Traveling by plane with kids can be an adventure in itself. There are so many moving pieces, so many new things, and usually you have your hands full. Short trips aren’t too bad, but if you have a long haul flight, whew that’s a lot of entertaining! Here are my best tips to get through a flight with young kids.
Booking the Trip
Schedule your flight around sleep
I find for long haul flights, the best time to schedule is at night so that they will sleep most of the way. If you’re going on a shorter trip, schedule your flight for nap time. Scheduling around their sleep times makes the whole process so much easier on you, and helps them to avoid meltdowns when you get to your destination.
Pack a spare outfit
I think everyone probably knows to back an extra outfit for a baby, but you should pack a spare outfit for everyone. The baby might throw up, have a blowout or something else that will really leave you stuck if you don’t have a spare.
Bring a sweatshirt
No matter the weather, bring a sweatshirt. The temperature on airplanes is always changing, and often times gets cold. Even if you don’t get cold, the sweatshirt can be a great pillow if you ball it up.
Pick your seat
I do not pick my seat if it costs extra, but if you want to ensure that you are sitting with your kids, you may want to do this. Airlines don’t always keep families together. If you decide to do it, I would recommend making sure that your child does not have an aisle seat (to avoid getting bumped by a cart) and if they like white noise, pick one that is close to the engines.
In the Airport
To Check or not to check
If I am traveling with a car seat I always check it. I’ve never had any issues with damage, and it SUCKS lugging a car seat through the airport. Strollers on the other hand, (if I’m bringing one) I always wait to gate check because they are useful to me walking through the airport.
As for luggage, it depends on the airline and their baggage policies. If they don’t charge for carry-on bags, we will bring carry-ons for each person and check no luggage. However, more and more airlines are starting to charge even for carry-ons. If that is the case, it is cheaper to buy one large suitcase and check it than it is to pay for multiple carry on bags. If you have young kids that will need to be carried, buying one large check in suitcase can actually be easier because of the hands free situation.
Prepare them
When you get close to security, tell your kids what is going to happen. The big machinery can be scary, so give them a heads up to make them feel a bit more comfortable. If they happen to be holding a stuffed animal or something, they will be required to put it through the machine so warn them that it will have to go through there, but that they will get it back when it comes out on the other side. Unfortunately, I learned this one the hard way.
Look for the playground
A lot of airports have playgrounds or kids zones that are great places to help your kiddo get their energy out before the fight.
Go to the bathroom before boarding the plane
The airplane bathrooms are gross, and if it is possible to avoid bringing my kids in there I will. Go to the bathroom before getting on the plane to try to avoid the germs.
Board Last
Wait as long as you can to board the plane so that you don’t have to wait on a crowded enclosed plane. Let them run around the terminal and get their energy out as long as you can.
On the Airplane
Don’t rush to entertain
Kids will be fascinated by all the new things when the first get on the plane. Milk this for as long as you can. Wipe things down and let them go to town fiddling with the tray table, safety inserts, seatbelts etc.. You will be entertaining A LOT on the flight, so take some time while you can.
Protect their ears
As the plane quickly changes altitude at takeoff and landing, we have the luxury of chewing gum or just popping our ears. This doesn’t come naturally to babies and young kids, so it can be a very painful experience for them.
For babies who still nurse or take a bottle, this is a pretty easy fix, just nurse them or feed them as you take off and when you land. This will naturally pop their ears. You can also try a pacifier if they aren’t hungry and don’t want a top off. If you have a toddler or child a little bit older, you can try giving them a snack, telling them to swallow, or letting them chew some gum.
Know where the changing tables are
Typically changing tables are only found in the bathrooms on the back of the plane. You can ask your flight attendant to make sure, but be aware.
Entertain is the name of the game
The best way to get through the flight with the least amount of stress is to go into it with the mindset that you are going to have to entertain them for the whole time, and you will have no time to yourself. You may get lucky with a couple breaks if you can get them to nap or play by themselves, but most of the time they are going want your attention.
So, make sure you come with enough to keep them entertained, without overpacking. I usually let them pick 5 small open ended, no noise making toys (like play dough, a hotwheel, a miniature figurine, pipe cleaners and stickers), 2 small books, and a small notepad with a few markers/crayons. Then I will pack them a few new toys from the dollar store and sometimes I’ll wrap them as a travel gift. One thing I get if I can find them is gel window clings. Since they know they have the toys they picked they can play with those whenever, but I save the things I got them for a time when they are starting to melt down, and I only introduce one new item at a time.
The other thing I pack them is a kindle/ipad and headphones. Before we go I load it up with games, movies, books and music that can be accessed offline. Traveling is the one time where I don’t care so much about screen time. It can be a lifesaver.
Use the Ziplock
I am a fan of the Ziplock bag for many different reasons, but on a plane you can use it to hold the smart device for your child. You just stick it between the tray table in front of them and let them watch.
Protect their nose
Planes are extremely drying, so if your little one has a runny nose, wiping with Boogie Wipes helps to not rub their little noses raw.
In addition to these tips, I have loads of other general travel tips for kids in this post. Good luck on traveling with your little one! Have a great time!