Longhaul flight essentials

[Cantspellmynameright]

Flying Heathrow to Washington in a few weeks with DH and DC's aged 2.5 and 5. The kids both have Trunki's to take on board, I have put in some coloring pens, paper, a new story book and a game. They will have Leappads to play on and I plan to put some of their favorite snacks in there too.

DS's nappies and wipes will be in my hand luggage along with travel tablets (for me!) as well as some money etc.

What other travel essentials am I forgetting? It is the 1st time on a plane with the DC's and I do not have a great love of flying but will be trying to hide it in front of the kids!

Help!

Plenty of batteries for the leapads!

Any other electronic entertainment things - portable DVD player, Nintendo DS, laptop, iPhone - really come into their own on longhaul flights I find when all rules about creen time go out the window for me!

Laptop or portable DVD to watch cartoons and movies was most used for us, mine are 7 and 4 and we have taken it every time flown last few years. ipad would be great I think if you had one.

Have lots of batteries and in seat power so will use the adaptors too I think! Will have both mine and DH's laptops, will pack a few dvd's - good idea!!

I want an ipad :)

In my experience, plenty of books to read and snacks to eat whilst the seat belt sign is on - the kids won't be able to do colouring or play leappads during that time and it can seem quite lengthy.

Basic change of clothes for everyone in case of spillages, travel sickness etc (just t-shirt & leggings/track pants better than sitting in wet or vomit- covered clothes for hours). More food (airline food never arrives when they are hungry) . Refillable non- spill drinking cups or sports bottles to reduce likelihood of needing change of clothes. Sticker books, or pick up a couple of children's magazines at the airport. Remember there are relatively long periods during taxiing, take-off and landing when you can't use anything electronic or use the pull-down tables, so you need to have a few things they can do that don't require a surface to lean on.

Oooh yes, clothes!

Both have sports bottles, will look into more food!

Go for pens which don't need lids or you may be forever fishing lids out from under seats. Will you be taking a carseat for the youngest? It would be a great help on the plane as the seat angles and tray table height are not great for little ones. What time are you flying? Try to work on local time at your destination from when you board, so if it is night, encourage them to seep.

Talk to the DCs before you go about how it is a very long time and they will be eating and sleeping on the plane.

Children's headphones are helpful as well as sometimes the plane ones are too big.

Ensure they get plenty of daylight and physical activity before and after the flight. You can get them playing with a beach ball or balloon at the departure gate or even better an empty departure gate area near your gate, before you go.

Children's meals are usually served first and IME are the same as an adult but with more sugary snacks or dessert, if they are served first, they will have to wait for everyone else to eat and be cleared before they can get up to go to the toilet. This can take a long time. If you want to be served first with them, go for the vegetarian option.

the child meal thing depends on the airline; on Emirates (only one I've flown with kids, though obviously not relevant on a Heathrow-Washington flight) it doesn't bear any relationship to the adult meal; more like something off the 'childrens' menu' in a cafe, along with a lot of snacky things in a box so they can graze.

One of mine is absolutely fine as long as he can watch inflight TV or portable DVD player the entire 8 hour trip; the other gets through anything intended to entertain her in about 10 minutes per thing and spends the rest of the time wanting to change seats, run about, climb on the seats, etc etc etc - I hope for your sake that yours are both more of the first persuasion! have fun.

Which airline and which Heathrow terminal are you using?.

Ensure that you have enough battery life for the electronics.

Re the sport bottles, ensure that these are empty prior to going through security; these can be filled airside.

Do not rely on the airline in question to fully provide re food; you'll be far better off taking your own for both yourself and the children. Leave any uneaten fruit behind on the aircraft and do not take any yogurt with you (that is counted as a liquid and is subject to the 100ml rule).

Book your dh and the kids into economy and yourself in business.

Cammomile tea and rescue rememdy are helpful and a few diazpam if needed (for you of course).

Definitely a few snacks for the kids.

I put one of those disposable change mats on the seat in case of any accidents (was thinking if seatbelt signs were on and we couldn't get DD to the toilet). Although we didn't have any toilet issues, on the return flight she was sick during turbulence and the mat was a godsend - meant that the seat was untouched and she didn't have to sit on a sicky / damp / smelly seat for hours on end.

I used to take mini playdoh pots, and a small rolling pin and cutters, also sticker books. With regard to sicky clothes, how about taking some large sealable bags, just in case, so that you and the rest of the passengers don't have to smell grotty clothing all through the flight.

I flew the exact same flight with the exact same age children 2 years in a row. (I was a nanny for them and flew them by myself.)

During the return flight, which is more than likely going to be overnight, they will most likely fall asleep. My two fell asleep before we even took off, and before their kids meals came. WORD OF WARNING THOUGH: They slept all the way until breakfast, and ate a banana and part of a pastry from the airline breakfast 30 minutes before landing, and both threw up from the lack of eating the night before and the sudden eating beforehand. If at all possible, don't feed them one hour before landing. Sorted that the next time and they were perfectly fine. I do recommend booking them the kids meals though, as they will come before anyone else's since they are 'special' and kids won't be kept waiting.

The 3-year-old enjoyed coloring the most, he was not at all interested in the books, etc. He had a small self-contained puzzle which kept him entertained for ages. The 5-year-old lived solely off DVD's. She liked that she could watch as many as possible, whereas at home she is only allowed 45 mins at one time, so she capitalized

Totally agree that portable DVD and kids headphones were a lifesaver. Was suggested to cater for a new activity every 45 mins eg book, stickers but DS (also 2.5) got massively overtired as was too excited to sleep and was not interested in any of the toys and games we brought, but would zone out watching peppa on repeat.

Pillows to sleep on or those trunki kids travel pillows?

Calpol and double the wipes you think you might need? Took a nappy per hour of flight just in case of diarrhoea!

Wow so much more to think about - thank you :)

We are able to book the kids meals in advance and choose 'cafe style' food pizza etc.

We can't take the DC's car seats for on board as they are the type that transform into booster seats and these are not suitable according to the airline - not too bothered though by that.

Toilets should be ok, I know we will have ok seating thanks to DH's work booking for us.

Change mat is a good idea!!

Rescue remedy at the ready!!