Airplane / Travel Advice for 5 & 3 1/2 Year Old

Like the other moms, I definitely advise buying lots of new little trinkets from the Dollar Store as well as plenty of snacks. Don't show the kids the new goodies until you get on the plane and only bring out another new thing when they get bored with what they have. It'll keep them preoccupied. And the DVD player is a must!

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One Step Ahead has some great products! I have not had to use many since we usually travel by car. Good Luck!

If they drink from a sippy cup (if the airline allows them onboard) you can have them drinking while the plane goes up or down.

We flew to Hawaii last summer wit our 3 1/2, 5, and 7 year old boys--10 hour flight, plus a 5 hour time change. Flying with the kids was actually very easy! The DVD and gameboys were great. We also brought along some new books to read, coloring books, stickers. Each kid go their own backpack they packed with favorite toys and their speical blankets. We also got some dollar store treasures to pull out along the way.
Any kind of chewy candy works for the popping ears. As for the time change, you'll just have to go with the flow with the kids. It will take them a couple of days to adjust, but it's really not that bad.
We've flown several times with our boys and they always do great. We just got back from Florida, and the plane was packed with kids. They all did great! Many of them fell asleep on the plane. I saw lots of DVD players. If you have a laptop, you can bring along some computer games.
One piece of advice-DON'T preboard!! The less time on the plane, the better. Also, check your carseats--one less thing to carry on the plane is best. My kids always have fun sitting in the big seats. Take a stroller and check it at the gate. There can be some long walks for 3 1/2 year olds to the gates. If yours walks fine, at least it's something to hang or pile the backpacks, carry on stuff in.
Goood luck! Most kids fly great! Just remember, it's a few hours on a plane, or a few days in the car:))

Hi,

When my son was little we traveled alot on long flights to California and Hawaii from Missouri. I took along books with tapes and suckers for landing and take off.

I also got a few NEW toys that I would give to him periodically on the flight or on a long road trip. Sometimes it was a hot wheel car, a new book and tape or a new game boy game or a music tape. He loved the surprises and always was well behaved on the flight. He was so busy he hardly noticed the lenght of the flight or that we had took off or landed.

When my daughter and son were younger and we flew for two hours, we started by making them the pilots in the chair. You know how the arm rest in the middle comes up and down, use that as the gear to let them lift off. This gets them started. While in the air have plenty of snacks to keep them chewing and drinking. This helps tremendously with ears popping. DVD player is an excellent idea, coloring a picture for the pilot is a good goal for them. Ask if they can meet the pilot.

we just returned from hawaii with our 3.5 year old, and overall it went really well. she got to pack her own carry on, with sticker books, markers, cd player with headphones and cds and of course the dvd player. i think it helped to have her pull it in the airport and know that it was all her own stuff, and she knew what fun things were in there too. pack some of their favorite snacks and some fun new ones as well... this is good for bargaining. one of the best things we did was go online in advance and choose our seats. if you can pick an area that has empty seats around you, you can spread out more and that extra space really makes a difference. it was easy to have her bag out on an empty seat that she could dig in when she wanted, rather than me always having to bend over to get it. my daughter didn't want to chew gum, so i made sure she had juice pouches (sometimes they'll let you carry them on...) or an empty juice cup that you can fill when they offer drinks will make her swallow, which helps with ear popping. the time change will just take a little adjusting, but regular naps for our daughter once we arrived make the transition of almost 5 hours more bearable. i hope you have a great trip and that the kids enjoy the ride!

M. - I don't have any advice, but will be watching this thread. We, too, are taking our 1 year old twin boys to San Diego in May. We'll be staying with my sister, her husband, and 2 boys in a small 2 bedroom apartment! YIKES! I'm preparing myself now :-)

I think your kids will find it quite an adventure at their ages and will do fine unless they have a problem sitting still for a few hours. If you have long layovers or delays then walk around with them in the airport and don't expect them to sit and wait for hours.
Chewing gum is all I can think of to help get their ears to pop. I have problems with my ears when flying and usually painful for 2-3 days afterward and also have trouble with motion sickness so take something for that. If they have ear pains from flying have tylenol available.

Hi M.,

Last year we took our children to Orlando last year and it was there first. I had 2 that were around the same age. They were excited. I brought coloring books and crayons and little games. We left early so they could sleep on the plane.

I hope this helps.

C.

I travel a lot, and here are some secrets:
Make sure the candy/suckers/whatever makes the kids have a lot of saliva. When they do, they swallow more, and that helps their ears. Starburst jelly beans are a personal favorite of mine, and they are a good size so they won't get stuck.
Whatever they love to do quietly at home, let them do on the plane. Play with dolls, color, read a book... whatever works for them. DVDs are great, too!
About the whole family in one hotel room: do a lot of work when you first get there so it will feel more like home. Unpack your suitcases and put the clothes in the dresser. Set up the toothbrushes the way you do at home. Find out which channels are the channels that the kids usually watch. Rearrange furniture so there is a kid's area and an adult area, and some open space for them to play. It's a lot of front work, but it really pays off!

Good luck!

We went to Hawaii a few years ago with our family when our 2 of our kids were 6 and 18 months (our 3rd we brought back with us). Just make sureyour kids have sommething to swallow while taking off. we hade small snacks and treats just to make sure they swallowed. m&ms are good or small candy/treats like that worke well. I never thought about the suckers...good idea. Hawaii was 5 hours difference when we went and I was a bit concerned.....but it was amazing, our kids had no problems with it. It ws like they were solar powered...when the sun was up so were they...and then it went down and so did they. You might be surprised, they may not have any problems. Good Luck!

Try getting those "Colorform" plastic peel off stickers to put on the airplane window. Of course then you may have an argument about who sits next to it. But we use them in the car and on airplanes. Lately, I've only seen the actual "Colorforms" in shapes (boring) but we found some off brand of Clifford and some w/ dinosaurs (try toys r us or circle of knowledge....or if there is still a Spicers 5 and 10 around). I also stocked up on 2nd hand toys. They were "new" to my kids. I made sure I got enough to last the whole trip. Books, QUIET/SILENT toys etc. A Leapster with headphones?
Keep them drinking to avoid ear pop. Bring lots of snacks. Also, we used to think it was great when we could pre-board, but I tell ya, then the kids would have to sit in the airplane all couped up while all passengers got to their seats. We now find it's much better to wait until the last possible second. Unless, of course, your kids really can't wait to see the inside of a plane. Good luck!

First, Congrats on that great family. Our family went to CA when my son only 2 and it was great. The plan itself was a great help. I took the smaller potatoe head people, five new books, drawing board, and snacks. All of these things he knew nothing about until we got on board and I told him I had surprises. I also took extra fun snacks. Regarding the ears, they will have warm cups to put over the childs ears if they experience discomfortm. The time change thing was not an issue. I kept our son on our schedual from home, but maybe it was that he refused to change it. So what if nap time happened at 10 vs 11, he's happy I am happy.

Have fun in CA

I've traveled quite a bit with my young girl and boy. I give each of them a rolling backpack (a small one for the little guy.) And I let them choose a couple small toys/books to pack themselves. Then I put in a few more surprise toys they haven't seen. The ColorWonder books are great. There are also the "surprise ink" activity books your 5 yr old will like. My daughter used to love sticking stickers onto paper when she was about 3. We spent one entire flight to CA with a little spiral notebook and a big bag of stickers. She stuck a million stickers in the notebook and then colored the pages with crayons the whole trip! Boys are harder to entertain than girls, at least mine is. He's 5 and a Leapster is our new distraction. He only gets it on trips. Be sure to bring headphones for the DVD player/ Leapster so you don't torture the people in front of you that have to listen to the sound. I found that the headphones that go around the back of the neck rather then over the top of the head work best on the kids. The adult ones that go over the head fall off and the earbuds are too big for their little ears. My son wouldn't put them on his ears, he'd let it hang around his neck and he could still hear the show. Also, a BIG bag of treats. Suckers, chewey stuff that takes a while to eat. Those little party favor games from dollar store, like the " roll the little balls into all the holes" game or the little squares you slide around to make a picture. Plus they're small. I also play "guess what I'm drawing" you draw something and the kids try to be the first to guess what it is. I'm really bad, so it usually takes a while for them to figure out what it is. Flashcards are great too to learn letters or words. Don't bring juice boxes or drinks, they'll make you toss it at security. You'll have to buy those in the airport after security. Good luck! Also, a change of clothes (or at least a shirt) isn't bad to have. We've spilled drinks and was glad for the extra shirt. Wipes are also a "must" in your bag. Good luck! Enjoy! Just stay calm and they'll do fine.

Oh, and 2 hr time change is not a big deal. Rule of thumb is, one day to adjust for each hour difference. They'll just be up early while you're there. It's actually harder readjusting when you get back!

Here's an idea I took from my parents when we were kids: we traveled every summer and the long car rides were made bearable with the use of what my mom called "Sunshine Bags". My mom made my sister and me small drawstring bags that she "monogrammed" with permanent marker. Each bag was filled with small trinkets that she picked up at the dime store and each one was wrapped. Every hour or two, as we started to get bored, it was "Sunshine Time". We got to reach in our bag and get a treat! I've modified the idea for my two children when we travel. I go to the dollar store and find as many activity-based (age appropriate and gender specific) items as I think I'll need for the entire trip - there and back. I average about 1 item per hour, per child, but the younger the child, the more quickly they tire of things. I stress ACTIVITY-based, because if it doesn't give them something to DO, they're bored again in a matter of minutes and want another prize. I choose not to wrap mine so that I can see what I have and match their mood with the prize. Only I am allowed to reach in the bag and pull out the next treat! (I just load everything into one backpack.) They love the anticipation of seeing what's next and they enjoy the activities! Good luck and just try to relax. If your kids know you're stressed out, they will be too! :o)

I have 2 boys, 6 and 3 and we flew to California 2 years ago and to Britain last year. I found some good activity books in Target called 'Color-n-Carry' featuring Princesses, Dora, Diego etc. They are small and have pens/crayons and coloring and puzzles etc. Also those pens which only color on the special paper and not on any furniture ie plane seats, are a good option, can't remember what they are called though.
Drinks are good to take as planes are so dehydrating and gum for ear popping.
Maybe a little treat to produce part way through the flight, like a sticker/story book or a new stuffed animal friend to accompany them on their trip as a suprise/reward.
Most important though, don't worry. The flight to CA isn't too long, kids love planes and the attention they get from the flight attendants. A few activites and treats will see you through no problem I am sure!
Make sure you take treats for you too, some favourite snacks and a magazine - you never know, you may get to sneak a look at it! Have a great trip and that DVD player will be totally worth it!
Don't worry about the time change, the kids will carry on as usual. They are so adaptable, only you can tell the time!

I am no pro at this for sure,but my family (3 yr old and an 8 yr old) have been on several airplane trips. The DVD player is a great idea (but make sure you bring lots of movies because they want to change it out every 15 mins!) . We also made sure to bring lots of snacks for them. Coloring books, playing cards, travel board games, books that they like to read. Suckers do work great. This might not have been much help...but I thought that I would just let you know of some of the things that we have used. Good luck and have a good time in CA!

Hi there,
Your kids are actually at a good age to fly. You really won't need to carry much with you. I recently traveled with a 3 1/2 old and a 16 month old with no help... that is the last time I do that. But anyway, I gave my 3 1/2 old her own small backpack filled with brand new books, a few small quiet toys, her own snack and a drink. He may want a favorite blanket or stuffed animal too. I wouldn't bring crayons or markers because they tend to roll to the back of the plane when dropped. I think the DVD player would be great (with headphones). I didn't bring one with me because I already had to carry too much. I had a stroller, but I didn't use it for the baby. I ended using it to carry all of our stuff and the car seat ( which you don't have to worry about). If you have booster seats you can't use them on the plane, but you can gate check them so they don't get lost. Some airports have play areas, which was very helpful. I didn't need anything for their ears, but if you need something, suckers might work well. Beside they are usually quiet with suckers! I have never given my kids gum, but for your older one that may work as well. As for the sleeping arrangements I don't think I will be much help. I co-sleep with my little one (and occasionally with my older one)so we shared a full size bed (which was ok because my husband couldn't be with us). I made a small 'special' bed on the floor for my older one with a small mattress. She liked the bed because she has never slept on the floor like that before. As for the time change I usually try to keep them on the same schedule as home. You might need to adjust it by an hour, but they may not even notice. The time change never bothered my kids. I hope that helps. Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck on your trip!

My husband is in the Air Force so I have traveled extensively with my children from the time they were born. I have often told moms that it is really not as hard as some may say. The kids will play off you so if you make it a fun time and are relaxed, you may even have a minute or two to read a magazine. I would have each kid pack a back pack for themselves. The could include their favorite toys,markers, pencils, paper snacks, music and games. They seemed to love the independence of having their very own bag and that they had some say in what went it the bag.

I also would buy them little things that I could present them with on the plane that they had never seen before. That usually kept them pretty busy. Even just those little containers of play dough would work. The leapster games were a hit when my children were your kids ages. I also had little mp3 players for them. Obviously books are always good.

I did pack suckers for the kids are sugar free gum for the ear popping situation. There was also always a little bag of m&ms's in my purse for when we had lay overs and the kids had just about had it. I pulled those out for emergency use only:)

Just as a treat to you, Starbucks has a drink for kids called a steamer. I think they are a buck. The kids love going there to get that. It's just milk with any flavoring that you choose and it is warmed. The put it in a coffee cup like yours. If you are at a place where you can have a cup of coffee, the kids would like that too.

Just one more thing, once we had an incredibly long lay over and the kids were done. I found a quite hall and had the kids run races. They hopped on one leg, they skipped, the ran. It got some of that large muscle movement in their day. You would be surprised how many adults wanted to join in!

Take care and hope some of this helps.
E.

Took my 8 month old on the plane and I did some research and talked to the ped. and apparently its not the ASCEND, its the DESCEND. I had a bottle ready for her to suck (the sucking unclogs the ears and lets off the pressure) on the way down. (She ended up sleeping the whole time-go figure!) Everyone says gum, too though I don't know how crazy you are about a 3 y/o with gum. I always found yawning helped...and yawns are contagious! Good luck!

Have each child carry a small backpack to pack one or two favorite small books and toys - they will have ownership of this - and tell them it's important that each of them be responsible for their stuff; it cannot be left lying around anywhere in the airport. Yes, carry the DVD player, and have each child pick one or two of their favorites to carry in their bakpack and watch. (You flip a coin to see whose movie plays the first time.) A few sugar-free suckers or pieces of individually wrapped candy (Blow-Pops are great to give at the gate about 1/2 hour before the flight, if your kids can handle holding their pops.).

Hi M.!
Two years ago we flew with our kids, 4 1/2, 3 and I was also pregnant with our third! Aside from all the other advice about suckers, drinks and backpacks, here's my suggestion...I bought a small, new toy to put in their bags that I didn't let them see until we got on the plane. For the first little while they will be occupied with the whole experience, and being able to see the tiny buildings, cars, then the clouds, etc. After that the snacks and drinks came around, then when they did get bored, I got out the new toys. We also had travel-size Magna Doodles, so they could draw, play tic-tac-toe, etc. Our kids did surprisingly well on the plane. Then, when we had all of us in one hotel room, they surprised us by sleeping in the same bed without a problem (and believe me, it WAS a surprise!) I think one day they even took a nap in the hotel room. Trust me, if our kids managed to do it, there's hope for you! One thing you may have to do though-when you get ready for the kids to go to bed, you may have to turn off the lights and tv, then wait until they go to sleep and turn the tv back on for you and your husband. One other thing about drinks on the plane, you can bring empty sippy cups (for sucking) and get juice from the attendant. Our kids are very honry at home, and we've now been on two vacations where they were surprisingly well behaved. I hope you have the same experience! If you have any other questions you are welcome to e-mail me. Have fun!

Dear M.
I fly at least 3 or 4 times a year and the thing that makes me so angry is seeing kids crying and holding their ears when there is no need for it. Our grand daughter has been flying since she was 6 months old. She loves it, but then her mom takes steps to make sure she is comfortable. She gives her tynole & benedryl at the airport before they leave their Jeep in the parking lot. Only once when my DIL & grand daughter both had head colds did they suffer even with the precautions. You can take suckers & make sure you take them neat cups empty that you can put their drinks from during the flight. Make sure you keep them out and they can drink as you land also. Chewing gum is great. If they tell you that their ears are hurting. (Teach them this before your flight) Hold their nose and keep their mouth closed and blow out to puff their jaws out. Make it a game so they don't get scared. They are paying customers, so make sure each have their own backpack and put their cups, suckers, small toys or books. And the DVD is a LIFE SAVER for sure. We have one built into our Yukon. Our oldest son already got a DVD player for their 2 yr. old. Road trips are much more pleasant for everyone. Our kids will drive from AZ to NM & this last trip with the DVD player was delightful!! YES!! I'm for easy and entertaining them. Remember that it is 2 oz bottles of liquid, each of the kids can have their quart size ziplock bags along with mom. They let my DIL take on the full size bottle of Tylnole & They let my Hubby take on my 8oz RX cough medicine in its bottle.

Also just to help you out, they really rummage through your luggage. So I put socks in a gallon size zip lock, I put underware, anything that will scatter in zip locks. And tolietries I put in clear zip cosmetic bags and they stopped opening them. A couple of times they didn't zip cosmetic bags back and things were all over my suitcase. Also they take things, expensive perfume, make up, jewlery. I got a large backpack on rollers and I put all those items in it. I also put my purse empty in the bottom of my suit case and make the backpack my purse. Any lip gloss, chapstick, any liquids go in the ziplock Qt. size bag. Put all the shoes on top of the clothes, they xray each of them. If you put them under they will dig through and mess things up. Sometimes they get in a rush and your shoes may go into someone elses suitcase, but if they are on the top they don't get as frustrated and usually get them all back in. My DIL lost a pr. of shoes that way and now. They put all their shoes in one sports bag. Each time you fly you learn valuable lessons. Keep it as Simple as you can for the carry on. Someone took my RX bottle of my thyroid medicine the 1st year they searched all suit cases. So I learned the expensive way to put all bottled RX medicine in my carry on. Each of you get 2 carry on's. And with most airlines 2 check in bags. Weigh your luggage. anything over 50 pounds they charge like $25. We weight ours each time.
That is my experience that I learned the hard way. I wish someone had given me tips to help me. When our friends fly they thank me and told me their flights went so smoothe. So pack smart light and have a great trip!!!

We go in the summer time a 2 hr. time difference, in the fall it's only an hour. AZ never changes it's time. We get on their schedule but with our kids they stay on their time when they come to visit. We just adjust us around them. Getting the kids off their schedule will make for a miserable time for all of you. If they nap at a certain time, try to get back to the motel in spite of their not wanting to and nap and go again. Stayig up a little later will usually hurt them less than missing that nap. You know your kids and what needs to be kept and what can be bypassed. If you explain the to kids all week before you leave or days before you leave what all will happen they will conform much easier. If you approach their nap in a way that will let them know they will feel good and have more fun in the late afternoon and evening to do things they are usually more excited about that nap. Or you can do the nap every other day. and see how they do. The other thing is one of your kids might need a nap where the other does ok without. Especially if it is the 5 yr. old who does ok without a nap. One of you stay with her and let her continue and one go back to the hotel with the 3 yr. old and get that nap in.

I fly out to California quite a bit with my kids who are 3 years ond 7 months. Their doctor said to give them a small dose of dimetap and benedryl. It works. My kids have never had a problem with their ear. Them first time I flew with my oldest he was just 6 months old and he got the worst ear ache from flying and it took FOREVER to get the pressure under control. That's when I called the doctor and he recommeded the two medicines. Plus, it makes them sleepy on the flight. I also bring coloring books and colored chalk. Chalk is better on trips like that because if they mark on anything it will rub right off. Well, good luck!

-K.

P.S.
The time change isn't all that bad going out there. It's when you get back home that's the worst.