family fun Air Travel Tips for Families

By Jennifer Halter

With summer just around the corner, many families are making plans for vacations. For some, this may be a quick getaway to a destination that can easily be reached by car. But for others, this may be the time to pack your bags and hop on an airplane, some, for the first time. Here are some of our best tips to prepare kids for this new adventure!

Teach About Navigating the Airport

Preparation is key with anything, whether it’s something new or if you’re a seasoned pro. One of the most stressful parts of flying for many is navigating the airport. Explain to your children what will be happening when you arrive at the airport. Talk about the importance of staying together, even if they are tempted to go explore a fun, new environment. Let them know that getting through security may take a long time if there are a lot of people checking in at the same time and how important it is for them to be patient. This is a great time to break out a small toy or two, or even a tablet or cellphone for your child to have something to keep them occupied if the wait time is long.

Once through security and depending on how long you have to wait until you board your flight, take advantage of this time to explore! Check out shops, grab a snack or head to the window to watch the planes. The key is to let your child get all of their wiggles out before boarding (as much as possible with all of the excitement they will have!). Just prior to boarding, make sure you head to the restroom for that last potty break or diaper change, and if you have little ones who may need a bottle, have it ready to go so you don’t have to worry about doing it once you are seated on the plane.

We’re On the Plane…Now What?

Once you’ve made it safely to your seat and the children have had a moment to take in their surroundings, ask if they have any questions. If this is a new experience for them, they may be wondering what the flight attendants do or what certain noises are. Remember, for some children, this is all very exciting. But, for others, it may be a little scary. Be sure to pack a comfort item for them, such as a small blanket or stuffed animal so they have something familiar from home. Reassure them often that they are safe.

Before takeoff, let your child know it can be a little bumpy while you are in the air and they may even feel popping in their ears. If they are old enough, pack some gum to chew to help alleviate the ear popping. Also remind them about good flying etiquette, such as remaining in their seat and staying buckled, using their inside voices, and not kicking the seat in front of them.

While you’re in the air, make sure you have easy access to any items you have packed to keep the kids entertained. Some easy-to-pack items include books, tablets with headphones, a deck of cards or small travelsized games. Look for games with magnetic pieces to help avoid losing any while in flight. You can also bring some activity books, such as coloring books or word search books, to provide another quiet option to keep children busy. Also, take advantage of the in-flight movies that are offered or download movies on your tablet or smartphone in advance. Depending on the length of your flight, one movie might fill your child’s time and keep them entertained until you reach your destination. Don’t forget to pack chargers for your devices and make sure they are easily accessible. Bring some of your child’s favorite snacks just in case they don’t like any of the in-flight options.

We’re Here!

Once you land at your destination, remind your children they must remain seated until instructed to exit the plane. Make sure they pack all of their belongings and stay with your group. If you are concerned about everyone trying to exit at once, have your family hang back until the plane is mostly cleared of other passengers. Once you have exited the plane and before heading to grab any luggage or to your ground transportation, make sure you head to the restroom one more time as you may be in for another long wait.

Air travel for families can be stressful, but also very enjoyable if you plan well. As long as you go into this experience knowing there may be hiccups and it’s not meant to be perfect, you’ll land with your sanity in tact and some good memories to treasure.

Jennifer Halter (jenniferh@macaronikid.com) is a contributing writer and the founder of Macaroni Kid in Woodbridge.