Question: Air travel with kiddos

[Happy Now]

Hello!

We have our very first long family vacation with our kiddos (ages 5 and 2) in a few weeks, and I am wrapping my mind around the logistics of the plane ride. I need to do some more reading, but I thought I would post to get any advice you have on the details and etc. I am in particular thinking about car seats and safety... Grandma and Poppa are traveling with us (fun!), and we are renting a car at our destination (so shipping items in advance is not an option). Any tips out there?

Thanks in advance!

[xboxmom]

Tips from a well seasoned traveler...We have 5 kids. We have been traveling with them since they were all very small. FYI Car seats can be stored with the luggage for "free" just ask while checking in. I always found it easier to fly with a 2 year old if I brought their car seats on the plane though and keep them strapped into it. Some airlines are super picky about the seats though and check to see if they are "airplane worthy."

A fun thing to do to keep small kids occupied is to buy them each a "new" toy to play with. Wrap it up several times like a present so they can unwrap it and be super excited about it. New toys seem to keep them occupied more than old ones. Still bring a few favorites with them. Lap tops or some way to watch a movie is a must bring several different ones that the enjoy, Charge while waiting for your next flight if you dont have a direct route. Snacks are a must too. Goldfish crackers, fruit snacks etc.

One year I bought a "chalk cloth" A super fun way to let the kids color/draw without too much of a mess. And I also bought some "felts" so the kids could play with them and stick them to the back of the seat in front of them if they aren't leather seats. But if you have space some felts come with their own board that you can play with them on.

OH make sure you bring enough of your own Headphones so you dont have to purchase them from the plane.

Thats about it. Happy Traveling!

[kendallt]

They make special child-size earplugs to help with their ears popping, or maybe you could let your 5 year old have a piece of gum. Good luck!

[dana]

we travel a LOT with our two kids ... snacks, movies, our iphones, something to color and books usually get us through our flights without any problems. i never travel with car seats - we just rent them w/ the car rental. that can be expensive depending on where you are going, etc - so check that too. if it's too expensive, i would just check them w/ the baggage. i haven't used a carseat on the place since they were infants - it's just easier for me and them if they sit in the seat. that may be different for different kids though - a carseat my keep your youngest sitting quietly more easily? good luck!

[joelsgirl]

We travel a lot with our littles, and the best thing I've done is to mentally prepare to work hard the entire flight. Once I finally accepted there would be no magazine reading or movie watching for ME, our travels were much smoother.

Car seats should fly free, but we never put our children in them for the flight. They take up way too much space for me. A portable DVD player was such a huge help when the kids were little; this last time we flew, with them at 3 & 6, they played their leapsters and the ipod pretty well. We tried having a couple of new toys for them on the long flights (we live overseas), but I never could tell that it helped really.

Hope you have a great trip!

[julifish]

Here's some ideas for you -
Strategic seat choices - if Grandma and Grandpa are traveling with you then have them sit in front of you so if the kids are kicking the seat it's not someone that might get upset with you.

Talk to your kids about what to expect at the airport, getting on the plane, on the plane, etc. Everyone says to let people with kids board first. If your kids are antsy then Grandma and Grandpa should board first and then you bring on the kids when it's almost time to leave.

Lots of snacks, little toys that are new, tried and true favorites and Kellie is right -don't even think about having time for yourself...you will be in entertainment mode. Lots of stickers and paper, movie, lollipops or gum for little ears, a new book, etc.

Don't forget you pack liquids and make sure you know all the security rules before you get to the airport so you don't have chaos at the security station. Bring lots of your kids favorite snacks.

For the rental car - my kids used to love sticky notes in the car. They would put stickers on them and then stick them around the car. It can occupy them for quite awhile.

Have a great trip!

[mrsmbm]

Originally Posted by julifish

Everyone says to let people with kids board first. If your kids are antsy then Grandma and Grandpa should board first and then you bring on the kids when it's almost time to leave.

DH works for the airlines, so I fly frequently with my kids (usually twice a month). We NEVER board when they call for passengers with children because then the length of time you are on the plane is even LONGER. Definitely be the last to board, if you can help it.

That's my best piece of advice. Well, that, and make sure everyone has slip on shoes to make security go a LOT smoother!

[Happy Now]

Great tips, everyone! Thanks! Looking forward to our family adventure!

[kristijoy]

We just flew from Oregon to Virginia with our 5 year old. We had several snafus on the trip that we learned alot from! So if you have a connection on your flight you might consider some possibilities:

1. Make sure that your carry-on can fit UNDER your seat. We had 2 carry-ons. Mine fit under the seat. But DH's was a 'roller-board' that needed to go in the overhead bin. At the last minute (on the jet-way) we had to 'gate check that bag'. DH quickly opened it and pulled a few things out that we might need on the plane. He did get the 'underjams' our son's night-time diapers but forgot the extra set of clothes, the cell phone charger.

2. We got STUCK in the Chicago airport overnight. I never dreamed I would spend the night sleeping with my DH and 5 year old outside of baggage claim. I will spare you the saga of our trip (and the hotel scene) that's another whole story. Liam (our son) slept for about 6-7 hours on a variety of surfaces at the airport. DH and I took turns catnapping.

There were some things I was glad I had in my carry-on and a few things I wish I had. I was SOOOOOOO glad I had packed one of those elastic eye shades (for sleeping). My son used this between about 3-6am. I was also really glad I had some wax earplugs for me to attempt to tune out all those 'overhead' announcements. I was also glad that I had kept my coat which I used for a blanket for my son. Also glad for extra food & cliff bars I had in my bag. One of the most useful things was my son's stuffed sheep which once he was asleep made the best pillow laying on a airport chair!

What I wished I had: thankfully my DH grabbed the night-time diapers, but I really wish I had a change of clothes for my son. If he had gotten his clothes wet or had an accident, I'm not really sure what we would've donel And I really wanted another blanket. My son was using my coat as a blanket, but DH coat was in the checked carry-on. I would really consider putting a shawl or small blanket in my carry-on next time. The big thing we really needed was the CELL PHONE CHARGER. Do not leave that behind. After spending one night in the airport (after trying to find hotels & calling friends who were meeting us on the other end) we were very low on batteries. Not good.

Now that we've done this though...I'll have to say. Our son was incredible. He was marvelous. Just crashed while we carried him around. I will definately travel with him again!