Handling kids is a chore even at the best of times, but trying to make your kids behave at 30,000 feet in the air is an absolute nightmare. Flying with a finicky toddler can be a daunting task, possibly the worst of any motherhood experiences. Not to mention your fellow travelers, who might not be as forgiving as you are.

But fear not, parents of tantrum-throwing toddlers! We share a few tips to make traveling with children easier for you, your travelers and of course, the kids!

Break up your flight time

Manage your journey in chunks, preferably 15 minutes or so at a time. So for a three-hour long flight, you will need around ten activities or so to keep young kids occupied. Excluding the take-off and landing when they can be occupied by looking out the window.

Of course, you can always try to get them to sleep, but good luck with that!

Magazines, story books, Snap, drawing, and snacks are all good activities to keep them entertained. It’s unlikely you will end up using all of these, but better to have too many than end up short.

Get a Tablet

The one thing all parents seem to agree on is investing in some sort of video gadget to keep your kid occupied. Cartoons and movies can allow parents some downtime in the bargain. It is an excellent way to get your little tyrant to nod off.

Nowadays, tablets are cheap and very easy to handle. The thing to look out for though, is the limited storage space for videos. Make sure to switch it to Airplane mode during the flight.

You’ll also need to download all the videos to the device beforehand. In addition to videos, get some kids’ games or kid-friendly apps to your smartphone or tablet.

Carry Some Sweets

Take-off and Landing can be painful on the ears, more so in the case of kids. Babies are often given a bottle to suck and swallow, thereby providing relief. This also works with a lolly-pop for older kids during take-off and landing, and will also distract them from any potentially scary bits.

Foods that take longer to eat will occupy your child for longer. Dry fruits are a good choice because they contain natural sugars. A box of raisins is great and works better than sweets.

Bring a Pillow

A pillow that small children can sit so that they can see out of the window and that also makes sleeping more comfortable. A blanket is also a wise choice to keep them warm if it gets chilly onboard. It’s familiar coziness will comfort your child as well.

The Aeroplane Cops

A time-tested last resort is to warn young children of the “Aeroplane Cops.” Yes, those who are looking out for badly behaved children. This proves hugely effective in stopping your toddler from doing all the things that your passengers really hate.

These are all excellent advice from experienced parents to ensure a stress-free journey!

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