Ideas for what to take on a plane to amuse a 16mo

[cheekyginger]

We have a daytime flight with our DS and was wondering if anyone has any ideas for toys etc to keep him amused during the flight.
It's only to spain from the UK so will not be too long. But he is already very active and dont know how we will manage on the plane.

TIA

story books, stickers, paper and pencils for scribbling, food, soft toys, etc

I posted on here asking almost the exact same q last spring... A genius MNer said to get lots of little new toys from the pocket money section of elc and to wrap each one in brightly coloured tissue so each item could be unwrapped thus taking longer to look at. I packed "party bags" like this for the outward and return journeys plus stickers and lots of snacky bits (was also given the top tip of giving a drink or something smallish to eat to ease ear pressure at take off/landing). We had an almost 3 hr flight to Sicily and DD was as good as gold. Enjoy your hols!

Thanks ladies.

Love the tissue paper idea. Bit like pass the parcel. He'll love that!!!

He has a dummy he uses at nap times so hoping he can just use this for take off/landing (it will be going to santa this year, but comes in handy just now....Lazy mummy!)

the mini aquadoodle mats are great for travelling

We found one of those "first 100 words" books passed a lot of time. Obv DD couldn't say the words at that age but she could point to the dog/duck/cow/toothbrush/boat etc.

Snacks - the smaller the better as then they take longer to eat. So raisins, chopped fruit etc
Mini aqua doodle were brilliant
From the moment you check in, ask any member of staff if the flight is full. If its not, then, when you board, ask if its possible for a row to yourself so that your DC gets a seat. On one flight we did, the third seat in the row had already been booked but the crew asked the 50ish yr old lady if she'd prefer to move & she leapt at the chance to get away from our DC and we got the extra room.

Start learning lots of nursery songs/rhymes with actions that you can do together, obviously at 16 mo DS' participation will be limited, but he will enjoy watching and trying to do the actions.

We found that comics were popular with my DS when he was 20 mo on a 4hr flight, we talked about what was happening in the pictures etc, they are light and easily folded into a bag, doesn't matter if they get torn. There are some fab ones for toddlers now with favourite TV characters in and often a free gift on the front. I think ours were limited to Thomas the Tank Engine and Postman Pat back then!

All these ideas are great. Thanks ladies. Can't wait for the holiday

Cheeky we are off top Spain in June. Are you getting your DS his own seat or will he sit on you?

My DS is 15 mths and I'm not convinced he will sit on us well for 3 hours.... We were thinking about getting him a seat and I understood you could take on a car seat for him.

Hi WMOTN,

He will be classed as an infant so therefore unfortunately he will be on our lap. Think you can take a car seat but not for use on the plane. The store it for you during the flight....same with the pram. I think children under 2 need to be on your knee for take off/landing etc..... Could be talking rubbish though!

Yes cheeky, they do need to be on your lap, the cabin crew will supply a lap belt which goes around the childs middle, and loops onto your own seat belt for take off and landing, and at any times when the seat belt sign goes on during the flight. He can continue with whatever he's playing with, as long as the crew can see he is wearing the belt.

We've flown with Thomsons twice a year since DS arrived (now nearly 3)... while he was on lap for takeoff/landing, we were moved to a run of 3 seats for more room, which was fab...worthwhile asking once you're on plane. First time we flew he slept most of the way there, and back. In Oct past we had iPad with us too, so had a few new films/cartoons to occupy him too. If under 2, most airlines let babies have a seat, but only if you bring suitable car seat, and pay for the privilege!! For the sake if a short flight I personally wouldnt bother.