Believe it or not..the time your flight departs LAX can make a lot of difference in what to take.This is a regular flight for me as I live in Sydney and my husband lives in USA. I find the later the flight goes the better.

If you do have a late departing flight keep your son awake as long as you can and he should sleep most of the flight...with any luck I think the latest goes around midnight.

If he has a gameboy etc..take that, plus extra games and batteries as mentioned before. Activity style books are also handy for kids. Most airlines hand out kits to children with several things to do in them. A pack of playing cards is also handy.

I usually take a book, my PDA, a bottle of Nutrimetics green tea mist to spray my face etc. and a crossword book. I also take a couple of Benadryl tablets just before I get on the plane. I usually stay awake long enough for the first meal..then it's good night Phoebe. Next thing I know we are about an hour from landing in Sydney.

Good luck and have a great time in Sydney

Phoebe