Anonymous wrote:Post-it notes
Snacks -- doesn't have to be a ton of food, but split it up and use those snack catcher cups so it takes longer (can't take a huge handful all at once)

Adding to the post it notes theme -- my then-2yo LOVED the colorful office tabs. Just hit Staples ahead of the flight and you're golden!

Post-it notes
Snacks -- doesn't have to be a ton of food, but split it up and use those snack catcher cups so it takes longer (can't take a huge handful all at once)

iPad and snacks. And get the bulkhead seat. Everything else they’ll play with for 5 mins then want to get up.

Anonymous wrote:Picking a flight that overlaps with naptime is definitely ideal.

Not necessarily. We have a generally super flexible, easy kid who naps well in new locations...but all our naptime flights have been markedly worse. Not disasters, OP -- it was manageable! -- but she did not sleep and was just cranky.

Picking a flight that overlaps with naptime is definitely ideal.

A box of bandaids. Let them unwrap as many as they want and stick them all over. Comes off easily too.

An ice cube and an empty cup on the tray table.

Painters tape to hold up a toilet paper roll on the seat in front, and bring a few pom pom balls to throw through also into an empty cup.

Crunchy snacks that they can eat SLOWLY.

iPad, don't be a screentime hero.

WaterWow absolutely. I also got good value out of puffy stickers and a secret stash of previously unseen fidget toys.

One of the PPs here -- forgot to mention WaterWow notepads, mess-free marker notepads, puffy stickers

Snacks (I've seen some fun snack containers that you can spin). iPad/tablet with toddler headphones.
Melissa and Doug have water paint books that are perfect for travel.
Car seat is great if you are flying during nap time and your toddler likes to take car naps. Beware if toddler has long legs, they will reach the seat in front of them with a car seat - could do rear facing if your seat allows it.
also - get something for their ears. we used lollipops, despite the choking hazard, it was a good distraction and helped tremendously. (Nursing is great if that's an option!)

I got special toddler headphones (they prevent it from getting too loud, toddlers and buttons mean I wouldn't trust a kid from not hurting their ears) and let my kid watch Encanto on my Ipad.

I also let him play with a paint app on said Ipad.

Forgot to add. Magnet blocks are good too: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0B5HQDBX5

The easiest answer is obviously to load a movie or some shows on a tablet. Some airplane friendly toys that we like are:

These little drawing pads: https://smile.amazon.com/CARRVAS-Colorful-Erasable-Electronic-Educational/dp/B092D7LFCV/

Magnet puzzles (they also have some mazes or blank grids): https://smile.amazon.com/GAMENOTE-Magnetic-Montessori-Preschool-Kingdergarten/dp/B09ST3H2H7/

I try to avoid things with a lot of loose pieces or that DC will make a game of dropping, but one or two 3" figurines are also good for letting them play with on the snack tray.

Also want to add, it is easier to neve start a bad habit than it is to break it. Do not ever allow your kid to roam the aisles or get up out of their seat. Put them in a car seat to fly if you think it will put them in the mindset of being contained.

Always buy them their own seat if at all feasible. Any child larger than a newborn as a lap infant = miserable experience for the parents.

I flew a lot with my kid when she was that age including flights up to 8h.

Usborne Books is MLM nonsense but I absolutely love the wipe-clean marker activity books. Amazing for flights. My toddler has picked that over her tablet before...

Also reusable window stickers are great for plane windows

We have a couple upcoming trips - all short flights, it I am dreading this. Would appreciate any suggestions for good plane friendly toys/games. Our son is 2 and very active.