How to help children prepare for their first flight?

[Alwaysaskingforadvice]

We are taking the children on a plane for the first time this summer (age 4&6), they have been very excited but have just started to get nervous about the plane, has anyone found any good books or TV shows that go through the process of getting through an airport and onto the plane as a way for them to visualise what's going to happen? Or any other tips for taking children on a plane for the first time!

It’s April, I wouldn’t even have mentioned the summer holiday yet because their sense of time is rubbish, let alone multiple conversations about the mode of transport. You’re building it up into this massive thing and needlessly making them nervous. If the 6YO won’t consider it too babyish then there’s a Peppa Pig episode that’s quite good and v explanatory, think it’s when they go to Italy (but could be wrong) but I’d show it to them the week before not 3-4 months in advance.

Just don’t make it into some massive deal. You can talk them through the basics in a very calm and breezy way. There will be videos on cebeebies or similar I’m sure but why on earth are they anxious? Don’t tell them about possible negatives ( sore ears for example) because they may not happen. Just be prepared for them yourself and handle it as it happens.

Disagree. This leads to anxiety and lack of resilience.

as a swim teacher, whenever we get a new child come poolside with their mother clutching their hand, and the mother always wants a ‘quiet word’ to explain how very different their child is and very scared, I’m thinking ‘well they are now.’ Don’t make a big thing of things.

Don’t overthink, just take them and then they’ll learn as they go. If they see from you it isn’t a big deal then they won’t think it’s a big deal.

Yeah, but maybe the day before, not weeks or months in advance. The fact the OP said the kids are starting to get nervous implies there’s already too much fuss-budgetary going on.

Very much agree the nerves are coming from somewhere as at that age they shouldn’t be unless picked up from elsewhere. Our daughter’s flown since she was 2.5 everything from 2-10 hour flights and is just always full of excitement. But then I guess we just crack on and deal with the day of travelling with lots of snacks, comfy clothes and toys/ipad!

It didn't occur to my DC to be nervous because I didn't make them nervous.

I found that buying a tub of pringles from the trolley sorted out my son's nerves 😀

Don't make it into a big thing. It's fun! Help them pack a backpack each of colouring books, stickers, small toys and snacks - get new things out every 20-30 mins to prevent boredom.
Let them choose a magazine at the airport that has small toys attached and activities inside. Male sure they drink sips of water on takeoff & landing to prevent ear issues/pain.

Why is it weird? Mine just went along without having to watch a video beforehand. Just like they managed to do every other thing in life without watching videos.
if you teach them they can’t just experience new things in life without preparing for it first they are going to struggle in life

I think you are making it too much of a big deal and are inadvertently making them nervous.
we just took them and they experienced everything as they went, just as I did when I was a small child.

OP consider ibuprofen half hour before take off (helps with ears getting blocked)

I was thinking about this thread this morning when I was teaching, so I have another swimming teaching anecdote.
there was a new child on my register, 4 years old, a class with older children. The second I saw her coming poolside by herself with the parent making zero fuss, I knew instantly she’d be absolutely fine. She was.

every. Single. Time. Make a fuss, and the child’s nerves ramp up. The opposite and they’re fine.

When you were a child, going to new places or having new experiences, did you parents show you videos to ‘prep’ you? Did it negatively affect the way you experienced these things. You tube has only been a thing for 20. Many generations of children have survived through new experiences without it.

Yes this, Flew with my 5 frequently, aged 6 months to 10 years. What helped was a) making sure you had paid for you to fly together b) getting out the special treats and activities for the flight (new pens and colouring books) c) letting them order something, DD3 loved a cup of tea, or just new snacks that they would not normally have d) unlimited screen time e) small blanket so they could have a sleep (massively encouraged) f) toilet trips, gets them on their feet and solves a problem when you land. g) Some chewy sweets for the landing, their ears can get bad, or learn how to "blow your ears" Not do: kicking the seat in front (although there are worse crimes on a flight) and not having headphones, some people do not want to listen to Peppa Pig out loud for any duration- this is fair. As a parent, you transfer your nervousness on them, so don't do it. Also take a good plastic bag, and some spare clothes, mine were horrendously travel sick in a car, but nobody ever threw up on a flight, despite some bumpy ones. Good luck, and I think you will be fine xx

A 6 and 4 year old are getting nervous about going on holiday? Why?

Long or short haul? It’s an unusual anxiety for children to have. Do you know what triggered it?

Actually I think an OP made a good point- I would prepare them for queueing, sitting still with their seatbelt on etc especially if you know that’ll be difficult for them.

Ds has flown a lot from 5 weeks old due to living on a small island and needing medical treatment elsewhere but even he needed a reminder that we queue and when you are asked to put on your seatbelt we don’t argue. Oh and I would prepare them to go to the loo in good time before the inevitable seatbelt on/queue.

This book is great

things I mentioned ahead of time that were helpful

there is a big zoom as we take off = and its so exciting
there is a big bump when we land = and its so exciting
if you check bags, tell them the airport people will put the bags in the hold of our plane, just like we put them in the boot of the car = isnt that clever
you will have you own seat belt and have to keep it fastened, like being in a car - isnt that amazing
there are lots of people flying to different places and so the airport is busy, so you have to stay close to me all the time and listen to what I am telling you - its going to be so much fun

so everytime you tell them things, give it a positive spin

www.amazon.co.uk/Day-at-Airport-Richard-Scarry/dp/0007531133/ref=asc_df_0007531133?mcid=d28548b159fe3c22b34b2669c97ef420&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697250821128&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7758032303136246563&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9222618&hvtargid=pla-566861106901&psc=1&hvocijid=7758032303136246563-0007531133-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

The only thing I would do in advance is make sure they have some headphones they will tolerate for a reasonable period. No headphones, no tv. Otherwise I would just tell them what is going to happen next when you are at the airport - eg when you arrive at the airport tell them first we have to drop our bags off so the airport workers will put it on the plane for us. I don’t see any need to prepare for things in advance. That is only likely to increase anxiety.

I concur with PPs - what are they nervous about? At that age any nerves will be coming from a parent/someone close to them.

Don’t talk to children this young about plans so far in advance then just rock up and go as you would on any other trip.

Close to the time make sure you have things to keep them occupied and that they know how to behave on a plane (which would be the same “rules” as sitting on a bus, train or other shared space).

Coming back to this thread, it does make sense to let them know what’s going to happen during the flight, not necessarily in advance, but to prepare them for the loud noise at take off and after landing so it doesn’t come as a shock to them. DS was just over 2 when we first flew with him and we were a bit concerned as to how he would be with the noise, as at the time he used to cry at loud noises. But he was actually fine and I can remember his wonder at realising we were up in the air.

Get them to practice standing in a queue for 3 hours

This one is quite good, we gave it to DS (then 4) a while before flying to America. About the airport rather than specifically the experience but shows all the stages e.g. security. It shows things like what happens to the bags and what they do to prepare the plane - then DS saw them preparing the planes in real life out of the airport window which helped keep him occupied when our flight was delayed! www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/look-inside-an-airport-book-rob-lloyd-jones-9781409551768?sku=GOR009615289&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19545754761&gbraid=0AAAAADZzAIDn-BpmzqW5YvgVrvh-AkGlb&gclid=CjwKCAjwwJzPBhBREiwAJfHRnUCdhpjF5vv6yCY-n9V2NM2CdodmVnu6Nu_UKBQ37NPAr7JPdsERJRoCoqIQAvD_BwE

Yeah, like others have said, queuing and security are worth mentioning in advance (but like, on the day or the day before at the soonest) if your child knows there will be lots of standing in queues they MIGHT be more patient with it (if you're lucky). If they are likely to object to putting their bag through the scanner, or walking through the metal detector by themself, prior warning can make it less of a drama. But there are no guarantees... Plus as others have said, I would keep it to a minimum because highlighting the areas you are most concerned about can also introduce fears that wouldn't have occurred to them otherwise.