First time flight with kids - what to pack!

[Bamboozl]

We’re off on our first family holiday abroad on a plane tomorrow with 4 kids aged 11-7 years old. 4 hour flight.

My husband is just downloading films on his iPad as he thinks he can just watch a film and the kids will play on their tablets. Please tell me I’m not mad in packing wordsearches, games, snacks for everyone! Or will my kids surprise me and sit still for 4 hour and I’m completely over packing to try and keep everyone happy.

Would really appreciate any tips on reality or travelling with kids!! Anything good to pack? Last minute as usual..

My ADHD kid will mostly sit still for that length of time. They’re not happy about it but they will manage it. What do they enjoy doing? I normally pack a new magazine, pencils and a couple of books along with tablet.

Yes to lots of snacks and spare clothes for everyone.

Headphones for the in-flight tvs (if your flight has them); my kids will only wear the over ear ones so that was a godsend this time (they need to have the AC cable to plug in). I took a small Lego kit each (passed about 45 minutes for the little one). A new sketch pad (WH smith sell small plain paper sketche pads) and colouring pencils. Snacks is good (it’s allllll about the snacks).

Thank you. I’ve packed plenty of snacks, books and fidget toys to hopefully get us through. Lots of nerves tonight so hopefully I’m overthinking everything.

At that age I would get each of them to pack their own backpack each of books, colouring, paper, pens, toys of their choice. Do they each have a tablet, if so, in they go too. Let them choose a few snacks too. They carry whatever they pack and that way you tell them not to overdo it. Then in your bag, pack extra snacks, and some things gin for yourself.

Does your DH think he can just chill, sit back and watch a film during a 4 hour flight with 4 kids? 😄

Even my 5 year old will sit and watch the iPad and colour for 4 hours flight and I can play my Nintendo switch or watch something no problem (well no problem once u keep the snacks coming) 🤷‍♀️

have you taken them on long trains or anything like that before?

maybe my 5 year old is good because she travels loads on public transport/trains and has been on a lot of planes since she was born - so she’s used to it 🤷‍♀️

even the 2 year old is ok for a shorter flight of about an hour to Dublin - he sits happily with the iPad or colouring or little cars (maybe because he’s never seen a tablet unless he’s been in a plane or long train so it’s a novelty)🤷‍♀️

Don’t forget a change of clothes and maybe swimsuit if a hot holiday - in case luggage goes astray (unless you’re only taking hand luggage)
just in case

you can buy meal deals at airport etc to take in the flight but yes to snacks and a drinks bottle

Former expat mom here who has done a lot of flying with kids. The snacks and the ipad (+obligatory headphones) are worth it. 2 films and the flight is done! A book for a child old enough to read is also a good call. Anything else like fidget toys, word searches or colouring should be ditched as it never occupies them long enough to justify the space in the bag. Instead make sure everyone has 1 change of clothes + swimmers if it’s a beach holiday and their toothbrush in their hand luggage in case the airline loses your luggage.

If the youngest child is 7 of course I’d expect to manage to watch movies… not like you’re flying with toddlers!

But I do really like the own backpack idea. If they want it they carry it and they have ownership of what they want to pass the time.

Book a seat for you as far away from your DH and the kids as possible.
leave DH to deal with them.

oh. And bring ear plugs. Noise cancelling headphones. Eye mask. Face oil. A magnesium drink before take off. Apply oil. Slap on some music and have a snooze!

Book a seat for you as far away from your DH and the kids as possible.
leave DH to deal with them.

At this stage I'd imagine seats are already allocated.
Why leave dad with 4 kids rather than share things out evenly like normal people do.
We used to split it but we only had 2chidren
Our allocation was 1 parent and children in ABC and other parent in D. If needed one parent would swop and have a break in D.

Yes to them having their own rucksacks with device etc in. In this they can carry a change of clothes in case luggage goes on a separate holiday (if you don’t you will end up with a enormous carry on which you will be the only one lugging round).

Mine always have a device (and headphones) a puzzle book of some description and a reading book so they have a bit of variety but are also things they will be using on the holiday itself.

As a side note, make sure you know rough landing time and make them all go the to toilet before. You can guarantee if you don’t, as soon as the pilot announces we are coming in to land, one of them will go ‘I need a wee!’.

And don’t forget chewing gum or some kind of sucking sweet for ear popping purposes!

I think you might be a bit mad. Four hours isn’t a long flight. They will chat, they will watch some nonsense and that will be that. Unless they spend time at home doing word searches I can’t see the need for them now.