How to Entertain Small Children on Long Flights
Tips for Keeping Babies, Toddlers and Small Kids Happy on Long Trips
Nov 21, 2008
There are two types of flights with babies, toddlers and small children: the really bad experience, and the decent and pretty tolerable flight. Which would you prefer?
Small children were not designed to sit in one spot for several hours unless they are sleeping (and even then, it's questionable). They like to squirm and explore and they crave new stimulus. These are all things that aren't plentiful on board a flight.
In essence, surviving a long flight with a small child boils down to three essentials: keep them comfortable, keep them happy, and keep them stimulated.
How to Keep Small Children Comfortable on a Long Flight
- First and foremost (and yes, even if you don't have to), your child will be most comfortable with his or her own seat. So will you, the parent. To see information about the pros and cons of getting a seat, also see Flying with Baby.
- Make sure you have plenty of small items, easy to stuff into a carry-on diaper bag, to keep your small child comfortable. These can be a favorite stuffed animal and a small travel pillow or beloved blanket. It can be snacks so your baby, toddler or small child doesn't get hungry (translate: cranky).
- Also, small children need to move around (even newborns). When possible, get up with your child to just change positions or move around briefly.
How to Keep Small Children Happy on a Long Flight
- Tip number one: make sure the parents are happy. Grumpy parents make grumpy children. Flights, especially with children, can be stressful.
- Try to keep snappiness and general anxiety under control with deep breaths and self-talk. If your small child observes you snapping at the flight attendant, he or she will take a cue from you.
- Focus on the positives with your child if he or she is old enough to complain. Use the power of distraction. For example, if your child whines about being bored, look for cloud shapes or pull out a book. Which brings us to...
How to Keep Small Children Stimulated on a Long Flight
The biggest enemy of a parent of small children is boredom. Not only is that a big challenge, with on-flight carry-on restrictions, parents are quite limited in what they can bring along to combat this problem. There are, however, some solutions.
- If you have an iPod or iPhone, load it up with your child's favorite shows or movies before the flight. Keep in mind, however, that electronics must be turned off during take off, landing and turbulence. Alternately, bring a small DVD player for the trip.
- Find smaller versions of your child's favorite books. Often times, even some of the most popular children's books have a compact version. Look at small board books, or at some of the less expensive soft cover children's books (which have larger facades, but have almost no depth to them).
- Have a couple of choice small toys, of even consider letting your child pick something fun and exciting (and small) out at the store before you leave. Then he or she will be playing with a fresh new toy. Pair that with a small toy that is an old reliable favorite, and you'll get lots of entertainment out of it.
The copyright of the article How to Entertain Small Children on Long Flights in Babies/Toddlers Travel is owned by Kelby Carr. Permission to republish How to Entertain Small Children on Long Flights in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
