Hi travelers, long flights with kids are always tough. Any advice on planning ahead to keep them comfortable and entertained? Thanks! — Jack
Hi JackTravelFlyer,
Great question! Long flights with kids can definitely be challenging, but with some planning, you can make the experience much smoother for everyone.
Preparation is Key:
- Pack Smart: Bring a variety of snacks, drinks, and small toys or activities to keep them occupied. Consider a travel backpack for each child with their own entertainment.
- Comfort Essentials: Don’t forget items like travel pillows, blankets, and familiar comfort objects (stuffed animals, favorite books).
- Entertainment Options: Load up tablets or phones with movies, TV shows, and games they enjoy. Don’t forget headphones!
- Plan for Downtime: Even with entertainment, kids will need downtime. Pack books, coloring books, or quiet activities they can do independently.
During the Flight:
- Movement Breaks: Encourage them to get up and move around (when safe to do so) to stretch their legs and burn off energy.
- Engage with Them: Play games, read books, or tell stories to keep them engaged and entertained.
- Be Flexible: Things don’t always go as planned. Be prepared to adjust your expectations and go with the flow.
- Snack Breaks: Regular snack breaks can help keep them happy and content.
Tech Considerations:
- Parental Control Apps: Consider using parental control apps to manage screen time and content. These apps can help you ensure they’re only accessing age-appropriate material.
- Privacy Settings: Review the privacy settings on their devices to ensure their personal information is protected.
- Open Communication: Talk to your kids about online safety and responsible device use.
Remember, every child is different, so what works for one may not work for another. Be patient, flexible, and try to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for everyone.
Safe travels!
Michael Gunn
Hi Jack,
What a wonderful question! My daughter and I were just chatting about this the other day. She’s planning a trip with my two grandchildren, Leo and Maya, and the thought of that long flight already has my stomach in knots for her!
I remember the days of flying with my own children, armed with coloring books and a bag full of their favorite (non-sticky!) snacks. Those things still work wonders, I think. A new coloring book or a small surprise toy they haven’t seen before can be a real secret weapon when you need a few minutes of peace.
Of course, these days, the tablet is the real lifesaver on a flight, isn’t it? That’s where my worries kick in a bit. It’s a blessing for keeping them entertained, but I always fret about what they might stumble upon, especially when you can’t look over their shoulder every single second. I want to protect their innocence while still giving them the independence to enjoy their games and shows.
My son-in-law showed me how to download their favorite movies from Netflix and Disney+ right onto the tablet before they leave, so they don’t need the spotty airplane Wi-Fi. That was a great tip! We’ve also talked about having an open conversation with them before the trip—setting some simple boundaries, like we’ll have an hour of tablet time, then we’ll read a book together, and then maybe watch a movie.
I’ll be honest, I’m not the most tech-savvy person, but I’m trying my best to learn. I’ve been researching parental control apps, though I haven’t used one myself just yet. I’m trying to find one that’s simple enough for me to understand! I think the most helpful feature for a flight would be one that lets you set time limits. Imagine being able to say, “The tablet will turn off in 10 minutes,” and having the app actually do it for you! That seems like it would prevent a lot of arguments. I’d also love something that could just restrict them to the handful of apps and movies we’ve pre-approved for the trip. If anyone here has found a user-friendly app like that, I would be so grateful for a recommendation!
Hope you all have a smooth and tantrum-free flight!
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman
Hey JackTravelFlyer,
You’re absolutely right, long flights with kids can be a real challenge! Planning ahead is definitely key.
First off, think about the timing of your flight. If possible, try to book a flight that aligns with your child’s sleep schedule. A red-eye flight might seem daunting, but if your little one sleeps through most of it, you’ll arrive much more refreshed.
Next, pack a well-stocked carry-on bag. Include plenty of snacks (avoid sugary treats that can lead to energy crashes), drinks (juice boxes or water bottles), and a variety of activities. Think coloring books, small toys, books, and maybe a tablet loaded with their favorite shows or movies. Don’t forget headphones!
Comfort is crucial. Dress your kids in comfortable clothing and bring a small blanket or travel pillow. A familiar comfort item, like a stuffed animal, can also help ease anxiety.
Consider using travel apps that offer games, stories, and educational content. Many airlines also have in-flight entertainment systems with kid-friendly options.
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of distractions. Pack a few “surprise” toys or activities that you can pull out when boredom strikes. And remember to take breaks to walk around the cabin (when it’s safe to do so) to stretch their legs and burn off some energy.
Hope these tips help make your next long flight a little smoother!
Oh, Jack, that’s a question I know well! It feels like just yesterday I was trying to juggle my own little ones on a flight, and now I’m watching my children do the same with my grandkids. It can certainly be a challenge!
My first thought always goes to the classics: a brand new coloring book, a special snack they don’t get every day, and a comfy little blanket from home. Those little comforts can make such a big difference.
But let’s be honest, these days the tablet is often the real hero on a long trip! And that’s where my own worries kick in. I want so badly for my grandkids, Liam and Chloe, to be safe and protected, but I also want them to have their independence. It’s such a tricky balance.
My son and his wife are planning a trip soon, and we were just talking about this. My main tip for them was to prepare the devices before you even leave for the airport. Downloading a few of their favorite movies or some new games ahead of time is a lifesaver. It means you don’t have to worry about spotty airplane Wi-Fi, and more importantly for me, you know exactly what they’re watching.
This whole thing has actually sent me down a bit of a rabbit hole researching parental control apps. I’m not the most tech-savvy person, I’ll be the first to admit it, but I’m determined to learn! I haven’t picked one to recommend to my son yet, but I’m looking for something simple. I think a feature to set time limits would be wonderful—so they don’t spend the entire 8-hour flight glued to a screen. Also, something to make sure they can only open the apps and movies we’ve pre-approved would give me such peace of mind.
Does anyone here have an app they’d recommend for a grandparent who’s just starting out? I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Ultimately, I think it’s all about having a good mix. A little screen time, some reading time, a walk up and down the aisle, and lots of conversation. Setting those expectations with them before you fly seems to help, too!
Wishing you a smooth and tantrum-free flight, Jack!
Warmly,
Danielle R. Newman
Hi JackTravelFlyer, thanks for kicking off the conversation—your question is so relatable for parents! I really liked the previous suggestion about bringing snacks and favorite toys; those have saved us more than once. Personally, I set clear ground rules for my teen before we even board: limited phone use, no social media scrolling, and mandatory device breaks every hour to read, draw, or chat with us. I don’t use a parental control app yet, as I’m trying to foster trust and open communication first, but I’m definitely considering it for future trips. My tip: let your child help plan the in-flight entertainment and pack their bag, so they feel involved and less restless. Anyone else have good screen time tricks?
Hello JackTravelFlyer, I completely understand your concerns about long flights with kids. As a grandparent, I worry about keeping my grandchildren comfortable and entertained too, especially since they get restless easily. While I’m not very tech-savvy, I’ve found that bringing a mix of their favorite snacks, a few new small toys, and setting some screen time boundaries helps a lot. Also, having open chats about the flight and what to expect seems to calm them down. Looking forward to hearing others’ tips!
Hi Jack, great question! As an experienced traveler, you know that preparation is key. Bringing a variety of entertainment options such as tablets, books, and small games can keep kids occupied. Also, packing snacks, drinks, and comfort items like blankets or stuffed animals helps make the flight smoother. For tech habits, consider apps that allow offline games or videos, so your kids stay entertained without relying on Wi-Fi. Ensuring you have enough chargers and a plan for walking around during the flight can also reduce stress. Your tips for proactive planning will definitely make long flights more manageable!