Long flights w/kids...What do you pack to keep them entertained!
Jul 20th, 2006, 06:53 PM
#21
To the DVD question, buy an extra battery for the dvd. We then had 6 hours of movie time without recharging. This was enough movie time for my kids. We flew the Richmond to Atlanta to Oahu this past spring.
Gameboys, new toys for the kids. Lots of snacks. No car seat. I agree with the above poster. It would be too long to be locked up. Good luck it is a long flight. Hopefully the three old will nap. When my kids were little, the doc recommended a cold medicine for take off/landings. The decongestant helped the ears and the antihistime made them drowsy. (I had one with frequent ear infections).
Gameboys, new toys for the kids. Lots of snacks. No car seat. I agree with the above poster. It would be too long to be locked up. Good luck it is a long flight. Hopefully the three old will nap. When my kids were little, the doc recommended a cold medicine for take off/landings. The decongestant helped the ears and the antihistime made them drowsy. (I had one with frequent ear infections).
Jul 20th, 2006, 07:35 PM
#22
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There are some great suggestions and I agree with bringing things that use up time. Having items wrapped or in original packaging slows the kids down. We always buy a new backpack for the kids, fill it with many of the things mentioned and put a luggage lock on it. The key goes on a string around the neck. That way the kids tote all of the booty and it adds to their fun.The kids can choose one item at a time and we monitor when they can get a new item out. That way there are still surprises available well into the trip.
Jul 20th, 2006, 07:47 PM
#23
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well this was back in the day, my kids are now in their 20's, but aside from all the games, a few surprises in their little backpacks, favorite snacks, etc - my pediatrician did have me give them (in those days, dimetapp, something they had taken for allergies/colds/etc previously) starting the night before the flight, the day of the flight and the following morning - and saline spray up the nose at the same time - not just to make them drowsy, but also to help avoid the ear canals, etc getting uncomfortable, dried out, etc - you might ask your pediatrician how he feels about it and how you feel about it and it might depend on whether either child has had a history of ear blockages, etc (which my daughter did after that first horrendous plane ride and the immediate trip to a local pediatrician after arrival) - So, after that, they'd get on board, eat, play in their seats, then it was settle down time, put on a cuddly sweater, get under the blanket and go nighty night. Sometimes with their sunglasses on !
Jul 21st, 2006, 04:17 AM
#24
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Be aware that you may have to unwrap items at airport security. I used to wrap new little toys for my sons when they were toddlers and preschoolers pre-9/11. Wrapping does slow them down but you may be frustrated if you ahve to unwrap everything at security.
Jul 21st, 2006, 04:37 PM
#25
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Just wanted to thank you all again for the wonderful and creative ideas. I think my 7 year old will do great it is the wild and crazy 3 year old that has got me in a panic. But, with all of these helpful tricks and hopefully a nice long nap we will make it.
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your help!
Jul 22nd, 2006, 07:04 AM
#27
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ksanders -
I, too, have a 3 yr old...I can't imagine him on a flight to Hawaii; there's a reason we do the 2 1/2 hr flight to Mexico ever year. But would do it if I found a good deal...
...anyway...this year, he was interested in the headphones on the plane with the different music, etc. Surely your flight will have a movie. You used to be able to rent DVD players at the airport (not sure if that still exists). My husband did that a few years ago with our oldest son. They give a pre-paid envelope to mail it back.
Have you heard of Wikki Sticks? They are waxy-yarn kind of things. My son loves them. They're like pipe cleaners. I also like the Little Dover Books. They're cheap - $1.50 each. With various activites - like cowboy sticker scene, gas station scene, etc. I like to have a stack. Also like the "Magic Pen" books - where the ink appears with a special marker.
And then maybe a few Hot Wheels and Legos form home.
I, too, have a 3 yr old...I can't imagine him on a flight to Hawaii; there's a reason we do the 2 1/2 hr flight to Mexico ever year. But would do it if I found a good deal...
...anyway...this year, he was interested in the headphones on the plane with the different music, etc. Surely your flight will have a movie. You used to be able to rent DVD players at the airport (not sure if that still exists). My husband did that a few years ago with our oldest son. They give a pre-paid envelope to mail it back.
Have you heard of Wikki Sticks? They are waxy-yarn kind of things. My son loves them. They're like pipe cleaners. I also like the Little Dover Books. They're cheap - $1.50 each. With various activites - like cowboy sticker scene, gas station scene, etc. I like to have a stack. Also like the "Magic Pen" books - where the ink appears with a special marker.
And then maybe a few Hot Wheels and Legos form home.
Jul 22nd, 2006, 03:38 PM
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pepper mentioned wikki sticks like pipe cleaners. But why not take the pipe cleaners? Lightweight, reusable, and inexpensive. (really cheap at Walmart) We did for a flight from the east to west coast with 2 kids. They used their imaginations and created a whole menagerie of creatures on the flight. Then straightened them out and created a "ball" to play with when we arrived at our destination.
