Surprise bag ideas. Help

[c1aire.griffin]

Hi well I can't quite believe it but we have managed to keep our up and coming trip a surprise from the children!!! We are now 32 days out and I am trying to figure out how to break it to them that we are going.
So far we have decided that we will tell them the morning that we fly, leaving from Manchester UK. I want to present my 4 and 6 year old with a back pack each but I am struggling what to fill it with. So far I have a scrap book each. Some boiled sweets for the airplane. Perhaps some dollars (not sure they will understand that).

Any other ideas would be much appreciated.

Tia

 

[Weather_Lady]

Here's some ideas, based on what we put in our kids' backpacks on their first WDW trip (also at ages 4 and 6, coincidentally!):
1 - An activity/sticker book for each child (Disney-themed - we loved this one - http://www.amazon.com/Disney-Small-World-Sticker-Activity/dp/1423157486), and a blank notebook to use as their own personal travel journal, along with washable markers or colored pencils in a zippered pencil bag
2 - An autograph book and Sharpie (for meeting characters)
3 - New sunglasses (each with a string-style "retainer" so they could hang around the neck)
4 - New chapstick (could be Disney-themed)
5 - A snack pack with apple slices, Twizzlers, granola bars and chewing gum
6 - A child-size neck pillow for the plane
7 - Disney postcards (already addressed) and stamps to write home to friends/relatives
8 - A favorite "comfort item" (stuffed animal or blanket - whatever you know they won't want to be without while traveling)
9 - A deck of cards, or card game (e.g., Uno)
10 - If the plane has an entertainment system, ear buds or headphones
11 - If you're flying at night, ear plugs, eye mask and/or blanket, as appropriate
12 - If refreshments won't be available in-flight, water bottles with built-in filters (fill them after going through security at the airport, but before boarding the plane)

In your case, if the trip is a surprise and they've not been before, I'd also suggest a Kids' Guide to WDW and/or some park maps, so the children can learn about the attractions and park layouts before they get there.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Lightning McQueen]

Don't worry about filling it as you can be sure it will be full on the way home! - Enjoy your trip

 

[Christine in NJ]

Temporary Tattoos (do they have them in the UK?) and you could make matching t-shirts for them to wear that say something like "My first Disney Trip". Little cards and crayons so they can write special notes to the characters they want to meet - I read an account from a former princess how much she treasured a set of cards with a flower drawn in them that she had received from a little girl. Similarly, you can have them decorate envelopes for the room fairies that clean the room while you're away at the park (then you put the tip in them to leave each day).

 

[rt06]

I wouldn't tell them anything until they got to the DME. They have a poor concept of time and distance anyway. It could be a llooonnnggg flight to Disney or a long flight to whatever, but one option, I would assume, leads to less sleep and more restlessness. Tell them you're going to some UK territory in the Caribbean.

 

[DVCPluto]

As a surprise reveal, we did a scavenger hunt that led to a new travel, Disney back pack for my son, when he was 3 - link is in my sig. I included a new book, DVD (you could download a new movie on whatever device you have?), snacks, and a favorite snugly friend.

He had so much fun doing the scavenger hunt and playing with mommy and daddy, that he did not want to go... He asked if he could go the next day. Sigh. However, at 6, he's now as addicted to Disney as his mom!

My point is that as much as we plan, it's never perfect, so I'm sure whatever you pack or however you surprise them will be awesome and work out well. I love all the ideas posted - especially waiting until you're at MDE. How cool would that be???

Have a wonderful trip - let us know what you do!

 

[gooftroop5]

Here's some ideas, based on what we put in our kids' backpacks on their first WDW trip (also at ages 4 and 6, coincidentally!):
1 - An activity/sticker book for each child (Disney-themed - we loved this one - http://www.amazon.com/Disney-Small-World-Sticker-Activity/dp/1423157486), and a blank notebook to use as their own personal travel journal, along with washable markers or colored pencils in a zippered pencil bag
2 - An autograph book and Sharpie (for meeting characters)
3 - New sunglasses (each with a string-style "retainer" so they could hang around the neck)
4 - New chapstick (could be Disney-themed)
5 - A snack pack with apple slices, Twizzlers, granola bars and chewing gum
6 - A child-size neck pillow for the plane
7 - Disney postcards (already addressed) and stamps to write home to friends/relatives
8 - A favorite "comfort item" (stuffed animal or blanket - whatever you know they won't want to be without while traveling)
9 - A deck of cards, or card game (e.g., Uno)
10 - If the plane has an entertainment system, ear buds or headphones
11 - If you're flying at night, ear plugs, eye mask and/or blanket, as appropriate
12 - If refreshments won't be available in-flight, water bottles with built-in filters (fill them after going through security at the airport, but before boarding the plane)

In your case, if the trip is a surprise and they've not been before, I'd also suggest a Kids' Guide to WDW and/or some park maps, so the children can learn about the attractions and park layouts before they get there.

Have a wonderful trip!

What a GREAT list!

We always do a "travel package" when we go to WDW even if it isn't a surprise. I've done some of things above plus activities to do while traveling like coloring, a Disney movie, a new swimsuit or goggles, a new book, new pajamas......everything is Disney themed of course!! Plus you don't HAVE to tell them you are going to WDW just because you are giving them Disney themed items.