toddler activites on the flight?

[olives]

hello !
seeking ideas on how to keep a active toddler occupied on the flight ?
books, small games......what else ?

[carang]

i took my 3 year old and 5 year old by myself for a 15 hour flight. i got each of them one of those plastic zippered bags and put the following in:
(1) notebook
(2) crayons
(3) stickers--different kinds that could be used to make pictures, like flowers, trees, cars etc.
(4) small water paint with brush
(5) letter stickers
(6) reading book
(7) printed off a couple of colouring pages
(8) matching game
(9) travel connect 4/checkers
(10) computer tablet/ipad with movies/games & headphones

that should keep them occupied for a long time...

the other hint: don't pull them out immediately... give it an hour or two before you bring something out...

also: i had my kids pack their own carry on bag. they LOVED to pull their bags themselves! in their bag, they were each allowed to choose 3 toys to bring. (i packed their reading books in my bag). I also bought each child a new toy that would fit easily into their bag. i wrapped each present like at xmas and gave them to the kids while we waited to board the flight. that way, we could throw all rubbish in the bin before we got on the flight. they played with that toy (because it was new) for about the first hour or hour and a half.... then they ate their meal... then i got out one of the activities....

[Mikifin]

Even my toddler does not eat candy normally lollipops work great. You will have your quite and easy moments with them :)--o

[Sazzy]

Sorry but drug them - give yourself a head start. Nurofen :)

[carang]

Totally disagree with that, personally.

Sent from my GT-I8150 using GeoClicks Mobile

[elle]

Why would you give a mild pain reliever like neurofen before a flight, unless the child actually has some aches and pains? Neurofen also generally constipates children and long flights are dehydrating and it is difficult enough to get a toddler to drink enough water on a flight, possibly making the kid uncomfortable.

If you are going to medicate, most paeditricians would recommend either a first generation antihistamine or an anti-nausea medication like gravol, if the parent insists on trying something. BUT these drugs have the opposite of a sedating effect on some children and make them hyperactive or uncomfortable. Should definitely talk to your kids doc about appropriate medications and dosage before drugging them up on a flight. Have seen more than one kid vomit from overuse of various drugs in flight and heard plenty of other horror stories about kids and drugs on flighs.

Cara gave some great tips. Would add that with a younger toddler a walk up and down the aisles (not uncontrolled running and screaming) every hour or so while they are awake can help. Also try to plan your flight at a time when your child might sleep.

[olives]

great ideas carang !
& yeah medicines/drug is a big NO NO

any other flight activites; ideas striking to anyone ?

[carang]

11) a small tub of playdough with some rollers/cutters etc
12) stencil set (don't know how old your little one is)
13) stamps/chops
14) small hot wheels car or die cast aeroplane toy
15) activity books with stickers, mazes, find the treasure pictures
16) if the child goes to school, homework
17) sticky tape (my kids can play for hours with tape!