Inspiration for keeping 2 and 6 year old busy on 4 hour flight

babyshoes

As a non-parent I would be very tempted to try sleeping tablets! lol

Something I have done with kids before is draw puppets on their hands and get them to make up a little show. The way to draw the puppet is to make a fist with the thumb held inside the first one or two fingers, and the base of the thumb can be moved around to make a 'mouth'. Difficult to explain, but if you try it you will see how it could work. Whiteboard markers will probably come off easier afterwards than permanent.

Does your daughter have long hair? Some brightly coloured hair accessories and a new brush could make for a fun game of hairdresser that could be played in the seats. She could even 'do' your hair or her brother's, if he is willing to have clips etc in his hair for a while! Might even morph into doing hair for other kids in nearby seats.

Talking/counting games and songs are probably good, though she is probably a bit young for proper 'I Spy' she could probably do it with colours, eg 'I spy something red'...

Colouring can get boring quickly if they aren't really 'into' it, so how about other similar activities like join the dots?

She may be a bit young for this, but you could try it and see how it comes out... Each person draws part of a 'creature', starting with the head. They then fold the paper so the shoulders are just showing, and pass it on to the next person, who draws the torso etc. Might not work with her, but you could perhaps adapt it, so you discuss what your creature looks like, what it eats, where it lives etc first, and then try to draw it together.

Another variation is to scribble randomly on the paper, then try to see an animal in the scribbles and add face, body, legs etc, or just colour bits in to make a pretty pattern if there isn't an animal in there.

Oh, and don't forget sweets/gum/bottle for takeoff and landing! Ears popping are no fun, they still make me sad and grumpy even now I know what to expect.

Dormouse

City_Girl wrote: »

Hi, we take our portable DVD player and a couple of favourite films/cartoons which helps pass the time as well as colouring in.

CITY X

Another vote for a portable DVD player. I know it's an extra expense if you don't have one already, but I think it's worth it (but we do travel a lot). Stick Peppa Pig on and you can have an hour's peace, if you're lucky (mine are 6 and 2 too and Peppa is one of the few things that appeals to both of them :rotfl:)

Get a tub of healthy snacks for each: I like cut-up apple and grapes. They don't go manky too quickly, and it takes them a while to munch though them all.

Although when it comes to flying, I don't care if the snack is healthy or not, as long as it keeps them quiet. Fruit Winders are another one that keeps them busy for a while, or those strawberries in yoghurt things. Remember lots of baby wipes though.

I remember a flight where we ran out of things to do :eek:, so had to improvise. The best one was drawing a face on a banana and doing silly voices with it - other passenegers must have thought I was bananas (ha ha) but the kids loved it (before starting to fight over it as we only had one banana ). To this day, they ask me to make a Mr Banana sometimes.

Is your youngest still in nappies? I know nappy changes on board a plane are a tight queeze, but it gives you another thing to do and it's another few minutes off your flight.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine.

nottslass_2

How about a cheap MP3 player for the eldest ? you can download lots of talking books.

I've also used the "lucky dip" idea and wrapped up small gifts,sweets etc - It really does keep little ones amused !!!!! I was in my local pound shop today and they had small character colouring books that had crayons attached to them.

Can also recommend the portable DVD player idea as well - well worth the investment if you can stretch to it.We also used it a lot on Holiday if DS had eaten before us and we wanted to eat out a bit later.It kept him amused while Mum & Dad were discussing menus etc.

slightlyconfused1

Hi

I have used the busy bag idea too and it really worked. It also comes in useful for a calm time during the holiday.

I also get them a comic (a cbeebies one or similar for your daughter) that they can open. This is a rare treat in our house and so makes the journey special. We try and make the journey the start of the holiday and so the treats and "special" things start there. I also try and get them imagining what we will do on the holiday and it gets them in the mood. (it can backfire though if they get too excited)

We always find the journey home a lot more difficult and so do a mini bag with some souvenirs (sp?) so we can talk about the things we did and put some little treats in there too.

Have fun!

elainew

we are just back from a 4 1/2 trip to London ( on the train). Took our 4 yr old with us. I went to poundland a few days before and got some new (junk) toys-ie pencils and paper, sticker books, a new book, a barbie type doll. . Also bought little bowls with lids which I put tiny sweeties in it so she wasnt having a HUGE sugar rush but just little titbits throughout. Also did fruit ones.
None of it was brought out until the whining started. For the first hour she was quite happy enjoying the journey looking out of the window.
Does your 6 yr old have a DS that he would be engrossed in-we bought dd a new game for hers too but to be honest she enjoyed the cheap junk better

mrcow

Another thing to do is to encourage them from the off to keep their seatbelts on - like they would in a car. That way, there's no getting up on the seats/out of their seats etc which is very irritating for other passengers.

Books are good. As are comics and stickers and any toys that are essentially light but not too "bitty". Pack sweets too - any kid will sit nicely if there are sweets involved.

We bought a PSP one year when we had a longer 11 hour flight. It was pretty good as you can watch movies on it plus play a host of games. We still use it now 4 years later - I don't fly without it these days. At about £120 or so, it was a good buy.

bestpud

I agree with the portable dvd player idea, if they like watching tv/films - they are a Godsend imo.

As already mentioned, don't forget to sort something for the return journey!

Also, if your littlie is still in nappies, I suggest packing some spare clothes as DS did a 'shoulder blade to booby' poo on a flight once and had to leave the plane wrapped in my cardi! We had spare nappies and a vest, but not trousers or a top and the soiled clothes were a little unpleasant too, but we did have a plastic bag, fortunately!

LondonDiva

Make sure you give them one thing to do at a time rather than giving all at once - keeps the boredom at bay.

needsomecash

hi

the best things I ever bought for travelling were nintendo DS's. They were £100 each so not cheap (although they are less now). You can get colouring games etc on the ds so also less to carry!!

1sttimer_2

I think the goodie bag is a good one - I did this many years ago with my DD's (9 hr flight to USA). They only got something out when they'd really used/read the previous one. We played the ususal games like I spy, O&X and join the dots. I did a new bag for the homeward bound journey (got them on holiday) which they loved.

Didn't have such an age gap between mine and they were both girls which could have been in my favour, but looking back I think they did very well.

We also did a 5 month trip in USA travelling for most of that time in cars where we could have plenty stops, but did the same there and they were really good. They can't really remember the actual journeys and new places we visited now (shame!) but remember the games/toys we played! It may be hard, but try to keep cheerful yourself as they will pick up on any adverse feelings you may have.

Another thing is reading aloud to your little one if she's interested in listening, I remember reading a story out on the plane, only to find that when I stopped because my youngest fell asleep, a stranger in the seat in front asked if she could borrow the book because she had been listening and was enjoying it!