Traveling with 2 Kids by Yourself

I have driven with both kids and flown but that was with another adult. One child was 4 almost five and the other was 3. Try to bring a variety of things. Bring movies, coloring stuff, snacks, and off the wall toys. The one thing that kept them busy on the plane was this little ball that you could squeeze and it was gooey, but did not make a mess. They were really well behaved kids so we didn't have a problem. And do not worry, people on the plane know that when you have kids that there usually is noise on the plane. Its expected!

My girls love it when I take noddles and dye them diffrent colors and let them dry out. I put them in diffrent ziplock bags. I then get some yarn and allow them to make bracelets and neckless's for everyone we are going to vist. It is a big hit and then they have a present they made to give when they get off the plane. We also take the small version of the magna doddle. I also take a small container that has stuff in it like scootch tape, post it notes, those shape paper cutters (whole punch),stickers, stuff I use at my desk that they love to play with. My kids are the crafty kids. They are 3 and 8. I have also bought the tatoos and brought a bottle of water and washcloth and allowed them them to put them on each other. Other then that we also use the dvd player. I try not to give then anything until I have too. During take off we talk about the plane and how it flys maybe get a airplane book to take with you. I checked my car seat as well as held on to my stroller until I got on the plane and checked it then! Take advatage of pre boarding!!! My flight was only 2 1/2 though!! Good look and enjoy you Holiday season!!

A few additional items I bring that I haven't seen mentioned yet are a small container of playdoh and a few little playdoh cutters. Melissa & Doug brand also has a puzzle book. It is a little book that has puzzle pieces of animals throughout it. Thirdly, we bring along a Story Reader and headphones. It is by Fisher Price and it will read a story to your kids. They sell many different books that it can read, and my kids love it. Of course with the DVD Player, make sure you have a few spare batteries that are charged just in case. One time I had it but the battery charge didn't last as long as it should have, and my kids were very upset and we still had 1 hour to go. Ugh! Good luck!

if you decide to bring the carseat, there is a great thing called GoGoKidz that attaches to the carseat so that you can roll it through the airport with your child in it. I just used it on a trip alone with my 6 month old and it was very easy.

I've not flown with them, but I've driven alone a couple of times with my 4 yr old and 2 yr old granddaughters. My drives were 6 or more hours each way, and of course, being the driver, I couldn't always entertain them. I travelled at night when possible, so they slept. I also bought new books, coloring books, and a couple of little toys, so the excitement of new things kept them occupied as well.

Best wishes to you on your travels.

You got some great advice. I travel with my 3 little ones by myself all the time. They are 4 1/2 yr old twins and a 16 month old. The boys LOVE LOVE dvd's. I also have plenty of snacks and new books wrapped up and I go to the dollar store and get fun things for them but cheap just in case if gets dropped or left on the plane. I also wrap these up as gifts too. Oh and their leapsters. Those are such lifesavers in more ways than one. I also usually buy them a new game each for their leapsters so they spend plenty of time on the play that. My daughter sits on my lap and the boys sit in their own seats. OH and the flights we take are about 5 hours.

I just travelled to ireland and regretted bringing the car seat on the airplane as my little sweetie refused to sit in it or sleep in it. Of course you need a car seat to get to the airport and whereever you will be, so I don't think you can avoid taking it, but I wish I had checked it at the plane doors rather than taking it on board with me. I think a DVD is a good idea and some toys and maybe a book or two. My flight to Ireland was 7 and a half hours and it wasn't too bad.

YES, USE A CAR SEAT ON THE PLANE!!!!!! Most current car seats are tested for both cars and planes. The airline can help you with the car seat if if is heavy or bulky. My child is more comfortable in his seat anyway. The car seats save lives, simple as that!!!

I would not bring the car seat on the plane, too bulky and heavy. I always carry my son in a sling when I travel- much easier.

I have found that buying two seats is a waste with two kids because one ends up wanting to be held anyway. I flew to Europe last year with my kids and just bought one seat. They swapped out and traded sitting on my lap and even playing together in one seat. And with a sling you have the child secured to yourself in the event of turbulence or a rough landing.

We always go to the dollar store and buy some new things to play with on the plane. It's cheap and you cna pull something new out of your bag each time they need a distraction. Also, scheduling a long flight around nap or bedtime is the BEST thing you can do for yourself. My kids get sleepy at take-off and usually get a good nap in.

Good luck. I have traveled alone extensively with my two kids and it has been relatively easy/pain-free. Depending on where you are going you may find that bringing a stroller is a waste of time and effort. We have traveled a lot in Europe and their streets/sidewalks are not usually stroller accesable so a sling/baby backpack is easier to deal with.
Enjoy your trip.

Sorry for the late response..I've done a lot of international travel w/ my daughter who is not 17 months..of course the DVD player is good to have, and your 4.5 month old can help you out as well..I don't recommend bringing the car seat on the plane if you are the only adult traveling..it's bulky and too much trouble when you have 2 kids w/ you..check it at the gate..I recommend that because if you check it at the counter, it counts as one of your allowed pieces of luggage..at the gate it doesn't..also, I have a little harness for her..she was entertained walking up and down the aisles..if you have a harness on her/him, it's good in case you have light turbulents, then you have control of her and she doesn't go running into a seat..I did not get the harness here, but I would imagine babys r us would have something like that..hope I helped..

Since you are going to be by yourself I would suggest getting a seat for each of them. I traveled with my 1 year old and 2 year old a few months ago along with my husband and All they did on the plane was nap and watch a DVD. They were angels!! There were other kids on the plane who weren't, but they didn't have a DVD player. It was a lifesaver!

I would recommend bringing the car seat if you are traveling alone. I recently traveled w/my 18 month old and I didn't buy the extra seat...he was all over the place. Unless you are planning on traveling during your 16 month olds naptime, I would recommend it. A DVD player and books are great ideas, maybe bring something new to keep your little one's attention. Also, don't forget snacks! Good luck!

Over the summer I traveled on the train for 5 hours with my then 3 year old and 3 month old. The car seat although cumbersome was a life saver. The baby went to sleep as if she was in a car. I had plenty of snacks, bottled water and couple of toys and a DVD player. I also had a ginnormous purse that I could drop everything in. My only complaint is carrying that car sear and holding on to my 3 year old in transist. Chivarly is DEAD! LOL They have carriers for car seats if you want to check it in. It may be easier that way. I know you'll have wipes,hand sanitizer and napkins.

I would not bring the carseat on the plane - check it. It's bulky, and with a 5 hour trip, she'll want to move around. Containers and lids are a big hit at this age. I traveled to CO with my son when he was this age and we got him a new stuffed cat (we have cats at home) in the airport toy store - this occupied him for most of the trip. So I say a couple of small and wrapped toys for each child that you can bring out at strategic moments during the flight would be good. Your older child should be much easier as she will actually pay attention to the DVD. I'm not sure what stickers have to do with eating, but if stickers make them happy, bring some. Also bring lots of snacks, of course.

This is a very good question. It is a little more tricky when you travel with 2 by yourself. The DVD player will be a life saver. Make sure you have lots of snacks for them it is a really long plane ride.
My kids have experienced severe ear pain when flying. You might want to get ear drops for pain just in case. My daughter screamed for 2 hours on a plane ride once and there was nothing I could do about it.
Airports can be tough too. Escalators can be a problem. I had a baby and a 5 year old once by myself and my 5 year old ran away from me in a crowd. That was a really scary moment.
Good luck to you. I hope you travel with out any delays or problems.