What age for a portable dvd player?

[laraeo]

DS will be 26 months when we head back to the California at the end of April. We'll also be traveling to see relatives (involving stops in Boston, Philadelphia and Miami). I'm debating whether or not to get a portable DVD player for the trip.

Right now he watches some tv while I make dinner/clean up from dinner. I don't want to go overboard on the screen time but we're talking about 2 7-hour flights and 2 4-hour flights, plus airport time.

DH would automatically say no but I'm not so sure. If it buys us an hour of peace here and there it might be worth it. I don't expect him to use it every minute of the trip.

Any thoughts?

Have you checked with the airline? Lots of longhaul now have screens on the back of the seats.

I don't think it can hurt. Like you say if it helps him to not be bored for short periods during the trip then all good.

We bought one for ds when he was 2, as we used to drive/get the train to see family most months, each journey 2 1/2 hours.

It was the best thing that we bought, and took the stress out of travelling - we used it last year when we went to Tenerife, as there were no screens in the back of the seats.

Its great, and he doesnt use it all the time, its just good to put on for 1/2 an hour here or there, especially for "quiet" time.

Our dd has had one since she was about 2.6. She was never terribly bothered about the tv but it was a terrific tantrum saver when we took long road trips. We recently (or at least Fr Christmas) replaced her old one with a sony. It has five hours of battery life. another consideration would be the headphone size. Our dd has lovely small shell like ears and the bud type ones don't fit. She has some cheap over the head foam ones. Other passengers don't like hearing Spongebob.

Thanks for the advice. I think we'll go ahead and get one. I was wondering about the headphones. I think we'd definitely want the big 70s-style over the head ones.

We do long car trips too - where we're going is in the desert about 90 minutes from Palm Springs and significant shopping/restaurants/etc. We've also got relatives in LA & Oakland to visit too. I have the sneaking suspicion that we'll get our money's worth.

I think the dvd player is a good idea, because even if there are screens in the seat backs they don't always play what you're familiar with!
Would you let me know what you decide to purchase, both dvd player and headphones? I am also interested in the same things. Thanks in advance!

yes, definitely, we have had one since DS was 1!! Been on a few long haul flights.
Get one with a long battery life. ours only lasts for 2 hours. It's only for long journeys, he doesn't ask for it at home, so I wouldn't worry about the "too much tv" aspect
DH recently tied it to the front seat with a shoelace for a particularly long tiresome trip!!

I would add, get one with an in car charger. Stick it into the cigarette lighter and bobs your knob. My dd's latest is a Sony DVP FX730
it doesn't have too many buttons to fiddle with. I would change the dvd's for your child though. DD told me a couple of days ago that she had touched the laser thingy which I imagine to be the cause of breakdown.

My Dad bought one for DS and keeps it for journeys and for when he stays at the GP's and its a Godsend. I did find on our recent trip there was only one thing on the kids channel DS would of been interested in (3rd and flamin Bird) and he kept missing it and got cross. Twas quite funny in the end as everytime he went to watch he had missed it so I wishe dwe had had the portable for that leg of the journey