Community› The Bump Local Boards› D.C. Area Babies
D.C. Area Babies
New Discussion

Airplane activities for preschoolers

frogdognyfrogdogny
in D.C. Area Babies
We're flying to Arizona in a couple of weeks with our 3 and 4 year old girls. It will be their first time on an airplane which is exciting, but one of our legs will be 4 hours long! Any tips for activities to help keep them occupied on such a long flight? We will be bringing our portable DVD player (w/headphones) as well as crayons/coloring books. But was wondering if anyone had any other great ideas to share that may not be so obvious. TIA!
Report Reply to Post

Re: Airplane activities for preschoolers

  • smacbsmacb
    We flew to France, New York and Chicago  this year with our three year old.  I highly recommend an Ipad.  Etch a sketch is good too.  G/L
    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • I_love_cupcakesI_love_cupcakes member
    A friend of mine recently did this and she recommended having small, new toys for them, and wrap them like gifts.  You can ration them out on the flight, every half hour or so to keep them entertained.
    Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
    Report Reply
  • the_jackpotthe_jackpot member
    I have done this a few times and I find variety the key. Keep a variety of little toys and ration them out when they become bored with the last toy. My son also likes to munch so I have a surprise snack that he hasn't had before and that gets him excited, last week it was swedish fish. Chewy which was helpful with take-off and landing and his ears. GL. I think I make myself a nervous wreck and it is ok.
    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • BabyHatchBabyHatch

    We've done numerous long haul flights with DD; don't worry, the anxiety of "what will happen" is usually worse than the reality.

     The Ipad apps are good. What worked best for us when (on the way out) we wrapped up some of her favorite small toys and let her unwrap them gradually over the flight. Even more effective was the flight back when we unleashed new toys over the 10 (yes 10!) hour flight. She was an angel, and I seriously believe it was the stimulation from new toys. (Feel free to judge my bribery-inspired parenting). Fun/new snacks are good too.

    I came across this blog the other day and it offers some good ideas.  I'll be using it on our next flight.


    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • Hey JellisyHey Jellisy
    imageBabyHatch:

    We've done numerous long haul flights with DD; don't worry, the anxiety of "what will happen" is usually worse than the reality.

     The Ipad apps are good. What worked best for us when (on the way out) we wrapped up some of her favorite small toys and let her unwrap them gradually over the flight. Even more effective was the flight back when we unleashed new toys over the 10 (yes 10!) hour flight. She was an angel, and I seriously believe it was the stimulation from new toys. (Feel free to judge my bribery-inspired parenting). Fun/new snacks are good too.

    I came across this blog the other day and it offers some good ideas.  I'll be using it on our next flight.


    That list is great.  Thank you.  I need to find those gel clings, I know my DD would love them.

    image
    From December 29, 2011
    Report Reply
  • jenndreierjenndreier
    I cannot agree more with new toys.  The stores in the airports sell these invisible ink note pads (you color on them with a special marker and pics show up) and E can do those for hours.  In the airport stores they are costly, like maybe $10, but it is worth it for her to pick out which one (or two) she wants.  I have also bought her magnetic puzzles at the airport stores.  These things probably could have been purchased before and brought along but I think there is something more exciting about picking something out at the airport, and its less for me to lug through security since my backpack is full with the DVD player and movies.  Good luck!!!!!!!  Jenn
    Report Reply
  • tracy042206tracy042206
    I also like the invisible ink pads and color wonder (no mess and my kids are messy).  Maggie is so into her Leapster explorer right now I know that would keep her busy so any electronic toys that are small.  If they have a small magnadoodle - our big would be a little big for travel but I bet they have a few different sizes.  Molly likes her books right now and anything new really - she loves to get her hands on Maggie's leapster but I bet I could distract her with an ipod, ipad or smartphone too.
    Report Reply
  • Mama AngelinaMama Angelina member

    imageI_love_cupcakes:
    A friend of mine recently did this and she recommended having small, new toys for them, and wrap them like gifts.  You can ration them out on the flight, every half hour or so to keep them entertained.

    This!  Sticker books, polly pocket, small puzzles, new markers, waterless paint...whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk...

    I think wrapping them is key! It's a novelty so it keeps them in a good mood.  Also, fun treats they perhaps don't get to eat often (fruit snacks, fruit roll-ups, trail mix, peanut butter crackers, etc) 

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"