Plane Entertainment for kids

[*Ali*]

I am after some ideas of things to pack in the kids backpacks to keep them entertained on our trip to Melbourne in a few weeks. We may not need it, they might be happy to entertain themselves, but I like to go prepared.

So any suggestions of what I can pack that isnt too messy, or likely to roll away etc for a 3 yo and an almost 2 yo?

[~breeze~]

Have you got a portable DVD player? When we do long flights I always pack mine for overhead luggage (I keep my bags at my feet for easy access of everything I need) & pack a few different choice DVD's for DD to choose from. Our DVD player has a 3 hour battery, something you may want to keep in mind for long flights LOL But this works a treat for my DD

Otherwise I pack colouring in books with washable textas & a few quiet toys. Also some snacks, that keeps them quiet a bit LOL

I hope I've helped, have a nice trip

[Doing my best]

colouring books, magnetic sketch board.

Anything new that they haven't played with before..

[Liz]

I was going to say magnetic sketch board.

Stickers! I found a great sticker book for my 3yo, it had all the legs & mouths and horns & tails of animals and he had to stick them on the right animal. Something like that would pass the time. My nearly 2 yo is happy just sticking stickers all over her hands, pulling them off and sticking them on my hand, then pulling them off and sticking them back on hers LOL.

I've got to find a way to entertain the kids on the plane to Singapore in Feb... 8hrs worth! LOL. Good luck!

[Arimeh]

I'm getting ideas from this since we are flying out in 2 weeks time - 3 hours with a 2.5 year old and 1 year old... sheesh...

[alicia]

I was going to suggest most of the things that have already been said. The one thing I did do that worked was let DD choose a book at the airport shop so that she had something new and special for reading on the plane

[~breeze~]

As others have said buying something "special" at the airport shop is always a hit. I sometimes do it & the last time we flew (about a week ago) I got my daughter one of those magic books that has the special paper & texta so when she colours it in the colours come up magically on their own (the texta is a clear colour) She loved that.
I've found as they get olderit gets so much easier as they understand they need to stay seated & try not to be too noisy etc. DD is 4yrs old & she will sit quietly most of the flight while DS is 1yr old & wants to get down & play the whole flight.

Not sure if you know the hints for unblocking young ones ears for take off & landing but if you can have them drinking something it will help. Otherwise I usually have in my pocket one of those vicks inhalers & just pass it across under their nose every now & then throughout the take off & landing times. For older kids you can try & get them to yawn (My DD can now do this), also for older kids something chewy like chewing gum or mentos etc.

Just thought I'd throw those in to try & help

[Spring Angel]

Not a toy idea as such but if your kiddies aren't TT I'd suggest a nappy kit. I get a nappy sack and fill it with a nappy, a few wipes that I put in a snaplock bag and a small cream. That way if you get a poop mid flight, you can deal with it without having to search through your bag.

[PlonkeeMumma]

HI Ali
we're on hols at the mo - on the flight over here i put a new magazine (thomas in one and General ABC one in the other - then they can swap), some small crayola twisty crayons, stickers, paper and a mini where's wally book each (bit old for your 2 yo though :-)). I'd let them chose a few small cars and planes to bring with them also, plus some snacks and a change of clothes each just in case. They weren't too bad - just got a bit bored on the second leg over to tsv. (isla on the other hand screamed for 50% of first flight - total nightmare but thats another story:0)
good luck with your flights, have great hols
Julie x

[Arimeh]

(isla on the other hand screamed for 50% of first flight - total nightmare but thats another story:0)

Oh god thats a worry - there isn't much age difference between our girls. eek.

[Kazbah]

Qantas provides a kids pack which would be OK for ages 3+ I think - almost 2 was definately too young.

Great tip about the vicks!

[rubibaby]

i'd wrap up a few things as a surprise...a new packet of crayons, a colouring book, some buttons and shoelaces for threading, a couple of books (my two year old is loving the grug series - they are cheap and small and easy for little fingers to flick through), stickers. they'll enjoy the unwrapping as well.
i also like to carry a photo album for my little one to flick through.