Preparing to fly with children (tips please)

[Damonlufc88]

I know all children are different but any advice is appreciated. We're due to fly tomorrow to Majorca with wife + 5&3 YO Sons. Any tips or necessities that I can add to my hand luggage real quick please? We have basics like snacks, possible a new toy just as a surprise. Also invested in some none audio headphones. It's been a few years since I have flown, the oldest was just over 1 year. Thanks in advance

That age they are pretty ok. iPads and earphones. Few snacks. It will be fine. Probably more kids on our flight to Mallorca last week than adults!

Thinking about not taking the Ipad as they both only really bother with YouTube but that's not an option in the air

Buy plastic zip lock bags and separate things so you can find everything easily, eg on for crayons and small colouring pad, one for snacks, one for spare pants (if needed). I always have a trip to the pound shop before we fly and stock up on mini colouring pads, stickers, small toys so I have plenty to keep them going.

A drink, snacks, a lollipop. A new comic/ sticker book, colouring book, book to read. No noisy toys (although you’ll barely hear yourself think over the noise of all the kids on a flight to Majorca) or toys with small pieces as you’ll send the whole time on the floor picking them up! And if all that fails, an iPad or phone to watch/ play.

I have flown long haul every year with my 2 since they were born, they are know 7 and 9!

My tips are

• Kids headphones for each
• A tablet, with preloaded apps and videos, if possible

Will both be happy to use a gadget for a few hours? I had one who wasn't. Do so for him I had

• usbourne sticker activity books
• usbourne kids puzzle books
• small packs of playdoh
• any other small toy that does not too many pieces that will fall off and get lost!

In addition to this I carried the below. This list may to be excessive for what you need as I was on 10 hour flights

• comfortable change of clothes, like jogging bottoms and tshirt
• Nappies
• night clothes
• snacks - easier to give out mini lunch bag size packs rather than big bags
• ear plugs, one of my kids needed these
• mini lollies, I always gave them one each at take off and landing to help with ear pressure
• chargers for all the gadgets that we took

I can't think of anymore, but if I do, I'll add it in :)

BBC iPlayer kids app- download couple episodes of some shows- it buys you some breathing space.
Change of clothes- you and them. Having had a mid air vomit, I was very grateful for clean T shirt.
Something to suck for take off / landing. I use the fruit/ yogurt pouches.
Make sure hand luggage is organised- any less quids all together for easy security.
Sachet of calpol.
It will be fine!

We have just come back from Spain, But we is slightly older than your 2. She's 8.
I took sweets to suck to help with her ears, But Haribo work just as well.
A pack of playing cards
Her iPad, we downloaded programmes from Netflix onto it. Came in handy quite a lot during the holiday.

What about their favourite small toy?
A magazine?

Have a good flight 😀

If you have the CBeebies app you can download programmes to watch offline, same for Amazon Prime and Netflix.

Nothing with fiddly small pieces, though my boys loved their Lego mini figures at that age you will find yourself picking them up - and up - and up again just when the seatbelt sign is on and it's gone under the seat behind.

Books are better than toys I found, also drawing and activity books like mazes, doodling books, etc. Depends on your kids somewhat.

Don't feed them any sugar of any kind the day you fly and run them around in the airport. Take them for a wee before you board or they will want to go as soon as the seatbelt signs are switched on!

Thank you. What type of apps can you Pre load videos onto? They are going to both take there school bags as carry ons with their own snacks etc in whilst me and mum have toiletries and clothes in ours.