Tough one... any GREAT tips for LONG flight with preteens?
 

My friend is headed home to Vietnam in a few weeks. She has 2 kids, 9 and 11.
I travel extensively, but not under these circumstances.
She knows to take snacks, games, books and possibly small pillows.
I was trying to think of something creative that would make the trip more comfortable.
All I can think of is taking empty water bottles into the airport that they can fill up before they board.
They are going to have the full weight limit in luggage and she prefers to not take a bunch of electronics and 'stuff'.
Can any of you think of anything out of the ordinary that is helpful?
I thought a hand towel that can be thrown away at the end of the flight and a couple of ziplocks may come in handy.
Ideas?

That's a hard one. good luck. Creative projects on a flight? There's not much room to spread out. I know she does'nt want alot of "stuff", but without some "stuff" she might be mad(ready for Terrell<it's a Texas thing.

If they have laptops, how about books on CD. Maybe they could write an alternate ending to a story.
Bring earbuds. They can listen to music & the on flight movies. The earbuds they give out are really bad quaility.

I posted this once & it didn't show up.

What airline? Many (most) international carriers ahve seat back video systems w/ games and such built in. So that will help a bit. Plus several different channels of music/TV/movies

Kids love electronic games and other devices. They are small and really won't add much to the 'stuff'. I didn't encourage hand-held games when my kids were little, EXCEPT on long flights when they really come in handy. You can get cheap games from Target, etc., or more expensive ones like the iPod video. Or a small DVD player. You said she doesn't want to bring electronics, but her trip might be much more relaxing with them.
:)>-

Portable DVD player is good, ipods, game boys, snacks, if they like puzzle books like search a word, drawing pad and pencils, etc..

Pipe cleaners (what are they called now? Chenille something?) We took these on a flight from West Coast to Orlando and our two grandsons had more fun making stuff. They made funny glasses, sharks, even a flower that they lovingly presented to the flight attendant. A box cost me 99 cents at the craft store but the entertainment value was priceless.

Trvl... that is excellent. I am going to get a couple of boxes for them!
I carry all sorts of things with me that help address just about any issue that pops up. I have a tiny first-aid kit with medicines for upset stomach, headache, toothache, sleeping aids, ear plugs, hand wipes, shout wipes, laptop screen wipes, etc... It's considered by many to be too much of a hassle, even though it takes little room.
For myself, I am considering adding a blanket to my arsenal. I would like to find something super thin and very tough. I do not like to rest my arms on the arm rests in the plane. I use a blanket to protect my clothes and serve as a barrier between my arm and the arm rest. It's much more comfortable for me. I'd like it to be like a pashmina, but not so delicate.

Aren't 9 and 11 a little old for pipe cleaners? I think of that more for kindergarten age kids.

TxTrav~ My question is what do these two like under normal circumstances? Then get them some more/new ones of those.

My thought is, for example, I don't do crossword puzzles so that is not a helpful idea for me to take on a plane, but others who love them, save up their favorites ahead of the flight and can amuse themselves for hours!

Actually, I was going to suggest the pipe cleaners too. My kids were 11 and 13 and actually had fun with them on a cross country flight. Of course, they also took game boys with extra cartridges too, but we didn't want to bring too many electronics. The game boys were small enough and the extra games were too. All fit into one ziploc bag with room for books.

I use search a word puzzle books on long trips, waits at hospitals, etc. to keep myself amused. :-)

TX if you are interested in a "disposable" blanket, you should consider the fleece that is sold in fabric stores or even Walmart. You can get it on clearance for about $2/yard now since it's the change of the season. It comes in lots of colors and patterns. Get about 1-2 yards of it for a blanket. You can cut the edges to make a fringe or leave the edges "raw" since it doesn't ravel. If you don't want to bring it home, you can toss it or donate it since it isn't a big investment.

As for a "blanket"--I have a "sarong"--from Cost Plus that rolls up to about a sub sandwich size. I use it on the plane and at my destination for a swimsuit coverup.

I know you indicated she did not have weight or space for electronic stuff, but there is nothing else I can think of that will occupy kids that age for as long as that kind of thing - MP3 players, hand held games, DVDs - I might want to reconsider that one.

Nighttime sudafed?

Sorry, couldn't resist! :)

Wikki Sticks, flat, think waxy sticks that mold into shapes. similar to pipe cleaners, but even more portable. Also Crayola's "Model Magic," a lightweight, pliable modeling clay. The 20 Questions ball, where it always figures out what you were thinking! Mad Libs. small book of optical illusions.

Tell her not to worry. Kids don't find these long trips as exhausting or boring as adults. Really. I have flown these types of longhauls when I was 10, 11, 12 and 13, and I didn't remember them being tough at all.

Just make sure they have their video games. DVD player is a problem as most have only 2-4 hours of playing time. One may need to buy an extra battery or two.

We flew to Hawaii last year from the east coast and my kids were 11 and 13. I bought them a portable dvd for christmas to share and it was the best thing we brought. Make sure you buy and charge an extra battery so you will have about 6 hours of viewing time. Since mine are both girls and similar ages, the movies they like are the same. We did not have movies in our seats and two of the movies shown were PG 13 and had sex scenes in them. PG 13 can walk a fine line between allowable and appropriate and should have been R. I can't count on it will go over their heads anymore. They get it.
If they like a gameboy, they are great too. I have one that loves the teen magazines with all those quizzes to find out what kind of lipgloss you are, etc... I also brought small travel pillows and small baby sized fleece blankets for the plane. The last thing you want is the pillow and blanket someone else just coughed on for 12 hours.
Crafts are hard because it depends on the kids. We learned how to crochet for the school project this year and my kids will do that for a little while.
New books are always good. Oh and a deck of cards! My kids love rummy and crazy 8's!

Cards! Why didn't I think of this?
Thanks for all these great ideas.
You know I forgot about baby blankets. Like Flannel. I was thinking about bassinett sheets. I would really prefer cotton sheeting material, but I could do without the baby patterns.
If I knew how to sew, I would just get a big sheet and make 4, or even 6 'blankets'.

We travel quite alot with our 14 year old and our 11 year old. For long flights I find cards, books, and surprises to help the flight. We start out with what they pack for fun for themselves in their backpacks, and then when they are bored I bring out what I have packed. Maybe a new magazine, book or craft. It helps break up the trip. Also, definitely pack their favorite snacks. Airline food is particularly awful to kids. Good Luck. I'm sure you'll do fine.

I'm with birder...drugs. Good drugs. :) hahahahaha