London to NZ with 2.5 year old

[SarfEasticated]

Hi there, we're going to NZ to visit the in-laws when my DD is 2.5. Can someone recommend decent seats to book? I can't think we'll get bulk head seats so we need to decide which other good seats to book. I'm wondering if it's worth booking 3 of the middle 4 seats and hope no-one books the other, or will the airline try to give us as much space as they can anyway.
Also what is the deal with the car seat, should we take one? DD is pretty tall, so I would imagine the person in the seat in front will get pretty kicked.
Any other tips? Can you take play-doh on board?
Thanks in advance for your help

When are you thinking of visiting the ILs?.

What routing will you take as well, this also needs consideration (would not go via Los Angeles!). Any particular airlines?.

Airlines like bottoms on seats, empty seats lose them money. The flights will probably be in all likelihood full or very nearly full. I would actually try going for a row on either side rather than in the middle.

Bulkhead seats are usually reserved for babies. If your DD will be 2.5 she will have to have her own seat anyway. Would not bother taking the car seat on board, its too much hassle to lug around besides which you could probably not use it in NZ anyway.

You can take play doh on board but it could get very messy. Does she like coloured pencils and plain paper instead?.
Would also consider purchasing a portable DVD player as children's programmes can be very limited.

If you need to take a car seat for the other end check it into the hold

We have found having 2 seats together - aisle & window and then an aisle seat in front has worked well

Playdoh would be awful and probably wouldn't make it past security

Play-doh is her passion at the moment, but then it's probably going to be something (hopefully clean and portable) else in March when we go.
No need for us to take a car seat as I think we can hire/borrow one when we get there, I was under the impression that it might be more comfortable for her.
We are going via LA on the way there, and Shanghai on the way back, flying AirNZ for all of it apart from Shanghai-Heathrow which is Virgin.
We took her when she was 6 months and she was great, just not so sure about this time!
Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

Air NZ's website have a set procedure for transitting through LAX on their flights 1 and 2 (those flights go via LAX). I would suggest you read this before travelling.

The transit lounge there is grim - you have been warned!!!.

Yes, I've been there before, not up to the standard of Singapore airport is it, you do get a free apples and crisps though!