Advice for flying?

[northwestmom]

Our kids are 8 and 5. They have only been on an airplace once, and it was a pretty short trip. They were too young they don't remember it. I was wondering if anyone had advice for traveling with kids. We are flying from Seattle to Dallas, then on to Orlando. We are planning on taking the portable DVD player so they can watch a couple of movies, plus their LeapPads, but are there any other suggestions that don't take up a lot of space? I understand airlines are charging for food now?
I love everyone's help on these boards ~ thanks!
Kitsel

 

[missymagic]

My daughters are the same age and have been flying for years. The DVD is very important with us. I usually buy each of them a new movie and pull it out on th plane for a surprise. Depending on my fly time I will take some dry cereal (their fsvorites so they are occupied) if it isnt over meal time I take little snacks or pop some popcorn to watch movie. I always take juice boxes because I dont really let them have soda and they dont like the juice they have most of the time. One flight I was on once they forgot to load all of the juices. If it is going to be over lunch maybe take some sandwiches. Before you know it it will be over. My oldest always has homework to take so we usually try to get some of that done as well. Last time they took their Game boys but they never used them.

 

[northwestmom]

Thanks! I wil definitely make sure to pack some juice boxes or pouches as I rarely let mine have soda, either. I love the idea of a new movie. My son wants to take Star Wars, but I think my daughter and I would probably croak if we have to watch it.
Kitsel

 

[Karrie Davis]

Do bring food if it is a long flight - on our flight home they had a full flight. Food was being served because the flight was over 3 and a half hours but they always under stock food because so many don't eat it..... We were in the back of the plane (9 total and 4 being kids) and they ran out right before us! Not ONE of those fat adults gave up a meal for the 1,3,4 or 9 year old on the plane! My son was the youngest at a year and a half and could not understand that he smelled food, saw food but was not able to eat, and all the full adults just kept giving us dirty looks while he cried the rest of the flight. On the way out we had lots of snaks but on the way home the shuttle was late and we did not have time to get more at the airport BUT never thought this would happen either.... We fly all the time and my son is a great little flyer but nomatter what we have tons of food on the plane....

Bring food

The movies are great for all ages too!

we almost always fly frontier and they have a tv in every head rest (unless you are on a little tiny plane) and all the family LOVES it, even me

 

[poohmomof3]

We have three kids & always take a decongestant to prevent ear problems while flying. Our Doctor recommends an over-the-counter one. If you've never had ear pain (like my dh), you're lucky. If you don't know if the kids will, it's better to be safe than sorry IMHO and take it 1/2 hour before take-off. It certainly can't hurt, but will prevent a possible misserable take-off and landing.

That being said, I usually pack them some cool writing/coloring utencils & paper, a kids guide book to the attractions we are going to, snacks/juice boxes (someone is always hungry, gum (another great idea for ear pain), & disposable cameras for the trip. My youngest daughter likes to read, so I may get her a good book.

Last time they brought homework, but the books were heavy and they really couldn't concentrate on it so we are leaving it home this time. Have a great time!!!

 

[northwestmom]

Karrie... that is terrible that no one was willing to give your kids a meal. I will definitely be planning ahead.

poohmomof3... thanks so much for the decongestant idea. I had completely forgotten that. I was one of those kids who was always in excrutiating pain every time I flew (I grew up on an island, so I was in the air a LOT) and now that you brought it up, I do remember my Mom always giving me a decongestant. I'm putting it on my packing list right now! I will have to remember that about Frontier for our next trip. I got a terrific deal on AA, so that's who we will be flying with.

I love all the advice ~ thanks, everyone!
Kitsel

 

[momamy]

Snacks, Juices, easy to hold games ( gameboy or cd player or cards) things ya can tos into a bag when your preparing to land! i like to bring a sweatshirt for my dd! it can get chilly sometimes!

 

[mamacatnv]

We stocked up on travel games, the kids had their game boys with a couple new games, we took a small soft sided cooler full of sandwiches and snacks, the fav blankie and stuffed animal was close by, our DD actually slept most of the way home.

Have fun

MamaCatNV

 

[ryka]

If you are taking gameboys with you they now make movies for the gameboys. My son has shrek and shrek 2 and so Cartoon network ones.

 

[Hobbes]

Lollipops for take off and landing-I'm 40 and still suck a lolly at take off to counteract the pressure in my ears

 

[mrludwig]

I have pack a back pack for each child and adult to carry on the plane. Inside each back pack I packed a change of clothes in case luggage was lost and one swimsuit. I also packed food - fruit roll ups, chips, dry cereal, Ho Ho's, juice boxes and/or bottle of water. I also packed game boy and games, along with activity books. In my carry on bag I also had an IPOD which they love to listen to as well. Lastly, I carry things such as tylenol, etc...

Michele

 

[la79al]

When we went last year, DD4 was terrified at the thought of her first flight. We got to the airport early and walked around explaining what all the planes were doing. By the time we got on the plane, she was fine. Take snacks along for the ride there and don't forget the ride home. Ours were too excited to eat breakfast but once they got on the plane and had nowhere to go, they were starving. On the way back, they had been too excited to worry about food all week so again they were starving. If they know where you are going, you might be surprised that all they want to do is talk and ask questions the entire way. I packed books, coloring books, the dvd player, and the gameboy. The 8 year old slept the entire way and the 4 year old talked. Pack gum or something similar to give them on takeoff and landing.

 

[casey49781]

thanks for the idea of decongestant,,my son was 4 the last time we flew and got double ear infection when we got home last time,,i always take snacks and drinks with us, crayons ,color books and markers and pens paper, each may take one toy,,,this time i like the idea of giving them there own carry on ,i usually take 2 larger one with meds ,,first aid kit,,and my sons nebulizer,,it always makes the machine go off during check point,,,so i get a bag search,,,keep the ideas coming thankyou

 

[molly2004]

One of the most important tips I would add, if it hasn't been said already, is to wait on pulling out all the goodies until you HAVE to. You don't want to use up all your ammo before the battle even starts!

 

[mamacatnv]

One of the most important tips I would add, if it hasn't been said already, is to wait on pulling out all the goodies until you HAVE to. You don't want to use up all your ammo before the battle even starts!

Best pointer yet - so true

Years ao we did a cross country flight and I remember packing brown bags with special treats that were revealed on the plane at the top of each hour. I think I put a special treat and a small toy of some sort in the bags.

MamaCatNV

 

[Rainman]

We have three little ones. Lots of air time. We have tried to use the ear planes (plugs for ears) and have never had any luck with them. Our kids are always complaining about there ears so we do a double approach. We give them decongestant before we leave and then on the way up and down we do snacks. Our older boy 8 can use gum but prefers food.

My advice dont take too much stuff to play with as you can have it start to fall on the floor. Also hard to pack when you land. We let our children be part of the process. They each have their own small back pack with wheels. They get to help pack it and carry it in the airport.

With the layover how long is it? Even if the layover is not too long weather could impact it. Try and have something special for the lay over. Maybe a special new movie or game. A special book. Something to kinda of wow them. We had a two hour layover become 3.5 once and it was tough.



Good Luck.