Air Travel Suggestions...

Michaels has some great little coloring crafts for 1.00. They are those little velvet ones and come with markers. I would go look at their crafts section. Stickers, small matchbox type cars, simple lightweight books. I like to take snacks that take a little more time to eat, but may not be messy. Like those little peanut butter crackers or small cookies, m&ms or smarties.

When I'm traveling I don't take anything I don't mind getting lost unless it is one special stuffed animal they like.

Oh and I don't pull out the toys, crafts or snacks until my children are bored of all the sights and sounds going on around them.

We flew from California to Indiana frequently when my three were small... I know you are going a lot further...but I found that having a bag with many different pockets.. and putting various types of toys books etc in them... quieter type. Would open a pocket and pull one thing out...when ever anyone started to get restless. I bought all new items.. so they were things they had not seen before... books etc... Now they have so many more things than they did then... a lot of the things were very inexpensive...just something different..... I usually started collecting for the "NEXT" trip as soon as the first one was over... Make sure you have favorite blanket along... and stuffed animal if there is one that helps with calming and sleeping.

Good luck. I found out the my worries about how the trip would go were always worse than the trip itself.

J.

Most overseas flight have movies. Check with the airline to see if there is a child-appropriate movie available on the flight. Also, if you have a video iPod, upload some kid programs and kid songs. Maybe some follow-along books, too. Happy travels! Very exciting!

You might want to check with your airline to make sure it will be available on your flight; but a lot of overseas flights have individual TV's, and have a least 1 kids channel. You might want to take your own headphones, they typically charge for those. If not you might want to bring a personal DVD player. When we did the really long flights I made sure to have coloring supplies along w/favorite books and favorite small toys. I also tried to have a couple of new things too. I would wrap them, they get to open it on the plane, it made it a big deal. Good luck!

I'm so glad you asked this question!! We are going to Austria on Sunday and our two-year old daughter is coming along. We've been planning the trip for about 9 months and it's been hard for me to totally look forward to it because I know I have to get through the flight first!
My mother-in-law bought my daughter a kid portable DVD player for her birthday in March. Although there will be movies in-flight, I doubt there will be anything geared toward her age group. I also have a coloring book, a couple new picture books, a new little baby doll, and little cars that she will love. The flight over is overnight but the flight back is daytime so I don't know if she will sleep or not.
Is he used to flying? My daughter has been on about 30 flights but the longest has been 3 hours. She knows she can get up and around. She is normally VERY squirmy and never still but she does well on airplanes. Maybe it would be good to talk to him about the trip and your expectations for his behavior on the plane once you get closer to the date.
Good luck!!

RUN! Come up with some physical games that you can play away from the general public that will wear him out. Simon Says with lots of jumping or running in placea re good ones. Make it a game or a challenge. Involve other children in the terminal and the other parents will be thankful. Those that do not have children will be greatful that you are getting it out in the terminal instead of on the plan. Prep him for security, roll playing at home can help pwith this.
Only bring open-ended toys. Crayons and paper, a digital camera, and playdough are all good, small and will keep him and others busy for hours. Inviting new friends to play will make it go much smoother. You might give him a very small bag which he can pack anything that will fit.
As for snacks, I have found that the cracker sandwiches with PB or cheese, and rasins are great and are no problem with security. The proviide some protien and keep well. Again, bringiing enough to share with new friends is always nice. If he has never been on a plane, dum dum suckers will help teach him to pop his ears.
I don;t care for videos, that just lets them store their energy and get antcy. Getting out the energy through alternate forms, fine motor skills and imagination are more productive and will give you a happy result on the other side.
We travel with out 4 year old often since she was very small and have always been thanked by everyone for bringing her along.

For that long of a flight he will hopefully sleep- altho I took my (at the time) 6 yr old to Paris and she didn't dose at all either way. A little Benadryl might knock him out and help with keeping his ears clear- some kids it puts to sleep and some it makes hyper- so I would test that beforehand! Dover little activity books are great- they have activity books, "stained glass" coloring books (the pages are translucent) and maze books. All kinds of options for boys and girls- I have found them to be fabulous for keeping little ones entertained. Pack some tape (to tape the pics on the airplane window- the stained glass ones are really beautiful in that high of altitude) and washable markers. Also the waxed pipe cleaners- or regular pipe cleaners- are great fun for building things. Try any of the better small toy stores and they usually will have great selections of things to keep him occupied. Also -once the food service is over and most people are seated- get up, go to the back by the potties where there is usually a little extra space and do some yoga stretches. Touch your toes, stand on one foot, reach up high- this will be unobtrusive and great for both of you. And pack gum and/or suckers for take off and landing. If your son has trouble clearing his ears- my oldest used to SCREAM on take off because he could not clear his ears,there is a little product at the drugstore- in the eye and ear aisle- called
Children's Ear Planes. They are small rubber tubes (a bit like earbuds) that you "screw" into your ears and they help equalize the pressure on take off and landing. Those have been life savers for us- my son and I both use them. About $5.00 for a set and they are good for one round trip. Have fun. All 3 of our kids started flying right at one year and they have travelled the world and really are the BEST travelling companions.

I've never taken my kids on a long flight like that (but plenty of short ones). I have a friend who does a trip to Germany every year. She swears the key to look at it as time when he has your complete attention.
Think about it, usually, we're not totally focused on our kids. Even when we're playing with them, we're also, folding laundry or planning dinner or whatever. So if you have all the snacks and crafts, etc that other people recommended lined up and ready to go and then you or your husband take turns doing it with him, he'll enjoy being the center of your attention.

E.

Besides books and coloring materials (color wonder is great - and sticker workbooks are fun, too) a portable DVD player is essential for us. Bring his favorites and maybe let him choose a new one to purchase and watch for the first time on the flight. A couple of packs of card games might be fun too - Old Maid, Go Fish, Dog Match. We buy these great snack packs in the produce department of the grocery store - little packs of apples with caramel and carrots with ranch. Things to dip always seem more fun. Mini boxes of cereal also make an easy snack. Have a great trip!

Check with the airline, there should be some kind of in flight movie/TV set up. If not, get a portable DVD with plenty of charged rechargeable batteries (for that lenght of flight). Some airlines offer plugs for your electronics at the seats, it depends on the cabin class you are in. My son loves his portable DVD. It easily entertains him for the 6 hour drive between here and my parents.

Another thing to consider would be a VSmile hand held game or a Leap Frog one. They have games that are made for the younger set. Get it in advance so he will be able to learn how to use it before you go.

When my son was barely 1 we flew to California, his first flight. I gave him a little dose of Tylenol as we backed from the gate each time. He slept the whole time. I just wanted it as something to relax him.

You might not have any trouble going over as most international flights that direction are overnight flights. He will be ready for bed just a few hours into the flight.

Good luck and have a safe trip.

If you are flying at night, he may sleep. My daughter always buys new small toys and books at the dollar store or Goodwill before they go. She always has a "surprise" to pull out if they can tired or cranky. Little motorized animals and cars, colorforms, cardboard characters. Small, lightweight, fun and cheap. It can be one of those snow globes with fish or snow. New.
The suggestions by Wanda for energy release is great.
K.