Kids-1st time flying (TIPS PLEASE!!!)

[Jana49]

The flight attendant also recommended having the fan overhead on and blowing right at our heads to help equalize the pressure.

Good idea about the glass and hot paper towel!

 

[buzzlady]

Bring a change of clothes for the kids. We had a little boy on our plane get sick all over himself. Have the little air sickness bag readily available.

 

[LadyAurora]

Just be prepared for the trip to take longer than you expect. Our first trip with DSs was their first plane trip (age 6). I packed bags of snacks and distractions for the flight. The boys were not scared, but were very excited. However, there was a storm between O'Hare and Orlando, and they would not let our plane take off. Unfortunately, they also would not go back to the terminal, so we were on the runway for about 6 hours, and then had the 2 hour flight. The boys were through their backpacks before we even took off! Luckily, one fell asleep finally and one was making faces at the little girl in front of him. hopefully you will not have such an extreme delay, but always be prepared and then some!

 

[nataliesdaddy]

when I fly with my DD (age 7 now) I take - pad of art paper, a bunch of play doh - glitter glue - something kind of like tinker toy building toys - markers (washable) - crayons - coloring books - I got her a camera this last time for pictures out the window - ...hmmm ohand this last time I brought oreos, peanut butter sandwiches, and chocolate chip cookies -

our flight averages 6 hours flight time with an hour lay over - and with all those things she has kept herself more then occupied - frankly they are the shortest flights I ever have because she is so entertained and entertaining.

 

[April76]

Travelling with kids -- definitely bring something to play with BUT remember that it will most likely end up on the floor and the smaller it is, the harder it is to recover. Also, try to keep getting into backpacks to a minimum.... it can be kinda tight in the passenger area and difficult to bend down and get into bags, etc.

When we took our 2 & 3 yr olds, each had their own pack with small baggies of cookies, chips, pretzels (whatever they like that isn't messy).... got them started on the first snack as we started down the runway for take-off, second whenever they got restless, and third for landing --- it kept them chewing and their minds off the plane.

Gave them each a small spiral notebook with 3 colored pens attached with ribbons -- never had to retrieve them from the floor. A few "new" toys from the dollar store were a real treat too.

We also requested the little airline pillows and they eventually fell asleep.

No ear problems at all and they loved flying!

GOOD LUCK!

 

[bmr12]

My tips for traveling on planes with children:

*Plan on being delayed. Take extra food, drinks, and diapers as appropriate and plan on taking an extra 6-12 hours to arrive at your destination beyond what is scheduled. I am always sad to see the mothers at the airports on the news who have run out of diapers, formula, etc., for their small children during blizzards and thunderstorms. My carry-ons have always been stuffed with extra food (I've even fed flight attendants during delays). Food entertains and fills tummys.

*Take lots of "new" things. We keep a stash of sticker books, coloring books, and other smaller/flatter items to take on our trips. It provides something new for the kid(s) to play with and is relatively quiet for those seated nearby. Costco is a great resource for such items, and Target has a nice supply of "workbooks" my daughter enjoys.

*If you have a laptop with a DVD drive, you are in great shape. Either buy some new DVDs on eBay, or check them out from your local library, or from Netflix, and go to town.

*Bring whatever comfort items your child needs at nap/bedtime. My daughter often will cuddle her blankie and stuffed friends while sitting on the plane even if she isn't really going to sleep. They are relatively small and lightweight, and in my case are critical if we ever get stuck somewhere overnight without our checked luggage.

*When packing, think about not seeing your checked luggage for 24-48 hours. Take a spare set of clothes/underwear/etc. for everyone involved plus whatever else you would want overnight (comfort items, diapers, etc.). This is especially true if you are making a connection and could get stuck at someplace that is neither your destination nor your starting point.

*Seriously consider buying a seat for all children, even those under two. It gives you a lot more space, and is signficantly safer. Take your carseat for kids under 40 lbs on the plane--another familiar item.

*Make sure it seems like fun. Let your kids explore the cockpit if possible--my daughter has sat in several pilot's seats and asks them all sorts of questions and they are almost always very agreeable and friendly. Wander the plane partway through with tiny kids (<4) just to get up and move around. Get a window seat and look at the other planes taking off and landing, and point out things on the ground below while in flight.

 

[thumperjr9]

Lots of good tips here!! I think 6 and 11 year old should do fine. Be sure to explain things that might happen going through security, for example they may have to take shoes off. However don't explain in too much detail what secuity is looking for (weapons etc.) that may scare them. Although, 11 year old is probably already aware of what is going on.

For families with small children explain that they will have to put anything they are carrying through the x-ray machine. On our last trip when we were leaving Orlando my DS-3 was carrying a tiny plastic Buzz toy. I wasn't even thinking about it, but security asked him for it and before I could even explain to him that he would get it right back he started screaming and had a total meltdown for all to see!

I have used benadryl for my kids on trips too (for drowsiness effect) but I would suggest trying this ahead of time because I have heard that it can have the opposite effect and cause excitablity in some kids.

 

[StitchGirl88]

tell your Daughter to move her jaw up and down the time you go up and when you land it is kinda like chewing gum just without hte gum or give her a lil snack she can chew on while taking off or landing!! Hope this helps