Flying- how to entertain an18 month old?

[Jzee]

We are going on a 3 1/2 hour flight and I'm wondering how we will manage to keep our toddler entertained? Any suggestions for small toys, or tips would be appreciated.

We did this for the first time last week, with DD, who is 22 months. A friend advised taking lots of books, some colouring pencils and paper and a new toy. I remembered to take the books, forgot the pencils and she scattered the toy's parts all over the floor in the first 10 minutes. But the books worked a treat.

Did this recently with my dd (flight was 10.5 hours, and she only slept for 1 hour of it). We brought loads of books and little figures, and snacks (raisins worked a treat) and doled them all out ever so slowly. However, despite bringing all this gear for her, she was most interested in the buckle of the seatbelt....

We also found these "reusable sticker" books of Thomas the Tank Engine and Maisy, which she quite enjoyed. The plus side of these is that they are very then and light!!!

Sticker books, travel books (they have plastic pages and come with wipe cleanable pens, Crayola do them). 3.5 hours isn't too long once you have had a meal and looked out the window. We did 24 hours with our dd and she had her second birthday on the flight! Mind you, every seat had its own TV which helped.

Oops, I meant "thin"

Lonelymum, 24 hours with a 2 year old -- I'm v. impressed!

We took dd on a similar length flight when she was 16m. It went much quicker than I expected and she didn't get fed up at all. I had anticipated p'ing off the whole flight with a tetchy toddler.

I took a bag full of food and drink, books and toys, but she was more interested in the inflight mag and sick bag, and putting the tray thing up and down!

I'd suggest sticker books as dd and ds used to drop the pencils on the floor and we wouldn't be able to find them. Someone told me you can get a really big book of stickers from John Lewis.

Hi Jzee, I did Sydney with DS at 11 months and Tokyo at 19 months, plus lots of shorter flights (must be bonkers) so am happy to pass on what has worked for me.

Try to get a window seat as they love to play with the blind. Also the seat trays and seat belts, as others have said. I agree about sticker books and books generally, I tend to buy 2 or 3 new ones and wrap them up as little surprises when things are getting a bit much. There are some good Spot books with re-usable stickers.

Try to get them to eat little and often. The airline meals are a good distraction, all those little packages. Most airlines carry lots of milk, bananas etc. if you run out. Make sure they drink during takeoff and landing, it helps their ears. Some crews are helpful, some (BA in my experience) don't want to know.

I usually take a small bag of toys - not too small or they just get posted down between the seats. If all else fails, regular gins for yourself from the trolley! Good luck and happy travelling x