Air Travel help

Llamapants86

Ok so I am flying with my 7 year old son and 6 month old daughter. I have never flown before and am nervous, very very nervous. Any how I was just wondering if any one had any ideas on what I can bring for snacks and to entertain the kids. I have a feeling I am forgetting something, or if any seasoned fliers have any tips that would be great.

Thanks!

arwacky

Pretty sure my mom didnt want to deal with us on a plane. She used to give Benadryl so me and my siblings would knock out on the plane. Hahaha

Sinisterly

Pretty sure my mom didnt want to deal with us on a plane. She used to give Benadryl so me and my siblings would knock out on the plane. Hahaha

:noway:

That's... Just no.

Leonidas_meets_Spartacus

Don't drug your kids. LOL. For 7 year old, you might give a tablet, game or what ever he likes to play with. Six month old will be little tough, the babies cry in the plane, don't feel bad about it or what others think. For kids, especially the younger ones, their ears pop during landing or take off. I would give a bottle or something to munch on for six months old during takeoff and landing. I fly more than 40 weeks a year and my daughter probably flew more than 30 K miles by the time she was 1 year old. You will be ok, just take care of them and try to entertain or walk around the plane if they get bored.

arwacky

Pretty sure my mom didnt want to deal with us on a plane. She used to give Benadryl so me and my siblings would knock out on the plane. Hahaha

:noway:

That's... Just no.

Lmao looking back I guess I wouldn't wanna deal with 3 kids on a 10+ hrs ride by myself. But yea I can't believe she did that to us. Haha!!

arwacky

Don't drug your kids. LOL. For 7 year old, you might give a tablet, game or what ever he likes to play with. Six month old will be little tough, the babies cry in the plane, don't feel bad about it or what others think. For kids, especially the younger ones, their ears pop during landing or take off. I would give a bottle or something to munch on for six months old during takeoff and landing. I fly more than 40 weeks a year and my daughter probably flew more than 30 K miles by the time she was 1 year old. You will be ok, just take care of them and try to entertain or walk around the plane if they get bored.

This sounds like better advice.

Sinisterly

Pretty sure my mom didnt want to deal with us on a plane. She used to give Benadryl so me and my siblings would knock out on the plane. Hahaha

:noway:

That's... Just no.

Lmao looking back I guess I wouldn't wanna deal with 3 kids on a 10+ hrs ride by myself. But yea I can't believe she did that to us. Haha!!

I don't believe in drugging kids .-.
Even if they have an attention deficit.. No >.<
Bad bad bad bad.

arwacky

Pretty sure my mom didnt want to deal with us on a plane. She used to give Benadryl so me and my siblings would knock out on the plane. Hahaha

:noway:

That's... Just no.

Lmao looking back I guess I wouldn't wanna deal with 3 kids on a 10+ hrs ride by myself. But yea I can't believe she did that to us. Haha!!

I don't believe in drugging kids .-.
Even if they have an attention deficit.. No >.<
Bad bad bad bad.

Hmmm..in this case it's not necessary but I was a camp lifeguard and I dealt with kids that had ADHD and were on drug holiday..not too fun. But to each their own.

Llamapants86

Don't drug your kids. LOL. For 7 year old, you might give a tablet, game or what ever he likes to play with. Six month old will be little tough, the babies cry in the plane, don't feel bad about it or what others think. For kids, especially the younger ones, their ears pop during landing or take off. I would give a bottle or something to munch on for six months old during takeoff and landing. I fly more than 40 weeks a year and my daughter probably flew more than 30 K miles by the time she was 1 year old. You will be ok, just take care of them and try to entertain or walk around the plane if they get bored.

Yeah not going to drug the kids. Wish I could drug myself though!

Thanks for the tips! I figured for my son (7 yo) I would do the same thing that I do when we go for long drives, it is the only time he gets to play games on my phone.

Any plane friendly snack ideas? He is growth spurting and always hungry (he also gets really hangry if you know what I mean)

MB_Positif

Best advice I ever got was to buy a couple of new small toys to break out on the plane if the kids totally lose it.

iwtfytj

My older boys (ages 6 and 7) have Nintendo DSes, so they play those on the plane. Sometimes I'll let them play games on my Kindle Fire or laptop.

I flew with my daughter a couple years ago when she was 7 months old. We brought toys, snacks, everything, but seriously what kept her interest the most was giving her a copy of the SkyMall catalog and free in-flight magazine and letting her flip through them and crumple up/rip the pages. Babies are weird, haha. But hey...whatever keeps them from crying, right?

iwtfytj

Also re: snacks. I usually go to the dollar store and buy chips, goldfish, peanut butter crackers, sandwich cookies, gummy snacks, etc. You can always pack sandwiches or more filling foods if your son is prone to getting "hangry". (My boys get that way, too)

Ideabaker

Good "air travel friendly" snacks for kids can include meusli bars, string cheese sticks, crackers, little bags of nuts (not peanuts as some other folks on the plane could have allergies), hard fruits (think apples/pears rather than a banana, which would squish in your bag and make a mess), those individual boxes of animal crackers, little boxes of raisins, baby carrots in those snack-sized ziptop bags, a pre-made sandwiches already cut into triangles and even a bag or two of individually sized chips. I would also tuck in a bite-sized portion of their favourite candies, as they will no doubt see it at the airport and want you to buy it for them... you don't want to pay exhorbitant airport prices for snacks. Bring more than you think they will eat, better safe than sorry.


You probably can't bring yogurt, applesauce, or other "liquids and gels" because they will likely be over the limit for carrying through security. I would take a packet of Kool-Aid or other drink mix to add to their water bottles on the other side of security, just in case the flight attendants don't come around often with drinks.

You will want to be sure to bring extra ziptop bags or a plastic grocery bag to put the cores or pits of fruit into, or to use as your "portable rubbish bag" whilst on the plane. Also take plenty of napkins, a travel size wet-wipes supply, and a plastic set of cutlery for yourself and the oldest child.

My friend with four kids travels with one of those six pack cooler bags (that fold down). It keeps everything together, cool and organised, plus you can use it on your trip to carry cold drinks around.

For a long flight, if there is no meal service, you might want to splurge on a burger or sandwich at the airport for yourself and the older child. Transfer it from their bulky packaging into your own ziptop bags, using your plastic knife to cut it into portions first.

As for the baby, you will have an allowance of liquids and soft foods to bring... check with your airline first so you know exactly what you can take. Also, don't forget to call the airline and request a seat with a changing table if the plane has them... these are reserved for people travelling with infants. You should also be able to pre-board so you can set up your seating area without rushing.

For activities, I would make a treasure hunt list (Google teacher sites online for ideas and just print one out) that the older child can do in the waiting area before the flight, and another for on the way home. Puzzle books are very popular with kids, and dirt cheap at the dollar store. (With mazes, word-finds, etc.) You can even generate a couple of word-search pages with the names of family members or things you will see or experience on your trip at http://tools.atozteacherstuff.com/word-search-maker/wordsearch.php. Super easy, you just put in the names you want on your puzzle, it makes the word find, then print it out! Coloured pencils and several sheets of drawing paper can fill up lots of time. A tablet is a great idea, as is a new book that is about something your child is interested in (give it to them on the plane as a surprise). I've heard of some people who give their children a prezzy every two hours on the plane, something that is a surprise and that will keep them occupied.

Pack headphones for your tablet so you don't annoy your cabin mates with your child's games. Give a special prize at the end of your trip if your child does not ask "Are we there yet?" "Are we almost there?" or anything like that. Explain the rules before you go to the airport, and remind your child often. Promise a special treat when you get back home (going to a movie, ordering a pizza, whatever floats your kids' boats) if your child is helpful, or doesn't complain even once! Again, remind your child of your "deal" throughout your travel.

Please remind your child that feet and hands should not be touching the backs of the seats in front of him. Remind him to use indoor voices in the plane, and to walk, not run, if he must move about the cabin.

You'll be fine, just keep them fed, busy, and with incentive to be on best behaviour. If you are lucky, the baby will sleep a good part of the journey.

Enjoy your travel!

Llamapants86

Thanks so much for the help! I feel a lot more prepared now, and a wee bit less stressed.