How to amuse 2 dd's (5&6) on 24hr flight?

[jennifersofia]

Any great ideas?

Who are you flying with?

American Airlines.

Take crayons/pens & paper, sticker books, puzzle books, cards, and maybe some other little toys like Playmobil. Make sure each child has their own backpack with their own stuff in. The airline will probably have seat-back films and childrens' programmes and you will also be fed and watered at regular intervals. So although the flight might seem daunting, I bet it won't be half as bad as you think.

Comics/magazines. You get a crap toy on the front(you can dump on the flight) and activities, plus they will be delighted with it. Don't give them anything too soon, they'll be distracted and excited enough for a while. When they start to fidgit, have something to pull out to amuse them.

We got each of ours sticker books (they were 5, 4 and 2 when we flew to Oz). They got a sticker for every half and hour they were good (sounds a lot, but they slept, watched films etc). And I had a wrapped up small present for 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize at the end of the flight. (Mine are quite competitive - worked a treat!)

We had a magnetic travel game of snakes and ladders which we played ALOT.

As for extra cushions and blankets when you get on and build them a comfy nest.

They'll probably be given an activity pack on take off (check the website, it should tell you).

I found that the adult pasta was a better meal option than the childrens menu for one of mine, so don't necessarily request a childrens meal, or ask them to substitute the main meal part of it.

I agree, it really won't be as bad as you expect it to be. (but good luck anyway!)

Good suggestions, esp. the magnetic game, hadn't thought of that. We have done this flight before, but that was when they were 2 and 3 mths, so in some ways, I think it will be a bit easier.
Any suggestions of particular activity books / comics / books to read?

I'd take a trip to Poundland if you have one nearby. Get loads of stickers/tat which you can leave on the plane - you don't want to be scrabbling around for precious toys.

Also write on/wipe off games like noughts & crosses.

As far as comics/magazines go, you'd probably get most milage out of things like the Cbeebies one, or 'Favourites' I think its called. They often have work books and colourings in too. Things like Dora or in Night Garden are quite short lived IME.