Keeping Kids Entertained on an Airplane

It's vacation time! Your bags are packed and checked, you've gone through security and you've paid the exorbitant prices for two extra value meals and two kids meals at the airport McDonald's. Everyone is settled in their seats, seatbelts buckled and the demonstration of what to do in case of emergency "landing" over water is complete. The plane is hurtling through the friendly skies and your kids have stopped fighting over the window seat. You lean your seat back and open the book you bought a month earlier in anticipation of three straight hours to read. A smile crosses your face. And then you hear it:

"I'm bored! Can I go to the bathroom? Do we have anything to eat? There's nothing to do! I want the blanket! No I want it! Mom! Dad! Where is my suitcase?"

Flights are long for everyone, but especially for active kids. The combination of limited space for their belongings and their feet and absolutely no chance there will be any "stops" along the way to stretch legs and grab a snack from the nearest grocery store makes the plane feel even smaller than a car. But with some pre planning, you can keep them entertained and quiet and you can start reading your own book before your backside hits the beach.

Begin with purchasing a small rolling backpack for each child. You can find these at discount stores and anywhere they sell luggage. Many stores clearance these backpacks with wheels and handles out after school starts and you can get them for a song. Make sure it's small enough to fit under the seat. The last thing you want to do is have something so large that it has to go in the luggage compartment.

The next step is to fill the bags with everything needed on the plane trip. It's best to add a combination of familiar and comfortable items and brand new items to capture and hold their attention. Let them pick a few, but keep some surprises in there. This is an important step...this bag will become your best friend.

So what to put in there?

The Video iPod. Yup, it's easy. It's small. And it will keep your little darlings entertained. Before the trip, download a few favorite movies and television shows and make sure you have comfortable earphones. If you have more than one child, it's a good idea to have more than one iPod, but if that isn't the case you can still (attempt to) negotiate turns with them. Make sure there are plenty of other items to pick from, and that will help.

Handheld Video Games with Sound Control. Our son has an inexpensive Pirates of the Caribbean handheld game we picked up on our last trip to Disney World. It was around $20 and still keeps him occupied on car trips, plane trips and in restaurants. I liked that it had batteries and I liked that it was affordable. But the biggest selling point? It has a mute switch. These games can be picked up at discount stores and if you keep them new until the trip, you've got a happy and quiet child. This is also a good complement to the iPod, in case you need to get your angels to share. Important notes: Put the batteries in before you get on the plane. Many of them have battery cases closed with screws and the last thing you want is a child who can't play their new cool game because you can't get the batteries in. Trust me on this one.

Coloring/Activity books and Crayons. Simple and classic, but always a winner. Purchase these books brand new before the trip, and spring for new crayons as well. Get a zipped pencil case to keep the crayons organized, and make sure you have a pencil and pen available for any word finds or connect the dots that won't work with a thick crayon. These books are great for variety and your little artists will enjoy having pages to color, play with and learn from.

Journal. A blank sketch pad or notebook is a perfect blank slate for a trip journal. Encourage your kids to describe their trip to the airport and add their own illustrations. Continue the journal during the trip and you will have a priceless and often hilarious souvenir to take home with you.

Finding Books. Where's Waldo and I Spy are two series of these clever books that can keep anyone, adult or child, involved for a long time. Riddles and poems give clues for what hidden pictures or items to find and the locations can be incredibly creative. These books can be done alone, or can keep two childrens' interest together.

Homework. Yes, homework is great to have on a plane. Asking teachers ahead of time to put a packet together will save your child a lot of work when he or she returns to class. Getting a jumpstart on that work before arriving at the vacation destination will make everyone happier.

Story books. Pick a few books your child likes, or perhaps a few new ones in a series they already enjoy. The Magic Treehouse chapter books are inexpensive and small in size for packing purposes, as well as countless other paperbacks. Find something to suit your child's reading level and encourage their love of books! If you can find a travel book for your destination that is directed towards kids, they can plan their days and activities.

A blanket and/or Stuffed Animal. If you want even a prayer of your child taking a nap, packing a small blanket and a favorite bedtime friend is a must. We have packed the same Christmas themed receiving blanket and a stuffed lobster (yes, lobster) on our last few trips and it has made all the difference. Your child will have the smells and familiarity of home and an added bonus is when you can haul these out at the hotel for a touch of familiar in the unfamiliar bed.

Snacks and Drinks. Pack a few of the favorite transportable snacks to bring out when the "I'm hungry's!" and "Can I have one of those $5 snack boxes?" pipe up. Individual granola bars, fruit snacks, bags of chips, or crackers are all good places to start. If you pack anything that could get squished, make sure it's sealed in a hard cased container. Doughnut holes, for example, will hold up much better in a hard container than a bag. Again, trust me on this. Having a drink handy will also save you much heartache. You will have to pay a little extra to buy that bottle of juice, water or soda in the airport once you've passed through Security, but it's worth the effort. Kids get thirsty and seeing the flight attendants handing out drinks can get them even more antsy. Having a bottle with you alleviates the impatience while they wait for their drink to be served. And a bottle with a cap is a much better choice than the can they will serve you on the plane.

Taking kids on a plane is stressful, even with the most well behaved children. Being prepared will save you a lot of stress and will make for much happier kids. The Bag, as we've nicknamed it, will be your saving grace on the plane and can also take trips in cars, trains, and on cruises. Put some thought into what your children like for a custom pack, and sit back and breathe.

After all...you're on vacation!