12 Helpful Tips For Long Haul Flights With Kids

1. Preparation Is Key

Preparation is one of the critical long-haul flight tips if you’re planning a long-haul flight with your toddler. Consider booking a direct flight if at all possible. It may be more expensive, but the extra cost is worth it when dealing with a tired and cranky toddler. If a direct flight isn’t an option, try to book a flight that has a reasonable layover time.

This will give you some time to stretch your legs and let your toddler burn off some energy before getting back on the plane. In addition, it’s essential to dress your child in comfortable clothing that won’t restrict their movement.

Lastly, arrive at the airport early to have plenty of time to check in and go through security. By following these tips for long haul flights with kids, you can help ensure that flying with kids are as enjoyable as possible.

2. Bring The Right Supplies

It’s essential to make sure you have all the right supplies. Bring extra diapers and wipes, snacks and drinks, and a few toys or books to keep them entertained. Once you’re at the airport, try to get through security quickly.

This means having your boarding passes and IDs ready and putting all your liquids and gels in a clear, zip-top bag. Toddlers can be unpredictable, so another one of the great tips for flying with toddlers is to have a backup plan in case they start getting antsy.

If you’re flying during nap time, consider bringing along a small pillow and blanket so they can sleep on the plane. And always remember to pack your patience! Flying with kids can be challenging, but it’s doable with following the right long-haul flight tips.

3. Be Prepared For Tantrums

If you’re flying with a kid for the first time, you might be wondering how to deal with potential tantrums. While it’s impossible to guarantee a tantrum-free flight, there are a few long-haul flight tips you can follow to minimize the chances of a meltdown.

First, pick your seat carefully. If possible, book a window seat so your child can look out at the clouds and airplanes. If that’s not possible, try to get an aisle seat so you can quickly get up and walk around with your child.

If you’re flying overnight, it’s also worth considering booking a bassinet seat so that your child can sleep comfortably during the flight. Lastly, try to book a direct flight if possible. Long layovers are never fun, but they can be especially tough on young children.

4. Create A Sleep Schedule

Flying with kids can be challenging for any parent. You have to worry about keeping them entertained for hours on end, but you also have to deal with the time difference and the possibility of jet lag. However, there are some things you can do to make the experience a little easier.

One of the most important is to create a sleep schedule. If your child usually takes a nap in the afternoon, try to schedule your flight so that they will be able to sleep on the plane. This will help them adjust to the new time zone and prevent them from getting too cranky.

You should also avoid letting your child eat or drink too close to bedtime, making it difficult for them to fall asleep. If you follow these tips for long haul flights with kids, you can help ensure that flights for kids will be wonderful and stress-free!

5. Use Rewards

Try using rewards if you’re struggling to keep your child happy and behaving during the flight. This can be anything from a small toy to a piece of candy. The key is to find something that your child will be excited about but that won’t make them too hyperactive.

When choosing a reward, it’s also essential to consider your child’s age. For younger children, simple things like stickers or crayons can be enough to get them excited. Older children may need something more substantial, such as a new book or a small toy.

Whatever you choose, make sure only to give the reward when they are behaving well. This will help teach them that good behavior is its reward!

6. Sneak in Screen Time

You’re not alone if you’re dreading a long-haul flight with kids. But it’s now easy to make it fun by following the best long-haul flight tips! One of the best ways to keep kids occupied on a long flight is to sneak in some screen time. If you’re looking for apps to amuse your kids, read this post with a list of the 7 best travel apps for toddlers.

Whatever feels right in your parenting style, you can give them a 5-10 minute screen time to play games on their tablet or even make them watch their saved movies or cartoons on the plane!

And if you’re worried about your kids being glued to screens for the entire flight, don’t be! There are many ways to limit screen time and encourage other activities, like reading or talking about the things you see out the window.

7. Bring Along Favorite Toys

One of the best ways to keep your kids entertained on a long flight is to bring their favorite toys. If your child has a favorite stuffed animal, make sure to pack it in their carry-on bag. This will help them feel comforted and secure during the flight.

If you’re not sure what toys to bring, a good rule of thumb is to choose small and portable items, so they can easily be tucked into a backpack or carry-on bag. And don’t forget to pack a few extras in case of lost or misplaced items.

8. Carry a Book

If you’re a parent flying with small children, you know that it can be challenging to keep them entertained during long flights. One way to help flights for kids more entertaining is to bring along a good book. There are plenty of books specifically designed for kids that are entertaining and educational.

And, since they’re lightweight and easy to pack, they won’t add too much weight to your carry-on bag. Plus, reading is a great way to help your child wind down and fall asleep on the plane. So next time you’re packing for a long flight, including a few good books for the kids.

9. Get A Comfortable Footrest

Flying with kids can be a challenge. Investing in a good footrest is one way to make the experience more bearable. Not only will it help your little ones get more comfortable, but it will also give you a much-needed break from having to constantly hold them on your lap.

Look for one that inflates quickly and is adjustable so you can find the perfect position for your child.

The Koala Kloud inflatable footrest might be perfect for your little one! With its soft, highly durable, and eco-friendly PVC flocking, your kids can relax trip after trip without worrying about sore feet or tired legs from sitting in one position for too long.

With a footrest, you may be able to survive those long haul flights with kids after all!

10. Stock Up on Snacks

In addition to entertaining them for hours on end, you also have to make sure they’re well-fed and hydrated. Snacks are a great way to keep kids happy and busy during flights, and there are plenty of options to choose from.

If you’re looking for something healthy, consider packing some cut-up fruit or vegetables. For a sweet treat, opt for some individually wrapped candy or chocolate. And if you want to go the savory route, pretzels or peanuts are always good options.

Check this post about 45 TSA-friendly snacks that can make flying with kids a lot easier! Whatever snacks you choose, make sure to pack enough for the entire flight. You won’t have to worry about getting hungry mid-flight when flying with kids!

11. Bring Noise-Cancelling Headphones

If you’re taking a long-haul flight with little ones, one of the best tips for flying with toddler is to bring along noise-canceling headphones. This will help keep them entertained and occupied during the flight, and it will also protect your ears from the constant noise of the plane.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing headphones for kids. First, make sure that they fit snugly and comfortably over their ears. Second, look for headphones with volume limiting features, so you can control how loud they can listen to music or movies.

And finally, choose headphones that are durable and have a long battery life, so they’ll last through the entire flight. Keeping this in mind, you can find the perfect pair of noise-canceling headphones to keep your kids happy and quiet on your next long haul flights for kids.

12. Prepare Some Games

The problem is that long flights can be boring for everyone, especially young children. You can prepare some games to keep your littler ones busy during long-haul flights for kids. If you got a Koala Kloud Footrest for comfort, your purchase will come with 10 FREE printable games your kids will enjoy! Here are also some more ideas to entertain your kids:

• Make up an alphabet game. Get a piece of paper and write down the alphabet on it. Put them in order from A to Z and ask your child to put them in that order as fast as possible. If they get it wrong, you can give them hints like “it starts with B.”
• Get some Travel Bingo cards. You can find them online or make your own using an app like Wordle or Bingo Card Creator. Print out some pictures of things you will see while flying (e.g., airplane seat belts) and then cover them with numbers, so only one is showing at a time. Your child has to find the matching number on the card before getting a bingo.
• Play memory games like Concentration or Memory. These games are easy to play anywhere because you need two pairs of matching items (e.g., photos). You might want to print out some pictures beforehand, so they don’t waste time looking through your phone’s photo library when playing!

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re flying from the other side of the world, or just across the country, flying with little ones can be an adventure. It pays to prepare as much as possible for what both you and your little ones may face. What are your go-to tips for long haul flights with kids? Let us know in the comments below!

Koala Kloud is the #1 flight essential to keep your kids comfortable & happy on long trips, transforming your cramped, uncomfortable plane & car seats into a super soft surface you and your kids can kick your feet up on or lay down and relax for hours!

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