Sun Country Do's and Dont's with Kids 4 and 2??? - Inver Grove Heights,MN

Hi P!

Fun! I hope you are going somewhere warm & sunny. I went to Costa Rica with my kids (w/o husband) last month & it went really well despite my worries. The double stroller might be a bit big to haul around unless you need where you are heading. I brought my single stroller & the 2 older ones walked. You get a tag when you get to the gate & you leave it right before you step on the plane. I brought lots of snacks! That helps when they are taking off & landing. I also brought the sippy cups to avoid spills but did not fill them until I got into the plane. You cannot fill them before the security check. The kids are kinda pokey during security so be sure to put on shoes that are easy to take on & off. The lifesaver on the plane was the DVD player w/ headphones. So if you don't have one borrow one or go buy one it is a great investment. I also brought colors & books & such but at the airport they found something new & special in their backpack. It keeps things interesting. Also, don't tell them too much about the plane it might scare them-my kids loved it especially the take-off. You know my e-mail so let me know if you have any other questions. Good luck -patience is the most important thing & don't worry just have fun!

Patty

Hi,

You can bring empty sippy cups. Can't bring bottled water even if it is unopened, but after you have gone thru security you can buy water. Of course the flight attendant will have water available too. My daughter often takes a portable DVD player with their favorite movies to entertain the kids. Of course, lots of snacks too.

Good luck!
L.
http://toxicfreecleaners.com

I have a 3 yr old toddler. My son has been traveling with me 2-3x/ yr to visit my folks in CA. I haven't purchased or borrowed a DVD player yet but for him what works is: 1)Color wonder finger paint (lots of it) and a new color wonder book. 2)Lots of stickers (both repositionable and permanent ones.) I let him put the repositionable stickers all over the tray, his seat area, the walls in our seat section, etc.(Something we never do at home ) Then when we land but before we get off the plane, we make a game of removing all of them. He thinks he's helping "clean the plane."I purchase the book of stickers at Marshalls or TJ Max although they do sell them at Target but it's cheaper at the discount stores. As for the permanent stickers, I usually buy them in the dollar section at Michael's or the Dollar Tree store. 3)Play dough with 2 molds and a cutter.
4)Crayons and markers 5)2 or 3 new books 6)a treat bag he can only open after the flight is airborne (I always have a friend who provides this as gift.) 7)We're not a pop drinking family at home so as a big treat, I let him drink sprite the whole time we are traveling as long as he behaves. For my kid, that is a HUGE incentive. 8)When we change planes, we make it a game to run/jog to the next terminal so we shake our wiggles out. We also have to find a cinnabon place and eat a churro. 9)We use all the moveable walkways in the airport because that's the only place you can experience them and kids tend to love mechanical things. 10)Some airports do have a little kids' play area so that's usually a good place to hang out 11)We board last because my son is not good about waiting in his seat until all the passengers board. This only works if you have 1 carry-on each and it fits under the seat in front of you because there probably will be no overhead compartments left for you to use. 12)We've discovered the pilots are still very kind to little boys who want to see the cockpit. We tend to do that when we first board the plane or at the end when we disembark. They let him sit in the pilot's seat and push all the bottons and move all the controls. 13)In my son's carry-on, we fit 1 blanket and 6 stuffed animals (I squeeze them in and they really do fit!) Before we take off, he positions them just so all around him and then I put the blanket on top of all of them. Good luck!

I have used that playfoam stuff. Not Floam, but just like it. I got it at Target. It is the coolest stuff. Not sticky or googey - moldable but retains it's shape. Comes in a rectangular container with serveral blocks of the colored foam in it. This has worked well for me everytime, resturants too. Also, sometimes I download a bunch of kids' songs from the wiggles or whatever onto my Ipod and let them listen to that when they get restless. Good luck, it'll probably go easier then you think! I'd bet, steal and borrow to get a DVD player if you can. You'll be glad you did. :)

Love the ideas of bringing a portable DVD player along, of course a laptop also works. Bring a small bag of toys that you let your child pick out. Throw in some new items for a surprise --there are some great magnetic travel games. My kids have a Mr. Potato Head on a magnetized board with magnetic pieces. I think we got it at Target. Creative Kidstuff also had some nice travel games. Northwest has made us put the kids at the window. All airlines are supposed to do this so that a child who would require help is not blocking the exit of another passenger in an emergency. We have usually gate-checked our stroller as not having it in the airport would be difficult. If you can, I would also recommend that you rethink not bringing a carseat, at least for your two year old. We have found that having our toddler buckled in a carseat keeps the child restrained, more comfortable and better behaved. For us, a little freedom can be deadly and we would have been dealing with toddlers standing in their seats, reaching through seats in front and behind, wanting to walk around and generally being very difficult. I would also suggest packing a carry on with a days worth of items for everyone in case any of your luggage is lost. My in-laws went to Europe last summer and spent the entire trip trying to find clothing and toiletries for my MIL! As for boarding the plane, don't count on the usual early boarding for families with young kids on a flight to WDW--everyone will have families. Also, don't forget to bring some snacks for the kids. You can't count on the kids liking what might be served in flight. Check the TSA website just before leaving so you don't have any surprises in the security line. Good luck and have fun!

Suncounty makes you put the kids by the window, Northwest has never made us do that so I don't get why. You can bring empty sippy cups, but will have to buy bottled water once you pass through security. When we fly we bring a fun bag with new crayons, color books and stickers. We also bring snacks and a DVD player with a new movie. The other tip about your stroller is, you have to leave it at the end of the walkway just before you get on the plane, it's best if you collapse it yourself so they don't break it. If you are checking car seats put them in some type of bag first, even a garbage bag. We did't do this the first time and it came out so dirty and dusty I didn't want to put my child in it until it was washed. Good luck and don't stress all will go well with your flight.

Kid DONOT have to sit in the window seat, my daughter always sits in the middle seat and I always take the window seat so she is in the middle of me and the stranger therefore more room. If I really wanted I could take a aisle seat and put my daughter in the middle.

You CANNOT bring sippies/water bottles through security you can bring "empty" containers and fill them when your on the other side of security. I have searched and there isn't a juice box or tiny water bottle out there made that is 3oz. or less

We've flown alot, and my boys are now almost 6 and 2 1/2, and I've never had a problem! HOWEVER if you are traveling and renting a car or going to be riding in a car, you DO need thier carseats unless some are available at the other end, so bring them on the plane! Strap your kids right in like they are in the car, and you'll have no problems.

I've never heard of MAKING kids sit by the window.... BUT we haven't flown Sun Country in years.

I dont think a double strollr would be necessary with your oldest being 4. Get a cheap umbrella stroller and check it at the gate.

Pack snacks, a few new $1store toys, crayons and color books, and you'll be all set. My boys usually fall asleep right away after take off, and alot of kids do. So don't stress, youl'l have a great time!