I have survived on a plane alone with a 1 ½ year old and a 2 ½ year old and I cannot believe I did it. Here is how I did it. When I packed their carryon bag I had two goals in mind, 1)to keep the tots so occupied that they will stay in their seat on the plane, and 2) keep them quiet and not disturbing everyone around me. Here were the ways I managed my Irish Twins on a solo flight.
1.) A Snack Box – I had no idea this is a thing. Buy a tackle box and stick different snacks in each section that you know your baby loves. When they see this smorgasbord it kills at least a solid thirty minutes.
2.) These Suction Cup Spinner Toys – They stick to the tray that comes down and provide at least ten minutes of fun. These are the biggest hit with the one year old. Also, after the flight you can play with them in the bath tub at bath time.
3.) Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Reusable Water-Reveal Activity Pads, 2-p
I got the two pack so they could each have their own. Also, the pictures only appear when they “paint” with the water brushes…pure genius.
4.) First 100 Animals Lift-the-Flap: Over 50 Fun Flaps
Both Kiddies loved reading this together and it killed at least 15 minutes! This is still a favorite at home with my one year old and we “read” it together. I can honestly say it has boosted his animal vocabulary.
5.) Talking Flash Cards,Kids Toddler Flash Cards with 224 Sight Words,Montessori Toys
This one they both wanted and it was tricky because they would fight over it. I might suggest bringing it only for use by your two and up crowd. Since the flight, we have kept this in our car for educational quiet play to and from daycare.
6.) 6 Piece Tegu Travel Pal Magnetic Wooden Block Set, Kitty
This was great for them to do while waiting in line going through security because it was small and let’s be real – magnets are just awesome. I would say this was more of a hit with my one year old, however, we keep it around in the diaper bag because it is light and handy when trying to diaper change in public places and keep the kid still. We have a little escape artist and something about these magnets keeps him still even if only temporarily.
This was more fun to my two year old than my one year old, but still good! After the flight we keep this in the car so we can pull it out when we go to a restaurant and need the kid to play while we get a bite or two of food in, or else while we are ordering food.
8.) Play Dough
This was fun to do at the gate but I would not have done this on the plane. We made models of planes while we waited to get in ours. I would not bring this one out until both kids have stopped eating random things.
9.) Nutty Toys Pop Tubes Sensory Toys, Large
This is fun but I would only do this one at the gate or in a noisy area, not on the plane. Since the flight this stays outside because of the annoying noise it makes, but it keeps everyone busy while I am gardening.
10.) KLT Lacing Toy for Toddlers, Wooden Threading Toy
This was a favorite toy of my two year old baby girl who is way more domestic than I am.
11.) We did Ring a Round the Rosie at the Gate and that also got some wiggles out before the flight.
12.) When in doubt, take out your phone or iPad and put on Ms. Rachel From Youtube. You will thank me later. I tried so hard not to do this, but sometimes screen time is necessary. Also, trash truck is a great one if you have Netflix. Both shows are not over stimulating.