Entertaining 10&13 yr olds

[WelshMoth]

Going on a long haul flight soon and want to buy some
Books/activities that will keep my DD's amused.

Years ago, I was really on top of my game with this - stickers, mangnetic picture books, colouring, plasticine etc. Now that they're a bit older, I'm at a loss.

They both have kindle paper white's so am planning on stocking up
On some novels for them.

What can I buy (other than books) that will keep their brains on the go instead of being glued to a tv screen?

Why not just let them watch the movies on the flight. Let them relax.

I bought DS a crossword book and general quiz book for a long journey a couple of weeks ago.
He was chuffed to bits.

French/dolly knitting? Or those knitting loom kit things.
They can make loads of things - hair doodads, badges, bracelets etc.
Or something similar, places like the Works have lots of kits for crafty things that have everything you need in the box, and they are small and lightweight...

Erm - have you tried asking them ?
What another poster's 10 and 13 yr olds enjoy isn't the same as what your 10 and 13 yr olds will enjoy.

I generally find a pack of paying cards is worth putting in your hand luggage for all the time waiting around in the airport even if there are no delays.

At 10 and 13 take headphones and let them watch the movies/tv etc on the plane. Space out snacks and if possible sit in between them so they cant fight over the arm rest etc. Job done.

Mine read and watched loads of tv! It's an easy age surely they can just pack a holiday back pack!

I think that the airline has done this for you OP. The screens should keep them occupied. I usually let my dc pick a couple of magazines and download some stuff on their tablets to help.

I used to love colouring the Altair design books - like this: www.whsmith.co.uk/products/altair-design-pattern-pad-bk-2-geometrical-colouring-book/ensor-holiday/roger-burrows/paperback/9781907155017.html

Puzzle books. Crosswords, Sudoku, logic puzzles etc. Possibly wordsearches and so on for the younger one.

Colouring books. You can get adult ones.

Travel board games. You can get travel versions of lots of the classics (Scrabble, chess, Battleship, Connect 4 etc) as well as ones designed specifically for travel like Downfall.

Knitting or crocheting if they're into that.

For books, it's worth finding a good new series so that if they like it they can just go on to the next one after finishing the first. Mysteries or adventure are good for travel as they grip their attention and distract from the boredom of the travelling itself.

Ask them?

Colouring books, crafts but honestly just let them watch movies. It’s a long haul flight, you aren’t setting a precedent on screen time and everyone around would prefer your children to be calmly watching tv than fighting over board games.

Thanks everyone.

Cards are in the bag but I won't bother with board games. I'll seek out a book each for them with general puzzles. They'll watch the movies of course but I know they'd like something
else to grab.

Do you take your own headphones on a flight?

A teen magazine, rather than a book.

I have a 14 and 12 yr old. Seriously? We're off on a long haul in 10 days. Watching the inflight entertainment is one of the bud things they're looking forward to! That may sound sad but they find it a huge novelty. They love it, as do I. Even when they were younger I found short haul with sticker books and colouring etc a lot more noisy and stressful.

We always take our own headphones.

Bud = best.

I've not taken a flight for a while but I'd be careful with craft kits. Surely knitting needles etc. might not be allowed on flights?

Thanks everyone. Not sure why I'm getting a few 'really?' Type comments? I haven't flown this long a flight in 25 years and never with children. Wanted to surprise them with a few puzzle books/new novels.

They're bookish kids! Wouldn't change them!

Good advice re craft - we're learning to crochet badly so maybe we'll leave those at home.

I have kids similar ages & they like these books, along with adult colouring in books.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Amazing-Dot-Dot-David-Woodroffe/dp/1784046124/ref=mpsa110_sspa?keywords=dot+to+dot&qid=1564481251&s=gateway&sr=8-10-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNFhOMEE2NFo0R05KJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDIwMDk2QkpLUzlJQ0MyTzVQJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxMzIyNDUzRDFIVFVIQ0xCNVhJJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Some travel board games which you can take out at night or play round the pool too. And plenty snacks cos they never seem to eat much of the plane food.

My dc take their own headphones and tablets. You can always download a new audio book and a couple of games.