I'm super excited to share that we're embarking on a family adventure to Oahu, Hawaii! It's our very first trip to this breathtaking destination as a family of five, and you can bet we're all buzzing with anticipation.
The last time my husband and I visited Hawaii, it was for a friend's wedding in Maui, and we had our adorable one and a half-year-old in tow. Let's just say it was a bit of a whirlwind, and we weren't exactly the epitome of preparedness for flying with a toddler. Thankfully, we had some family members with us to lend a helping hand.
Fast forward to now, and we're taking on the challenge head-on, just the five of us—my husband, our three kiddos (a 7-year-old and 4-year-old twins), and me. Flying with young children can be both an exciting and daunting experience. While you're eager to embark on a new adventure with your little ones, the thought of keeping them content and occupied during a long flight might cause some pre-flight jitters.
But this time we did our research, and we were prepared! I'm here to share the tips and tricks that worked like magic during our long flight to Oahu, Hawaii. So if you're gearing up for a long flight with kids, stay tuned because these nuggets of wisdom might save your sanity! Let's dive in!
Tips and Tricks for Surviving a Long Flight with Kids
1. Plan Ahead
The key to a successful long flight with kids starts with careful planning. From booking your seats strategically to packing essential items, every detail counts. Request seats with extra legroom or those close to the restrooms, as these can come in handy during the flight. Additionally, consider the time of the flight; if possible, schedule it during your child's regular naptime or when they are naturally more relaxed.
2. Pack a Carry-On Bag for Each Child
Encourage your kids to pack their own carry-on bags (with some guidance, of course) to include their favorite toys, books, and comfort items. Don't forget to pack some healthy snacks to curb hunger pangs and keep them occupied. Keep reading to see our list of best activities to keep kids entertained on a plane.
3. Utilize Technology Wisely
While it's always great to minimize screen time, long flights can be an exception. Load up tablets or smartphones with age-appropriate apps, games, and movies that your kids enjoy. Remember to bring child-friendly headphones to avoid disturbing other passengers. Many airlines also offer in-flight entertainment for children, so make sure to explore those options as well.
4. Surprise Treats
Surprise your kids with little treats or toys throughout the flight. Small surprises can add a burst of excitement and help manage restlessness. Consider wrapping the treats to add an element of surprise and prolong the excitement.
5. Stretch and Move
Encourage your kids to move and stretch their legs during the flight. Take occasional walks down the aisle, visit the restroom together, or do some simple stretching exercises. This will help prevent restlessness and keep their energy levels in check.
6. Be Mindful of Ear Pressure
Children might experience discomfort during takeoff and landing due to changes in air pressure. Offer them something to suck on, such as chewing gum or a lollipop. The swallowing action helps equalize ear pressure, reducing discomfort.
7. Bedtime Preparations
If you have a red-eye or overnight flight, attempt to maintain bedtime rituals as closely as possible. Bring along pajamas, a small blanket, and their favorite stuffed animal to create a sense of comfort and familiarity, promoting better sleep during the flight.
8. Stay Calm and Patient
Children can be unpredictable, and even with all the planning and preparation, they might have moments of restlessness or tantrums. It's essential to stay calm and patient throughout the journey. Remember, kids can pick up on their parents' stress, so staying composed will help them feel more at ease.
9. Embrace the Adventure
Flying with young children is a unique experience that can create lasting memories. Embrace the adventure, and don't be too hard on yourself if things don't go as planned. Be flexible and adapt to the situation as needed, and most importantly, enjoy the journey with your kids.
Best Activities to Keep Kids Entertained on a Plane
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An Amazon Fire Tablet loaded with kid-friendly apps and movies is a fantastic choice for long flights. It provides hours of entertainment, keeping kids engaged and happy while also allowing parents some well-deserved peace and quiet.
Headphone ensure kids can enjoy their favorite content on their tablet or inflight entertainment without disturbing other passengers, making it a win-win for everyone onboard.
Fidget toys are a fantastic addition to any long flight with kids. These small, tactile gadgets help keep little hands busy and provide sensory stimulation, reducing restlessness and anxiety during travel.
Coloring books are a classic and excellent activity for kids during flights. Not only do they unleash their creativity and imagination, but coloring also helps children relax and focus, making the flight experience more enjoyable and less restless. Best part, the colors appear only on special Color Wonder paper, not on skin, clothing, walls or carpets.
Drawing toys like doodle pads or magnetic sketch boards are perfect for long flights. Kids can draw, erase, and draw again to their heart's content, providing a screen-free and mess-free outlet for creativity and fun.
The Plus Plus Tube is a compact and portable construction toy that promotes fine motor skills and imaginative play. Its small pieces allow kids to create endless shapes and designs, providing hours of engaging entertainment and mental stimulation during the flight.
WikkiStix are bendable, reusable, and mess-free, making them an ideal travel companion for young kids. They encourage sensory exploration and imaginative play, helping children stay entertained without any sticky mess, perfect for keeping them occupied on a plane journey.
An activity book is a fantastic companion during a long flight. It offers a wide range of engaging puzzles, games, and coloring activities that keep children entertained for hours, making the flight feel shorter.
Spot It! Classic Mini Card Game is a fast-paced card game perfect for family fun during flights. Its compact size and easy-to-understand rules make it a go-to choice for entertainment onboard, fostering friendly competition and quick thinking among kids and adults alike.
Scratch art is a fantastic activity for kids during long flights as it combines creativity and surprise. Kids can use a wooden stylus to scratch away the black coating, revealing vibrant colors underneath, creating beautiful artwork. It's mess-free and captivating, providing an engaging and enjoyable way to pass the time.
Spiral art sets offer endless design possibilities, allowing kids to create mesmerizing patterns and shapes. This activity promotes fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, making it an entertaining and educational option for keeping kids engaged during the flight.
Search and find books are perfect for keeping kids entertained during long flights. These books are filled with vibrant illustrations and challenging hidden objects, encouraging observation and concentration skills. They provide hours of interactive fun, making the flight feel shorter and more enjoyable for young travelers.
Metal Blox Go! is a travel-friendly magnetic building set that sparks creativity and problem-solving skills. Its magnetic pieces stick together easily, allowing kids to construct various shapes and structures during the flight, keeping their minds engaged and hands busy in a mess-free way.
The Melissa & Doug magnetic jigsaw puzzle features fun and colorful scenes that magnetically snap together, providing a unique and captivating puzzle-solving experience for kids. It's perfect for on-the-go entertainment and keeps children engrossed while encouraging spatial awareness and concentration during the flight.
Maze ball is a toy used to inspire and relieve stress. These 3D maze ball toys need to observe the travel route and think about how to get the mini steel ball to the end. It's an educational toy that keeps kids entertained while developing spatial awareness and logical thinking, improving their mind and patience, relieving stress, and promoting inspiration.
The Bendon reusable sticker book offers a variety of colorful stickers that can be used multiple times, ensuring hours of imaginative play during the flight. Kids can create their own scenes and stories, and the reusable aspect makes it convenient and mess-free for traveling.
Dot sticker art is a simple yet engaging activity for kids during flights. With just a sheet of paper and dot stickers, kids can create beautiful pictures and patterns, promoting fine motor skills and creativity. It's an easy-to-pack activity that guarantees a lot of entertainment while on the plane.
This search and find game is not only entertaining but also educational, making it an excellent choice for kids during flights. It challenges their observation skills and enhances cognitive abilities, all while having fun with colorful illustrations and engaging gameplay.
Crayola's Activity Pads come with a special marker that wipes off easily, providing a reusable activity for kids during the flight. The cards often feature puzzles, mazes, and games, making them an interactive and entertaining choice to keep young minds busy and entertained onboard.
20. Your Kid’s Favorite Toys
Letting your kid have a few of their favorite toys during a long flight can be incredibly beneficial since familiar toys provide a sense of comfort and security in an unfamiliar environment, helping to reduce anxiety and keep them at ease during the journey. Additionally, these toys can act as a form of emotional support, serving as a distraction and helping kids cope with any potential travel-related challenges, making the overall flying experience more enjoyable for both kids and parents.
Surviving a long flight with kids requires careful planning, creative entertainment strategies, and a positive attitude. By following these tips, you can make your flight a fun and stress-free experience for the whole family. So, buckle up, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure with your little travelers! Bon voyage!
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