Taking three year old on first flight what am I going to need?

[Embelline]

early morning flight, staying at hotel night before.

so far I’ve got:
snacks
fully charged ipad

brain gone blank 🙈
what makes life easier for you when you fly with 3-4 year olds? Thank you!

A window seat

I'm planning to take Little pots of playdoh, seen that recommended on here a few times

God I wouldn’t take playdoh, it’s going to get embedded into every bit of the plane! Fidget toys or magnetic blocks maybe.

We had a 3 hours flight with our 2.5 year old. To be honest snacks and the iPad (and headphones) was all we needed. I really regretted lugging round loads of stuff to try and keep him occupied when he just didn't need it for such a short flight.

If he doesn't sit still for length of time watching TV, perhaps download a few games as well.

We did London to LA with 2 and 4 year olds. iPad and snacks for the win. All wrapped up toys, play dough, colouring etc etc are a faff.

I did first flight with 2 and 6 year old this year (only 2 hour flight).
They don't have tablets but we still survived. Took some colouring and games. The older one enjoyed that. The 2 year old slept for over an hour each way.
Did have lots of snacks and changes of clothes which was needed. Took spare clothes for myself too just in case.

Don’t take playdough. Firstly it stinks. Secondly it likely won’t get through security.

our first flights we carried magformers etc to play with. He just kept dropping them under seat on plane then wanting to crawl under seats to retrieve. And crayons rolled away as well.

Now 3, i just bought decent headphones (pogs), Chuck mini bags of haribo in to bribe and snacks. Let him watch unlimited iPad 2 hours.

At the airport I let him walk around and we go explore shops or play areas if they have to wear out a bit.

Of course you can get playdough through security! (Been there done that!)

If you’re staying at an airport hotel OP, check if twilight check in of your bags is an option. We did this to come away this time as we live very near the airport, and it did help to have one less queue to contend with in the morning.

Old school crayon tip (flights before iPads were a thing). Tape string/wool to the pencils. Tie the other end of whichever ones the child wants to use (or just a general selection) to a hair bobble. Hair bobble round child’s wrist. Bingo. No dropped and lost pencils.