O/T Tips for LONG (8+ hour) flights with kids?

[ekatiel]

This is O/T but we are leaving for Hawaii in three weeks , and I'm starting to freak out about the flights. We have a direct flight there from Houston, I think it's 9 hours. It is during the day. Our flight back is at night and we fly to Denver first, and then back to Houston. Anyone have tips for flying for so long with relatively young kids (our boys are 5 and 7)? We plan to bring a portable DVD player, as well as my DH's IPOD that has a ton of movies on it. What else should we bring? Also, ODS has food allergies to eggs and nuts. I'm thinking I'm going to have to bring his meals and snacks on the plane. What should I bring? Lunchables (without the drink)? Will TSA have a problem with these? Thanks for any advice you've got! --Katie

 

[cndij]

We did it with 3 girls age 9, 11 and 12 at the time, however our longest flight was SFO to HNL (maybe 7 hours?). Each girl had their own backpack with coloring books, color pencils, a few other toys, granola bars and other prepackaged snacks, so could get their own snacks when they wanted. It worked well for us.

 

[Madison'smommy]

snacks, and a few new small toys and/or games... paper to color on or draw, play hang man and tic tac toe etc.... a bag for each is a good idea!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Do they have DS's? Sounds like a good time to introduce them. Otherwise maybe some color wonder sets, a few match box cars, maybe a small lego set, books to read, LOTS of snacks and real food!

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

So far all great ideas. I always liked the activities like coloring and stickers and it was stimulating and helped when my DD would get squirmy. Also, have them draw some of the new things they might see as they probably haven't done that before. Something new( toy or game) is always a winner too. The other thing I liked was to read to her. It may help put them in nap mode even if they're not nappers. Junie B books seem like the right age. They're funny too. Have fun.

 

[luvmythree]

I also suggest their own separate backpacks filled with things that are new to them at the time.

I've traveled extensively with my 3 kids on flights to Fiji, Australia, Europe, Hawaii and Japan. I can tell you that my kids LOVED pipe cleaners. I know it sounds "dumb" but they had a blast with them and they were cheap. They played with them for hours and made all kinds of things with them.

I packed a ton of snacks for them in their backpacks plus I carried on an insulated bag (instead of a purse) and had cheese sticks, gogurt I had frozen, (don't know if you could use those now though due to the restrictions), homemade type lunchables with pepperoni, crackers, snackpack pudding etc.

Have fun! I stressed about my kids not doing well on the long flights but they actually did better on the longer flights than the flight to Disneyland which is about 2 hrs.

 

[MineMail]

I've traveled extensively with my 3 kids on flights to Fiji, Australia, Europe, Hawaii and Japan. I can tell you that my kids LOVED pipe cleaners. I know it sounds "dumb" but they had a blast with them and they were cheap. They played with them for hours and made all kinds of things with them.

Pipecleaners are a great idea. We used to buy WikkiStixs from learning stores or online. They're like candle wicks and can be bent, molded, twisted or laid out on paper to make 3D pictures. Even though they're waxed, they don't stain or get sticky.

http://www.wikkistix.com/

 

[dzorn]

This is O/T but we are leaving for Hawaii in three weeks , and I'm starting to freak out about the flights. We have a direct flight there from Houston, I think it's 9 hours. It is during the day. Our flight back is at night and we fly to Denver first, and then back to Houston. Anyone have tips for flying for so long with relatively young kids (our boys are 5 and 7)? We plan to bring a portable DVD player, as well as my DH's IPOD that has a ton of movies on it. What else should we bring? Also, ODS has food allergies to eggs and nuts. I'm thinking I'm going to have to bring his meals and snacks on the plane. What should I bring? Lunchables (without the drink)? Will TSA have a problem with these? Thanks for any advice you've got! --Katie

Buy an external battery for the Ipod and make sure you have working headphones for it and the DVD player. We also bought movies that the kids have not seen before the trip. On our car trips(from MI to FL) we would stop and let them pick a new one out, but you could easily load them ahead of time. We also used book on tape as it takes uses less battery. Both of ours use Nintendo DS.

Our kids also had their own back pack they were responsible for carrying on. That had their own snacks, light sweater/hoodie in case the plane was to warm/cool. These went under the seat in front of them during take off then they just kept them on their lap, so they were on the small size.

 

[dzorn]

A few weeks before the trip DH would get the occasional happy meal from a place other than where we usually ate and I would save these toys for my bag to be pulled out if needed.

Oh and they seem the perfect age to start playing Uno or another card game.

Our flights are usually only 2 1/2 hours, 8+

Densie in MI

 

[furb & dez]

Lots of good advice already posted by others so far. I'll add:

• Food. Not just snacks, but honest-to-goodness FOOD - for EVERYONE in your party. Airlines don't serve meals anymore, and what little food is available is meager, and usually not enough for the entire plane.
• Benadryl. If they start getting fussy, put them OUT. It's bad enough for YOU to suffer through their whining, how do you think the other hundred people on the plane feel?
• Hand sanitizer. Use constantly.

 

[Janepod]

• Like everyone said, TONS of food. Real food, snacks, candy (e.g., Hershey kisses) to share with the people around you if your kids act up.
• Movies and HEADPHONES
• Clorox wipes - wipe down the armrests, tray tables, etc. You'll be shocked and disgusted how black the wipe turns out!
• Roll of blue painters tape for the kids to fool around with. Doesn't take up much space, they can do tons of goofy stuff with it, and just throw the tape out when you're done

Have a great trip! I'm jealous!

 

[At World's End]

Our flights to WDW are always 7+ hrs, and this is what has worked for us.

Each kids has a backpack with books, toys, etc. I also pack a travel pillow and small cozy blanket in there (seal them in a gallon ziplock to save space). They may not nap at home, but hopefully they do on the plane!

My backpack has the DVD player, earphones, and snacks. I also have 3 empty water containers and several individual packs of koolaid.

DH's carryon has a change of clothes for all of us. Last time a kid (not ours!) spewed while walking down the aisle trying to get to the bathroom. You just never know when you will need a change of clothes!

I also bring a softsided cooler with real food - sandwiches, fruit, crackers, etc. Bring extra ziplock baggies, napkins and wetwipes. This counts as a personal item in your carryon allowance.

Once we get past security, I fill up the water bottles at a drinking fountain and add the koolaid packets. I then go the the food court and fill up a ziplock baggie with ice to put in the cooler.

 

[dzorn]

Lots of good advice already posted by others so far. I'll add:

• Food. Not just snacks, but honest-to-goodness FOOD - for EVERYONE in your party. Airlines don't serve meals anymore, and what little food is available is meager, and usually not enough for the entire plane.
• Benadryl. If they start getting fussy, put them OUT. It's bad enough for YOU to suffer through their whining, how do you think the other hundred people on the plane feel?
• Hand sanitizer. Use constantly.

FYI not all kids sleep with benadryl, it sends my DD into hyper mode.

Denise in MI

 

[gules]

I've never traveled to Hawaii, so I don't know how strict they are with various flight regulation, but I recently traveled abroad with some of my younger cousins are are allergic to just about everything (gluten, dairy, fish, nuts, etc).

The flight luckily had those monitors on the backs of the headrests with games and things, so they didn't need any extra entertainment. Otherwise, the DVD player or iPod and some kind of game system might be in order. Coloring and activity books are a huge plus, but try to pick coloring tools that won't go everywhere (as a kid I was always better with colored pencils than crayons). Also try walking the kids around the cabin in the middle of the flight if their legs get restless. It used to help me a lot.

Food can be tricky. My aunt is very careful with her kids, and she brought all kinds of things she had pre-prepared. She chose things that would do well for several hours at room temperature and just packed them in a bookbag. TSA can be strict about bringing anything liquid, which would include things like yogurt and cooler packs. I can imagine that stricter security might get antsy with some types of insulated coolers (the ones with the reflective inner coatings, for example), which is I think why she didn't bother with that at all. If you are worried about your kids definitely having enough to eat, I would go the pre-prepared room-temp route. Remember that you can always get ice or hot water after you get on the plane!

Best of luck traveling with your kids! At 5 years I would personally try to avoid giving benadryl just to calm them down, but it's an option if someone gets really freaked out flying or has a meltdown. If they are VERY food allergic, remember to bring something in case of emergencies on the plane!

 

[Mkebound]

I've taken my kids, now 5 & 7 to Europe three times and Hawaii twice.

You've gotten a lot of good advice, but let me add a few things and reinforce a few others.

Food: Younger people are less able to understand how lack of nutritional leads them to be irritable. Not only is food hard to come by on a flight, when it is available it's of poor nutritional quality; think pretzels and cookies. Some airlines offer decent food for sale, but I find you can find much better quality if you arrive at the airport early and order food from a restaurant after security and ask them to pack it to go, then eat on the plane. One problem I've had as the adult is justifying paying the inflated price for airport food, so make peace with the cost of traveling before you go and be ready to pay for quality and convenience.

Move around when you can. At 5 & 7 your kids are old enough for you to explain before hand that they are expected to be in their seat (not kicking the seat in front of them) for long periods of time. However, once the fasten seat belt sign is off, and the flight attendants aren't in the aisles for drink service, get the kids up. Walk the aisles, do stretches in the back or even in the aisles.

Having a laptop/Ipad/DVD player that can play movies can eat up hours of time.

If your kids have never worn ear plugs, try them out know. I'm blessed with kids that sleep on planes during nighttime flights (something I've never been able to do) and ear plugs keep them from waking up due to cabin announcements/crying babies and the like. My 7 year old even wears an eye mask we picked up for a few dollars.

Pipe cleaners, wiki sticks and packs of stickers have been favorites of my kids as well. It's a huge bonus that these are light weight too! Books are great too, but can get heavy.

Talk with your kids before the flight about your expectations for their behavior.

Most importantly, set a good example. Your kids will take their cue from you so if you are calm and relaxed they will be more likely to be calm and relaxed as well. Flying can be stressful, so do you best to arrive at the airport with enough time to have a calm check-in and experience before the flight.

 

[furb & dez]

FYI not all kids sleep with benadryl, it sends my DD into hyper mode.

Denise in MI

Very true; make sure you know how your children react!

 

[ekatiel]

Thanks for all the great advice, guys! Pipe cleaners-- that's brilliant!!! My ODS loves to "create", so pipe cleaners will keep him busy for quite a while. I called the airline about the food options and was advised to bring our own. I'm just hoping TSA doesn't decide to take it! I'm thinking I'll bring those pizza lunchables (although I'm a little worried about the sauce packet-- it's small enough to pass regs, right?). My boys do not like the regular cracker lunchables. I will also pack some sunbutter and jelly sandwiches and plenty of snacks. We've got the DVD player and IPOD that should help for a few hours, and the boys are already used to using headphones, so that's not a problem. ODS has a DS and YDS has a leapster, so I guess we'll pack those, too. We're on a 767, so I'm hoping it will have the TVs in the backs of the seats. Does anyone know if those TVs take regular headphones, or if you need the two-prong kind that they sell? We are willing to pay $$ for the head phones if need be. Thanks again for all the suggestions! --Katie

 

[jsmith]

We flew to Europe last summer on a 767 and were able to use our own headphones.
On a 9 hour over water flight there will also be probably two movies-they should be family friendly and you may be able to find out in advance what they are from your airlines website. The flight back from Honolulu to denver will be signifgantly shorter-about 6 and half hours which will help a bit also.
We are heading to hawaii soon too-at the end of the month-probably the day you fly back.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Duct Tape!

 

[bopper]

The airplane will probably have movies too and will have some that are kid friendly. Start with that before your dvd player so you don't have to worry about the batteries running out.

Dramamine (they have chewable) is also good to prevent airsickness and it has the side effect of making people drowsy. Which might be helpful!

I also used to bring my own "sippy cups"...cups with a lid of some sort so that I didn't have to worry about the kids spilling the airline cups. Just be careful when you are landing and there is a pressure differential that you don't open the straw to find liquid coming out....unscrew the lid briefly to equalize the pressure.

Think about the snacks you bring and make sure they are not too messy. Don't bring fruit to Hawaii..they won't let you bring it on the island.

Every airline I have been on takes the regular headphones...if there is not a separate plug for them then you can use one ofthe two holes.