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!

@Alwaysaskingforadvice the comments you’ve got have made me laugh so much this morning. Especially the swimming teacher.

Of course we all know that all children are exactly the same and only get nervous when their parents are nervous. So it’s all your fault obviously. Silly you. Please try harder next time and remember the chilled out parents whose kids find everything a breeze…it’s definitely because of their marvellous parenting not the needs and personality and brain of the child.

I’m joking of course. I found this thread because I’m in a similar position. Actually my 8 year old is super excited but my 7 year old is very anxious. This is because I’ve carefully hidden my own nonexistent anxiety from my 8 year old but had long chats about my terror with my 7 year old. Again,joking.

Anyway I think I’m going to help my 7 year old by showing her photos of the airport, the flight (some good videos out there) and practise getting on a “plane” by setting up seats in our lounge as they are set up. my children do respond well to this sort of preparation.

We just did it too…my daughters were 4 and my son three months.

What parts are they nervous about? I'd maybe try and find some YouTube vids to show what airports are like or what the plane will look like from the inside. There are good Osborne activity books about airports/ flying which give them things to do when they got bored. The best thing is just being excited about it in front of them. It's a big deal to go on their first ever flight so some nerves are totally normal but it's also really exciting! Also, for when the cabin pressure changes and they need to chew something, I first gave gummy sweets to my kids but they ate quite a lot out of nerves and they got a bit sickly- we then changed to popcorn on a later flight and it was the right amount of chewy without being sickly! Hope they have a fun time, and you have a great holiday!

I read get ready for their first FIGHT (no L). 🤣🤣🤣

Which is probably a slightly different socio-economic target market (and perhaps a slightly higher age bracket?)

Sweets to suck for takeoff & landing & don't let DH put carefully curated bag of stuff to do in the overhead locker would be my top tips. Get them looking at signs, departure boards & gate numbers as you wander round as well - makes for more streetwise children if they pat attention to their surroundings when somewhere completely new.

As for fights....best tip is probably not to get caught 🤷🏼‍♀️

Best advice I got was bring a snack plus a few more for every hour of travel. This includes your front door to the destination. So 2hr flight, plus 3hours at airport before, plus 2hours travel. Is minimum 7 snacks so I would pack 10 snacks per child. It seems over board but honestly if they start getting overwhelmed it’s amazing what a snack can do.

We pack colouring books and easy games like dobble. The drawing black boards are amazing too I think you can get a two pack off Amazon for £10