Traveling with a 4 year old on the plane About This Page:

[sixkristy6]

Hi everyone,

We're going to go to Disneyworld in October with our 4 year old daughter. She has never flown before. We are going to fly nonstop from NY to Orlando. I would like to know of any tips or advice you have for flying with a toddler. We'll bring a personal DVD player because I'm not sure what is available for her on the flight. The airline we'll be flying is AirTran. Any tips about food, snacks, activities, packing, etc.. would be helpful!

Thanks!

[kurtholley]

would try to bring some gum to try and help with the ears popping

[unewillow]

If you don't want to give her gum,I would recommend trying EarPlanes (you can buy the real ones or store brand in CVS, other stores should carry them as well though) they help regulate the pressure during take off and landing. You know your child best, I would bring a few things to keep her entertained besides the DVD player. Like toys or puzzles or maybe a new coloring book. I would also bring small baggies of snacks, carrot sticks, apple slices or grapes, anything easy to transport.

[sixkristy6]

Thanks, especially the advice about the gum/plugs!

[eff051102]

I brought a backpack full of "new" things to play with. I started buying little
things at the Dollar Store, Target, etc that my DD(4) hadn't seen before. It was
a big hit. I also brought her lovie and a small blanket since it tends to get cold on
the plane. One thing she really loved (besides her DVD player and Leapster) was
a Crayola Travel Paint Set. It sounds weird but the paints are in small containters
and the paint brush was waterless. The containers had lids on them and you
didn't need to worry. There was no mess and no smell. She painted
half way to CA from TX.

http://www.crayola.com/products/list...=HASSEL%20FREE

[HollyH]

My son was 4 the first time he flew. I wasn't sure how he would react, but he loved it! He got a big kick out of looking out the window at the clouds.

My best advice to you is to remember that in new situations kids look to adults and they take their cues of how to act from them. If you act nervous or worried about how she will do on the plane, she may pick up on that and that may make her anxious.

[disney_duke]

I've brought the following: coloring books, paper, crayons, small toys, favorite books. I tried Playdoh once, not a good idea - too messy! Legos are good for awhile, but if they drop one, it's hard to find it. The smaller the better as far as toys. I've gone the route of getting new toys but sometimes they like them and sometimes they don't! So now you're stuck with a new toy they don't like. Now I go with the tried and true -- take what they like! And don't forget the blanket and stuffed animals too. Take photos on the plane (yes, I'm one of those moms) because the kids get a kick out of it!

AirTran usually gives out pretzels and a beverage (apple juice!). But they pour it into those cups which 4 year olds will spill! So I also pack a straw (2 straws - return flight). I also pack more snacks including granola bars, goldfish crackers, maybe a cookie, and some suckers! Suckers seem to do a better job with the ear pressure since they are constantly swallowing. Fruit snacks work well for that too, they just don't last as long. My kids didn't like gum at that age so I had to find something. Basically, just have them eating anything during takeoff and landing and they'll be fine. Or if they're sleeping, they'll be fine too (this has happened a few times!)

Sounds like you'll have a short flight, you guys will do fine! We flew from Milwaukee to Phoenix last summer and it was nearly 4 hours. Our kids were 4, 7, and 9. Obviously the older ones are Ok, but I was concerned for my 4 year old. He brought a bunch of his favorite small cars and trains and truly just entertained himself with those and with coloring. We don't have a portable DVD, and we survived just fine. You will too!

[sixkristy6]

Thank you! Good advice on the suckers (I was thinking of doing that as well). We're flying Buffalo, NY to Orlando and I think we'll be okay w/o a DVD player. My DH wants to bring one. The less stuff we need to cart around, the better. I had not thought of the straws, but great idea! My daughter can drink from a regular cup but I seriously doubt we'll get through a plane ride without her spilling it. I think we'll just bring one of her water bottles we bought her for the trip and put it in there. I have a Disney box in the closet with the little things I have purchased thus far. I love the idea of having a little present for her (brought from home) each day. I already bought a Minnie dress (Kmart $7.49!) and a t-shirt and a tinkerbell water bottle (for the plane).

[Carousel96]

Be careful of anything that can be dropped (crayons, markers, etc.) The pitch on airline seats is so tight that I can't lean forward and pick up anything off the floor.
I usually take goldfish crackers for takeoff and landing (suckers and gum make me nervous for little ones) -- the chewing and swallowing does the trick. And those disposable cups with straws are fabulous for travel -- on the plane and in the back seat of rental cars.

[LizCatMom]

My little ones have been flying since they were 6 weeks old -- thanks to the military and we were stationed in Japan -- and we've done 12+ hour flights with them a number of times. So, yeah, my backpack basically turns into "What I Need For the Plane" full of snacks, activities, and new toys. DH has the electronics part covered as the DVD player is in his backpack. The personal DVD player goes with us wherever we go because not only do we use it on the plane, but he always carries the wires and we hook it up to the TV in the room so that we have all their favorite movies (yes, that would be Disney movies ) ready.

I always pack suckers and I think my girls come to expect it, particularly with landing. I also pack sippy cups, yes, even for the 4 year old, as I believe the sucking also helps with the cabin pressure. Plus, that just minimizes spills; when the FA takes our drink order, I have the sippy cups ready and she fills them with juice. This also came in handy at Animal Kingdom. They really don't have straws there as the plastic presents a danger to the animals; not a problem, I just put their drinks into a sippy.

Kids will be kids and sometimes messes occur, so I always pack an extra change of clothes for them and I've even packed an extra t-shirt for myself.

As others have already suggested, I scour Dollar Tree and the $1 bins at Target for what I call "airplane toys" and whenever I start to notice one of them getting antsy or whatever, I'll be like "Are you ready for a surprise? Well, you know you have to be a good girl for your surprise..." and that usually works and then they get one of them. My best advice would be don't let it escalate to a meltdown before trying to divert their attention; it's usually too late by then.

[TinkRocks]

Originally Posted by sixkristy6

My daughter can drink from a regular cup but I seriously doubt we'll get through a plane ride without her spilling it. I think we'll just bring one of her water bottles we bought her for the trip and put it in there.

Great idea! It is hard for anyone to not spill their drink on a plane let alone a child, so why risk it?

I had some fun Disney-themed cups (from the Disney store) with the lid and straw I brought for my DD's on the last trip. I simply poured their drink of choice right into each cup when it was served, and it worked wonders. It helped with not only preventing spills but with the air-pressure changes too.

[sixkristy6]

Originally Posted by TinkRocks

Great idea! It is hard for anyone to not spill their drink on a plane let alone a child, so why risk it?

I had some fun Disney-themed cups (from the Disney store) with the lid and straw I brought for my DD's on the last trip. I simply poured their drink of choice right into each cup when it was served, and it worked wonders. It helped with not only preventing spills but with the air-pressure changes too.

We bought a tinkerbell water bottle for her Easter basket but I lost it and never gave it to her. I have since found it so I plan to give it to her for the plane.

I am going to buy water bottles with the filter for us to use at the parks. I figure we can fill them up and it will not taste as bad (and we can add drink packets if we want as well).

[eemaxx]

Before my son's first flight we talked about everything from checking in at the airport, going through security to the flight itself, which really is the easiest part! We "practiced" taking off our shoes and jackets, putting them on the security belt (kitchen table) and walking through the metal detector. He loved it and knew exactly what to expect at the airport. Oh, and Twizzlers for take off and landing along with a carry on bag filled with some new surprises kept him happy.

[sixkristy6]

Thanks! I didn't think about practicing but I am sure if we didn't, my DD would be angry she had to give up her blankie to get scanned.

[notjustamom]

My kids each have a Disney backpack that I load up with new stuff for the flight. I get coloring stuff, snacks, a dvd (we bring the player & headphones), more snacks and then I make sure I have snacks. I remind them that they will have to put everything in a bin to be scanned. Remember, wth new TSA rules your DD will NOT have to take her shoes off. I usually send DH through the scanner first then the kids then me. That helps. Crayola does make big markers that have hinged tops on them that don't come off so there's no losing a top Have a great trip, once your virgin flight is over you'll realize how well kids adapt!