Got any tips for traveling w/ 3 yr & 17 mo old?

3boysforus

We will be on a 5 hour flight and gone for a week. I am a little fearful of the flight. Keeping a 17 mo old happy in such a confined place seems tricky!

Anything would be helpful!

Thanks?

jennieliz

Food... stuff they don't normally get like fruit snacks and fun treats.  Color books, magnadoodle, post it notes (no kidding these kept my DD happy for hours when she was that age), DVD player (we don't travel without it).

Lawrence0820

I'm doing this too in 2 weeks.... except with a 16 month old and a 6 month old.  for my older one i'm taking a portable dvd player, coloring book, i bought some easter clearance toys for something new, and some books and a picnic lunch.  hopefully this will entertain her and i'm praying she'll nap.  I'll be interested to see what other say! our flight is only 2.5 hours so it shouldn't be as bad.

3boysforus

Oooooohh, post it's I bet that would be a good idea!

LanaM

If I was flying with my kids.....

for E (4 y.o.) - a portable dvd player and some cars and a lolipop.

For J (1 y.o.)  - food, food and more food and a window seat to look outside and an isle seat to walk around.

Ciarrai

Food - snacks in snack-sized portions in little baggies.  I just get one out (or rather two) any time the girls get cranky.  They each get their own bag and they don't inhale all the snacks before we get in the air.  They also each get a sucker on the way up and the way down.  This was DD#2's first time getting one when we flew last week and she loved it!!

Toys - coloring books work for my girls and sticker books.  They both love both of those.  We also bring match box cars, silly stuffed animals and lots of books.  Both love books.  

DVD player - each of the girls got to "pick out" (DD#2 was shown two Elmo movies and grabbed one) at the library before we left.  They got to watch one and then the other on the flight.  They were new so they kept them entertained longer than some of their "regular" movies.

Hope they/the younger one sleep.  DD#2 did sleep on the way back and I was shocked.  We brought on lunch and I guess after lunch she goes to sleep so she did.  She slept a little over an hour of the three hour flight.  It was great.  Just remember if you're flying anywhere close to meal time, it's worth bringing sandwiches (or McD's) on board with you to give them their meal in the air.  It kills time and keeps them from getting cranky/hungry if you're delayed.  

Good luck!!

ShuTree

I just did this a month ago.  I brought everything everyone mentioned: snacks, toys, colors, books, videos, etc...If i had to do it again i would make sure not to bring too much stuff. I brought so much that i couldn't ever find what I actually needed at the moment.  my 3 yr old was good sitting in his seat watching a video, reading a book or drawing/coloring.  My 16 mo at the time was happiest when the seat belt sign turned off and he could get out of his seat and walk up and down the aisle. 

Just don't think too much about it. You may have some difficult moments but you won't remember them after the fact. I just put it out of my mind and focus on getting through the trip. You'll be fine.