Traveling MamasWondering how to entertain your 2-yr-old on a long trip? Got questions about airfares or car routes? Want to know where the best tourist or camping spots are? Moving across the country? C'mon in!
i need a plan. 18 month old on a plane for 6 hours or more.
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
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~Barb
Mama to Chelsey,19, Zoey,8 and Roman, 5
Happy Holidays from my family to yours!
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
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Jamie, wife to Joe, momma to Lauren (1/27/02) and Tara (2/3/05)
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.
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!
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.
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~Rondi~
Wife to Rich. Mama to 8 year old Elisha (aka Mr. Memory); 6 year old Chloe (aka a real life Diva) and 4 year old Jadon Jack (aka Mr Messy)
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
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.
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.
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~julie~
mama to savannah, jackson and baby scarlett due in 2009! STUFF I HAVE FOR SALE
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.
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