Flying with Kids

Flying with kids can be very daunting, especially if it’s your first time or if it’s a long flight so here are some tips to help.

Packing

It’s really important to pack a separate bag just for your child to take on board. You can choose to have one ‘family bag’ for multiple kids, but I rather have one for each of them to limit rooting around for stuff.

What you have in each bag depends on age group. Here’s an idea for each:

Babies

Babies are typically going to sit on your lap for the flight so it’s important to be prepared as you won’t have much space for rooting through bag. If flying long haul try to book as early as possible and ring customer service to request a bassinet for the flight (there’s only limited number of these so book early!!!)

• Change of clothes (2 minimum)
• Bottles/any feeding items needed
• Snacks if weaning
• Muslin cloths/bibs/wipes
• Baby appropriate toys to keep them distracted
• A small breast feeding pillow can be really handy to keep baby comfy on your lap on flight
• Nappies (more than you think you need)
• Nappy bag and bag for wet/soiled clothes
• A baby carrier/sling is really handy for getting on and off the plane if you can’t bring your buggy onboard.
• Spare top for yourself in case they get sick on you 🙈
• Soother/dummy

Toddlers

I would say toddlers are the hardest to travel with. They want to move about and get bored quickly. They can sit on your lap up to aged 2

• Snacks – bring all of the food and plenty of it. I like to pack lots of different types of snacks to really keep them happy.
• Juice/sippy cup
• Bottle if still taking and dummy
• Toys, games and fidgets. Check out some ideas in this Instagram Video
• Tablet and headphones if they will use (make sure to have games/movies/episodes pre-downloaded as there won’t be internet)
• Picture books and stories
• Different activities/toys.
• Change of clothes (2 minimum)

Kids

Congratulations you are past the age where you have to put them on your lap and yes you are now paying for an extra plane ticket, but it feels so good to give them their own seat on a flight!!

• Change of clothes (they can still spill stuff!)
• Tablet and headphones
• If going long haul I highly recommend a bluetooth transmitter so they can use their own headphones for the tv.
• Book
• Activity book/magazine and pens etc
• I love to have little toys for them that they haven’t seen before – cheap gadgets and fidget toys. Check out this instagram video with plane friendly toys in Flying Tiger. I love to give new toys that they haven’t seen before (just cheap little fidget toys etc)
• Uno/Snap/Eye Spy card games
• Mini travel games like connect four, ludo or snakes and ladders.
• Juice/water bottle
• Even more snacks than for toddlers!!!
• Chewy sweets are great for takeoff so ears don’t pop!

Teens

• Tablet phone and headphones
• Charger/USB
• If going long haul I highly recommend a bluetooth transmitter so they can use their own headphones for the tv.
• Hoodie and neck pillow so they can get comfy!
• Book or kindle
• Make sure they pre-download Netflix shows/movies onto tablet before flight
• Snacks!! (basically once you have snacks for all ages you will be fine 🤣)

Bonus Tips

Scooter:

We love to bring Kai’s scooter with us to the airport. It folds up small and he can use it to move down the long corridors in airport. It means you can check the buggy in at the gate if you want to. He then has it for the holiday as well! We’ve never had an issue with bringing it on the plane! We never asked and no one said anything 😅

Bluetooth Transmitter:

If you are flying long haul and don’t want to use the plug in earphones, then pick up a bluetooth transmitter from Amazon and you can use your own headphones/earphones.

Turtl Neck:

This is hands down the best neck pillow i’ve ever used and I strongly recommend for long-haul flights!

Comfy seat for kids:

For kids under 6 especially I recommend picking up some kid of seat hammock or plane seat extender for your child for long haul flights. It really helps them stretch out and sleep. Check out this Instagram video for one we have used!

What are your best flying tips? Let me know in the comments and make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any new posts!