After coming back with my two 'world-travelers' from Uganda the other day, I figured I should share some of the 'tricks' we've been using/trying/enjoying after traveling more than 50,000 miles combined with our kids. One thing is sure: it's a lot different than 'flying solo'!
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| Emeth and me 'board'ing... not really ... he LOVES flying :) |
Before having children myself I always got irritated with people who couldn't keep their kids quiet in a plane. If you don't have kids yourself, it's normal for you to feel like this. But watch it... one day YOU might be the one traveling with kids and I am wishing you ALL the best :) It's not easy :)
But like in everything in live: you'll need a bit of creativity to make things FUN!
So before you travel with your kids - imagine how it will look like for your kids to be on an entertaining trip! One that is not relying on the entertainment-set of the aircraft alone - but has the attention you! Trust me, even when you use some of your imagination - you'll still have the occasional cry. But it will be an OCCASIONAL one!
So here are my hand-full of tips that might help your next flight be more smooth :)
(mind you: my kids are 3 and 5 at the moment of writing this post, you might have some great suggestions for us how to travel with older kids?)
# 1. Prepare your kids for the travel
YouTube gives you PLENTY of video's on airplanes, airports and other (young) passengers traveling. My kids loved watching these video's, knowing that they too would be flying!
Here is a great PLAYLIST with video's for younger flyers!
By the way: I'm always quick to remind my kids that the trip is also VERY LONG AND BORING! Just to lower the expectations a bit.
# 2. One little suprise per hour
This one takes a bit of time before you leave, so you might not want to do this 2 hours before you leave... Wrap little gifts in wrapping paper. Little gifts can be anything: a candy or lolly pop. A small toy. Even a small toy that already belongs to your child, but it wasn't part of the luggage for this trip. An empty postcard to write to grandma. Some beads and a threat to make a necklace. Anything that can get your child excited, and can shift attention from the long flight.
# 3. Request kids meals during pre-boarding
Maybe you were already aware of this, but if you pre-board your flight in advance, you can request for special kids meals! Really - much like a happy-meal, but than healthy :)
An other beauty of kids-meals in an airplane is that they are often served a few minutes before the others. And ofcourse this makes us feel REALLY special!
# 4. Keep the entertainment-set off for as long as you can!
Maybe it's my personal dislike to television - but the longer you can entertain your kids apart of the system - the more exciting it is when you turn it on.
# 5. Ignore irritated faces of fellow travelers
Truth is... anybody that doesn't have kids or has never traveled with them - taking them out of their natural bio-ritem... they just don't get it.
I didn't get it! You probably didn't get it before you ever traveled with them yourself.
Lighten up! Your kid is trying hard. He/She can cry for a bit :)
Question: What kind of tricks would you suggest? Especially when you have bigger kids! Ta and I would love to know!
But like in everything in live: you'll need a bit of creativity to make things FUN!
So before you travel with your kids - imagine how it will look like for your kids to be on an entertaining trip! One that is not relying on the entertainment-set of the aircraft alone - but has the attention you! Trust me, even when you use some of your imagination - you'll still have the occasional cry. But it will be an OCCASIONAL one!
So here are my hand-full of tips that might help your next flight be more smooth :)
(mind you: my kids are 3 and 5 at the moment of writing this post, you might have some great suggestions for us how to travel with older kids?)
# 1. Prepare your kids for the travel
YouTube gives you PLENTY of video's on airplanes, airports and other (young) passengers traveling. My kids loved watching these video's, knowing that they too would be flying!
Here is a great PLAYLIST with video's for younger flyers!
By the way: I'm always quick to remind my kids that the trip is also VERY LONG AND BORING! Just to lower the expectations a bit.
# 2. One little suprise per hour
This one takes a bit of time before you leave, so you might not want to do this 2 hours before you leave... Wrap little gifts in wrapping paper. Little gifts can be anything: a candy or lolly pop. A small toy. Even a small toy that already belongs to your child, but it wasn't part of the luggage for this trip. An empty postcard to write to grandma. Some beads and a threat to make a necklace. Anything that can get your child excited, and can shift attention from the long flight.
# 3. Request kids meals during pre-boarding
Maybe you were already aware of this, but if you pre-board your flight in advance, you can request for special kids meals! Really - much like a happy-meal, but than healthy :)
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| Our empty box even had to come home with us! Thank you KLM! |
# 4. Keep the entertainment-set off for as long as you can!
Maybe it's my personal dislike to television - but the longer you can entertain your kids apart of the system - the more exciting it is when you turn it on.
# 5. Ignore irritated faces of fellow travelers
Truth is... anybody that doesn't have kids or has never traveled with them - taking them out of their natural bio-ritem... they just don't get it.
I didn't get it! You probably didn't get it before you ever traveled with them yourself.
Lighten up! Your kid is trying hard. He/She can cry for a bit :)
Question: What kind of tricks would you suggest? Especially when you have bigger kids! Ta and I would love to know!
Loving #5... My mother-in-law always wrapped little gifts (#2) for kids and Bryan says they were never bored during long trips. Another suggestion that I figured out this year while traveling with Sophia on my own. It helps to pack ONE personal carry on item that will have your stuff (documents, a book, etc.) and the kids' essential items. This way you put one bag under your feet and it is all there without you having to dig through several pieces of luggage to find different toys for different kids. Maybe it's common sense for some people but it took me one bad flight to figure it out. I also learned that it never hurts to ask. I always asked if there's a way for me to sit next to an empty seat and one time the flight attendant cleared a whole row for me (on a 10 hour flight that was a huge blessing).
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff Helen. I know the feeling of digging in different bags!
ReplyDeleteTo keep it under the seat is a great idea! I always have to stand up. Thanks!