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smilejenn
member
Long plane ride with an almost 4 year old (potty/Leapster/toy ?'s)
smilejenn
member
Next week we're taking our sons (almost 4 and 11mo) to Vancouver. We're flying from Orlando to Seattle and then making the drive to Vancouver later that day) Our last big trip was to Hawaii when my son was turning 2 and we're hoping 2 years makes a world of difference because that was a tough flight. LOL
Does anyone have suggestions on toys to take along to help keep him occupied? Are there any Leapfrog systems that might be good for this age? I've thought about the Leapster or Scribble and Write... Of course cheaper is always better with toys, but I'm willing to invest in a Leapster if it helps keep our sanity. haha
Also, did anyone have issues with their preschooler going potty on the airplane? My son is potty trained and we only use pull ups at night in case of an accident...but I'm worried how he will react to the small and loud bathroom. And I don't think he'd be willing to go back to using a pull up during the day...
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Re: Long plane ride with an almost 4 year old (potty/Leapster/toy ?'s)
If you don't have a portable DVD player now is the time to invest in one.
Hands down the best thing on the plane.
We don't really allow much TV at home so it was a huge treat for him.
Pack plenty of snacks.
My youngest (3) commented on the loudness of the potty but all it took was one reminder that he was getting to pee while flying thru the air and all was fine.
The novelty was way cooler than the sound was bad, KWIM?
Total score: 6 pregnancies, 5 losses, 2 amazing blessings that I'm thankful for every single day.
We are going to fly down to Georgia in July and that's about a two hour flight. I will pack his backpack with snacks, activity books, crayons, and other things like that. I'm bringing my laptop so if he or his brother wants to watch a movie, they can. Also, he likes to listen to Daddy's iPod, so he'll probably do that too.
Sometimes he takes a nap, so I'll probably just pack some "night time underwear" (aka pullups) in his bag just incase. But he'll be in his underwear for the trip. I'll have extra shorts and a grocery bag handy incase he has an accident. His brother is still in diapers so that's easy. It helps if you let them bring a favorite toy, which we'll do.
Ditto the portable DVD player. O.M.G. Best thing EVER. Invest in some shorter cartoons that they might like in addition to bringing movies (may sure that you bring digital copies, not the blu-ray if you have those). For DD, we had Caillou and Wow Wow Wubbzy and she loved that. Leapster might work but don't know as we don't have one. We just let DD play some age-appropriate games on DH's iTouch. Other things include new crayons, coloring books and blank tablet, stickers, small travel magna-doodle, small toys, books. I packed DD her little back pack with some new things and old favorites, plus some snacks and she didn't get to open it until we were on the plane. One of the books that both kids love is called Airport and goes over the flying experience a bit.
As far as potty time, I made sure to take her to the bathroom immediately before boarding and I just didn't flush the toilet while she was in the bathroom -- had her step out, cover her ears and then I flushed. I warned her for a long time (while reading the airport book) that the bathroom in the plane was tiny, just her size, but VERY LOUD. She was still freaked but I could calm her. Still, be sure to carry a change of clothes. FWIW, he may be fascinated by the bathroom -- I remember flying with a little girl that my mom was taking to visit the girl's grandparents and she was 4 or 5 and thought the bathroom was the coolest thing ever.
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO
We just finished a ridiculously long journey from Vancouver-Seattle-London-Madrid-Casablanca-Marrakech-Essaouira. (And back again 12 days later.)
DD did great. She had her own tv for the transatlantic flight, but for the others she just snoozed (and she has never been a napper), enjoyed snacks and the inflight magazine. lol. Some of the airlines had little activity packs for kids and they were great. I also had my iPod touch with a few movies loaded, but we didn't even need them.
Anyway, the only thing I wish I would have had for her were headphones that fit. The ones that British Airways had were too big... and the earbuds I'd brought kept falling out. It was frustrating.
As for the bathroom. I just reminded her "The flush on these toilets is really loud." And she said "Ok." No problems at all. I like the idea of letting the child go outside the bathroom door while you flush, though, if he's sensitive.
Have fun! It's gorgeous here right now.
TOTALLY seconding this one!
I got them junior sized head phones for one trip but forgot to pack them this last time and trying to do the ear bud thing was annoying to say the least.
Hit Wal-Mart for some cheap junior sized head phones.
Total score: 6 pregnancies, 5 losses, 2 amazing blessings that I'm thankful for every single day.
Yep, I found some on Amazon. She didn't want to wear them but it was nice to have the option and I'm guessing she might for the next trip now she is older.
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO
I just went Detroit-LAX-Maui in February with my DD1 (3.5) and her favorite plane items were:
- portable DVD player
- kid headphones (got them on amazon)
- Mobigo with a new game (already had the mobigo)
- snacks both provided on the plane and I packed. I packed granola bars, sandwich crackers, and chex.
We had DD wear a pull up during the flights, but she used the bathroom with no issues. I also had her bring a favorite stuffed animal and her princess snuggie for the flight. DTW-LAX we didn't get pillows/blankets, LAX-Maui we did because it was a late night flight. I'd not recommend late night flights, DD fought sleep.
DD1, Kathleen 9/15/2007
Everytime we travel with our son I fill his backpack with new books, toys and activities. I don't let him open it until we are on the plane. I also put his small lunch box in there wil good snacks and a sandwich. He loves this. I do bring a DVD player and leapster explorer too. Last time I put him in a night time pull up in case we got delayed somewhere or a bathroom was busy. He did not go in the pull up but I did it just in case. Another thing I do is pack a few little "presents" in my bag that he does not know about. They are small things like a match box car or small size sticker book. I wrap them in wrapping paper and they are only pulled out if he is on the verge of a meltdown and I need a distraction for a few minutes. Works like a charm.....If you don't need them, simply keep them for a holiday.
I looked at the DS and Leapster Explorer before my son's 4th birthday. I liked some of the learning things on the Leapster so we selected that. He got it last July and he still plays with it all the time. He is learning to spell and read right now on there. We sit down and do it together. He loves it.