What to take on the plane?

[Melody]

So far the only things I could think of besides a snack and maybe a book was a mini etch-a-sketch and a walkman to listen to. Any ideas? I would rather not have a bunch of little pieces that could roll under some's seat or be to cramped to play anything. I haven't been on a plane since I was 7 yrs so I don't know how much room there is.
Also, I was thinking about getting them each their own suitcase with the characters on them instead of using one big one with both of their clothes in it. I plan to let them each take a backpack with a snack and walkman, etc on with them but I don't want my hands to be too full to hold onto them in the airport. My parents are picking us up so it won't be too bad.
Are there trays on the plane if they wanted to color? Any advice on what to bring would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Ryleigh]

my dk's took along, a couple books, crayons and coloring/activity book. walkman and a couple different cassettes, a mini photoalbum with photos of friends and family( they love to look a photos and discuss the people in them, memories of the occasion etc). A deck of playing cards.and a snack. On the plane they were each given an activity pack with an activity book, 4 colored pencils, stickers, and a badge to wear. They also had both adult and childrens magazines that you could look at.

[jwmcdaniel]

Don't forget to take something for them to chew (like gum...) or to sip on while taking off so their ears will pop. Maybe you can tuck a small juice box or sippy cup of some kind in the backpack. (I don't know how old your kid's are, so the sippy cup may be too young for them...)

They do still have trays, so they will able to color or do workbooks of some sort.

Maybe a little container of play dough or clay would work, the tray makes a great surface to play on.

[jwmcdaniel]

OOoohhh, one more thought, how about books on tape? If you're taking a walkman anyway, they can read along with the book. :read:
At our library, you can check them out - it's a blessing on a car trip! :D

[KarlaB]

How old are your kids? I got lots of ideas here before we went to Florida. I can try to go back and find those posts if you want more. :) I think it was pretty much everything people have mentioned here.

Ryleigh - You are lucky the airlines gave your dks activity books. We got nothing special for kids when we flew except the little pilot's wings.

[KarlaB]

Not sure how old your dks are, but I found the old thread...hopefully some of the ideas will work :)

http://206.50.232.148/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=394

[Melody]

The boys are 5 and 6 so your suggestions are perfect. Thanks so much everyone.
Karla, the link was a big help, so Thank you.
:)

[MaryL]

Stickers, "how to draw" type books (Draw-a-Doodle) and small notepads, a new action figure will probably keep their attention for a while, a sucker (lollipop) for take off and landing (something fun like "ring pops"), get them involved in easy games like tic tac toe, or I Spy. How about some of those "Brain Quest" cards? My boys are 5 and 7...and these are some of the "tricks" we've used. Of course, there is always the airplane telephone...which tends to keep our youngest occupied for some time. LOL

[kacee]

My dd had more frequent flier miles than me!! We have flown too much. I always bring a ring pop and gum. I have found that it is best to bring toys that can get lost or that I don't really care about losing. The ideas here are great. BE WARE of cabin pressure on your juice cups. We had a spill will ours. I found that if I opened the lid a little on take off- It helped.