Flight with 2 small kids, any travel ideas?

Question

I have a 4 1/2 year old and 9 mos old and will be travelling 11 hrs on plane. Any ideas to keep them busy without having a very heavy carry on ?

Answer 1

The 9 month will be easy, a good bottle for take off and landing. The sucking helps with the ears. (change in pressure). A nice little snack, and should sleep most of the time. Airplanes are like trains and cars... puts the little ones to sleep.

For your 4 1/2, I wouldn't suggest coloring books. Do you really want to try to keep up with falling crayons? I would suggest packing a nice sticker book in your carry on, then when you get to the airport, let him/her pick out a nice toy plane to carry on.

By the way they make cute little rolling carry on bags for kids. Looks just like ours but scaled down size and cooler colors. Let the little one feel like a big person and drag their own bag onboard. I've see hundreds of little ones doing this.

Answer 2

HA! Love this one. Been there. Done that. I agree with other posters about crayons- BAD idea. The DVD player is a good one and will entertain both children, but only for so long. Milton Bradley makes travel sized games that my kids always loved, like a mini Operation game, mini tic tac toe, etc. Gameboys are also good. I never let them play with the 'new' toys until the plane took off so they retain that new toy status. SNACKS are a must. Since 4 yo and 9 mo can't really chew gum, lollipops are a must have. Bring all their favorite snacks. Contrary to what people think sugar is NOT a stimulant, its actually a depressant, and is similar to alcohol in its chemical make-up. (When you see kids hyper at a b-day party, its not the cake, its the fact that they're at a PARTY)

Now here's the part that I had a hard time with, that my pediatrician suggested (an old school guy), that once I tried I was convinced it was perfectly fine.......Give them the recommended dose of Benadryl. Yea yea, I know people will say don't 'drug' your children, but here's what our doc told us. The actual reason for doing this is not to put them to sleep, which is an added benfit, but it is more for the effects of the antihistamine which will help keep the ears and sinuses open. Worked great for my kids, and I'm sure the other passengers on our flight appreciated it as well. Give them the dose about 30 to 45 minutes before you board and you will not be dissapointed.

Good luck and happy toy hunting!

Answer 3

I would suggest giving a small dose of Tylenol to both to ease the achenes that sometimes occurs with children. Bring lots of books for the 4 1/2 year old, try to travel at night and try to get the seat near the bulk head they are larger and away from other travelers.

Answer 4

For the 9 years old kid, giving him something to drink and a snack to eat and an interesting book to read (with lots of bright pictures) will send him fast asleep. As for the 4.5 years old kid, keep him occupied with some easy-to-assemble toys like a puppet or a doll. Do not use toys likes puzzles because the tolder would most likely throw a tantrum and send the puzzle pieces onto the floor. Bring a juice bottle and snacks and they'll keep him/her occupied.
Hope this will help!

Answer 5

Sorry, the carry on will be a bit heavy.

DVD player (Panasonic makes one with a 10-hour battery)
Books, games
Snacks
For the older kid, something that s/he sleeps with, like a doll or a blankie, so they'll have something comforting for a nap.
If you sit in a front row seat (right up against where the screen is), some airlines have a child bed that hooks onto the wall for the infant.

Answer 6

for the 4 1/2 year old coloring books are allwase good or something to occupy him with jel pens, markers, Drano wait NO don't give them drano they don't like that. For your 9 mos old he'll prolly whine for a little bit talk to him try to keep him occupied socialy and most often with 11 hr flight he'll sleep through most of it. Hope that helped

Answer 7

The 9 month old will sleep most of the way.

The 4.5 year old - books to read, games to play, walk up and down the aisle, visit the cockpit (ask a stewardess), watch the movie.

Answer 8

Everyone else covered most everything.

But, you will need at least a quart of Jack Daniels or equivalent to give to the kids to keep them knocked out most of the way.

Have fun....


(kids were older, but been there, done that = Amsterdam to Houston, TX non-stop)

Answer 9

videogame.. like gameboy...

coloring book.. usually children are very easily entertained

but you must also tell your 4 year old to behave.

since its his first flight he might also be a little scared due to turbulance if thre is any... plus the lift off and arrival could be pretty bumpy as well...

during these times u have to bring up your nurturing skills

Answer 10

Books on tape for your 4 year old. Get them at the library. Ask your baby doctor for medicine for flying for them. Use gum and a pacifier for departing ground and landing.