FLYING with kids can be incredibly stressful for parents.
Not only do they have to get all the family from A to B, but they also have to keep the kids entertained.
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But being prepared for the journey can go a long way to help, regardless of how long your journey is.
Sun Online Travel has asked expert flyers for their top tips for flying with toddlers, and here’s what they say:
Divide and conquer
Most families will automatically board the flight together – but it might be easier to split up.
American Airlines flight attendant Lauren Bamonte advised: “Have one person do the pre-board with all the bags and buggies and the others stay back with the kids so they aren’t waiting on the plane for ages before take off.”
Dress for the journey
Don’t just wear your normal clothes for a long flight – dress comfortably and in layers instead.
Lauren explained: “Dress the whole family in comfortable clothes. Layers are great as they can be easily taken off as the temperature on board changes.
“Wear loose, comfortable, breathable clothing (cotton is ideal) and a large scarf or shawl will increase the cosy factor.”
Bring snacks
Kathleen Porter Kristiansen is a frequent flyer and family travel expert at The Points Guy.
She’s take her two kids, aged two and four, all over the world and maximised her travel time during her maternity leave.
One of her top tips is to bring snacks for the journey.
She told Sun Online Travel: “My kids eat a lot on flights and while I don’t like to encourage food as entertainment, that rule goes out the window in the air.”
Fruit, rice cakes, oat bars and fruit snacks all make great options according to Kathleen.
However, there’s always a pack of Haribo as a treat, as well as lots of water.
Lauren agrees.
She explained that although passengers get free food on board, “it’s also helpful to have the food they’re familiar with so even in new situations there’s something that reminds them of home.”
Boiled sweets or mints is another good option for take off and landings.
According to Lauren: “Changing altitude during takeoff and landing can be tough on tiny ears.
“Bring boiled sweets or mints to help your child pop their ears.”
Colouring books, stickers and puzzles
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It’s important to bring things to keep the kids busy as well.
Kathleen recommends a reusable colouring book, which is available for around £6 on Amazon.
It comes with six different picture boards that you colour in with a water pen – and once it dries, you can do it all over again with no mess to clean up.
Kathleen explained: “The key for us is finding something that will entertain the 4-year-old but not have too many small parts that the 2-year-old can destroy or eat.”
However, a reusable sticker pad can also be helpful – and it costs less than £5.
Kathleen said: “You can get them in all sorts of patterns but my boys love a set with vehicles.
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“They decorate the windows, seats, tray tables of the plane with a whole story of their little world of cars.
“It only takes me three seconds to remove them from the surfaces before landing without leaving a mark.”
Lauren adds that it’s worth bringing word search puzzles too.
She said: “Be sure to pack some word search books on a topic they are into, as well as drawing & colouring equipment.
“Both are calming activities and have the power to prepare them for that all important nap!”
Use the space around you
Another trick Kathleen uses to keep her kids busy is using the blankets provided to make a tent.
She explained: “Tuck your blanket into the top of the seat in front of you and then into your headrest area.
“We then use flashlights and play camping, read books, and eat snacks in our fort.”
Even going to the bathroom can be fun.
Kathleen explained: “It is always a fun game to see how we three can fit in the bathroom together.
“My oldest needs sensory activities and even just the act of playing in the sink for a minute and washing his hands can make him much calmer on the flight. “
Getting them to sleep
If you don’t want your kids to be groggy when they land, you have to create an environment to let them rest.
Kathleen advises getting them to run around before they board while Lauren says keeping their TV schedules the same get them into their routine.
It’s also worth bringing noise-cancelling headphones with you, as well as books and audio books to help them nod off.
Timing your flight can also help.
Lauren explained: “When flying transatlantic, try to arrive at bedtime in the destination time zone so you can all go straight to bed and more quickly adjust to the new time zone. “Set your watch to the time in your new destination as soon as you board to help you adjust.”
There are other travel hacks you should know, including using pill boxes to prevent jewellery being tangled up.
You should also take an empty water bottle with you through security to fill up on the other end.
You can also save on your holidays by booking flights at different times to your hotel.
