Tips for Flying with Children | Traveling Hacks & Tips for Kids

Packing

There are two types of packing I need to do traveling with young children. The one we use when we arrive at our destination, and the one we need during the flight. If you ask me which one is more important, I would tell you it’s the one on the flight is more critical. Imagine stuck with two under 5 wild children on a 12+ hour flight. It’s a long flight.

Checked bags

For our checked bags, I pack about 5 – 7 sets of clothing for two weeks of vacation. The amount of laundry you need for little kids are unimaginable if you are single. I use washing machine at least twice a week.

For this trip, we still need to quarantine for 7 days at our destination. We need to pack while pandemic is still on the back of our minds. That means, we need daily necessity such as toiletry, towels, entertainment, and snacks in our checked baggage.

How I organize their suitcases

I like to use individual compressible packing cubes to organize my suitcase. Each packing cubes can fill up at least 7 days worth of clothing for each person. The mesh top panel is easy for identification of contents, and ventilation. You can easily fill up all the cubes and play Tetris in the suitcase.

What we need when we quarantine

As mentioned before, we need to quarantine for 7 days for this trip. Luckily, we will be able to stay at a friend’s empty condo for the duration. We will have access to water, electricity, utensils and a comfortable bed with a sizeable living room and kitchen than that of a hotel room. We will also be receiving aid from our family and friends by door drops. We may even fancy ourselves and order some UberEats.

However, we still need to pack for some items for the trip. Items for personal hygiene: soap, tooth paste and brush, towels, and diapers for my toddler.

During those 7 days, we will need to find a way to entertain the kids. I’ve brought some board games, puzzles, colouring books, and reading pen book/ gadgets to keep the kids away from screen time.

Carry-on

Now this is the interesting part, there are so many things to pack for your carry-ons. I’ve travelled both single and with kids, and I know how unpleasant a baby’s cry or a toddler’s scream can be. As a parent now, I feel empathetic for those parents who have to endure the death stares from other passengers. You can only communicate to your toddler so much until she decides not to listen.

Below is a list of items I need to pack for my children when we go on flights.

1. Water bottle

2. Extra diaper / Diaper cream / Wet wipes

3. Snacks

4. Sticker / Colouring book

5. A small reading book

6. Hand Sanitizers

7. Masks

8. Tooth brush

9. Pillow

10. Extra set of cloths

Most of the items on the list are self explanatory. I want to touch base on some of the items below.

Toys to keep kids entertained

It’s important to keep your kids entertained on the flight. If we were on land, and in vast wild forest, I wouldn’t have to stress out so much. It’s a different story when we are in a packed airplane with 200 other passengers.

As mentioned, I do my best to try to keep my children quiet and well behaved on flight as much as possible. Aside from feeding them snacks, one way to keep them engaged and focused is to keep them busy. I buy small toys that require a little bit thinking for my 5 year old for him to keep himself occupied. And the best toys I have come up so far are small board games, drawings kits, and puzzles.

Board games such as this from KiwiCo offers some educational value and some quiet time for parents. Drawing kits, sticker books, will keep your toddler busy for at least 20 – 30 minutes. Every minute of distraction counts when we are on the plane.

As for the IQ Puzzler Pro, it’s a game for everyone in the family. This little case features 120 challenges in 3 playing modes, including both 2D & 3D challenges. It is compact in size and has a portable travel case that is perfect to carry in your child’s backpack.

Another tip for these games is that if you already have them from last trip; keep them stashed away from your child few weeks before travel date. When presented on the flight, they will still have the same fresh appeal to your child as if they were new.

If all else fails, he can still watch that tiny screen on the back of the seat.

Reading Pen/Book

One of our family’s favorite gadgets is the reading pen. These reading pens are paired with books, and it reads out the story or the words on the book as the child touch a page. You can also install downloadable audio books and music albums for when you are on the go.

The pen is suitable for beginning readers starting from ages 3. There are vast varieties of books to select from, and usually there’s some sort of learning activity at the end of each book.

We love reading pen. At age 4, my son could sit down for hours reading a couple books.

KidsFlySafe Seatbelt (Child Aviation Restraint System)

The KidsFlySafe seatbelt is the first and only harness type Aviation Child Safety Device to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an alternative to a car seat.

The device has a belt-and-buckle that works in conjunction with the airplane seat belt, augments the safety of the regular lap belt, and provides young travelers the same level of safety as a car seat.

The seatbelts takes few minute to install upon arrival in the plane. You may need to ask passengers behind you to lift their tray in order for the seatbelt to be strapped properly. The seatbelt is adjustable to every size airplane seat, and usable on any window or center seat in the airplane, with the exception in the emergency exit rows (young children will not be allowed to sit at the emergency exit rows).

It is designed for children who weigh between 22-44 lbs who can sit in their own airplane seat. (approximately 1 – 5 years old).

Best of all, it is certified by the Air Authorities in Canada (TC), UK (CAA), France (DGAC), Australia (CASA), New Zealand (CAA), Singapore (CAAS), Japan (JCAB), United Arab Emirates (GCAA), and Oman (DGCAM), and approved for use by many international airlines.

We have been using the seatbelt since my son was 2 years of age every time we travel with plane. I find it also keeps him sitting down and prevents him from climbing up and down.

Inflatable Travel Foot Rest Pillow

This inflatable travel foot rest pillow was a life saver for my then toddler son. Their little legs aren’t long enough to hit the floor and their bodies are too big now to sleep flat on a reclined seat. With this pillow you are able to fill up the gap between your seat and the seat before you. The flat surface can let your child lie down fully with his legs stretched out. A comfortable kid, is a quiet kid.

Before purchasing these foot rest pillows, you need to check with your airline if you will allow the use of them. Some airlines will allow the use if the seat is a window seat (for clear emergency route reasons). Some of the airlines known not to accept it are: Emirates, KoreanAirways, Hawaiian Airlines, Asiana, Virgin Atlantic, Airfrance, Air Malta, Egypt Air and Qantas don't allow this product on their flight.

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