This year I have done a lot of traveling. I have traveled by myself, I have traveled with my husband and we have traveled with our kids. Sometimes in the car and sometimes in an airplane. Traveling with young kids on an airplane takes a little bit more preparation than your traditional road trip to Grandma’s house. If you want to follow our travels search #MockTravels on all social media channels.
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Here are my tips and tricks for traveling with your kids on an airplane.
Pack each kid their own back pack. -Everyone is allowed 1 carry on and 1 ‘personal item’. Kids too! Outfit your young person with a backpack that is appropriate for their size. By having each kid with their own backpack it frees up the parent from carrying oversized bags full of ‘kid stuff’. The child is responsible for their own travel bag.
What to put in the bag.
Coloring book (Just 1) and crayons (in a zip top baggie). There is no need to bring an entire art department with you. Bring a coloring book with enough pages to keep them occupied for your travels. It might be nice to surprise them with a fresh coloring book. While you are at it check out these coloring books for adults. Yes, adults like to color too!
Card games. Card games require zero batteries, are quiet and can be easily cleaned up. Some of our favorites are Uno, Spot It and Phase 10. Don’t forget the card holders for little hands!
Digital devices. Coloring and card games are great but my last line of defense is a digital device.
Yes.
We make sure all iPhones, iPads, iPad minis, Kindles and laptops are fully charges before taking off. Be sure you have apps that are on your devices that do not require wifi capabilities. Nothing is worse than handing your child an iPhone and having them go to their favorite wi-fi enables apps and they don’t work.
It is not a good scene. If you are wearing your super parent cape you will be sure to have a charger WITH the cord to connect the device.
Earbuds. Do yourself a favor (and everyone else on the flight) and make sure each kid has their own earbuds or headphones. If your child is listening to their favorite movie it is respectful to everyone on the plane to have headphones plugged in. On some flights it is required!
Snacks. Save yourself a pretty penny and pack your own snacks. Keep in mind you can’t take your own beverages through security….well, nothing over 3 fluid ounces. (but it doesn’t apply to formula, milk, baby food or medication) If you are looking to save on beverages, pack a reusable bottle, kid size or not, and fill it with water once you are through security. Pack a squeeze bottle of water enhancer to flavor up your water. (just be sure the water enhancer is under 3 ounces so you can get it through security)
Chewy food. Chewy foods are great for take off and landing to help the preasure in the kids ears clear. Adults know to clear their ears my swallowing while holding their noses or chewing gum. But this is not something kids know how to do or have a hard time doing. By giving them chewy foods such as gummy snacks, raisins, cranberries, or hard candy to suck on will help them clear their ears.
Hand sanitizer. Yup. I am suggesting you toss in a little hand sanitizer. Lots of people, lots of surface, lots of germs. Just be sure it is under 3 ounces!
Books. For your younger kids pack a few books that they love and a few that are new. Traveling on a plane is a great opportunity to get in quality reading time together. If you have an older child who reads on an order such as a Kindle, be sure they have enough books dowloaded before they take off.
I reached out to my community on the Savoring The Good Facebook page and asked them what tips they would share.
This is what they had to say:
Ressa suggested: Bring a change of clothes for everyone (including mom & dad) in your carry on.
Leeann had this tip: If you are traveling with an infant that you plan to wear in a carrier, but are not an avid baby-wearer, make sure you practice things you would do in an airport but might not think of – going to the bathroom, getting luggage into/out of your car, etc.
Rachel says: Get to the airport early enough that you can walk as much as humanly possible till you have to get on the plane, avoid all transit and walk if at all possible to make the kids tired and if they complain during the walk tell them they will do anything to walk in about an hour or two. Then, unless you have lots of things to find space for as carry-ons, do not rush to get on the plane as for younger kids the waiting before you even leave the gate is the worst part…..”mommy, when are we leaving?” will be asked about 100 times, so seriously no rush and if you have two parents send one on with the stuff to find a place for it and the other can stay outside doing jumping jacks and other things till you are getting dirty looks from the gate agents to get on the plane!!!!!!!
What is your tip? Leave a comment below: