13 Ways to Survive Long Flights with Kids by Your Side

Flying with kids is fun especially if you bring the whole family along, but such bonding moments should not be spoiled when tantrums come along. Instead of pure relaxation in your travel, you could be heading for some headaches. Remember that your children do not associate economy airlines with baggage restrictions and commuting for business. They are simply excited to fly high up in the sky. It’s time to play pilot or plainly be dramatic and creative by entertaining children on long haul flights.

Helpful Tips

• First and foremost, you should understand the regulations and charges for each airline for they differ from one another. Some are free while others charge.

• Try pointing to them what they could see from above –from small houses, the greeneries, the sea, the clouds and the setting sun. This can help as you alleviate boredom.Don’t feel desperate, for possibilities are endless considering some toddler long haul flight tips.

• Place a pull-up underneath their underwear. Avoid the extra laundry while you still give kids the comfort of staying dry. It is easier to deal with small messes while you are headed for your destination.

• Place a car seat strategically for your kid to enjoy the outdoor sight. It is an early source of entertainment after all. Book ahead the window-side seat.

• Keep the terrors from the perils of boredom. Bring along cards or some fun activity book with crayons and pens, of course. If you forgot these, check out the airport shops. You may want to ask your kids to count how many people are on-board the plane and write notes for them. Keep them busy because a bored child is a pain in the rear.

• A security pillow or stuffed toy can help your kids to sleep, so try to bring them along so you do not need to further spend on stuff like these. A soft cuddly stuffed toy is a good companion for long flights with children.

• Wrap some favorite toys as gifts, a travel surprise! The thrill of unwrapping gifts creates excitement for the kids. Behaved kids will get double. These can also be emergency toys to engage their attention. Be sure to know what to wrap, at least some favorite things. You can shop ahead before the flight.

• Pack some favorite snacks with interesting shapes and colors and ask them what those are. They can name a piece, one bite after another. Do not put snacks in their backpacks or they will take charge of snack time. Take along your own big carry-bag with all the stuff, milk and goodies you need for long flights with children.

• Always bring DVD movies and TV shows your kids will watch to stay pretty occupied. Make sure to have an adult in between two kids who can take control of the DVD player. Avoid power struggles among your kids that might upset them and go boxing all the way.

• Do ahead with your packing. For clothing, roll up items of clothing and stuff them inside of each other (rolled up underwear inside sweater sleeves or pant legs). For toiletries, put these in a small, waterproof bag that can fit into small spaces. For blankets/duvets/pillows: roll up blankets and duvets then put them in garbage bags. Pillows can go alongside them. Put any other items in a small/large rucksack to keep them safe.Dress them up in layers and let the kids feel comfy especially in cold sleepy night flights. If they feel warm you can always remove a layer from another layer.

• Although you restrict screen time at home using their iPad or tablet, this is a better time for entertaining children on long haul flights. Load the tablets of kid’s games, cartoons and nursery rhymes in animation. It’s a knockout for all you know!  Get them addicted to it (at least, just on flights) and you can take that precious rest or savor the in-flight meal.

• The worst fear is when they get ill on board. Have your first aid kit ready, some medications for nausea, upset tummies, fever, colds and cough and even lozenges, ear drops or ear plugs for altitude change including disposable diapers, wet one's strips, wash proof plaster and even safety pins. They can be requested on board but kids can hardly wait.

• While pouring all your efforts into project managing your off springs on board, in-transit behavior, don’t forget to look after your own comfort and well-being. Take utmost care and the rest will take care of itself. If you are in good form, you can cope with the inevitable tests thrown at you by your errant charges. So devote yourself plenty of time to get to the airport, consider toddler long haul flight tips, and be aware of how to avoid common mistakes that might ruin your holiday before you’ve even taken off.

Also Read: How to Prevent Your Child’s Ears from Popping when on a Plane