It's going to be a loooooooong trip up to NY. We're flying to Baltimore, where my sis will pick us up then drive us the rest of the way.

I'm starting to pack...wandering around the house trying to find activities for the kids for the plane ride. Does anyone have any ideas of lightweight, quiet, but fun games or things to do? I'm going to pack a lot of snack food, lol!

Also...I'll be in NY for almost a month...give me some ideas of what I'll be needing...I did remember my pads:p And I'm going to have to bring some tea tree oil...

Earplugs and whiskey.

What ages?

a babysitter and a bottle of vodka
Valium for everyone n the plane


Seriously though,

Playdough
tons of fun snacks, even junky stuff you might not usually let them have
tons of wet wipes for cleaning up
juice boxes
cards
lacing cards
matchbox cards

If you have a laptop with a dvd drive I would bring that. That was a lifesaver for my older dd when we flew (she was 3.5 at the time). I went to the dollar store and picked out a bunch of small toys. I only brought out one new one at a time. Nursing and napping took up most of the little ones time.

I wish you luck!

Originally posted by MyThreeSuns
Earplugs and whiskey.


:hahaha: I was just thinking "valium". :)

we're flying next month and I'm working on getting the kids bags together... Josh has a coloring book (small, where I can tear out a page at a time) and crayons.. his carebear ..and a new taggie book.. not sure what else I'll put in there as he's only going to be 18 months old.. he loves cars, but I could see those taking off down the aisle and being lost forever - LOL. He's got a little toddler sized froggie backpack that is brand new for him, so he doesn't have that much space anyway and will likely want to nurse most of the time he's actually awake. Lindsey will be almost 3 (a month shy of it) and just got a brand new my little pony rolling backpack. I've gotten her a bunch of new activity books, crayons and markers, a paint with water book (with the paints at the top of the page - and we're going to use qtips for the paintbrushes as they're totally disposible).. a couple storybooks, her favorite dolly (made by ben&peanutsmom.. which I probably just massacred the spelling of!) and her taggie. Aside from the dolly and taggie, everything else in there is a surprise and she's not allowed to look until we're on the airplane. They each got to pick a new $2 sippy cup at walmart - it's nospill but cheap, so if it gets lost on vacation, who cares.. we can't use the disposible ones as Josh won't give up until he gets the lid off and the water dumped :) We're taking a bunch of snacks too.

Thanks! Those are some great ideas! I've never flown in my entire life so I really don't know how things work, lol!

Will I be allowed to bring my serger? :D (serious question)

How many bags can we bring? I'm assuming a carry-on for each of us, plus.....how many can we check?

My kids are 2, 4, 6, and 8.

Also....for a layover...do we get off the plane or just sit there? Sorry...stupid questions, but like I said I've never flown! lol!

What to take on a plane w/ 4 kids??


A good nanny and a perscription of Valium :hahaha:

Duct tape?

Hmmm...ok,seriously (I can be sometimes,ya know)...
I went to vegas with 3 kids several years ago and I was so thankful that the younger 2 slept a lot. We had lots of books,paper,crayons, a magnet board with magnetic letters and such...um...I don't remember what else.

last time I flew you were allowed 1 carryon each person holding a ticket and 2 suitcases per person holding a ticket. Holding a ticket meaning per ticket purchase just to clarify lol oh and for the lay over, you get off the plane and wait in the airport but you have to listen or ask where your connecting flight is. When i had a lay over they told us before we got off. Not sure if they still do that. You could bring your serger as a carry-on, but put it in a bag. You may have a problem though cuz don't sergers have a knife cutting thingy? That might be a security issue with all the crap going on these days. You can always call your airline and ask. If you can bring it then just pack one less carryon for 1 of your kids.

Things to bring with you...... well since your going to NY.... MONEY lol What part of Ny are you going to? I go to the city 3-4 times a year. It's ALOT of fun. Never been with kids so I can't tell you how that is but it is crowded in some areas but alot of people manage with strollers so its not a problem. Plus if you go to the city then definetly put those kids on one of those leash things or in a stroller. NY is ALOT of fun. not just the city lol if you go near the seaport bring noseplugs lol talk about NASTY!!!!

Hope I helped you some. :) Don't worry you will be fine. just remember airplanes do shake a little bit at times so dont freak out. If anyone tells you scary airplane stories before you leave to go on your trip dont let them get to you. Landing is a piece of cake you cant even tell you land. At least i didnt when i went. I fly Delta and Midway. (not sure if Midway is still around) oh yeah and AA. Have a fun time on your trip. Oh wait one more thing..... if you are going to be near Westchester.... go to the Woodbury Outlets. Fun place, lots of good finds. :)

Oh, also, since it's a longer flight, they're will probably be a movie, which was a help for my older kidlet. Of course, the movie they showed on the way to Vegas was Titanic :rolleyes: soooo...yeah, not great choices sometimes but when you're sitting there doing nothing anyway, it's a time killer.

Do you know how long your layovers will be? If they're short, it may just be a quick get off, wait a bit and get back on or longer layovers will allow you time to look around the hundreds of way overpriced shops most airports have or eat or whatever.

I don't remember how many carry-on bags they allowed. I know that my son had his backpack, and I had the monster diaper bag plus my little backpack/purse thingy.I think I brought sewing stuff on the plane but I'm sure now that may be a big no-no with the sharp implements and whatnot.

From my experience, the diaper bag and purse do not count as carryons...so if you can manage it, you can get another one on with you as well!

j

If you have time, I'd go to www.uniset.com and get one of thier sets, or a few. Or a mama here might have a felt set, since theirs are like those window clings and therefore plastic.

They have boys and girls scense, which is cool, and have entertained both my kids at the same time :eek:

good luck mama!

jessica

I've flown a lot since Sept 11th and can tell you that you most likely won't be allowed to take sewing stuff... scissors will be confiscated, and if you've got a knife thing on the serger, that probably won't be allowed either. Doesn't matter if it *should* or not, the security people don't always know and will err on the side of caution.

we've flown 10 hour flights a couple of times with 1 to 3 toddlers as our family grew.

i'd pick a day flight over a night flight.

have a small pack of sweets for take off and landing to ease ear pressure.

forget about catching any movie (if your SO is with you,
he maybe able to catch movies and eat peanuts but as for yourself, be happy if you get a potty break :p).

the children will be entertained with all the meals, mine were thrilled with all the cutlery etc etc and all this eating takes up a large portion of time.

puzzle books, magna doodle, small books were lifesavers.
i'd bring a bottle of water (non spill container for the little one) for each child since they always wanted a drink when it wasn't time for a meal/drink break.

ignore anyone who gives you "looks" if the children act up.

for stopovers, i'd get off the plane and have the kids run around a bit rather than stay in the plane. take your valuables but leave the carryons.

oh and a change of clothing for yourself and maybe two gender neutral sets in case someone throws up on you :rolleyes:

i wanted to add that its a great thrill for the children to go for a plane ride so keep positive. i'd prepare them that they will be in a confined space for fairly long time, but they will have fun food, a movie to watch and some new toys to play with.

have a wonderful trip.
post pics when you come back!

most domestic flights do not offer food service anymore - call your airline to check...

Someone said try to get an extra bag on - but I disagree.. last time I had the diaper bag my purse and a large carryon with all the extra stuff... I can't tell you how hard it is to get on/off the airplane with toddlers with all that stuff. I just bought a diaper bag backpack, Lindsey has a rolling backpack that we'll pack full with most of the "extra" stuff we need, and Josh will have his backpack.

Reguardless of what they're SUPPOSED to do, I've only had an offer of help ONCE when flying with kids.. and I've taken 7-8 trips since Lindsey was born (my first trip with her was 2 weeks after Sept 11th). Usually it seems like you're the entertainment..

If you use a stroller for you little one, check it at the gate and it'll be waiting for you when you get off :)

Thanks, everyone! I did call the airline (southwest), and they said I can take the serger in a box and check it. I can bring one carry on for each of us...plus I have to deal with the car seat. Thankfully, my older children are good about taking care of themselves and helping their little sisters.

I'm definitely bringing a couple of changes of clothing b/c I DON'T want to sit in puky clothes for hours!!

I think it's going to be fun trip! I'm so happy I get to fly instead of driving for four days!

(Oh, and I'm not going to the city. My family lives in upstate NY. I wish I was though...I love NYC :heart: )