I needed something easy, light, and reusable for our flight with my ever active toddler. I had seen many quiet books and they are WONDERFUL!! However, they come with small pieces that can be dropped, lost, felt that would be stuck to other things, etc. I wanted something contained.
I bought one 1/2 inch binder, laminating sheets, binder pocket sheets, dry erase markers, dry erase crayons, and LOADS of stickers.
This binder was first used when he was 20 months old and we have "reloaded" it several times since!
We decorated the front, little man helped to make it his own, and I let him help fill some of the pockets.
I printed letter sheets for him to help recognize his name and the sounds the letters in his name make.
I tore pages out of coloring books that he loves and focused on things he could do with us and on his own. Little man picked out some of the animal pages and I chose some as a surprise. These pages were laminated so we could reuse them or use as doodle pages.
Using the dry erase crayons, we were able to wipe the laminated pages off and recolor them.
He loves mazes so this was a fun one to include!
I have several pockets of stickers and blank white paper. He could sticker the paper, color, draw, write, etc, etc, etc! Stickers are a must as they love to put on and pull off. Plus, it's GREAT dexterity practice for their little fingers.
Both of our kids are great travelers and I believe that they travel well for a few reasons:
- We plan things out (snacks, treats, toys, activities, etc)
- If we can get it at the airport, we buy it there (water bottle, pretzels, etc) yes, I know it is expensive but it's much easier!!!!
- I pack ONE bag for the kids and me!
- Pack suckers, mints, gum to suck on and chew for take off and landing - eliminate ear pressure
- Give ibuprofen to the kids prior take off to help with air pressure issues
- A surprise toy to give them about half way through the trip or closer to the last hour when the other things have started to wear off
THE bag (in my case a backback) I had my littlest one in my ergo baby on in front, back pack on my back and my older one was in our travel stroller (city mini) or walking with me.
Contains:
- two diapers for each hour we could be on the plane - in case of delay, accident, etc. (now both are potty trained - so extra undies)
- back up outfit for each kid
- iPad for the kids as back-up and for me (loaded with games and movies)
- my phone with games for children and adult - again a back-up
- quiet binder: coloring, hangman, games, stickers, crayons
- crayons and blank paper
- snacks that require chewing and swallowing for take off and landing for ear pressure (gummies, suckers, mints, water)
- kids ibuprofen for headaches and ear pressure
- Secret NEW toy for each kiddo
***BEST advice I EVER got*****
secret NEW toy for each kiddo, they have never seen this item or know that I have it! It's something they want or would love to help them get through the last bit of the flight. I gave my daughter a Rapuzel doll (barbie like doll so she could brush her hair) and small hair brush and my son got Ryder from Paw Patrol and his ATV. These were only a few bucks each and well worth it!!!! It gave them something to play with while we were on vacation, traveling between locations, or sitting with family (in grandma's house full of breakables)
