Long Layovers & Long Flights

The activities bag is a good idea. I don't know what else to tell you. Put all new toys, or toys he doesn't usually play with in the bag. Take snacks and books and everything. Try to make it a special day with special treatment from mommy. Good Luck!!!

My son has aspergers and can be totally intent on a game boy for the flight or a movie. We're doing a trip soon and will have the game boy and a portable DVD player. That should fill up our time, even if it is brain numbing. What kinds of things does your son like?

We just took a trip in January where the first part of the flight was 3 hours long and the second part was 11 hours long. Our saving grace was a portable dvd player, a travel size etch-a-sketch and a travel size magnadoodle. My son is 10 and we played countless games of tic-tac-toe on the magnadoodle. I would also ask him to draw certain pictures on the etch-a-sketch (for example, our house, his school, anything with lines that he could relate to.) Also, pack plenty of snacks. We also had books with us about South America (where we were traveling) that we looked at and discussed. I would ask him to find something in the book and he would search. It actually made the time go very quickly. Good luck and happy travels!

C.

We just returned from Hawaii with our 3 children. Our 4 year old isautistic and in the past has hated to fly. This time around we made it an adventure. I packed new toys that she has never seen before like Go paints and new coloring books and I also took a portable DVD player with a new movie that she loves to watch over and over. Her teacher also went to the dollar store and bought inexpensive things like books and items related to Hawaii and then wrapped each one in a brown paper bag. Airport security didn't say a thing about the bags and I had them in her backpack.
Once we were on the plane I would let her have one treat at a time and when she started to get bored with it we would open another. We had just enough to get there and get home!
I hope this helps - I know it can be nerve racking to fly with children especially special needs. This really worked wonders for us! Good Luck to you.

M.

During your layover be sure to get plenty of active time in - walk up and down the concorse, get his blood flowing, burn off some energy. On the plane, you could also play my favorite "little kid game" - Tiger Hunt. You tell the story while acting out the actions with your hands on your lap. You first get your coat and your gun so you act out putting the coat on and slinging the gun over your shoulder. Then you start "walking" by pretending your hands are your feet and quietly slapping your lap, one hand at a time. Then go through a gooey marsh, swim a river, swish through tall grass, row across another river, climb a tree to see if you can find the tiger's cave, then walk to the cave which is dark so you have to feel your way in, very quietly. Then... you feel something soft... that growls at you. Then say "Ahhh!! It's a tiger!!! Run!!!" Then reverse all of the things you did to get to the cave... only climbing/running/swimming/rowing as fast as you can until you get home, slam, the door, and collapse. Kids think it's awesome and it's something semi-active you can do from your airplane seat.

Hi C., I recently flew with my 4 year old and I brought our dvd player with a new movie he hadn't seen before and that kept him occupied for most of the flight. Also, for the layover a few airports I have been in lately have play areas for kids. My son played in there for an hour while we were waiting he burned off so much energy he slept on the second flight. I also had brought a new book he had not seen before either. I think new or stuff they haven't played with for awhile seems to work pretty well. When he was younger I would give him some infant benadryl that would make him a little sleepy so he would sleep most of the time. I see your son is 7 so that might not be an option. We were able to bring snacks with us if they weren't liquid. One other thing I had was an activity book that had different games in it. Good luck and happy flying.

I can't offer too much advice regarding special needs children, but I can pass on what I learned about flying. I recently flew with my 15 month old and I read lots of articles beforehand. My husband and I went ahead and purchased her a seat of her own, which helped tremendously. I think she thought she was on a car ride since she was in her car seat. Most airlines will offer a discount for young children.

It is recommended that you give your child two new toys on the plane. This way it is something new that will excite and distract him. Another thing I read is that you should board the plane as late as possible, even though they offer early boarding. It helps keep the child from being confined for so long.

Also check the airports for play areas where your son can climb and play during your long layovers.

I hope this info helps. Have a safe trip.

Hi C.,

My son is 7 with PDD and we fly all the time or long car rides to Montana. Anyway, we purchased a Leapster. He loves it. It occupies him for about an hour. Hope this helps.
L.