My son’s first trip on a airplain and to a different country?

Mean What you Say and say it: My son’s first trip on a airplain and to a different country?
I am extremly nervouse for my son. We are goin to be flying to Peru, in South America and this is goin to be a 8 houre flight and I have no clue what to bring on bord for my son to entertain himself. He is 2 . 6 years old and he has a speach delay, he also is very hyper and he hardly ever takes a nap.

Can someone please help me, I’m leaving in 6 days and I don’t have our carry on bag ready yet because I am completly clueless. Thank you so much for your time.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Michelle
I have flown twice with my daughters and we take a lot of car rides, they are 3. Things that keep them busy are books, favorite toys, a DVD player/Laptop are a must and favorite DVDs, snacks, coloring book and crayons, just anything he likes to do, maybe get a new toy or activity just for the plane.

Answer by keeprockin
I think lots of airlines carry little packs for youngsters. Colouring books and such. Planes are so boring,hopefully the tedium will make him nod off

Answer by jamiesparents2004
eeeeesh brave lady…. i have had my children on a plane before and i found it very tiring… i have a hard time keeping them (1/3 yrs) entertained for longer than 2 hours let alone 8…. i bring a bag full of books, stickers, crayons (watch the backs of the seats though), and the best thing ever invented the portable dvd player with cartoons!! (im not one to plant my kids infront of the tv but if bob the builder can keep them entertained for 1/2 hr GREAT!!) also i found that if you can bring a blanket they like or a stuffed animal it helps them feel a little more comfortable. Good luck !!

Answer by martyct
I can’t answer about the hyper-ness with political correctness (if he were my kid, I’d give him some cold medicine to make him sleepy a few hours into the flight!) – but otherwise I have some suggestions: buy 3 or 4 new “really cool” small and SILENT toys and surprise him mid-flight with ONE of them. Get as much mileage as you can out of that toy, then get out a second toy, and so forth. In other words, occupy him! Good luck. Is your flight at night? That would be easier too!

Answer by Sabrina K
I would suggest buying headphones to use on the plane because most in-flights have movies behind each seat. If your son likes to color, I would pack a few crayons and a coloring book. When I flew for 6 hours I brought books, crayons, and a Discman. I would also suggest some snacks because being so young they do not feed them as much as they want. Hope this helps.

Answer by grapelady911
When I flew back to the states from Germany, I talked to our pediatrican and he presribed her something that helped her sleep. She was 2 when we flew back. talk to your Dr. make sure you have treats, washclothes to freshen up or clean up any messes, diapers/pullups. Maybe some music or a lap top he can watch dvds on. Good luck

Answer by Jaime
try taking anything that he plays with right now. ask him to pick out his favorite toys and take them along with you. also you should let the airline know that he might be hyper and all that so that they can sit you guys alone and not next to someone else who might complain.

Answer by mannymota
fly at night if you can when he’s sleeping and make sure he has his own seat. Watch movies if you can and good luck

Answer by Crystal
Try taking a few of his small toys, a book, maybe also some crayons, and small snacks. I see alot of kids watching movies as well. Hopefully he will be tired enough to take a nap on the plane. Good Luck.

Answer by Jennifer L
When we travel with our 2 year old son, I always buy some new inexpensive toys (cars, books, puzzles, but nothing that makes noise) to play with. Baby Einstein makes these great flashcards that my son liked looking at for hours. It may also help your son with his speech delay. He doesn’t get to see the toys until we have taken off and I bring them out one at a time when he gets bored. It is also very important to bring lots of snacks (sugar free if your son is hyper). I bring goldfish crackers, teddy grahams, cheerios and maybe something new that he has never tried. Gerber makes toddler food that you can bring on the plane too, chicken sticks, diced green beans, peaches etc. He may not like the airplane food and a hungry kid on a plane is almost worse then a bored kid. You will be able to get this food through security. Some people may recommend Benadryl to make him drowsy but I have never done that as I personally don’t like giving medication if it is not medically necessary. Let him run around the airport a lot before you board the plane as that will wear him out too.

If your son will wear headphones and likes watching videos, you can also get a portable DVD player and get him some of his favorite videos to watch. My son won’t wear headphones so we don’t do this one.

Answer by Millie
When my sons were that young and we had to travel, I asked their pediatrician and he told me to buy Benadryl for children (liquid) and give them a dose every six hours. It’s just an antihistamine that will make your son a little drowsy but keeps him quiet. It worked for me, try it.

Answer by MUMBLES MAMMA
have you got some childrens storybooks? if you do,take them with you as well as a few of his toys.I as a traveler know that flying reeks havoc with your ears during take off and landing,so be aware of this if possible talk to your pediatrician about this maybe he or she can prescribe something for your child to soothe his ears.and make it easier for him to take the flight.does he get carsick?if so medicate him before you leave.also if you have a cd player you can bring that with you and let your child listen to some childrens songs while in flight.the airline people have things for young passengers to do to keep them entertained. have a safe trip.

Answer by lorien_gal27
You’ve been given some really good suggestions already about toys and games. Now I’m going to give you the most important piece of advice..relax. Trust me on this: if you are nervous and stressed on the flight your son will pick up on that and more than likely drive you insane. Kids are so in-tuned to their parents moods and anxieties. I’ve flown with my daughter twice to the USA. One when she was 3 1/2 months and once when she was a year old and she did great both times I think partly due to the fact that my husband and I were so relaxed. We’re flying with her again in July to Ohio (8 hour flight).

I would have a chat with your doctor about possibly giving your son cold medicine on the flight. Sometimes that will have the exact opposite effect on hyper kids. Instead of making them drowsy they start bouncing off the walls!

Good luck and keep calm!

Answer by honeynutsherios
My son is 27 months and very hyper and active too. We’re planning to take him on a plane to a different country and i did ask my doctor for advice and she told me if all else fail

BENADRYL for children will help. Ask your doctor for dosing instructions. it’ll make him drowsy and sleepy

Do bring him to the doctors before you leave so you can check for ear infection, cause that would be painful for your little one!

GOODLUCK!!