By: Donna Pudelwitts
Although a lengthy flight with young children may sound daunting for parents, a little preparation can go a long way in making your journey a smooth one. Traveling with your children is a great opportunity to bond and introduce a sense of adventure to your kids.
If you’re planning your next trip, here are eight tips to help your family prepare for a long-haul flight with the kids.
1. Plan your seating in advance.
The first thing to do is plan your seating configuration. Depending on the type of plane, you may be separated by an aisle or need to use multiple rows to keep the family together.
If you have two young children, and a row can sit up to three people, do you want them both to sit next to you? Or is it easier to have one child sit with you and one with your spouse or family member? These are questions to ask yourself before booking a flight and choosing your seats.
Also, if you’re traveling with a toddler, consider their seating needs. Some parents bring their child’s car seat or request the airline’s harness device for safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends:
- A rear-facing car seat for infants and babies weighing less than 20 pounds
- An approved Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airplane harness device or car seat for children weighing 20 to 40 pounds
- Standard airplane lap belts for children over 40 pounds
If possible, always pick your seats in advance. When seating assignments are not available, call the airline to ask about priority boarding or other options to ensure your family stays together.
2. Get your kids excited about the flight.
While you might spend a lot of time talking to the kiddos about your ultimate destination, don’t forget to hype up the flight itself. Try reading books about airplanes, showing your kids airplane videos, and explaining what happens before, during, and after the flight.
When your children know what to expect, it can make the experience less stressful or overwhelming for them. Walking them through the process can also give them something to look forward to as you go through each step. Some topics to cover include:
- Going through security at the airport
- Waiting in the terminal and boarding the flight
- Sounds and feelings during takeoff and landing
- Who the pilots and flight attendants are
- What they are allowed to do on the plane
- What they might see from the windows
3. Load up the entertainment.
Next, make sure you have plenty of entertainment options to occupy your little ones throughout the journey. Even if you’re not big on screen time for your kids in your day-to-day routine, educational shows, interactive games, and kid-friendly movies can really help pass the time on a long flight.
Most streaming services allow you to download content to your tablet or other devices, making it possible to watch something without access to Wi-Fi. Be sure to download their favorites and have your devices charged up before you leave. Also, volume-limiting headphones are a must!
4. Pack your carry-on strategically.
Last-minute packing with kids is not a good idea. Give yourself plenty of time to consider what to pack, make a list of necessary items, and decide what to put in your carry-on. Because you’ll have access to your carry-on on the plane, this is where to put things your child may want or need during the flight. Examples include their favorite blanket, pacifiers, diapers, an extra change of clothes, tablets, chargers, or books.
5. Dress your kids in easy, comfortable clothes.
As you’re getting ready for your trip, skip the cute or complicated outfits and opt for comfortable clothing for your kids. If you have a baby or toddler, you may even want to keep them in their fitted onesie pajamas for easy diaper changes.
You should also consider dressing your kids in layers because it can get cold on an airplane. An easy zip-up jacket is a great option.
6. Get ahead of their needs before boarding the plane.
As a rule of thumb, assume everything will be more complicated when you’re on the plane. Because of this, it’s better to get everything out of the way before you board. As your boarding time approaches, run through a quick checklist to make sure you and the kids are content and ready to go:
- Do a last diaper change
- Have everybody use the bathroom
- Breastfeed or pump and store breastmilk
- Offer snacks to older kids
- Download content while connected to Wi-Fi
7. Try to get up and move around when you can.
If you’re lucky enough to have the little ones sleep through most of the flight, boredom won’t be as much of an issue. However, children can get antsy after sitting in the same position for a long time. When you notice they’re feeling restless, it might be time to stretch their legs.
A short walk down the aisle to the bathroom and some quick stretches in the galley can be the refresher your kids need to get through the rest of the flight. Of course, it can help reenergize you as well!
8. Be flexible and stay calm.
Lastly, remind yourself that you’re doing your best. When unexpected hiccups happen along the way, it’s always best to roll with the punches and remain calm.
Know that everything isn’t going to go exactly as planned when you’re traveling with your kids, and that’s okay. If you go into it with an open mind and relaxed attitude, your kids will pick up on that calming energy.
Embracing the Adventure with Your Kids
A long flight with your kids doesn’t have to be stressful. Preparing together, staying present in the moment, and embracing imperfections while traveling are excellent ways to connect with your children. Check out more parenting tips and insight from The Modern Parenting Zone.
Sources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics. McCarthy, C. and Shu, Jennifer. (10 November 2023). Flying with Baby: Parent FAQs.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (23 July 2021). Travel Recommendations for Nursing Families.
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). (20 February 2024). Flying with Children.
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