The moment that many parents fear of has arrived - it's time to travel with your children!
The summer months are now in full swing, meaning that lots of families are taking the opportunity to travel for a relaxing family holiday abroad.
However, as chilled-out as your holiday may be, your experience at the airport and on the flight itself can be a very stressful one. Don’t worry, though, as there are a few things that you can do to ease the pressure!
Below, we have set out a list of our top tips for being on a flight with little ones. Whether you’re taking a shorter European flight or a long-haul journey to further afield, these pieces of advice will help to keep both you and your children relaxed for the duration of your flight.
Marvel at the flight
If this is the first time that your little one will be on an airplane, then this will be a really exciting experience for them! At the beginning of your plane journey, these new opportunities are something that you can really take advantage of. Chat to your child about where you are going, explain the process of taking off as it happens, and, if you can, give them a window seat so that they can watch as they are transported into the clouds. It will definitely keep them entertained for a little while!
Take any help you can get
We all know how overwhelming it can be to travel, with or without children. So, if you find yourself becoming stressed and flustered during your flight, do not be afraid to ask for help from those around you. Whether it be a kind fellow passenger in the seats surrounding you or a friendly flight attendant, remember that you are not alone on your journey.
Snacks are a must
Let’s face it, airplane food isn’t always the tastiest, and if your child is a fussy eater, you might have the worst luck when it comes to finding something that suits them. So, snacks are crucial on every single flight! Make sure to grab a good mix of healthy and tasty ones that you know they already love. Also, if you are on a lengthy flight, space the snacks out in increments - you don’t want to accidentally use them all up within the first hour or two!
Screens and headphones
On a normal day, we would advocate for children to have as little screen time as possible and to take up other activities instead. However, when you are on a flight, you are extremely limited when it comes to entertainment, and so an iPad and some noise-cancelling earphones will be your kid’s best friend during the trip. If your child isn’t used to wearing earphones, then we would suggest encouraging them to test them out a few times before you go. Also, if you are going on a long-haul flight, be sure to pack a few portable chargers with you in case the iPad dies during your time of need.
Space everything out
Whether you’re travelling for 2 hours or 12 hours, it is important to space out activities for your child as much as possible. There are two ways to do this effectively - you can either let your child enjoy an activity (such as colouring in or watching a film) until they get bored of it, or you can request for them to swap their activity for a new one every so often, to keep things fresh and exciting for them. Either way, the key is to stop them from getting bored too soon and asking the dreaded question - “Are we there yet?”
Home comforts
If your little one isn’t used to travelling, then the whole airport and plane experience could be really daunting for them. To keep them calm and relaxed, be sure to pack a few home comforts with you to delight them with during your journey. Simple objects such as their favourite blanket, teddy bear, hoodie or fluffy socks can make the world of a difference.
You’ve got this
Last but not least, even if you end up having a stressful journey, just remember that it won’t last forever. Realistically, the journey to your destination is the most insignificant part of your trip away. Whether your plans are to meet up with loved ones, see some wonderful sights or just to enjoy some relaxation, you have earned your trip away. When you’re on the plane, just think ahead to those moments of bliss that await you!
