You have already made accommodation reservations and booked a flight to take you to your vacation destination together with your kids. The only dilemma you are left with now is how you will survive the long trip with your kids and you pretty know very well they can be quiet stubborn at times. If this is your situation already or you are considering such a trip in the future, this post is meant for you. The post shares amazing tips to help you and your kids have the most comfortable and convenient long flight ever.
Is it possible to survive a long flight with kids?
While surviving a long-haul flight with kids is not a walk in the park, it’s absolutely possible and doable. This is not something to actually cause you sleepless nights. Many people did it and they reached their destination just fine. So, why not you?
Although you may have to deal with issues such as loud cries and tantrums, this is nothing compared to the joy of exploring a gorgeous destination with your loved ones far away from home. To help you enjoy your long flight with kids, consider these amazing tips.
Fly at night
Flying at night may make things easier for you. Of course, the plane is different from your kids’ bedroom but even at that, the kids may still catch some sleep. Even if they won’t sleep for the whole night, the few hours they will be sleeping will give you a chance to rest, relax and maybe get some sleep as well. Plus, you will also be nearing your destination.
More so, if possible, book a flight that leaves the latest to make things even easier. Being in a flight that will take 12 hours plus means there will be a few daytime hours. Even at that, booking a flight that leaves at around 8 pm when it’s already at night will make it easier for you to make the kids fall asleep as opposed to a flight leaving at 4 pm when it’s still daytime.
Travel in low season
This is a golden tip for most parents planning a long trip with their kids. As a parent, be smart and schedule your trips during low season. There are so many advantages that come with this option. For instance, you won’t have to deal with huge crowds at the airport and you will have enough room in the flight to stretch out. You may even be lucky enough to get an empty seat without paying for it.
Carry extra clothes
Make sure you pack at least two sets of extra clothes for you and the kids. No matter how disciplined your children are, don’t assume they cannot mess things up. Being in a confined space like a flight you need to have enough gadgets to deal with accidents as they arise. Use a Ziploc bag to pack the clothes so that it’s easier to take out the bag, change the baby and put the dirty clothes in the Ziploc and seal it.
Pack enough snacks
You may not pack very many snacks if you are travelling on a two or three hours’ flight but if it’s an eight-plus hours trip, you need to pack those snacks in plenty. In fact, pack like you would pack when going for camping at the mountain for a few days. This is not to exaggerate anything. It’s just that when it comes to kids, you need to ensure they are full and excited throughout the trip. Try to bring those snacks you are sure your children love. You can even have a few of those snacks your children love but you normally avoid them maybe because of their sugar content. A few won’t do any harm. Consider them as a treat to show the kids that flying is special and if they are well-behaved, they will fly more and enjoy such treats.
If you are travelling in the economy class, bear in mind that the food available on long-haul flights may not be very appetizing. Therefore, it is upon you to bring enough healthy snacks to keep your children full in case they refuse to eat what is offered in the plane or they fall asleep during meal service.
Pack a backup charger
You definitely know how important electronic gadgets are. An iPad and headphones can save the moment, especially for older kids. However, even a fully charged gadget won’t last for the whole journey and that where the importance of a backup charger comes in. Don’t assume your seat will have an in-flight charger. It’s safer to have your backup charger even if you won’t use it.
Choose the best seats
If you are flying in the business class, good for you. If not, then you need to be smart when choosing the seats. Fortunately, newer planes offer Premium Economy which is significantly spacious and comfortable than the economy class and it’s just a little more expensive. Hence, if your airline has this option, it’s worth considering it.
If you are flying in the economy class anyway, choose your seats wisely. Different families have different opinions on which seats are the best but most agree that among the few things they consider is more space and privacy. If you have a row to yourselves, your kids will have ample space to play without disturbing other passengers. Another thing that may work for you is to choose a seat closer to the front of the plane to make things easier for you when alighting. Also, ensure your seats are a few rows away from the washrooms. That area is usually full of movements, noise and lights which can make it more difficult for your children to sleep.
Pack favourite toys and books
Apart from packing your kids’ favourite toys, you can also get them new ones you are sure they will get excited to see and keep them occupied for a better part of the journey. The good thing about getting new toys is that when the kids get bored with the ones they are used, you can pull out the new one and brighten up their mood. You can also give them their toys they haven’t used for a while, they will be excited to get reunited.
You can also pack a few activity packs. An activity pack geared towards travel can help your children to learn about their country or even the destination you are visiting. If your kids are into colouring, then colouring books and crayons can keep them busy for quite some time. In general, anything that can keep your child entertained would be very helpful.
Enjoy a long haul flight with your kids
If you want to alleviate the stress associated with a long flight with kids, then remain calm and be ready to adjust to their ever-changing demands. Also, make good use of the above valuable lessons other parents and guardians have used to deal with their kids during long flights.
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