Taking little ones on a plane

Chakani

We flew with a three year old and baby last year to Spain. I think we all work it up in our minds to be more of an issue than it really is. We took a picnic made up of lots of little bits of things, and that filled a good chunk of time. We also took a few favourite books, and some paper/felt pens. By the time we'd got over the excitement of taking off and looking through the window, said hello to the people sitting nearby (always a good idea, people are much more tolerant of a child being upset if they have already met the child in a more attractive frame of mind) read a couple of stories, had a picnic and done some drawing games, the flight was over.

RadoJo

You could always have a contingency plan like these parents, just in case your daughter can't contain herself: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2198869/Revealed-The-baby-twins-parents-handed-candy-plane-apologize-advance-fellow-passengers-DIDNT-cry.html

Dunroamin

spartacusthe1st wrote: »

Thanks Barbara,and squeaky mouse-she's fine in the car I guess it's the thought of her not being strapped in and having the choice of swapping seats/roaming the aisle/toilet trips every 10 mins that's worrying me!

Il have a look at that website!

You could leave her strapped in whilst on the plane.

daska

The flight to Spain isn't going to be that long in reality. If you're not getting an in-flight meal then plan it around a meal if possible and take the food with you, that'll keep them occupied for a bit.

I used to take laminated sheets of paper and washable felt tips for DS1 when we travelled long-haul - smaller than aquadoodles and less likely to leak. A barely damp j-cloth in a sandwich bag cleaned them up so he could start again.

Otherwise... do you have an ipad/ipod/ds? They're small enough to provide a huge amount of distraction without using up to much luggage space.

And she will presumably be used to being strapped in when she's in the car? So wearing a seatbelt isn't going to be that much of a surprise to her.

gingin_2

We point to the wing and tell them that's where the pilot puts the naughty children :cool:

I was a flight attendant and have done a fair bit of long haul travelling with my two. The magic bag tended to work, lots of small surprise treats that they can pull out every so often after good behaviour. The Spanish flights pass so quickly and are usually under 2hrs 30.

Person_one

You can get a portable DVD player for a tenner from Aldi.

spartacusthe1st

Thanks person_one il take a look!!
Thanks everyone

floss2

Can I please ask that you try as much as possible to discourage them from kicking the seat in front of them? Me & my 2 teenage sons once flew to Tenerife with 3 under 5's kicking merry he11 out of the seats all the way - despite the parents being politely asked to stop them by both my sons and then by myself, it took intervention from the Senior Air Steward for the parents to stop them. The potential for being charged £150 each for damage to the seat mechanisms suddenly got the father to control his unruly children!

spartacusthe1st

That's awful floss!no I would never let my girls do this how annoying!
I have had it at the cinema before!
My seat constantly being banged/kicked/feet pushing against it gggrrrr

trolleyrun

I'd recommend that you talk to both your children before the flight and explain to them what's going to happen, such as getting to the airport, check-in, security, the gate, boarding, take-off etc etc. Then also explain to them how you expect and want them to behave. I know you said your older child has flown before, but a reminder is always good

Tell both children that being on an aircraft is similar to being in a car, so they need to have their seatbelt on all the time, and make sure you do too. The entertainment ideas above are great but remember your friend if all else fails: Calpol
I also recommend as little sugar and additives/fizzy pop as possible