Long plane ride with 2.5 year old twins

I flew with my twins across country (5.5 hrs) in December and one other trip prior. To say it was a nightmare was an understatement!

Now that they are 2.5, we have to pay so that they can have their own seats. Im hoping that will make it slightly easier.

Any recommendations to get through the flight? Besides xanax for mommy and daddy?

DH is loading up our ipads with new games. I am buying travel magna doodles. I have some small coloring books, crayons, stickers, books, snacks. Will buy a car for my DS and a baby doll for my DD

Any other recommendations? Tips or tricks? Advice??

TIA!

Message edited 6/26/2013 1:08:45 AM.

Long plane ride with 2.5 year old twins

Lots of snacks!!!

Hopefully it will go a little better now that they are older! My son was a lot better traveller at 2.5 since he was excited to be on the plane.

Re: Long plane ride with 2.5 year old twins

We get them stuff they nornally don't have. Candy, etc. videos on the iPhone, iPad. Books to read.

Good luck

Re: Long plane ride with 2.5 year old twins

Just got back from a 3 hour plane trip with my 5 and 2.5 year old. Before we left I bought them both new school bags and filled them with all new stuff, markers, coloring books, notebooks, crayons, snacks they love, new story books and a little toy. Going through all the new stuff kept them really busy for a while because it was new stuff to explore. I also brought the portable DVD player and allowed them to pick movies before we left. DD stole my nook and played with games and stuff and DS stole it for a bit to listen to stories. They did really well. They new stuff definitely kept them busy.

Re: Long plane ride with 2.5 year old twins

Thanks ladies. Im definitely getting all new toys and games for the ipad. DH wanted to do the backpack idea but I said no bc I wanna present them with a new toy every hour or so to prolong the excitment. Can you tell the last flight was baaaaaad?

Re: Long plane ride with 2.5 year old twins

aqua doodle was a hit for us.. but mostly we just got her stuff she didn't SEE until we got onto the plane and only in bits and pieces only at extremes and not all at once.

we brought her blanket and pillow to snuggle with, we didn't use a car seat, never have.

I got my daughter mickey mouse clubhouse car set, an airplane, aqua doodle, colors, DVD's head sets and snacks, plus a light doodle thingie (which never got pulled out). Oh and a mini flash light to play with.

Re: Long plane ride with 2.5 year old twins

I don't have personal experience but have heard that a new surprise every hour helps. I've also read that it's easier not to open the packaging because sometimes just getting the thing open takes up some time. Every little bit helps.

Also, try candy that can be eaten one piece at a time (nerds, mini m&m's, smartees). I read that on a blog.

Good luck!!!!

Long plane ride with 2.5 year old twins

also you can take the one ounce containers of play do on the plane- I took them this winter and my son loved having them on the plane

Also make sure you save something for when you have to turn off electronic devices

there are these water wow books- Melissa and doug have them and there are some other superhero ones- the pen just fills with water and they color on the book and when dry can do it again

other good thing - magnetic scenes - we have a train one- my son liked that

honestly the cheap little toys are a hit- wind up dinosaurs, for your son try the playschool transformers - they have been a huge hit with my son

also for long planes we have a power converter - to recharge anything that needs it- we have been on 6 hr plus flights to Hawaii - but you need to check your plane type and see what you need

snacks like goldfish but barely open the little boxes makes it hard to get out

Re: Long plane ride with 2.5 year old twins

STICKERS!!! My 4yo and almost 2yo adore stickers. Melissa and Doug makes these pads - there are several different themes and the stickers are reusable - you can put them into different scenes and stuff - this was a big hit the last time we needed distraction. We have not flown with all 3 kids except when my ds was an infant - my daughter was a nut then too so I feel your pain - we have come up with new tricks since then which would hopefully help!

Re: Long plane ride with 2.5 year old twins

GREAT ideas ladies!!!! Thank u so much! Gonna hit up TRU tomorrow. Hopefully you wont hear about the lady that died from stress on a flight with 2 toddlers on the news!

Long plane ride with 2.5 year old twins

I agree with what everyone else said just make sure to save things for the trip home!

We flew to Seattle with DS in Nov and he was 2. Since we were staying with SIL, I ordered some new books and toys to her house while we were there and refilled his bag with new things. So the return flight went just as smooth,

Also, we flew with DS for the first time when he was 14 months to Florida and it was horrible!!!

He was so so so much better on the 5.5 hour ride to Seattle! So have faith in them a bit! People complimented us on DS's behavior (but the flight attendant did say I was the most prepared mothers he had ever seen with that bag of goodies loll)