We are flying to Alaska in June with a two-year-old and five-year-old. Do you have any specific recommendations for making this long trek bearable? We’ve done many short flights And have done the typical lots of snacks and movies on devices thing. I know lots of people on here have done pretty extensive traveling with kids so I’m sure you have lots of wisdom!
-
We’ve done a decent amount of air travel with our LOs and it’s pretty easy at this point. Will you have a layover or is it direct? When we have layovers, we try to find a play area so the kids can run around and if there is no play area, we walk around the airport a bit to expend some energy. On the actual flight itself, it’s pretty much in flight entertainment for as long as they want.
However, if it’s a night flight, we always say they can watch videos until dinner is served and then they have to go to sleep after. I used to bring a bunch of snacks, but no one would eat them, so now I just bring a few granola bars or something like that for emergencies. Also, we always bring empty water bottles through security and fill up before getting on the plane. My kids are usually more thirsty than hungry. A few years ago my son had ear problems when the plane started to descend, so I would bring gummy candy for him to chew on during the arrival. Lollipops could work too, but I hate dealing with the stickyness when getting off the plane.
-
my daughter is younger, but I created a "fun bag" for her that she only sees the 2-3 times per year we fly. It's an old cosmetics bag of mine that I filled with fun odds and ends. Think party favor type stuff. Finger puppets, toy cars, stickers, an empty altoids tin, a fake wallet filled with fake cards (she loves to take them all out and put them all back in), a couple different desk toys, sticky notes, etc. I think half the fun for her is digging through the bag. I've been rotating a few things out just to keep it fresh, but I actually had to hide it because she wanted to play with it even when we weren't flying!
Our other go-to is water wow pads. But again, your kids might have outgrown that.
-
@SteelerGirl: My two-year-old love that for sure. And my five-year-old might as well! I love it!
@lamariniere: On the way there we have a layover in Chicago. On the way back it is direct. I don’t even think they are serving any meals which is nuts. I guess will have to buy something on the plane or bring something from the airport. The flight on the way back is overnight -
We flew to Israel when DS1 was 18 months. With my pediatricians blessing we did a night flight with Benadryl
It was awesome. He slept for 9 of the 12 hours!
On the way home it was daytime landing back in NY at bedtime, so we opted not to do the Benadryl in hopes that he’d just sleep when we got home. Brutal. Bru-tal!Both were direct flights. I see that only your way home is direct - so I would opt to knock them out in that flight
Another option is melatonin. Since it makes them sleepy but doesn’t really make them drowsy. Like I can give it to my 3.5yo to help with a nap if he’s sick and I know he needs rest, but he still wakes up 2 hours later without any residual drowsiness.
-
@SweetiePie: starting in Texas, early morning
-
@travellingbee: definitely check about the meal situation and be prepared to buy if you have to! I’ve never been on an overnight flight where they didn’t serve a meal, but I also haven’t flown in the US in a few years, and it sounds like a lot of the airlines are cutting back anywhere they can.
-
Went to the dollar store and bought lots of little things and wrapped them all in individually in tissue paper! Also some packs of animals facts cards were a big hit for the 2 yo age. Tons of snacks. After 2 yo we brought the iPad, I made sure we had good headphones (we have these great ones shaped like a unicorn fleece headband). I also made sure to pack a snuggly blanket (the muslin swaddles that compact well are great) and lovies to capitalize on any sleepiness. And have them walk between the gates! No strolling! Gotta get that energy out
We live 2 plane flights across the country from our family so we do lots of long hauls. And are planning our second Europe trip with kids - this time with 2!
-
@MenagerieMama: Good idea thanks!
-
@lamariniere: Yeah I just checked and it says meals for purchase. I think the flight is like 6 1/2-7 hours on United airlines but it’s still within the US so I guess they only provide meals for purchase.
-
We bought some wiki sticks on a 4 hour flight (part of the kids food box) and played with them for hours.
-
@travellingbee: I'd pack some food to take with you if there is no meal served. The in flight options can be expensive and better to have some food you know they will eat.
-
@travellingbee: ugh, definitely plan on buying a meal and bringing snacks, or eating a meal during your layover if you have time.
-
@Shantuck: oh where’d you get those?
-
Another good travel toy option is a boogie board (erasable writing tablet). My kids will spend a long time on theirs - moreso the older one, but both are interested. Lightweight and no mess, they can write or draw, you can play games like tic tac toe, anything you could do on paper but no hassle since they can erase it themselves. We bring them lots of places where we need to sit around!
-
@travellingbee: You can get them from amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Wikki-WIK804-Craft-Assorted-Package/dp/B0011E2S7C -
@Shantuck: nice! Thanks!
However, if it’s a night flight, we always say they can watch videos until dinner is served and then they have to go to sleep after. I used to bring a bunch of snacks, but no one would eat them, so now I just bring a few granola bars or something like that for emergencies. Also, we always bring empty water bottles through security and fill up before getting on the plane. My kids are usually more thirsty than hungry. A few years ago my son had ear problems when the plane started to descend, so I would bring gummy candy for him to chew on during the arrival. Lollipops could work too, but I hate dealing with the stickyness when getting off the plane.
We live 2 plane flights across the country from our family so we do lots of long hauls. And are planning our second Europe trip with kids - this time with 2!
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite1
16 comments