20 months on a flight

[Fitnessmum1]

Help, I need ideas for my toddler who is 20 months & terrible 2s have started. I am going to canaries which is quite long a flight, now I’m terrified how il manage. Any ideas on keeping him entertained are welcome thanks.

Little bags of toys you can get out at different times eg 3 cars in one, a fidget toy in another etc... Top tip is to get a new toy (can be a small one from say Tiger)... Lots of snacks... If they watch cartoons download some from BBC iplayer... A sticker book or similar

We’ve just got back from Canada with a 3 year old and 8 month old and have flown with the oldest quite a few times. Recommended products:

-Kindle/tablet with downloads (Netflix & Disney+ downloads work abroad)
-Books
-Magic water colouring books
-Busy book (felt/velcro style)
-Crayola mess free Bluey colouring
-reusable sticker books
-More snacks & drinks than they’d usually eat
-We got a leap frog leap pad which is great but got minimal use due to the long haul in flight screens!

Utilise the family lines. Take their usual milk/water bottles as they can scan them no problems in family lines. Don’t board first like they offer to families, never get this. Why would anyone want to sit on the plane for longer?!

Also please don’t be terrified, it will be so worth it. We have never had anyone be difficult on flights in regards to our daughters, people really get it can be challenging flying with children. If anything it’s a real community feel where people wave and smile at your little ones!

From personal multiple experiences with travelling with little ones, less is more.

Don't take a bag full of stuff for him to play with, you'll just end up lugging round extra weight for no reason. They tend to be so excited with whats happening around them the toys get shoved to one side.

Of course all kids are different but I've always found a little sticker book and a couple of little fidget toys (like those ones you push in) plus a tablet worked best. If you take a tablet, please use a kids set of headphones or make sure it's realllllyyyy quiet (mine seems happy watching without being able to hear it oddly).

Oh and snacks. Plenty of snacks! Raisins are good because the chewing helps with any ear popping they might suffer with.

And fully agree with PP about boarding. We are always at the gate in plenty of time but try to be near the last to board. You can use the time before hand burning some energy because he absolutely will have to sit for a while. Don't rush to get on the plan first.

You say "I" - are you traveling alone? I mean, just you and him? If so then consider buying a seat for him. I flew alone with my son many times a year from the age of 6 months and a second seat was a lifesaver as he got older (and bigger, and more wriggly).