Holiday Time

[Gatormom]

We are going to be going on holiday pretty soon with our two kids. Everyone is really excited as we are heading to Disneyland. We want the kids to have a great time as this will be our first big vacation.

The kids have never been on a plane. What do you normally pack for your kids to do on a plane? This will be a pretty long day of travel, but we don't want the kids staring at a screen all day. We have some ideas, but we just wondered what others had done.

How old are they?

Sucky sweets to cope with the popping ears!

Snuggle blanket and pillow.

Pack of cards or mini travel board games.

Movie downloads from

Movie downloads from Netflix etc.

Reality is it is a very long time mainly seated, so screen time is probably inevitable. Having stuff downloaded on all devices to make best use of space helps (both parents' phones, both our kids have iPads).

For the older ones:

• a magazine or a book of mixed puzzles
• a brand new book to read
• pack of cards or card game like Uno
• download a lot of new stuff on Netflix or BBC iPlayer etc
• snacks, including some healthy snacks but bearing in mind fruit has to be thrown away due to US import rules. And buy water once you are airside at the airport.

For the younger ones:

• sticker books and activity books
• two-player puzzle books
• travel sized game like Dobble, Mini battleships, travel snakes and ladders, some of the Orchard games that don't take up much space
• small pencilcase of coloured pencils
• small toys that are not too noisy and don't have too many small pieces eg we have a mini Etch-a-sketch, a fabulous little box of cardboard squares that slot together so you can build structures, etc
• snacks, see above
• lots of TV stuff downloaded, see above. More likely to download familiar favourites for little kids, than brand new stuff like the older ones.

Honestly OP don't make it hard on the plane for yourself. Give the kids the screens if that's what keeps them busy.

Colouring books and pens. If you use a pram still keep it with you till the boarding gate. The airport offer to take it for you as its easier for you as its easier for them

What ages? Colouring/puzzle books plus a new reading book were my main full back but mostly they watch movies on the in flight system, we flew long haul a lot. It's worth taking headphones for them that are more comfortable because the free ones are rubbish (haven't flown since pandemic so no idea if they still give out headphones) old phones loaded with programmes plus headphones if no inflight system

Thanks everyone for the ideas. The kids are 9 and 5 (almost 6). We don't mind some screen time and I agree about what you all said, I don't want stress on the plane.

Just expect that they will love the in-flight entertainment. It makes life so much less stressful on the plane and won't hurt them.

We had audiobooks, sticker books, food, reading books and crayons/paper with us. All worked but tbh, the movies were a lot more fun for DD and it meant I could relax as well.