Occupying kids in-flight

Reading is a universally good tool for children of all ages.

Stock up on unique items that the child has never seen before. A few cheap toys you got at the dollar store can go a long way. Gadgets with buttons or lights, new coloring books/crayons, stickers, activity books, deck of cards or single piece brainteaser puzzles.

Younger children will need more guided activities. For infants - singing, reading and using finger puppets. For toddlers - use books with flaps they can open/close, eye-spy books, handheld calculator for button pushing, finger rhymes/puppets. Preschool children enjoy coloring, doing brainteaser type puzzles, sticker activity books, magnetic activity boards, even playing tick-tack-toe or a game of go fish with a deck of cards.

Use what is available to you on the plane. Discuss what you see out the airplane window. Play eye-spy, have a treasure hunt using the airline magazine, gather paper cups from the bathroom and see what you can make with them. Stretch activities out as long as possible.

Older children may entertain themselves with books, handheld video games, DVDs or MP3 players. If you plan to use electronic devices, make sure they are fully charged and you know the expected battery life. There is nothing worse than having your child engaged peacefully in a movie when the power runs out. Note: Some airports have exposed outlets that can be used to recharge DVD players during lay-overs.