Tips for toddler travel: lots of stuff to do. WAY more than you think they'll need. Headphones and a portable video device were a life saver when we traveled with Munchkin (3.5 hour flight to Jersey every year since she was 3). Color, read, play with dolls, look out the window, give them a disposable camera to play with, save a few things they've never seen (new coloring books, NEW crayons, Crayola Color Magic stuff, new story books, etc) for once you get in the air so you can capitalize on their curiosity with new things.
It was my experience keeping Munchkin up (trying to make them extra sleepy) backfired every time. Munchkin was so curious about the flight, even though she was exhausted, she would fight sleep. Then, she was a sleepy mess. I made sure she'd had extra sleep (just the opposite) so, even if she didn't sleep she wasn't tired and cranky. (one less thing to fight with) Oh, and snacks. LOTS of snacks.
WHEN they get tired of all your glorious efforts, walk them up and down the aisles periodically. They'll appreciate the movement.
ps. And if you are an adult NOT traveling with small children, try to remember when your kids were little and LIGHTEN UP. Little kids are GOING to be curious about their surroundings, a little fearful of all the strangers, restless about being pinned up and maybe even a little uncomfortable with the pressure changes. MOST parents go through a LOT of agony preparing to fly with small children and YOU behaving badly because all their carefully planned efforts have failed is NOT helping.
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