Help! Long Flight & No Toys Allowed!

[Shellha]

We are flying to Australia from the UK with my 14wk old DS next week to visit my family and friends for the first time. I have been dreading teh flight but what with the new 'restrictions' on what can't be taken on board I am now even more stressed out at the thought of it.

24 hours without toys (or clean clothes, homeopathic medicines etc) is going to be incredibly hard not only for DS and us, but the other passengers!!!

Has anyone got any cool ideas of 'toys' that can be made from bits and pieces? I am fairly sure we can buy books and magazines once thru the intial security checks (as we aren't flying via USA) but books don't hold his interest at all! He loves his playmat, and even though we couldn't take that I was going to try and make something similar on the skycot from his toys.

Any suggestions greatfully accepted as I am at a loss of what to do with a very active, alert and spirited 14 wk old!!

[Mum to Ella Rose]

wow. I feel for you! The timing is awful isn't it. (though obviously understandable) I'm not totally familiar with what the restrictions are exactly but a couple of things that pop to mind... tissue paper in different colours? crinkly and bright too. Toilet paper roll, Ripping the bits of magazine and looking at the shiny pictures might work for a bit too. Can you take or buy a marker? Even a black one and then buy little cards to draw shapes on... hmmm... don't know if any of this is feasible... I will keep thinking though!

[mumto5cuddlebugs]

I don't know if you will be allowed but empty crisp packets (the shiny ones) make a good noise and are bright. (Need to watch when thoroughly chewed though as do begin to fall apart)
Good luck on your flight,
Kirsty

[evelyn]

are you allowed to bring a makeup compact?  mirrors are usually a good bet. Keys is another, but mostly i think at that age is his mums face!!!  

[Shdef]

No clean clothes allowed That is just ridiculous. We flew just the day before the whole thing happened...

I feel for you

We fly all the time but never that long...

Please tell us how it was

[*Nicola*]

Don't know how accurate this is... but bbc news reported that you CAN take things on board but it has to be things you buy airside ie; in departures.  these things have all been screened previously.  So if this is true you could get toys/colouring stuff then.  However, not sure if this is right as it is definately contradictory to what has been reported. 

x

[*Nicola*]

New airport rules:  No liquid but hand luggage allowed.  50% less allowed to be carried on, but that is enough space for some baby toys 

[Erin M]

Keep checking back with the airline - they seem to be changing the regulations every day.  I would talk to the folks at the ticket counter and gate too and see what they can do to help you -- after all, it's in everyone's best interests to you have your LO entertained during the flight.

[Catharine]

Can you make up a photo album full of family and friends' faces? Close up shots if possible.

My dd loved to look at photos especially her dad and people she recognises or will be meeting.

[Harvey and Theos Mam]

You can now take hand luggage on but still no liquids other than baby milk.

I think the hand luggage is a smaller size too, like the size of alaptop or a small rucksack. Thats what it said on the news this evening.

[Shellha]

Thanks everyone, great ideas!

Have been keeping abreast of all the new restrictions - for those of you wanting to know yourselves, the hand luggage allowed is 45cm(L) x 35cm (w) x 16cm (D). Just had a look at our laptop bag and it is almost exactly that size. The dimensions include all pockets/handles etc.

The most up-to-date info is on the BBC website.

Also worth noting is that Poland, France and Italy have also brought in restrictions.

Happy travelling 

[Fife_Mum]

I hope your flight goes well... I think my changing bag might be bigger than those dimensions but something is better than nothing. I wonder what difference the smaller size makes to security or if it is just quicker to search?

I'm so glad we'll be allowed books, toys and clothes on our flight, but of course DH will probably insist on taking the 2 laptops as hand luggage, plus his camera, iPod etc, and the dozens of undeveloped films he has, so there might not be much room left 

Vicky