Stress-free holiday? Easy. We learnt how to fly.

If you’re brave enough to take to the skies this summer, good luck. And here’s some timely advice from Cheapflights. Their newly-launched ’How-To’ series includes a stress-free guide to travelling with kids. Ahem. Not sure getting airbourne with teenies in tow could ever be described as ‘stress-free’, but here are our favourites from their ideas, just in case. And click here to visit the Cheapflights tip page.

Get your kids excited. Involve them as early as possible by having them select a soft toy that’s big enough to be a pillow on the plane, but not big enough to be a hassle. (angels & urchins says that this might also prevent you becoming a pillow.)

Do as much as you can before you get to the airport. Check-in online, pack lightly and select your seat (request the bulkhead seat if possible). Find out what in-flight services are offered so you can focus on fun things early on, like watching the planes take off and land or playing in the kids’ zones.

Get obligations out of the way. Condensing the airport experience into bite-size chunks prevents it from becoming overwhelming. Clarify each activity by making it clear exactly what they’re participating in: “Now, we’ll go through security and after, you’ll get a treat.”

Refuel. Refill water bottles and sippy cups right after security. Have more snacks prepared than you think you’ll need. Raisins, dried fruits, and cereals are healthy and easy to pack, and choosing sugar-free options help to avoid in-flight mood spikes. (angels & urchins says that Tupperware food containers will also come in handy during your holiday.)

Board wisely. If your seats are assigned, don’t board the plane early – the last thing you’ll need is more tarmac-time. However, if you’re dealing with a first-come-first-serve policy, take advantage of the time you have and get in there. If you have the option to purchase priority boarding, do it. (angels & urchins advises that you should think very, very, very carefully before booking truly “bargain” flights when travelling with children, particularly very young ones.)

Surprise them. Have a small bag of toys and diversions that you’ve put together beforehand. Colouring books, cards, action figures, games and low-maintenance crafts will keep kids happily occupied.

 

If all else fails, there’s always Cornwall.

Tags: Practical but fabulous

1. Mrshev says:

   August 2, 2010 at 07:16

   All good advice, especially the one about booking ‘bargain’ flights. The better the airline the better the service. I just don’t fly with Ryanair or Easyjet anymore if I can help it and am well prepared to pay the nominal extra (and after you have factored in priority boarding, baggage allowance etc it works out the same…)

   http://mrshev.com/2010/04/14/easyjet/
2. Art Maps says:

   August 2, 2010 at 10:49

   Get to the airport early and let the children run around. Try not to get stressed yourselves – children can smell your fear. And while it’s good advice to go on the plane as late as possible, if travelling with two parents send one on ahead with the hand luggage or risk losing all the overhead locker space.
3. Heidi says:

   August 2, 2010 at 11:19

   Yes, all very good advise. Re bargain flights, I don’t fly Ryanair anymore but so far have had good experiences with easyjet, as you do get boarded straight after priority customers and before the masses.

   We usually leave plenty of time getting to the airport to cater for any possible delays on the way and to treat us to a snack at the airport before the flight.

   We don’t let the kids take their cuddly toys when we are out and about, the exception is when we travel, so they really like the novelty of taking their cuddly toys. We also take little treats like magazines.

   When my kids were very tiny they had their milk during take off and landing, which helped the majority of time.

   Having said all that our kids have travelled a lot since little babies as we have family abroad, they know the drill and while they are excited they are not overwhelmed. My best advice to start travelling early.
4. Chloe says:

   August 2, 2010 at 18:34

   Great tips, thanks so much for posting. With our little one I wrapped each toy up and gave him a new one every half hour (worked very well for a 4 hour flight to Greece.) Funny because we are going from London to Devon in a few weeks and am finding the thought of that journey more harrowing than a flight! X Chloe
5. angels&urchinsblog says:

   August 3, 2010 at 11:43

   Mrshev – Love your flying post. Very amusing, and required reading for child-free travellers who have ever raised an eyebrow when travelling with smaller versions of themselves.

   Art Maps – I can certainly smell their fear!

   Heidi – You’re right, familiarisation is is half the battle.

   Chloe – Great tip, thank you. If only someone would wrap a present for mum (and dad) too!
6. veryanniemary says:

   August 3, 2010 at 15:48

   Niamhy studied the book “Going on a Plane” by Usborne Publishers from cover to cover when we flew to the States 9 years ago. It really helped her…http://www.amazon.com/Going-Plane-First-Experiences-Civardi/dp/0794510051
7. Lucy M says:

   August 3, 2010 at 19:31

   Try not to worry too much about other passengers. When they’ve got ear phones on and are stuck in a film, they can’t hear much anyway. Tho, of course, budget airlines don’t really offer films…. Worse if having children kicking the back of your chair, climbing on the chair-back table, and chucking stuff around. That’s when I get stern adn start chucking bribes at the situation. I have also been known to lock me and a particularly horrible child in the toilet, buying time by keeping them away from everyone. Not fun, but if they want to get out of the toilet they sometimes even start behaving.
8. angels&urchinsblog says:

   August 3, 2010 at 20:11

   veryanniemary – thank you very much, that sounds a fab book. Mine would love it, even if we never go anywhere ever again.

   Lucy M – Is it possible to lock ‘em in the loo by themselves?!
9. 21st Century Mummy says:

   August 5, 2010 at 19:57

   Some people refuse to fly once they have children mainly because of the potential stress it can cause. These are great tips to help reduce the stress. I love travelling too much to stop flying and my 2 year old has been on lots of planes – long and short haul. She’s a fab little traveller.

   I did a post on tips for flying with Babies and younger children that people also might find useful.
   http://21stcenturymummy.com/2010/06/04/top-tips-for-stress-free-flying-with-babies-and-young-children/
10. Michele says:

    August 6, 2010 at 08:15

    We avoid travelling with ryanair because of their ridiculous priority booking policy, it really is a no thrills airline. Always good to get tips to help journey’s go easier, thanks.

    We did a post about travelling on long journeys with children. There are tips for planes, trains and automobiles. People might find it useful to expand their repertoire.

    http://www.mumzine.com/2010/05/14/10-top-tips-to-keeping-kids-happy-on-a-long-journey/
11. angels&urchinsblog says:

    August 9, 2010 at 15:30

    21st Century Mummy – Perhaps your 2-year-old will become a pilot and end up flying you around the world! Thanks for the tips.

    Michele – No-thrills indeed, and I wonder if they really will start charging to use the loo?! Thanks for info on your very useful post.