Taking a Three Yr Old on First Plane trip........any Suggestions ?

Do you have a small portable DVD player? That could come in VERY handy! And snacks and a "goodie bag" of new (dollar store) stuff.

Bring plenty of snacks, and have a couple BRAND NEW toys and books for her "special" flight.

There is a lot of good advice here. Definitely check your luggage. Also, bring a cheap umbrella stroller, rather then one of the nicer &more expensive ones. Strollers get pretty beat up & the allignment never seems to be quite the same. A 5 point harness is HIGHLY recommended. I prefer to have my daughter use the car seat. She's already comfortable in the car seat & she just seems to be easier to manage when in it. She will usually just go to sleep..like she does when she's in the car.
You can also a 5 point harness mad for toddler travel in aiplanes. This is easier to carry to the gate & will allow you to check the car seat. Just make sure you get one that is FAA approved. If you check the car seat, I also suggest you get an inexpensive bag for the car seat.
Best wishes on your trip!

I always like to take a stroller with me to the airport. makes it easier all the way around....

bigbluetrunk has some great tips. Here is an article on toys to keep her occupied.

http://www.bigbluetrunk.com/ourcorner/550

I travel frequently for work and have been bringing my son with me since he was 8 weeks old - he is now 4. We made 7 round-trips while he was 3, including a transatlantic and a transcontinental.

First, is she potty-trained - completely??? If she still has occasional accidents, see if you can get her to wear Pull-Ups on the plane. If not, then you need at least one complete extra outfit for her. I recommend an extra outfit for you too - if it is a very turbulent flight and she gets sick on both of you, you will be grateful (this has happened to me, more than once!). You won't know if she gets sick from air turbulence until it happens. My son has NEVER been car sick and has never been sea sick (he has been on both motor and sailboats). I'm guessing you are doing 2 carry-ons to avoid checking luggage and the associated fee? If so, then plan to put your purse in one of the carry-ons and wear something with pockets for your ID and your boarding passes. You do need a carry-on and my son loves to use his backpack/wheeled bag for his toys and blanket. He has to carry it and is responsible for it.

Second, the TSA and the FAA recommend children to be in a car seat on the plane until they reach 40 pounds. We have an "airplane" carseat - which is lighter than his usual huge Britax in the car. We bought this one from Target - much easier to carry (I just use the 5 point harness to hook it either over the stroller handles of a cheap umbrella stroller or on my arm) and safer. You need to use this type of seat with the back and make sure it has the red sticker saying that it is FAA approved. Boosters that do not have the integrated 5 point harness will NOT be allowed on the airplane.
http://www.target.com/Chase-DLX-Booster-Carseat-Mars/dp/B...
My son loves this carseat! You can probably find it a bit cheaper than what it says here - we paid $40 for it.

At 3, the TSA does not have to allow you to bring any liquids for her onboard. So plan to bring an empty water bottle and fill it on the other side of security plus buy juice/milk or whatever she drinks from the airport stores on the other side of security. Yes, I regularly pay $3 for a bottle of apple juice. Do not rely on the airplane to have anything your granddaughter will drink if she doesn't drink sodas. They often run out of juice and then you are out of luck. Also, if she doesn't drink regular cows milk - ask her parents to get a note from the pediatrician detailing that on letterhead - and take soymilk, rice milk, almond milk or whatever with you in the small Tetra containers and declare it going through security. My son is allergic to cows milk so we have to do this each time.

Snacks - particularly things that are different and interesting ("Dora" fruit treats, Pringles individual chips, 100 calorie packets of whatever you think she will like - keep in mind that you could sit on a tarmac for 2 hours before or after your flight!

Go to the Dollarstore and pick up some new interesting stuff - cheap coloring books / crayons - sticker books - basic junk. Save that for breaking out if things start going south.

My son is one of the best flyers around - better than most of the adults on his last flight from DC to Ft. Lauderdale! Feel free to ask any questions. Oh, if you can get away with it, this is my ultimate set-up: cheap umbrella stroller, son in stroller, car seat hung over one handle bar and handle for carry-on bag over the other handle bar. He holds his little wheeled backpack on his lap. He's safe and self contained, I am mobile and I've got all that I need. I just did this alone while almost 7 months pregnant and had no trouble. Gate check stroller, pre-board (gives you time to get carseat installed and child situated before others start crowding on), and then convince your grandchild that she should take a nap! I swear the white noise of the engines puts my son to sleep.

Safe travels! C.

Check everything you can, and carry on your purse, and a bag for your granddaughter. The less you have to get through security while managing her, the better.
A friend of ours is a pilot who flies with his kids all the time. He gave us the best advice. "Your kids what know what to do while in their carseats, use that to your advantage." For her first ride, getting her to sit still, I'd bring her seat on board and have her sit in it. We did this with DS and it was great.

Pack:
Portable DVD player and favorite shows
SNACKS - tons of snacks
Sippy + extra bottle of juice, water, whatever she's drinking
go to the dollar store and get some new toys for her. Introduce them throughout the flight if she gets antsy.
blanket or other comfort items
if she's not potty trained yet, extra diapers/wipes

If you're still waiting on your family once you get there, stall in picking up your checked bags as long as you can. Let her run around the area. Otherwise, get a luggage cart, and at least then you've got it all on a set of wheels if you need to follow her around.

Good luck!
We flew with my son when he was 15 mos old. It was a great trip, but time on the plane was very stressful (to me!).

We have flown with our kids when they were 3 and 4 and also with the grandkids. Bring a dvd player if you can get hold of one. or a laptop computer that plays dvds is also good. make sure you have earphones. that way it doesn't bother anyone else. coloring books, puzzles she can do on the tray, snacks and story books. skip the carseat if you can. are you renting a car on the other end? they usually have the option of renting a carseat if you need one. if someone is picking you up see if they can locate one to use while your there. let her help you pack a small backpack with her stuff. and make her responsible for carrying it (don't let it get to heavy and if you can find one with the little handle / wheels thats even better. pack a long sleeved sweatshirt or sweater. sometimes planes are hot but sometimes cold. good luck

As a navy family, we are experts on traveling-
The car seat has to be airplane approved for her to ride up in the cabin, You can look it up in the manuel or on the website/calling the company. Yes airlines dont charge you to check the carseat. THere is also no charge for strollers and you can take it to the gate. It helps you out alot, found the luggage carts you can buy are really small to put kids in uptop.

I bring a backpack for a carryon for it leaves my hands free. Then a small bag in it to have stuff during the flight( snacks, drinks, etc). For my daughter i put her toys and stuff in a little rolling backpack of her own and attaches it to my backpack with a giant clip. The ones that look like giant climbing clips. They can be found at pets stores or bedbathandbeyond, adsvertised as way to carry multi grocery bags.

Read books about the big day flying and maybe a practice run. Bring snacks, lollipops to suck on incase her ears hurt. Prepare to bend the rules a bit. When we take days travel or by airplane I let my daughter have snacks or a bit of soda. It makes the trip special and soon she crashes after sugar for a bit of nap.

Also, a few new toys or colorings to help entertain her. They make the colors stuff that will only write on special paper that can be found anywhere- walmart, grocerystores,or pharmacy stores.

Check with the airlines to see if your flight will have movies on board. If so all you do is swipe a debt card. (the visa logo works best)

Goodluck

New small toys, books, coloring books are all life savers! I have a bag of toys and snacks that I can bring out whenever needed. Sometimes we let her buy an airplane toy at the airport, it makes it even more special. I also have a portable DVD player so she can watch movies on our trips. I have never brought a car seat on the plane, but I know some people who do just to keep their kid seated because they know they can't get out of their car seat.
My daughter has flown many times, but the last time we went she freaked out as we got on and we couldn't figure out why. She was screaming "we need to get out of here!" It made me a little nervous to fly. We just sat and held her and the flight attendant brought over a coloring book and a snack, which helped calm her down. Eventually she told us she was scared of going into outerspace and we were able to explain that we weren't. The flight attendants have always been very helpful!
Good Luck!

We travel tons with our 3 year old and 8 month old. You should be in great shape with her...don't worry! The key is to keep her entertained...make it fun. I would NOT bring the car seat on board...b/c that is so bulky for you to try to handle with her as well. We always brought the car seat..and last flight we did not. My daughter was actually more comfortable, with more leg room. In the car seat she was always kicking the seat in front of her. Like others said, pack a little suitcase for her. We have one for kids, with wheels, and she loves to bring it through the airport. We pack her favorite stuffed animal, some soft cover books, crayons, maybe color wonder markers if she likes them, even some little can of play-doh. Also, SNACKS! My daughter is not a big snacker, but she loves to on the plane. We bought a dvd player, but we never even use it. With a direct flight, you should have no trouble. Oh...I don't know if you play this..but when my daughter gets bored, a game of I spy, spotting things with a specific color, can make all the difference in the world. Have Fun!..and remember that kids pick up on your energy. Don't get nervous..neither will she!

I totally agree with A.C.'s recommendation of giving her a new toy, new books, new coloring books & sticker books at the airport--not the day before, etc. That's what we did and as a young 3 yo, it actually kept her interest more than the DVD... As a 4 yo, the DVD was a good distraction. And plenty of her favorite snacks (you may need them to be sealed in original packaging for security reasons).

And if she has a favorite toddler blanket, don't forget that!

You might also want to get some of those packets of anti-bacterial moist/hand wipes and a package of the plastic placemat (with the adhesive so you can stick it on the fold down seat table.)

J....a lot of great, practicle advice here. Biggest advice I have for you is to relax. If you are tense, nervous, anxious and worried - kiddo will be too. She's going to follow your lead. You have to be confident and make this fun. It's an adventure for you both and memories are being made! She's always going to remember this great adventure she had with you. Read all of this advice as far as checking bags and carry-ons etc and, be prepared with snacks, a coloring book and a dvd player if possible with new and some tried and true dvd's and you'll be fine.
Remember - you've got to set the tone - fun, adventure together. She'll follow your lead.

Bring change of clothes and snacks, books and be calm, dear.

Hi there....I have 2 children aged 3 and too, and we travel a lot by both plane and car. We always have a couple things to keep kids busy- portable dvd player with her favourite movie, fav story book, 2 toys, crayons and colouring book or aqua doodle so there is no mess. Also snacks and drinks and maybe a treat in case of delays. Also an extra change of clothes in case of an accident. Definitely bring her comfort-things (blanket, soother, stuffed toy) these will make her feel more comfortable and secure flying. Also discuss the trip a lot , what to expect-have something to suck or chew for take off and landing-eases the ear pressure pain -lolipops or starburst work great for mine! Happy travels! - Kulu

Three years old is a pretty easy age to travel with. They are old enough to understand what is going on and to reason with. Keep talking to her about your trip and how much fun your going to have.

Just a suggestion... I would check my bags except your purse and I would have your grand daughter carry a little backpack with some toys, snacks and water bottle. Trying to get around with bags, a purse and a baby is hard.

I would take her to the store and let her pick out a backpack, some snacks and a few things to keep her occupied on the plane. A mini magna doodle, some pipe cleaners, and a coloring book (just take a few crayons, like an 8 pack) would all be good options.

At three years old I don't see any need in taking her carseat on the plane. She is big enough to sit in the seat, and old enough to understand that she needs to sit there.

Oh, and don't fill up the water bottle until you are passed security, if it is more than 3 oz they may make a big deal out of it. Better play it safe, you don't want to get stuck in security. And easy on off shoes for the both of you because you will have to take them off.

I often travel alone with my two girls, ages 4 and 2 1/2. They always do great. I just try to take as little with me on the plane as I can! Have fun!

I would check the car seat at the curb. The seats will be fine.
Honestly, I would look into either purchasing or borrowing a mini dvd player. Also, rent movies from the library. Don't forget earphones.
Bring a reusable EMPTY cup with a lid to take in with you. Then you can fill with water from the water fountain and whatever the air waitress gives you. I would bring an interesting assortment of snacks, as well.
Don't preboard! This just adds onto the time you are trapped on a plane with a three year old.