Tips for Flying With Kids?

[DisneyMama811]

For our January 2023 trip we will be flying from Toronto ON to Orlando Intl, the flight is approximately 3 hours. This will be the first time on a plane for our girls (6&8) I'd love tips and life hacks for air travel with kids please!

 

[CharissaOKC]

I don’t have any tips but I am following along! We normally drive but are planning on flying this year. We have a 2 yr old and 7yr old.

 

[a1tinkfans]

We used to be sure to bring along a special bag of “activities” .. typical stuff to keep them occupied. After like 5/6 we allowed them to bring their own little suitcase of special things. ( carry on of course) fav toy, snack, we did a Craft project for the ID tag. Yeah… one of those moms… Now, with Movies at most seats.. I’d def do that.. bring some “ movie” snacks. I’d suggest kids earplanes in case the kids have Any ear pressure issue pop up. It really can be quite painful, especially take off and landing. Sipping or chewing gum at those times are often suggested as well. When toddler and below, we chose flights that coordinated with nap times lol. Sending along some Pixie dust ur way for a safe Memory filled trip!

 

[ShazzySteph]

If there is anything new/fun that would get the children excited, I highly recommend giving it to them on the plane. I did this for my 4 year old on our flight last fall. We purchased a Pokemon "dictionary" and gave it to him as a surprise once we got through the initial part of the flight. He was so excited for the new book and the length of it kept him occupied for a large portion of time.

When he was younger, he was very intrigued by stickers. We had a relatively cheap sticker book from Five Below and we let him slowly peel and stick the stickers all over the activity book.

Since they are a bit older, watching a downloaded movie on an iPad or phone could fill time as well.

 

[Anna131517]

First, make sure you all have assigned seats next to each other. Dress in layers, bring a change of clothes, give them each a screen to watch movies you’ve downloaded or play games. Oh and bring a refillable water bottle for everyone. At those ages they should be pretty easy. Do you have their passports?

 

[DisneyMama811]

First, make sure you all have assigned seats next to each other. Dress in layers, bring a change of clothes, give them each a screen to watch movies you’ve downloaded or play games. Oh and bring a refillable water bottle for everyone. At those ages they should be pretty easy. Do you have their passports?

I'm waiting for them to come in the mail, the backlog in Canada is pretty long but they should arrive soon

 

[dez1978]

Alcohol.... lots of alcohol.

 

[lpereira]

Alcohol.... lots of alcohol.

Not for your kids. For some reason CPS frowns on that. Not for you either- Parents need to be minding their kids. Alcohol is for the folks seated around you. Just pull the flight attendant aside and point to the rows you are paying for.

 

[DisneyMama811]

Alcohol.... lots of alcohol.

haha I think ill settle for Ativan myself

 

[EilonwyWanderer]

Definitely give them an ipad or an iphone to watch OR just be sure to bring headphones so they can watch some of the inflight movies. My girls are those ages and they LOVE playing the Delta games on the back of the seat.

 

[lostprincess_danie]

Ask for air sickness bags BEFORE take off, if they are not already provided, just in case your littles' tummies don't do well with the pressure changes. Learned that lesson the hard way during DDs first flight.

 

[SLThomas318]

Our boys use Kindles when we fly... we always download some new shows/movies and games. We don't let them use them 'till we are seated on the plane... we make them run/walk around the airport 'till it is time to board. We really only use the Kindles when we travel so it pretty much keeps their attention the whole flight. When they were younger I would bring some new small toys or something to draw/color. At 6 and 8 I'm sure they will be good with a movie, show, or game. I always make sure I have lots of snacks and water. Have fun!

 

[dez1978]

Not for your kids. For some reason CPS frowns on that. Not for you either- Parents need to be minding their kids. Alcohol is for the folks seated around you. Just pull the flight attendant aside and point to the rows you are paying for.

I'll totally buy for the ones around me, but momma needs a lil something too lol.

Actually, I've been very lucky. My boys (now 8 and 10) are fantastic on planes. Never have been an issue, but we never tried flying until they were 5&7. They were absolute terrors on long drives so I was so scared they'd be a disaster on planes. But they are better flyers than I am lol. I am not a fan of flying but I am a fan of travel so I deal with it. We drove to Gulf shores when they were 4&6 and it's about 14 hrs. It was HORRIBLE. I swore never again.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

For our January 2023 trip we will be flying from Toronto ON to Orlando Intl, the flight is approximately 3 hours. This will be the first time on a plane for our girls (6&8) I'd love tips and life hacks for air travel with kids please!

be sure to have a change of clothes for everyone including adults. stuff to bring along to do what do your girls like to do when sitting quietly let that be your guide plus headphones or ear buds for movies or games. use them at home before your trip

 

[DisneyMama811]

be sure to have a change of clothes for everyone including adults. stuff to bring along to do what do your girls like to do when sitting quietly let that be your guide plus headphones or ear buds for movies or games. use them at home before your trip

do you know if you can use blue tooth headphones on a plane or do they need to have a aux cord

 

[OppR2nist]

We have an odd tradition ever since our first trip when my boys were 8 and 10. We touch the outside of the plane as we're getting on. I have no idea why we started doing it, but it's kinda cool, and we still do it even though they're now 13 and 15.

 

[DisneyMama811]

We have an odd tradition ever since our first trip when my boys were 8 and 10. We touch the outside of the plane as we're getting on. I have no idea why we started doing it, but it's kinda cool, and we still do it even though they're now 13 and 15.

do you get on the plane from the tarmac? I've only ever gotten on a plane when it's got the long tunnel you walk through

 

[OppR2nist]

do you get on the plane from the tarmac? I've only ever gotten on a plane when it's got the long tunnel you walk through

No, we just each place a hand on the little area of exposed door frame as we get to the end of the tunnel.

 

[DisneyMama811]

No, we just each place a hand on the little area of exposed door frame as we get to the end of the tunnel.

ahh ok I get what you mean. I think that's a really cute tradition

 

[MamaMermaid]

1. Earplanes -- really helps with the altitude changes/ear pain. They make them kid sized.
2. Snacks - lots of 'em.
3. Tablet with headphones - controversial depending on your views of screentime but we have no rules when it comes to flying; it's like survival mode for me
4. Small, lightweight backpack for each kid to carry their plane activities & extra set of clothes in case of emergency.