Top Tips for Flying with Young Children

Parents of toddlers know that flying with their tantrum-prone tykes is about as stressful as herding a whole class of teenagers through airport security into an airplane.  As the holidays and travel season draws near, Skyscanner, the leading travel search site provider, shares the top tips for flying with young children.

Invest in a Trunki

Instead of struggling with those cumbersome strollers, invest in a Trunki when your child is old enough to walk by himself. These cute pack, ride-on, and pull-along suitcases for kids may seem a little overpriced, but Trunkis are a total lifesaver for entertaining your little ones when you’re in long queues, as well as saving tired little legs if your walk to the departure gate is a long one.

Try to plan your flight in 15 minute slots

For a three-hour journey, for example, you need around 10 activities to keep young kids entertained (as the first and last 15 minutes you can occupy them by looking out the window for take-off and landing). A child magazine, a favorite story and drawing book, pens and crayons, snacks, stickers, favorite toys, etc. – are all good activities to keep them entertained. It is unlikely you will need all ten in a three-hour flight (especially if you manage to get them to sleep), but better to have too many than too few.

Get a portable DVD player or a laptop

Without doubt the one thing all parents seem to agree on is investing in a portable DVD player – or taking your laptop or iPad with you on the flight. Cartoons and movies while away a sizeable chunk of the flight and allow parents some downtime too.

Present your child with presents

Wrap up small toys that you can present to your child as a reward for being good every half hour or so (include these in your 10 activities). Presents don’t have to be expensive and can even be your child's old forgotten about toy. Small soft animals are ideal, as are little wind-up toys that can travel across the fold down table.

Get some kids’ games or apps for your smart phone or laptop

Download some kids’ games – or kid-friendly apps to your mobile, tablet or laptop (if it can be switched to Airplane mode for the flight).

Get sticking with stickers

Stickers are great for keeping children entertained for a while – just give them an empty water bottle to decorate. You can also use colourful Post-its and play a game of sticking it on body parts you name; this can provide a tremendous amount of fun for your toddler.

Take a pillow

Small children can sit on a pillow so they can see out of the window better, while older children may find sleeping more comfortable with a pillow.  A blanket is also good as its familiarity will comfort your child as well as keep them warm if it gets chilly on-board.