I have a 6 hour flight with my two boys, 4 years and 2 years old. Any ideas on how to entertain them?

Question

I am bringing the DVD player but they are really not interested in movies. I have a bunch of figurines and crayons and paper . . . Any other ideas?

Answer 1

I have tons of experience in this department because my husband and I were overseas for 3 years. We had several 14 hour flights with our toddler. First, I always made sure I had plenty of his favorite snacks, with a few rare treats in there too like candy or suckers. Make sure you do the treats closer to the end of the flight, as the sugar may excite them. I let my son pack a small carry on bag filled with his favorite toys. I found that crayons and paper weren't much fun for us or my son because he was always dropping them and they would roll down under the seats. I fixed that by getting him a Magna-doodle and you can even get them in travel size. The pen was attached,so we didn't have any more problems with losing crayons. I also brought along some playdough for him to play with on the tray in front of him. Another tip...you could go to the store alone and buy them each a small, inexpensive new toy to unwrap on the plane. Toddlers, as we all know, tend to get bored very easy, so the excitement of playing with a new toy will keep them entertained for a little while anyways. You could also try taking along a new video that they haven't seen yet. I would just try and make sure they are tired when they get on the flight, so that way they ( and you) will be able to rest some throughout. Hope this helps some..... : ) Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Try Crayola Colorwonder fingerpaints...no mess and they should keep them busy for a bit. For the 4 year old, you could try an activity book that focuses on preschool concepts like same/different, bigger/smaller, etc...(drugstores have them for a few dollars). Pick up a few new books that they haven't seen before. You could also try a game of Memory. They have tons of different editions now. You could play a game with the 4 year old while just talking about some of the pictures on the cards with the 2 year old. Also, don't forget some snacks. Get some things that they don't normally get at home so it will be more exciting. If all else fails, you can always take them for a little walk to the bathroom to let them stretch a bit. Good luck!!

Answer 3

Try to book your seats in the first row behind a bulkhead, or splurge for first class. That way once the kids get tired of sitting in their seats you can sit them on the floor with the extra space. If you weren't able to book those seats you can often request a seat change or discounted upgrade at the check-in counter. If you sit in the aisle seat they won't be able to escape as easily. Bring several toys - I try to keep a bag of only travel toys that they don't play with all of the time. Ration the toys out 1 at a time to make them last. Once the flight attendants are done with the food and beverage service get up and walk to the bathroom with them. You don't even have to go in. Sometimes the flight attendants will even show the kiddos where they "hide" the food and drinks. This little walk will help to stretch those antsy little legs for just a minute.
If you are not in a hurry, wait and get off the plane last so that you can take your time getting off and promise the kids that you will ask the pilot if they can peek inside the cockpit as they leave.
Good luck!

Answer 4

Well, keep in mind that your travel will extend for well into 10 hrs if you add the travel to the airport and wait time before your flight. Having said that, remember to have a good supply of snacks and juices with you. If they have a special blanket or stuffed animal to sleep with, have that with you also; nothing worse than a sleepy child that cannot find its comfort object! You may get them little inexpensive handheld electronic games, also the magnetic doodle board. You may find that breaking out a new toy every hour or so will keep them from getting bored and cranky, even if its inexpensive. Nothing noisy, or people might look at you funny.
Also, simple is sometimes the way to go. Thumb wrestling, peek-a-boo, I spy and making faces work when you are out of options. Good Luck!

Answer 5

I used different kind of snacks. I also bought toys they liked or had said they wanted. They each had a bag to carry on but didn't know what was in it. New stuff that they have never played with always keep their attention longer than the ones they have played with already. If you have an artist then you can get coloring books and markers. Just make sure you keep a positive attitude and the kids will too. I traveled with a 5yo and 2yo and 9 hours we did just fine and you will too. Happy flying.

Answer 6

First off you must be really brave, and good luck to you, try and play some games like I spy, bring books a lot of books, maybe try and not get them to sleep to much before the flight may be they will be so tired that they will sleep on the flight, bring paper, markers, crayons, ect, maybe small hand toys like cars, ect. Hope this will be some help to you and good luck to you

Answer 7

- SNACKS!!! :)
- Books
- Paper w/ stickers & crayons
- Small Toys
- Buy a new movie for the DVD player
- A Travel size magna-doodle

- Try to get there own seats.
- Try to sit near the rest room
- Get gum or the sippy cups w/ straws to help thier ears on the way up & down.

Answer 8

Give them each a small book bag and fill it with snacks and some toys. You may even want to make a special trip to the store and let them choose a few reasonably priced items that they can pack into their special trip bag. But don't let them play or use any of the items until they get on the plane and you are already in the sky. Otherwise they may become bored rather quickly.

Answer 9

Gosh, I don't envy you! Books, colouring books, treats...snackies that they really like...blanket or other "lovie",

Maybe that plasticine stuff...it's stiffer than playdoh but it still forms and kids love it.

I taught my 3 yr old to play Go Fish. My daughter....well...she would never make it through flight.

Can you make a little photoalbum for the trip? My kids LOVE looking at pictures, especially of themselves.

Those sewing shoe-lace cards...or threading string through beads.Big beads.

I would leave the DVD until the end, when they've just had it...they'll settle down and watch. Get something on their level...my kids love Baby Einstein's Old Macdonald, and Baby Neptune...and Blue's Clues, and Elmo..

Good luck! I hope it works out good for you.

Answer 10

Drawings, a couple of toy cars, you can play hand clapping games and sing songs. Get them to pretend to be the pilot of the plane, most planes have a screen where you can see what the pilot sees. Even giving them a phenergan b4 u go might be an idea. It will help prevent against travel sickness and make them drowsy