Tips for foreign holiday with small children

[fourlegstwolegs]

It's been a while!
Two children, 5 and 8. Two hour flight, sunny/beachy destination.
I am going to download Audible so they can listen to stories
What else should I be thinking of/taking with me?
Any suggestions for backpacks/bags/things to keep them amused?
Bed time is going to be carnage as they will be in the same room and very over excited!
I'm worried about the return via Heathrow as it might be hours of queues...

UV tops/rash vests. Easier than suncream and more protection.

Headphone splitter if they will be sharing a device at all, for a film for example on the plane.

If you have Amazon prime, some of the free movies can be downloaded so you don't need internet connection.

Lay your suitcase down in the queue so they can use it as a seat. I saw a toddler laying on a suitcase in the queue last time I travelled and it was funny. Mum just pushed it along as things moved and the little one just chilled engrossed on his kids tablet.

Bring some travel pillows or jumpers/hoodies that can be used on the flight.

Have a small bag with essentials you can slide under the seat in front of you so you don't have to keep getting up.

Don't sweat bedtime. You are on holiday.

It's a holiday, just go with the flow. Get travel games / card games maybe eg uno, travel guess who. Have fun

Pack a spare outfit for everyone. Dd spilt a can of Coke over herself and DH on a 6 hour flight once.

For the flight, an iPad or something with games or films on. I let my Dd pick a few bits at the airport before we board, an overpriced magazine, some sweets to help with the pressure and their ears.

If you have another adult flying with you, pack a small hand luggage case with enough stuff for overnight just in case your stuff goes missing.

Don't worry too much about bedtime. Dd is either shattered from swimming all day or if she's over excited and can't sleep, we put a film on the iPad for her to watch as she falls asleep.

We always prefer to go for a proper meal in the terminal before we board, then if the plane food isn't up to much, no one is going to starve!

Pack some cheap inflatables if they are the kind of thing your boys like. Most hotels sell them for £££. Or water pistols, they seemed popular last time we went away.

Very jealous, I can't wait to get back on a plane.

Definitely download some movies/cartoons so you don't have to worry about Internet connection.
Colouring book/paper and pens for the plane.
Travel sized board games (we use these at night in the room).
Empty water bottles to fill up.
A backpack for day trips (but probably smaller than their bag for the plane).
I also find roll-on suncream so much quicker and easier.
Enjoy!

Ignore any offers for people with small children to board the plane first and join the very back of the queue! Why anyone thinks that confining kids to a small space for any longer than is absolutely necessary is beyond me! They're old enough to manage a small backpack with their own entertainment and snacks in so you get on, bags under seats, seatbelts on and boom, no waiting half an hour while everyone else faffs about finding their seat. Bear in mind that they won't be able to use the seatback tables until after takeoff so manage expectations on what they can do before you get on board.
If one tends to go to sleep quicker than the other put that one to bed first (even if it's the older one!).

i let him pack some of the things
i befriend the flight attendant. some airlines have great kid packs. still have my old ba string backpack. jal had some great windup toys.
i bring a few extra snacks for the flight.
more sunscreen than you think you need

bon voyage

I flew into Heathrow two weeks ago and there absolutely no queues.

My DC are always allowed to choose a magazine or book from the airport shop. It kills some of the time waiting in the airport (mine like to take their time choosing) and keeps them entertained for a bit on the plane (a new book/magazine seems to keep their interest for longer than one we take from home). They've done this since they were tiny and are now teens, so it's become a bit of a holiday tradition!

Thanks all! Great tips. May the queues be short!

Give them some flash cards or lists of phrases in the country's language (if not English). My kids actually spent ages learning and testing each other. Bonus: I sent them to the campsite shop to do the shopping!