So...

we're going back east to see my sister and her family for a few days in a couple of weeks.

i'm going to call a few days before and ask for bulkhead seating to give us some more room cuz we could only afford four seats so romans a lap baby. We're flying on a saturday cuz of the price break so plane will probably be full, at least the way back we fly a wednesday so will have a chance at empty seats

anyway... what to do with him on the plane. Big sisters are easy. they'll read, do puzzles, play cards, color, craft kits, watch a movie, listen to music etc.
but what do i do with the maniac that is my son? lol

ideas appreciated

When we flew to IN when Lauren was about 18mo, I went to Walmart and got one of those books of stickers that has like 500 teeny little stickers. She stuck them to everything. It kept her busy for about an hour total...totally worth the $3 or whatever (okay, so it took me the entire decent to remove them from the wall, window, trays, etc...but it was worth it!!). I also wrapped up small "gifts" (used some of her things that she already had and then got a few more things). She had a blast unwrapping them and then playing with them for 15-20 minutes at a time. I took crayons (she was just discovering them) and some paper for her to scribble on. If you do crayons you might consider melting some of your own to make them flat on one side, that way they don't roll off the tray. Other "gifts" were small cars, a photo album of pics of people we were going to see, Little People, snack items like fruit snacks and animal crackers, um...I can't remember what else I managed to have in there. I just remember that the stickers were the big hit of trip. I took sposie wipes on the plane and the whole box was covered with stickers. That was nice because I didnt have to pull those off!!

don't forget to save some "treasures" for the way home as well!!

Have fun!
j

thanks for the great ideas. and OMG i can't believe you're so close to your new baby!

stickers, small gifts to unwrap, treats to eat...

more ideas anyone?

no ideas really, even though i've done it with the 2 babes alone several times.. cars don't work, they roll away and get lost. we've done stickers, playdough, lots of special treats..

and i've never been allowed to reserve the bulkhead in advance - it has to be done at the airport on a first come, first serve basis.
i've flown about 20 flights with the kids, and only gotten it twice.

nods bout the bulkhead - i can at least try.

other ideas a friend came up with are those travel sized magnadoodles, or chalk board/eraser/chalk?

all in all, i'm just hoping he takes a two hour nap. lol

We have taken DS twice now, it can be really stressful, but we are learning. I am not sure how you feel about him watching movies, but I would HIGHLY suggest getting on of those portable DVD players and take his favorite movies. It has been our saving grace on our trips. Also new toys are great. lots of snacks, water, and I admit out of sheer desperation I even broke out the chocolate LOL. Good Luck!

Megan

nods. its under consideration but the cheapest one is $129 and doesn't include headphones. People keep telling me you need good headphones to hear the movie over the hum of the plane, and that an 18mo might not even leave them on (he pulls off hats and stuff ya know?)

so not sure we can come up with $150 for something we might use twice a year ya know?

and i've never been allowed to reserve the bulkhead in advance - it has to be done at the airport on a first come, first serve basis.

Oh, they give you the run around so much! I've shown up at the airport 3 hours early and have asked for bulkhead (traveling with baby/toddler) and I've been told either that you have to reserve in advance OR they need to wait and see who all requests it. Ticks me off!

We are looking at a flight from CA to England with a 5 yr old, 3 yr old and 15 month old in March. Gulp Did I mention 3 yr old is spirited and baby is ACTIVE? Watching this thread for ideas.

Call me clueless but what do you need by Bulkhead? I need to try for that, we are going to Florida in two weeks and I haven't even made our reservations yet:eek:

Megan

the bulkhead is the part of the plane where they have the two rows facing each other with the space in between. So you have that floor space for baby to sit down and play.

We just returned form our trip to see my family in the Netherlands. We flew with Sarah(13, RAD), Jimmy (12), Levi (8, Asperger Syndrome, psychosis nos and bipolar), Noah(7) and Hannah(3). Can I just say AAAAAARRRCCHHH????? We flew 6 hours to Philadelphia, switched planes and flew 8 hours to Amsterdam. Same on the way back. On the first flight, Levi threw the mother of all autistic tantrums. I dropped my last brain cell on the plane to Amsterdam, I think.

That said, I may get flamed but I would have some chewable Dramamine or Benadryl (so they sleep some) just in case you need it. Believe me, we needed it on the flight to Amsterdam. Very small dose. Next MUST HAVE for a toddler is ...lolly pops. Keeps them happy during take-off and landing. I carried a toothbrush for Hannah in my carry on bag. My older kids had a walkman, and that helped. Sometimes they show a movie, so bring extra cheap head phones because the ones on the flights are $5 each.

HAve fun!

i have no suggestions but i saw on the view recently that the bulkhead are not always the only good seats. depends on the particular model plane you are taking. there was a website where you could look at the interior so you'd know what specific seat to ask for.

i know htat isn't a lot of help for anything...but maybe search for that..or they might have a link from the view's website.

www.seatguru.com

I don't like the bulkhead b/c you can't keep your stuff under the seat in front of you, it's all in the overhead bin. Stinky trade off huh?

A couple things we have used to entertain on trips is tape(my kids love it and it is the only time they can have a whole roll and waste it) and those party favors that the paper rolls out when you blow it. Some kids like books on tape. Lot's of food.

Have fun,

Aphrodite

I didn't read your other responses, but I'll tell you that before my son was 2 we had taken 5 plane trips. Guh! What I usually did, when he was 1 year or older, was take a small plastic toolbox and fill it with small toys. After takeoff, he usually played at my feet, and often would fall asleep down there because of the vibration & white noise, I guess. I also brought new, fun books that I was sure he'd like.

My other suggestion to you is to bring some chamomile essential oil onto the plane. If he starts getting cranky, tired, ornry, put 2 or 3 drops on a tissue and tear it half-- then place it on the bottom of his feet and put on his socks. This *always* got my son to calm down. And the calming aroma will also calm everyone else down!

Good luck, and have fun!

ROFL! Take a change of clothes...for YOU! Hugs mama, those plane rides are never easy with toddlers...lots of funny games!

Erin

omg erin you are so funny!~ lol

we've not flown in 3 years, and last flight was also with an 18mo (zoey) but she was sooo easy!

i'm so excited to see my sister after three years and meet one of my nephews for the first time. and she'll meet roman for the first time.

and yes amelia, stinky trade off, but i was hoping the floor room on the bulkhead would be a nice play area

i am adding scotch tape to my list. lol.

and chamomile essential oil - would that be a better choice then rescue remedy?

juliebelle, That site is cool, my airline isn't listed t ho

thanks for all the great tips@!

I've had much more success with chamomile than rescue remedy... for the kiddo, that is. Myself, I like the RR. :) I take BOTH!!

I'm in China, so I have a lot of experience with little people on long (13 hours and more) flights. I have never requested the bulkhead and would ask to be re-seated if I got one. Check out the seat map and be sure this is really what you want. Some bulkheads (747's) can be emergency exits, so you won't get those with a baby regardless. For me, the biggest factor is nursing and climbing. On the bulkhead seats the armrests can not be moved, and nursing is VERY cramped. On most airline seats you can raise the armrest between adjacent seats creating a long bench. This has worked out very well for us (four kids) on every flight that we have taken.

And the luggage storage under the seat in front is a big issue too. Do you really want to stand up and open the overhead bin everytime you need something? What if you need a book or a toy during take off or landing and you cannot stand up and get it? Being able to grab stuff from your bags without unbuckling your seat belt is a plus.

6 hours isn't that long... the time will fly, really!

Hope you have a fun trip!

Colorforms!! When Katie was 18 months or so old we drove to Disney World, 24 hours away!
Anyway she had so much fun sticking colorforms up all over the van window. And since they aren't really stickers they come right off. We bought her a new set for the trip back.
He could probably stick them to the window, seats almost anything! Just make sure he doesn't eat them, we have had problems with some of the kids wanting to chew on them.
Mindi

we went to Seattle when jordan was about 22mo old.

I brought lots of snacks - even some of those yucky gerber meat sticks. and juice also.

for toys I had a clip board paper and markers/crayons. small toys.

maybe get one of theose video now players (erin had some for sale) they need there own special movies but cheaper than a dvd player.

bring lots of wipes and a rag to clean up any messes.

the kids got these cool 'glow slates' (draws in a neon like color) for xmas this year from a freind. I think he may have gotten it from the dollar store. it has a plactic/rubber like top that you use a sylest/pen to draw with then you lift the top page to erase it. or a magna doodle or etch a sketch may work well also.

we were lucky enough to have a fairly empty plain and he napped most of the way there. we got our own row.
on the way home the plain was packed and the lady in front of Jordan complained when he kicked her seat because she reclined all the way back.

good luck and have a fun visit.

OT.
~how was your trip anna (besides the crappy plain trips LOL) ? was you dh able to go along also to meet your family?

It definitely is going to be tough - the main thing is for YOU to be really cool - and expect the worst lol ( I always get so worked up). We always fly Southwest cos they have open seating plus you get to pre-board if you have kids under 5 - so you can choose the seat you want as you're one of the first on the plane - though we've never chosen the bulkhead - just too much place for the kids to get restless.

Some things that kept my kids busy - magnadoodle, paper and pencils, crayons, coloring books, I read a lot of books to them cos they love that. Last year I nursed Cammy when she got cranky - but she's 3 now so we don't do nursing -in-public.


Have a nice time !!


Monica

nods. flying southwest. you guys really think the bulkhead isn't the best idea eh?

i was thinking the space on the floor for him to sit would be nicer then holding him on my lap all those hours. but theres that trade off of the overhead stuff. sigh.

not sure what to do now.

Barb - the aisles are really narrow and no-one is supposed to hang around in the aisle - not even to go to the toilet (you can only get up once the person inside the toilet is out) - so if he is sitting down near your feet he may want to explore further down the aisle and the steward/ess will ask you get him back in the seat. I find the other rows better cos you can pull the tray table down for them to rest paper to doodle on. We also lift the armrests in between us so it is more comfy. Do remember to take snacks / food for him and you'll. They only give some crackers/ oreo cookies / fruit snacks or nuts or pretzels.... I keep a bag with all the books / crayons / activity / snacks under the seat in front - so I can pull it out whenever the kids need something else.


Monica

Are you flying into ALbany? You probably have to change planes, I would think. I actually prefer changing planes generally since it breaks up the trip.

Three trips there this year with both boys and my advice is:

Not bulkhead (or the front row) for carryon problems as above.

Carry your carseat all the way to the gate so if there's a chance, you can use it (when I fly with Dan, we sit in two rows one in front of the other - on Southwest you'll only be in 3x3 rows, FYI) - put you and Roman in one row, Chelsey and Zoey behind/in front of you.

If there's NO way you're going to get to use your seat you could consider having Chelsey preboard with Zoey and the carryons, with you and Roman waiting until the last minute for maximum wiggle release.

The flight attendants I've experienced on Southwest have been incredibly friendly. THey'll give you (sometimes you have to ask) a little booklet thing with a stubby 4 colors in one colored pencil and stick on plastic wings. Good for at least 10 minutes of entertainment.

Nicholas liked his favorite books (Go Dog, Go!), one of those annoying Happy Meal "video games" they were giving out recently, magnadoodle, never ending snacks and drinks, and he slept. He actually would simply nod off during taxi - like it was a car ride. BUT, he was in his seat.

You might see if you can RENT a dvd player at the airport (call and ask? google?). I know some airports will rent dvds - you take it at your departure city and return it at your arrival city. Or, a friend of Chelsey's might lend you a Game Boy? My kids are pretty fascinated with those. Nicholas doesn't even care what's on it - just the blasted beeping. Makes him keep up a constant litany of "Game! Game! Game! Game!" :rolleyes: I agree that he probably won't keep headphones on. Of course, he might enjoy playing with them. No headphones on Southwest, since there aren't any movies.

ALSO: Note that if you are on a DIRECT (not NON-STOP) flight to NY, or even if you're changing planes, you will NOT receive anything other than drinks and peanuts/pretzels if the flight segment is 2 hours or less. Longer than that and you'll get a snack pack (ours on 1/1 was: 1 6 pack of Ritz cheese crackers, 1 6 pack of GOlden Oreos, and a pack of Cherry Jello Fun Fruits - FANtastic). So, if you never change planes, but your plane does land, you'll be eating peanuts all day long plus whatever you pack. We flew to AZ when we first moved out and we flew:
Albany to Baltimore to St Louis to Oklahoma City to Phoenix. Took ALL DAY LONG, and since no one piece was over 2 hours, we only got peanuts (and the apples and hershey's miniatures my mom had packed). Just FYI.

Have a great visit - enjoy the cold!

nods. yep. flying to albany - flight there should be short hop (an hour i think) then the big trip. Since we leave at 10am i'm hoping he'll stay awake first flight and sleep thru part of the second flight.



not taking a regular carseat since my sister has extras. Just taking zoeys turbobooster and will actually pack that. Only paid for four seats instead of five. that was enough. lol. Will be tom, chels, zoey and i so with bulkhead i was thinking we could face each other tho instead of dealing with rows. sigh. still dont' know what to do. maybe tom and zoey behind me,chels and roman? and we'll just drive everyone crazy with the seat switching i'm sure.

No one i know has a portable dvd player, renting them costs as much as buying a cheaper one. Don't wanna spend $150 for the once every three years we fly. lol. plus then its $150 less i have to spend when we're there.

Am working on maybe a video now game? eh, not even sure thats worth it. we do have a ton of those mcd's games , a leappad, tons of books that keep him busy for half hour at a time. I know he won't do headphones anyway (with the dvd player thing). Not worried at all bout zoey and chels. Cards, games, puzzles, books, they'll be fine. Roman is the one I worry bout. Mr. energy himself.

I remember bout the no food thing from three years ago. Going to pack sandwhiches, string cheese, grapes and other snacks

am looking forward to hugging my sister so i can deal with the trip. lol. Been way too long. The kids are totally excited about the concept of playing in the snow and meeting their cousins.

i just have to relax and stop being so nervous bout the plane trip right? it'll be just fine. Plus this time I have my husband with me so i'm not just dealing with the three kids by myself.

thanks for all the great advice everyone. Now if i can get Gail to come meet me for lunch one day my trip is going to just be perfect lol