The lovely ladies behind Women Travel were kind enough to let me contribute to this fantastic site. My name is Hannah, I own a villa in Menorca and have recently published my Ultimate Guide to Travelling with Children, if you haven’t already I would love for you to check it out. I have expanded on one particular area – how to keep the kids happy while on the plane, some useful tips and ideas to ensure you have as peaceful flight as possible. Hannah Jennings.
Try not to worry about surviving your plane journey with a screaming baby or troublesome child. There are plenty of things you can do to keep your kids entertained, just make sure you prepare in advance.
Bring some travel games
Use your child’s hand luggage to pack some travel games. If you have a tablet or laptop, download a couple video games for the journey. Make sure you have a different selection of games for the return trip so your children don’t get bored.
Teach them about flying
Your kids will probably be quite excited about flying. When you start to ascend get them to focus on the things down below – houses, clouds, etc. Tell them how planes work and guide them through the process in real time. Getting them to feel safe and secure will help them relax and enjoy the flight.
Don’t feed them sweets
Let your kids suck on a sweet during the take-off and landing so their ears don’t pop; however, avoid feeding them sweets before the journey. The last thing you need is a hyperactive child with a sugar rush.
Bring an extra pillow
Okay, maybe a pillow wouldn’t be feasible, but having an item of clothing that can double up as pillow will keep your kids comfortable. Try to get your children to sleep during the flight so they can relax and recoup before the holiday really begins.
Role play pilots
Even if your kids are excited about flying, when the plane starts speeding down the runway their emotions can quickly change for the worse. If they get scared, pretend you are flying the plane with them. Role playing will make them feel more in control of what’s happening.
Book seats in advance
Your kids will probably want a window seat. When you book tickets in advance you’ll usually be given the option to book seats for a little extra. Secure a window seat and make sure you’re all sat together.
Take a toilet stop before you board
In the event of a hold-up, you could find yourself stuck on the runway. If your children need the toilet during this time you have no option but to wait in your seat. A quick toilet break before you make your way to the gate should keep weak bladders at bay.
Give your children travel medicine
Travel sickness is especially common in young children. If your kids haven’t been on a plane before, prepare them for the worst by giving them some travel sickness tablets before you board. With any luck this will prevent any stomach upsets and ensure they don’t feel rough in the air. As an extra precaution bring some sick bags in your hand luggage.
Book fast track tickets
With all the waiting around at the airport, your kids will probably get a bit frustrated. Book fast track tickets to give yourself priority boarding. This will allow you to bypass the queue and quickly get to your seats without any fuss.
