Give me all your tips about flying with kids:

[Desnik]

What I am specifically looking for is advice and tips navigating through the airport with kids, stroller, carryons, etc!
This will be our first time flying and our kids are 3 and 8. I planned on gate checking our stroller, and we each would have a carryon, and small backpack. No checked luggage. We will be flying Jetblue, so I am only bringing snacks, juice, color wonder markers and books, travel magna doodle and DD will have her gameboy. I think that will be enough to keep them busy. Our flight is at 7:55am so they both might sleep.
Any tips for getting through security faster, like don't wear jewlery, wear slip on shoes? What else? Am I crazy to try and have only carryons? Will it be too hard to get around the airport? We will be using ME and staying at BWV and I really wanted to have my stuff with us. Now I'm not sure.
Any tips and advice for making this a smooth, and good experience for all of us would be really appreciated. I should add that DH will be medicated because of his flying issues, so I will really be the one taking care of the kids. I really want this to be as stress free as possible. We usually drive every year and are leary about the whole flying thing but really wanted to give it a try. Boy, it's so easy to just load whatever you want in the car and just go!

 

[stacy6552]

keep the toddler in the stroller. Otherwise, relax. I've done it with the two kids about those ages by myself and its no sweat.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

I would rethink taking all carry-on luggage. Curbside check-in is so convenient and with Magical Express you wouldn't have to touch your luggage again!

We just flew with our 7, 4, and 1 year old. The 7 and 4 year olds were so easy!!! (The one year old was a LOT more work to travel with---car seat, diapers, etc)

I let our older two wear their own backpack. In it was:

1. gameboy for 7 year old; leappad for 4 year old

2. a folder I had decorated all Disney with white paper in the middle and a zipper pouch with twistable crayons, auto pencils, stickers, "secret message" markers, etc. In the back pocket I put a bunch of printables (see thread at top of board) like Disney journal and word searches for 7 year old; Disney letter practice for 4 year old. I also stuck in a map of all the WDW parks---the kids LOVED these.

3. A few surprise toys---plastic slinkies, silly putty, light up spinner (small one from Disney store), etc

4. Snacks---I put in cheese/crackers packs, one apple, a granola bar, gum for take off/landing, and a big pop-top water bottle.

5. A change of clothes in a ziploc bag.

Airport tips:

1. Slip on shoes for everyone---we wore crocs.

2. Minimal jewelry

3. Send one parent through security, then both kids, then other parent.

4. Have your license and boarding pass handy---we had to show these several times.

5. Don't be in a hurry to board the plane. The faster you are on, the longer you will sit.

6. Do a final restroom break just prior to boarding.

7. Pay the $$$ for the BEST parking---I love the convenience and think it is worth it.

Have fun!!!

 

[krismom]

fly Jetblue! the TV's and having their own remotes were great!

 

[staci]

I would also take a bag of checked luggage. It will be so much less to haul around the airport, and also easier to board the plane.

 

[NotUrsula]

The younger one in the stroller, with loopy Dad pushing it, and perhaps wearing a daypack. You are now down to a maximum of 3 real carryon bags. Your 8yo can pull one, but don't expect a child to handle both a rollaway and a carry-on; they get over-balanced and clumsy. You have 2 hands, so you can pull two rollaways and wear a daypack, but that means you cannot take the child by the hand. Someone will also have to handle folding and securing the stroller on the jetway.

IMO, if you can manage with 2 max. 22" rollaways and 2 daypacks, you are OK. If you need more than that, you should check one larger pullman (and maybe a duffel if you can bungee it onto the pullman to move it into the airport), then just take two daypacks as carryons. Remember that a handbag counts as a "personal item" and cuts your own allowance down to that + one, unless you stash it inside a carryon.

And yes, I know you can pay a skycap to handle the bags, but do you really want to make your trip into that kind of caravan? My rule is that if we can't handle it ourselves, we are taking too much. (BTW, I also have a rule that if we wouldn't take it when we fly, it doesn't come when we drive, either.)

 

[TravelinGal]

Ditto the checked luggage - it's much easier! Especially if you don't have to worry about collecting it. (now, personally, I'd be there to collect it and then let the ME take it from there - I'd just rest easier knowing all my bags were accounted for).

Mark checked luggage with your name (the one on the hotel reservation), hotel name and dates of travel. You do not need to have your home address visible. If you will have a cell phone with you, you can add that number too.
Chances are low that your bags will be lost/delayed, but "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"

Wear slip on shoes that do not have any metal on them. Crocs are a good one for this...ugly but easy - and comfortable!!!

Jewelry - wear as much as you want!! AS LONG as it's "real". Gold and silver will NOT set of the machine. I have always worn gold watch, 2 rings, bracelet, necklace with pendant and earrings. NEVER has security asked me to remove them, nor have they set of the machine. EVERY time DH takes off his chain because he doesn't believe me - and ever time I ask a security worker about it and they reassure my DH it's fine to leave on. But it's true what they say - you can't teach an old dog new tricks!

If your youngest is still in diapers, pack 2 more than they would normally use in the same time frame.

Bring toys that are clean (businessmen/women HATE play-dough - it leaves grease on the trays and if a small piece gets into the fabric of the seat it can leave a nasty grease spot on their nice business clothes), toys that don't have many small/lose parts, and QUIET! Last thing I want to hear the entire flight is some game going right behind my head. I think you can get headsets for the gameboy - I recommend it.

Remember to pack a sense of humor and a bit of humility. It's not the end of the world if the kids bump the seat in front of them a couple of times, but apologize when they do (or have the kids apologize if they are old enough)! And do your best to keep them from doing it again. I know, for me, it means a lot to hear the parent TRYING even if kiddos don't cooperate.
I was on a flight once where the kid kicked my seat about 70% of the flight. He also pulled my hair - reached between the seats and yanked. The parents did nothing. I was miserable and furious by the end of that flight.

Your youngest may still have problems equalizing the pressure in his/her ears. Since a 3 year old is (I assume) too old for a bottle/pacifier but (usually) too young for gum, try some of the really chewy fruit snacks (gummy style). That will keep them chewing on the ascent and descent - which will help the ears. (remember to have an extra bag for the descent!)

Most of all, TRY to have fun! It is part of your vacation and it doesn't have to be a burden.

 

[TravelinGal]

Just thought of something else. Don't make a big deal out of dad's flying issues. The kids will pick up on it and then think flying is scary. Make it fun and exciting for them - favorite flying superheros etc
- Was that Superman I just saw fly past?
- What do you think clouds look like on top?

Hit some turbulance? Make a joke of it - like "They need to fix that pot hole!" or "The plane is bouncing like a kangaroo" (or the plane that Little Einsteins fly in - I've seen it bounce as it was flying)

Airplanes are safer than cars. Honest! People wouldn't want to be pilots and flight attendants if it was a high risk job.

 

[tara98]

Since we are on the subject, any good tips on takeoff/landing? My 4 yr old last time was very good on the plain, but was in a lot of pain with his ears during these times.. It was very frustrating. We tried all the obvious tips.. gum, yawning... Anything you have tried??

 

[tara98]

Sorry, typed too fast.. I meant PLANE!>>

 

[TravelinGal]

Tara - if your 4 year old will leave them in, there's earplug type things called earplanes that people have said work. But I think they are supposed to stay in the whole flight to be effective...

 

[Desnik]

Thanks so much for the great tips and advice! I have repacked and have fit everything into 1 large bag, 1 small one we will check, one carryon(with a duffle bag rolled into it for souveniers!) I can handle wheeling and we each will have a small backpack.(the kids will each have their own with snacks and things to occupy them) DH will wheel DS in the stroller, and yes he will be loopy! For my own peace of mind we will be using ME but will handle our own luggage.
DS had his 3 year check up yesturday and we asked the Dr. what to do on take off and landing for the kids and she suggested (sugar free) bubble gum for us and DD. Lots of it to promote that chewing! She suggested trying to make our DS drink or suck a lolipop.

The thing about DH is he really doesn't have a fear of flying. He has a phobia(forgot the name)of being somewhere and feeling trapped, not haveing the control to get out. It could be a stadium, or theater and if it gets dark and he sees no way out, he flips out in panic attacks. DH is a 9/11 survivor and has been stuck in 1 too many elevators with his profession. We know that flying is much safer than driving and that's the main reason we are flying this time. In Sept. we were all in a really horrific car accident and flipped several times after nearly missing a tractor trailor that rolled fom the opposite direction on the other side of the highway and rolled through the median into my lane at 75+mph! So, we are all still "on edge" and we really can't put ourselves through a long drive like that. Hopefully we will be fine flying and it will open up lots of other vacationing options for us!!

Travelingal, thanks for all that info! I was going to bring play doh for DS, it's his favorite and really great for his OT(occupational theropy)issues. I guess I'll take that off the list! Also I'm the type of mom that would never allow my kids to be out of control on a plane. They do enough of that at home!!!LOL They are really good and I'm sure will sit still and behave. Now DH is another story. That's why he gets to sit across the ailse!!

 

[NotUrsula]

What helps ears is not chewing -- it is SWALLOWING. Gum aids this because it causes you to produce extra saliva, which you then swallow, but it is much more effective to just skip the whole chewing step and go straight to the swallowing. Give him a bottle of water with a sport top on it and insist that he drink from it during takeoff and landing. A decongestant 30 minutes prior to takeoff helps too.

 

[mjmcca]

MY kids each have a backpack they use for traveling. I pack a few old favs and some new surprises. Always put in new crayons and a coloring book.Since your DD is taking a gameboy maybe a new game for it?


I would get your DS the V smile pocket if you plan any trips inthe future. It is like a gameboy for the younger set.


Jetblue has a good supply of snacks and drinks and they will give you seconds and even thirds for free so you dont have to take too many snacks for the plane if you dont want to. From the website


Complimentary Snacks
Terra Blues® Chips
Doritos® Munchies Mix
Mamma Says Chocolate Chunk Cookie
All Nuts Jumbo Cashew Halves
Mamma Says Pistachio Biscotti
Mrs. GoodCookie Jungle Crackers



Complimentary Cold Drinks
Coke / Diet Coke
Sprite / Sprite Zero
Canada Dry Ginger Ale
Canada Dry Club Soda
Canada Dry Tonic Water
Welch's Cranberry Juice
Welch's Orange Juice
Welch's Apple Juice
Campbell's Tomato Juice
Mr. and Mrs. T's Bloody Mary Mix
Arizona Iced Tea
Dannon Natural Spring Water




Complimentary Hot Drinks
Dunkin' Donuts Original Blend Coffee
Dunkin' Donuts Decaf Coffee
Lipton Black Tea
Lipton Decaf Tea
Twinings Earl Grey Tea
Lipton Cup-a-Soup



Jet blue has Direct TV At each seat and they have Boomerang and Nickelodeon for the kids.

I dont know if you have ever flown on them but they have a really nice terminal at JFK including tons of Wi Fi hotsopts.

I flew Jetblue only once but it is my fav airline

 

[mjmcca]

OH I forgot in Florida they load and deplane from the tail of the plane at least they did when i took them. You are on the tarmac in the heat of Fla. There is a significant amount of walking and then a good amount of stairs to climb until you reach the terminal. So i would minimize the amount of carryons i took.

 

[danicaw]

We just got back from a trip to So. CA with our 2 1/2 yr old to see family and of course DL.
The best thing I got for the trip was a package of Aqua Doodle Mini Mats.
They work with a pen that holds water (so it can't damage much) and had 3 mats that are full color once the pen goes over them.
Once they dry you can start all over, which was great on the plane since the air was so dry the first mat was ready by the time he was done with the third one.
It kept him entertained longer than I could have hoped.
They come in several different patterns (Sesame Street, Thomas the Tank Engine, Winnie the Pooh and Princesses).
Although I had 2 separate Pooh boxes turn out to be Sesame Street patterns instead, so if it will matter to you little one check inside the box before buying.
I got mine at Target for like $7 and I love that they are reusable.

 

[JennyW]

If Play-Doh type stuff is great for your child's OT issues, there are other options that won't pull apart easily and get left behind on seats and such. You could try silly putty, or if it's just a tactile squishy thing you need, some stress balls or other things that squish but hold their integrity.

Good luck!

jenny

 

[MNfamilycruiser]

Tara - if your 4 year old will leave them in, there's earplug type things called earplanes that people have said work. But I think they are supposed to stay in the whole flight to be effective...

No, they just have to be in before you start to descend.

 

[serenitynow]

1) MAIL most of your luggage contents in a big box to your hotel. FEDEX Ground usually the cheapest

2) Beg, borrow or buy a portable DVD player for the plane, waiting in the airport, waiting for your room to be ready, etc.

3) Mini Aquadoodle pads are great and take up very little room

4) MY MOST IMPORTANT tip: Take $10.00 or $20.00 to the dollar store and spend it on a variety of little fun toys. Put this set of dollar toys in a bag in your carry-on luggage for the trip home. Its your emergency surprise bag.

It always seems to take longer to get home than to get there. Also, weather can cause long delays. Our original flight was cancelled, we had to fly into a different airport, bad weather grounded us for another 5 hours. We were supposed to be home by 11am and did not arrive home until midnite. My bag of new dollar store toys was a sanity saver!!

 

[TravelinGal]

Quote:
Originally Posted by TravelinGal
Tara - if your 4 year old will leave them in, there's earplug type things called earplanes that people have said work. But I think they are supposed to stay in the whole flight to be effective...

No, they just have to be in before you start to descend.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I don't remember where I read my misinformation.