I just wanted to start a discussion on TV and travel. We're going on a plane flight in a month (I'm really excited!), with an hour+ drive on the other end, then staying in a hotel for several nights, and it occurs to me there's going to be TV in all these places. Plus I actually thought about bringing a DVD player for a little while, just because travel with a 1.5yo sounds daunting.

So I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or suggestions for how to deal with the travel, and with having the TV in the room while we're there, with a little one who absolutely loves electronics and things with buttons! (Hey, how come we can easily find smoke-free establishments these days, but TV-free ones are so rare? Ever seen a hotel with a TV-free suite? )

Have you considered board (or regular) books, stuff for drawing (paper, crayons), or (obvious answer) toys?

I have no ideal how to entertain a 1.5 yr. old because mine is only 8 months so far.

Let us know how it goes.

TV-free suite sounds great. Perhaps they could offer more interesting things in its place. Books would be nice, but they probably wouldn't do that because people would steal 'em. If that's the case then they could just offer this book.

It's annoying being out in the real world where there are TVs EVERYWHERE! Airports, on airplanes, etc. However, I've found that since my lil dude isn't used to the idea of sitting and watching TV that when he does encounter them it might catch his attention for a moment (especially if there's something in particular for him to comment on like Car! Motorcycle! Truck! etc) but by and large he totally ignores it and carries on in his 2-year-old way.

For the hotel room option, I would just unplug it. Your lil one can press buttons all s/he wants. I had to do this recently with the microwave in our hotel room - ugh. Right at kid level!

For plane or other travel, go the night before and buy some toys that you give them en route - they'll be brand new to them and keep them more occupied than the stuff they've seen before. Magnadoodles are good because they're not messy and are relatively small. Also those special crayola markers that only work on the particular kind of paper are good for travel. It's hard but you get through it.

Good luck!

lonelyhandychap wrote:

QUOTE:
Have you considered board (or regular) books, stuff for drawing (paper, crayons), or (obvious answer) toys?

I have no ideal how to entertain a 1.5 yr. old because mine is only 8 months so far. ;)

Let us know how it goes.

TV-free suite sounds great. Perhaps they could offer more interesting things in its place. Books would be nice, but they probably wouldn't do that because people would steal 'em. If that's the case then they could just offer this book. :P

Hah! Love the book suggestion. I think we're going to pick up a magnadoodle, as well as crayons and paper, some new board books, and I'm still looking for non-electronic, non-noisy, non-messy, small toys that can be used in a small space. I can't believe the trip is coming up so soon! Eep! I'll definitely be letting you know how it goes; I think it may be fodder for an article.

Keeta wrote:

QUOTE:
For the hotel room option, I would just unplug it. Your lil one can press buttons all s/he wants. I had to do this recently with the microwave in our hotel room - ugh. Right at kid level!

Smart! I probably wouldn't have thought of that.

Welcome to TVFreeLiving, Keeta! So glad you're here!

Arwyn, have you considered Silly Putty? I've heard that can entertain for hours

Well, we survived! It actually wasn't quite as bad in the TV department as I was afraid it would be -- traveling on the cheap airlines helps with that. And the hotel was nice enough the TV was in a closed bureau. There were moments I almost relented in the noisy toys department, especially when I saw how much fun the child behind us was having with her Leapfrog. But, it only lasted for 10 minutes each flight, and I'm not sure twenty minutes total would have been worth $50 and compromising my values. Then again, maybe it would have been...

Thanks for the update, Arwyn. I'm glad everything went well.