5 under $5: Cheap tricks to keep toddlers in flight cool

Two-year-old Norah Colón was all smiles before a recent flight from Tampa to Phoenix. Photo by Dalia Colón.

Plane rides can make even the most mature travelers want to throw a tantrum. For kids, the claustrophobia of travel is that much worse. Fortunately, I’ve picked up a few tips over the years of traveling with my daughter, Norah, who is almost 3. Below is my list of carry-on essentials, including the dollar store item that’s priceless for keeping your sanity, and the craft project that doubles as a snack. These items should buy you some time your toddlers in flight before you inevitably pull out your smartphone.

1) Window decals. At first, my husband and I employed the divide-and-conquer strategy, putting Norah between us in the middle seat. But we’ve learned she actually behaves better when she sits near the window. Not only does looking outside make takeoff and landing less scary, but Norah can stick decals to the windows. The beauty of of these clings is that they can be reused over and over, providing amusement during the long boarding process. Before a trip, I’ll snag a sheet of whatever decals the dollar store has in stock—say, hearts around Valentine’s Day or pumpkins in the fall.

2) Cheap thrills. Speaking of the dollar store, when it comes to amusing a toddler, think quantity—not quality. Ten items from Dollar Tree will hold a preschooler’s attention longer than one $10 toy. Before a trip, I pick up stickers, craft kits, generic Play-Doh, costume jewelry and anything with a princess on it. For added drama, after we’ve gone through airport security, I wrap each gift in pretty paper. Not only does this make the toys seem extra-special, but the unwrapping process eats up even more time.

3) The right snacks. In addition to non-messy foods like grapes and string cheese, now’s the time to pull out the rare treats. For my daughter, that means M&Ms and gummies—which at home, she only gets for using the potty. When Norah starts getting restless on a plane, I produce a plastic Easter egg full of M&Ms. Is it bribery? Yes. But at 35,000 feet with a volatile two-year-old, bribery works for me—not to mention my fellow passengers. I also love snacks that double as entertainment: a baggie full of Froot Loops, along with a pipe cleaner, becomes an edible bracelet.

4) Mess-free coloring book. The geniuses at Crayola have come up with Color Wonder—markers that write only on special paper, so your little Picasso can’t do too much damage. In airport gift shops, Color Wonder books cost around $10. But I stock up on the books whenever I see them in Target’s Dollar Spot section, where they go for $3.

5) Beach ball. A ball isn’t the most airplane-friendly toy, but it’s handy for burning off steam in the airport. While we wait for our flight to board, I’ll take Norah to an empty part of the terminal for a game of catch or soccer. When it’s time to get on the plane, I just deflate the ball and stash it in my purse, to be blown up again once we’ve landed and arrived at our hotel.