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Need advice for traveling with 2 year old

flyingsaucerflyingsaucer member
in Toddlers: 24 Months+

DH and I will be flying with our son in April.  It will be just days after his 2nd birthday.  Our flight will be about 4 hrs long (we will fly in the morning, 8am).

I could really use some advice on flying with a toddler.  What should I pack?  Should we use a car seat (we only have one, should I take that?)

Thanks!  The last time we flew he was 8 mos and on my lap!

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Re: Need advice for traveling with 2 year old

  • mrshutchmrshutch
    I tried using a car seat once and it was a total pain. After that we went back to checking the car seat and then gate checking the stroller. So much easier. Stuff to bring: portable DVD player if available, coloring/drawing stuff, silly putty, etch-a-sketch, lollipops to suck on for ears, some easy snacks (string cheese, crackers). I always get a couple of random little toy things (like from the Target dollar section) and surprise DD with them at the gate or once we sit down- she's more excited about them then.
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  • KristinKDKristinKD member

    It's safer to use the car seat, but knowing how fidgety my DD is, we've always checked it instead because I'd hate to be unable to stow the car seat and be stuck with a wasted seat. Another option many parents use is a CARES harness.

    We always bring our portable DVD player, a couple books, a coloring book and crayons, Crayola color magic markers and coloring pad, a travel doodlepro, stickers, maybe a new small toy, plus lunch and snacks.

    Emily 11.29.2007 | Kate 4.3.2010 | James 8.22.2013
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  • mightymarcemightymarce

    It's nice to use the car seat, but first check to see if it's FFA approved-- they might not let you take it on the plane if it isn't. 

     To make it MUCH easier to deal with the car seat in the airport, look into buying the GoGoKidz Travelmate-- it hooks onto your carseat and you can then wheel it around with you. You can even put your kid in the car seat and use the whole contraption instead of a stroller.  You might have to un-do it for security, but otherwise it's really really nice.  

     Bringing the carseat onto the plane and back off again IS a pain... but when I've had to travel alone with my toddler, it was really nice having him strapped into the seat where he could even nap for a little on the flight.  Otherwise, he's up and playing the entire time, which can be fine, too.  You just have to decide which seems better for you.  If you have any sort of a sling or carrier, that can be really nice for boarding and deboarding, too-- you can carry your kid in it and have your hands free to carry other things and help you get set up.  BTW remember that if you decide not to take the car seat with you, you'll have to figure out how to get to and from the airport without it. If you take a taxi you legally can hold your kid in your lap and not need to use a car seat at all (they're exempt)... but not sure how many people are ok with taking that chance most of the time.

    Bring snacks, small toys, to distract him.  One tip is to stash away small toys in different pockets of whatever bag you'll bring, so your kid can "discover" new things once an hour or however often as needed.  I bought small toy cars for my kid, since he LOVES them and pack a lot of entertainment punch for their size.

    As a last resort, you can always give him your keys or phone (in airplane mode) if needed. ; )

    Chances are there will be other kids on the flight, so make friends with them and they can entertain each other. 

    Good luck! Four hours isn't too long of a flight-- likely it will go better than you worry it will.  =) 

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  • otcotc

    We just came back from Mexico and stickers saved the day.  He loves sticker books.  Aldi's has reusable ones for .99 that are really good.  Of course we found them after we returned, LOL.  I bought the ones we used at Target.  Hours and hours of fun:P

    I packed his backpack with treats, the sticker books, lift the flap books, cars, trucks, animal figures, a couple of little people, paper, crayons, and a write on board.  A lot of other kids had DVD players, but he's not that into watching videos yet.

    We checked the carseat and used to stroller throughout the airport which was great as he fell asleep in it. 

    The other kids kept him entertained as well as the snacks, drinks and going to the bathroom:) 

    We selected flights that were good for him and his sleep schedule.  That helped, too.  Naps both ways:)

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