7 Ideas for Making Plane Travel with Kids Easier!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Do you tend to overpack your carry-on in shear terror of running out of ways to entertain your kids midway through the flight? I do. Do you find yourself schleping car seats and strollers through the airport while balancing bags tossed over your shoulder and hanging off both arms? Yep, same here.

I just stepped off a trans-continental flight (PHL to SFO) 8 hours ago with my 19 month and nearly 6-year-old. I survived. We survived. I didn’t bring a stroller, I didn’t carry a carseat and my bag was only minimally loaded (though still loaded, I must admit).

The key to making plane travel with kids easier is to leave the kids at home. Ha! Ok, if you can’t get away with that then make it easier by packing lighter. I discovered today, the key is not only to pack small items (obviously) but to also bring items that are dual- or multipurpose.

1. Leave the Stroller

If you really need a stroller while you are away, consider borrowing or renting one when you get to your destination. Not having to get the stroller through security, deal with folding it down in the cramped jetway during the mad onboard rush or worrying that baggage personnel will trash it (and, oh, they will!), eliminates one element of stress.

To get through the airport with a kid too little to walk, try pulling them on your suitcase or using the luggage trolley at the beginning and end. Another option is to use a backpack/kid carrier combo like we did on a recent trip to Lisbon, Portugal. Schlep your stuff and your kid in the same bag.

2. Get a Car Seat Carrier

Your bags are heavy enough, why throw a 25 pound (minimum) car seat over one shoulder when you can pull it behind you. There are car seat bags with wheels but you can do better than that.

We borrowed my brother’s Go Go Kidz Travelmate to roll our car seat through the airport. Better than the bag with wheels, it leaves the seat exposed so it can then stand in for the stroller that, following my advice above, you left at home.

3. Bring Sticker or Paper-Based Crafts and Activities

A new activity is sure to keep the little ones busy. Anything with stickers will pass the time and add little weight to your bags.

4. Toss in Some Crayons

A few crayons are all kids need to get their creativity flowing. You can throw in a coloring or activity book if you want. We had one but it was in the overhead and the seat belt sign was on. What to do? Let you magazine play double-duty as a coloring book.

5. Use On-board Items as Game Inspiration

Our little guy took an interest in the emergency landing card today. First, he spent several minutes perusing the pictures then he used it to play peek-a-boo. The various cards, magazines and papers in the seat back can also be used to play “I Spy” with older kids and for finding trains, cars, trucks, flowers, dogs, cats, etc. for little ones to look at.

6. Bring a Multi-Use Book or Toy

There are a number of books that also double as toys. We particularly love this one from Usborne but it’s too bulky to bring on the plane (good for car travel, though). These truck and tractor books are fun because you can read them and then they can be driven around.

7. Bring a Blanket

I always bring a blanket that I can throw over the kids if they get cold. But, on a few occasions, it’s come in handy for letting them play on the disgusting floor (I recommend the sanitize cycle for washing after — I’m talking blanket AND kids). Long flights are boring. For kids, they’re REALLY boring.

I’ll do anything to keep mine active, entertained and not crying, whining or screaming. Sometimes, all that’s needed is a change of scenery. Moving them off the seat and onto the floor is often enough to hit the reset button for a bit.

The one thing you can’t overpack is a big dose of patience! Good luck and happy traveling.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]