Long haul with 4-year old - advice?

[IceandIndigo]

We are traveling to NZ with our DS, who is nearly 4. We're flying from Heathrow and have a few hours layover in Singapore, same on the way back. It's a 29 hour journey

How do people move around airports with a child this age? We depart Heathrow in the evening so I know he'll be tired. We've been tossing up whether to take a light folding buggy, even though he doesn't normally use one anymore. Otherwise I think one of us is going to end up carrying him, which we won't enjoy as he's tall for his age and really heavy! On the other hand it seems silly to take the buggy just to use in the airports.

Does anyone have any recommendations for child headphones to use on the plane? I have a small head and the standard airplane ones never fit me, so I'm sure they won't fit him.

We got our daughter a Stokke bedbox so she cruises round airports on that or if tired we pull her along. It has a tray in the lid that slides out to create a mini bed when up against a seat, has worked very well in airports and on planes, some airlines don't allow it but no one has ever said anything when we've used it. Headphones i just ordered kids headphones from Amazon.
If your not wanting to buy something like the bedbox then honestly i'd take the buggy as it'll make it so much easier on you and he can nap in it easier.
Take his favourite stuffed toy and blanket if he has them for some constant comfort and familiarity.
www.stokke.com/GBR/en-gb/travel/jetkids/5345.html

Thanks. We already have one of the inflatable cushion type things that can be used to create a mini bed on the plane. We are flying Singapore airlines who encourage the use of these.

I used the mini children's suitcase with wheels that children can ride. pulled him around the airport on it. It was a god send, I didn't have to pick him up when he's tired of walking.

Do you mean a trunki? I wondered about getting one of those but they always seemed a bit gimmicky.

How do people move around airports with a child this age?
We allow plenty of time, have lots of snacks and take a scooter with a pull along tow strap. We’ve only once been told we couldn’t take a scooter on board as hand luggage, but we were allowed to gate check it instead so my dc could still use it in the airport.
Don’t forget that your DS is probably going to be very excited, so might not be as tired or as sleepy as you think. Mine are often over excited and then crash out on the plane.
There are play areas in each terminal at Heathrow, open until about 9pm.

It's worth knowing that Singapore Airport has a swimming pool in one of the terminals. Take your swimsuits in your carry on luggage. Towels and shampoo etc come included with the price. It's a fantastic way of tiring out a child who has been forced to sit for an unnatural number of hours on a plane.

Just a word of warning, try to ensure your child doesn't get over excited and demand that Teddy goes swimming too. 14 hours with a soaking wet soft toy was not fun.

Definitely get a trunki. My DS loved his, was great for airports. People always sell them second hand, doesn't need to be expensive

Yes, trunki. He put all his toys etc in it, so it was quite handy as well.

Thanks everyone, I’ve just bought a trunki!