How do I keep a seven-year-old child happy on a International flight?

Question

I'm taking my seven-year-old child with me to Germany. I REALLY need tips to make the long flight easier on her. This is her first time to fly.

Answer 1

Drugging a 7-year-old into a coma is NOT necessary. With a little planning, it will be a grand adventure, and everyone will have a pleasant flight.

I'm assuming you're in the US -- the flight TO Germany will be the easiest -- your departure will be late, and it's very likely that she'll fall asleep on the plane.

Bring some favorite snacks, and buy a bottle of water or juice after you pass security (you can bring juice if you buy it after the checkpoints).

Have books and games at hand, and make a visit to the dollar store to pick up some small, inexpensive games (card games, a coloring book, a doll - something she enjoys doing) -- and hide those in *your* carryon -- having something new and different is a great way to keep her occupied for a couple of hours.

Contact your airline a few days before your departure, and request a kids' meal/kids' pack before you go. Caution -- my 8-year-old prefers the adult meals, as the kids' meals are almost always soggy chicken nuggets -- so we don't request a kids' meal, and the attendants almost always have a spare kids' age-appropriate toy package on hand -- most airlines have these packs -- request one at the gate if you can.

Gameboys/Nintendo and portable DVD players (WITH headphones, please!) are a godsend for long flights.

If she nods off, make sure you wake her in time to get some juice and a bite of breakfast on the plane.

When you deplane and once you clear customs, hit the ladies' room -- pack your toothbrush and a washcloth in your carryon (the little toothbrush sleeves that go on your finger is a good alternative) -- wash your faces and brush your teeth -- you'll feel much more refreshed and awake.

Try not to let her have a long nap the day you arrive -- an hour or two at maximum, and try to stay outside in the fresh air and daylight -- it will do wonders to help you fight jet lag.

On the trip back, the flight will be all in the daylight, so keeping her occupied will be more tricky -- on your trip, buy little souvenirs and toys -- then bring them out one by one if she gets bored -- again, the portable DVD and Gameboy are priceless -- but make sure they're fully charged! If you have an aircraft with seatback entertainment, you're all set without the hassles.

ENJOY -- kids are great travelers, and she'll do fine -- above all, don't be nervous yourself, as she'll pick up on that.

Have a wonderful trip!

Answer 2

I've heard it's good for children to have pets as it introduces them to the idea of accepting death as part of life. So although her heart will break now, in the long run it mightn't be such a bad thing. I wouldn't buy a replacement hamster without her knowing ... kids can always tell, one testicle is a big give-away sign but it's little behaviour patterns that she might notice if she's been playing with Chester a lot. I'd explain to her that all creatures die and go to Heaven and sometimes we just don't know why - I think in this instance she doesn't need to know exactly how - and maybe have a little memorial service ... it's what we did when we were kids. Then ask her if she'd like to get a new one. When first pets die it's hard but in a couple of weeks she'll be smiling again.

Answer 3

Get her really excited - you don't want her to be petrified! Help her choose some fun puzzles to do on the plane, or take a games consoles (if she has one), or maybe a music player of some sort if she's into that kind of thing. If she's anything like a typical seven year old, she'll also relish the opportunity to hang out with you and play some games you wouldn't normally consider. Like take a pocket snakes and ladders, or play hangman or some other paper games.

If it's her first time, she'll be really excited for the first hour or so gazing out of the window and appreciating being so high up! Suggest that she writes a diary or something as well - that kept my nine year old sister entertained for ages during her first time, writing down what she got to eat, what the take-off was like, what time it is, what films she's watched... She'll be fine!

Answer 4

If you're allowed to bring some sort of portable dvd player or laptop, you can play movies for her. Otherwise, you can give her a few little 'assignments' to do like drawing pictures, answering math problems and tell her if she gets most of them right, you will buy her something special in Germany. With so many flight rules, its tough to bring stuff on board but i think books, or an MP3 player may help.

Answer 5

1. coloring books (and teach her to do search a word puzzles)
2. go fish, war, old maid
3. give her a stuffed animal to hold, take a small pillow and throw for her carry on bag so she can cover up, flights get cold and pillows and blankets are few and far between.
4. snacks in bags: pretzels, cheerios (without milk, of course)
5. go to a dollar store and buy a sticker book and animal stickers
6. easy reader books to read, flashcards for simple addition and subtraction
7. make sure YOU are well rested or you will be short with her when she gets bored or anxious
8. BUY EARPLANES, EAR PLUGS FOR ON A PLANE FOR LANDING AND TAKING OFF! OR HAVE GUM READY OR LOLLIPOPS!!!

Answer 6

at 7 & her first time to fly, encourgage her & tell her how exciting it will be & don't ever let her see you get nervous.

they will be playing movies so that will help & she may even sleep a portion of the way. . . .especially if you have to rise up early to get started.

take some puzzle books, color books & crayons, small craft things she can do (make keychain buddies ---- search your craft store for small things that only need glue to assemble), maybe a handheld video game, be sure to have her favorite snacks/juices in her bag too & a favorite stuffed animal/blanket - whatever will make her feel secure.

Answer 7

It's going to be hard. My fiancee if From Eastern Siberia. It takes 18 hours to get there.With young children you need to bring 'books, crayons,gameboys etc. Alot of time the children will also sleep. Good Luck.

Answer 8

pack a bag for him/her with:
1. favorite books (for you to read to her and for her to read alone)
2. crayons or markers and coloring books and paper
3. a beginiing origami book and paper
4. a few favorite snacks, in case airplane food isn't a hit. try to order kid's meal in advance.
5. some small puzzles to put together.
6. a favoite blanket/pillow/toy to cuddle with
7. they used to on planes have maps where they would track the route. check with the stewardess to see if they do this and you can periodically go see where you are in your trip. They've given the map to my daughter on trips before. However, its been a while so I don't know if they still do this. If not you can bring one and map it.
8. Use your camera to take pictures in the airport, in the plane for her to document her trip.
9. Some benedryl can help her fall asleep if she gets too excited to on the plane.

Answer 9

What does she like? Books? Coloring books? Electronic games? Puzzles? Whatever she likes, just bring a lot of it.

Answer 10

make sure you bring hand held games ,snacks ,pillow and maybe some slippers and make sure she gets plenty of rest . good luck to you and have a safe flight.