How do I occupy my 2 year old on a plane?

Just plan to have a lot of little activities like iPad games, movies, toddler airplane snacks, stickers, coloring, etc., then repeat that along with any other entertainment you can create along the way. Often, just the new things your child will discover on the plane make for excellent in-flight toddler activities.



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Diaper bags, soft-sided cooler bags with breast milk, child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices don't count toward your personal item or carry-on.

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CONSIDER MELATONIN We always pack along kids melatonin to help them adjust and go to sleep at the right time. While we don't use it regularly, it's been helpful to us on the plane and those first couple of nights to help our kids reset. Melatonin doesn't help kids stay asleep, but it does help them fall asleep.

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The best time to fly with kids
While you can't always fly at the optimal time (based on your child's age, that is), it's great when you can. The best times, most agree, are between three and nine months, when kids aren't yet mobile, and any time after age two or three.

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O'Connor said that as a flight attendant, she'll often sit down with a mom whose baby is crying and encourage her, ask if she needs something or just start a conversation about the baby just to move the focus from the tears.

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Just like in other situations where you are trying to calm a child, distracting and/or comforting is often just what they need. Hug them, give them a treat, sing a song or play a game; strategies that work off the plane will often work on it.

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Japan Airlines has introduced a feature on its seat booking system that shows where young children are seated. A child icon appears when a passenger is travelling with children aged under two years.

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Benadryl - Many parents ask about giving Benadryl to their child before a flight to promote rest and sleep. This is not necessary. Benadryl does not necessarily cause a child to sleep or sit quietly. In fact, it may cause a child to be hyper and/or irritable.

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People ask me all the time about giving their children Benadryl or any antihistamines, Hammond said. Technically, it is not recommended to give your children anything before they fly.

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Children swallow more often when they are awake. Also, waking up with ear pain can be frightening for your child. Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen about 30 minutes before takeoff or landing.

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Bring lollipops for takeoff and landing (or a sippy cup or a cup with a straw — you can buy the drink and pour it into the cup after you get through security). The sucking will help prevent your child's little ears from hurting due to the air-pressure changes in the cabin during those times.

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Top tips for travelling with toddlers on long haul flights
  1. Don't board too early. ...
  2. Get the bassinet seats as they provide more room. ...
  3. Pack light and only have one cabin bag for the whole family. ...
  4. Pack a travel potty. ...
  5. Snacks. ...
  6. Best toys for toddlers on plane. ...
  7. Screen time. ...
  8. Aisle walking.


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An adult must take the child to the departure gate and stay until the flight is airborne. When you get to the gate, tell the gate agent you have an unaccompanied minor traveling on the flight. We'll board your child early so they can meet the flight crew and learn about the plane's safety features.

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A parent who purchases airline tickets for a family should receive a guarantee from the airline that it will seat the parent and child together without fees or a last-minute scramble at the gate or having to ask other passengers to give up their seat to allow the parent and child to sit together.

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Consider melatonin This is for toddlers of age who have taken melatonin before. If your toddler is notorious for not sleeping and getting them to sleep on the plane is a must, then you may want to consider melatonin. Of course, check with your doctor first.

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