I'm taking my 3-year-old on an 8-hour flight with a long layover in the middle. Any tips for me to stay sane and keep her occupied on the flight?
2006-12-27 13:30:57 · 19 answers · asked by octolush 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Get a travel sized Magna Doodle.
Take a small container of Playdough.
Take some books to read her.
Pack a couple of new small surprises - you can even wrap them as presents.
Coloring books, paper, new crayons.
Leappad books or Leapster game with headphones.
2006-12-27 13:36:07 · answer #1 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the airline, there might be kid-friendly movies available on the in-flight service. British Airways, for example, usually has at least one Disney movie and a whole Cartoon Network channel of kids' shows.
Otherwise, if you can get a portable DVD player, those are always handy. Some airports might even have stations where you can rent a portable DVD player and movies, and you can return them at your destination.
If that's not an option, bring along some favorite books or stuffed animals. Maybe a CD or mp3 player loaded with your daughter's favorite music. Some airlines provide activity packs for young children, usually with things like a coloring book or stickers.
I don't reccommend giving her sleeping pills, because that will just make her cranky and disoriented, but try to get her to take a nap if she can, especially if you're changing time zones. I do reccommend bringing something she can chew on to help with her ears popping.
Hopefully your travels are safe and sane. Good luck.
2006-12-27 13:50:22 · answer #2 · answered by Burninating Liz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would get her a special backpack (let her come shopping with you to pick it out) and fill it with a Color Wonder book and markers, a few books to read, a new doll, and maybe even something electronic that doesn't make too much noise. I'd also pack plenty of snacks and a sippy cup. The airlines aren't letting you bring any liquids on the planes still, so keep it empty until you pass through security and fill it with water.
Oh, and just in case she starts to complain about her ears getting clogged because of the change in pressure, gummies (like the fruit kind in her favorite character) are perfect!
As for the layover, play "I spy" and take her to window shop in the stores in the airport. Some of these airports are like malls now and will likely have a Disney Store in them!
If she's anything like my 3 yr old, I wouldn't count on her sleeping...it will be too exciting to nap for her!
Susan
www.JoyFilledHome.com
2006-12-27 13:46:45 · answer #3 · answered by Michael and Susan W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put together a "busy bag" for her to bring on the plane. My mom had one for my sister and me when we were little. It had coloring/activity books, crayons, picture books, big wooden beads and a string, duplos (those giant lego things), tray puzzles, and a mini magnadoodle in it, but those are just suggestions. If she has a little handheld computer like a Leap Pad, get her a couple of new activities for that, too. Make sure you praise her often for behaving well during the flight. I know kids that age can be both hands full when they're cooped up for too long.
2006-12-27 13:42:19 · answer #4 · answered by Cat Loves Her Sabres 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your best option includes a laptop computer. A laptop that is new to 4 yrs (or so) old can show movies as well as play any number of age appropriate games. There are tons of inexpensive games that you can pick up and install quickly for your daughter to play while on the flight. Everything from Reader Rabbit type games to click and color etc.
Additonally you should have something like the magnadoodle (easier to deal with than paper and pencils). Or the Crayola Wonder Marker and Activity Tote, Or the Crayola Wonder Finger Paint and Coloring Book - Neither makes a mess, colors only show up on the special paper.
Some small toys to do some Make Believe Play - Weebles Little Wobble Hood Pals / Weebleville Folks or Little People: Touch and Feel sets or my personal choice *** Little People: Kingdom Castle or Kingdom Palace ***
Definitely some picture books and some books you can read with her - here are some of my kids (now mostly grown) favorites from that age!
The Little Mouse, The Red, Ripe, Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear - Audrey Wood **** Huge Favorite****
Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak
Are You My Mother - P.D. Eastman
Story of Ferdinand - Munro Leaf (Paperback)
New Books
Blue Burt and Wiggles - Derek Anderson - Highly Recommended
Follow the Line - Laura Ljungkvist
There is a great activity pack at Toys R Us. It has some soft foam puzzles and sewing cards and other activities for 3 + yr olds. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2332793&cp=2255956.2269725.2269729&view=all&fbn=Taxonomy%7CActivities+%26+Learning&f=PAD%2FTRU+Age+Filter%2F3+%26+4+Years&f=Taxonomy%2FTRUS%2F2255959&fbc=1&categoryId=2269729&parentPage=search#prod_prodinfo
I found the toys at Toys R Us http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=2255956
I found the books at Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
You definitely want to bring along an 'active' toy or two, like a blow up ball or a small reg. ball - something she can move around with, chase... whatever during your layover.
Snacks: Do not bring salty snacks - this just makes her want to drink more, which means more trips to the bathroom - the TINY airplane bathroom. Cheese sticks were a favorite with my kids, but too much and you get another problem =) . Apple slices (pre-sliced with a little lemon juice in the ziplock back so they don't brown). Oranges you can peel and section on the plane. Unsalted crackers, Graham crackers
Regarding the medicine people have been recommending - definitely bring it. Note: this is only if your daughter has taken antihistimine before without problem. Some of the problems you may encounter that Benadryl can help with (in a pinch) :
Child experiences pain during take-offs and landings due to congestion.
Child gets airsick (AH HA! Yup, I've had it happen, actually I had two toddlers who had the stomach flu. They were fine until the plane took off - no kidding. The flight attendant finally gave up and just gave me two big shopping bag size paper bags. I was the most hated woman in the air that day!) That was the last time I went on a trip without Benadryl. A sleeping child is not car/air sick.
Child's routine is upside down or sideways, and she is overtired, miserable, unable to settle down and sleep. A three year old is not capable of saying to herself "This will be over in X more hours, I'll just breathe deeply, I'll just close my eyes." Forget it. She wants her bed, she wants her pillow. She hates all the strangers, she doesn't like the seat and she is not happy with you right now. Do her a favor and help her settle down.
It's true that if you were at home you would not give her Benadryl to go to sleep, it's also true that if you were at home she would be in her comfy p.j.s, in her comfy bed. You could give her a warm bath or rock her to sleep or any one of a hundred other things that are not available on the plane. If you have tried holding her, singing a lullabye, stroking her back and hair etc. In other words everything that is available - then do not punish her because some uptight idiot "would NEVER do that" because "it's ABUSIVE". Give her the Benadryl.
If you bring along a portable DVD player or a laptop make sure you bring headphones (you can pick up a 'splitter' at Radio Shack so you can plug 2 sets of headphones in and you both can listen). Your airplane neighbors will bless you!
Make sure you have a small bag for her to carry. She can put a lovey (blanket/stuffed animal) and a favorite book or toy in it. Explain to her where you are going. Make sure you play 'Plane Ride' and talk about how people behave on the plane. You should do this several times in small doses, 5 minutes or so at a time. Don't play 'Plane Ride' long enough for her to get bored. She will not remember all of it, but that is ok. You can 'remind' her when you actually get on the plane.
Let her wear something comfortable - even if that means pajamas and bring a spare set. If you are going to meet the grandparents and want her dressed up when you arrive then bring a nice outfit and when you get off the plane take her to the restroom to change before you go down to where the grandparents are waiting. Heaven knows I would rather travel in footsie pajamas than in skirt and hose =)
I think I've covered it, I really tried to think of all the things I've added to my travel bag as the years went by.
Here are a couple of don'ts -
No crayons, markers, paints that will mark trays or fabric because if they can, she will.
No scissors, even the blunt children's kind. My kids have practically performed surgery with 'blunt' scissors.
No stickers, glitter, tiny beads etc. Something will be decorated, glittered/spilled etc.
Hope all of this helps!
Jen
2006-12-27 16:35:20 · answer #5 · answered by InstructNut 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
story books, small toys, Crayola's {fat ones are easiest to grab if they fall} ear phones with music she likes or quiet music like lullabies} Keep her up from her last nap and she might sleep on the plane. Make sure she has chewing gum {if you allow it} or something to chew on so her ears don't pop and stop up. I would take a small doll {maybe like a Kelly doll {barbie} that you can dress in a couple of things. Be prepared to play with her because unless she is asleep you will be entertainment for her. If you have a portable DVD player take along her favorite movie. My 22 month old granddaughter loves to draw. Take a tablet with colored pencils or something. Hope one of these helps! Also if she has a small favorite blanket to snuggle under that might help too.
2006-12-27 13:38:43 · answer #6 · answered by Mudder/ Gi 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Snack bag
Colouring books & crayons
a leap pad or a computer toy
before the flight take her to a kids park when she gets really tired she will sleep on the flight.
Good Luck!!
2006-12-27 13:43:42 · answer #7 · answered by Brie 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
can you take a portable DVD player on a plane?
Otherwise:
New toys she hasnt seen before
New books
Maybe books on CD: she can listen and look at the books
Bring out little treats every so often to praise her good behavior
She'll probably be excited about looking out of the window, so that will occupy her for a while.
Good luck!
2006-12-27 13:34:59 · answer #8 · answered by kyletexas_123 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
bring snacks and things to occupy her, toys, or coloring books. a portable dvd player works great and she can watch her fav movies. im about to be in a similar predicament myself lol. im not too worried about my 4 yr old but my son who will be 7 months old is gonna be a mess. we will be flying to japan which is 15 hrs so if u have any hints for his age let me know lol
2006-12-27 15:51:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sleep is the best answer. You can do this quickly and easily in several steps:
Get a hypodermic needle (the one used for shots). They can easily be obtained online.
Find some Benadrine pills (the ones that contain liquids, not powder).
Before the flight, pop around 4 of the pills and store the liquid in a small container.
On the plane, bring your child to the bathroom. Get the liquid inside the needle, close your child's eyes, and give him/her a quick stab in his/her arm and inject the liquid. Your child will fall asleep very quickly.
2006-12-27 13:40:46 · answer #10 · answered by sddsf f 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋