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Are you playing to travel on an airplane with your child? I have a few suggestions. First of all if the child hasn't been in an airplane before you'll need to prepare him for this new and exciting venture. If you live near the airport then about going there and watching the planes come in and also leave the airport. He will be excited about getting in a big plane and flying through the air.
When you get to the airport you'll need to board early and this will give you time to get seated and also get your child all settled before others board. You might even inquire if you are taking a flight that will provide a meal if they have special "kiddie meals". You might ask this when you are making your reservation.
During the times when the seat belt sign is not on, you can take a walk down the isle, if only to the restroom and back to stretch a little. Let's hope that he will meet another child on the plane hopefully sitting near you or that someone will trade seats so they could be together, some airlines do allow this, but others don't.
Bring alone a supply of little "snack bags". Even though a meal may be served it may not be your child's favorite foods. Bring healthy snacks that are low-sugar and nutritional such as dry cereal, pretzels popcorn or crackers. You could also bring some fresh fruit and juice drinks and don't forget the water bottle. If you bring one of those little insulted cases you can bring milk,
puddings or fruits in little cups. Don't forget chewing gum if your child is old enough to chew gum. Let's not forget some suckers: children love these.
I would also suggest bringing along a bag of things to do, putting them perhaps in little zip lock bags and therefore create little activity packs. In one you might put some colors, and a small coloring book, a little game, some tiny plastic people or even some comic books. Naturally the items you bring will depend on the age of your child and the activities he likes.
You might bring along a view master and lots of slides so he can look at them, a book for you to read softly to him. You can also bring along a cassette player with headphones so as to not disturb other passengers with favorite songs or stories. The local library has lots of these you can check out for free. I would think just bringing along a small bag would contain all of these items, each child could have his own bag.
You will be glad you have these activity bags when you arrive at your destination as he will enjoy them then also.
Another thought would be to try to arrange a flight during your child's happy part of the day, perhaps in the morning before his nap time. Then after a little activity and a few snacks on the plane he may take a very nice long nap and then before you know it the plane will have landed and
he will be telling all the relatives and friends about the fun he had on the airplane and how he is going to fly home on a plane.
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