Tips for flying with toddlers

[ViaRia01]

We have a short flight coming up soon, my husband, me and two children aged 3 and 2.

Im sure this has been done lots of times on here but I’m just wondering if anyone would share their best airport/ airplane tips and advice.

On a train journey for the same length of time they are usually more than happy to just be on a train and watch everything outside the window. What could we bring on the plane to help keep the children entertained if needed - maybe a couple of books, toys, puzzles. I have bought a pack of mini magnatiles but I don’t really want anything else that could get dropped/ spread out/ lost/ messy. So no jigsaw puzzles etc.

Colouring crayons/ small colouring book, maybe?

Any suggestions about that and/ or general airport / flight advice, would be much appreciated - thank you

if you can still choose seats, divide and conquer, meaning each parent sits with one child. Stops them from bickering and stops the picture you see on all flights, where frazzled mum is trying to occupy 2 kids while dad snoozes across the aisle.

Reusable stickers in a sticker book and a water colouring in book! In all fairness my boy was mesmerised and just wanted to look out of the window.....we had snacks and downloaded his favourite cartoons. He slept through the final 40 minutes, landing and 1hr transfer.

Nappy leak, vomit, spilt drinks - I was grateful for a change of t-shirt when these have happened to me at 35,000 feet!

We've flown to Egypt with our 2 year old and we have a no screen time rule.

I got some new "lift flap" books and wrapped them in several layers of tissue paper. Then I got a fuzzy felt travel pack with fish and arctic life. Between this and walking up and down the plane we kept her occupied. DH and I took it in turns with her.

But if I did it again, I'd fly at night so she could sleep most of the way!

Now she's a bit older I might get a cbeebies magazine with stickers and activities as well.

Yep, been there. Even had chocolate dribble from where one of mine wanted a cuddle and fell asleep. Good look on a pale green t shirt...!!