Ideas for First Time Travel with Child?

I took each of my kids "activities" and wrapped them in comic pages or other reused paper so when we got on the plane they got to unwrapped "gifts" every 20 minutes or so. It made some extra trash, but the extra time and excitement it gave us was well worth it. I had sticker books, playdough, small magnetic puzzles all new, wrapped and hidden until the trip.

Good luck!

Do not pack the things like strollers, packnplays etc. if you can just rent them when you get there or buy an "umbrella stroller" for the $20. IT WILL totally save you lugging all that stuff through the airport. Also, if you can/have one, get a portable DVD player w/ movies (or borrow one from a friend).
I would NOT travel a red eye like people say, you will just have a tired kid the next day who didn't sleep.
If he/she is nuts try Benedryl, it saves on the ears and irritablilty.
Pack snacks and ask the airlines about bottles (if you still use them) and the liquids for kid's bag?? stay calm at all times, they will feel your anxiety. bring books, all kids love to be read to.
good luck
M.

I travel with my little one often. Here are some tips that get me through. I bring along a backpack and his umbrella stroller. Although Stephen doesn’t sit in his stroller other places he does at the airport. I tell him to pretend he is flying and it seems to work. It also helps me get through security faster. In the back pack I pack crackers and dry fruit, a toy airplane, coloring books, reading books, and crayons. I also pack a couple of new toys. (Usually from the dollar store) This gives him something to look forward too. I also pack a portable DVD player as backup (although I never had to pull it out). We own ours but we share it among mothers in our play group. So if you don’t own one try to borrow, because it can be a waste of money. I got mine at Target at Christmas time for 89.00’s on clearance. If your child is potty trained, I would also sudject that you pick up a folding potty. Mine folds up like a flat purse. I purchased it at Babyrus. It has trash bags in it that I just tie up and dispose of. I know that you have already booked your ticket. But anytime you can fly Jet Air, it is worth it. The seats are comfortable and large. Everyone has a TV with earplugs, the other passengers are so distracted they don’t noticed if my little one is singing to himself, or laughing a little loud.(acting like a normal 2yrs). I can honestly say he has flown about 12-15 times and we always get compliments from at least two passengers on how well behaved he is. I hope your flight goes well, K.

I took my 3 year old twin boys on a flight to Germany this past fall (8 hours of flying). The best thing is to bring a lot of small activities to keep him busy. They each had a back pack of books, crayons, small cars, snacks, etc. Don't forget the blankie and favorite stuffed animal. I gave them lolly pops to suck on while we took off to help with their ears since at the time the rules were VERY strict about bringing liquids on the plane. If it's a flight that provides meals, call the airline to get a children's meal for him. Benadryl doesn't make my boys tired, but you could always call your pediatritian to find out what dose to give him if necessary. Do your best to make this a fun experience for him. Let him look out the window, look at the magazines and instructions in the seats, wear the headphones and listen to the music he likes (they like to push the buttons more than anything.) You may also want to go to the library before leaving and check out books about flying. My boys particularly liked Caillou Flies on a Plane (or something like that.) Good luck with your trip!

Hi A.
I've been a flight attendant for 21 years and I have a 5 year old boy who has travelled the world with us.
There are alot of things that can make your trip pleasant.
First, be sure to have enough activities that he can do at his seat. My son loves to watch movies on his own dvd player since we don't watch much tv at home. Coloring books, cars, My First LeapPad, most anything that he loves to play with should keep him occupied. Be sure to take headsets for any dvd/music players.
Second, if you take his car seat on board and have him sit in it , it will feel like his normal surroundings. Kids know they have to stay in their seats in the car and this can be the same rule for the plane.
Lastly, TAKE SNACKS!!! You aren't allowed to take liquids through security but take enough food for him for extended periods of time, you can't rely on the airline having food let alone food he might like.
Give yourself plenty of time at the airport, rushing stresses everyone out. Try to remember an extra change of clothes if you can, accidents happen.
Have fun and happy travels!
t

We're getting to take a trip with our two girls for the second time on an airplane....I pack them each a carryone bag of favorite snacks, drinks, books, crayons and this year babies and bottles as that's what they're into. Luckily our flight is only 2 hours so it's not bad. Remember when in the air when it's ok to move around allow your child the same freedoms. My husband and I take turns passing the kids back and forth so they're not bound to their seats the whole time.

Yea actually i am flying with my 2 1/2 yr old tomorrow... I have flown with him from PA to CA...longgggg flight! Anyways, def take enough sippes for him because the drinking while taking off will ease the ears popping. I also always take some benadryl with me in case his ears are having a hard time popping or he just gets uneasy. Luckily I only used it 1x though! Take some lil toys for him during flight, maybe a coloring book too.... Overall just make sure that you have enough snacks and things to keep him from getting bored. Especially if you are going a good distance. Good luck and be safe!

I would suggest you travel at night if possible, that way your child sleeps and you have less stops and less fussing.

I cant say what the best time to travel…my 3yr didn’t mind out flights at all and he flown 3 times and all were different times… you just have to be prepared, I got a portable DVD player and a new movie he hasn’t seen that works great!!!! Have snacks in you carry on, crayons, book to read….. if your not concern with the flights you child should be ok… October I took three children by my self to Jamaica ages were 2,3,4. We had no problem, I would say get a non-stop flight and if you want travel at nap time or at night…..

I was two days old the first time I rode on a private jet, so by the time I was three it was a breeze. However I distinctly remember if I was congested at ALL before I learned to pop my ears the pressure would make me want to die. Gum. Lots of gum. It helps keep that from being an issue. If the kiddo likes a particular book bring it (comfort). These days many airlines have dvd players available w/ pre-programmed movies, however a portable dvd player is ALWAYS a good investment with a young child while traveling.

I took my 3 year old daughter to disney world (a 3 hour flight). We took a lap top and DVD's she could watch on the plane. That really kept her busy as well as snacks, books and a few my little ponys and she was good for the flight. On the way home she slept most of the way. Good Luck

Lots and lots of activites. Plan to pack any snacks if possible as well. If possible you could see if your flight conicides with any naps he/she may take. Sometimes that helps. I have found that being on a plane for a little one is just a special occasion that they are usually pretty good.
Most airlines will let you board before the regular passengers too so that should help give you time to settle him/her down a bit on the plane. I hope it goes well for you.

A.--Good luck! My suggestion is to take you car seat on the plane. I've flown with my daughter numerous times, and it was much easier to do when I had her car seat with me on the plane. It kept her "contained" In just the regular seat, she was "squirmy."

I usually check my stroller at the gate. On my last flight, I had my almost three year old walk (pulling her very own Dora backpack with wheels which was full of books, crayons, snacks and DVDs), I put my son (6 months)in a sling, and I piled all the stuff on the stroller. A six month old in a sling is easier to carry than a big car seat!!!!

I also sat in the front row of the plane (we flew Southwest and they have open seating). This was nice because I had a little more room and I didn't have to worry about my daughter kicking the seat in front of her. When she was younger, we used to sit in the back of the plane. It's bumpier back there. I liked it back there because the bumps would lull her to sleep. I guess it depends on the child.

On our last flight, I brought her a lollipop. I also practiced "screaming quietly" with her. I'd count to three and we'd open our mouths really wide and pretend to scream. I figured these would help her with pressure in her ears. I guess it worked..because she didn't cry about it! Ha ha!

Good luck! Traci

P.S. ...make sure she's not screaming in the aisles! You don't want to be kicked off the plane! That poor family! Although, I bet if they'd had a car seat for their child, they wouldn't have been thrown off!

I found when we took our son to FL, we took his personal dvd player and took several of his fav movies and Leap Frog dvd's. It worked great! Also, snacks and drinks in our carry on. Good Luck and have a safe trip. Also bring an unbrella stroler. I found if your child is in a stroller then you can by pass a lot of the lines which will help a lot. I think they just don't want screaming kids in line if they can help it. Good luck and have a safe trip.
T.

Hi A.,
I first traveled with my son when he was 18 months on a seven hour plane ride. Although the ages are far apart I had many parents recommend to me to give him Benadryl. It worked like a charm. I'm usually not the type to drug my child for the heck of it either but it was a handy tool. We also traveled at night which was great timing because it coincided with his bedtime. I gave it to him right when we got on the plane and by the time we took off he was out. He slept about 5 hours and the two hours he was up and the landing with the ears popping and all didn't seem to have an effect.
When he was awake he was figity so I took him to the back of the plane where I was lucky enough to get empty seats so he can have more liberty to do things. I thought I was just lucky that one time but as it turned out on the way back the ride was just as nice.
I would also brings books, coloring books and activities he can enjoy for the ride. Good luck I hope you have a safe flight.