I have three kids, currently three under five.
Here is what I pack
- fully loaded ipad + backup battery charger + headphones (not just cartoons, but movies and games and download audiobooks if your kids are into that or podcasts)
- snacks but not too sugary
- those 3d stickers someone mentioned above
- a few small cars for each child
- more stickers
- etch a sketch
- thermometer, benadryl, ibuprofen, neosporin,bandaids, melatonin for the destination.

Lots and lots of walking around to burn the energy off before a flight.

And just remember, this too shall pass.

The end

I would make sure your kids likes headphones if that’s your plan. My kids didn’t like the feel of headphones and did better with apps with no sound, but then obviously you’ll want different apps and videos so check that out first.

Anonymous wrote:Here's the honest answer:

Use the iPad and headphones, and don't engage vocally with him too much. It's not the kid that's annoying to the other passengers, it's the grinding constant "mom voice" that pisses everyone off.

Don't feel that you have to be overly interactive with him to impress the other parents. Nobody gives a crap if he is on the iPad all flight as long as they don't have to hear you. Noise from the kid is expected...you, on the other hand, shouldn't be heard.

There's some truth to this. My DH always says I talk too loud to our kid in public. Speak at about half the volume you think you should and I bet the kid can still hear you. And don't "narrate." Talk to them as if they're an adult whose second language is English (so, simple words/sentences, but still a normal conversation).