Tips for Kids on an Airplane

Posted on May 27, 2014 | 0 comments

The reality of the situation is this – NO ONE is thrilled to see children board a plane, especially ones under the age of 8! People will do what they can to move away from you, they will glare at you disapprovingly because of ANYTHING your child does – they may even give you a piece of their mind (because every parent needs to be told exactly what they are doing wrong whilst doing it….), or at the very least they will complain about you. These are some of the joys of traveling with kids!

I love to travel so when my kids came along it was either pack up and let’s go or … ya, there really was no other option for them! Thankfully they are great travelers and love to go visiting and exploring as much as I do.

Here are some ideas and tips I have gathered along the path, I hope you find them helpful on your adventures!

Tips for Kids on an Airplane

Tip #1: Packing the entertainment. Here is my list according to age:

• Infants – Their favorite cuddly toy/blanket, one other favorite light up toy. I would not bring much more than this, you most likely will not need it. Infants will be so interested in everything around them that that is entertainment in itself.
• Toddlers – Their favorite cuddly toy/blanket, child size neck pillow, box of crayons, stickers, one coloring book, some smaller sized books that they like for you to read to them, headphones in case they are playing a movie that will catch their attention.
• Elementary school age and up – Let them pack a little carry-on for themselves. If they are into video games or movies – let them bring their machines and play as much as they want! Everyone is stuck in a small space so if you can get your kids into a show or game it makes for a much easier (and quieter!) ride! Survival is survival and if that grouchy person tries to comment just smile at them and pretend not to hear them!!! It will probably piss them off more because who wants to yell at someone and have that person simply smile back at you?!

Tip #2: Slide on shoes and Comfy Clothes – you must take your shoes off at security points – some airports let kids under 12 keep them on but not all do so stick to shoes that are super easy on/off. Also no belts, wear loose comfortable clothing in layers as planes can be either quite cold or quite hot. Pre-bag, in a zip-lock or clear bag, all liquids – hand sanitizer, sprays, butte-pastes, kids foods, things of this nature (and make sure it is under the 4oz size allowance). If it is already done, it makes the security checkpoints a snap.
Tip #3: Malibu Mama Loves Peace and Love Bags – As soon as everyone is in their seat, give each child a special bag with 25 (or more) pennies in it. Every time they fight or whine, charge them each a penny. Offer prizes. Note – if your kids don’t yet like money, try using stickers, magic marbles, non-toxic crayons, anything small that they like and will not want to have to give up, if they are older – just up the anti!!! I can’t use food as my children would eat the bag of goodies up before I even got buckled in!! Always keep an empty bag next to you to collect your ‘payments’ and to refill their bags with this collection at the end of the trip.
Tip #4: Snack ‘em hard! Bring all the favorite treats – just make sure liquids are under 4 ounces. If your kids enjoy the fruit/veg pouches, make sure to grab the 4 oz smaller size. Yes, I had one very grouchy security agent in a very small airport force me to through away three 6 oz pouches right in front of the kids – that was fun! Lesson learned…

On another flight I thought it would be a good idea to let my toddlers pick out some donuts and then bring them onto the plane as a treat. They then spent almost 20 minutes crumbling the donuts up on the floor in front of our seat… holy mess! Never will I do that again!

So here is what I stick with – the 4oz pouches of fruits, 3 fruit choices (usually grapes, oranges or apples – these are fine to bring from home), and individual packages of Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies. I generally do not bring drinks. You should be able to get unlimited water, apple, cranberry or orange juice on the plane for the kids and I always let mine pick a drink out to buy after security. Something to do.
They will allow you to bring breast milk or formula and baby food through, they just have to test it before it can pass – they stick a little tab into the liquid and if the tab does not change colors than they recap it and hand it back to you. I have done this a few times and it has always been ok for my family. But do make sure you have a load of snacks handy!

Tip #5: Hand Sanitizer – bring as much as you can carry! Seriously, keep it in a front pocket – handy at all times – and let your kids use it as much as possible! Try to get the kind that has some moisturizing in it as they can dry you out in a time when you are already very dry.

Tip #6: Don’t let the grouchy people get to you! Expect that someone is going to complain or disapprove of you somehow. That way when it happens (as it inevitably will) you can easily let it roll of your back. Grouchy people are out there everywhere. They do not understand that kids do talk and don’t really listen that well, and babies don’t really understand what is going on so they MAY cry (oh my god, can you believe it?!). As all of this is happening, the groucho will probably choose this time to angrily yell at you to make your children be quiet… But do not fear, Karma is a powerful thing and I bet this grouchy person will get to sit next to screaming children on every trip for the rest of his life!!!! So if you get ‘told’, just smile at this person and look away, knowing Karma is in charge and your smile is pissing them off more!

Tip #7: The Benadryl option – When you first announce that you are taking your children on a plane, I am quite sure many people will tell you to try Benadryl – let your child be sleepy! Personally, I have never done this. I do my best to limit the amount of unnecessary chemicals I give to my children. Being on a plane and all that goes with it is fascinating for the little ones. I am of the opinion that bringing snacks and entertainment goes a long, long way. My kids have always done very well in general on flights. We have had a couple of snafoo’s, but who hasn’t?! That being said, I don’t judge and I DO understand that every child is different. So my advice? Use your instinct; talk to your child’s pediatrician first; then test it on your child days before the flight to make sure it does not have the opposite effect on them – I’ve heard it can happen to some kids making them outrageously hyper so just be sure to verify that your child does not have this reaction!

Tip #8: Let them be thirsty! From the time we line up for boarding until we are literally picking up speed for take-off I do not let mine drink anything. Then as we lift off, I have everyone taking sips to pop their ears. When mine were infants, as we were just starting to lift off I would begin nursing. You know how often your baby nurses so be sure to curb it that day so you can nurse upon take-off and landing. I always did this and neither of mine have ever had a problem with popping their ears. Now mine are a little older and my mother (Malibu Mimi) gave them some gum for their last trip. I allowed them to have a piece as we were getting ready to take off and again upon landing. This also worked great, but I personally would not let anyone under 6 y/o have gum, so if yours are still little, stick with the drinking!

Tip #9: Buy a little bag of cheap earplugs individually wrapped and throw them into your carry – on if you are traveling with babies or toddlers. This way, if one of your kids has a fit or starts uncontrollably screaming (which totally can happen) you can offer earplugs to the people around you. Even if they don’t want them it shows you are making some effort and I guarantee several of them will really, really appreciate you.

Tip #10: Try your best not to notice the woman sitting across from you, drinking a fabulous cocktail with perfectly manicured hands reading the hottest new release book while looking at you with sympathy. The good news is that kids grow up and before you know it, you will be her – traveling in peaceful, style once again! And I promise you WILL be missing these crazy chaotic times – traveling with kids on a plane!

Tip #11: Don’t be afraid to let people help you. There is nothing wrong with it and can make your life a little easier. Airline attendants are always happy to help and definitely do what they can to make it an easier flight on the kids. So if you need something, just ask – or accept offered help. The attendants, I am sure, have seen and heard it all so go ahead, reach out!

One last final thought. If all goes sour, and the kids have screamed the whole way whilst dumping their drink on the person behind you, just remember that sooner or later, the plane will land, everyone will get off, and hopefully you will never ever have to see ANY of those people again!

Cheers and Safe travels!!!
Malibu Mama Loves Xx