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Keeping kids occupied while travelling

4 replies

Mamabear04 · 20/05/2024 13:05

Going on holiday next month and it's the first time going abroad with DC who are 4 years and soon to be 2 years. My main thing is keeping them quiet and amused on the flight. Its only 2 hours but it departs at 6am so suspect they will be quite tired (doubt they will nap). We don't own a tablet and don't expect we'll buy one.

For the 4 year old I have bought some frozen figures and plan to put them in a bum bag for her. She also has a pair of earphones that she can listen to music/stories on. For the almost 2 year old I was going to take a bumbag with small cars.

Was also considering taking mess free colouring and heard of some kind of reusable stickers you can put on the windows/walls of the plane? Of course ALL the snacks.

Any other recommendations? Idea's? What works well/what doesn't? I'm quite nervous about it all as can't just abort and drive home!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Riverlee · 20/05/2024 13:06

I spy books?

InTheRainOnATrain · 20/05/2024 13:12

I hate to say it but… Screens. Doesn’t matter if it’s not normally your thing, you don’t normally expect them to sit still and be quiet for 2+ hours, it works, isn’t a pain to carry and you won’t be scrabbling around on the floor when the mini figures and small cars inevitably get dropped. I’d personally get a cheap amazon kids tablet with a headphone splitter but otherwise give then your phones with cartoons downloaded, kids wireless headphones and a mobile charging pack.

elQuintoConyo · 20/05/2024 13:15

I drew photos for my 5 year old on what to expect at each point, eg:

drive to airport

(check bags - if you have any)

go through security - show tickets and take off shoes, funny beepy machine

have a sit down/wait for the plane (I bought a new colouring book with me with stickers and felt tip pens, a godsend)

queue up to board

board

wait a bit

fly

land

get off

go through passport control

(get luggage)

Onward with train/bus etc.

It kept him very interested in his surroundings and what was going to happen next.

You could make a bingo sheet of things you might see: pink suitcase, wind sock, sniffer dog, luggage transporter, pilot... Then they could make themselves one for the journey back. With drawings, not words.

I spy is also good, as PP said.

Cokouring books, sticker books, playmobil characters all useful. An aunt gifted DS with a playmobil policeman kit that came in its own little briefcase type thing, which helped on the flight as it was self containing, no little bits of lost toy on the floor.

Sweets to suck to help with air pressure a re a must - chupa chups are good.

The older one will be super excited, so lots of patience and keep chatting.

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mumonthehill · 20/05/2024 13:17

You do not need screens at all. You could upload bits to a phone just in case though. I would have new things they do not expect, colouring books, sticker book, story book new cuddly toy. Lots of snacks but keep them hidden and bring out as needed. Pack new ones for the journey home. Go with the flow and stay calm!

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