Sitting on an airplane with one or more young kids can make anyone need a vacation after their vacation. Kids’ brains crave stimulation and sitting still for a long flight seems like a nearly impossible task. There is no magic solution, but keeping those little brains and hands busy is a great start.
THE BAG
To start with, find a hands-free carry-on backpack or crossbody bag small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. The more pockets, the better so you can organize different items in different pockets. A suitcase-style carry-on bag is not ideal for this purpose as you may need to pull it out fully to unzip it.
The following backpack available through Amazon* has pockets for a laptop, ipad/books, id, keys, passports, a hidden pocket, and two cup holder pockets. It doubles as a day-bag to hold sweaters while exploring on vacation.
THE CONTENTS
Next, consider the length of the trip and plan age-appropriate activities. Two words are key when packing activity items: small and multiple – any carry-on item must be small. Keeping it small means you can fit multiple items for layers of entertainment.
Keep their hands, minds and mouths busy.
Keep their hands busy
Pack small toys they can hold in their hands. Bring their favourites and plan ahead by picking up a few before the trip so they will have something new and interesting. Keep these new toys as a “treat” for the latter half of the trip.
Bring mini colouring books and a few crayons. Learning activity books are helpful, especially if your child is missing school during the vacation. If the whole book is bulky, tear a few pages out and pack them in the bag.
Avoid bringing anything round or with wheels as they may end up at the back of the plane if they are dropped, and they will be dropped. Pack the hot wheels and balls in the suitcase instead of taking them on the plane. If you bring crayons for colouring, pick up some triangle-shaped ones instead of the traditional round ones.
Keep their minds busy
Take some paperback books that may relate to the destination where you are going. This is a great opportunity to get everyone prepared for things they may see at the destination. Talk about what you have seen or may see that relates to the book.
For example, a trip to Hawaii could include a reading list about sea creatures, mermaids, and Disney’s Moana:
And a trip to or within Canada could include a reading list about wild animals, trees, snow and multiculturalism:
Pack an age-appropriate travel-game or two, such as magnetic chess/checkers, or miniature playing cards.
For longer flights, pack a laptop/tablet/smartphone loaded with a variety of movies/shows. If you have a Netflix subscription, you can download movies using the Netflix application. Remember to pack headphones and battery charger.
Keep their mouths busy
Pack their favourite healthy snacks, such as a small container of bite-sized cereal, crackers, or individually-packaged granola bars or fruit and veggie packs. Avoid high-sugar food that could give them a burst of energy and affect their mood. If you bring anything in liquid form (i.e. squishy packs), put them in a clear Ziploc bag and have them handy to pull out when going through airport security. If you are crossing an international border, leave the fresh fruit at home.
Bring a small pack of wipes, tissues or napkins for cleanup.
Pack an empty water bottle for each person and fill it up at the airport after going through security.
Check if your airline allows you to pre-purchase your meals for the plane. If this service is not available, purchase meals to go at the airport. If you are sitting near the back of the airplane, where many families sit, the airline may run out of prepared meals before you have a chance to buy anything. On a recent six-hour flight to Hawaii, the person sitting across the aisle purchased the last prepared sandwich, leaving only crackers, cheese, chips and chocolate bars available for the last ten rows on the plane. Good thing we ate breakfast at the airport and had packed lots of snacks.
THE EXTRAS
If your children are still wearing diapers, pack more than you think you will need. Be prepared for unanticipated flight delays and multiple poops. Pack napkins, tissues, and wipes, even if you’re done with diapers.
Pack a spare outfit for each child and a spare shirt for yourself.
A light crib-sized blanket is necessary if your child might miraculously nap on the plane. It can also keep them warm and comfortable and be an emergency towel in the event of a messy spill.
Finally, pack a couple plastic bags, which will be handy for disposing dirty diapers or repacking wet clothes.
Flying? Pick a seat with a view.
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