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How to Plan For Air Travel with Kids

Air Travel with Kids

By Ayodha UshaniPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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How to Plan For Air Travel with Kids
Photo by Kenny Krosky on Unsplash

If you are planning your next family holiday which will include taking international flights, then you are likely to also be thinking about how the kids, including toddlers, are going to cope. While long-haul flights and time spent in transit can be quite testing for kids (not to mention the parents!), there are things you can do that will help with this. So don't give up on that much-needed vacay with your loved ones and check out these tips that will help you prepare.

Have Your Travel Documents in Order

Sounds simple enough, but you need to give yourself time to sort out and get ready all the needed travel documents. Even babies will require some form of documents to be filled and the earlier you do this the better. Depending on the embassy, consulate or visa procedures, these can take time to be processed so get started beforehand. Make sure you also double check all the relevant documents including passports and visas before departing and keep them in a secure place you can easily reach when needed.

Choose the Right Luggage

When travelling with kids, consider the right kind of luggage which can do more than just store all your clothing and other items. You get certain small suitcases that can even transform into a mini-bed for young ones, perfect when you need to put them to sleep on the plane! Since you will have more items to take on a family trip, also consider more lightweight yet durable luggage which you can easily take around with you.

Make Use of Carry-Ons

The importance of choosing carry-ons and packing them properly are amongst the other family travel tips that you should not forget. You can take such bags aboard the plane which can be a real lifesaver since you can pack a wide variety of things that can help make for a smoother journey for the kids. In general, pack some backup clothing for the kids as well as for yourself and have the needed (fully charged) electronic devices like tabs which can be used to keep them occupied; additionally, you can pack some toys and snacks too which will be helpful in the plane.

Plan What to Do at the Airport

First off, look to get to the airport early since you will have to navigate security checks and with kids, this can sometimes take longer. Additionally, consider online check-in at airlines to avoid being stuck in queues with kids, while you may even be able to get an extra seat when checking-in early. Once all the luggage is taken care of, time permitting, you can take a stroll with the kids at the airport; this applies for those long transits too.

Check beforehand what facilities an airport has for kids and visit them. Some will have play areas and space for them to run around and expend some of that pent-up energy. This can be very useful since, by the time they board the plane, they will be ready to have a good and hopefully long nap! If you are looking for such helpful tips and guides, check online resources the likes of The Family Travel Blog for more.

Keep Them Occupied During the Flight

The longer the flight, the more chance kids will become tired and grumpy and that can lead to quite an unpleasant journey for all involved! With that in mind, be on the ready to keep them occupied and remember you can ask help from the flight attendants since some airlines offer activity packs or toys.

However, to be safe, pack your own set of activities, puzzles, games or small toys the kids can have fun with; you can also consider having a tab loaded with their favourite movies or TV shows too though remember to pack headphones for them to use so as not to disturb others. Additionally, bring some of their favourite snacks or food too which is bound to put them in a better mood.

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