Share your tips for keeping your children happy on flights with Qatar Airways - £300 voucher to be won

[JustineBMumsnet]

Taking your children on a plane journey can lead to worries that they will be bored and miserable until you arrive. Qatar Airways have recently launched their new Oryx Kids Club programme, and want to hear your tips for keeping your children happy when you’re on a flight.

Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Ehab Amin, said: “Qatar Airways is delighted to announce the launch of Oryx Kids Club programme and loyalty programme for its youngest travellers, offering them the opportunity to enjoy exceptional benefits while travelling with Qatar Airways. As an airline that is committed to welcoming children and families on board, Qatar Airways is thrilled about this new opportunity to interact with our passengers, from the moment they arrive at the airport.”

Are you an expert in finding plane friendly toys? Maybe you have an ingenious and unique way of preventing boredom on long plane journeys? Do you use family friendly lounges? Perhaps you play I spy from the sky? Do you use films and games from in-flight entertainment systems or do you prefer to download favourites onto your own tablets to keep your children entertained?

Whatever you do to keep your children happy on flights, share this in the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Standard Insight Terms and Conditions apply

Kindle. But actually, the whole experience of flying was so exciting that DD didn't actually need any further entertainment!

Snacks, tablets with preloaded films/games, portable battery packs, paperback books, snacks and comfy clothes.

Definitely things to avoid disturbing other passengers. There's nothing worse, especially on a flight, and especially long-haul!
Books are a good choice. A small tablet fully charged with various games, but only if are headphones! Something to draw in or colour in with coloured pencils/crayons - not felt tips or anything which could leak/mark the plane upholstery or other peoples clothes/belongings.

Tablet for entertainment (headphones!!) and possibly a magazine, sucky sweets to help with ears and they last a while (no crunching allowed!) but no sugar pre-flight!

As a result of an unpleasant flight with our two year old a few years ago, we now try and book night flights so our daughter can sleep through the flight; we always try and have a few naps so we're refreshed for the first day of our holiday when she is so excited and wants to be up and about.

fully charge gadgets before leaving and carry mobile chargers, download favourite tv programmes and a new movie or two. Carry a variety of toys, colouring books etc. and one new toy for halfway through the journey. Plenty of snacks and water

Activity books, especially the ones with stickers always keep my girls busy :)

First things first - kids are surprisingly adaptable, excitable and at worst this is a once in a blue moon occurrence and these people are essentially strangers that you'll never see again. So take a chill pill and enjoy the ride.

Yes, make sure the kids are wearing comfortable clothing (layers are good),

An iPad fully charged and loaded with games, dvd's etc is a godsend.

A pair of ear defenders might be necessary (I swear by these for my daughter who is a very light sleeper).

Pens and paper are super important, other than colouring and drawing there are SO many games that can be done.

Yes to all the suggestions of cheap tat! Little gimicky things like from party bags, magazines and kinder eggs are perfect.

We always treat the kids to a magazine of their choice at the airport when we arrive. We also treat each family member to a new book. Surprisingly these were actually really popular - as they chose to read them!!

Lots of movement up and down the plane, encouraging interaction with staff and other passengers where appropriate. My daughter ended up friendly with another little girl her age - who was on a seat nearby.

Try to enjoy it - eat as much candy as the journey requires and take it in your stride!!

Snacks and lots of them! Lollipops ideal for 5 minutes peace ;)

The chance to order their own drink and snack
Lift the flap books ‘look inside’ series
Mine would love any accessories like eye masks and flight pillows too.

We always check out what's going to be shown on the in-flight entertainment before leaving if it's a long haul flight. On shorter flights, we'll download a couple of shows onto a tablet, and make sure we have other stuff to do like books or simple games like Uno.

It's the element of surprise that's needed! So comics, games, drawing stuff, snacks etc. Stashed away so they can be produced as an when required. Also remember you'll need double got the flight home!

No kids of my own, but flying with family kids I agree with the others that have mentioned time blocks. 30 minute blocks that need filling.

TV programmes, films, food, naps, talking, wherever it takes!

And absolutely ensure you plan to have more available than your flight time allows for. We were delayed for several hours, so needed plenty of extras!

Sticker books, colouring books, and snacks usually keep my little guy busy!

New toys unveiled in the plane help but unfortunately nothing seems to beat an iPad....

Look at the entertainment schedule in advance to get the children excited about watching at least one of the films (and know they'll be occupied for at least 1.5 hours)

Take sticker and colouring books.

Present the lo's at regular intervals with an unexpected treat or activity eg blind bags x

I've never tried it but would make sure we bring the tablet, games and movies and pray they don't kick up a fuss.

Preparation is essential. I always check with the airline if we can take a wheelchair on board the aircraft or not. And all of his medication is clearly labelled in clear plastic bags. We stock up on activity books and games before the flight.
DD is a auditory learner I take this into account when packing for her. DS loves picture books. Always research the airline carefully before hand. Read the reviews posted online. They will tell you a lot about the staff at the airline.

depending on who you fly with and how far you're travelling for flight experiences with children can be very very different. occupying them 45 minutes flight to Dublin is so much easier than 10 hours to the US. Thank goodness for in-flight entertainment bags of goodies, games, books and tablets.

Taking a toddler is pretty testing, but I’ve found the trick to be very laid back. A few of his favourite books packed in his bag, lots of snacks and treats and all his favourite shows downloaded onto the iPad helped.

I always gave mine a bag with lollipops (for ears popping), Usborne dolly dressing up sticker book, felt tips, colouring book and some kind of small toy - like a Polly Pocket or similar. They were not allowed to open bag until on the flight and were always so thrilled - especially with the lollipops as they never had them usually! I also would let them buy some mini Pringles and a drink on the flight too. They were also thrilled with this!! Easily pleased!!🤣

Snacks & download their favourite movies to an ipad

Best way to keep children entertained for us is downloaded movies, music and comics/books.

Night flights help as well!

Ipad charged to 100 % is a must!
We download films for long haul flights as back up incase they get bored.
We have little pocket board games and we also take pens and paper so we can get back to basics such as hangman. I also make them a personalised crossword and they love to do that as their is always a hidden surprise message of what we may be doing on our holiday :)

We haven't done very long flights with them yet. Due shorter ones wet have airways got by with letting them get magazines at the airport and then having a small bag of tricks - tiny toys to play with which have got at the charity shop in the weeks leading up to it or picked up when on offer. Also the lollies for taking off and landing are a must for us!