Author Topic: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids  (Read 14049 times)

Offline Moshe Green

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Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« on: January 19, 2022, 05:53:11 AM »
Being that we are planning a first trip with kids of all ages (little kids are easier to deal with), i wanted to start a new topic after seeing that although there are posts here and there about flying with kids (such as https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/travel-tips/flying-3-kids-airport-child-safety-strategy/ and https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/travel-tips/flying-with-a-child-in-a-carseat-bring-along-this-faa-tip-sheet/), there is no topic specifically dealing the topic.

Here's some idea's for suggestions, stories, tips, and rules:
(please include ages/genders of the kids in your post as well)
1) Packing (carry-ons and checked in)
2) Meals/Food for/on the plane
3) Toys and Snacks for the plane
4) Corona (masks & corona checks)
5) Documentation (Passports, tickets, etc)
6) Seat arrangement
7) Taking pictures
8 ) Going through security (liquids, shoes, trauma, anything else)
9) Keeping them busy so they don't destroy the plane
10) Anything else DDF can come up with!

Thank you everyone!

Offline AsherO

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2022, 06:28:21 AM »
10) Pediatric tranquilizers :P

(Or at least an iPad…)
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Offline Moshe Green

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2022, 09:35:06 AM »
10) Pediatric tranquilizers :P

(Or at least an iPad…)

you joke but do you any over the counter "drug" that works to put kids to sleep?

Offline yerushabubby

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2022, 09:39:26 AM »
I always made sure that each child had his/her own small bag with snacks, paper and crayons, and other age appropriate entertainment options. 

ALWAYS pack meals for the kids - even if the food served is something your kids are willing to eat, it is unlikely to be served on their schedule.  Don't worry too much about a balanced diet, just make sure that there are healthy choices that your kids enjoy.

One person (parent) should be in charge of all the documents, to make sure that nothing gets forgotten.  I like keeping them in a dedicated fanny pack.

Explain to your kids what happens when they go through security, and possibly stand with them on the side for a moment to let them see other people going through.

Try melantonin for getting over stimulated kids to sleep.

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2022, 09:49:25 AM »
you joke but do you any over the counter "drug" that works to put kids to sleep?
Dramamine. Just make sure you don't end up in Syria
« Last Edit: January 19, 2022, 10:13:07 AM by aygart »
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Offline jj1000

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Online aygart

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2022, 09:50:50 AM »
Make sure the kids eat before boarding so they don't need to until after take off
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Offline Yehuda57

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2022, 09:52:27 AM »
you joke but do you any over the counter "drug" that works to put kids to sleep?

Discussed on other threads, and obviously discuss with a doctor first, Benadryl works for some, but for some it has the opposite effect. So if you do use it, try it out before the trip so you don't end up with a hyper kid on the plane.

Online dasmo801

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #8 on: January 19, 2022, 10:02:37 AM »
Make sure the adults are calm. Kids react negatively to high stress levels in the adults around them. Also, a stressed out parent is much more likely to provoke an outburst in a child.

Offline Dan

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #9 on: January 19, 2022, 10:05:45 AM »
Discussed on other threads, and obviously discuss with a doctor first, Benadryl works for some, but for some it has the opposite effect. So if you do use it, try it out before the trip so you don't end up with a hyper kid on the plane.
We tried it on a red-eye from HNL-EWR back in our rookie days without testing it first and it had the opposite effect. Not fun!
Now we just use melatonin on red-eyes.
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Offline Yehuda57

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2022, 10:14:15 AM »
I always made sure that each child had his/her own small bag with snacks, paper and crayons, and other age appropriate entertainment options. 



Your whole post is great. Just to note, when each kid has his/her own backpack with all of these things, some kids (toddlers) tend to open and empty the entire bag right away. It might be helpful to just put a couple of things in the bag, and have easily accessible ziplock bags in your own carry own to replenish as the flight goes.

Obviously, it makes a difference how long the flight is. My wife is an absolute master and has prepped food and activities for JFK-JNB, JFK-AUH-JNB, etc., with each segment packed separately.

Online Euclid

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2022, 11:18:50 AM »
Dramamine. Just make sure you don't end up in Syria
Or Bangkok

Online yelped

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2022, 11:20:36 AM »
There is a thread already with a lot of good tips...

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #13 on: January 19, 2022, 11:33:50 AM »
There is a thread already with a lot of good tips...
Yup, it's here in case OP hasn't seen it.

Officially that thread is about infants, but I'm sure there's of discussion about all ages in the 987 posts over 11 years there...

ETS: another thread here.

Offline Moshe Green

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #14 on: January 19, 2022, 11:46:53 AM »
Yup, it's here in case OP hasn't seen it.

Officially that thread is about infants, but I'm sure there's of discussion about all ages in the 987 posts over 11 years there...

ETS: another thread here.

There is a thread already with a lot of good tips...

If you read my introduction, i said exactly that. There's infant posts and the there's scattered posts all over the forum. Because there are those who also travel with older kids and because it's hard to search over millions of posts, i thought it would be easier to make one master post.

Offline yerushabubby

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #15 on: January 19, 2022, 12:13:54 PM »
Your whole post is great. Just to note, when each kid has his/her own backpack with all of these things, some kids (toddlers) tend to open and empty the entire bag right away. It might be helpful to just put a couple of things in the bag, and have easily accessible ziplock bags in your own carry own to replenish as the flight goes.

Obviously, it makes a difference how long the flight is. My wife is an absolute master and has prepped food and activities for JFK-JNB, JFK-AUH-JNB, etc., with each segment packed separately.

Pretty much what I used to do - The kids each had a SMALL bag of treats and toys, replenished from time to time from my stash.  For counting carry-on bags, several of them went into a larger bag.

Offline motec bb

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #16 on: January 19, 2022, 12:15:44 PM »
What do you guys do regarding car seats and carriages?

I try to fly as light as possible, so I check in the carriage ( always free)

For a baby I use a doona, but for toddler that will use a car seat, I've devised this contraption.

1) Take any car seat ( skinner the better)

2) this hand truck
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Milwaukee-150-lb-2-Wheel-Red-Steel-Folding-Hand-Truck/50373316?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-dcr-_-ggl-_-PLA_DCR_232_Home-Organization-_-50373316-_-online-_-0-_-0&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=Cj0KCQiAip-PBhDVARIsAPP2xc2mWxypfvvStHUZLaIf34sBKBHo0RrFoB962m0jbMyi5O6K67cEKEwaAh3FEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

3) Rachet Strap
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-15-ft-x-1-in-Ratchet-Tie-Down-Strap-with-S-Hook-FH0867/312994491
SKU# 312994491

Attach the car seat using the rachet strap and it is very tight and secure. You can easily wheel your kid around the airport in the same car seat you will use on the plane. No need for an additional carriage.

The rachet strap loosens quickly and easily and the hand truck folds to fit easily in the overhead bin.
« Last Edit: January 19, 2022, 12:24:37 PM by motec bb »

Offline Moshe Green

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #17 on: January 19, 2022, 12:29:29 PM »
What does one do to make sure kids (ages 3-10ish) won't get messy while eating their airline meal? Do you just bring a spare shirt?

How does one encourage their children to wear a corona mask?

Which snacks does one suggest that doesn't leave such a messy? Not sticky or crumby? Does the airline mind cleaning up after a family?


Offline AsherO

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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #18 on: January 19, 2022, 01:58:00 PM »
What do you guys do regarding car seats and carriages?

I try to fly as light as possible, so I check in the carriage ( always free)

For a baby I use a doona, but for toddler that will use a car seat, I've devised this contraption.

1) Take any car seat ( skinner the better)

2) this hand truck
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Milwaukee-150-lb-2-Wheel-Red-Steel-Folding-Hand-Truck/50373316?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-dcr-_-ggl-_-PLA_DCR_232_Home-Organization-_-50373316-_-online-_-0-_-0&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=Cj0KCQiAip-PBhDVARIsAPP2xc2mWxypfvvStHUZLaIf34sBKBHo0RrFoB962m0jbMyi5O6K67cEKEwaAh3FEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

3) Rachet Strap
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-15-ft-x-1-in-Ratchet-Tie-Down-Strap-with-S-Hook-FH0867/312994491
SKU# 312994491

Attach the car seat using the rachet strap and it is very tight and secure. You can easily wheel your kid around the airport in the same car seat you will use on the plane. No need for an additional carriage.

The rachet strap loosens quickly and easily and the hand truck folds to fit easily in the overhead bin.


Dan used to recommend the Go-Go Babyz Travelmate (I had the mini version which seems to now be discontinued). Looks like you hacked your own. Nice!
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Re: Kids on Planes - Or - How To Survive a Flight with Kids
« Reply #19 on: January 19, 2022, 02:32:23 PM »
 I bought this for my eldest when he was 3-4 year old and he loved it. He was so excited to sleep on it.. fell asleep right after take off  :)

https://jet-kids.com/shop/jetkids-bedbox/