Flying with little ones can be a nightmare. The crowds, cramped conditions, and length of travel are all hard on kids. No travel experience will ever be perfect, but if you want to make it as easy as possible on everyone involved, give some of these travel tips a try.
Be Patient with Emotions
Talk to your kids about what to expect. New experiences can be hard on young children. Discuss the airport, the flight, the waiting, the likelihood that their ears will pop/hurt, etc. Traveling is stressful, and exhausting for even the most experienced person. There will likely be meltdowns, tantrums, and all sorts of odd behavior from your children. Instead of chastising and scolding, try to be patient with them. They are attempting to get through the plethora of new experiences the best they can. Your job is to love, snuggle, and ride the emotional waves with them.
Bring Extra Clothes
Flying means being confined to a small space. An accident, blow-out, or spill may require you to ditch sodden clothing at some point. Prepare for this by packing extra clothing and supplies for yourself and your children in a carry on so they are easily accessible.
Keep them Busy
An easy way to get through a flight is to keep your kids busy. Head over to the Dollar Store and purchase a few toys for them to play with during the flight. The key is to provide your children with variety. Space out the toys in intervals to keep them preoccupied. You can even try wrapping them up like a present. The thought of getting a new “present” every hour will likely make them so happy they’ll focus more on that and less on the flight. Headphones for children, iPad movies/games, and coloring supplies are also great options to help keep your kids occupied. After you’ve sorted out entertainment, remember to bring snacks – lots and lots of snacks! Pack suckers or gum for your kids in case their ears start to pop. Also, you can try purchasing treats your kids don’t usually get. These preparations will help make the trip exciting and special while keeping your kids distracted.
Bring Car Seats
Bringing your child’s car seat on a flight is a game changer. They are already used to traveling in this seat. It will help keep them calm by adding something familiar to the journey. They are also used to sleeping in their car seats so snoozing on the plane will hopefully be easier for them to manage. Before you unstrap their car seats, check to make sure it’s airplane compatible. For a list of approved seats and other travel essentials for little ones, you can visit havebabywilltravel.com by clicking here.
Remove as much stress out of traveling as you possibly can. Take time to prepare yourself and your children for whatever comes your way. Be patient and understanding of your children and you may be surprised by how much easier flying becomes.
