First time flying with kids! Any tips?

[TruBlu]

I hate to fly! So I am having panic attacks about this! Any tips for flying with kids? My boys are 4 and 7.

Thanks!

 

[my4kids]

you'll be fine, they are easy ages....it's the babies that are a pain.

Buy them each something that they can't have until they are on the plane so it will hold their interest. They are both good ages for the most wonderful thing ever invented for a parent - the Gameboy - or the Nintendo DS. If they have these - bring them!!!!! I bought each of my kids a new game for their gameboys (the old cheap last year ones that are cheaper at Sam's club. but hey, for kids that age - they don't care it's new to them) ..and told them they could have them when we got on the plane....they were so interested in mastering their new games...I don't think they ever realized we took off or landed.

 

[magicaldisney]

I know it is an investment, but a portable DVD player has been wonderful for us. We bring some Disney movies and can't wait to get there.

We also bring ""treat"" snacks, like gummy bears or something like that, because it isn't something they would normally get to eat. If anyone has problems with ears, chewing something helps.

 

[Laurajean1014]

My son is now 10 and has flown about 100 times on a plane. Now, he is quite savy, but to get them to this confortability, you may want some items:

When my son was younger, I gave him:

Benadryl 1/2 hour prior to boarding (to help clear out his ears/nose, etc)
Coloring books and crayons
A portable DVD player with all his favorite movies and a new one
Juice Boxes
His favorite snacks

I was very consistant with him (and even gave him his own suit case - filled with this stuff). And now, I have a very confident and savy traveler.

You may not feel that you need a portable DVD with most airlines having Satelite TV on board, but they do go down, so, if they do, you are ready. Unless you have a laptop you would allow your child to watch movies on.

Best of luck to you.

Let us know how it worked out.

 

[Desnik]

I had only flown twice and that was as a young child. So this past trip in May was going to be the first time flying for DH, and DS(3) and DD(8). First smart thing we did was fly Jetblue. The tv's with Nickelodeon was great! It really kept their attention. Everyone was so nice and it was so cool to watch on the tv where we were and how fast we were going. The other smart thing I did for us was book early flights. They all fell asleep on the way there. I also had them each with a backpack filled with activities. I also bought those small packs of gummies they sell at the grocery store. My kids love the Dora ones. They chewed them when we took off and neither of them had any problems with their ears. Some of the activites they had were reusable sticker books, color wonder markers and coloring book. Birnbaums WDW for kids for DD, she also had her gameboy. DH had his PSP and not only did he have games for it but we also had movies, like Toy Story for the kids. My husband was really nervous, he has some phobias so his Dr prescribed something to relax him and it helped alot. I also had the kids next to the window and they thought it was so cool!
Good luck and try not to worry too much! I'm sure you'll all be fine!

 

[tara98]

I am going to bring my DH's IPOD with us. We were able to download a few cartoons, movies, ect. Along with some goodies, and maybe some playdoh, My DS (4) should be ok with the 3 1/2 hour flight...

 

[TruBlu]

My husband was really nervous, he has some phobias so his Dr prescribed something to relax him and it helped alot.

ME TOO!!! The last time I flew I got very sick on the plane. I had to be taken from baggage claim to the hospital for surgery. So, now I am having panic attacks thinking of flying again!!! I think I need drugs too!!! The slogan of my life...
"Better living thru pharmaceuticals!"

 

[Desnik]

Maybe speak to your Dr and he/she could prescribe something to at least take the edge off. DH took meds 30min before we got on the plane and he was fine. He wasn't drugged up and totally coherent and walking/talking normal. I actually was alittle antsy on the plane. But it wasn't that long of a flight and the kids kept me busy. I forgot to add that I brought along playdoh for DS and that kept him busy. It didn't get too messy either.

 

[DADof2Princesses40]

My girls are 3 and 5, and here's the answer...DVDs and candy.
I use my laptop as the DVD player. I read above about the portable DVD player, and that's a cheaper alternative if you don't have a laptop.

You probably will need headsets for the DVD player, often basics ones don't work too well either. To hear the movie over the engines, you'll need noise canceling headphones. These run in the $50 and way up range, but well worth it if you're going to be flying a lot.

A cheaper solution is cards. If your kids like to play cards, you can pass a lot of time that way.

 

[Reese]

It must be something about men and flying. Dh was insanely nervous about flying and taking the kids.

I was stressing about the kids first flight and Dh's second flight, but we all came through fine. We had a 13, 8, 6, 5 and 19 month old. The older one's all took their gameboys and a couple of books to amuse them. We didn't tell them until that morning so my 8 year old was nervous but the rest of them were fine. If they get motion sickness I highly reccommend gravol an hour prior to take off. Also we took gum so they could chew during take off and landing.

Relax and I'm sure they will do just fine. Have a great trip.

 

[KJMAX1]

I totally agree with movies and candy. My kids RARELY get candy but its a lifesaver on a plane. I also packed backpacks with favorite things. A Small thin blanket that can be rolled either for a pillow or a blanket, snacks, a drink bottle, CD player, headphones, VideoNows, Travel Lightbrites(these use batteries and can be used in the dark when lights are off), Polly Pockets, Cars, Cards, drawing supplies, playdough packs, Leapsters...Anything I think they will play with and not annoy others. I also brought a few books. We were on a flight back to the mainland from Hawaii this past June, and there were 40 kids on our flight. Our kids are all 7 and under, and everyone kept commenting on how well they did. My DD who was 6 at the time got nervous even though she had flown a lot, and threw up. Bring wipes, a plastic grocery bag and have the barf bag handy. Hawaiian Air was fantastic and gave up Sprite for her. They fed our whole plane five times on the way home! You will be so busy with the boys you wont have time to worry. I worried the first few times with the kids, all the plane sounds, and the turbulance, but now I just dont pay attention. One big thing I forgot to mention, if your kids havent flown a lot or at all bring GUM, GUM, GUM,GUM...if you dont let them chew, bring gummy bears. They wont know how to pop their ears yet, so bring it. Also a decongestant because their ears might get clogged flying.