Are you ready for a vacation but a little bit anxious about how your little one will do in flight?
My family may not be world travelers or even frequent flyers, but we have managed to keep our 3 kiddos busy and happy on four different flights. Once at ages 5, 1 & 1 to and from California, and then tested our success again at ages 7, 3 & 3 to and from Arizona. Here are some of the tips that have worked for us, and the snacks and activities that have helped keep them happy and busy!
- Pick your seats beforehand and seat in front of the airplane;
- Utilize early boarding;
- Visit the cockpit;
- Have everyone pack a rolling suitcase;
- Bring car seats to keep the kids confined and safe;
- Dress in layers;
- Book morning flights;
- Carry Wet Ones;
- Purchase a Radio Flyer pop up wagon;
- Bring the iPads with headphones; and
- Pack gum for take off and landing (or supply pacifier or nurse).
These easy tips will make for a much smoother flight! Purchasing and bringing our Radio Flyer wagon was probably one the best decision we made. You can put your kids or extra bags in it to make the hustle and bustle of the airport less stressful. The airline then will check the wagon as you load the plane.
Snacks
I don’t know about you, but my kids ask for snacks pretty much all day long! Ever since the twins started eating food, I will ALWAYS have snacks on me! It is a great way to distract and make them happy! We love these healthy options below. I will usually have 3 separate bags or tupperware so they each have their own pile with a good variety, which gives you the opportunity to offer them choices, something that they love and empowers them.
We also always pack their water bottles and bring our favorite juice powder that doesn’t contain sugar to avoid the requests of the airplane juice options! The Tootsie Pops are saved for the very end and have to be earned! It is a reward system that we like to use, and if we have to, threaten bad behavior with the loss of their special treat. It gives us some wiggle room and power to really ensure good behavior, or at least try to!
Activities
It would be great if we could get all of our kids to sleep on the flight but the likelihood of that happening at their ages and with having three, we are better off planning for some good, never seen or done activities. There is something about a toy or activity being new that kids really get into! The options are endless and these are just some great choices we love.
Please know you can also get almost everything from the $1 store. If you’ve been apart of this community for awhile, you know my love for the $1 store! Anyway, get creative! You can simply draw shapes on a piece of paper and have them fill them in with stickers. Or they can create pictures with only using garage sale circle stickers. Or you can bring along your Mon-Sun pill sorter and have them sort beads or erasers!
But remember, the key is that the toys or activities have never been opened before.
I hope you have found these tips, snack and activity ideas helpful! Below are some real-time pictures so you can see the tips in use!
Safe travels!
Have fun and best of luck with the kiddos in flight!
Love,
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