keeping children happy on plane

**marv** · 21-02-2004, 05:02

Hi
Were off in April and the 91/2 hour plane journey is something ime not looking forward too. I have a 12 year old and 2 10 yr olds what can i do to keep them amused. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks Marv

**jen** · 21-02-2004, 12:50

Hi

I always have a bag with goodies in, little games, craft sets, puzzles, etc and I get them out as and when they start to get bored.
We made the mistake of giving them a bag full of new things once and they just didn't know what to play with first so now I just surprise them every now and then when they start getting fidgity!

You can get lots of freebies online - puzzles etc educational but fun.

Jen

**caroline** · 21-02-2004, 13:34

Hi Mary

Do they have game boys? That is always a big hit with our 12 year old, also his walkman with Harry Potter stories (they're SOOOOOO long!) the other thing we always take is a wordsearch book.

Have a great time!

**Ray&Sarah** · 21-02-2004, 14:03

Our 12 year old takes his gameboy, books to read, puzzle books and watches the in-flight entertainment. He says he's bored but has never really been a problem! It's amazing how quickly the flight will go by, especially if they can watch films that are about 90 minutes long!

**chrisj** · 21-02-2004, 17:34

Ours take their gameboys, that keeps them quiet for most of the flight

**caroline** · 21-02-2004, 17:52

Another tip with kids is to take sandwiches, crisps, drinks etc so they can eat whenever they like as more often than not they don't like the airline food - just remember not to take anything fruit/meat they haven't eaten into the US

23-02-2004, 01:30

Hi Mary,

I have 5 children, ages 20, 19, 14, 6 and 2, we have flown to Florida/New York/Washington/Chicago since the eldest was 4 and I agree with the other posts that that Game Boys (take head phones so as not to annoy other passengers) are a great hit as are Walkmans. Also my husband and my older boys take their lap tops and watch DVD's on them, my 2 and 6 year olds sit there like little business men watching films on Daddys lap top!

Get a bag of new stuff to dish out along the way, pencils, puzzles, magazines etc.

You can order the 10 year olds childrens meals which are also good novelty value and they get fed first!

Good luck and enjoy the flight!

P.S Which airline are you traveling with?