Flight lively 18 month old

[AllIwantforChristmas22]

I am shortly flying alone with 2 kids. DC1 is older and easy, will read a book or watch ipad.
DC 2 is 18 months, very lively and not interested in the ipad for longer than 10mins. I need him to stay awake as there is a long car journey on the other end and need him to sleep in the car a bit (otherwise he will scream in the car for 2 hours straight). Any suggestions on how to best entertain him? I am flying alone so can’t take turns with DH. I assume I will have to walk up and down the aisle a lot!

How long is the flight?

2 hours. Unfortunately during his nap time
but he hates car journeys (2-3 hours) so I am really hoping he can nap in the car for at least 1 hour.

That's not going to be a fun flight!
OK, apart from the iPad, what else will entertain him for 10 mins? A snack? A puzzle or toy? A coloring or sticker book (these didn't work for us, but many suggest it), a book? The a walk to the toilets, and start again at the beginning?
Good luck.

@CatOnTheChair I know 😭🫣😬
I am buying sticker stuff, not sure how long he will be interested. He might play with seat belt buckle a bit, then have a snack. So that’s already 3 mins killed 🤣🤯 He has no interest in puzzles, he likes to throw the bits around. Not ideal on a plane.

I honestly think I will just end up doing a lot of walking with him.

What about small individually wrapped things - board books, small toys? Maybe 4-5 of them. Bring 1 out when really needed.
Used to be able to get small aqua doodle pack.

Slow to eat Snacks - handed out 1 by 1
some good tips here www.fatherly.com/life/essential-travel-tips-flying-toddler-plane/amp

Trying to keep him awake if it is nap time is unlikely to end well, you could end up with an overtired child who refuses to sleep in the car as well.

Unlikely IME. It will be a bigger struggle to get him to sleep on a busy plane. He will be in the car seat for 2.5 hours at some point he is likely to nod off (most of it is motorway). I won’t wake him if he nods off on the plane but I also won’t try and get him to sleep.

When mine were that age I always paid for a seat for them. That gives you a bit more space to use. I packed a series of small new toys and books to be taken out at intervals.

To add a seat would cost me over £220 and that’s a lot for a two hour flight. (£220 is one way, my DH is on the return journey and we can take turns)

I've done a few flights with both my DCs around that age (although not on my own) and honestly just do what you can to get through. Even if that means the good snacks they wouldn't normally be allowed (my boys love Pringles). Download loads on an iPad that might interest them. Dry cheerios are always quite a hit (eat them, thread them onto stuff). If it's a short haul they're usually against you being able to walk around - Ryanair and EasyJet don't really like this but kills a few minutes every now and again.