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Travel Diversion List for Ages 2-5

Since 2002 I have flown across the world 10 times. Many parents have asked me for advice about how to survive very long (usually international) flights with young children. I am especially eager to give helpful tips to adoptive parents who will be flying with their children for the first time. I worked in China for a time so I hope that I can offer some informed advice.
This is my list of traveling must-haves for air travel with children who are about 18 months-5 years. These are items that I recommend for the carry-on luggage.

Finger Puppets

Finger puppets were a helpful diversion when my son had to be hospitalized for food poisoning at age 15 months. I had to keep him still because he had an IV in his foot. Since this was such a good sit-still activity, I have been bringing finger puppets on airplane trips ever since! Use finger puppets to “talk” to your child, or maybe even to tell your child a story. Your child might tell YOU a story, too, after you model the behavior for him or her.

Magnetic Drawing toy

My experience is with children aged 3 1/2 and under, but since I can entertain my(much older than 3) self with a magnetic drawing toy, I think it would be a good idea for any age. One thing my son really enjoys is using other, smaller magnets as “stamps” on the toy, but we have lost these on airplanes so proceed with caution.
Very Small Containers of Play Dough

I wondered if the mess would be ridiculous, but with small containers of play dough, opened only one at a time, it is quite manageable. I brought a Table Topper to use with the play dough, but I think it would be possible to do without. A tiny, toy rolling pin, small plastic cookie cutters, and a tiny plastic butter knife were a nice accompaniment.

Lift-the-Flap Books

A lift-the-flap book can keep a young child (around ages 2-5) busy for quite some time. I prefer to have two or three of the kind with A LOT of flaps. The first one we ever purchased was the Clifford’s Schoolhouse book, pictured at left. It has more than 60 flaps to lift.

Other Books
Have a collection of 5-10 books of different kinds. Include some familiar, some unfamiliar, paperbacks or board books, and maybe even a pop-up book (I had to “help” my child as a 2-year-old, so he wouldn’t tear up the pop-up books, but he LOVED them).

Cleaning Toy
This might strike you as strange, but I find that a lot of toddlers and preschoolers REALLY like to clean, or at least “help” to do things. I found a little cheap cleaning set (not the one pictured) that I bought for my son, and when he was about 20 months old, it kept him VERY busy on our airplane flights AND in the airports during layovers. It had a tiny little mop with a handle about 11 inches long, a sponge with a handle, and plastic bottle of “cleaning liquid” (actually empty). He “washed” everything!

Small Figurines

2 to 4 small figurines, such as Little People, action figures, Papo, Schelich, or even some thing from the dollar store, can have a high play value for children aged 2-5. Children at the lower end of the 2-5 age range just enjoy carrying them around. Children at the older end use them to engage in imaginative play.

Activity Books
KUMON has a great variety of activity books for children ages 2 and up.

Coloring Book

Colored Pencils (8 or less)

Crayons (8 or less is best)

Stickers
Preschoolers love peeling and sticking stickers. Let them go crazy on their coloring book or the airsick bag.

Lollipop(s)

It is nice to pack a special treat that isn’t commonly enjoyed at home. Also, working on the lollipop will help alleviate ear drum pressure caused by the high altitude. The small Dum Dum lollipops aren’t messy and travel well.

Snacks

Take what you like, but don’t leave home without snacks!

Sippy Cup

You might have to empty your cup before you pass through security, but it can be refilled on the plane. You definitely don’t want to risk spills in such a confined space.

PJ’s
If your flight is during your child’s usual bed time, it is a good idea to change them into PJ’s about the time you normally would. For a potty training child, also bring along their normal night time undergarment (such as a pull-up or diaper). This is especially helpful during night time flights when the cabin lights are dimmed. Your child will probably fall asleep as usual.

Blankie, Lovey, or other object of attachment
Just don’t leave it on the plane after your flight!

Extra Clothes for Accidents
For a young, messy child, plan one outfit for every 3 hours you will be in transit. We don’t usually use all of the clothes we bring in the carry-on bag, but what if we needed them and they weren’t there??

Extra Shirt for Parent
I always wish I had room to pack an entire extra outfit for myself, but if that isn’t possible, at least include a t-shirt for yourself. If your child vomits or has a diaper blow-out, your clothes will probably be in the line of fire.

Hyland’s Teething Tablets
I recommend these to anyone who will listen. I am against “drugging” children with Benadryl or other cold medicine to subdue them.
Hyland’s Teething Tablets are all natural, made mostly from Chamomile, for “teething and irritability”. They were recommended to me by a trusted nurse when I was anxious about flying to Asia from America with my 7-week-old baby. She said that if the baby freaked out on the airplane, I could give him Hyland’s Teething Tablets and they would help him to calm down. They dissolve quickly in the child’s mouth and you cannot overdose your child with these.
It turned out that my baby was a great traveler and we didn’t use the Teething Tablets on that trip. We did use them when he actually started teething, and they calmed him when nothing else would. My older son is 3 1/2 now and he still takes them on occasion, when he is very cranky or complaining of growing pains. For babies, the recommended dosage is 2 tablets every 4 hours. Older children can have 4 tablets.
Since I was so impressed with Hyland’s Teething Tablets, I have tried other remedies in their line and have been very happy with them.
Hyland’s Teething Tablets are available at CVS, Walgreens, or online.
It is nice to have an ace up your sleeve in case of a child meltdown!

This list will probably continue to change and grow as I continue to travel with children!

This article is also published here on Associated Content.

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