Travel with kids can be fun but only when they are comfortable and you are well prepared. I have written a lot about travelling with kids on this blog, and I get a lot of questions from readers about how to make it easier. So in this post, I will share my experience of travelling with kids on long-distance flights. Hope this helps you!
Right from the moment I buy my flight tickets, I start planning on how I am going to keep my daughter entertained. This is because my five years old tends to get bored very easily and I have to make sure she enjoys her time on the flight by keeping busy in things she likes.
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Tips to take kids on long-duration flights:
- Make them comfortable.
The first tip on almost everything with kids is to make them comfortable. Same goes for travel. Any long-distance flight that take more than 5 to 6 hours, is a long-distance flight for kids. As parents, your first step should be to ensure that the children are well prepared about spending as many hours on a plane and to try and make the flight comfortable. Start with clothes – cosy clothes that keep the kids warm in the generally cool on-board temperature, is a must. Carry an extra pair of socks. Although most airlines provide blankets, for younger kids, you can carry their favourite blanket to make the journey easy.
- Carry favourite snacks
Aeroplane food is fun for a lot of kids, but you never know with kids! I ensure that whenever I am on a long flight with my daughter, I pack some of her favourite snacks. From a little cupcake to a tiny box of carrot sticks (her favourite!) – or even candy and dried berries – I have tried it all! Having their favourite food item can help cure those sudden hunger pangs and will also give you a happy child.
- Entertainment
This is very important! A friend recently told me that her best long-flight experience with her son was when she travelled aircosta – mainly because her son was entertained for the entire duration! This is how important it is to keep the little ones busy. I usually pack one new activity book for the flight – the kind that has coloring pages, puzzles and stickers etc. My daughter loves these! I also keep an iPad fully charged with three to four age-appropriate games for her to play with – games of matching alphabets, small number additions and phonics, to running and building games also work. Find your kids liking and prepare accordingly.
- Sleep is important!
Kids need to sleep and a nap on the flight is not only good for the kids but also for the parents. So try and make the children get some shut-eye during the flight. It is comparatively easy in last night or early morning flights, so if possible, you can book these flights. The favourite blanket I mentioned in the first point, can come in handy here as well.
There are a lot of other ways to travel happily and fuss-free with kids on long-duration flights, but these are the basics and if you get these right, your journey can be a pleasant one. After all, a happy kid is a job well done for all travelling parents across the world!
Do you have any more tips on travelling with kids on flights? Do share with me in comments.
