Tips and Tricks for Air Travel with Kids

Tips and Tricks for Air Travel with Kids:

- Put labels on the outside of passports, so you don't have to fumble around and flip through to find the ID page for each person in your family, as you're checking in or boarding a plane. Military families - also identify "official" or "commercial" on the label as well, to be sure you don't mix them up!
-  Bring things to do! Click here for my list of favorite toys and activities (that don't involve watching anything) for traveling children.
- Keep 'em fed and hydrated! Bring their favorite healthy snacks, and maybe some non-healthy snacks to dole out when you're a little more desperate.
- Airport security is a bit more lenient with families who have babies, but they won't always let older kids through with water. In that case, make sure you get a bottle of water per kid before boarding the plane. It can take a while for the flight attendant to come down the aisle with refreshments, and when they do offer water, it's in a small plastic cup. It's also better to have a bottle that doesn't spill as easily.
- Many airlines offer "child meals". If you have picky eaters, these may be a better option than the other meals the airlines serve. Be sure to request them online when booking.
- Invest in a good set of headphones. Whether the airline offers inflight entertainment, or if you bring your own electronic devices to use, you'll want a nice comfortable set of headphones. The ones they give out are usually not very comfortable.
- If you choose to use electronic devices, download movies/TV/music/games in advance. Many airlines don't have inflight wifi, and some charge for it even if they do.
- Before flying, see if your flight's entertainment is "on your own device". If it is, you need to DOWNLOAD their app IN ADVANCE! You won't be able to get it while onboard!
- If you're going to a new destination, do some research with your kids about the new place.  Borrow books from your local library on the destination, and bring those on the plane (or download them on a Kindle/get audio books, etc.).
- Always pack an extra set of clothes, including a set for yourself! I have had to change on a plane more than once (sick baby one time, and spilled coffee another time).
- Starting at age 3, I let the kids have their own backpack, and make them carry it. I put their activities, snacks, headphones, one extra set of clothes, and a jacket in it. The backpack with jacket/clothes can serve a pillow/extra comfort. My kids also like neck pillows and eye masks for overnight flights. They actually use them both! I keep the eye masks inside, but many neck pillows can snap on to an outside strap of the backpack. You can find cute kid eye masks like this and these.
- Make everyone go to the bathroom before boarding the plane. Boarding is often a stressful and long process with children...and it's much easier to help kids in the airport restrooms than in the tiny plane restrooms.
- I never travel anywhere without a medical/first aid kid, to include: bandaids, liquid bandage serum (in the case of a bigger gash), an instant cold pack, infant/children's motrin and measuring syringe or cup, allergy medicine, Benadryl, cortisone cream, antibiotic cream, and our prescribed medication. Trust me: it seems like a burden to carry it all around, but this kit has been worth it's weight in gold for those unpredictable instances we've needed those items!