any tips for kids at airports

[Deesknee]

My DSIL & DBIL w/family are flying out Sunday. They haven't flown with small kids in a very long time. There will be 4 adults (2 of them 18yo boys) with a 11yr. , 9yr, 5yr, . I know DH & I have a tough time finding our way around airports with kids - lets just say it is not my favorite part of vacation.
So now to the point..... Anyone got any good tips I can pass on to my DSIL? This is their first trip to WDW since the younger 3 were born. I would hate for it to start of confusing & more stressful than necessary. BTW, she mentioned she was worried about this part of the trip, which is what got me thinking about how confusing & stressful it can be with young kids.

Thanks in advance for any tips.

 

[dougsmom98]

My kids are quite a bit younger (6,4,4,) but I may have some advice for DSIL. Our biggest source of stress is getting through the airport with a lot of stuff. It is important that as soon as they park the car, they start letting everyone know who is in charge of which stuff to carry. They should also insist that until they get to the gate, everyone (adults included) must stay together. If one person needs to use the bathroom, everyone waits outside the bathroom for that person. It is really stressful to look for someone at the airport. We find it helpful to do curbside check in. It alleviates some of the carrying of luggage around the airport and it is worth the extra tip not to have to worry about it. When I was a kid, my mother would use the airport as a learning experience. She would tell me everything we needed to do. Not only did it teach me how to navigate the airport, but I also think talking about it helped her keep her head on straight and make sure she was doing things right. It is also essential to get to the airport early when you are flying with kids. The last stress they will need is trying to beat the clock with the kids in tow. Once through security and at the gate it is a lot less stressful. Make sure the kids have something to keep them occupied and bring snacks. We often will buy Subway sandwiches, chips and soda to eat before we get on the plane or for on the plane itself. If you have time, have them go with the kids exploring the airport. It is an interesting place and they are surely going to be curious.
Hope this helps.
-Amy

 

[Deesknee]

Thank you Amy. I'm going to copy your post for DSIL. Thank you so much for the good advice.

 

[JABEAR]

Have someone watch the luggage and someone else to take the kids on all of the free rides available at the airport (escalators ).

Exploring the airport is a great idea that we use to wear the kids out for the flight.

 

[debster812]

I did a solo trip with just DS when he was about 6. The one thing I did that made me feel MUCH better, was to put my cellphone number on a slip of paper, and stick it in his pocket. He was under VERY strict orders, that if I were to get lost, he was to find a policeman, an airport policeman (TSA agent) or a Mom with a baby (this is our 'safe stranger'), tell them I was lost, and have them call me.

We never had to use it, but it made me feel better thinking that it would be easier to reunite us.

 

[Deesknee]

Thanks to everyone. DSIL & family depart home at 5:15am. DSIL & DBIL have stomach problems. Hopefully just nerves. I'll check back after I hear how the airport goes.

Thanks again everyone.