Tips for flights with young children

[StrawberryPavlova]

We're going on our first family holiday this summer with our two children, 12 and 4 (nearly 5). First holiday as in, first time taking them on a plane, we've just holidayed in the UK up to now.

I've not been on a plane since 2009, so I'm not really sure how much has changed since then! We're flying early (7:30am) from East Midlands airport to Menorca, with Jet2. I've discovered they do twilight check in (and we live close enough to the airport to do this) so will be taking our luggage to check it in the night before.

We've booked four seats on two rows, two in front of the other two, so two window seats so each girl can have a window.

Would love a thread of flight hints and tips from seasoned travellers with young children (the 12 year old will be fine, I'm more concerned about keeping my younger one entertained and happy!) to help me stem my anxiety about the flight (not flying anxiety, that's not an issue. Just general 'taking my young child on a plane and keeping her happy for a few hours')!

Please and thank you.

Load up some films/TV shows/games she likes on a tablet and get her some earphones. Boiled sweets for the takeoff and landing for balancing the ear pressure.

It’s 2 and half hours. It will be fine.

Sips of drinks on take off and landing. Take food and snacks. We just get a boots meal deal.

Here is what I’m taking for my child for a flight twice the length.

Magazine and twistable pens
sticker book
junior uno
where wally kind of books for younger children
Reading book
cuddly toy
wipe clean book
audio books
tablet and head phones

Have few ideas for verbal games eg eye spy with colours, rainbow spotting game - spot some thing red, then something orange.., cheese or chocolate - you repeatedly give two things and they choose the one they prefer, pool or beach, ice cream or pancake, slide at pool or park, carrots or broccoli and then you end with cheese or chocolate.

Keep the tablet until last. We won’t use all
the things on the list on the plane but will use them on holiday.

Stash another magazine in suitcase for on airport/plane on the way back.

you’ll be fine. Ipad and headphones are your friend and the flight isn’t too long. Take/buy ‘exciting’ snacks before you board but also consider eating a nice breakfast together in the airport - if things are open at that time. We do this as you’re otherwise a bit reliant on when they bring the food round to purchase on the flight. For snacks, I always pack a bag of snacks in my hold luggage for the flight back so I’m not searching when I get there.

If the younger one likes drawing, triangular crayons are good - they don't roll off the tray table.

A new magazine is always good.

Load up an iPad with favourite shows (especially if CBeebies because you can't watch iPlayer overseas) and let them go. Forget screen limits.

Download their favourite programmes especially if they’re CBeebies fan as you won’t be able to abroad! Lollipop for take off and landing.

we travel a lot with a 5 & 6 yr old. Your seating arrangement I wouldn’t do! You will be disturbing others for toilet/swapping seats if you want to.
also it’s not easy to talk over seats backwards/forwards.
would suggest a 3 & 1 across and swap the window seat half way.

This is our favoured seated position. It always means the “off duty” parent can sit in the 1 seat and chill for a but while the other is in charge.

A flight to Menorca is going to be full of families with little ones so don’t worry too much. It’s rare that the flight takes longer than 2hrs 20 from East Mids, and Mahon airport isn’t very big so they’re usually very efficient. I wouldn’t overthink the flight, or worry about it too much. Have a lovely holiday, Menorca is fantastic.

a nearly 5yo will be fine. Tablet is all you need really. Magazines, puzzles etc won't hurt. Extra t-shirt in case of food spills.

We always sit 2-2 but parents in front, kids behind us, since they were quite young. So if they accidentally kick seats, or poke the touch screens on long haul too hard, they only disturb us.

For airport, nothing is better with young children than a lounge pass.

It will be a total breeze

Just bring snacks and activities to amuse

We do 3 and 1 too! It’s so much easier having an aisle seat. The kid in the middle will be able to see out the window no problem. My two always turn on iPads and barely look up for the duration of a short flight like that to be fair.

Don’t overthink it. Don’t take a load of shit in your hand luggage. We did a 12 hr flight with toddler and packed way too much on the flight out, didn’t use it and just more to lug around.
like others said, take a loaded iPad with their fave shows, preferably with some kids headphones if they will wear them, a bunch of snacks and something to play with, something new and interesting. A magnetic writing pad would be good as it’s iPad sized with one pen. There’s loads fairly cheap on Amazon. Even in coop.

preferably with some kids headphones if they will wear them

If your child does not agree to wear headphones then please for the love of all holy, do not let them watch anything with sound on a plane. I had one of those on my last flight, parents utterly oblivious to the fact that half the plane could hear their kid's Peppa Pig.

I whole heartly agree!

Thanks all, some great tips. I'll think about the seating arrangement, we can change them if we want.

I'm sure I am overthinking it really. But as its our first abroad holiday and we're all really looking forward to it I just want it to go well 🤣

Some suggestions for packing.
Opt for a rolling bag for checked luggage and use a diaper bag backpack as your personal item. This setup keeps your hands free and allows you to carry the baby comfortably in a carrier.
In your diaper bag backpack, pack essentials like diapers, wipes, a changing pad, a few changes of clothes for the baby, bottles, formula or breastfeeding supplies, small toys, and a plastic bag for dirty items. Pack only what's necessary for the flight and a bit extra for unexpected delays. Also, I found a very good idea from here, to put things to colorful bags - so it would be easy to find desirable items quickly. The bag is usually super full and finding a thing can be real pain.
For your rolling bag, pack lightweight clothing suitable for the destination's climate and a few layers for air-conditioned spaces. Since babies grow quickly, bring only the clothes you expect them to wear plus a couple of spare outfits. Remember, you can wash clothes if needed at your accommodation.
When flying, pack extra diapers, wipes, a change of clothes for both you and the baby, and feeding supplies. This preparation helps manage changes in cabin pressure during takeoff and landing, which can affect the baby's comfort.
By focusing on essentials, utilizing rental services, and efficiently using space in your bags, you can make traveling with a baby more manageable and enjoyable for everyone.

In your diaper bag backpack, pack essentials like diapers, wipes, a changing pad

OPs kids are 12 and 5, most likely out of diapers and unlikely to fit in a carrier.

Haha yes thank you, I don't need to worry about nappies, formula or a baby carrier fortunately

Pps are right op, the flight will be full of families. I often see Menorca recommended for kids as it’s a quieter island, short flight, and a small island which means shorter transfers to resorts. You’ll be fine :) I often went abroad to visit family as a kid and apparently I was well occupied with colouring books. Have a lovely holiday!