Sideshowdeb Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 (edited) Hi all, I may have mentioned this already, but we are flying to Perth at the end of July and I'm starting to think about the journey itself. Our stop over is only a couple of hours so it's going to be pretty intense and I want to be as prepared as possible for the children's sake. I've got a 15 year old boy and a 6 year old girl and although they're both great flyers my daughter has only ever flown short haul, so I'm looking for ideas and pro tips to help them pass the time and enjoy the experience as much as possible. I've just ordered her a new iPod (my son already has iPod, tablet-laptop thing and a smart phone) but I would love to know what other more experienced long haul parents have done to keep their little, and big ones entertained? My OH once had a little boy kick the back of his seat from LA to Hawaii so for everyone's sake I'd like to keep them happy :smile2: Edited March 21, 2014 by Sideshowdeb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 A neck pillow, a cuddly, sweets, biscuits, choc and crisps (honestly I look like a walking tuck shop getting on the plane and a fat moo getting off!), free choice on the kids appropriate film selection, DS Nintendo/iPad if you have one but don't stress about that as so many films to keep them going. For a 6 year old probably a bit of colouring, drawing, diary writing and a reading book that usually stays in the bag! We always separate the boys (11&8) so they don't wind each other up and can have 100% attention for loos and drinks/mealtime. It does mean I spend my entire time looking at my husband through a gap in the seat but hey ho, I can live with that. It also means that when he snores I can disown him! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 The entertainment on the planes long haul is usually really good - films/kids tv, games - and your 6 year old will probably have a sleep (my boy was 7 and slept for one entire leg of the journey). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verystormy Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 The 15 year old will probably love it. Chilling out watching movies and during the night they serve snacks. Emirates serve pizza snacks and chocolate during the night between meals. The younger one will probably sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lou8670 Posted March 21, 2014 Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 Mine watched films all the way there and played video games against one another...there are loads of games, films, full series of sitcoms and TV dramas for them to choose from. The time will fly by (excuse the pun). When my son was 4 he watched Bolt 4 times back to back and slept the rest of the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sideshowdeb Posted March 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2014 I checked with the airline and the seating is in rows of 3 and my OH suggested that Ethan might like to sit on his own because he's that bit older and he'd probably like to have some peace from his little sister? Only problem is Ethan is a total Mummy's boy and I can see me getting stuck between the two kids, while Rich sits in peace and quiet. I think pairing up is probably the best idea. We fly in the morning, so I'll have a long time to wait before anyone's ready for a sleep, but as long as they keep the food coming my two should be reasonably happy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJT Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 Its a teenagers dream the long flight, they can play their games, watch films and eat and don't have to move very far to do any of it, on the first leg of the flight I never saw or had anything to do with my 12 and 14 yr boys, they were in the next row in front and tried to pretend they were on their own with no parents. My 8 year old just watched the films and played games on her Ipad, my word of advice is if you are sitting with your husband, let him have the window seat, because every time my daughter would get up, trying to get hubby to get was a nightmare because he would either be in the middle of a film or asleep, much easier if its just the two of you being disturbed. I would suggest the same as Akasully, and stock up on crisps and snacks at the airport, as my middle son does not eat any of the inflight food and its a long flight and we usually fill the stopover time going to Burger King to feed him whilst we have a coffee. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 (edited) Hi SJT, Last time I flew to Oz my youngest turned his nose up at everything put in front of him from the inflight meals. He did survive on the snacks I had bought from tesco before we left home. I don't buy them at the airport because the prices are a rip-off. Anyway, the last laugh was on us because when we got to Sydney I started to feel very sick. Slowly it spread through the entire family, couldn't get to the bathroom quick enough, and yes, my little one was the only person who escape it! Edited March 22, 2014 by Akasully2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJT Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 Akasully not nice especially when flying and you are not in the privacy of your own home. Just think you will soon be making that journey yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 Luckily, if you can call it that, we didn't actually start to feel ill until we got to the hotel. Because I was so bad, literally couldn't get out of bed, I missed going to the zoo with the others and having a cuddle with a koala. This is on my to do list for Perth! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazNorth Posted March 22, 2014 Report Share Posted March 22, 2014 I was absolutely dreading the journey - we did it with just a two hour break in Qatar. In the end my 6yr and 10yr kids were great. Plenty of films to plough through,music videos to watch, crew were great with them, and the odd walk around the plane. I was worrying about nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmie2010 Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Im so glad i have found this site. Literally every question i want to ask i find an answer. We will be flying out with a 4 year old That NEVER sits still and a 7 year old. It will be theirs (and my) first time flying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akasully2 Posted June 11, 2014 Report Share Posted June 11, 2014 Im so glad i have found this site. Literally every question i want to ask i find an answer.We will be flying out with a 4 year old That NEVER sits still and a 7 year old. It will be theirs (and my) first time flying! Bring Valium for you and be kind enough to offer it round to the fellow passengers close to you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROB T Posted June 11, 2014 Report Share Posted June 11, 2014 Yeah and washed down with lashings of Blue label Smirnoff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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