I thought some of you guys might have some good suggestions for this....our family with DS6 will be traveling to New Zealand in a few months and we are looking for ideas to help keep him busy on the VERY long airplane trip. His longest trip has only be 3 hours on an airplane and this will be a total of 20 hours - yikes!!! 6 hours to LA and then 12 hours from LA to Auckland and then another 2 hours to our destination....I know the main hike is supposed to be an overnight flight but I know that I don't sleep well on a plane and DS6 is a very light sleeper that wakes at every possible noise so I am not holding any bets that he will sleep a wink. We are staying overnight in LA instead of going straight through to Auckland to break the time up. Would love to hear ANY ideas...DS6 also has some sensory issues so I have a feeling that after awhile he will be needing some serious sensory input from sitting for so long and then add in trying to keep him occupied since he is not the average bear 6 year old - we are a bit flumoxed...thanks for the help!!

Some random thoughts:

* Give him good meals before each flight (not necessarily RIGHT before, though, because many kids get more active after they've eaten).

* Magnetic toys can help. We have one that has a magnetic board and lots of magnetic colored shapes. I'll send the name after work this evening. This one kept my kids pretty happy for an hour or more each on a long car trip over the summer. Magnetix are good, too (get sets with oddly shaped pieces).

* If you buy new toys just for the trip, do NOT allow him to play with them until you get on the plane.

* Highly engaging games that can be played alone or with others (YMMV on the definition of "highly engaging"): Some that work for us include Shut the Box, Camouflage/other ThinkFun games, Set, and YamSlam.

* New books!

* New Lego sets if he's a Lego-y kid.

* Carry lots of nutritious snacks

* Does he have a DS or similar handheld game? These toys can be extremely engaging. I think they're good things in moderation.

Hope that helps...

Val

On Val's note- we always take a shoebox lid for DS to do Legos in. It keeps them from falling on the floor and being lost for all eternity!

Wikki Stix are a big hit for long trips for all of us. I also go to the dollar store and buy new random stuff- a few cheap toys, generic mad-libs etc.

We do not fly without our portable DVD player. It has been a lifesaver in many trips. It also makes for happy adults if you get stuck in an airport for many hours.

I agree with a handheld game. My step-DS and DD have to ride 20 hours round trip once a month to come see us and their Leapster and DS games have been so nice. I also print out worksheets from the computer and they like doing those. We bring movies from the library for them to watch.

I got a lot of activity books from the dollar store and I switch them out through the trip and those keep them busy for a while also.

I know it means a bit more work for you, but we always bring not only books for our children to read, but new books for us to read to our children -- maybe a chapter book in a new or continuing series?

Food is always entertaining. We like things that take a while to eat, like grapes, pretzels, cereal. We haven't had trouble with me packing these in my purse and carrying them on the plane.

Ditto the DVD player and DS. Both totally worth the money if you don't already have them.

Other ideas: maze books, an ipod with books on tape, sticky notes and/or scotch tape for endless fun, Crayola Model Magic, playing cards, Highlights Hidden Picture Books, and action figures. HTH!!

I find long-haul flights better than short in some ways - the individual entertainment console is wonderful. For all our recent cross-Atlantic flights there were a wide selection of movies, TV and games available. I didn't even have to get into the kids' carry-on bags the last two flights. We limit screen time at home but all bets are off on a long flight.

I liked the some of the games too.

Anyway, I've found that the electronic games and media available much reduce what I need to bring on-board, and no batteries required!

Oh, yeah, the free wine helps too.

Oh, yeah. We have an all-you-can-eat DS policy on long trips.

Val

Honestly the thought of sensory issues, lack of sleep, the time change and strange food would scare the bejeezus out of me. My first reaction is Benedryl. My doctor prescribes it as a sleep aid and it works for my Bear (it can wire some kids though so test first). Having him get some sleep will make the rest of the flight more bearable for everyone.

Also lots of times the pilot will give a tour of the cockpit to kids, but that was awhile ago and they might have changed the policies with the terrorist issues. Doesn't hurt to ask.

My other cure for long trips, the window seat! Also try to let him walk up and down the aisles some.

Aside from the trip itself, something I have found helpful is preparing for 'jet lag' with kids. Once, taking a U.S. to singapore trip, I worked over a few week prior to the trip on moving DSs bedtime, just a little - maybe half an hour to an hour a night (this only works if you can fit it in with school of course). It really helped when we got there - did brilliantly. Unfortunately, I also had a 3month baby at the time (with no concept of when to sleep of course) - the jet lag for me was a nightmare!

Wow- exciting plans, but I certainly understand your apprehension. I agree with the previous posters- plan, plan, plan. We also used dollar-store items, and if I was really ambitions, even wrapped some up, and then doled them out at set time intervals (or when you really need them.) Maps, if your kid likes them, are great to follow along.

For the sensory stuff, we always liked games where I would "write" letters, either on DS's back or on his palm, and he would try and guess what I was spelling out. It takes some practice, but he got pretty good at it. We did a lot of massages, etc. If sound is an issue, earplugs are great, or as suggested above, try an ipod with familiar, calming music or books. Lots of word games, pen and paper games, we loved wikki-stix too. Clay (a small ball) can be great for games or just mushing around. Good luck!