How To Fly With Children
In just over 3 weeks I shall be taking my two monsters darlings on, not one, not two, but three planes, in one day, alone.
The three of us, my daughter, my son and I are travelling to the UK to visit my family and I am bricking it.
How in the hell am I going to cope on a plane with two kids, a 21 month old and a 3.5 year old, that can’t sit still for more than 5 minutes?
No really, how? Please tell me.
Have you travelled with kids?
What did you do to cope, what toys did you take to keep them entertained?
And what in the hell do I do about juice and snacks? Now that you’re not allowed to take more than a teaspoon of fluid, and even then only as long as it is encased in a bombproof, concrete box, how can I keep them hydrated, calm and distracted?
Any and all tips much appreciated.
I'm Heather, an ex expat, now back in blighty and living in Lancashire. Which is just like Lapland only less snowy...and stuff.
pass – brace yourself for massive stress – they will probably have a great time going on three planes in one day – but I doubt if you will! NOthing on earth keeps kids in their seats on flights except the threat of disaster. My youngest likes a window seat over the wing so he can consantly monitor our safety and has been known to say frequently ‘are we going to crash’. good luck!
p.s. you can usually get juice snacks in the departures shops after passing thru customs so don’t worry. toys for us would be a shared psp. My oldest has a mini dvd player which was great – the whole plane enjoyed watching (flight 93) over our sholder i think.
Thanks. I think.
Portable DVD player. Sit as far back or forward as possible – ideally the front or back row. You can take milk in a baby bottle now – they just make you drink it. You could give them a spoonful of anti-histamine to make them drowsy.
Mind you – how close to Iceland are you? Have you considered booking a train?
Toys – something new and lightweight obviously. Some kind of playing cards are quite good, although you will end up picking them up off the floor for most of the flight. Little colouring books and pencils, a sticker book. Maybe a portable DVD player if you have one?
Fluids – unless it’s milk in a bottle or sippy cup, you will have to buy afresh from the terminal building or remortgage your home to buy on the flight. Like wise with snacks.
If you are taking a buggy, ask if you can keep it until you board the plane, some airlines take it off you when you check your bags in. If either of the kids still have a dummy, use it on flight to help during take off and landing to help pop the pressure in their ears.
Joseph to be fair to him has always been really good on flights, and will happily play and then usually falls asleep for a bit. The worse bit for us now is the queueing to check in and board the craft which are a bit of a nightmare, and which of course you are going to have to do 3 times, don’t have any advice on that, maybe those kids leashes if they will oblige, failing that, the patience and sympathy (or lack of) your fellow travellers will make or break the experience.
Good luck and make sure whoever is meeting you the other side has gin!
I am hoping the ash cloud has dispersed by then, not flying till 6th May.
If not we’re screwed. All airports in Finland are closed right now.
The front of the plane sounds good, then they can play about on the floor.
thanks for the tips
Maybe I can give the kids the gin before we leave…
We don’t have a DVD player…maybe something else…I could give them my old
digital camera to play with, that would keep the eldest amused anyway!
cool! Excellent tips, I shall start looking out for sticker books and
lightweight toys. We have to leave home about 3am to drive 3 hours to
airport so am hoping to keep them awake in the car and hopfully by the 3rd
flight, which is the longest, they’ll be so knackered they’ll just sleep.
Do they not let you take snacks through security either now?
We flew to the states last year with a 2 and a 5 year old. What worked for us was Kids TV programs on our ipods. Also we took a bag full of presents wrapped up. Every 15 minutes we brought out another one and gave them it. Some were sweets, some were colouring books, some new toys, some toys from home. It worked quite well actually.
Also this: http://allthatcomeswithit.com/archives/1195
yeah – they will either sleep or be really really really tired
Here’s an article I wrote which I hope may be of some use – http://www.havealovelytime.com/2010/03/top-tips-for-flying-with-kids-from-mychildcouk.html
Good luck and it will soon be over! x
I’m afraid to say a portable DVD player did the trick for Marie. I don’t know what computer you have but if it’s a notebook or a laptop it could replace the dvd player? Although you will have enough stuff to carry around.
If not, a colouring book usually keeps them entertained, although you will be picking up the crayons a few times. Books, flashing cards, small toys. You can give them a small back pack each and fill it up with their toys. Marie used to love having her own bag. It made her feel really important.
Don’t worry too much about the drinks, they let you through with milk (didn’t ask us to drink it though). You can also get drinks past security and then carry them on board.
How long will you be on the flights for? What stresses me more is all the changing over, not the flights themselves.
Marie had a nasty habit of being awake all flight and falling asleep litterally 5 minutes before landing.
Some really good ideas below. Some planes have kids’ tv on them, but I don’t know which carriers you are on. Have you thought about maybe getting a hand strap? I know it seems awful but when I flew on my own when the eldest two were that age my son used to keep running off in the airport!! He almost boarded a flight to Korea with all the folk saying ‘oh what a cute little boy’ ARRRGH. A hand strap just fits around her wrist (not like a harness!) and then you get her to ‘HOLD YOUR HAND’. The biggest stress is losing them in the sodding airports I found. Even when we arrived here and Miss Ten was eight she made to run off at Heathrow. Her first memory of Britain is being roundly smacked in the middle of the airport as I was so stressed she was going to get lost! I’ll have a think over the day as I’ve flown lots with kids and have even written articles about flying with kids..years ago..
A few small new interesting toys for each of them. Bring one out on each flight. A favourite book to read. Pencils and pad for hangman, tick-tack-toe, scribbling etc. And a few sweets of course. Good luck. We are doing an 8 hour flight soon. Last year Ruby slept the entire flight in the crib – no such luck this year – I’m sure we’ll be doing laps of the plane and get to know the airline staff really well.
that is fantastic – your parenting gets A* I wish I had thought of that over the last 15 years!
I could recommend loads of little snacks, drinks, stories, toys etc but they’ll have eaten everything in the first 10 minutes, got bored of everything after 15 minutes and it’s gonna be hell. Sit back, have a few little glasses of wine and smile sweetly at fellow passengers as they seek solace in the furthermost corners of the plane. Good luck!
Drug them like BA Baracus?
You can buy drinks (no doubt at extortionate prices) in the duty free area once you’ve been through security.
I like the DVD player idea. How about a goody bag with crayons, stickers, comics?
Nintendo DS. Books that play sounds (too bad if they irritate other passengers). Sweets. Failing that choloroform is pretty good.
once you are through airport security you will then have duty free. Anything you buy from there can be taken on the plane so you can get drinks there to take with you.
Can you treat them to a “special” toy that they can take on the flight with them?
I am sure I read about another blogger who made a little pass the parcel for each child on the flight with little toys in and they got to open one each hour (times adjusted depending on length of flight).
If you have a good phone or ipod you could download a film onto it for them or some cartoons.
I am sure it will be ok, and if not then i vote that you leave them with your family and take cover at mine with tea and cake!
I’ve flown with mine since they were 22 months and 4 months – on my own – transatlantic. It’s not that bad if you just keep talking, just keep talking – honestly I think I talked non-stop for 24 hours one trip (leave house at 5am, arrive at parent’s house midnight add the 5 hours time difference and it’s 24 hours). These flights were long so I had little pressies all wrapped up for them to open – one per hour, just plastic tat and colouring books and pens, but talking was the real trick. You’ll be fine – they’ll love it – I’d be more worried about that damn volcano stopping tbh!
Brilliant ideas!! Will remember those when we travel with our two next year…
Do check that they will supply food for the 21 month old. When I flew with my daughter to Canada and she was under 2 as I hadn’t paid for a seat she wasn’t entitled to meals and they were unwilling to heat anything for me. I took lunchables and worked a treat.
You’re brave to take two. I find my 3 year old loved plane journeys from about 2 years and was really quite good. Like she understood she had to be strapped in as long as the light/sign was on. 21 months is borderline difficult though.
You can get juice/water-/milk in a cup through security if you test it – it worked most times for me only last week did I have drink it or leave it. If that happens, you can buy water after security no probs.
As for toys – I usually take something to draw, some stickers. I find that for longer flights it gets tricky – up to 2 hours is ok. My daughter used to fall asleep when she was younger but no chance of that now.
Good luck with it!!!
I haven’t had to fly with those sort of ages yet, but we will next year…I’m thinking of doing the following (as well as the brilliant suggestions from others!):
Load up the iPod with kids songs
Load up the iPhone with kids tv shows
Collect dvds to play on macbook
Fill mini kids backpacks with tiny new toys/books/crayons
I agree with some sort of leash; I reckon the transfers will be the worst. Don’t forget any comforters they might like to help them sleep on the flight…
Oh, and don’t forget the gin/brandy/rum as needed.
iPod with kids songs on it, Nintendo DS, crayons and colouring books and fingers crossed they have kids TV! We recently flew to Australia and the TV system didn’t work for the first 8 hours….aaaarrrrggghhhh! Good Luck, I’m sure that you’ll all be fine x
Oh just remembered – if you are going to calm them with Phenergan or any other antihistamine please try it before you fly. I tried it on Dark Princess on a flight from Brisband to Perth (about eight hours!) and she got so wound up she ran up and down the aisles. I sat there in my seat ordered a very large martini and muttered ‘Some parents honestly!’
By the way you are right to fret – it will probably be hideous. Grit your
teeth and think ‘you think you can control my little f*ckers be my guest
sunshine!’
Yes – tis aviation chaos across Europe. I think we may meet up when you get
here – have been chatting to Vegemitievix. I’d like that a lot.
Carry a nappy bag, but as much juice, water, bottles whatever you need drinks wise, I bring the cartons with the straws. Only once and I have travelled alot with kids have I been asked to taste the bottle. I also bring alot of snacks – Liga, lollipops, smarties, bananas, oranges, ricecakes etc. Some cars or small toys that they can drive/ play with. If they are old enough to listen bring their favourite book. I used to play park the cars in the garage on the table top. Alot of people don’t know this but you can go through the fastlane when you have small babies (perhaps not wise of me to write this on a popular blog) but I have never been refused and it beats snaking along the long queue. Another tip is to tell stories, using their names, be prepared for trips to the toilet, I like the idea of the portable DVD player we once brought a PC and played his favourite DVDs on that. Keep the baby sucking a bottle or dummy on departure and landing. Bring an extra set of clothes on board (if you can’t get to the toilet to change the nappy due to food trolley) there may be accident spillovers, at least that happened to me several times.
I’m still laughing at Yappy’s “are we going to crash” comment. When she was little, Sophia looked out the window just at the moment the flaps were being adjusted and shouted, “Mom, there’s something wrong with the wing!”. I can laugh about it now but it was so embarrassing at the time.
I found the key was variety – lots of little plastic bags of dry cereal, crackers, cookies – we didn’t have the liquid problem when she was small but I have heard baby bottles are ok. Make sure they are sucking on something on take off and landing to unblock their ears. Coloring books, cards, small toys, all these are good. Sophia had a whole backpack to her self, full of little treasures that she had not seen before so everything was a novelty. Keeping them up for 24 hours before the flight helps too!
Oh no, I wouldn’t even consider it, you are one brave woman!! Jen.
if it’s bed time they will sleep, it will be absolutely fine, I just flew with my 18month old ball of fun and 8yo, they were so good, walking up and down the plane is good for you and them, eat lots, take toys you don’t care about breaking, don’t worry about the other passengers and the air hostesses are used to kids on planes and WILL help you. Relax and they’ll be lovely. If i’d listened to all the panic mongerers i’d never have done it and it was so much easier than any of them seemed to hope it would be. Have fun!
If/when I get there I would love to meet you!
Which is the other option of course. Sigh.
oh yes, I love the wrapping of gifts idea! Very clever.
I’ve just clicked the link! that is hilarious!
Thank you Linda, some useful tips there
thank you, i like the own bag idea I just wonder if having too many bags means I’ll end up leaving one behind when switching places. I was trying to get away without taking my laptop for the same reason plus the extra hassle they always cause me at security. We have 2x i hour flights and then a 3 hour one. i think the 1 hour ones should be ok, novelty and all that but the 3 hour one could be tricky.
I am weighing up the laptop thing. It might be a good idea after all and a couple of pairs of head phones…
they don’t have anything on these planes, really short distance and usually don’t even have a TV. I do have worries about my kids in crowds – they aren’t used to them at all. a wrist strap may be a good idea. thanks. will give it some thought. My daughter does have a backpack with a strap on it that i can hold onto so may stick that on her…
i like it, the best sort of defence is denial
If/when I get there I would love to meet you!It’s a scary thought huh? i don’t think I could manage 8 hours. we have three quite short flights with lots of time inbetween for running around and letting of steam
oh. bugger.
The goody bag idea is a good one. I love Dan’s idea of wrapping things up too.
ooh, chloroform, I hadn’t thought of that…
Tea? Tea? I’m going to need something MUCH stronger than tea by that time!
the goody bag idea sounds like a good one.
Am in complete denial about the volcano at the moment.
Yeah, i see where you are coming form with the talking thing. will work for the eldest, it’s the youngest I’m most worried about. he’s got the attention span of a gnat, if I give him toys he throws them on the floor, if i put some films on a laptop of phone he’ll just want to keep pressing all the buttons and turning it off. Toddlers are so hard cause they don’t listen to tellings off…at least he doesn’t.
good point! i have paid €50 for him but not sure what that includes…will look into it, ta xx
Yeah, i’m not really too concerned about the three year old, it’s the toddler that’s going to be the problem. Maybe I’ll just drug him. Or see if they’ll put him in one of those dog transporting cages?
I think I might need sell a kidney or something just to afford the alcohol i’m going to need on these flights! lol I like the music and films idea for my phone, although i do fear for its health in the hands of two small people lol.
thank you. i know there will be no TV, there never is on these flights.
Think the laptop will have to come with us.
I was wondering about the small cartons of juice, I think I’ll chuck a load in and see what they say. they are sealed after all. good tip about the clothes too! I think I may put the eldest in a nappy just in case as well.
oooh, i like the mini packets of cereals! good idea! I think a bag each with lots of new stuff in is the way forward. Cool. Thank you!
I have considered leaving them at home lol
thanks Emma, I’m kinda hoping it will be a fun day out, am going to try to make it that lots to see and do and discover etc. they’ve never seen a plane (well, eldest has but she was only 9months) before so will be a big adventure!
Yeah… I have to say my parents when picking me up at the other end were able to ascertain the success of each journey by how many Air Canada G&T swizzle sticks I came off waving at them – definitely the more the merrier!
I’m going to go counter to a lot of other commentors. Don’t use laptop, dvd player or IPod. The toddler will be super-excited already by the trip itself and adding electronic entertainment like that will just make him more hyper. Might work for older kids, but . . .
We travelled across the continent (North America) one summer (when I was 7 months pregnant) with a 3.5 year old and a 1.5 year old.
New suprise toys are great. Loads of books but the really simple ones that they can flip through themselves. Puppets, toy cars, quiet toys that can be played with in the corner. Stickers are amazing, let them stick them everywhere. The attendants prefer to have to unglue stickers from seat backs than to have to chase your kids down the aisle.
Masking tape, paper and crayons for the oldest. You can tape paper to her meal tray and let her color.
What are the bathroom regulations there? Are they letting people use the bathrooms after lift-off before landing? If not, take it easy on the fluids. A change of clothes for everyone is absolutely necessary and a ligthweight blanket for the kids.
If you make it very very clear to your toddler that he must remain in the seat during takeoff it’s quite likely that sitting still plus the engine noise, plus the excitement of the airport itself will puthim straight to sleep. Ask one of the attendants to talk to him as you know they don’t listen to mom.
Again, Dan’s suggestion is good, but try not to overdo it and make them more excited, therefore hyper, by rolling out too many presents.
If you can get at the very front of the plane do so and lay some toys on the floor -show them the metal lighting strip and tell them they’re not allowed over it – make it a game – we played aisle sharks, if they went in the aisle a shark would get them (it’s the same game we play crossing streets, leave the crosswalk and an asphalt shark will get you). If a shark gets them they have to sit still for 20 minutes so their leg can grow back.
Gummy candies, raisins, sippy cups are essential to keep their jaws moving during takeoff landing.
Pack a different ziplock bag for each take off landing with the treats, a sippy cup (you can also fill them with water from the water fountains in the airports as long as you’re past security), a couple new toys. Once they’re seated nicely and strapped in they get their bag – don’t give it to them too soon as they’ll have all the treats gone before take-off and nothing to keep them chewing!
Don’t worry about the mess they make, or how many passengers are held up behind you as you try to get them into their seats. Take the time when you’re being seated to get everything organised. If you stressed out before you’re even seated than disaster awaits! Wait and be the last to get off or the peopl shoving past will drive you batty.
Play airport and plane with them before you leave. Make up little tickets and let them carry a backpack. Put your kitchen chairs in a row and show them how we have to sit in our seats while the plane is taking off and landing. Maybe give them a couple treats then like you will on the plane.
Explain to them about the scanners and security. And don’t let those friggen security people give you any guff. They like to powertrip on moms, I think.
It must be so hectic but should be fun! Hope you have a great tirp to UK and have a fabulous time with your family!
Send your hubby on the flight with them and meet them a few days later. (oh that was not helpful was it?)
I would always buy lots of little things to keep them entertained, wrap them up and put them in a special bag/case for each child…such as little figures/animals. Small pencils and plain paper. Stickers.Little cars. Definitely nothing that makes a noise though, you don’t want to get stressed by them squeezing a noisy toy and other passengers moaning at you. I have done so many twelve hour flights plus with up to four children without any hassle at all. But….21 months is hard age. Just be prepared with lots of bits. Good luck…and why three flights? That’s tough no direct one for you. :0(
I’ve done the ‘lots of little presents wrapped up’ thing, but are yours too young to wait between presents?
And yes, to repeat someone else, if you use an antihistamine, try it out beforehand. I gave some to my 11 year old, and he went into such a deep sleep that I kept blowing on his face for a reaction, and taking his pulse, as I was worried about him! I was very glad I’d tried a dose (and a higher dose) a few nights beforehand – if I hadn’t, I’d have been really worried. I think they’re a mixed blessing. Can you carry two knocked-out kids through the transit airports, if you can’t wake them up properly? And my 4 year old wet herself, because she was so deeply asleep.
And now for my constructive suggestions… Um… Um… You’ll be fine. You’ve got a lot of good ideas here to pick from. Don’t know if anyone has mentioned cd player with earphones and nursery rhyme cds. Or be prepared to have one of the kids on your lap, put your lips against his/her ear, and sing. I did that for 30 mins on one flight, and ran out of inspiration, so the man next to me had to listen to ‘Here we go round the mulberry bush’ a zillion times.
It’s a tough one. We’ve flown quite a lot with our kids, and they are used to it now. I took my two to see my parents in Germany at around on my own when they were around the same age as your two, although that was only one plane for an hour and a half. Will your youngest be getting his own seat? That’s what I always found the hardest – when they were not quite 2, and therefore had to sit on your lap, but wanted to be constantly on the move – and like someone I think has said, they don’t get their own food!
If you can get hold of them, and if you can afford it – we bought our two a Trunki (www.trunki.com) each for airports, which are just brilliant. They are so proud to pull them along themselves, they can be pulled when they get tired, and they double as hand luggage for all those colouring books and pencils.
Good luck!
Wow, thank you Dara. You could well be right, they are going to be excited enough. Maybe by the 3rd flight they may need something more to keep them occupied…so hard to know what’s best really. nappies, clothe, toys and books. I like the zip lock bag idea full of treats and the playing airports before we go so they have an idea about what’s going on.
Thank you so much for this, it’s brilliant, really useful xx
Thank you. Once there it should be fine.
now that is an idea!
thank you. i shall start gathering ‘bits’ together as I see them in the shops. We don’t have direct flights form here, no, we have to go through Helsinki. We could have done it in two flights but the time between flights was only about 30 minutes and I know full well it wouldn’t be enough. I’d rather do three flights than miss one and end up in a hotel with them for the night.
I love the nursery rhyme idea. I have some of those on disc, I can put them on my phone. Not sure i could mange singing solidly for all three flights lol
no, he doesn’t get his own seat. I’m hoping though that the plane wont be full and no-one will want to sit next to us then he can have his own lol. Might have to poke him a bit at the start to make him cry so that no-one sits there.
I will have a look at the trunkis, thank you x
You think you’ve got it bad, think of the poor stranger thats going to be sat next to me for an 8 hour flight to Canada…I hope they like to chat!!
As you can see I have no advice, when we used to long journeys when younger, mum and dad would dose natalie up with travel sickness tablets so she would normally sleep, I fall asleep when travelling anyway so i was ok.
I’m sure you’ll be fine, besides…we’ll get you nice and drunk when we meet up and you’ll forget all your stresses
cant wait to see you 
xxxx
me either! its going to be so cool!
don’t panic, you can take as many snacks and drinks as you can carry, as long as you buy them airside
I’ve never flown with a small child. i ensured mine was 8 before we first tried it! But we use a pack of plastic write on/ wipe off cards with games on called ’50 things to do on a plane’, by Usborne (sex is not involved – they are kids games) they seem fun. There may be TV, you could get a portable dvd player? Read books….
oh another thing is to put each child ‘in charge’ of something, even if it’s just a new bear that (for example) has a ticket and needs to be shown what to do and where to sit etc, the bear will need to be shown how to sit still and behave on the flight….
Hi! I leave in Turkey so we take a lot of planes to see family in France and UK. My two have their travel bags which they prepare now, but when they were smaller I'd make sure to bring lots of small notebooks and crayons for drawing. Also, a laptop with films might help keep one amused – but you'd probably need some big headphones, rather than the little ones you put inside your ears. For drinks you can always bring their sippy cups, empty, and keep asking for refills. Also, I bring lots of unhealthy sweet bribes, of the kind they always want but never get. Mostly, I'd say, order yourself a stiff drink or three and promise yourself some cool reward once you get to destination. Good luck!
Thank you! I think a stiff drink or two could be in order lol