Tips for Traveling with Children: Best Airplane Activities

One important tip is to, before the day of travel, set expectations for the flight. Talk with your children about what behavior is appropriate for airplanes, what they should not do, and how certain behaviors of theirs will make you and the other people on the airplane feel.

Travel with Children: Time Flights Well

If you have options on when in the day to fly, consider them wisely. Late night flights are great for children who sleep easily, but will be horrible for restless sleepers who need their routine. Mid-morning flights might be better because your children will be less fatigued.

Travel with Children: Pack a Travel Bag

Let your kids pack their own airplane activity bags with things that they want to do on the plane. Then check them to make sure they have activities that they enjoy and that will keep them occupied.

Travel with Children: Bring Snacks

Children will often get grumpy and fussy if they are hungry, so bring along plenty of snacks. Also make sure that they are getting proper meals at normal mealtimes, even if that means spending a few dollars on airport food.

Travel with Children: Consider Seating Arrangements

If your children are likely to bicker and argue during a flight, it might be best to seat parents between them. If, on the other hand, they can get along and play travel games together, then by all means, seat them next to each other.

Travel with Children: Travel Size Games

Speaking of travel games, there are a number of great travel size games that are adaptations of familiar board games. If your children enjoy games, consider purchasing some to make the flights go by more quickly.

Travel with Children: Bring Pillows

Even if your kids don't typically sleep during the time of day when the flight is happening, it might be a good idea to have them bring pillows. That way, an impromptu nap is possible, and even awake, a pillow can help make a seat more comfortable and familiar.

Travel with Children: Coloring and Activity Books

One of the best things to bring for airplane travel is paper and writing utensils, in whatever form your child prefers. Anything from coloring books for young children to a notebook and pen for an aspiring writer who is older will help keep your kids occupied.

Travel with Children: Get Enough Exercise Before the Flight

For squirmy children, make sure they get to run around a little bit before the flight. There are plenty of deserted gates at airports, so find one and play a quick game of tag before the flight.

Travel with Children: Movies

If all else fails, most kids will be quite silent in front of a good movie. If your flight does not have in-flight movies, consider bringing laptop computers or portable DVD players along.