Milk and Cookies
with Kristen
I'm a mother of five, a bargain hunter, a recreational comparison shopper, and always trying to make more time - for me and for you, too. On this blog I'm sharing my favorite tools and finds to help make your work-life juggle a bit easier.
You can find my personal blog at Swistle.blogspot.com.
Air travel with a preschooler: what do I need?
Categories: Big kid gear, Books, Electronics, Entertainment, Managing stress, Toddler gear, Travel
I have always been scared of having to take my kids on a plane. We’ve never done it, because our family is close enough to visit by car, and every time I fly on my own I surreptitiously stare at other parents trying to manage small kids and strollers and bags and think to myself, oh thank GOD that’s not me.
The time has come, however, for me to nut up and face my fears, because I have the opportunity to take my 3.5-year-old on a trip to Washington DC at the end of this month. It will be just the two of us, and I am both thrilled about the adventure and, um, COMPLETELY FREAKED OUT.
We’ve been talking a lot about the trip and watching YouTube videos of planes taking off and so on; I feel like I’m doing an okay job on preparing him as best I can. He’s super excited about everything, but I know the fickle nature of a preschooler: it’s inevitable there will be some challenges along the way. So, what sorts of gear can help make it all a little easier? I’m hoping you guys can help me out, especially those of you with experience traveling with children. Here are some items I’m looking at:
Kidz Gear Headphones. I’m going to load up my laptop with Curious George episodes and let him veg out as much as he wants during the flight, so he definitely needs some headphones. In reading about this brand I’m hoping they do an okay job of filtering out plane noise (I have a feeling he is going to be freaked over how loud the engines are) without being too heavy on his head.
Evenflo X Sport Plus Umbrella Stroller. There’s no way around it: I need a travel stroller. He’ll be four in August, but I can’t expect that he’ll walk all through the airports and during our museum visit once we get to our destination—nor do I want to be constantly telling him to hurry up, we’re going this way now, etc. So I need something that can support a 35-lb toddler, not be too bulky, and not cost me an arm and a leg. This Evenflo looks pretty good, but any suggestions are more than welcome!
Kids Backpack. In theory it seems like a fun idea to give Riley his own backpack to carry a few toys and his blanket, but I wonder if it will backfire and I’ll just end up having to deal with it on top of everything else. What do you think?
Amazing Airplanes Book. I just bought this on Sunday and it’s been a FANTASTIC way to talk about the different things he’ll experience, from the line to get tickets to the way we have to sit in our seats with seatbelts buckled to the noise the engines make. I love this book series (we have the one on rockets), they’re informative and cute without being overwhelming.
CARES Restraint System. No way am I bringing a carseat on the plane, nor am I going to check it and let it get banged to hell. I think I’ll try and book a car with a booster seat if possible for the driving parts of the trip, but for the plane ride itself this thing looks like a decent option. Although not very comfortable, especially if he falls asleep. Look, be honest with me: is it okay just to go with the lap belt, or will I be tarred and feathered for being an unsafe parent?
General ideas. I plan to bring snacks, drinks, a few new toys, crayons, books, and at least one change of clothes for both of us. Plus, just in case, earplugs, so that I may offer them to the people sitting near us. What else?
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Just bought a Chicco umbrella stroller and love it. And I cannot imagine anything happening on a plane that would require more than a lap belt. Sounds like you’ve got it covered. Brand new toys and some favorite DVDs and you guys’ll be fine!
St | April 8th, 2009 at 3:26 am
My sister (a single mom) has been fearless in traveling with my nephew (who is just a few weeks younger than yours). Our most recent trip was a flight to Seattle (from Atlanta) back in September. He spent the vast majority of the trip engrossed in his portable dvd player (you might want to get one and then have the laptop as backup in case either of the batteries die). I also brought along a couple of those re-usable sticker books and we played with those as well.
He’s always just used the lap belt–although I keep meaning to invest in one of those CARES thingys. My sister (a nurse practitioner) is also not afraid to dose him up with a little Benadryl before we leave. This almost backfired on our trip to Seattle because he refused to nap on the plane and fell asleep in the cab. But, he was so excited to finally be “at Seattle” he rebounded well.
Try to streamline the security check process as much as possible. But then, just relax and enjoy the trip. I’ve found that most people are really kind rather than easily annoyed. And you’re going to have such a great time when you get to D.C. (one of my favorite places on earth!)
Mandee | April 8th, 2009 at 3:53 am
We also have that book, it helped. We also told our 2.5 year old over & over about what to do if his ears hurt: “drink or yawn” he’d say in a bored voice after we brought it up AGAIN.
We also thought we’d prepared him well but he had a meltdown at security. They chose his backpack to swipe (of course!) and for a manual search. We hadn’t covered that, and he FREAKED when the security guy started digging around and touching his toys. They almost confiscated his toy drill, so think carefully about the toys he puts in there. (KJ carried his own backpack 98% of the time.)
We have the CARES restraint and it’s awesome. He can wiggle out of the lapbelt alone, but not that thing. So great! Depending on the type of airplane, the part that goes around the seat can sit flush against the seat - if that happens, then it’s pretty comfortable. If not, then it sort of sticks out and rubs his head, and then he gets pretty whiny about the whole thing. I think probably in that case it just probably required some more adjustments, but I was flying with a 3 month old as well, and couldn’t really do it.
You’ll be fine - he’s old enough to be content with his DVDs and if you have new toys, that’ll be great. Also, it’s a long enough flight that you might have personal entertainment at your seats (at least, you would with Air Canada) so that’ll provide some amusement with the touch screen.
Carmen | April 8th, 2009 at 4:44 am
he’ll do fine with his backpack, you’ll be surprised at how proud he’ll be at carrying it.
I second the thought of preparing him for the security check, you should sort of “practice” at home, so he’s ready to take his shoes off and put his backpack on the belt.
though I have to say I’m shocked that you’re considering buying a stroller for an almost 4 yo, specially when it’ll be just you and him. I just finished traveling from London to Seattle with my 4yo and my 2 yo. I did not have a stroller with me, and they both did perfectly walking around the airport. most airports with long walking have automated walkways so you don’t really walk all the distance you must cover. I would say, have a little more faith in him and use this trip as a “big boy” builder. Think about it, should you need to take your two kids with you alone for any reason, your 4 yo will want to be in a stroller like your little one. then how will that work?
Be patient with him, I’m certain he’ll surprise you if you give him the chance.
Amanda | April 8th, 2009 at 10:51 am
I just came back from a trip with a 4 and 1 year old that involved a 14 hour flight and I highly recommend a portable DVD player. Lots of snacks are a good idea since the airline food is pretty bad. A stroller is a great idea and proved invaluable for us since there is a lot of walking in the airports and we could strap at least one of our kids into the stroller. Also it’s great for transporting a kid that has fallen asleep. My kids were not great about carrying their backpacks but with the stroller I could just hang it off of the back so I didn’t have to carry it myself. My 4 year old did fine with just the lap belt and she even kept it on when taking a nap.
Jeanne | April 8th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Oh, thank you for writing that first part, about being scared to take your kids on the plane. I feel that way (and I just have one:) and rarely admit it. I actually now think she would be OK, but she gets horrible motion sickness and I’m just not looking forward to that, on a plane.
Nataly | April 8th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Ummm…I think the lapbelt will be just fine on the airplane. I kind of feel like a bad parent suggesting it, though.
The headphones are very cool. I think the backpack is a great idea. If you could find one that “rolls” on the ground, like the big people, that might be fun for him too (but maybe more of a pain in the a$$ if it gets stuck, nevermind).
I would think my 1 for sure thing would be to get gum or something for him to suck on for the beginning / end of the flight when your ears kind of pop. Make sure you prep him for that…
Leticia | April 8th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
My initial thought was “Benadryl and valium ought to do it”.
In all seriousness, I’d say yes to the headset and stroller (emphatic YES). I have friends who travel a lot and have the CARES belt. One in particular, her daughter HATES it and it is a major friggin hassle to use. At the age of almost four, I was letting my kids use just the lap belt. You absolutely positively will end up carrying his backpack. Just incorporate his shit into whatever carry on bag you are using. It’s a cute idea (I tried it myself) but ends up being a pain in the ass. All the things in your general ideas section sound perfect. I’ve found that food and movies are more important than toys.
Amanda | April 8th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
I just flew across the country with my 25 lb. toddler (at 32 weeks pregnant). We used the Evenflo XSport Plus stroller and I thought it was absolutely perfect for air travel. Easy to fold in the jetway (and - most crucially - while going through security), easy to get my daughter in and out, etc. I also like how it straps only at the waist - my daughter likes the range of motion that gives her, and for maneuvering through the airport, that was especially good. Often I have trouble coercing her into a stroller but not this one. If you get this stroller definitely get the Plus though - not the cheaper non-Plus version. I have a friend with the non-Plus version and even though she is very petite, she still kicks the wheels. Not so with the Plus.
Only possible thing I didn’t like for travel is that it is so light that you can’t hang much from the handlebars… (though you could hang his backpack from them, I’m sure)…. I also have “serious not-messing-around” strollers which are weightier and allow you to hang more stuff from the handlebars on the way through the airport, but not so with this one… so I would recommend trying to bring a backpack as a carry-on instead of any other type of bag if possible. That will prevent the annoying phenomenon of the bag falling off your shoulder as you race through the airport.
Also, re: CARES - i bought it for my trip, but returned it before using it. I think it is incredibly expensive for not that much incremental safety… I really think that you would be safe with just the lap belt. Plus it will make him feel like a big boy.
J | April 8th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
My son is almost 4 and I echo some of the earlier commenters who said that he might FREAK OUT at having to put his toys/backpack on the security lane, seeing someone touch/take out his stuff, etc. Plus, take his shoes off & send them through as well. We focused so much on the airplane stuff for our trip last summer that we totally forgot to talk about the security process & my son flipped out when his brand new “airplane toys” (matchbox cars, coloring book) in his backpack had to go through security without him and he had to take off his shoes.
Try out the backpack in advance at home - my son loved his, but I definitely ended up carrying it a lot when he got tired of it or stashing it in the stroller, so you might want to assess the PITA factor. We got a really tiny backpack so that it would stuff under the stroller in the carrying basket easily (and not overbalance the stroller, as someone else mentioned). Often the stroller ends up carrying the bags while the kid walks, but that’s not such a bad thing.
We also bring any security items from home (”special blanket” and “sleepy bunny”) on the plane so there’s no chance of them getting lost with the luggage (of course, that means YOU have to keep track of them in the airport, which can be a pain). We also brought an empty sippy cup, extra outfit for him including socks, maybe 2 pairs of extra underwear just in case, baby wipes or handi wipes, an extra t-shirt for me (in case of barf or food spills - also handy if bags are lost), and snacks (as many as possible). it sounds like a lot, but the toys/books/crayons for him went in his little backpack & everything else stuffed in my purse/tote pretty easily (I roll up the clothes & pack them in ziplock bags because ziplocks are ALWAYS handy when traveling with kids). I also stash a med kid with the bare essentials (band aids, tylenol, thermometer, benadryl, your prescriptions) in my carry-on after having my 1 year old come down with a high fever & my sister-in-law having no thermometer in her house despite having a toddler and a school-aged kid herself (huh?).
Label your stroller with an address tag (I use the free ones that come in the mail) & your cell phone number. Label the kid’s backpack. Label the kid (people do it, but I never have!).
Give yourself plenty of time - a lot of airports have children’s play areas with room to run around & stuff to climb on. If you’re not rushed, you can probably handle everything easier, plus your son sounds like a kid who might need some time getting used to each aspect of the situation.
Lastly, think about any special rituals you have at home around food, bedtime, tooth brushing, etc. & try to make sure you bring the stuff that will re-create them away from home. We had to buy my son’s favorite bedtime book after I forgot to bring it to my in-laws house & he sobbed & sobbed for it 2 nights in a row. Luckily it wasn’t hard to get a copy at the local B&N, but if we were w/o a car or staying in hotel we might have been SOL (anything to make bedtime easier…anything).
With all of that, the DVDs will probably keep him amused just fine & I bet he will love having an adventure with just the two of you.
yasmara | April 8th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
We’ve flown cross country with our 3yo several times. Here are my thoughts for you:
1) Don’t stress about how long you’ll take to get through security. You will take a long time. Smart travelers will avoid your line when they see a mom and kid and if people get in line behind you that is their problem not yours!
2) Headphones a great idea! We have a different set but those look better from the plane noise stand point.
3) We have a Mclaren Volo stroller that we love. Really, really love. (Our son is 40 lbs.) Just another option to consider.
4) I like the idea of his own backpack. I think he’ll like it, too. Plus he can carry it!
5) We get up and walk up and back on the plane every hour or so (maybe between cartoons?) and that really helps. (Obv. assuming it is safe to do so.)
6) On our most recent flight to San Diego (from DC), Lucas didn’t sleep a wink on the way out b/c he seemed so uncomfortable in his car seat for so long. We checked it on the way back and it was SO MUCH BETTER to not have it. He was fine in the lap belt (though I may get tarred and feathered for saying that) and we’ll plan to do that on our next trip, too. IF we had had lots of turbulence I might be singing a different tune. Can’t say for sure.
7) GOOD LUCK!!
aimee | April 8th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
1) Stroller - especailly if you are by yourself - they are so fast at that age -
2)Portable DVD player
3)the Crayola markers that only color specific paper and extra papers
4)special friends and a blanket ( I always pack a couple of extra blankets in the checked bags as they get yucky in transit)
5)books or flashcards - especially good for preboarding and boarding when electronics are not always practical
6) Food - lots of little snacks and a couple of extra cups (sippy unless he is too big a boy due to turbulence)
7) change of clothes (maybe two) and for yourself as well.
Have a great trip!!
AM | April 8th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
You totally want the stroller, if for nothing else than to cut to the front of the security line at the airport. That alone makes up for every bit of pain-in-the-assery the stroller might bring you on your travels. Although, even if you couldn’t cut to the front of the line, I would still recommend bringing it!!
Oh,and I speak from experience here…don’t forget to cover turbulence with Riley. You know, tell him the plane likes to shimmy shake once in a while WEE, what fun!
honeybecke | April 8th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I totally agree on the stroller front. We’ve traveled to see family in Seattle, NY and Brazil (hello! 20 hours of travel time!!) and I always bring a stroller. I traveled to Seattle a couple of weekends ago and for the first time we packed her her own backpack. This did not work for her. Partially I think because the backpack was a little too heavy for her and the straps were too thin and hurt her. But I think in the future I’ll get a mini-backpack for her but leave enough room in my carry-on that if she refuses to carry her backpack, I can just stick it into my own carry on rather than add another bag to my nomadic appearance. I got my kid headphones from ifrogz and they also have cute ipod holders. I also filled up the ipod with tv shoes and movies. This works great because it’s smaller and good for the airport or out and about in case of emergency, or if the laptop battery dies.
Dani | April 8th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Amanda, I wouldn’t say that she’s “buying a stroller for an almost 4-y-o.” She’s buying a stroller that she can use in travel. And maybe you don’t realize this, but Linda has another baby at home. It’s not like Riley is going to outgrow the stroller next month & it will never be used again.
kalisa | April 8th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
oh yeah..right when you get to your gate, go get your gate check stub for your stroller so you don’t have to wait when you are trying to board the plane…then you just roll everything down the ramp (that’s another stroller bonus, if riley wants to walk then you just load it up with all your crap!) and leave the stroller at the bottom for the crew to deal with. it will be there when you get off the plane, at the same place you left it (but different city ooh magic!)
honeybecke | April 8th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
First time I flew alone with a 3 year old and a 6 month old the 3yo suddenly decided he was HORRIFIED of escalators, moving sidewalks and elevators. But the flying thing - no biggie. Thank God for the stroller, because I belted him in tight, took a deep breath and let him screech. Without it, I would’ve been carrying them both - plus carseat and bag - up and down staircases.
penne | April 8th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I have the Chicco stroller, too, and it’s awesome. I wouldn’t think twice about bringing it on a plane trip, even if my son was walking regularly. Little legs get tired faster than big legs, and personally, I wouldn’t want to have to go through the airport at toddler pace.
Jenny | April 8th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Definitely bring the stroller. Fine if anyone thinks you don’t need it or that you’re not giving him enough credit - see if they’d like to come along to carry him around DC when he is tired.
For our first few airplane trips with our boys, I always brought lollipops. They were a treat the boys didn’t get too often, so they were exciting, and they encouraged sucking and swallowing. I made sure they had them at take-off and landing, and no one made a peep about their ears. (That includes my youngest who was under 1 when he flew the first time and who I wouldn’t have been able to tell to swallow or yawn if he was hurting.) I got many compliments on how well my kids behaved and on how they never seemed to have any trouble with their ears.
I’d say yes to the backpack - so much easier to have his stuff in his own bag…then you’re not digging through your stuff to find his favorite car. If you get a small one, he won’t complain about carrying it. (But don’t buy one that’s going to be too big to fit him well or it’ll be constantly sliding off his shoulders and will be more trouble than it’s worth.)
I wouldn’t personally bother with the airplane restraint thingy. But I’m also the type that has been known to fly with a 9 month old sitting on my lap completely unrestrained. What? If we’re gonna crash, chances are we’re all screwed anyway. (there - let your commenters rip me to shreds — then they will be distracted from you wanting to bring a stroller.)
I do agree that you need to talk to him about the security process. And prepare yourself as well. I find security to be horribly stressful when I’m the only adult with the kids. I always struggle with who should go through the metal detector first - if I go first, I’m leaving him behind wanting to follow me but being told not to. (And what if he were to bolt and take off in the opposite direction? Ack!) If he goes first, there’s no one to catch him while i wait to go through. Nightmare!!! So talk to him about how you’ll have to walk through one at a time, and that you’ll wait for him (or he’ll wait for you, whichever). If I could go through security once without breaking into a nervous sweat and looking suspicious, it’d be a miracle.
Melissa | April 8th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
The backpack is a great idea. It’s small enough that you can sling it on or in the stroller but big enough to hold a few things. Be sure to give it a bag tag. Bring a deck of Uno cards. There’s a ton of games you can play (matching, go fish, etc) and it doesn’t take up much space. Don’t bring an entire box of crayons. The fewer he has the fewer he’ll drop.
I’m leary of your getting a car seat from the rental agency. If they don’t have any, you’re stuck. We’ve been flying with my daughter’s car seat with no troubles. We just gate check it with her stroller. I would recommend gettng a bag for the car seat, for protection and easy carying. I’ll try and post a link later. The one we purchased cost $20 at Babies R Us. It had wheels and back-pack straps and was the handiest thing ever.
If you bring your carseat in a bag, then you may be able to balance the bagged car seat on the stroller handles while your son is seated. We never used a travel stroller, we just used our big folding one. As an alternative, a friend of mine swears by the combo stroller/car seat that looks like a car seat on wheels.
You’ll get through security faster if you leave the lids off any sippies you’re bringing. I set mine in the tub with my baggie of lotions so it’s very visible. I always wear clogs or mules through security for easy on and off.
My biggest fear is being stuck on the tarmac with a hungry child so I pack pleny of food. I bring a water bottle for each of us and fill them once we’re past security. Don’t count on having time between flights to buy stuff. Also pack wipes. And a spare outfit is handy.
Check the airport website for information about their play areas. Most airports have them. Some are wonderful and some are pretty simple but they’re very handy for whileing away time between flights.
I’ve found that people are extremely helpful to someone traveling with a child. Do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it. And forget any TSA horror stories. Most I’ve encountered are very friendly and have lots of experience with traveling children. And the best thing you can do is have a relaxed attitude. The flights that have gone the smoothest for me are the ones where my attitude was “we’ll get there when we get there.”
Jennifer | April 8th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
This may be a completely stupid question, and please feel free to say so. But: is a car really necessary once you get there? The DC Metro is SUPER easy to navigate and very accessible (there are Metro stations all over the place). Plus, they’ve got a really good Metro bus system. Depending on where in the city you’re staying, it might save you the trouble of having to deal with a car.
Emily | April 8th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I second the “change of clothes” thing because damn, those kids can get messy. I’ve always found the stroller helpful even if the kid doesn’t actually sit in it because then you can hold his hand and stack your stuff in it. The only part that really, really sucks during a flight is the part when you can’t have an electronic device–that’s when the toys come in really handy. Oh, and remember not to board the plane until the very last instant so he doesn’t have to sit in one spot for thirty minutes while everyone else boards. We made this mistake thinking we would get on early to “get the kids settled” but they just ended up getting bored and plowing through all of the entertainment within a few minutes. Also, another no-brainer but potty RIGHT before boarding.
Good luck.
g~
g~ | April 8th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Great comments so far!
We travel quite a bit across Canada to visit family with our daughter (now almost 3.5) She will never sleep on the plane (last trip when she went with Daddy, he slept and she just kept watching Blue’s Clues!) but we are usually able to keep her entertained with a few episodes of her favourite show on an iPod video - rather than use my laptop, I got her the Tadpole set from ifrogz.com http://ifrogz.com/proddetail.php?prod=tadpoleappls which lets her get comfy and hold the iPod herself to watch.
When I travel with her, I always take a stroller but her last trip with Daddy he opted to leave it at home and she did really well. I might have to be brave next time, since #2 is due shortly and I don’t really want to take a giant sit’n’stand to check. She does often walk and the stroller ends up carrying the bags, but that’s okay, too. It’s nice to have the option (and the threat!) of strapping her in if she’s decided that’s the day she wants to run away every 3 minutes!
The backpack idea has worked really well for us - she loves to pack it herself with her favourite toys and snacks, and it’s a mini one so she can (technically) carry it herself. She carries it for quite a while, but we have to make sure it’s not too heavy (books go in MY carry-on, she gets the finger puppets, snacks, favourite stuffed cow, bag of crayons etc.!) It’s just nice for her to have that little piece that’s HERS and she knows what’s in there and where to find things. I agree that security can be traumatic, though, when they start going through her bag - it’s only happened once, and when they pulled out her stuffed cow, she nearly lost her mind!!
If you have time, and your local airport has an observation area, it might be worth taking Riley for a visit so that he can see where you’ll have to put your bags and the line-up and security guards. Our closest airport has an observation deck where you can sit and watch people go through the whole security process and then wave goodbye as they head off to their gate!
I think we stopped taking the car seat on the plane and started using just the lapbelt when she was 2? She’s much more comfortable if she can sit on her knees to colour at the tray table, curl up to watch her videos or snuggle up to me for a story.
Oh, and the take-off/landing… luckily for us, our daughter is like me and the pressure doesn’t seem to bother us at all. Some kids have a really hard time with it, so if you can find a way to explain that to him (have you been going down a big hill where his ears have popped?) and make sure you have some hard candies to suck on!
Don’t stress about the travel, though… honestly, there are so many new things to look at and explore at the airport and on the plane (LOOK! the snacks are coming!) that a kid his age will be fascinated. If something does freak him out (tip: warn him about the really LOUD flush on the airplane toilets!), don’t worry about the other people on the plane just concentrate on making it okay for him. Anyone who’s travelled with a child has had that moment of screaming meltdown and we’ve all survived
And if you keep doing it, it just gets better and better!
mrsgryphon | April 8th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Lollipops! I’ve flown with my 3.5 year old quite a bit, and his ears tend to bother him during landing. Lollipops are a good way to get him to swallow and get his ears to pop. Dum-Dums are a good size.
They also make “Ear Planes” for kids… they are ear plugs that help with the pressure build-up when you land. My kid finally let me put them in on the last flight we took, with previous attempts he was not a fan of having them stuck in his ears. But they did help!
I have the CARES belt too. It’s pretty good. On long flights, I have been known to just use the lap belt if he fall asleep and looks uncomfortable. (Shrug.) You do what you need to do.
Jeanne | April 8th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Anytime we travel with our kids we always have too much stuff. If the airplane has the sattelite tvs in the back of the seat you will be fine. We also only use the lap belts. My suggestion for the back pack is to get one with the wheels. If you do decide to gravol your son, make sure it doesn’t rile him up beforehand. (Oh and you might want to bring it just in case he gets airsick.) As for the stroller, even if it is only to carry stuff instead of the preschooler it is worth it. Have fun!
Gwen | April 8th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
We have that stroller and have taken it on many flights. We love it. It’s easier to fold up than any larger one but still has a little basket on the bottom that can hold stuff. All the zipper pockets (there are 3 or 4) hanging from the handles are also really handy in the airport for holding boarding passes and ids and an extra diaper so you don’t have to dig for one before boarding the plane.
We’re traveling in May with our 2-year-old, and I have decided NOT to buy the CARES thing AND we don’t have time to replace our DVD player (busted screen) with the warranty before then. I figure we’ll swing it old school and see how it plays out.
Good luck with Riley. You’ll have a blast.
clarabella | April 8th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I’ve never put my kids in a car seat on a plane. Just the regular old seatbelt for us. I’ve traveled with my boys at all ages, and now that they’re in preschool, I pack a little bag of cheap new treasures to entertain them when we fly. A new matchbox car, a coloring book, crayons, puzzles, some gum (gasp!) … the novelty of it gets them excited, and when it wears off, we switch to books and conversation. And then the drink cart comes, and that’s good for another five minutes, and so forth … it’s really not that bad. I’ve done the hell flights too. Where the diaper explodes and the drinks spill, and you just do what mom’s do. In the air. I gather your flight to DC will be a bit longer than the ones I usually take, so a portable DVD player would probably be worth having, too. You’ll have to crank the volume though. Oh and the stroller? A HUGE HELP! Worth the juggling at security. And they just check it for you at the gate. Have FUN!!! and Good luck!
Amanda | April 8th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Looks like everyone covered everything!
One thing that happened with my 3 yo though was that he wasn’t too good with descents and the first time I flew with him, he totally freaked out and screamed the entire time. So the next long haul flight I took with him (which involved 3 different airports!) I brought along a small pack of m&m’s and started giving it to him one at a time when the plane would start descending. Eating the candy made him swallow which helped with the pressure on his ears, and it made him thirsty too which in turn made him drink water (again, swallowing to relieve the pressure).
He rode with just the lap belt and was very comfortable. Also, I totally agree on the dvd player and extra clothes.
Good luck!
Mykee | April 8th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Just one thing to consider….since you are on your own make sure you don’t take too much stuff to carry. Your son will probably want to run around the airport before check in and you will have to carry everything while chasing after him.
Jane | April 8th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
We’re on our second overseas tour with our children, and have never lived within driving distance of family (thank, military!) so our kids are seasoned travelers.
Backpack: Great in theory. Not in reality. If you bring one for him, make sure it’s small and light. No more than 5 lbs. Otherwise you’ll be carrying it everywhere. His lovey and one or two small toys. (On a side note, I always buy a new little toy to present to my kids when we travel. It holds their attention much longer than the things they ignore every day at home.)
FWIW, I’ve been strapping my daughter into her seat with the buckle provided since she was 2 and had her own seat. She’s not a squirmy child, and listens well, so we’ve never had a problem with her trying to get up out of her seat. On our flight to Japan we brought both their carseats, which we needed anyway, and they were helpful. I wouldn’t attempt that without my husband, though.
Just don’t be nervous, and he’ll probably be fine. He’ll most likely do much better than you’re expecting. OH - and make sure he’s wearing slip on shoes while traveling for security!
Have a great trip!
Heather | April 8th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
looks like your going to be spending more on the gear than the ticket.
luxie | April 8th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Bring an inflatable pillow or neck pillow, so that way he’ll have a head rest if he gets tired, or if he wants to snuggle on you. Maybe a little blanket or small fleece snuggly/comfort blanket. How about a mini Etch A Sketch, something he can record a short message then play it back, a digital camera he can take his own pictures with, a little flip-top notebook he can use as his own ‘trip journal,’ and a good kids’ book about Washington DC… then the obvious stuff like wipes, kids’ tylenol, gum for him to chew when the plane is landing, antibacterial gel for after he touches things on the Metro, etc…
Traci | April 8th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Bjorn makes a seatbelt thingie. I’ve seen them on ebay. They look handy. I would just feel better with my kiddo in a harness instead of a belt (so he would jack around too much more than anythingm tho, if I am being honest).
Other suggestions for his backpack- an old digital camera he can use, snacks, books with moving parts, playdoh, mini magnadoodle, toy plane.
Suggestions for secret stash (to pull out in an emergency to hush him up) in diaper bag: mini m&m’s in a tube, foaming waterless hand sanitizer (mine is from bath & body and the kids LOVE it), bottle of bubbles (can that go through security??).
And- heck ya on the stroller!! Strap him in and walk briskly. No need to dawdle at a 4 yr old pace or try to carry him (despite your awesome muscular arms *grin*). Plus, you can always load it up with your carry ons and have him “help” push it!!
Deanna | April 8th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
You NEED the stroller for the airport and museums. Kids get tired, and so do parents. If you are both tired, you can throw him in there and get your sanity back.
I liked having a booster seat in the plane because it restricted my daughter from climbing out and acted like a maniac. Strapping down is GOOD. But then again, I had my husband with me. If I was alone, I would proably not lug it. It’s not required by the airline, is it?
He will probably be soooooooooo excited about the plane trip that much of it will be a distraction, but bring a movie and headphones, for sure.
Jean | April 9th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Oh, and I agree with whoever said you probably don’t need to bother with a rental car.
Jean | April 9th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Sorry!! Me again! Mclaren Volo goes up to 40 lbs and is awesome! easy to fold and super duper light with a shoulder strap.
Jean | April 9th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I’ve flown with my 3 1/2 year old son a number of times through out this childhood…from 5 weeks to 3 years and it’s been my experience that whenever he’s been able to look out the window we’ve been happy. Naturally at 5 weeks old it wasn’t an issue, but as soon as he was cognitively aware it was a life saver. The longest flight he has been on has been 4 hours and he’s been pretty good the entire time.
My son has used the lap belt and I made it off the plane alive. We’ve traveled with his car seat but I’ve always checked it in.
My son also carried his own pack pack. I’ve always just made sure that he was able to do a lot of the things himself rather than me take care of it so he feels like a “big boy”.
Jenn D | April 9th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Sorry…no help here…too long ago for me. My oldest is now 10, and flew by himself last year, when he was 9. I’m thinking about letting them both fly this summer, at age 7 and 10…probably together and probably on a non stop flight.
Karla E | April 10th, 2009 at 3:03 am
First - don’t stress, a little planning and you WILL be fine!
My first plane trip w/ my son was at age 3 to Europe. If you have to take a laptop then just pack some dvds, if not, then invest in a small portable DVD player. I prefer a rechargeable, they tend to run longer than a battery one and you don;t have to haul batteries - but if it dies in flight you are without. I DO NOT recommend depending on the airplane’s movie - many of the movies are far from appropriate for under 5! (a pet peeve of mine)
Stroller - 100% your call - you know your kid. We travel abroad a lot and airports are much larger, but we have always managed w/o stroller. Which ever way you go - compact & light is key when traveling.
Back pack - great idea, they like to be big boys too! A nice option is a small backpack that can clip onto yours just in case. Either a built-in clip or just a large carabinder.
Snacks & more snacks - small bags, so you can lighten your load as you go - when I travel it is 100% disposable. pretzels or combos are a favorite - we always avoid any nuts or peanut butter, for safety & respect of those who have nut allergies. water is our beverage choice - many airlines still give that for free, and we buy a big bottle once we are through security - they WILL confiscate water bottles at security. If your son is not a water drinker consider the little drink-mix singles (flavor packets). Take up little space and you can always find water to add.
We are seasoned travelers adn believe in traveling light. We only do carry- ons - even when we go to Europe for 2 weeks. I would rather do a load of laundry than have to deal with multiple suitcases. Keep in mind what ever you take - you have 1 hand, as you need to anticipate the other is holding your son’s. Airports are not a place to let kids roam free.
hope this helps - enjoy your trip and let us know how it went!
Pammy | April 10th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Not only a change of clothes, but underwear!! Don’t remember if R. is in underwear yet but for the love of pete take some extra pairs if he is. The only time we flew w/ our preschooler, he had some …digestive issues before the flight home. Crazy eating, off-routine…. I shouldn’t have been surprised. Yipes. Luckily the orlando airport had a gift shop with (disney!) underwear, but not in toddler sizes (WTH?). I’d take 2 pairs just in case.
Lee | April 10th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Max has flown a lot, and he is just a couple of weeks older than Riley. Headphones rock, but Max always dismantles them, so I usually prefer to use the freebies from the airline. Yesterday on our flight home from Mexico, he listened to the song Viva La Vida about 5 times in a row. He then switched to Black Sabbath.
For seatbelts, we just use the lap belt on the airplane. If it’s bumpy, I put my arm across his lap to make sure he’s cool.
Yes, yes, yes on the backpack. He has a little Dora one that he loves. You might also want to consider a little rolling suitcase (they have cute ones at Target). He’ll see everyone else with rolling suitcases, and will probably feel important. Max LOVES his suitcase.
Bring an empty cup with a lid and have the flight attendants fill it with juice or water for him. Those little plastic cups don’t work well with 3-year-olds. Since you don’t know whether or not he’ll be barfy on the plane, definitely avoid the milk. (been there, done that)
Oh - stickers are great. If you get those peelable ones (like colorforms), he can decorate the plane window and the little table.
foodmomiac | April 10th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I have that stroller and it is excellent for travel. Lightweight, and cheap enough that if it gets messed up it isn’t a huge loss.
Stacy | April 10th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
The maclaren Volo is the most awesome stroller and it has a shoulder strap that you can use to carry it. It was the best money I EVER spent! I think it weighs 7 pounds, easy to manuever. I cannot tell you just how much this stroller has saved my life…
Kate S. | April 11th, 2009 at 7:40 am
It looks like most things have been covered.
One thing to keep in mind regarding the security check is that some airports will designate one security line as a “family” line and send the people with kids to that one. It’s wonderful–no one ever pushes you to move faster than you need to. When you go through the first part of the TSA check (ticket & ID), ask if there is a family line for the x-ray & metal detectors.
Good luck!
Courtney | April 13th, 2009 at 6:08 am
I’ve had my kid use just the lap belt since he was out of the infant carrier and he’s 2.5 now. We’ve flown countless times and no one’s ever gotten out the tar & feathers. I haven’t even noticed any side-long glances. He’s a very calm kid, though, so he doesn’t even try to unbuckle, so it keeps him restrained just fine. And really, if the shit hits the fan, the freaking CARES harness isn’t going to make a bit of difference.
TheGoriWife | April 13th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
Oh, one thing about security lines. Once I was flying alone with my son, who was less than 1. I folded the stroller and sent it through the x-ray with the rest of our stuff, and then remembered I was still wearing my belt. I decided to just go through the x-ray anyway and get patted down because how was I going to take off my belt now that I was holding this kid. Put my infant on the airport floor? No thanks. So I went through and waited for a female TSA attendant to come over to be patted down. After she came over and made sure I wasn’t hiding any shivs in my bra, she asked if my baby was a boy - and I said yes, and then I had to wait for a MALE attendant to come over and pat my 7 month old son down. Seriously.
TheGoriWife | April 13th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Okay my oldest is a few months older than Riley and I’ve done this 3 times with her and here’s what I learned:
Earphones are a must, so is the stroller (I recommend the MacLaren umbrella for most things, but for this, go cheaper - the thing will take a beating). Bring new toys/books to capture his attention when you need to get him to stop marching up and down the isle. Bring something for him to munch on at take off and landing to help with the ear pressurizing thing - I gave my 3 year old a sippy cup to slurp on and had a Starburst in my pocket in case she really needed help popping her ears. Bring tissues in one pocket and one of those travel thingies of wet wipes in the other pocket (I went through both pocket-fulls).
I wouldn’t do the backpack, just because packing it and repacking it and unpacking it and repacking it would be my kids idea of a good time, and I would probably end up lugging it around. I also liked having things in “reserve” that she didn’t know were with us to whip out at the slightest sign of a tantrum. My only other tip is to dress him comfortably - slip on shoes, no-zipper pants - I even brought extra underwear (for her) because the toilets on planes are sort of scary and I wasn’t sure she’d use them. Good luck!
Beth | April 20th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
So, I haven’t read through all the comments but have a very well-travelled toddler. Some thoughts:
the C.A.R.E.S. harness: YES. They’re so great– added bonus that they make the plane feel more like a car, which often leads to a nap (if you have a kid likely to fall asleep in a car).
Considering you’re going to DC a new stroller for a 4 y.o. might be a good idea– the museums and such require a LOT of walking both within and between. But, if you’re just worried about schlepping the kid within the airport, have you thought about a trunki instead? It would also solve the kid backpack problem. (www.trunki.com)
My best forms of entertainment on a plane are: a laptop (with movies) a video camera (which can play back movies of your kid and is faster to turn on/off, a book of dollar store teacher-reward-style stickers, a dollar store packet of pipe cleaners (you can make animals! Bracelets! Swords! You can use the stickers to tape them together! etc.). And books. And blankie.
kenandbelly | April 23rd, 2009 at 8:10 pm
My 3 1/2 year old has been flying since he was 6 weeks old and one thing that we’ve been doing since he was a toddler is a previsit to the dollar store where I buy a cheap lunchbox and fill it with all kinds of stickers, small toys, etc. When he gets on the plane, he gets to open it and he is always so excited because it’s new stuff he hasn’t ever seen. Since the items are so cheap, I don’t mind if he loses something or we have to throw something away. This combined with a DVD or two and some snacks keeps him pretty occupied for the 6 hours we have to be on the plane (we fly to IN or AR from CA).
Suzanne | May 10th, 2009 at 2:49 pm