Any experience with lap trays on car seats?

[kandb]

We are traveling down to Orlando with our almost 5 year old twins. They will be in booster seats with the high back. Does anyone know if there is any way to add a try onto the booster so they could color, play with play doh etc.? I have plastic trays we bought from Michaels they use for eating while sitting on the couch and I was wondering if dh drills a hole on each side and using elastic cord, if he could somehow get the trays to stay on? Anyone have any ideas? Thanks, Linda

 

[NotUrsula]

Elastic won't do it, but velcro might, if it will stick to the upholstery. You would need three straps of the snaggle surface on each side of the tray to stabilize it fairly well. Make them each at least a foot long so that they will reach to the back and bottom edges of the carseat.

 

[encinc]

Booster seats (without a harness) are not FAA approved and therefore cannot be used on the airplane. Booster seats are designed to position a shoulder belt correctly. Since planes don't have shoulder belts, boosters won't provide any additional safety for your boys, and the flight attendants will tell you that you have to gate check them if you try to bring them on board.

 

[HLBLan]

Booster seats (without a harness) are not FAA approved and therefore cannot be used on the airplane. Booster seats are designed to position a shoulder belt correctly. Since planes don't have shoulder belts, boosters won't provide any additional safety for your boys, and the flight attendants will tell you that you have to gate check them if you try to bring them on board.

I think they're driving!

 

[encinc]

I think they're driving!

Oops! Sorry that wasn't clear to me.

I'd strongly recommend against any sort of a tray while traveling in a car/van. Carseat manufacturers are clear that no aftermarket products are to be added to the seats. Safety testing is done without those products so if you add anything to the seats, you'd essentially be using your child as a crash test dummy. Not a risk I'd be willing to take.

Good luck driving with youngsters! Some of my hubby's fondest memories are of road trips with his family.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Booster seats (without a harness) are not FAA approved and therefore cannot be used on the airplane. Booster seats are designed to position a shoulder belt correctly. Since planes don't have shoulder belts, boosters won't provide any additional safety for your boys, and the flight attendants will tell you that you have to gate check them if you try to bring them on board.

She is driving

 

[LisaNJ25]

Here is a picture of one that one step ahead makes so you can get an idea of what they use.

My kids used a lap one that had a bean bag pillow under it. Since it wasn't strapped on they did drop it alot.

 

[kaytieeldr]

How safe or unsafe would it be to get a couple of those tables that the base slides under a chair or sofa, and the table tilts to a number of angles - and somehow (duct tape?) fasten the base SECURELY to the vehicle floor? I have NO idea if this would work, and of course if it would pose ANY danger to the passengers forget I even said anything - but that photograph gave me the idea (and assuming the OP isn't going to go out and buy two of those carseats)?

 

[tjmw2727]

snip- -and assuming the OP isn't going to go out and buy two of those carseats)?

The trays are sold separately

I never liked the idea of having something on the carseat so we used the trays that attach to back of the seat in front and fold down like an airplane tray. They are a soft cardboard covered by material. Not quite as sturdy as the real tray but my kids loved them.

Like this:
http://www.greatbabyproducts.com/Car_Back_Seat_Tray_and_Organizer_p/auto-142403.htm

You can usually find them in the auto section at Target or Wallmart.
My kids had them in Hello Kitty and Scooby Doo

TJ