Travel

Surviving a long haul flight with children

Sixteen hours, sat in an aeroplane, with a couple of toddlers… it’s every parent’s worst nightmare.

Long-haul flights are hardly anyone’s idea of fun, but with their short attention spans, restlessness and need for constant amusement, young children make far less patient travel companions. But, before you resign yourself up for hours of screaming and temper tantrums (or just give up and cancel your flights altogether), make the most out of your foresight. So, with all you tense parents in mind, we’ve put together a list of our top tips for surviving a long haul flight with your little darlings. These include easy game ideas, tips for affordable treats to keep them happy, and simple activity packs that you can put together in advance.

Make sure they are comfortable

Comfort is key here. Help your children settle down for the flight by encouraging them to wear extra-comfy clothes, and shoes that you can slip on and off (that way, they can put their feet up, and snuggle down into their seat when they want to sleep). When the flight is taking off and landing, it can be really strange for children to feel the pain in their ears, especially if they don’t know how to ‘pop’ their ears yet. So, you could try bringing soft ear buds or plugs to stop the pressure from building in their ears. Alternatively, you could bring some sweets, a sippy cup or a lolly for your children to suck on. For the sanity of the parents, we would also recommend having plenty of wet wipes and a spare set of clothes easily to hand, just in case your children are sick or spill anything.

Choose the right snacks

It’s a balancing act - while you want to bring some fun to the journey, try not to choose anything that’s too sugary, so that your kids don’t get hyper after their snacks (in such a small space, this is an absolute recipe for disaster). We think that a box of dried fruit plus a biscuit or two make the perfect middle-ground option. Make sure that you bring plenty of water for them to drink, too.

A few new little toys

The fun and excitement of a brand new toy is a surefire way to keep your kids happy. Revealing a new toy part-way through your long haul flight is a great way to keep their spirits up, particularly if it’s a toy that they wouldn’t normally be treated with. These don’t have to be expensive, it’s not about treating your child to a massive present. Choose a toy like a magazine or a sticker book, that’s filled with lots of new surprises on each page. Toys like these keep kids engaged and entertained for absolutely ages.

The iPad is your new best friend

Although we wouldn’t recommend plonking your children down in front of a screen for hours, the iPad is a fantastic back-up option to have in hand for when you’re running low on entertainment ideas. You can download some child-friendly games and programmes on the iPad in advance of the flight, so that they’re all ready to go on the plane. Plus, by the time you’re a few hours into the flight, you’ll almost certainly be ready for a bit of a break! Take this opportunity to strategically prepare for your upcoming long haul flight in advance, in order to minimise the ordeal. Yes, when they’re bored children can be a nightmare (you don’t need an expert to tell you that), but if you think about ways that they can be kept entertained now, and then get some supplies together to bring with you on the day, you’re sure to secure yourself an infinitely more relaxing experience.

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