Plane Suggestions

I agree with the portable dvd player and I never ever board until the last possible moment. My son flies frequently and the sitting and waiting is the worst part. We do great if we board last.

Portable DVD players, new toys, activity books, etc. The key is to bring something they haven't seen before. Don't bring the same old coloring books and movies or toys. Also, get up and take walks every chance you get. Don't worry about the passengers. Once the air pressure kicks in, we can't even hear most of the wining, etc.

We travel frequently with our now 3 year old - most frequently to Orlando because my dad lives there. In addition to all of the other suggestions (which are lifesavers!), bring comfort items from home - a blanket or pillow, a stuffed thing, music. It makes the flight, plus bedtime in a strange place so much easier!

Oh, and I second setting your expectations low - then everything seems like a pleasant surprise! We've been fortunate to have a well-behaved child, plus understanding and care flight attendants. I've heard that most of the time they don't have milk available for kids (only for coffee), so if either of your kids need/want milk, you might have to plan ahead. I think we got lucky & a flight attendant just offered us milk.

Have a great time!
J.
mom to Chase (3)

Hi J.!

I flew with our then 2 year old to Japan (14 hour flight) in October. I also posted a similar question to this same group and got lots of great advise - yes, we did the DVD player, new toys, new books, coloring books, etc. But one thing I did was bring a couple of small hand puppets (takes up very little space and acts like a cuddly toy when not used as a puppet). My daughter loved the little show I put on for her and surprisingly so did a few of the passengers sitting around us! I guess it depends on how creative (and goofy) you want to get...but since you're heading to Walt Disney World, you'll get a lot of "goofy" pretty soon!

PS - we're heading to Orlando and WDW in a week as well! Hope to see lots of fellow Minnesotan's at the most magical place on earth!

One of the greatest things I remember about flying when I was younger was the new backpack filled with new toys. You wouldn't really need to purchase a new backpack (if they already have one). But fill it will lots of new activities so it keeps them very entertained on the plane. The trick was that we weren't allowed to open that backpack until we were in the air....so hard to wait, but so worth it.

Have lots of fun.

I would suggest a portable dvd player. I also bring lots of different snacks for them I know you don't want them to overeat but it makes it so much easier.With my kids I always pack some new surprise toys or coloring books and that usually keeps them busy. Hope all goes well good luck.

Portable DVD player & lots of snacks!!!!

Just a reminder...
You will not be able to bring juice boxes,milk,or any liquid other than formula/breast milk thru security. We always bring empty sippies and load up on drinks from the gift store inside the terminal. I wouldn't depend on the airline for milk if that is what your children drink-better to have your own stash when you need it. Have fun!

Carseats! Your 4 year old might be too big, but your 16 month old will definitely handle the flight better in her carseat! We traveled with our daughter to NYC and London when she was 15 and 17 months old. The carseat was a lifesaver. She knew she had to stay in it and did really well. Bring lots of treats, have LOW expectations for how the flight will work out, and try not to stress yourself out :)

They say when it's time to board the plane anyone traveling with small children who needs extra time or assistance can board first. I've learned not to do that and board last so my daughter can get her wiggles out and not have to be restrained to sitting as long.

Dvd players work great on a plane or coloring and snacks too

If your traveling with small children or babies you can bring a bottle or sippie cup on.. I just flew 4x since January with my little girl.

We went to Disney when my daugter was 5 and I was newly pregnant with my second. The flight is a bit over 2 hours so I packed coloring books, goldfish snacks, juice, and a sippy cup. We also brought along her leapster which keeps her pretty occupied. We also made a game of looking out the window and talking about what we thought the clouds looked like. For travel we brought our own stroller which made it easy to manuver around the airport and also kept her seated. We also didnt have to rent a stroller in Florida which saved us dough.

My boys are 17 months, and 4 1/2. Both are frequent flyers, and my best advice is...

bring a change of clothing for each child. I thought this was silly until I was stuck in the Dallas airport trying to find a new shirt for my then 2 year old. :)

Lots of snacks, like those 100 calorie snack packs, easy to pack, pretzels, fruit snacks, trail mix, crackers, etc. And don't forget to pack a sippy for each child to use on the plane. Less mess.

Buy some new toys, hit up the dollar store! THe boys both LOVE those little toys, and some of the activity ones, like the drawing boards, or the magnetic games, lasted them well over an hour. New books are great too, and small activities, your 4 yera old is big enough to play fun card games like snap or go fish, and your 16 month old will think all the action is quite entertaining.

BRING A STROLLER! Even a small light umbrella stroller in the airport will be a lifesaver! You can rent strollers at disney, adn I would recommend that while you are there, but you really need something to travel with.

Don't preboard, wait until they make the last row calls, and then board. Time to strap in carseats and get settled but your children wont spend an extra 1/2 hour on a cramped dry airplane.

Have a great trip!

I went to the thrift store and picked up a few toys for cheap and I would not worry if the toys were lost. I have a 17 month old son. I would bring a sippy cup, midwest airlines has milk available when we flew to orlando. Have a great time with your girls!

Good luck. My son 3 1/2 year old son is a frequent flier. The following have worked the best for us.
-Bring a wide variety of snacks.
-Bring a portable DVD player.
-Bring different types of activities that hold their interest the longest. And add a few new suprises in your bag to pull out on the plane such as a new coloring book or a sticker book.
-Do not preboard so they have lots of time to stretch their legs in the airport.
-Realize some people just are not understanding about kids on the plane.

I hope you have a great time,

J.,

Check with TSAs website regarding the liquids through security. As I recall I had no problem bringing formula for my baby and a sippy with juice through security at Thanksgiving.

A portable DVD player with your daughter's favorite video is a must. I brought Hi-5 videos for my older daughter and baby einstein for my son. I also try to fly around 1:00 in afternoon so both kids take their afternoon naps during the flight.

As for mobility, the best purchase I have made was a gogo kidz travel mate purchased at go-baby.com. This contraption can turn a toddler car seat into a wheeling piece of luggage. It fits a lot of the car seat brands and the website will tell you if it is compatible with your car seat. This was great since both my kids are now in toddler size seats (I have a big 11 mo boy). I am not sure if you 4 yr old is still in a toddler seat but I am guessing your 16 mo old is in one. We checked the stroller and only wheeled the kids through the airport in their car seats. When it came time to board the plane we wheeled them in their seats right down the aisle of the plane and lifted them seat and all into the seat. This makes everyone more happy!

Another piece of advice is get to the airport early and let the kids run around and wear themselves out before getting on the plane.

That's about it. Good luck.