Tips for taking young children on long haul flights?

Answer 1

I make a 10 hour flight from Germany to Denver every year with my kids, who are now 6 and 4. I've been doing this since they were infants. Most airlines will provide you with some sort of coloring book or game to amuse them, but the novelty wears off fast. Bring along some books they like to read, their own coloring books and crayons, and a few small toys. You can also let them listen to a cassette player that has some of their favorite songs on it. If they're old enough, let them bring card games, or a Game Boy.

Make sure that you pack plenty of snacks for them too because kids are naturally picky eaters and they may not like the food provided by the airline. Try to limit their intake of caffienated beverages, as that will actually dehydrate them. And have a beverage available for young children to drink during takeoff and landing to limit the effects of pressure changes.

Answer 2

Check with your doctor first, but I learned it's a good idea to give them a decongestant before you board the plane. This keeps their eustachian tubes open. Some decongestants make kids sleepy, which can always be a good thing on a long flight.

The day before you leave, take the kids shopping for a busy bag. Let them pick out small things to take along - crayons, colouring books, a brand new special toy, etc.

Depending on their age, portable gaming toys are sometimes useful.

When my kids were little, I made audiocassettes of all their favourite music and talking books. They only got to listen to the collection on long trips. You could do this as an mp3 or burn a disc to play on a portable cd or mp3 player.

Answer 3

Buy a car seat bag, to (a) carry your car seat on the plane and (b) act as a toy carrier. Like this: http://store.babycenter.com/product/safety_baby_care/safety/travel_safety/5510
It also makes it easier to get through the airport and carry your other luggage.

Get a DVD player and bring favorite videos. This can keep him/her occupied for long periods of time.

Be sure to have favorite foods and a stuffed animal if s/he has a favorite, onto the plane, in the carseat carrier/bag.

If s/he is still drinking from a bottle, use that for the ears upon take off and landing. Just in case -- a way to keep them from plugging up.

And be sure to bring a change of clothes, for the baby and maybe even a shirt for you. Our little guy (3) threw up on himself and his Mom two flights ago -- due to a bumpy landing.

Bring favorite books for wherever you stay. And a few favorite toys, so it feels like home.

We've learned the above after about 10 plane trips with our little guy.

Good luck, and have fun.

Answer 4

Coloured pencils, paper, portable dvd player and headphones, dvds, wipes, snacks, Where's Wally books Brand new never seen before toys like small cars and trains or polly pockets are good for when desperate measures are needed. Remember to pack home comforts like special teddies and blankets in your hand luggage. Bach's Rescue Remedy and a bottle of Karvol. Calpol sachets and eye masks. Sudocrem.

Experience tells me you will either need all of the above, or none! They might surprise you.

Enjoy your flight!

Answer 5

Bring pocket games, and snacks. Although most air flights offer movies, they are mainly for the average age clientele. Pocket games offer a variety to the children, and snacks keep the fingers and mouths busy. It is also good to try and book a red-eye flight. The children would sleep during portion of the flight.

Good Luck to you

Answer 6

There is a great little travel bag called Grandma's Camp. It has several items inside, like a hat and games, etc. You can fill up the rest of the bag with all sorts of goodies, games, etc. My 3 year old daughter uses it for trips as well as her pre-school backpack.

You might also invest in a kid friendly DVD player that uses batteries, chargers and the like. Disney sells one through Toys R Us for around $50.00. It's a great little gadgit.

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

bring travel sized games and colouring books. you can get cool magic colouring books where you scratch the surface of paper with a coin to reveal picture and then colour in! kids love them. play i spy, but don't limit it to just inside the plane coz that would be boring for them! try not to bring too much that needs to be carried, guess who'll end up dragging them round the airport....you. an ipod is a great thing, they can listen to their favourite music on board. encourage them to rest, but dont 'force' them to sleep it will make it harder for them to relax, its an odd environment once the novelty has worn off! oh and always have wet wipes at hand. enjoy the holiday!

Answer 8

Buy a portable DVD player and have several favorite movies on hand. Take plenty of snacks and small toys and books. Best of luck.

Answer 9

Bring along several different things for entertainment purposes...color books and crayons, video games, puzzles. What ever is best suited for their ages.

Answer 10

large quantities of Benadryl