good toys for a plane ride?

[Anonymous]

I am taking 15 mo DS to the midwest this summer. While it's not a long plane ride, I am apprehensive about keeping a resltess, active toddler in my lap and occupied for the whole trip. DS loves any sort of fine motor problem-solving (for example, putting a key in a keyhole, or putting a botttle cap on a bottle) and can be occupied with this for a relatively long period of time. Are there any small toys that come to mind? Other than a water bottle?

[Anonymous]

ha ha, my 18 mo old DS spent some time on our last plane ride taking on/off the cap to a Nalgene bottle and sticking his hand in there to splash around...

we like flap books, they seem to entertain for awhile. we like the FP little people ones, they have lots of little flaps to open.

I also had trouble thinking of toys that didn't have pieces for him to throw, so we stuck w/ books, a coloring book for scribbling on, and a fair amount of snacks/drinks. my ds is also very active but surprisingly does well on planes. Looking out the window was interesting, and the white noise usually puts him to sleep, if the timing is right.

[Anonymous]

stickers - he can spend a good amount of time peeling them off and putting in on paper, especially the small ones

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks. I hadn't even thought about steering clear of "throwable" objects.

[Anonymous]

I just went to California with my 18 month old and got an aquadoodle, the magic crayola markers that draw only on certain paper (opening and closing the lids was most interesting to DC), a magnet book and magnetic farm set. I thought this Melissa and Doug latches toy would be great, but a little heavier to carry. Books of course are great, esp with flaps. And lots of snacks!

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Doodle-Pro-Travel-Green/dp/B0015KW3VI/ref=cm_lmf_tit_9_rsrssi0

http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Wonder-Disney-Coloring-Markers/dp/B000IMYZHE/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1275937523&sr=1-10

http://www.amazon.com/Farm-Magnetic-Story-Play-Scene/dp/1846660874/ref=pd_ybh_6?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0KYK1SX3YTFZXRNSHY65

http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Fridge-Farm-Magnetic-Animal/dp/B0001X0DR6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1275937217&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Latches-Board/dp/B000NVBE1A/ref=pd_sim_t_2

[Anonymous]

Little magnadoodle could be good for scribbling. We brought matchbox cars, although those would not work if your kid is just trying to throw stuff. Stacking cups are good, as are little things that can go in stacking cups. Finger puppets. We got one of those things that you press a button and it lights up and whirls around. Touch and feel books are good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just went to California with my 18 month old and got an aquadoodle, the magic crayola markers that draw only on certain paper (opening and closing the lids was most interesting to DC), a magnet book and magnetic farm set. I thought this Melissa and Doug latches toy would be great, but a little heavier to carry. Books of course are great, esp with flaps. And lots of snacks!

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Doodle-Pro-Travel-Green/dp/B0015KW3VI/ref=cm_lmf_tit_9_rsrssi0

http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Wonder-Disney-Coloring-Markers/dp/B000IMYZHE/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1275937523&sr=1-10

http://www.amazon.com/Farm-Magnetic-Story-Play-Scene/dp/1846660874/ref=pd_ybh_6?pf_rd_p=280800601&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_t=1501&pf_rd_i=ybh&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0KYK1SX3YTFZXRNSHY65

http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Fridge-Farm-Magnetic-Animal/dp/B0001X0DR6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1275937217&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Deluxe-Latches-Board/dp/B000NVBE1A/ref=pd_sim_t_2

OP here. Wow, thanks for the links!

[Anonymous]

Not sure if your DC is quite old enough but my DS spent about half an hour "cleaning" the airplane when he was a bit under 2 yrs old. I always bring WetWipes to clean off his tray table, the armrests, seatbelt, etc. Well, he wanted to "help" so I gave him his own wipe and we wasted a big chunk of time with him cleaning everything!

[Anonymous]

Maybe 15 mo is a little young, but by 20 months, the iPhone/iPod touch toddler apps (like Tiny Trax for the train lover) were great for a plane ride.

[Anonymous]

Duct tape and handcuffs.

[Anonymous]

If you bring crayons, I suggest triangular or square ones, so they don't roll off the tray. I learned the hard way.

[Anonymous]

I know this sounds odd, but an empty ice cube tray with torn up pieces of paper to put n each section really saved me one day. Magna Doodle works well too.

[Anonymous]

The travel bottles with lids are a good idea. A friend entertained our DD on a trip with them for a very long time. Even with the lids on they like to line them up. I hate to say this with the no TV for Toddlers craze but a Barney CD or whatever they like in your laptop will keep them in the zone. And snacks.

[Anonymous]

Pipe cleaners are the best toy for planes and cars -- Buy them in different colors and before leaving home cut them into various sizes. Easy to transport - very creative and reasonably priced.

[Anonymous]

Just a sanity tip: instead of thinking about the flight as a 2 hour trip (or whatever the length), think of it as eight 15-minute sessions where you'll need to occupy your little one. This shift in thinking kept DH and I sane on a flight to Vegas in March (that included an emergency landing in Albuquerque for the birth of a baby).