Leader of the kids' pack

Sunday Mirror, Jul 13, 2003

ABOUT to jet off on the annual family holiday? It's easy to keep the children occupied once you reach the resort but what about the dreaded flight?

Most airlines give out free kids' packs which can help to stop fidgeting youngsters causing havoc in the confines of a plane.

With the help of our five-year-old tester James, we've put the kids' packs from 10 airlines through their paces to see how keep youngsters occupied and entertained during the flight.

TRICIA PHILLIPS gives bucket and spade marks out of five to the airlines who take the majority of British holidaymakers on their summer jaunts.

BRITANNIA

WHAT IS IT? Trendy, nylon drawstring backpack.

CONTENTS: Kid zone magazine filled with puzzles, games, quizzes and interviews. Also 6-in-1 magnetic game, puzzle ball and Smarties.

ANYTHING ELSE? Dedicated children's radio channel and kids TV - Simpsons and Pinkie.

FIRST IMPRESSION: Cool bag, nice bright colour and it will be good for swimming afterwards.

FAVOURITE THING: 6-in-1 magnetic game, followed by the Smarties.

BOREDOM THRESHOLD: At least a European flight - games can be played over again, the magazine has lots to do and read and the puzzle ball takes an age.

THOMAS COOK

WHAT IS IT? Fun-in-the-Sun Lucky Bag

CONTENTS: Micro comic featuring MC Jay character, jokes, cartoon strips, colouring and puzzles. Puzzle card, stickers, colouring pencils, spinning top and Godzilla finger puppet.

ANYTHING ELSE? Inflight magazine has dedicated kids section, kids radio channel and films suitable for families.

FIRST IMPRESSION: Bright and shiny but it tears when you try to open it.

FAVOURITE THING: Godzilla finger puppet - good to prod people with, closely followed by the stickers to put on the nearest solid object.

BOREDOM THRESHOLD: Maximum one hour - with the aid of a perservering parent.

EXCEL

WHAT IS IT? Drawstring backpack - good size for younger kids

CONTENTS: Mini-drawing book, colouring pencils, felt-tips, postcards, little star soft toy and blow-up frizbee.

ANYTHING ELSE? Audio channel and video entertainment geared especially for kids.

FIRST IMPRESSION: Intrigued by the soft toy - what is it?

FAVOURITE THING: Blow-up frizbee - started throwing it around the room and causing all kinds of mayhem.

BOREDOM THRESHOLD: Around 45 minutes, including writing out postcards.

MYTRAVEL

WHAT IS IT? Cardboard travel compendium.

CONTENTS: Felt-tip pens, puzzles, wordsearch, postcards, holiday details sheet with place for penpals' addresses, chewy sweet.

ANYTHING ELSE? For pounds 4.99 you can buy a brilliant Activity Case filled with colouring sheets, activity sheets, stencils, felt- tips, postcards, notelets and envelopes and lots more.

FIRST IMPRESSION: Not very excited but got going on a puzzle straight away.

FAVOURITE THING: Chewy sweet and the postcards.

BOREDOM THRESHOLD: Thirty minutes - not much more.

AIR 2000

WHAT IS IT? Kids Stuff plastic document wallet (with cord to carry it).

CONTENTS: Fun on-board magazine packed with puzzles, games, word search and mind-benders. Also colouring pencils, mini-puzzle and keyring

ANYTHING ELSE? Audio channel with pop music and family movies and cartoons. On Florida flights they show Disney movies.

FIRST IMPRESSION: Good bright colour and liked the picture of plane.

FAVOURITE THING: Got stuck straight into the magazine.

BOREDOM THRESHOLD: About 11/2 hours - the magazine is crammed with stuff and the mini-puzzle takes forever.

MONARCH

WHAT IS IT? Plastic drawstring bag

CONTENTS: Kids Stuff pack with lots of sheets of puzzles, games, wordsearch, colouring and a dice. Also colouring pencils, pen and mini-puzzle.

ANYTHING ELSE? Kids Stuff radio station, kids programmes such as cartoons (Tom and Jerry, etc) mixed in with general family entertainment. In the premium cabin there's individual seat-back entertainment with a dedicated kids channel.

FIRST IMPRESSION: Liked the see-through bag - James said it would be good to keep his soldiers in.

FAVOURITE THING: The mini-puzzle.

BOREDOM THRESHOLD: A good hour - there's a nice selection of puzzles, etc.

BRITISH AIRWAYS

WHAT IS IT? Drawstring back pack.

CONTENTS: Lift Off magazine, which is packed with cartoons, games, puzzles and brain-teasers. Magnetic snakes & ladders and ludo, magnetic dominoes, playing cards and pen.

ANYTHING ELSE? The Juice radio channel for kids, Cartoon network channel and family-friendly films like Harry Potter.

FIRST IMPRESSION: Liked the Mickey Mouse branding and the packaging of all the products.

FAVOURITE THING: Magnetic snakes & ladders.

BOREDOM THRESHOLD: At least a European flight - the magazine is packed with stuff and the games can be played over and over again.

QANTAS

WHAT IS IT? Wallace & Gromit bum bag.

CONTENTS: Jetting Across the World booklet with colouring, puzzles and spot-the-difference. Also colouring pencils, pencil sharpener, mini puzzle and snap playing cards.