How to entertain children on an airplane?

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Forum -> Parenting our children -> School age children

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amother

Crimson

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 1:28 pm

Does anyone have experience flying with children ages 7 and 10? How do you entertain them on the airplane? Suggestion PLEASE… Thanks!

monkeys

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 1:31 pm

Music
Tablet
Art sets
Magnetic games
Puzzle books

I wouldn’t think that’s a hard age to fly with at all.

singleagain

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 1:33 pm

I've seen suggested on here before to get a bunch of dollar store toys/crafts so if it gets lost or broken is not as big a deal

Also depending on airline and flight time, they have entertainment systems with movies/games that are child friendly

pesek zman

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 2:04 pm

Those are not hard ages

15 months is hard. Not yours

amother

Wine

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 2:07 pm

pesek zman wrote:

Those are not hard ages

15 months is hard. Not yours

Not always is this the case. I was on an airplane sitting behind a family of five. The toddler played quietly with mommy most of the flight. The 7 and 9 year old were constantly fighting and bickering. Nothing mom or dad did could stop them. I actually was impressed at how the parents kept their cool the entire time. They had come well prepared. The kids were just being kids.

agreer

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 2:10 pm

Watch TV! My nieces and nephews that age love flying because they get to watch cartoons for a few hours, which is something limited at home.

amother

Bisque

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 2:31 pm

Sticker crafts, play dough, interesting workbooks/coloring books.

amother

Chartreuse

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 3:22 pm

I flew with similar ages, I bought card games, sticker crafts, new books, a white board with a bunch of markers, and a new DVD with my laptop. Also fuzzy blankets and snacks nosh. I packed everyone in there own carry on so no fighting. Worked like a dream besides the last 2 hrs on the way home they got a bit wild in the seats.

amother

Emerald

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 3:28 pm

Buy them a cheap tablet for each of them and a set of headphones for each of them. they have very cheap ones now on sale now and the rest of the plane will thank you. You can preload it with a bunch of videos and games.

flowerpower

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 7:01 pm

Melissa and Doug on the go is great. They sell many different sets.

daagahminayin

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 7:03 pm

Alcohol. For you.

rowo

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 7:09 pm

If there is a time and place for screen time, flying with kids is it!

We did a 24 hour trip (including one stop) with kids that age, plus others.
Take a book, a small game, activity. But be mindful of how much you want to be shlepping.

We loaded up an old phone with audio books for them to listen to, with a splitter so we could plug in two sets of headphones for them to listen at the same time.

It can feel daunting to plan it, but kids that age should be fine.

amother

Bisque

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 7:30 pm

If you are taking a night flight, give them melatonin to make them sleepy.

amother

Crimson

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 7:32 pm

So many suggestions here. Thanks so much!

amother

Cerise

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 7:35 pm

Ask them what they want to bring. At those ages, my kids are happiest when they're the ones who have chosen. If they bicker, definitely split them up.

amother

White

Wed, Dec 19 2018, 7:54 pm

How long is the plane ride? My kids were happiest with headphones n watching kids cartoons on the in flight entertainment, but they are younger than your kids

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