Five Tips for Fun Flights with Kids

I don’t usually write about traveling with kids, but I just got home from an international flight that had several children under the age of twelve on it. Some were good and some were not so good, as to be expected. Long flights can be tricky to enjoy even at the best of times, but throw young children into the mix and it can feel like a truly daunting challenge for all involved. This includes children, parents, flight attendants, and fellow passengers. The world’s longest flight, between Singapore and New York, takes almost 19 hours, but even if you are not traveling quite that far, you will still need to put in some careful planning to make the time pass smoothly. I must admit, it is nearly impossible to have a ‘fun’ flight these days, but it is possible to have one that goes fairly well.

1. Choose your departure time carefully.

Children are creatures of habit. They respond well to set bedtimes, meal times, and nap times. So the key is to try and use that to your advantage. If you time your departure to coincide with your children’s bedtime, then you will give yourself a good chance of your child feeling sleepy when they get on board. And sleeping is a good thing!

2. Pack favorite snacks.We all know about the restrictions surrounding fluids, but the same rules don’t apply to food. If they are happy and distracted nibbling on yummy snacks, they won’t be a problem on the plane. Nuts are, for example, a great source of healthy (unsaturated) fats and also filling. When you are traveling in economy, you should not expect a lot of meals and snacks from the airline. Many airlines, especially domestic ones, do not serve food on flights less than four hours or you may be required to pay for them. Also, we all know that airline food is notorious bad in economy, so chances are your children won’t be happy with it either. So bring more than enough with you, just in case. In addition to nuts, some good ideas are gummy bears, trail mix, sugar free lollipops, crackers, cereal, and granola bars—or whatever pleases your kid.

3. Charge those batteries.

When your children get to a certain age, their devices become a necessary way of holding their attention. Of course, you need to monitor their screen time, but for a long flight it may be best to relax the rules a little. So, make sure their devices are charged up and that you have charging cables with you. Load them up with their favorite TV shows, movies, books, and games. If you are going on a vacation, entertain them with images of your destination and activities during the flight using Pinterest and Google. A fun thing for all ages is to track your flight using the onboard map. Just be sure to talk softly and bring headphones for the devices.

4. Get some exercise on the flight.

Children are at low risk for deep vein thrombosis during a flight, but exploring the cabin with your children during the flight can help keep them a bit busy and active. After roaming the aisles for a few minutes, they may see the flight as more of an adventure than something they are being forced to endure. Let your children briefly talk to other passengers and flight attendants, so long as they are receptive. There is nothing more annoying that a kid who pesters you by talking incessantly while you are trying to rest, kicks your seat, or climbs over it during the flight. So please redirect when you see bad behavior. You can make a game out of doing some stretches in your seat, as well.

5. Pre-flight preparation.

Make sure your child doesn’t eat anything too heavy or spicy prior to the flight. Make sure he or she gets a good night’s sleep the night before you leave and is active the day of departure. Getting some exercise and fresh air (if possible) prior to the flight will help ensure sleep during the flight. Try to avoid sugary, caffeinated beverages before a flight. All ages can get dehydrated during long flights, so be sure your child gets enough water or juice during the flight. If your child is old enough, explain what is going on and your expectations from him or her.

These simple steps require a little work on the front end, but the pay off will be a smooth flight for everyone on board. Good luck!