5 Tips for Keeping Kids Comfortable on Airplanes

Publish date: 2022-02-12

We've all been there -- the crowded flight, the screaming kid, the glares directed at the parent. Flying with your children can be one of the most stressful things you have to do as a parent. But it doesn't have to be a nightmare.

With the proper preparation and the right mindset, you can not only survive an airplane flight with your little one or little ones, you might even be able to walk off the airplane with your head held high and passengers saying,"Your child was so good!"

The first key to keeping kids comfortable on an airplane flight is to look at it from their perspective. Flying isn't a fun activity for most adults, and we're used to waiting, sitting still and maintaining our composure for long stretches of time.

Contents
  • Keep Them Entertained
  • Bring Lots of Food and Drinks
  • Get Their Attention
  • Bring Something Familiar
  • Sleep Tight

    • 5: Keep Them Entertained

    Pack anything fits in a carry-on bag that will help keep your child entertained for as long as possible. That means toys, coloring books, reading books, stuffed animals, dolls, interactive learning toys, DVD players, MP3 or other music players --whatever you have that works. If you can afford it, buy some new toys, books, DVDs or music just for the flight.

    Don't bring them all out at once, though. Bring out one item at a time for your child to play with. Some parents wrap up new items and give them to their kids to open at different stages during the flight.

    Toys to Avoid

    Don't bring toys with lots of small pieces, such as board games, sticky toys, such as Play-Doh, or loud toys that will disrupt other passengers.

    4: Bring Lots of Food and Drinks

    Don't count on the airline to have what your child needs to eat and drink. Bring along lots of healthy snacks to eat during the flight, including crackers, raisins, dry cereal and fruit snacks. If they're old enough, give them gum to chew on to help with air pressure changes after takeoff and before landing. If they're still drinking from the bottle or nursing, the sucking motion can also help relieve pressure problems.

    Flying can dehydrate both children and adults. Make sure your child keeps drinking throughout the flight. Bring a sippy cup or bottle and keep it filled with water or milk.

    No Sugar, Please

    Avoid sugary snacks, juice and soda if possible. You don't want your child treating everyone to a sugar rush -- and then a sugar crash -- on the plane.

    3: Get Their Attention

    When the toys get old and they're not hungry, play lots of games. Work hard to keep your child focused on something besides getting into mischief. Maybe it's "I Spy," "Peek-a-Boo" or "20 Questions," or maybe it's talking about how an airplane works or what you can see from the window.

    Eventually, your child is going to have to move around. Walking up and down the airplane isn't always possible, but kids just aren't cut out for sitting still for hours, so get up and move around with them when you can. Just make sure that they're respectful of the other passengers.

    Understand the Situation

    For kids, being confined in an airplane seat for hours with little room to move and lots of interesting people and things all around can be a form of torture and irresistible temptation at the same time. Plus, children still have to do all the things they normally do -- eat, drink, sleep, go to the bathroom, play -- only now they have to do all of it in a confined space that's definitely foreign to them and possibly a little scary.

    2: Bring Something Familiar

    Familiar blankets, pacifiers, stuffed animals and other comfort items can be essential tools for calming down a frustrated child. Bring backups in case you lose one or it gets left behind. You don't want a temper tantrum on the plane because a blanket was left at the gate.

    Even if your kids doesn't need a favorite toy or other familiar item, pack a travel blanket and pillow to help them get as warm and comfortable as possible in their seats. Also, come prepared with some infant pain reliever, in case of ear pain or other discomfort.

    Plan Ahead

    Know before you get on the plane what you need to have with you to make children as comfortable as possible. Make a list of things both you and the kids will bring on the flight, and cross the items off as you're packing.

    1: Sleep Tight

    A sleeping child is a happy child. Sometimes the best thing you can do to make your kid on a flight is to schedule it for his or her sleep time. This may mean a "red eye" flight or one that takes place during regular nap time.

    If your child does fall asleep, you should do the same, if possible. A few minutes' nap can help you recharge your batteries so you can stay focused on your child when he or she wakes up and wants something to do. If you can't sleep, close your eyes, let your mind go blank and relax.

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