any1 ever flew with kids?

Question

Im flying for the first time with a 1 month old, 3 year old, and a 6 year old. Im trying to figure out how i would handle our luggage and keep up with the kids in the airport rush. Im leaving for a weekend, how can i pack without having a whole lot?

Answer 1

Pack really lightly, as you can usually do laundry wherever you are going if needed.
With three little ones, it makes sense to spend a couple extra bucks per bag and get a porter to take care of your luggage curbside. It really doesn't cost very much, and makes things SO much more mellow for you...plus it gives a guy a job! Even if you only have one big bag, give the guy a $5 tip--- for more bags, $2/per bag is more or less standard. Believe me, it is SO worth it! You'll almost want to hug him!

Be sure to bring suckers or gum for your kids for takeoff--- and nurse the baby or give it a bottle. Little kids can get really bothered by the altitude changes, and their ears can hurt quite a bit. Nothing like a screaming kid on an airplane.
When my kids were little we flew pretty much--- I always took loads of snacks, coloring stuff, books etc. It is often a hassle traveling with them, but if you bring a lot of stuff to entertain them it can be not so bad. I also tried to travel at night--- and kept them up all day before, so they'd conk out shortly after take off.
Good luck!

Answer 2

We wrote a blog on this recently, see our top tips here:

Gadgets
Forget the guidelines about limiting TV watching, if you want to kill some time on the flight let them watch it until their heart's content! Take iPads, DVD players, tablets, whatever you have that you can load their favourite Disney movies or cartoons onto - do it. If your child has their own portable games device or tablet, load them with games and stories they haven't played before to keep them entertained for as long as possible. This isn't about just keeping them quiet for you and the passengers around you, it will cut down the amount of time that they are bored and irritable, so on this occasion don't worry about letting them watch TV for a long amount of time if you usually do.

Crafts
Forget your usual play dough or pretty pictures, crafting just got serious. Be resourceful when thinking of things to take - you would be surprised how long a roll of masking tape can keep a toddler quiet! Let them go crazy ripping pieces off and sticking them to seat backs, hand luggage and tray tables, then have fun collecting it all back up again and making a sticky ball of tape. If your kids love to colour, try to find crayons with a square or triangle shape so they don't roll off the table - you don't want to spend the whole flight crawling under the seat! Aqua doodle mats are also a good idea or Etch-a-sketch toys - they are easy to transport and fun for kids of all ages.

Snacks
When you're off on a long haul flight, or even a short haul flight for that matter, make sure you pack plenty of snacks. Boredom transfers into hunger, so carrying plenty of healthy goodies as well as naughty treats will set milestones during the journey to keep them going. If you have a little one like mine on the 'see-food' diet, you'll want to split snacks into small individual pots to avoid the inevitable "more more more" when you just pour out a small serving in front of them. Small boxes of raisins, cheese strings, fruit cups and small sweet bags are great travelling foods.

Even with your survival kit in hand, it's inevitable that they'll be a few tears and tantrums up in the clouds. I found that once I'd reached the "oh stuff it" stage and stopped caring so much about everyone around me, I relaxed more and my mini-me did too. Kids feed off your emotions after all, so try to take it in your stride - at least you'll have a lovely holiday as a reward at the end! Then there's the flight home...

Answer 3

Rani hit all the big points. I would only add that you should bring an airsickness kit with you.

Paper lunch sacks inside of ziploc bags.
Handy Wipes
A change of clothes for each child.

My 9 year old gets sick even on the shortest flights.

Answer 4

Use wheeled luggage. Talk with your 6 year old and explain to him/her that you expect good behavior. Have enough toys and games for the kids. Don't overpack.