Keeping Toddler Occupied

Hi! Does he like to watch DVDs? We just flew to Phoenix and the only thing that got my wigglemuffin to hold still was watching her Baby Einstein DVD on Daddy's laptop. They also sell those little handheld DVD players.

Another bit of advice? If you're planning on keeping him in your lap, do whatever you have to do to upgrade to first class. (I bought frequent flyer miles from my husband to do it.) The extra room makes all the difference when they're wiggly.

Even better yet, if your flights aren't full, you can get a seat next to an empty seat and put him in the empty seat IF you have a travel-approved flight seat. Check out the Sit N Stroll if you haven't already; this thing is a LIFESAVER -- combined stroller, FAA-approved flight seat and carseat. I borrow my girlfriend's every time we travel.

Hope this helps!
J.

Get a portable DVD player. It works for us on long flights.
Good luck to you!

A must have is a portable DVD player with DVDs that your son likes (Barney, etc.) You can get one at Walmart for $99. Just make sure you charge it well.

my little boy loves those little doodle pads (I got mine at target). they're small and the pen has a string attached to it. it's that thing where you move the lever and it erases the picture. he loves playing with that on a plane.

I buy him a few hot wheels cars before a trip too, although, they roll around if we drop them, and we inevitably do.

does yours like to draw? a set of washable markers and a small pad of paper might occupy for awhile.

the other thing I'd suggest is a portable dvd player with headphones. don't worry with a large variety of dvds, if yours is like mine, he can watch the same one a few times and not get bored at all.

as for the leash things, the goal is to keep up with your child. I didn't like them at first either, but now, I completely understand. I have considered buying one in the past, but will probably buy one in the near future. I can imagine using one at someplace like the state fair. kids this age are so mobile, but so bored in a stroller. it's a strange phase, but I think a leash would do the trick.

have fun on your trip! sounds like a great time.

First, on the child harness: When I have been to Europe, it seemed like everyone had their kid on one of these. You certainly won't stand out in the crowd if you use one. You might also take along a VERY lightweight umbrella stroller like the Maclaren Volo. It has a strap built in so that it folds quickly and you just sling it over your shoulder (great for getting off and on public transport).

Ways to occupy your toddler on a long flight:
1 - It may be worth the investment to get a portable DVD player if you don't already own one.
2 - Anything that needs stickers or decals attached. Sonic kid's meals come with a little airplane and sheet of decals to complete/decorate it. I handed this to my daughter (age 3) on a long car trip and it was a good 20 min or so of entertainment for her. You might even find a coloring book that comes with stickers.
3 -- a viewfinder with favorite characters in it
4 -- window clings. I found some at Walmart near the school supplies, but a teacher supply store should have them too. I found a spiral-bound booklet of seasonal window clings, alphabet, etc. before a trip when my daughter was 18 mo old. We got stuck on a runway for 2 hours and she spent nearly half that time sticking and re-sticking the window clings to the side of the plane, seat back, window, etc.
5 -- Benadryl, sleepy time tea, or any other substance that might help him sleep.

Be sure to pack plenty of his favorite snacks. We hadn't had dinner yet before our 2-hour runway ordeal. I would have been SOL if I hadn't brought food.

I can't give any advice on activites, but I can help with the harness. We bought one for our 18 mo. old daughter and it's been great. It a little backpack in the shape of a stuffed dog that fits on their body. It has a long tail that you hold on too. They also make one that looks like a little monkey too. We got ours at Walmart, but I've seen them at Target as well, in the baby section. It was about $10.00. The backpack part really won't hold much, I thinks it's mainly there to make it look less like a harness. It really has helped us with those times that she can't (or won't) go in the stroller.