Our family is pretty active, but we usually reserve to on-ground transportation – the van works perfectly with the kids safely buckled up, watching movies or playing games. I do sometimes threaten to leave them on the side of the road if they don’t stop hitting each other, but otherwise, we are very much used to hours of driving.
However, this year we decided to take the kids on the vacation that involved air transportation. How do I travel with two kids (5 and 6) if they both want to sit with me and by the window at the same time? Bribes! I had promised my dear daughter an exceptional surprise if she takes the aisle seat, while her brother was just very excited to occupy the window seat.
How do I manage tantrums on the plane? How can I put a kid in a timeout when we are in the air? How do I keep them quiet?
As a first time flyer with the kids, I have done my research up and down the internet and packed a whole bag of treats and games.
FOOD
When it comes to food, many international airlines offer kids boxes, but our flight to Mexico wasn’t one of them.
DO PACK
Chips
Popcorn
Muffins
Bagels with cream cheese
Shelf stable(not frozen) waffles with Nutella or Sunflower seed butter
Sugar-free gum ( It doesn’t just keep kids happy, chewing also helps to get some energy out while sitting still for hours)
GoPicnic box – shelf stable lunch for kids with a very decent selection of options
Small size cereal boxes
DO NOT PACK
Chocolate
Candy
Let’s talk about things that would keep kids happy quite
Apps and Movies
We have utilized iPad and mini iPad for this trip, but there are other options
Ipad, mini iPad
Great for gamesas well as watching movies. I bought some new games for the iPad the night before the trip. Since both of these are connected to my account, I only had to pay once for the ones that were not free. My favoritesapps are Frogs, Cut the Rope, Scribble Hero, Memory Match, Checkers, Maze games, Wild Kratts, and Where is my Water?
We considered bringing our small Asus transformer laptop, which is a computer that can convert into a tablet by detaching a keyboard. However, it is still a laptop, and that means, no quick and easy to use apps. Also when it comes to movie watching, the real tablets have better compatibility with the programs that support movie downloads and viewing( through Amazon or iTunes).
If you love buying BluRay combo packs, those usually come with a free digital copy, which can be transferred to the tablet via iTunes or Amazon.
We downloaded Hotel Transylvania, Alice in the Wonderland, and Frozen (duh), because who doesn’t love singing “Do you want to build a snowman” while flying over the fluffy clouds? The other classics are Polar Express, Lego Movie, Rio, Monsters, Pirate Fiery, but you know that the choices are countless and don’t forget to buy kids’ proofed headphones!
Games and Toys
I have to say, I attacked the Dollar Store, like it was going out of business for dollar activities – coloring books, play dough, magnetic games, and so much more. What is the worst that will happen? You might have some leftovers for the next trip.
Stuff
We also brought blankets, pillows, and favorite toys, because you never know, when you might just get lucky, and one of your kids will fall asleep and sleep through most of the flight, while the other one will spend hours watching movies and playing games.
I call my preparation success since nobody complained, cried or gave me a reason to think of punishment.
Great tips. Flying with kids can be a most trying event on one’s patience. I am lucky that our kids are older now, but we do get the “are we there yet?” a bit too often still.
Jenna Woodsays
Those Go Picnic Boxes are great! It looks like you survived their first flight just fine! We always try to travel red eye so everyone can sleep it off!
My son has the same headphones! I ordered them while we were on our last Disney trip and had them shipped to the hotel so my son could use them on the plane. Such a lifesaver.
I quite agree with you that I would rather travel in the van with kids. So much easier to come and go when you please. Yet kids do love to fly and usually behave pretty well as it is so special. RIGHT?
Kristasays
We are planning a family trip and my daughter will be flying with us for her first time…..Crossing my fingers for a great trip with her!
For my kids, the tablet and the headphones are a must. I think the headphones are being respectful for others not to have to hear your movie, music, game, etc.
Lots of great tips – because I am sure there is nothing worse for a parent than a child that cannot be comforted or distracted on a long flight.
Great tips. Flying with kids can be a most trying event on one’s patience. I am lucky that our kids are older now, but we do get the “are we there yet?” a bit too often still.
Those Go Picnic Boxes are great! It looks like you survived their first flight just fine! We always try to travel red eye so everyone can sleep it off!
Traveling with kids can be major stressful. Definitely keep them occupied to cut down on the stress.
My son has the same headphones! I ordered them while we were on our last Disney trip and had them shipped to the hotel so my son could use them on the plane. Such a lifesaver.
We have not been on a plane with the kids yet. I LOVE your packing list, super helpful!
I quite agree with you that I would rather travel in the van with kids. So much easier to come and go when you please. Yet kids do love to fly and usually behave pretty well as it is so special. RIGHT?
We are planning a family trip and my daughter will be flying with us for her first time…..Crossing my fingers for a great trip with her!
For my kids, the tablet and the headphones are a must. I think the headphones are being respectful for others not to have to hear your movie, music, game, etc.
These are some good tips. When flying with my nephew we try to fly in the evening and get him tired out before the trip so he sleeps on the plane.
I only flied with her when she was extremely little. I just kept feeding her as the plane was going up and down.
These are great tips!
I haven’t flown with my kids yet, but I would probably do the same!
Headphones. Soundproof headphones. That way they can listen to whatever they like and we don’t have to hear it!
Test
These are excellent tips for making travel fun for kids. Thank you for sharing!
Great ideas! I would not have thought of half these ideas.