Royal International Air Tattoo with 2.5 year DS- good idea, or v bad idea?

[brandonsflower]

My DD (10) is away with my grandparents this week, so just me and DS at home, and as days out are normally a bit of a pita because of their age gap I thought I'd take DS on a trip just for him.

I am thinking of either Alton Towers, or the Air Tattoo ( having to go on coach trip, due to my lack of driving licence- still!)
Anyone ever taken small children to RIAT- how traumatic was it?!
Thanks in advance!

DH is working at RIAT, I'll ask him next time he calls!
However DS loved the air show at Cosford mid June, he's 2.5 as well. Unfortunately he was terrified byt hte red arrows coming in low and fast over his head from behind him but once a nice man had given him a sticker, and I held him really close he was fine, calmed pretty quickly and enjoyed watching them and still talks about big red aeroplanes draw a rainbow!

Thankyou, that'd be great!
Glad your DS enjoyed himself, the loud noise was one of the reasons I was a bit hmm about it- DS loves planes though, so I'd really like to take him; but not if he's terrified all day! ( though saying that, some of the noise that comes from him could drown planes out!)

Depending on where you are the cosford air museum is good for plane lovers - we mainly use it on wet days as its large free indoor space to run a 2yr old around in! easy to get to on the train

I think most of DSs problem was that he wasn't expecting it, once he got over the shock he was fine

I think I'm gonna go for it, and book us some tickets- and I'll get a pair of ear defenders on DS if he'll wear them!
I'm probably going to enjoy it more than him tbh- v excited!

Cosford sounds good, will check trains from me ( Leicester) and maybe go later in the month.

Thanks again

Have a great day, I enjoyed the Cosford one. Hope the weather is good for you.
Let me know if you decide to come to the air museum, maybe we could meet there? Our DSs must be similar ages

Oh I will do- that'd be great!

Ooops @ my over-use of 'great' !

I would buy some ear defenders as some of the planes are really loud. you can get them quite cheap (although they are for adults, but should still fit) from somewhere like B & Q

sorry just read you are already going to do that

I was at an airshow last weekend and ear defenders were on sale there at a fiver.
Some of the flying displays were cancelled or shortened due to low cloud though, which was a bit disappointing.

Have a lovely time at the air show - but make sure you buy ear defenders first off (planes start displaying at 10am). They sold out fast (and aren't the best, but nevermind!), but ARE essential. The planes are very VERY loud. Plus - TAKE ENOUGH CASH. There are no cash dispensers at the show this year, which is a bit of a pain.

We took my 3yr old and my 1 year old last year - they LOVED it. We are going tomorrow - my son (now 4) is beside himself with excitement. He whet his appetite with a private Red Arrows display on Thursday, plus a view of the Vulcan - and is now raring to go

HAVE A FAB TIME

ps there is a LOT of tat on sale. Best souvenir I bought last year was a small metal Red Arrow (eg Corgi/Matchbox toy). It is now very battered but very very well loved (slept with every night!). Buy it at the start of the day, as they do run out fast. And if you're there really early then do go and see the static Red Arrow plane, you can climb in and get a photo - might dispel his fears!