gourmetkid
What are some ideas to keep an active two year old busy on a plane trip that are not terribly disruptive to other passengers?
He probably won't keep head phones on to watch a video.
Answer
've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were 2 months (now 7&5). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally alone. Here are some tips and advice that have always worked for me and I hope will help you:
1.) You will need to have all your child's documents in order. It is a good idea to keep a copy of his notarized birth certificate with you. If it is an international flight, you will need a passport and possibly a visa for your son as well. Verify what travel documents you will need in advance to make sure you have everything.
2.) You can take a stroller and gate check it. This means that you will be able to use it all the way up until the time that you board, and one of the handlers will take it and put it in a special compartment for you. When you exit the plane, it will be waiting for you at the door as well.
3.) Since your child is at the age where he has to have a seat, I advise using a CRS (Child Restraint System) because it is safe for the child - especially during turbulence, makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, and gives both of you the opportunity to relax a bit.
A CRS is a hard-backed child safety seat (car seat) that is approved by the government for use in both motor vehicles and aircraft.
In order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use.
Many airlines offer half-price tickets so parents can be guaranteed that their child can travel in a CRS device. You should call your airline to ask for a discount and/or ask what the airline's policy is for using empty seats.
4.) For take-offs and landings, the best thing you can do to help with the ear popping, is give your child something to drink (milk, water, juice- it doesn't matter), a candy (I prefer sugar-free) to suck on, or gum to chew.
New regulations allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz, -OR- beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can bring just add water packets of food, cheerios, goldfish, animal crackers, dried fruit, etc. with you also. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10
Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the Flight Attendants will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.
Another trick is that if your child is not wanting to drink, suck on candy, or chew gum, gently rub his neck from the chin down to the chest several times - this will cause a swallowing motion which will help with the ears popping.
You can also place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with - just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears to help with the ear popping.
5.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your child, such as a few books, toys, a portable DVD player (or a laptop) with a few movies, and one or two comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal.
My children like to bring along their own coloring books, a Doodle Pad, their Leap Pads (with a few booklets), and scrap paper so that they can make their own drawings with and play games such as tic-tac-toe. My daughter used to like to bring along a doodle bear when she was younger so that she could draw on that as well.
You might also consider going to the store and letting your child pick out his own carry on bag and a few inexpensive toys that will be used only once on the plane. Be sure to pick out a few toys without your child seeing so that he has an extra surprise when he opens his carry on.
Don't be afraid to get up and walk the aisles with your child. This will help to break up the length of the flight and let him stretch his muscles. It's actually a good idea for the whole family to do!
6.) Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child. You will need this in case he gets sick, spills something on himself, or in case your luggage gets lost.
7.) Keep your diaper bag well stocked with plenty of diapers, wipes, ointments and other essential things. Baby nail clippers and scissors are not allowed though. Just remember the new regulating liquids, gels, and such and pack accordingly. You can usually find travel size baby products in stores and they are wonderful for plane use.
If your child is still in diapers, you should be respectful of other passengers and always change your child's diaper in the restroom. They do have diaper bed changers in there, although they can be a little small.
8.) Keep your doctors name and number with you. Also get the name and number of a doctor where you are visiting in case an emergency should come up.
It is a good idea to have a check-up with your doctor before leaving to make sure your child is healthy enough to fly. If he has even a slight cold, the pressure in his ears during take-off and landing (even if you do the precaution methods) could leave his ears aching for days after the flight.
Most doctors recommend that if anyone is sick (such as being stuffed up or already having an earache), not to take the flight because of the potential damage to the ears. I know my husband and other pilots do not work if they are sick because of this danger.
9.) Bring any medications that you might need for your child should he get sick or that he takes regularly. Remember that if they are not prescription medications, the 3oz rule applies to them and they must be kept in a clear plastic bag.
Do NOT give your child medicine with the hopes of it making him sleep. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.
10.) Keep your calm. If you get stressed out, your child can pick up on it and it will make the travel that much harder.
11.) Last but not least, if help is offered to you, take it.
If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.
've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were 2 months (now 7&5). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally alone. Here are some tips and advice that have always worked for me and I hope will help you:
1.) You will need to have all your child's documents in order. It is a good idea to keep a copy of his notarized birth certificate with you. If it is an international flight, you will need a passport and possibly a visa for your son as well. Verify what travel documents you will need in advance to make sure you have everything.
2.) You can take a stroller and gate check it. This means that you will be able to use it all the way up until the time that you board, and one of the handlers will take it and put it in a special compartment for you. When you exit the plane, it will be waiting for you at the door as well.
3.) Since your child is at the age where he has to have a seat, I advise using a CRS (Child Restraint System) because it is safe for the child - especially during turbulence, makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, and gives both of you the opportunity to relax a bit.
A CRS is a hard-backed child safety seat (car seat) that is approved by the government for use in both motor vehicles and aircraft.
In order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use.
Many airlines offer half-price tickets so parents can be guaranteed that their child can travel in a CRS device. You should call your airline to ask for a discount and/or ask what the airline's policy is for using empty seats.
4.) For take-offs and landings, the best thing you can do to help with the ear popping, is give your child something to drink (milk, water, juice- it doesn't matter), a candy (I prefer sugar-free) to suck on, or gum to chew.
New regulations allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz, -OR- beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can bring just add water packets of food, cheerios, goldfish, animal crackers, dried fruit, etc. with you also. http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10
Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the Flight Attendants will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.
Another trick is that if your child is not wanting to drink, suck on candy, or chew gum, gently rub his neck from the chin down to the chest several times - this will cause a swallowing motion which will help with the ears popping.
You can also place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with - just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears to help with the ear popping.
5.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your child, such as a few books, toys, a portable DVD player (or a laptop) with a few movies, and one or two comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal.
My children like to bring along their own coloring books, a Doodle Pad, their Leap Pads (with a few booklets), and scrap paper so that they can make their own drawings with and play games such as tic-tac-toe. My daughter used to like to bring along a doodle bear when she was younger so that she could draw on that as well.
You might also consider going to the store and letting your child pick out his own carry on bag and a few inexpensive toys that will be used only once on the plane. Be sure to pick out a few toys without your child seeing so that he has an extra surprise when he opens his carry on.
Don't be afraid to get up and walk the aisles with your child. This will help to break up the length of the flight and let him stretch his muscles. It's actually a good idea for the whole family to do!
6.) Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your child. You will need this in case he gets sick, spills something on himself, or in case your luggage gets lost.
7.) Keep your diaper bag well stocked with plenty of diapers, wipes, ointments and other essential things. Baby nail clippers and scissors are not allowed though. Just remember the new regulating liquids, gels, and such and pack accordingly. You can usually find travel size baby products in stores and they are wonderful for plane use.
If your child is still in diapers, you should be respectful of other passengers and always change your child's diaper in the restroom. They do have diaper bed changers in there, although they can be a little small.
8.) Keep your doctors name and number with you. Also get the name and number of a doctor where you are visiting in case an emergency should come up.
It is a good idea to have a check-up with your doctor before leaving to make sure your child is healthy enough to fly. If he has even a slight cold, the pressure in his ears during take-off and landing (even if you do the precaution methods) could leave his ears aching for days after the flight.
Most doctors recommend that if anyone is sick (such as being stuffed up or already having an earache), not to take the flight because of the potential damage to the ears. I know my husband and other pilots do not work if they are sick because of this danger.
9.) Bring any medications that you might need for your child should he get sick or that he takes regularly. Remember that if they are not prescription medications, the 3oz rule applies to them and they must be kept in a clear plastic bag.
Do NOT give your child medicine with the hopes of it making him sleep. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well.
10.) Keep your calm. If you get stressed out, your child can pick up on it and it will make the travel that much harder.
11.) Last but not least, if help is offered to you, take it.
If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.
Tips on traveling with a 1 year old.?
Wendie
Next month (March) me, my fiancee, and my one year old are going on a trip from PA to Mass. I was wondering what suggestions you can give me for bring a 1 year old on the plane because depending on the flight it could take up to 5 and a half hrs and I know he won't want to or won't at all for that matter sit still for that long. Also how can I bring his car seat on the plane or will I have to put it in the luggage department? Any tips that you can give me would be very helpful. This is my first trip on an airplane at all, let alone with a one year old.
Answer
The carseat will be covered and checked in like luggage at check in. I flew with my son (6.5 hours straight on a plane) when he was a 13 months and it was hell for me. I think it would have been better had we not been on the plane for 6.5 hours straight. I really think it depends on your son. My son is not a "sit-stiller", ya know? He never has been. But on the other hand, I have a neice who was the easiest to travel with when she was younger.
I was prepared with all the gadgets, toys, food, etc but once we got on the plane, the constrictions on moving about was just too much for my son. He even had his own seat and that didn;t help. He just didn't want to sit down.
The carseat will be covered and checked in like luggage at check in. I flew with my son (6.5 hours straight on a plane) when he was a 13 months and it was hell for me. I think it would have been better had we not been on the plane for 6.5 hours straight. I really think it depends on your son. My son is not a "sit-stiller", ya know? He never has been. But on the other hand, I have a neice who was the easiest to travel with when she was younger.
I was prepared with all the gadgets, toys, food, etc but once we got on the plane, the constrictions on moving about was just too much for my son. He even had his own seat and that didn;t help. He just didn't want to sit down.
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