the seat crack

[mbm]

Stickers, Magnadoodle, DVD player. The plastic cups from drink service are great in a pinch.

DD is also enthralled with a Max and Ruby hide and seek "lift the flap" book that has 50-odd flaps to open. We've never seen the show but she loves, loves, loves this book and it keeps her occupied for a really long time.

[simplemama32]

I don't have experience with planes, but we've taken several long car trips and did something like this for those:

http://chasingcheerios.blogspot.com/...vity-bags.html

You can also google toddler activity bags or quiet bags and there are quite a few helpful sites out there.

Yes, yes, yes (!!!) to the sticker books, magnadoodle, DVD player, and lift-the-flap books. We also have a magnet "book" that is basically just a big scene with magnets to move around...and something similar to that, but with big, sturdy, removeable stickers. We got them both at a local shop, but I think Amazon has something similar:

http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Animals-M...8685652&sr=8-2

I also brushed up on all the words and actions to new fingerplays and songs...always a hit! ;-)

[PiePie]

We traveled with DD at 14 mos., and it was hard because she was all about walking/running at that age. Lift-the-flap books were a big hit. We had Where's Spot by Eric Hill and Where's Maisy by Lucy Cousins and some book re colors and/or shapes by Todd Parr. Unfortunately those show up as out-of-print on amazon, but you get the idea.