Flying with young kids can be a nightmare. No parent wants to deal with a screaming toddler on a packed flight at 30,000 feet! Traveling as a family can be more challenging, but you shouldn’t let this discourage you from booking exciting family vacations abroad. There are dozens of simple ways to ensure that your travel experience is enjoyable. Here are four tips for stress-free air travel with kids.
1. Check-in as early as possible
It is always a good idea to check-in as early as possible when you’re traveling with young children. The check-in process is likely to take longer as a family and you should leave extra time for delays. Arriving early will mean fewer queues and you won’t need to worry about feeling rushed or missing your flight. Aim to arrive at the check-in counter a minimum of two hours before an international flight. You should also reserve your parking and transfers beforehand to save unnecessary issues and delays once you arrive at the airport. The majority of airports have facilities to reserve parking online in advance. You can visit Parkon to book convenient parking near ATL airport and other airports.
2. Make waiting at the airport fun
Waiting to board your plane doesn’t have to be boring. Most airports offer lots of family-friendly activities to keep kids entertained. You should be able to find soft play areas, restaurants, toy shops, and maybe even a cinema. If you struggle to find entertainment, then play family games to pass the time. There is an excellent selection of miniature travel board games that will easily fit in your hand luggage. Make waiting time fun and get your kids excited about going on vacation. Encouraging your kids to burn off some energy in the airport means they’re more likely to relax and sleep on the plane.
3. Pack plenty of fun activities
Don’t make the mistake of relying on in-flight entertainment when you’re traveling with young children. Kids become bored easily and are likely to get frustrated on long flights. Luckily, there are plenty of easy ways to keep boredom at bay while traveling. Make sure that you pack plenty of fun flight activities like coloring books, Lego, and card games. You can also download a selection of audiobooks and movies that your kids can listen to and watch during the flight.
4. Don’t forget the snacks!
Snacks can be used to give kids an energy boost while traveling and keep their hands and mouths busy. Bringing your own snacks will also mean that you don’t have to fork out loads of money on expensive airport food. Try to pick nutritious, child-friendly snacks that are both healthy and tasty. Some popular snacks on-the-go include dried fruit, popcorn, Graham crackers, and trail mix. Remember that your kids may also experience irritation and pain in their ears while flying due to the changing cabin pressure. Pack some soft sweets and gum that your kids can chew on during take-off and landing.
Leave a Reply