Advice for Long Flight with Toddler??

~*Kaelei*~

~*Kaelei*~

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My family and I'll be going to Disney World in April, and I was wondering do you guys have any idea how to entertain a two year old on the plane during the long flight?

Our son has been on the plane four times but that was when he was only 8 months (three times) and 14 months old....and it was during Red eye flight so he was asleep all four times. This time is going to be during the day and I don't know how's it gonna work...He hates being in the seat for long time and this flight to Florida from Washington will be the longest he has ever been on. Other four flights was to Alaska and back, only four hours. But to florida would be eight hours or more...I think...so this is gonna be the longest he has ever been on.

So do you guys have any ideas how I entertain a two year old on the flight...and I'm a bit nervous how he'll handle taking off or landing as he doesn't use bottles anymore for him to swallow so his ears can "pop".

Another thing: I don't know how he's gonna handle seeing big Disney charactors dressed up and the crowed place at Disney World. He hates rides, I have tried to put him on the rides but he hates it, that I know. But I don't know how's he gonna react to big disney charactors walking around...is he gonna freak out or what? We'll be in Florida for 15 days so I wonder how he's gonna handle it or more so How am I gonna handle the toddler around Disney World.

Man, I'm nervous...as my husband won't be coming with me, it'll just be my mother in law, my son, my step daughter, me and other family of 8...which is family friends of ours. I know the trip will be fun but I'm a bit nervous about going without my husband.



 
Bring a few toys to keep him busy and coloring will do also. I've took my 3 years old to Los Angeles and I had no problem cuz he just sit and watch tv and zzz. I did bring few toys also. Now he is 7 and he wanted to go back to Los Angeles! I told him someday :)

As at WDW, I am sure he'll have fun! And maybe once he see rides, he'll beg you take him on the rides. Wait and see what is his reaction will be.

Good luck!
 
~*Kaelei*~ said:


My family and I'll be going to Disney World in April, and I was wondering do you guys have any idea how to entertain a two year old on the plane during the long flight?

Our son has been on the plane four times but that was when he was only 8 months (three times) and 14 months old....and it was during Red eye flight so he was asleep all four times. This time is going to be during the day and I don't know how's it gonna work...He hates being in the seat for long time and this flight to Florida from Washington will be the longest he has ever been on. Other four flights was to Alaska and back, only four hours. But to florida would be eight hours or more...I think...so this is gonna be the longest he has ever been on.

So do you guys have any ideas how I entertain a two year old on the flight...and I'm a bit nervous how he'll handle taking off or landing as he doesn't use bottles anymore for him to swallow so his ears can "pop".

Another thing: I don't know how he's gonna handle seeing big Disney charactors dressed up and the crowed place at Disney World. He hates rides, I have tried to put him on the rides but he hates it, that I know. But I don't know how's he gonna react to big disney charactors walking around...is he gonna freak out or what? We'll be in Florida for 15 days so I wonder how he's gonna handle it or more so How am I gonna handle the toddler around Disney World.

Man, I'm nervous...as my husband won't be coming with me, it'll just be my mother in law, my son, my step daughter, me and other family of 8...which is family friends of ours. I know the trip will be fun but I'm a bit nervous about going without my husband.
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First of all, It is exciting to go on a long trip to somewhere but it also can be nerve-racking especially with a toddler. You can try and entertain him with coloring books or a marking book with Color Wonders (the markers won't stain on seats, clothes, etc), any of his favorite small toys.

As for his ears, you can give him a sugar free lollipop or bite sized crackers to chew on and it will relieve the pressure of the ear when going on a takeoff or landing. Does your toddler chew gum as well? If so, that'd be helpful as well.

Disneyworld will be a new atmosphere for your kid. It is understandable that your toddler might feel at un-ease seeing alot of things that are going on around him. You might would want to start "introducing" the trip to him and tell him how fun it would be at disneyworld. That might help him give something to look forward to and become at un-ease. The more he learns about disneyworld, the less he might become scared.

Just my 2 cents.

Good Luck and enjoy your upcoming vacation to Disney World. ;)
 
I will be in the same situation in 2 weeks when all 4 of us fly to Phx, AZ . It will be a 6 hour flight and I am nervous about how to keep my 2 year old son busy.

I flew with my daughter alone to AZ from MD when she was 2 years old (i was a single mom at the time) and it was so tough cuz she wanted out of the seat. My daughter is now 10 years old so maybe she will keep my 2 year old busy since she gave me a hard time when she was 2 years old!!!

I will be watching this thread for different advice to use for myself. Thanks for starting this thread! I didnt even think about it. :)
 
Same me!!! lol

Do not know what happen my 3 years old and 6 yrs old girls will be flying California this April for 2 weeks! ;):)


Yep Shel90... me too.. Will be watching this thread for different advices?? :D
 
Same for me, for real! I've been so worried about how I am going to be flying with my soon-to-be 2 and 6 year old girls - for the FIRST time with them and I'll be all alone (OMG!!!) I think I rather jump out of an airplane than do this!! This will be in July, and I'm scared to death.

Advice from me may not be a good idea because I've never done it (yet) but will give it to you anyway... dress him him in layers because it might be cold or hot on the plane - never know. My baby gets fussy if she's too hot. Bring a portable DVD player for him to watch. Doodle boards are good.
 
I agree with Jolie 77 - it may be a good idea to sort of talk about the trip, show pictures of characters he might see and rides he might want to ride, etc. to prepare him for the trip. You may even make a book about it for him to take with him...and during the trip talk about what is being seen/done. Don't forget to talk about airplanes in the sky and how he's so lucky to get to ride one in the air.

Maybe you should invite me to go with you to help ;).
 
Bring his favourite storybooks and snacks.

If he drinks from a bottle, make sure you show it to the attendants before boarding.
 
Try to tire him out right before the flight.

If you're going to fly out at 2 pm, get him all active for a couple hours before you go to the airport. By the time he gets there, he might be too tired and fall asleep.

If he is awake, then bring something for him to play with or a portable DVD player so he can watch a movie to keep himself occupied. :)
 
VamPyroX said:
Try to tire him out right before the flight.

If you're going to fly out at 2 pm, get him all active for a couple hours before you go to the airport. By the time he gets there, he might be too tired and fall asleep.

If he is awake, then bring something for him to play with or a portable DVD player so he can watch a movie to keep himself occupied. :)
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Flying out at 7 a.m. I do not think a good idea for me playing to keep my girls activate before 7 a.m. :eek: :lol:

J\K ;):)


BTW


That must bring your child s I . D from School and Birth Cerf . With you ok!! :thumb:
 
I had an experience for over 20 hours on the plane to Sinpagore and Australia before. My boys have no problem for that since we have Playstation on each plane seat and bring their own game boy and favorite toys, magazines, etc. The stewardness gave them book and crayon to drawing.

We experienced more and less than 6 hours planes to different countries in many times since my both boys were toddlers - no problem.

Without get their favorite one, they would go crazy... give them their favorite toys, magazine, game boy, drawing book etc.
 
How about sleeping pills ? Just kidding ! My bad joke! !

Anyway, What about just bring their favorite things what they like and LOT of candy.. LOL....Im surely that they will HUGE HYPE! Dont take my advice about candy. :) just kidding.

My 3 kids were with me go to New York last in summer. They were doing pretty good in flight. Impressed me... (pat my shoulder)

:afro:

M-
 
ScubaladyTx said:
How about sleeping pills ? Just kidding ! My bad joke! !

Anyway, What about just bring their favorite things what they like and LOT of candy.. LOL....Im surely that they will HUGE HYPE! Dont take my advice about candy. :) just kidding.

My 3 kids were with me go to New York last in summer. They were doing pretty good in flight. Impressed me... (pat my shoulder)

:afro:

M-
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Unless... you're also kidding about the kids doing pretty good in flight too? ;)
 
If you have jumpy/loud kids, for the sake of everyone on that plane, either ensure that they'll be tired around the flight, or give them a dose of children's benadryl. It wont kill 'em, and it does everyone a favor in the long run.

When I was yonger, I flew alot (up to several times a month) before I turned 6, I'd have a family member accompany me on flights, so they'd usually pack a bag loaded with "amusing things" for the flight. Colouring books, play-doh or therapy putty, foam puzzles were all very popular. Big old giant print books were also popular.

These days, you can bring along a portable dvd player and easily occupy an hour or two with their favorite film. Some airlines have in-flight films, but check in advance if it's a film you want your child watching. If you own a laptop, take it. You could also use this to play films, or to attract them to a game they like. For younger (under 4-5 kids) I've found that One Switch games are a usually very good option, as it's essentially "press one button, get this reaction", often just hitting the space bar and making whatever object on the screen jump. When you're young, this can be insanely amusing. One such game that might be appropriate is "run rabbit run" which is.. as the name suggests, a running rabbit. The game has one possible function, which is hitting ANY key at all, making the rabbit jump. It's simple but brightly coloured, and it has bright background music. It can be downloaded at One Switch - Platform Games Download page (there's an older version, and the newer "3d" version. The older one is easier for younger children, and it's also much easier to see)

Snacks and drinks help, too. If you need to get a drink into the sterile area in light of the 'new' TSA regulations, just state that it's a medical food (the 'my kid has allergies' exuse always works) and they'll let it through. In-flight food is spotty at best, and it's expensive to buy snacks.

I hope that helps.
 
I'd bring plenty of goodies. If you are okay with it, you could try searching for a all natural tranquilizer or calming pills from the Natural Health Food stores. Try explaining to him what will be happening and show him Disney World character pictures. I read kids like to be told things ahead of time to decrease anxiety.
 
Aleser said:
If you have jumpy/loud kids, for the sake of everyone on that plane, either ensure that they'll be tired around the flight, or give them a dose of children's benadryl. It wont kill 'em, and it does everyone a favor in the long run.

When I was yonger, I flew alot (up to several times a month) before I turned 6, I'd have a family member accompany me on flights, so they'd usually pack a bag loaded with "amusing things" for the flight. Colouring books, play-doh or therapy putty, foam puzzles were all very popular. Big old giant print books were also popular.

These days, you can bring along a portable dvd player and easily occupy an hour or two with their favorite film. Some airlines have in-flight films, but check in advance if it's a film you want your child watching. If you own a laptop, take it. You could also use this to play films, or to attract them to a game they like. For younger (under 4-5 kids) I've found that One Switch games are a usually very good option, as it's essentially "press one button, get this reaction", often just hitting the space bar and making whatever object on the screen jump. When you're young, this can be insanely amusing. One such game that might be appropriate is "run rabbit run" which is.. as the name suggests, a running rabbit. The game has one possible function, which is hitting ANY key at all, making the rabbit jump. It's simple but brightly coloured, and it has bright background music. It can be downloaded at One Switch - Platform Games Download page (there's an older version, and the newer "3d" version. The older one is easier for younger children, and it's also much easier to see)

Snacks and drinks help, too. If you need to get a drink into the sterile area in light of the 'new' TSA regulations, just state that it's a medical food (the 'my kid has allergies' exuse always works) and they'll let it through. In-flight food is spotty at best, and it's expensive to buy snacks.

I hope that helps.
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Pretty good advice here. I have to admit, I seriously laughed hard when I read "give them a dose of children's benadryl. It wont kill 'em, and it does everyone a favor in the long run." Funny (but true)...funny, funny! :giggle:
 
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