For some parents, whenever we think of the possibility of plane travel, we immediately think of the stress and chaos that comes along with being trapped on an airplane with children who don’t want to sit still or won’t stop whining.
The thing is, though, those brutal stereotypes that are often associated with children and plane travel do not have to come to fruition. Those intrusive thoughts that keep us from planning a great holiday with our kids are often worst-case scenarios, because all it takes is some strategic prep and planning to successfully take our kids on a long airplane ride.
Let’s dig into some crucial travel tips, including everything from snacks to must-try hacks, for taking kids on planes.
A lot of kids are anxious about a change in their routine, so let them know the plans for the trip before they even step on the plane.
About a week before your trip and airplane ride, it’s a good idea to just chat through the holiday plans with your child or children, because there can often be a lot of nerves that build up around being away from home and the unknown, and that can translate to them misbehaving on the plane.
You can discuss the airplane ride and what it’s going to be like and how long you’ll be flying for. You can explain to them what to expect and try to get them hyped up about having the opportunity to sit back and relax for a few hours with some snacks and a movie as they’re miraculously taken up in the air to your holiday destination.
Even if you spend just a few moments mapping out what your trip or holiday will look like, this can really help to put your child at ease and set them up for a successful plane ride.
Don’t overpack, and don’t underpack either. Ensure you’re strategic about what you put in your child’s carry-on bag for the plane ride.
Depending on how long your plane journey is going to be, your child’s backpack or small carry-on case may end up being your saving grace. Be sure to pack most of their daily clothing necessities in the checked bag so you can keep things that are vital for a smooth plane ride in their carry-on luggage.
Firstly, depending on their age, you’ll want to pack a change of clothes and maybe even pajamas and extra undergarments so that they can be comfortable, especially if they’re going to be sleeping through most of the flight. If you’re traveling with a toddler who’s still in diapers, don’t forget at least a few diapers and wipes.
Secondly, you’ll definitely want to pack things that your child enjoys that will help keep them occupied on longer flights — things such as sticker books, card games, and other creative items that will help get their mind off being stuck on an airplane for hours on end.
Your child’s carry-on bag is also the spot where you want to keep a comfort item for them, whether that be a blanket or stuffed animal, to help soothe and relax them.
Plus, you can also pack a few snacks and food items from home that you know your child will eat, so that you’re not spending a fortune on unhealthy items from the snack cart. Easy items such as crackers and cheese, fruit and veggie sticks, trail mix, and protein bars will help to keep their tummies feeling full, and they shouldn’t be too much of a mess, either.
Also, it doesn’t hurt to have some hand sanitizer and a package of some easy travel wipes on hand.
Do as much as you can online before you even enter the airport.
Of course, you’ll have to go through security with your kids once you get to the airport, but if you can check as many things off as possible beforehand, it will help make the transition from home to the plane to your destination fairly seamless.
First things first, stay on top of your flight times and any changes to the schedule that may pop up due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. When traveling with kids, you don’t really want to be heading to the airport at 6 in the morning if your flight time has been rescheduled until 10, so be sure to keep an eye on those flights every hour or so.
You can check in online for the flight the evening before and even pick out your seats for yourself and your kids. And depending on the age of your child, if they’re under 2 years old and it’s likely that they’ll spend the majority of the flight sitting on your lap or in your arms, you can divulge that information to the airline ahead of time to ensure you’ll be properly supported during your trip.
Some airlines also provide special discounts for children's tickets or even plane tours ahead of your trip, so be sure to check on that, because your kids may find themselves excited for their plane ride if they’re treated like extra-special guests.
Keep those electronic devices handy and loaded with their favorite programs.
One thing that really shouldn’t matter all too much during an airplane ride is keeping track of screen time with your children. Think of an airplane journey as a kind of free zone for kids, as you’re simply doing what you can to occupy their time and attention to get them to the other side.
Depending on how many kids you’re bringing with you, don’t forget to pack one or two child-size headphones in their carry-on bag. And a few days ahead of your trip, fully load up the tablet with a few solid hours of television shows and movies that they already love or ones that have been on their list to watch.
If you have a couple of young kids who may fight or argue over devices and what to watch, you may want to load up your phone with a few things to watch as well.
Plan ahead for any upsets and plane-ride-related health hiccups.
It almost never fails. You’re on a plane ride and things appear to be going smoothly with everyone, and then before you know it, you have three hours left to go and someone starts complaining of an upset stomach.
Before you start to get nervous about what’s to come, it’s best to plan ahead for moments like this and just pack a small case full of medication and health-related items that can help ease any painful moments for kids while flying.
It’s a great idea to pack some mint gum and lollipops to help with the dreaded ear popping. You might also find that mild pain medication can be helpful for anyone experiencing ear pain or even a headache from travel-related stress.
Children’s nausea medication and some ginger chews can really help when those feelings of motion sickness pop up. You might also want to keep a washcloth in your luggage so that you can get it wet with some cool water for anyone who finds that a nice cold compress against their forehead or the back of their neck helps soothe them during difficult moments.
