How to Keep Your Kids Entertained On A Flight

Flying with kids sounds like a nightmare or a disaster waiting to happen. That’s why it is better to be overprepared than underprepared. Ask any parent flying with kids, they’ll tell you to pack loads of material to keep your kids busy. No one wants to be taking care of a child every second for a five-hour flight, now imagine a fifteen-hour flight. Follow the tips below to ensure smooth travels with your kiddos!

An excellent tip I once heard is to buy a specific toy just for the plane. Your child cannot open it at home, in the car, or at airport- only on the plane. Your child will have something to look forward to and hopefully that’ll save some time for yourself. The toy can be literally anything that your child loves. Some examples include slime, silly putty, a stuffed animal, a talking toy, and so on.

Other wonderful material to bring on the plane include crayons and coloring books, stickers and paper, puzzles, a deck of cards, a fidget spinner, or a Rubik’s cube. These suggestions are for the parents who would prefer their children entertain themselves with toys, as opposed to watching TV or playing on the iPad. However, you are not a “bad” mom or dad if you allow your children to look at electronics on a flight. We all look at electronics, flights are long and boring and sometimes we all need a movie, show, or an online game to tune into. If you are allowed to watch a show or be on your phone, then your child can as well. Obviously, parents will set time restrictions or age-appropriate movies and shows. You can also bring a Kindle or tablet and allow your child to go on it for a limited amount of time. Such as, playing on the iPad for twenty minutes or only watching one movie. Keep in mind that activity level may differ based on your child’s age. Some children are satisfied with doing nothing, some would rather read a book, play a game, or space out.

Additionally, most parents will make sure that their children do not nap at home so that they can nap on the plane. So instead of your child being hyper and talking your ear off, they’ll be sleeping instead. Given certain circumstances, your child can nap the whole flight leaving you and your partner stress free. Or better yet, nap together with your child. Or pretend to.

Lastly, other parents will suggest avoiding giving your children extremely sugary foods or treats on the plane. We all know what will happen if you do. Your child will be jumping off the walls, enter the cockpit, and demand to fly the plane instead of the pilot. That may be a bit extreme, but for good reason. Many parents will purchase a container with separate small compartments or a bento box and fill each compartment with healthier snacks. Doing so will keep your child occupied, entertained, and full. Some snacks include animal crackers, Bamba, dried mango, craisins, nuts, raisins, chocolate covered pretzels, grapes, tangerines, apples, rice cakes, cheerios, crackers, trail mix, chips, popcorn, veggie straws, cheese, and so on. Trust us, it’ll keep your children busy.

Or better yet, let your children be bored! That may be more difficult for you than your child, but they do not need to be doing something constantly. Instead have a conversation with them, tell them some stories, look out the plane window together, and bond. Sounds cheesy, but it’s the perfect scenario to connect with your kids and create memories together.