Flying with children can be an exciting yet somewhat stressful experience for many parents. How will they handle a long journey? How can they be kept occupied on the plane? How will they sleep? What should you pack in your hand luggage?
The good news is that with a few small preparations, a family plane trip can be much more comfortable and relaxed for both parent and child. We have collected the most important tips that can help with your next trip.
What to bring when flying with children?
When packing your hand luggage, it's worth considering that you might need entertainment, snacks, and some comfort accessories for several hours.
Most parents' bags include:
- water bottle or drinking bottle
- snack box with healthy bites
- change of clothes
- wet wipes
- favorite plush toy
- activity toys
- coloring book or sticker book
- children's eye mask
The better prepared you are, the less likely it is that the journey will be difficult due to boredom or fatigue.
What toys should I bring for a child on the plane?
This is one of the most common questions from parents.
The best choice is usually a toy that:
- fits easily in hand luggage
- is not noisy
- keeps the child occupied for a longer period
- does not contain many small parts
Some proven ideas:
Creative activities
The OMY Mini Coloring Atlas can be an ideal choice for a plane trip. It takes up little space, yet can keep children occupied for a longer time, allowing them to create freely.
OMY Mini Coloring - Atlas
Cameras for little explorers
A plane trip is an adventure in itself. With the Konges Sløjd My First Camera or the MOB Camera Pixiprint, children can capture the most exciting moments of their journey from their own perspective.
Konges Sløjd My First Camera - Kids' Camera
Many parents find that photography keeps curious little travelers busy for surprisingly long periods.
Developmental toys
The Djeco Emotico is not only fun but can also provide a great basis for conversation during the trip. It can help in recognizing and naming emotions while offering a shared play experience.
Djeco Developmental Toy - Emotions - Emotico
How does a child sleep on the plane?
Many parents' biggest question before longer journeys is whether their child will be able to rest.
Larger airlines generally provide pillows, blankets, and often eye masks for passengers on longer international flights. Despite this, many families prefer to bring their own travel accessories, as these are familiar and well-proven.
The Puckator Relaxeazzz travel pillows can be particularly practical, as the soft pillow and eye mask come in one. The unicorn or astronaut version can also be a favorite with children, making it not only comfortable but also a lovable travel companion.
Puckator Travel Pillow with Eye Mask, Plush RELAXEAZZZ
Often, a familiar object helps a lot with rest. A soft Jellycat bunny or other favorite Jellycat plush can provide a sense of security for the child in an unfamiliar environment. Many young children find it easier to fall asleep if their favorite comforter travels with them.
What to do during take-off and landing?
Changes in air pressure during take-off and landing can be uncomfortable for children.
For babies, it can help to:
- breastfeed,
- use a pacifier,
- or use a bottle.
For older children:
- sipping a drink,
- a snack,
- or even a lollipop can help relieve ear pressure.
How many hours before departure should we arrive at the airport?
When traveling with children, it's worth allowing a little more time for everything.
For European flights, it is generally recommended to arrive at the airport 2 hours before departure, and for long-haul intercontinental flights, 3 hours.
This allows time for baggage drop-off, unexpected situations, and ensures the children don't feel rushed.
The most important advice: don't just focus on the destination
The first flight with children is often not perfect. There may be fussy moments, unexpected situations, or shorter naps.
But most families come to the same conclusion afterwards: the journey becomes part of shared experiences and memories.
And if you have some favorite toys, a soft plush, a comfortable travel pillow, and a little patience, the journey can be much easier.
Frequently asked questions on the topic
What toy should I bring for a child on the plane?
For a plane trip, it's worth choosing a toy that is light, quiet, takes up little space, and can keep the child occupied for a longer period. A coloring book, sticker book, children's camera, or a small developmental toy can be good choices.
How does a child sleep on the plane?
Most children fall asleep on longer flights, especially if the trip coincides with their sleep time. A personal neck pillow, eye mask, and a favorite plush toy can help with a more comfortable rest. Larger airlines often provide pillows and eye masks, but personal accessories are usually more comfortable for the child.
What should I pack in my hand luggage with a child?
It's worth packing a change of clothes, wet wipes, a water bottle, a snack box, a favorite plush toy, and several smaller toys in your hand luggage. The goal is to have everything important easily accessible during the trip. Due to pressure differences, it's advisable to put the water bottle in a separate bag and open it carefully after take-off/landing before it wets everything. :)
What should I do if the child gets bored on the plane?
The best solution is to combine several types of activities. Drawing, coloring, taking photos, storybooks, and smaller developmental toys can help the child stay occupied for longer periods.
Can I bring a plush toy on the plane?
Yes. For most children, a favorite plush toy provides a sense of security during travel. A soft Jellycat bunny or other favorite comforter can be particularly useful on longer flights and for falling asleep in an unfamiliar environment.
Are you preparing for your next family adventure?
Discover Odu.Store's perfect travel toys and accessories – from creative activities to travel pillows and favorite plush toys, to make the flight more comfortable and enjoyable for the whole family. ✈️💛
