Plane travel with young children

Marmee · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 05:42 PM

Ok - so I know quite a few of you Mummas have been on planes with little ones....please share your experience with us

We will be travelling on a 5 hour plane journey in October with a 7.5 year old, just turned 3 year old and 16 month old.

The 7.5 year old will entertain himself with the loads of things we will take.

Tell me the best things to occupy our younger two......please!!!!! I know that Mr 16 month old is going to want to crawl all over the place (although, he's probably going to be walking by then...) so keeping him occupied in a seat for a good deal of the time is going to be interesting.

How? What's worked for you??

JAK · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 07:01 PM

A brand new, special toy. That's what I've used with ds on plane trips (he's done one at each of your childrens ages). At 16mths we were lucky that there were two children sitting in front of us and entertained ds for the 4hr trip. At 3-4ish I bought a few new toys, brought colouring in books and his favourite toys. He was fascinated with the plane and trying to look out the window. Last year (8) he just wanted to look out the window and discuss what he could see, but brought some books to read, colouring in/drawing book. Another thing that helped entertain him was being able to listen to music on their headphones. We got a pack from the air hostess (can't remember the terminology used, brain too tired today) which gave ds something to do as well.

I was pleasantly suprised how well each trip went.

**Marguerite** · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 07:51 PM

Off the top of my head, stickers, writing book ,reading book and a little travel magna doodle plus some healthy snacks. Mine each have a little back pack that I stock up before each journey.

If you are on a flight where they can watch something on a screen, all the better. (from memory I think last time we flew Virgin they had a new fandangle swipe your credit card and choose your own tv thing)

I have just picked up some Be Calm tissue salts and plan on using them this weekend when we have another flight.

A friend of mine is Virgin crew and she laughing tells me of the day when a Mum brought a tamborine and harmonica on to entertain her child. My friend does not reccomend that for obvious reasons.

Marmee · #4 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 08:09 PM

Obvious!

hanabi · #5 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 08:28 PM

The tiny multi-coloured packs of playdoh are great for entertaining a three year old. Plus, most flights of that duration have movies and some even have your own personal TV/games centre. A 16 mth old can be hard work, unless he's a sleeper. They generally want to walk all around and explore everything. Befriend your neighbouring passengers and offer them bribes.

Will DP be travelling too? Two adults to three children is a pretty good ratio for plane travel. You'll be fine.

Dorasmum · #6 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 08:33 PM

Well I'll third the new toys idea, a bag each of brand new bits and pieces to dole out slowly. A bag of snacks to keep the bloodsugar up and help keep occupied.

Try and wrangle a bulkhead seat, you'll have way more room. We took an eighteen month old to the US,

but to be honest we had more problems in the airports than on the plane....duty free perfume stores....

If you're taking a pram, you can check it in at the gate and they'll have it waiting for you at the door upon arrival. You could have one in a stroller and one in a backpack.

Em

Marmee · #7 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 08:38 PM

Thanks everyone

Yep - I was going to have the new goodie bag ready to go. I guess it's *really* the 16 month old I'm struggling for ideas for. There's only so many songs and stories that I reckon I'll be able to cope with for 5 hours

As has been said - having DH with me will make it loads easier. I know many of you have done it solo - my hat goes off to you. Maybe we'll take an hour a time, singing and reading

kristamumof3 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 08:59 PM

I have flown to Vancouver and back with Noah when he was 18 months, then again with Noah at 3 years and Callan at 9 months, then again with Noah at 5, Callan at 3 and Laila at 3 months. Just remember that they cannot kick off the plane once they have taken off!!

I found that with the younger ones I needed something new about every 20 mins. Try to get things that you don't mind losing. Try to hide them until you are on the plane and bring them out one at a time so that you can stretch them out as long as possible. Be prepared to walk your 16 month old down one aisle and back the other - it's hours of entertainment as long as it's not too turbulent. Even playing in the bathroom can entertain them for a while. Stay as calm and as relaxed as possible and you will be absolutely fine.

**Marguerite** · #9 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 09:06 PM

Playdough is a great idea! (does your DS eat it though Marmee?)

I am going to make some up before our next trip.

alzarex · #10 (**permalink**) 05-08-2008, 09:11 PM

DS has spent many an hour walking with the littlest one up and down the aisles on trips to NZ
we flew Syd/Per with Virgin on a late night flight a few years ago and just as the kids had finally gone to sleep they turned the lights on to sing happy birthday to one of the crew over the loudspeakers - their answer to what could we now the kids were awake again was that they had the run of the plane, apart from landing or turbulence we were welcome to take them walking up and down the aisles
i'd prefer to watch a child doing laps than hear them screaming in frustration...
we also found that one of us would take a restless one for a walk down near the toilets/kitchen and there'd always be new and interesting people to talk to for them

none of the new and exciting activities ever took their fancy for very long