Flying with young kids

[jawa7400]

His will be our first flight with children. DD will have just turned 4 (ticketed seat) and DS will be 20 months (lap child). What do I need to know/bring to fly with children? I know I need things to entertain; I'm wanting to know the less-obvious stuff. Need-to-knows for more than just the plane ride, please!

 

[brymolmom]

I had kids approx. those ages a few years ago. Some airport/airplane thoughts:
1) Decide what you're going to do about a stroller (gate check and bring thru airport or checked baggage at the counter?). Be prepared to put everything - including the stroller - up on the scanning conveyor.
2) Tough to do but bring as LITTLE as you can in carry-on's. You'll wish you had more hands and less stuff. That said, depending on length of flight - you obviously should bring plenty to cover that time plus 'just in case of delays' time. So that means - food, diapers, toys and distractions for the kids.
3) For food - I always brought a 'meal' and it was a good distraction for some time on the plane. You can bring it to the airport with you - or buy it after security. Don't forget to buy water or another drink after security to let the kids drink on takeoff/landing - it helps their ears clear.
4) With the age of electronics and devices - it is much easier to distract kids these days....And even if you don't use a lot of them at home - My theory on a plane is 'whatever it takes' to get my kids to the point of not annoying other passengers. Even if I would go head to head with them and let them have their tantrum if we're at home that's just not polite in the close environment on a plane - so I will let my kids do a lot I don't allow at home. For example - when mine were real little (like your 20 mo old) - I always brought M&M's....Doling them out - one at a time and slowly and making a game of it - I was able to distract the young ones from crying or complaining for a long time that way when necessary (usually wasn't).
5) Same thing with games/movies...Be considerate - make them wear headphones. When my kids were too little to want to wear them we just let them watch the pictures with no sound. It still worked for awhile.

 

[MSSANDRA]

It's really a tough balance between too much and not enough. It's a good idea to have a change of clothes for little ones and maybe a top for adults. This from a DH that wore a smelly shirt for many hours. Be sure you plan for delays and lay-overs. I say extra food, and less toys if you have to choose. You will rarely have issue with a few juice boxes with young children, but if you want to avoid the issue, bring empty sippy cups and buy milk. juice etc after security. A sippy cup, gum or a sucker for take off and landing helps with ear pressure. Snacks that are special, have a fun play factor and take a while to eat are great. Think colored M&M's. Carry on anything you will need right away at your destination. If you are taking DME, it can take a while to get your luggage. Maybe sun screen, swim suits, PJ's... Plan to spend the majority of the trip, entertaining and caring for the kids. Gone are the spacing out/nap of the past. I agree that whatever works to keep them happy and quite for a few hours, it pretty much ok!

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Extra outfit for EVERYONE in your carryon

Also, gummies or lollipops or something to suck on (paci) for takeoff & landing... it hurts their little ears!

 

[misscmac]

Extra outfit for EVERYONE in your carryon
!

Yes! And pack twice as many wipes as you think you will need for the flight! I learned this the hard way on our last trip...let's just say its a good thing no one else was sitting next to me

 

[PlutoPony]

You will need a birth certificate for the lap child to prove they are under 2 years of age.

Go to TSA.gov traveler info - Travel with Children. There's a video you can pre-screen then show your kids that walks them through what they will go through at the airport. Make sure they understand that any special stuff animal/blanket or item that they are carrying will need to go through the x-ray machine but they will get it back before they leave the security area. Have seen kids meltdown when they are separated from the doll they are carrying......

Get your kids comfortable using headphones for any noise producing electronic equipment you bring - movies on an ipad, video games with sound, etc.

 

[mediadiva]

His will be our first flight with children. DD will have just turned 4 (ticketed seat) and DS will be 20 months (lap child). What do I need to know/bring to fly with children? I know I need things to entertain; I'm wanting to know the less-obvious stuff. Need-to-knows for more than just the plane ride, please!

You never know if you will have a kid who will react badly to the altitude change and have pain in their ears. So maybe give tylonal before taking off.. and bring gum or some very chewy candy they are able to chew. For some kids it can be quiet painful. Don't feed them anything out of the ordinary, stuff that won't upset the stomach incase they turn out to be susceptible to motion sickness. Feed them things that won't be super terrible cleaning up as throw up (like anything with lots of dye or a red slurpee etc).

 

[amyren]

Get your kids comfortable using headphones for any noise producing electronic equipment you bring - movies on an ipad, video games with sound, etc.

Couldn't agree more. We flew over 30 hours with our kids this summer DD6 and DS 20 months. (ATL-LAX-TOKYO-HNL-LAX-ATL). Head phones were a life saver with our little guy. Fortunately for us (and everyone on our planes) a combination of movement & Mickey Mouse Clubhouse would lull him to sleep =)
Lollypops were also great even if he did get a little sticky. I gave them to him on take off. I'm not sure if they helped his ears or not but he never cried during take off!

 

[shoppie]

If your little ones carry a stuffed animal, be sure to prep them that they will be separated during the TSA process. My DD cried when they took her puppy and wouldn't give it back until she passed security..


I found coloring books and crayons helped my DD on the flight. I also got her a Disney for kids book so she could look at the pictures....

All else fails, I'll give you $5 to be good!

 

[jawa7400]

You will need a birth certificate for the lap child to prove they are under 2 years of age.

Go to TSA.gov traveler info - Travel with Children. There's a video you can pre-screen then show your kids that walks them through what they will go through at the airport. Make sure they understand that any special stuff animal/blanket or item that they are carrying will need to go through the x-ray machine but they will get it back before they leave the security area. Have seen kids meltdown when they are separated from the doll they are carrying......

Get your kids comfortable using headphones for any noise producing electronic equipment you bring - movies on an ipad, video games with sound, etc.

Does DD4 need any type of ID with her? Birth certificate?

 

[mommyofsamson]

Does DD4 need any type of ID with her? Birth certificate?

Just the lap child. I took a copy of mine so I wouldn't lose the original. Some places check, some don't. Always have it in case!

 

[MandiC]

Definitely bring something for take off/landing. Suckers, pacifiers, if you trust your 4 year old with gum maybe that. My (then) 7 year old had a *really* hard time with take off/landing. She really isn't usually the complaining type but she was crying while we were landing. (unfortunately she probably gets it from me, I can feel it almost constantly from the time the plane starts descending a good half hour before we actually land) and I even brought gum for her, so just be prepared. Also, I can't remember the name of it at the moment but there is a motion sickness remedy that you put behind their ears. I figured better safe than sorry there I didn't want to try to get a child to aim for a motion sickness bag.
I'm sure there are books and make sure to talk about what will happen (your ears might feel a little funny). I brought our guide book on the plane and we looked at rides and 'planned' some more. Your kids might be a little young but I also had my tablet with and southwest does a flight tracker so my daughters thought it was fun to see which state we were over and how high up we were and how fast we were going.