How do you keep a 3-year-old entertained on the airplane?

Answer 1

When I flew from San Francisco to Tokyo with my then nearly three year old daughter, I brought along a small Fisher Price doll's house that I had gotten at Toys R Us just for the trip. It had one little doll and several pieces of furniture and was about 8 inches tall.

I also packed a backpack for her containing some Duplo blocks, some crayons and paper and coloring books, a few of her favorite picture books, a Walkman and a couple of cassette tapes of kids music, her favorite stuffed animal, her blanky, some snacky foods, and so forth. The flight went smoothly.

Nowadays, I might consider buying one of those portable DVD players and bringing along some DVDs she enjoys.

Answer 2

I buy a bunch of "use & loose" dollar store toys. Something new, yet you don't have to stress if you loose a piece. Dole them out every so often.

Color Wonder products are wonderful. Kids can use the markers on the special paper & you don't have to worry about them marking up the airplane! Same with the water doodle books. Small pen filled with water that lets the child "paint" over and over on the same pictures.

Depending on the type of flight you will be on....you may need to bring food. International flights will give you food. But, I still bring some lolly pops as a treat (good for take offs & landings).

I had to add...Pink1967 is so right....avoid the Color Wonder finger paints for airplanes. Too messy! :-)

Answer 3

I tried to find flights that were near my daughter's nap time so she'd be sleepy or nap on the plane. But that might not work for you, especially if your child doesn't take naps.

I'd agree with all the other people who responded, to take small toys or dollar store items that you won't mind losing. Bring along a favorite stuffed toy or blanket for comfort. Stick with basic crayons and coloring books.

Color Wonder is good but I don't like that the caps don't stay put on the end of the marker. Don't buy the Color Wonder fingerpaints for a plane ride, because even the the paint is clear it will leave greasy stains on clothing.

Answer 4

lots of solid techniques right here. additionally communicate on your pediatrician. tell her or him what you're doing and ask relating to the right dose of Tylenol or Ibuprofen for the new child to take approximately 20 minutes earlier the flight. this would often help to take the sting off and she or he basically would sleep. undergo in strategies that airline flights are noisy and your new child would have worry listening to the CD or DVD participant without some form of earphones. We offered a little toddlers bounce-pad that scored a brilliant 0 on a cutting-edge flight via fact she could no longer hear it. additionally do no longer assume a new child sound asleep on a purple eye. Our son stayed unsleeping until ultimately 2:00 am (basically as we've been touchdown). Then he replace into out like a easy. don't be afraid to stroll around protecting the new child if the seat beat sign is off. Get to the airport early and notice in case you may score the bulkhead seats. Your new child can then play on the floor at your feet while seat beat are no longer required. in the journey that your new child would not get to play with your keys or wallet on a typical foundation right here are gold. circulate purchase a wallet and fill it up with enjoying cards, pictures and faux money. They like to tug them aside. prepare a key chain with genuine keys and a vibrant colored fob. better of effective fortune, Pabs

Answer 5

Coloring books. Regular books. Small toys that they like. Talking to them. Singing (very softly) to them. Playing games with them. Pretty much any activity they'd normally like that doesn't involve running around.


I'd bring something chewy, too, like gum or taffy. Little kids' ears sometimes hurt on airplanes because of the pressure changes, which mainly happen during take-off and landing. If they have something to chew on, it will help their ears to 'pop' and stop hurting.

That's not always an issue, but it's a good thing to know if you're flying with kids.

Answer 6

A portable DVD player was a life-saver for us on our 11 hour flight last year. I suggest bringing headphones for it, though. We also brought along a mini Aqua Doodle (has a water filled pen - similar to Magna Doodle, just with water), some cheap little dollar store toys (because you will enevitably lose at least one toy), and a coloring book and crayons. My daughter ended up sleeping for most of the flight, though.

Answer 7

Books, crayons and paper, a couple of favorite toys. If you can plan nap time to be then, even better. And snacks you know will be liked.

Things that end up on the floor can disappear easily, so try to bring cheap, disposable toys. If bringing the naptime object, make sure it doesn't get left behind.

Answer 8

I often bring along a clown and put him in the middle seat.

Answer 9

coloring book & crayons

Answer 10

portable dvd player & elmo!