[LuckyMommaToo]

We have a long travel day coming up. Two flights, tight connection, then a two-hour drive. Ugh. I almost wish DD were more interested in TV, b/c I'd definitely do the DVD player. But she's not. She's really interested in my wallet, so I'm going to fill an old one for her. But I'm having trouble coming up with other small-ish things that will hold her interest. Any ideas?
thanks,
Erin

 

[beana's mommy]

Does she like puzzles? My 22 month old dd did 2 different wooden 12 piece jigsaws for almost the entire 4 1/2 hour flights we went on about a month ago to and from California.

Other than that we read books, and she listened to music on headphones.

The flights were in the middle of the day, when she usually naps... and she didn't sleep at all. Yet, she managed to stay happy, a few moments of wanting to run around and get down, but I thought she did great.

 

[ttcintexas]

My DD will be 2.5 yrs next month and has flown alot--maybe 12 or 13 trips in her short life. I cannot remember specific interests at 15 months, but some of the things that have kept her entertained are:

Books
Playdough
Stickers
Little toys that didn't take too much room to pack (small animals, people, etc.)
Bandaids
Snacks
Cups and straws picked up on the plane or in the airport
People watching (playing peek-a-boo) with the people in front or behind
I usually try to take something new or something she hasn't seen in awhile

Hope that helps.

 

[wrzos]

color wonder paper & markers
stickers
books
1-2 quiet toys (once I did a mr. potato head)

basically my ds has always been either sleeping or interacting, with other passengers, flight attendents, etc. He will play with the seat belts, tray tables, jump seats, visit the galley, etc.

 

[iadoremybabe]

I just did a plane trip with my 18 month old and the big hit was a magna doodle. Screwing and unscrewing the cap on a water bottle also took up a fair amount of time.

 

[Cujobunny]

I second the magna doodle.

Also snacks.

 

[SPOpa]

.

 

[LuckyMommaToo]

Hmm...yes, I think a tube of little animals will get a lot of use. She uses the Magnadoodle all the time at home, so maybe I need to hide it for a couple weeks. I think she's still too young for puzzles, but she might have fun with stickers -- even if it's just pulling them off my arm. Thanks for the ideas! It's so much easier to think of little things to keep my three-year-old entertained.
-Erin

 

[ShaggyDaddy]

We had when DS was 14.5m and DD was 2 weeks old we took a redeye flight cross country and THAT IS THE WAY TO GO!

it was like at 1:00 in the morning and both kids slept the whole time.

 

[aja-belly]

the things i brought on our flight to washington last summer for ds that ended up helpful:

spin brush
cell phone (took the sim card out)
my boobs

cheese (he ate so much cheese i thought he wouldn't poop for weeks!)
we had the flight attendant bring cup after cup of ice.

there were maybe 10 babies/toddlers on the flight and a few of them screamed the whole time.

the red eye flight we took back was soooo much better!

 

[LuckyMommaToo]

Oh, a spin brush is a fantastic idea! I'm too chicken to try a red eye. DS has always been such a terrible sleeper that I felt it was too much of a risk. Screaming baby on a daytime flight -- annoying, but I can deal. Screaming baby on an overnight flight -- unbearable!
-e

 

[a_cthelen]

I see that Magna Doodle has been suggested. We use ours everywhere.

We also have found these helpful:
books
healthy dried fruits
crackers
ice
playsilks
one favorite toy (usually his knitted fish)
magazines that can be torn-he loves that one
anything with photographs makes him happy
puzzles are a good choice, too. At least they can put them in their mouth (as long as they are wood and large pieces)

Have fun!