Let’s be honest: travelling by plane really isn’t for everyone, given the long security lines, crowded waiting areas, and cramped aeroplane sitting. However, when it comes to families with young kids, the experience can be a lot more stressful, as little ones tend to have a hard time flying. That’s because they still don’t have self-regulation skills, which enable them to remain patient during delays, and they are also more susceptible to motion sickness and ear discomfort that happens during air travel.
Luckily, with some proper preparation, it is possible to decrease family travel stress. Whether you’re planning to visit your relatives abroad or take your kids to Disney World, below are the best strategies for making flying with kids easier. Read on!
Book an early flight
When travelling with young children, booking your flight early in the morning is a good idea if possible. An early flight helps you avoid delays when the plane takes off and lands, which can make a major difference. Moreover, airports aren’t really crowded in the morning – people are generally tired, and all they want to do is nap (especially little ones!).
Taking an early flight also makes it easier to handle any unexpected situation and ensures that you will still arrive at the destination later in the day; however, this isn’t really the case with a later flight, as you may find yourself stuck in an unfamiliar connecting city.
Arrive on time
We also recommend leaving yourself enough time to avoid any hectic dashes to the gates. For domestic flights, the rule is to arrive at least two hours before the aeroplane takes off, and if you have an international flight, you should leave even more time. Not to mention that if you’re flying from a very busy airport – Such as the UK’s Stansted Airport – and you’re planning to leave your car there, you may struggle to find a parking spot, which may cause unnecessary stress and not leave you enough time to get through security effectively. In this case, besides arriving early, we also recommend booking Stansted airport parking early on, as this will help you find cheaper options and save you a lot of time and stress.
If you’re taking your car to the airport, it’s important to consider the time required to drive to the airport, park the car and then check in. Again, arriving earlier at the airport is better than being late and panicking that you won’t have time ( that’s the last thing you want when travelling with kids!). So, visit https://parkos.co.uk/, book your parking spot, and have a stress-free flight by arriving on time at the airport so you get through security effectively and handle everything properly in case of unforeseen lines.
Opt for an airline that provides kid-friendly benefits
When kids are happy and occupied during a flight, you don’t have to worry at all about how the trip will be like. The good news is that many airlines offer different perks for little travellers, ranging from their favourite TV shows to snacks and kid-approved headphones.
So, before boarding the plane, consider asking the gate agent if the airline provides priority boarding for those travelling with young kids. Generally, they call special boarding for families, so you can have time to settle in by boarding early. There are other excellent perks to keep in mind, such as family lounges or airports that offer areas for kids, thus enabling them to burn off steam before boarding.
Let your kids know what to expect
Your travel experience with your kids will be so much better if you let them know what to expect. So, sit down with them and talk about how it is like to travel by plane. Consider watching kid-oriented videos on YouTube, as they tend to present the flight experience from baggage check-in to onboard etiquette and security.
Talk to your kids about the entire experience, from the check-in process and security to boarding and riding on a plane. If you do this, the actual trip will feel less overwhelming for them.
Don’t overpack
Packing essentials for the flight is extremely important, because it is unlikely to find any food on a plane that will delight a kid’s taste buds. And the same is true when it comes to comfort items – there really isn’t much that little ones can enjoy while on the plane.
On the flip side, it’s not a good idea to zealously overpack because parents could struggle due to it. It’s common to bring too many things (especially when only one parent is travelling) in order to ensure kids are happy, but this isn’t necessarily the best idea as you will have to carry all that stuff with you (which can be overwhelming especially when you bringing your kids on a plane). Stick only to what you need, such as wipes, comfort toys, snacks, medication ( nasal spray and pain relievers as a precaution), hand sanitizer, and other must-have items that can keep your kids as comfy as possible during the flight.
Prepare a surprise for the middle of the flight
This tip is especially important if you’re planning a long-haul flight. You should bring along a wrapped toy, or a new activity book, as this has different advantages. First, you can use it as an incentive to practise patience and be a good listener while on the trip.
Moreover, the item creates a brand-new activity that will keep the child entertained – and busy -during the flight. If the kids are quite anxious, you can promise the toy or activity book midway through the flight, which will build anticipation and help distract them.
Keep calm and enjoy the flight
When travelling with your kids, you’re probably hyper-vigilant and want to make sure that they will be okay and won’t end up running the flight – not only for you but also for the other people on the plane. If your child starts crying, that’s probably a situation you want to escape immediately. But this isn’t really something you should be worried about, as most people will have their headphones on, and if they aren’t, that’s still not a reason to start stressing out – after all, it’s a public place, and they should be prepared for everything, right?
Remember that not everything is in your control, take a deep breath, and try to enjoy the flight – you will do your kids and yourself a favour by doing that.
Takeaway
Travelling with kids can indeed be challenging, but hopefully, these tips will make the entire experience a lot easier (and less stressful) for you. Enjoy your flight!
Disclosure: This is a featured post.