[Advice for] Flying With Kids About This Page:

[Jessie092408]

I'm sure this has been discussed before, but in my quick scroll through I didn't see any recent threads.

What are your best tips for flying with little ones?

When we fly in September, my older daughter will be about a month and a half shy of being 4, and my younger daughter will be a week shy of 16 months. I plan on bringing coloring books and books and a couple new (small, not noisy) toys, and a tablet and headphones for a movie. (We fly from Washington state, and the flight is more than 5 hours long...)

I was just wondering if anyone had any tips for me. I'm nervous. I've only flown with my older daughter once before, and she was only 10 months old. The flight down, she was an angel...the flight back was horrible...

So I'm nervous about doing it with two kids!

[Huntermom]

My grandson has flown a lot without a problem. I know that they bring lots of easy to eat snacks but he loves to eat. They do not do screen time so they have books, small toys and adults.

We did not fly a lot when my kids were that young but they few times we did, diaper changes were a pain. I know some kids are put in come out so if yours are those you might want to go easier on the snacks.

I did not do Benedryl but had friends that swore by it (and one that had the paradoxical or opposite reaction at home). I know bananas and turkey are supposed to make you sleepy so maybe one of those.

A a frequent flyer, to me the worse thing is a child who kicks my seat for hours and the parents never try to stop it. I sat next to the cutest and best behaved six year old on my last flight, he sat cross legged and his feet stayed where they belonged.

[Disney Dork]

My kids were about those ages when they first flew. I was nervous too. When the plane took off they screamed with delight...I think it was like an amusement ride to them. People were turning to see them and smiling. The kids were great for both flights so I needn't have worried.

Anyhow...you have some good ideas of things to bring. I also got some new books and new small things. A few things I remember were a small magnet set for my 4 year old (the magnets were animals and you stuck them on the background scenery), new coloring books & crayons, fidget squishy toys, small Disney action figures. I wrapped everything too to make it more fun. Having some snacks is a great idea too. Remember to save a couple of new things for the flight home.

Both kids were still in car seats (not booster seats) so my husband was allowed to board ahead and install the seats. I think that was more comfortable for both kids and they weren't squirming in their seats. I packed a small travel pillow and blanket for each of them too.

[GingerJ]

Remember to have something for them to suck on for takeoff and landing--sippie cups will work for the little one, maybe chewing gum for the older.

As you said, have lots of things to do...you should bring more than you think you need, if possible. I read once how someone brought a bunch of chenille sticks (pipe cleaners) for her kids to play with and it kept them occupied for a long time.

The most important advice I have is to buy a ticket for the baby and put her in a car seat. This is so much safer (and less tiring!) than trying to hold and soothe a baby in your arms for 5 hours!

Also, don't even bother to bring something to read or do for yourself! Seriously, you'll likely spend the entire trip trying to amuse & entertain your younger daughter, until/unless she falls asleep.

Is another adult flying with you? If so, I would split up the kids (unless your older enjoys playing with the baby, in which case she may be a good helper).

I would also bring a stroller and gate-check it from the jetway. Yes, a carry-on, stroller, purse, and car seat are a lot to carry...but navigating a terminal trying to carry stuff with a baby in your arms (or walking at toddler speed with her beside you) will be harder. If you have a car seat that fits onto a stroller base, that's the easiest way to go.

Again, I hope someone is coming with you! If not, do you have a friend who can go to the terminal with you? I think you could probably get a gate pass for him/her if you explain it's to help you get your gear to the plane. When my older son at 19 flew to Australia with a school group, the ticket agent gave me a gate pass so I could wait with him--we were very early and there were few restaurants outside the security area.

You'll be fine! Especially if your older daughter is a sweetheart who would never, ever kick the seat in front of her.

[lexiemom]

DD was 4 when she took her first flight. We made sure she was chewing on something during take off and landing. She wasn't ready for gum yet, so we used fruit snacks and gummy bears.

Other than that we did the same thing you have planned. We brought along coloring supplies, books and a tablet for her to watch movies.

[JoanneS]

I would definitely buy the youngest a ticket and bring her car seat. It might seem like a pain, but you'll have a happier baby on the journey. Bring a favorite stuffy for each child for comfort. Make sure you bring LOTS of snacks; remember, you have to get them back home on an airplane, too. A sippy cup with a lid or a bottle will help with liquids. Bring them empty and fill them after you pass security. Bring a change of clothes for each child in a carryon. And don't forget baby wipes for spills and sticky hands.

And I agree with Ginger. Don't expect to ignore your children and expect they will entertain themselves. Use the airplane ride as a chance to have special time with your kids. They will be better behaved and you will all have special mommy memories. Teach your child to play "Old Maid" or a special card game, read to them, or color together.

If your little ones are prone to kick the back of the seat of the person in front of you, remove their shoes after you get them seated. Your fellow passengers will thank you.

[rphstearns]

A stoller is a must for getting through the terminal so you can gate check it. I also feel every one needs their own ticket. Holding a squirmy little one is exhausting. Lots of snacks and sip cup to keep filled after security. Also comfy clothes. It might be tempting to dress little girls in pretty dresses but sweat pants etc tend to be more comfortable. Also a change of shirt for yourself just in case a little one gets motion sick.

[Jessie092408]

These are all great suggestions!

We did purchase seats for the girls, and my husband and our friend will also be with me.

We are going to be using the CARES harnesses instead of car seats on this trip, because I was worried about getting two convertible car seats through the airport and onto the plane. They are FAA approved and work for kids 22-45 pounds, so both of kids are within that range. Our pediatrician actually told me about them! I was like "That's amazing!" The plus side for that is they won't be able to reach to kick the seat in front of them, even by accident. [emoji57]

We have a double stroller we planned on gate checking. I'm still trying to find a gate check bag that will cover it so it doesn't get trashed, but that's a whole other issue.

I wasn't planning on bringing a book. I flew with my ten month old before, haha, I already know better than to expect any down time. If, by some miracle, during the five hour flight both of them fall asleep at the same time, my phone has games on it. I'll survive.

The plan was for me to sit in between the girls to start, and then have my husband and our friend switch in when the girls get bored with me or then with my husband. I'm hoping that a change-up of adults will help keep everybody happy and give me a break partway through the flight.

I plan on bringing snacks and cups for the girls, too, forgot to mention that.

My older daughter is almost always well behaved so I am hoping for a smooth flight from her. My baby is only 8 months right now, so we will see how she gets as she gets older. [emoji6]

[Pax]

Originally Posted by GingerJ

Remember to have something for them to suck on for takeoff and landing--sippie cups will work for the little one, maybe chewing gum for the older.

Alternately, there are earplugs designed specifically to help with equalizing the pressure in your ears. They make them in childrens' sizes, too: Earplanes for Children on Amazon.

For the toys, a suggestion: glue, sew, or safety-pin each of them to a ribbon, about 1m / 3' long. That way, when one of them inevitably drops a book, or a crayon, or whatever .... there's no scrambling about on the floor to get it back. Just reel it in on that ribbon, and voila: retrieved toy!

The most important advice I have is to buy a ticket for the baby and put her in a car seat. This is so much safer (and less tiring!) than trying to hold and soothe a baby in your arms for 5 hours!

VERY this.

With a car seat or carrier that can be closed, combined with the nise-dampening of those EarPlanes (if they're suitable for 1yo's ears, I honestly have no idea) ... it's possible you can coax the youngest to drift off to sleep for a lot of the flight.

[feonag]

We started to fly to WDW with our girls when they were 1&2 years old. We took the mid morning flight so we were in the air at their nap time and they just slept for a while. We had their blankets with us and it was a comfort to them. I also went to the dollar store and got little fun stuff for them and would break out a new item when they started getting bored. Plus I took some snack items that were new to them too. Anything that is new and a distraction helps. I took them solo the next year without a stroller and before magical express. That was interesting LOL but we did fine. The more you travel with them the better they get. We were also a big believer in not giving them electronics like your cell phone with games. So they learned how to amuse themselves with their imagination. They are teens now and will still leave their phones at home when we go out. Crazy, I know!

[Her Dotness]

Earplanes are fabulous! I can't speak to their use by kids, not having kids myself, but I buy them any time we must fly. They work wonderfully for me, far better than chewing anything. You do need to remember to insert them before takeoff and to put them away carefully upon landing since they can be used again for the flight home.

As with most products, there are generic and store brand versions. Can't speak to how effective any of those may be. I buy the genuine Earplanes despite their costing more. It always seems to me like a lot of money for two little plastic things, but they DO work.

[Teresa]

Originally Posted by Jessie092408

The plan was for me to sit in between the girls to start, and then have my husband and our friend switch in when the girls get bored with me or then with my husband. I'm hoping that a change-up of adults will help keep everybody happy and give me a break partway through the flight.
]

This is the only part of your plan I don't totally agree with. My experience is that you'll do better, and your kids will do better, if they are split up for a while. It'll be easier on you, and them. With 3 adults, it'll be easy. Either that, or seat your girls next to each other so they can share things.

While taking crayons and such is a nice idea - think about when those start getting dropped. And they will. And they won't be nice and easy to fetch. We always took things that didn't require a lot of pieces, like a magna-doodle. You could also make a pad for the crayons, with the pad the stiff part of velcro and the softer part wrapped around the crayon.

Pack what you think you'll need, and then take 1/2 of it out of the bags. Take it from a very well traveled mother of 3, less is more when trying to get through security, onto the plane, and off the plane.

[Pax]

Originally Posted by Teresa

While taking crayons and such is a nice idea - think about when those start getting dropped. And they will. And they won't be nice and easy to fetch.

Hence my suggestion of affixing tethers to them.

[DisneyBri]

We've traveled with our kids since they were approximately 10mos.

1st airpplane trip was just DS @ 10mo.

Then is was DS at 2 and DD at 10ms.

They're on plane about twice per year and they're 7 and 5 now.

We pack the basics. Snacks (goldfish, raisins, granola, etc.) and games (coloring books, crayons, etc). We make sure they have headphones in case the airplane has tv.

Both of my kids still have little blankets that they can't travel without. My daughter has to have hers in her hand on the plane. My son is fine with his in a bag as long as he knows its with us.

We did learn one year to make sure you pack ANYTHING essential in your carry on. If there's a specific toy or stuffed animal that your kids can't live without (or sleep without!) definitely put it in your carryon just in case your bags are delayed or lost.

We also learned that we should have prepped my DD for security a bit better when she was little. She carries her blanket everywhere and she was NOT pleased when she had to put it on the big, scary conveyor belt. She didn't understand that she would get it back at the other end and that made for a rather unpleasant experience. Now, she's a trouper ... but that first time. Whoa.

Live and learn! And that's the most important advice. Go with the flow and be patient!

[TLCdisneyfan]

Quick note: I tried the CARES harness with my son when he was a toddler (maybe 18 months?), and it wasn't good. The harness tended to slip on the airplane seat, so I had to keep adjusting it. It was difficult to tighten, due to the placement of the clasp. There is no crotch strap, so my son could wiggle down in the seat and get out of the straps. I had to hold him in place. The CARES harness was unfamiliar to him, and he just plain didn't like it. Basically, he screamed for much of the flight. Total nightmare. If there is any way you can test your kid in the CARES, like using it on a high-backed chair at home, do it. I actually found it MUCH easier to set up and use a regular car seat on a plane. My son still wasn't too happy - he just wasn't a great flyer when he was little (he's 6 now). But at least he was strapped in more securely in a car seat.

There are some great tips here. I may add some later.