Airplane activities

KevDad · 10-11-2009, 08:27 PM

Hello,

I am longing for a return trip to Aruba. However, this time around I would be travelling with a two year old. I have been to the island four times "pre-family". I was the grumpy guy complaining about the screaming child kicking the back of my seat for five hours. Well, now I'm that parent! The thought of trying to keep our busy two year old occupied for five hours makes me cringe. How do you do it without divorcing your spouse or jumping out of the plane at 5,000 feet?

I know we would all have a great time once we were settled at the hotel but the trip might kill us (or me anyway) Much appreciated.

KD

*Arubalisa* · 10-11-2009, 09:11 PM

"Mom I'm Bored- Things for the Plane"
Besides a DVD player, laptop or iTouch or any other technology capable of showing videos...
A backpack stuffed with age appropriate goodies...
Crayons & coloring book, new books, snacks and...
SURPRISE toys! Enough toys that after playing with one for awhile you can pull another one out of your "bag of tricks"

A couple of ideas for toys which are small-- wind up toys and matchboxes or similar dye cast vehicles.

Besides the snack, I would bring your own meal. We find that even with our 13 yo, feeding her face gives her something to do and helps to pass the time.

cindyo · 10-12-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevDad

Hello,

I am longing for a return trip to Aruba. However, this time around I would be travelling with a two year old. I have been to the island four times "pre-family". I was the grumpy guy complaining about the screaming child kicking the back of my seat for five hours. Well, now I'm that parent! The thought of trying to keep our busy two year old occupied for five hours makes me cringe. How do you do it without divorcing your spouse or jumping out of the plane at 5,000 feet?

I know we would all have a great time once we were settled at the hotel but the trip might kill us (or me anyway) Much appreciated.

KD

Couple of things we used to do for the plane rides....
*Wrap all kinds of little things and when they got bored out came another one...match box cars, tiny dolls, candy, viewmaster with discs...,
*Plenty of snack type things...all their fav's
* DVD player with headphones
* books to read from
* benadryl...yes, for the ears, and added bonus, kids get a little sleepy from it
* Sticker books, not a lot of $$, and just toss when done
* small ( pony type)bead kit- kids loved to string them on gymp...ah, who cares if ya spill a few
*coloring books
* lollipops--in the mouth, then its shut ( LOL)

Anyway, have a blast. Buy your beach toys when there, less to carry over on the plane. ENJOY...

Arubagirl90 · 10-15-2009, 12:52 AM

A laptop or DVD player with some movies and bring a head set. Snacks. Treats. I wrapped up a lot of little gifts for being good and gave them out every hour or so. New crayons with a favorite character coloring book. A new DVD. A new book. A favorite treat. A little small toy or stuffed animal. Remember to have some for the return trip home. The last one was a new swim suit , sunglasses, and hat. Remember to bring a small pool float, ball, pail and shovel too.

Our kids traveled well with these little gifts at age 9 month, 3 years, 5 years, 9 years, and now even as teenagers.

Bring a collapsable stroller with a sunshade. Great for getting around the airports, walkways, sleeping in the shade. Swim diapers or ecology friendly bathing trunks. Floppy hat to cover ears and back of neck. Sunblock for kids, that is water proof.

We made sure that our kids got a nap. We feed them dinner at our timeshare prior to us going out to eat. They brought books, crayons, video games to keep them busy. They got to order dessert while we ate our dinner. It worked until they got older and wanted to eat the good food. Now the food bill has more than doubled with 2 teenagers.

Enjoy and have fun. Take time to enjoy and bond as a family. Great memories because they do not stay little for long. My oldest is graduating from high school this year and it seems like we just took her for her first trip to Aruba at 9 months of age. Time flies, enjoy it and do not rush it.

Jill
Good luck and enjoy.

JohnMig · 10-15-2009, 06:35 AM

It's good idea to keep your 2 year old busy with coloring book or snacks. Gifts can also keep him/her busy. I booked my airline tickets from Globester when I visited with my family.

Thanks,
John

10-11-2009, 08:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
KevDad Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2	Airplane activities Hello, I am longing for a return trip to Aruba. However, this time around I would be travelling with a two year old. I have been to the island four times "pre-family". I was the grumpy guy complaining about the screaming child kicking the back of my seat for five hours. Well, now I'm that parent! The thought of trying to keep our busy two year old occupied for five hours makes me cringe. How do you do it without divorcing your spouse or jumping out of the plane at 5,000 feet? I know we would all have a great time once we were settled at the hotel but the trip might kill us (or me anyway) Much appreciated. KD

10-11-2009, 09:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 6,602 Images: 68	A trip to the dollar store may be all you need... "Mom I'm Bored- Things for the Plane" Besides a DVD player, laptop or iTouch or any other technology capable of showing videos... A backpack stuffed with age appropriate goodies... Crayons & coloring book, new books, snacks and... SURPRISE toys! Enough toys that after playing with one for awhile you can pull another one out of your "bag of tricks" A couple of ideas for toys which are small-- wind up toys and matchboxes or similar dye cast vehicles. Besides the snack, I would bring your own meal. We find that even with our 13 yo, feeding her face gives her something to do and helps to pass the time. __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba Back to paradise Trip #19 Last edited by Arubalisa; 10-11-2009 at 09:18 PM.

10-15-2009, 12:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
Arubagirl90 Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Baby Beach -just to be lazy and float on my raft and snorkle too Posts: 55	A laptop or DVD player with some movies and bring a head set. Snacks. Treats. I wrapped up a lot of little gifts for being good and gave them out every hour or so. New crayons with a favorite character coloring book. A new DVD. A new book. A favorite treat. A little small toy or stuffed animal. Remember to have some for the return trip home. The last one was a new swim suit , sunglasses, and hat. Remember to bring a small pool float, ball, pail and shovel too. Our kids traveled well with these little gifts at age 9 month, 3 years, 5 years, 9 years, and now even as teenagers. Bring a collapsable stroller with a sunshade. Great for getting around the airports, walkways, sleeping in the shade. Swim diapers or ecology friendly bathing trunks. Floppy hat to cover ears and back of neck. Sunblock for kids, that is water proof. We made sure that our kids got a nap. We feed them dinner at our timeshare prior to us going out to eat. They brought books, crayons, video games to keep them busy. They got to order dessert while we ate our dinner. It worked until they got older and wanted to eat the good food. Now the food bill has more than doubled with 2 teenagers. Enjoy and have fun. Take time to enjoy and bond as a family. Great memories because they do not stay little for long. My oldest is graduating from high school this year and it seems like we just took her for her first trip to Aruba at 9 months of age. Time flies, enjoy it and do not rush it. Jill Good luck and enjoy.

10-15-2009, 06:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
JohnMig Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	It's good idea to keep your 2 year old busy with coloring book or snacks. Gifts can also keep him/her busy. I booked my airline tickets from Globester when I visited with my family. Thanks, John