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-   -   Audiobooks for kids to keep busy on plane (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/audiobooks-for-kids-to-keep-busy-on-plane-413850/)

MFNYC Mar 25th, 2004 07:37 AM

How about Mark Twain books? Although I have to admit, my kids dozed off several times while listening to Huck Finn in the car on long drives (it's 9 CDs!). ALso, if she likes fantasies like Harry Potter, the TOlkein books.

MFNYC Mar 25th, 2004 07:44 AM

Some other ideas besides audio books and regular books, my daughter always brings her CD player and a sketchpad just about everywhere. My son likes to play games, so he always has cards, gameboy and some travel board games. They both also bring homework (if they have any). I always pack plenty of snacks just in case the plane food is not appealing. They each take their own backpack on board, filled with these things plus additional batteries for the electronics. I usually pick up a magazine for each of them at the airport too. For some reason, buying a magazine while at the airport is a treat!

StCirq Mar 25th, 2004 07:49 AM

Get her Linnea in Monet's Garden for something French. As for Paris, she should already be perusing the guidebooks you have for ideas on what she might like to do there.

Ziana Mar 25th, 2004 08:37 AM

Have anybody ever connected children's headsches with playing gameboy?
I will let her take it, but since she was having it - her headaches were so bad-I would pick her up from school, so I am hesitant...
I bought Uno cards already.
And planning to download one book she picked from web recommended here.
Ofcourse some Brats will go with us.
"School of Rock" will be playing on our flight.
So may be I won't need Drammamil after all.
What other games recommended ?

Huitres Mar 25th, 2004 09:03 AM

I don't think audio books would be necessary on the airplane as the airlines show movies. On United, for example, there is a children's station of cartoons, animal stories, etc that kept my little one entertained for a very long time.

If you should wish to still bring something along, the Eloise stories (by Kay Thompson) are truly delightful and funny. You could pick up 'Eloise in Paris'...that is if she hasn't read it yet! Has she read the Judy Blume series of books? Harriet the Spy? I wouldn't think a 9 year old is too much into boys -- yet! Yikes!

mcgeezer Mar 25th, 2004 09:19 AM

I love audiobooks for the car but I think in real time they are much much too slow. If your daughter is an excellent student the pace of an audiobook might be boring. They are for me if I have nothing to do but listen to them. I'd rather read.
When I was a child I loved, Madeline D'Engle - A Wrinkle in Time

MFNYC Mar 25th, 2004 09:24 AM

Another idea are puzzle books (crossword, word search). As far as games, let her pick 1 or 2 out. We haven't had an gameboy headaches, but my son only uses it on long trips anyway and it's the outdated non-color kind.

bellairegirl Mar 25th, 2004 10:11 AM

You might want to check into whether the plane you're flying on has individual video controls to a TV/movie/game monitor on the back of each seat. When I first took my kids on an international flight, I had packed them with all kinds of books, puzzles, card games, etc. and they hardly looked at any of them because of the seat back monitor.

One of my sons is a worrier too, but he does better when he's busy, not medicated. I second the suggestion of testing out the Dramamine first. Different kids react differently.

KathrynT Mar 25th, 2004 10:47 AM

Linnea in Monet's garden is wonderful, particularly if you are planing on visiting there. However, I think it needs to be read in book form so the pictures can be appreciated.
I know this is not what you were asking, but I think a bright 9 year old will probably like to help "plan" the trip as you go and it would help her get excited about what she will be seeing. Perhaps, read a guidebook together (one with good pictures) and plan your itinerary together. Also, she can look at a Paris metro map and figure out how you will navigate each day. Learning a few French phrases on the plane would be a great use of your time. I think all of this would help give her confidence and a feeling of "owning" the trip.

Ziana Mar 26th, 2004 04:24 AM

I actually went on web to buy it and no luck - out of stock ! 2 weeks that I don't have. Thanks I will return and get it.


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