My wife and I will be taking our 4 year old son on his first plane ride, any tips for some neurotic parents?

Question

We will be departing from Long Island, New York and arriving to Ft Meyers, Florida. The flight is about 2 and a half hours long.

Answer 1

First of all, ask if possibly he would be able to go into the cockpit and see the pilot. Also, for cheap ideas bring a bookbag that he can carry, if you do not have one, you can get one cheap. Tell him that is HIS luggage that he is responsible for, so it gives him a reason to feel important and needed.

EXPLAIN, EXPLAIN, EXPLAIN!

Tell the child exactly what you will be doing. Tell him where you are going, how long the ride is, and even take him outside and show him the clouds, tell him he gets to go way up high.

REASSURE HIS SAFETY

Make sure to let him know that everything will be fine, take him to the bathroom before getting on the plane, regardless of whether he needs to go or not. Tell him to try.

THE FUN KIT

The fun kit is basically what will be in his bookbag. These are cheap/free ways to get him to not be bored. If you are traveling in the evening, maybe even have him bring a small pillow.

The following items can be placed in the bag:

A comfort toy, such as a stuffed animal or his favorite toy. He will know it was from home.

puzzles
with 4-10 pieces (for easy use and in case of loss of pieces. )

books
let him choose 3 to 5 books to bring on the trip

small snacks.
put a few small snacks and juice boxes in his bag, but try to only use things that will not break and spill

other toys
let him choose some _small_ toys to put in his bag (you do not want his bag to be too heavy.)

There are many other slightly more pricey items that, if you have the luxury to buy, it would be a good idea.

A personal cd player and cd case
place these in his bag, but near the top, and make sure to bring cds he likes. if he does not like listening to music, try:

a personal dvd player

a handheld game such as a nintendo ds or otherwise.

a mp3 player
if you know how to work with these, it is a simple and smaller-scale way for entertainment.

Hope this helps!

-Whitney

Answer 2

First, don't stress too much. Kids actually do a lot better with flying than most people think. The good thing is that your son is four and can follow directions well. I'd suggest going to the library and asking for books on taking a first flight on an airplane. My son has one called "Up, up away Susie." It talks about all the steps you take to get on the plane.

Another suggestion is to pack his stuff with yours so you really only need one or two suitcases, but let him pack a couple things in a backpack. I'd stick some snacks in there (remember you can't take bottles of soda, juice or water through security) and maybe go out and pick out something brand new (like a magic pen book), wrap it in brown paper and tell him its a surprise for on the plane.

I'd also suggest waiting until last or close to last to get on. They let you get on early if you want, but the extra time waiting, waiting is just time the kid uses to get BORED.

If either of you has a window seat, try giving it to your son or switching with him at some point in the flight. Talk to him about the activity on the runway: the tugs bringing the luggage to the plane, the noises under the plane when they fill up the gas tank, etc.

The flight from NY to FLA really isn't bad and it will seem to fly by. Good luck and enjoy your flight!

Answer 3

Kids are naturally fearless. Or was it you?

Let your son bring along a fave toy with him, so he wont feel lonely. Lets say, when the plane is ready to depart, or when all those noisy clunking buzzing noise (the gas tanks) or the cargo hold loading keep you child calmed down if he is scared by saying someone dropped something heavy, or wateva just convince him. If youre plane is the ones that had a TV at the back of the headrests, guide your child thru all the channels. Some of em got a map showing detailed movement of the flight and current position, altitude, etc.. explain your son where you are. The TV should have cartoons too. And posibly, it may come with games! Watever, do not show signs to your child that YOU are the one scared? Just kidding

Answer 4

Take a carryone with snacks, drinks, wipes, small books, coloring book and crayons, his favorite little toy (car or stuffed animal), chewing gum, dramamine (in case he gets air sick), Maybe even a disposable camera and let HIM take pictures. Our children's first flight was when we had one 4, one 5 and one 16. Each one can take a bag on so we packed things to keep them occupied. We also had an extra set of clothes in a bag we carried, just in case. Most children are so fascinated by it, they do well. If he seems nervous, just smile and talk to him about how wonderful it is, and how beautiful it is. Point out the fun things. Soon he'll forget his fears and be doing wonderfully. The only problem we had was with the ears popping. That's the reason for the gum. If gum doesn't work, have them drink, swallow, whatever to pop the ears. If they sense you are nervous, even about them, they will be.

Answer 5

You will most likely be very pleasantly surprised how well he will behave and he'll love it. I travel alone with my 5, 3 and 2 year old frequently.

If you have a portable DVD player, I highly advise bringing it. Helps kill boredom during the plane ride and while waiting to get on the plane. Bring plenty of snacks, and buy juice/water once you get through security. Get a few brand new small toys/games/books and wait til you get on the plane to give them to him. Bring a change of clothes (in case of accidents) and unless he's super-dependable potty trained it doesn't hurt to throw a pull up on him just in case.

Answer 6

Me and my husband took ore 2 yr and 3 month girl at the time and flew to S.C and i packed toys and coloring books for the plane and delays we had she looked out the window most of the time. At first she was scared she we got on the plane but it was a small plane with propellers so that is what scared her. I also packed snacks and drinks .

Answer 7

what would make your trip extra special is to see if before you get on the plane, when your plane arrives on the tarmac, see if you can identify the pilot flying your plane. have your son meet him and explain to the pilot that this is his very first flight. not all pilots are like the one who made my son feel super special on his first flight. the pilot met him prior to boarding, and when he entered the plane the attendants knew his name and the pilot came over the intercome to announce that this was my boy's first flight welcome him aboard. he showed him the cockpit, and when we were taking off the pilot came on again to annouce that my son was helping him fly the plane. and at landing once again he came on and told everyone to thank my son for helpling fly the plane. then they gave him a set of wings! =)
i hope your child's first plane ride will be as special as my son's. it actually goes along pretty quickly when they are having fun. magna doodles are great, window seats are better. and the snacks and drinks that come along handed out by the attendants help the time "fly by."

Answer 8

easy. i travel all the time with mine and shes 4 now. lots of crayons and books some to read. maybe a hand held video game.usually the kids are fine its the adults that dont like kids you have to worry about.he will be to busy thinking this is really cool and why doi have to pop my ears. you can always put them night night with a little dramamene

Answer 9

Buy a portable DVD player. It will be the best investment you've ever made.

Also, bring snacks, blankets, bottled water, Dramamine, crayons, coloring books, and hand sanitizer.

Answer 10

Ask your pediatrician for some motion sickness meds because even though your kid doesn't get sick riding in a car, you'd be surprised how sick a kid can get on an airplane.