Many families are trying to sneak in one last trip before summer ends. You might be worried your relaxing trip will turn into a kicking and screaming nightmare on your cramped plane ride! With the right game plan, you can avoid a lot of the problems that lead to horror stories.
“Bad Behavior” is usually an indication of unmet needs in your child. Their young minds and little bodies can easily get overwhelmed, understimulated, and exhausted during a trip. Use the following tips to anticipate their needs, and make your flight a better experience for everyone!
Be on Schedule
Don’t be in a rush! Arrive early at the airport. Getting there late may mean entertaining a child for less time, but it also increases the amount of stress on a parent. If you are stressed, you will have less patience and capacity for your child. Get to your gate with time to spare. While other people are boarding, try entertaining your child before sitting down so they can get more of their wiggles out. They will enjoy an opportunity to move around before they are buckled in for the flight.
Planned Seating
You know your child, so learn which seats work best for them. Some children can be entertained by staring out the window, while others need an aisle seat to have easy access to the bathroom. If possible, try to fly during nap time for young children. If nap time isn’t an option, try to fly when they are typically most functional in the day.
Entertainment
Break out a new cheap toy! Adults generally bring books, watch movies, or other things to keep themselves entertained throughout a flight, and children also need this support. Flights are boring for everyone. If your child has difficulty being entertained, go to the dollar store for a couple of unique toys that your child can play with on the airplane. Some toy ideas are: Airplane Travel Toys. Games you can play with your child can be found here: Airplane Games. If you need to buy a tablet for screen time, do so with no shame. You know your child!
Snacks
Bring along some fun and filling food. An exciting snack can help keep your child happy to be on the plane. Children cannot regulate their emotions if they are hungry! Set your child up for success by keeping them full throughout the flight. Children sometimes just want something to do. A fun, colorful, tasty snack can do the trick. Airplane snacks can be limited, so don’t rely on them. Keep in mind that snacks need to be unrefrigerated. Also, items that are not messy! Traveling with a toddler who spills food on themselves might require extra trips to the bathroom. Some healthy ideas can be found here: Flight safe snacks.
Communication
Lastly, talk, talk, talk! Prepare your child by having conversations about the airport and airplane rules. Do this in the weeks and days leading up to the trip. Plan together what to do when boarding, waiting if there is a delay, and what fun they will have when all is said and done! Consider getting a children’s book about airplanes. When children know the expectations and are given the chance to add their input to the decision-making, they are more likely to follow the plan. Different airplane topics you can discuss with your little one can be found here: Flying with a toddler.
Above are a few tips and tricks when it comes to traveling with young child on an airplane. You are the expert when it comes to your child. This kind of travel is difficult for everyone. If needs are met, and expectations are set, you are providing tools for success to your little ones! Hopefully, some of these simple steps can make your next travel experience a pleasant adventure.
