We are just starting to prepare to go on holiday in a couple of weeks, so the lovely people at Learning Resources have sent us the Pretend & Play Airport Set to review. It's a great way for Ethan to learn how an airport works to get him ready for our trip as part of his Knowledge and Understanding of the World. He has been on a few trips before, but now that he's older I feel like he will understand a lot better. He also loves pointing out aeroplanes in the sky now, so I think he'll be very excited to be flying in one himself. I also wanted to go through the process of what it will be like for us on the day, as it can be quite hectic, this is good for his Personal, Social and Emotional Development as it will help him to be prepared for what's happening.
The first thing that I did was to let Ethan explore the airport on his own. He absolutely loved driving the cars up and down the ramp. He also loves the little people that came with the set (he said people for the first time, as if it's two words pee-pole!) Putting the people in and out of the cars and the aeroplane, and of course flying the plane around.
Then we started our journey, (I've used some toys that we already had and added some extra bits for our play, please have a look on the Learning Resources website to see exactly what comes with the set if you plan on ordering one). We used little people to represent Mommy, Daddy and Ethan, added some luggage and put them in a taxi to the airport.
Mommy, Daddy and Ethan then went through the check in and security process (there is no security section in the set, so we used a little box to put our suitcase through the 'x-ray' machine). Then they boarded the plane through the tunnel and set off on their journey. I used our picnic mat as the airport base (the back of it is shiny black) and made a runway using masking tape for the plane to take off.
* This has been a review post, Learning Resources sent me the Pretend & Play Airport set so that we could play with it and write a review for them. To see more about my review process please click here. *
90 comments
This looks great. Ideal for little ones about to jet off!! When we travel anywhere with Little Man we make sure he has plenty snacks and a bag of small toys and crayons.
ReplyDeleteFor long haul flights try to take a night flight, babies and toddlers are more likely to sleep and they can actually find the aircraft engine hum soothing! Mine do anyway!
ReplyDeletefab prize
ReplyDeleteWhen we travel (with four children under 11) we make sure we have lots to keep them busy. pens and paper are always a winner as its good for alsorts of games and just drawing too
ReplyDeleteWhen we travel we make sure that we let our eldest pick toys to put in his rucksack that way we know he has toys he wants to play with.
ReplyDeleteBreak up car journeys with frequent stops with nice little play areas
ReplyDeleteAlways have activity packs made for long journeys and a range of easy games to play.
ReplyDeleteLooks brilliant my little boy Tom would love it.
ReplyDeleteI'M GOING TO TRY CAR BINGO THIS HOLIDAY :)
ReplyDeletetake lots of things to amuse a little one and play games
ReplyDeleteA portable potty is essential in case of emergencies and plenty of drinks and snacks.
ReplyDeletetake lots of things to do like colouring and snacks
ReplyDeletePrepare for every eventuality.....
ReplyDeleteTake lots of quiet toys if you are going on a plane, so as not to annoy other passengers with electronic toys. Colouring books are a big hit with our boys, and the I-Spy books.x
ReplyDeleteknow that you can never plan too early, plan every possible scenario and especially for the most popular boredom with games and activities
ReplyDeleteLet the children pack their own "Things to do" bag.
ReplyDeleteIf we are travelling by car, we leave extra early so it is cool in the car, no traffic and the kids just sleep so no bickering.
ReplyDeleteKeep little ones occupied. Take books, colouring pens, play games.
ReplyDeletePACK LIGHT!
ReplyDeletePens & playdough is a must for travelling. Along with a tray
ReplyDeleteTake small toys to swop round and keep interest and small pads and pencils for older ones.
ReplyDeletepack loads of toys and bring out a new toy every hour of the journey
ReplyDeletehave a game on the go -like Yellow car - everyone looks out for yellow cars - on seeing one you shout Yellow car, and if you're first, you get the point
ReplyDeleteMake sure you've got lots of toys, books or an ipad to keep them entertained!
ReplyDeletemake sure theyre tired before the travel so when the car starts moving they sleep through
ReplyDeleteHave lots of things to keep them entertained, and enough food and water to last the journey and of course factor in toilet breaks :)
ReplyDeleteDon't......Lol
ReplyDeletefrequent stops so they can have a break and stretch their legs. We plan them out so they're not in the car for too long at one go.
ReplyDeleteGive them their own little back pack full of things to entertain them. Plus a few snacks and treats.
ReplyDeleteTake little bag packed with activities such as colouring little toys etc to keep them buisy and some food and snacks and drinks to keep them hydrated. oh and make sure they go to the toilet before you set off lol ;) we have been lucky SO FAR and they have both fell asleep after 30 mins or so ...
ReplyDeleteBe prepared! Have lots of snacks and things to keep them occupied!
ReplyDelete@ashlallan
take a lot of magazines and sweets
ReplyDeletetravelling with kids always be prepared, take a mixture of stuff to keep them entertained so they dont get bored
ReplyDeleteKeep them occupied - books, travel games, crayons etc plus sweets!
ReplyDeletewe play eye spy and also the children have those eye spy books where they have to look for certain things and then tick them off
ReplyDeletepuzzle books, colouring book, crayons, snacks, plenty of juice/water, plan ahead!
ReplyDeleteBe prepared!
ReplyDeleteDepending on the age and concentration levels :-) electronic game pads ie leap frog or NDS' or "spot the yellow car" that used to take ages but now there are loads of yellow cars. I spy and who can keep quiet the longest gets a whopping big ice cream, of course in the end we all get one!
ReplyDeletePlenty of drinks to keep them hydrated and a few stops so that they can get out of the car for a while. Singing songs is good while they are small but travel games are always a winner with the older ones.
ReplyDeleteOn a long train ride we have a list.. we choose a number (usually 5) car makes, colours and Registrations.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandson has to tick them off as we see them on the road. It keeps him looking and ticking as we usually Ford, Vw, Vauxhall et..the commonest ones. He does it for a long time ! We even have a laugh when there's more than he can tick off quickly !
Meticulous planning and building the trip up as a big adventure!
ReplyDeleteLots and lots of fun activities - colouring in, travel games etc
ReplyDeleteMake sure they have their favourite toy with them!
ReplyDeletehave loads of car games written down such as i spy etc to keep them occupied
ReplyDeleteI make my daughter word searches and mazes and always make sure ive got a big drink of juice and a couple of snacks in my bag
ReplyDeleteTake pens and colour books
ReplyDeletecolouring books
ReplyDeleteDon't!
ReplyDeleteTake enough snacks and activities to do
ReplyDeleteHave things on stand by for them to play with, and have plenty of snacks and juice
ReplyDeleteTake a few new things to keep them occupied.
ReplyDeleteI take a new toy/book etc for each hour and introduce it to my little one, it keeps him happy and entertained
ReplyDeleteTake lots of little toys and snacks to keep them busy and entertained :)
ReplyDeleteSome new toys and books and favourite snacks
ReplyDeleteNew book/magazine, some toys, plenty of snacks/drinks and spare clothes :-)
ReplyDeletelots of toys sweets drinks etc anything 2 keep them amused! x
ReplyDeleteHave plenty of snacks and activities and also keep reiterating to them beforehand what is going to happen. i.e the taxi will collect us, drop the bags at the airport, sit in the lounge watching planes etc etc. My son likes to know the plan exactly!
ReplyDeletealways have plenty of pre planned activities and stops planned for them emergency wee breaks! And there's so many car games to play :-)
ReplyDeleteTake lots of snacks
ReplyDeleteTake some favourite toys and something new to keep them entertained
ReplyDeleteWhen we have a long trip we wrap a few little toys in layers of tissue paper - the kids love opening them and it makes the little things seem much more exciting. It keeps them amused for ages.
ReplyDeleteExplain where you are going and take age appropriate, trip appropriate games - such as I-spy books and colouring for car journies, small games such asd Happy Families or Old Maid for long plane journies and keep them happy, hydrated and occupied!
ReplyDeleteTake plenty of snacks an drinks and have some games like ispy ready
ReplyDeleteSome healthy refreshing snacks and activity book ;}
ReplyDeletestory cds
ReplyDeleteHave a small bottle of chamomile essential oil to put on tissues to aid sleep
ReplyDeleteSnacks, drinks, portable DVD player, a little parental effort!
ReplyDeleteTry and travel at night so they sleep.
ReplyDeleteHave their own backpack with little activities and a snack/drink.
ReplyDeleteTravel when they are sleeping
ReplyDeletepack plenty of treats/ drinks and activities to keep them entertained
ReplyDeletetake plenty of wet-wipes!
ReplyDeletePete
my best tip is to make it intresting , my youngest loves colour car bingo !
ReplyDeleteLots of snacks and activities.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to take sun cream with you in this weather
ReplyDeletetake plenty of activity's like coloring or a few new small toys i usually make my boys a small goody bag up and when they start getting bored i give them something new x
ReplyDeletetake ipad/portabledvd /tablet to keep them entertained and snacks
ReplyDeletePlenty of new fun things to do. Colouring, stickers and if they need a real treat - favourite TV programs on an iPad!
ReplyDeleteAlways carry baabywipes, drinks, snacks and dvd player is great x
ReplyDeletePlay word/counting games!
ReplyDeleteDrinks,snacks, colouring books and crayons and a favourite toy
ReplyDeletePauline Mason
We take a few books, Lots of snacks and play silly games
ReplyDeletelots of books, colouring books, black paper, pens and kids music cd's
ReplyDeletePlenty of snacks, drink and wet wipes. Leave time for stops just to break up the boredom. Singing and I spy games to keep the car happy and fun.
ReplyDeleteMake sure you have everything to hand, snack, drinks, wipes etc and be prepared for plenty of breaks if you're in the car! A dvd player is also good for car journeys
ReplyDeletePlenty of snacks, there's nothing worse than a bored child on any trip, that is unless they're hungry too!
ReplyDeletewe always take our portable dvd player
ReplyDeleteWhen we are going on a long journey I put together a travel pack for my boys, which include - a new toy/game, their favourite toy, books, snacks and drinks.
ReplyDeleteBring a Nintendo DS :-)
ReplyDeleteDon't let them eat in the car - always leads to car-sickness - yuck!
ReplyDelete