how to survive a flight with a 2 year 7 month old

[zobey]

It's more the take off and landing. She's never flown before and I've packed all her fave little toys and got her fave programs on my tablet for her. Any tips or tricks fly out to Tunisia tonight.

My ds first flew at a similar age, he was fine to be honest. Fell asleep at take off and woke up on landing!

Was a shorter flight than yours(Majorca) but we are off to Tunisia in 3 weeks too.

Take pens and pencils and a few small toys to keep her entertained if needed but sure all will she fine

Stickers. But not directly onto the aeroplane seats.

Trunki. Excellent impromptu seat while waiting in queues and mode of transport for inevitable realisation that the gate you need is as far away as possible.

No ipad / phone before take off at all -to avoid the meltdown when it needs to be put away on takeoff.

Mini pots of play doh (party bag sized ones from ELC). Bubbles for your hand luggage - though no bigger than 100mi limit & in with toiletries/clear bag. Mini chupachup lollies for take-off/landing to help equalise ear pressure. Also be prepared to spend a lot of time walking up and down the plane (or doing a circuit if it's a large plane with 2 aisles - bitter experience of 15 month old on transatlantic flight) and agree shifts for shepherding duty with OH.

A colleague swears by those painting mats (a small one obviously) where you only use water on the brush.

i should have explained that the bubbles are a useful distraction in the departures lounge, though best not to do them over high gloss/slippery floors to avoid an 11th slip/fall just before the flight (and out of consideration for other travellers who would also not want to slip on the wet floor).