Need advice re kids (2 and 5) first time on plane

So I am having nightmares about being one of those people you read about in the news that got kicked off a flight due to screaming children running around. Any tips/advice? I plan to bring a portable DVD player but that isn't going to last 3 hours and if they cry or don't want to sit I just don't know what I"ll do! Anyone want to share their experience of flying for the first time with a 2 year old?

Need advice re kids (2 and 5) first time on plane

Did you buy the 2 year old his own seat. I did..strapped a cars seat to it and it was just like we were in the car. He remained alm, watched DVDs and even felt comfortable enough to go to sleep.

Re: Need advice re kids (2 and 5) first time on plane

I always pick up a few new small toys to give my kids on the plane. Bring snacks and a change of clothes as well as something warmer to wear as the cabin can become cold once you are flying.

I would also pack a special treat that you know will get them to co operate if the s h i t hits the fan...for my DS it would be a lollipop as he doesn't get them for often...I could get him to jump through hoops for one of those!!

I like to tell the kids a list of rules before we go anywhere....for ex for the plane ride I would tell them that they will have to wear their seat belts, not walk around unless you can go with them etc, that they cannot kick the seat on front of them...

Sometimes no matter how well prepared you are or how many things you have to amuse the kids they will just melt down....I would just hope the people around me would understand.....

Good Luck and have fun!

Re: Need advice re kids (2 and 5) first time on plane

I literally got home from Disney today with my 3 and 5 yr olds-about 2hrs and 40 min flight. i had the same nightmares as you and well, i loathe flying so i was very worried! anyway it was not even half as bad as i worried about!
since it's fresh in my mind i'll tell you all the crazy things i packed in our carry ons. i was nuts bringing all the stuff i did but i was happy to have back up stuff LOL
DS sat in his carseat and that helped, he's 3 and on the move. it made it like he was in the car and could NOT get out. he never asked to.
I brought our portable DVD player and it was a LIFESAVER. they pretty much watched in the entire flight..i took the DVDs out and kept them in a portable carrying case so we had a lot to choose from. they sat next to each other and watched with it on the pull down trays. i didn't have earphones but the plane is so loud it didnt' matter. noone else could really hear it just the kids and me.
i brought a lot of snacks and "forbidden" stuff that they love but don't get on a regular basis. gummy/fruit snacks, ring pops (bad mom), goldfish crackers, cookies, lollipops, pez dispensers...all crappy stuff but i didn't care i just wanted them to be good! and in reality they didn't even really eat it all, just loved opening it and having a taste made them happy. most of it got thrown away.
i brought books, coloring stuff for DD who is 5 and loves that. their leappad, and some new little matchbox cars for DS. he loves those and opening one or two on the plane made him so happy. he did drop them once or twice but that was ok.
i even brought that crayola magic modeling clay (not messy at all and comes in little individual pkgs) i let them choose one color and they totally kept busy with that when we were landing b.c i couldn't use the DVD player then.
it souns like a lot of stuff and it kind of is but i am one of those paranoid people and like to have back up. it all fit in my carry on and DD's little carry on too.
sorry for the long response! good luck and have fun!

Message edited 7/13/2012 10:34:41 PM.

Re: Need advice re kids (2 and 5) first time on plane

Def DVD (or ipad/iPhone) to watch movies..and to play games...
Puzzles, crayons, books coloring books, stickers all busy stuff...get new stuff and give it to them sporadically theology the flight..and this goes for snacks as well...give treats that are favs but also special ocasssion ones...the other posters mentioned some good ones...my DS spent a lot of time playing/eating/making a mess with a cup of ice that I got from the flight attendant...didn't think it was going to be "as fun" as he thought..lol...gummy bears type snacks were a big hit as well as lollipops..and milk/apple juice/water in sippy cups

As long as you have lots of different busy and new busy stuff to play and eat..you will be just fine!

Good luck..

Have fun!

Re: Need advice re kids (2 and 5) first time on plane

great advice and suggestions so far, thanks so much!

will definitely try the lollipops and new toys thing

we did buy my 2.5 year old her own seat but we can't really bring a car seat so hopefully the seat belt is restraint enough

Re: Need advice re kids (2 and 5) first time on plane

You could rent or buy the CARES system. Small, fits in your bag easily and converts the belt to include a chest clip like a car seat if you don't want to lug one.

I agree with the above posters about snacks and new toys and DVDs or leappads etc. I also found that michaels has those foam shapes and peel foam stickers. They are quiet and the girls will spend a while making things. They fit easily into a ziplock bag. Just make sure you have a plastic bag to put the paper back into.

Re: Need advice re kids (2 and 5) first time on plane

We usually fly Jet Blue, however, sometimes depending on the time of the flight the kid shows aren't that great.
I pack:

DVD player
DVDs
Crayons
Matchbox Cars & Trains (DS Loves them)
Books
Snacks (and when the snack cart comes around, DS loves that he gets to pick a "special snack..usually cookies).
I had DS (age 5) take his little back pack on as a carry on. I let him pack it with toys he wanted.
My DD is 3. We've been lucky with her napping. We bring her own car seat and she's fine. She stays in her seat and mid flight I do take her out to stretch a few mins. After the stretch, I put her back in and she may fall asleep.


I had so much anxiety last year (the first time for my kids) and it was really over nothing. This year I did have some anxiety again, but, they did so well.

Pack a bunch of fun carry on things. Maybe bring on some toys (new). That will def. keep them busy!

Have a GREAT time.