In Flight Entertainment

We just returned from my parents' house in the Chicago area yesterday, which was Samantha's first plane flight. I asked many friends for tips on airplane travel with a 17 month-old and went armed with books, a few new small toys, a water bottle to sip during altitude changes and lots of snacks -- great suggestions, all.

One of the most entertaining objects on the trip for our toddler was a FREE one you don't even have to bring with you; Sky Mall magazine, home of the Retro Hot Dog Ferris Wheel, the Deluxe Cushion Keeper, the Pet Ramp and Staircase and my favorite, the Bug Vacuum. Samantha loved pointing to all the photos of dogs, cats and people, and asked me to identify lots of odd objects, which was entertaining for both of us. I got to learn about Thermostone Rock Covers. Woo hoo!

The next activity was joyfully ripping out pages. After that, we crumpled up pages. The most fun of all was our new game, 'Bah', made up on the fly and the cause of many, many fits of giggles.

Here's how to play:
-The parent wads up a page of Sky Mall and hides it in their closed hand
-Toddler pries the adult's thumb away from the closed fist, then the next finger
-After a dramatic pause, the adult playfully says 'bah' and gently flings the wadded up Sky Mall page at the toddler's face or chest, depending on the child's preference. Samantha liked the face.
-Laughing ensues for everyone

Just a thought for your next plane flight. I'd love to hear about more tips for flying with a toddler, or more fun uses for Sky Mall for that matter.