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Everyone loves to visit new places or go and visit family, often these days the travel is becoming longer and longer. Traveling by plane usually means a lay over someplace for at least an hour. This puts moms in the predicament that we have to find something for our youngster to do. When they are older you can always suggest reading a book or writing a story but when they are younger children tend to have this tendency to be more active so it takes more work to keep them entertained so they are not bouncing the whole time.

I have found bringing little toys usually causes some more stress because I want to make sure nothing is left behind. That means taking about 5 minutes to search each area before leaving boarding the plane or getting off. With all the rush it is not a fun thing to tackle with your toddler wanting to get going.

Here are some fun ways to help keep your child entertained with out a whole lot of extra stuff and most if it gets left behind oh well. They are easy to replace or make more.

Pipe cleaner animals and shapes

Toddles love to create things. Pipe cleaners are soft light weight and can create many different thing. This helps expand their imagination and keeps them busy. You can get them pretty much anywhere and the possibilities are endless as to what you can do with them.

Magic Markers

An easy one is getting one of the magic wonders marker sets. It helps prevent them their seat from arriving to your destination covered with pen marks, plus these are just a lot of fun coloring and creating fun pictures.

Watch a Movie

A few planes these days have TVs in the seat that you can order a movie or Nick Jr for a small fee. If this is not an option for you why not take a small portable DVD player with you so you and your child can watch a favorite movie together on the trip. This is also a good idea for once you arrive. All too often hotels do not have anything good or perhaps safe for young children to watch past 11 am so the DVD player would play a double roll. You can bring a favorite or get a new DVD of your child?s favorite show.

This is the only thing that can’t be replaced as easy

Sock Puppets

Remember when we were kids and sock puppets were cool. Things changed and more toys have been invented, no one really thinks about these anymore. Why not make one or two and bring it along. To get your child’s imagination going, this also creates good memories. A plus is these are small enough to toss in your purse so you can pull them in and out as needed like you still have 5 minutes before boarding and he is getting antsy pull them out and play.

A fun site that explains how to make a sock puppet Kids Crafts:Sock Puppets

Creating things

‘Cheese Its’ serve a dual purpose they are a quick and easy snack but they can also be used to make things. I take a little in a bowl; they take them and make square houses or whatever they want to on the tray. This is an easy thing, however something that can keep them busy for awhile.

A Bonus tip: Make stitch cards, get some thick poster board cut out shapes and poke holds around the edge Tie a piece of yarn to one hole and they can stitch along. This helps improve fine motor skills and keeps them sitting still for a few minutes so you can have a minute to relax.

I hope your next trip is a pleasant one so you and your child can create life long memories.

Have any ideas?? Let me know, I am always looking for ways to keep my little two entertained when going to see grandma

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Posted by Tamara Wilson -Work at Home Mom to four children. She runs several websites helping moms with issues that may arise with their children Such as Teen anger and Depression as well as sharing information to help their babies learn Baby Sign Language. Visit Website