Just looking for a few ideas from you fantastic moms out there! My kids & I (4,3,1) are going on vacation in a few weeks & I am a bit worried. I think I will be ok in the airport but my concern is keeping 3 kids occupied for 3 hours in an airplane plus a 3 hour layover & back on the plane for 2-3 more hours. I am guess I am going to have to rely on the flight attendants a bit if I have to bring one of the older ones to the potty or something. I will bring loads of snacks, dvd player, colors but any other ideas you can suggest would be great. Any travel tips about traveling with kids would be nice also. Thanks!!
If you have purchased a seat for the littlest one, I highly recommend bringing a carseat for him/her. We brought one for both of our kids on our last plane trip and it was really helpful, especially for our two year old.
HI P.,
I don't travel a whole bunch but when I do I pay the extra to get what is called "the bulkhead" seats. they are the first coach seats right behind 1st class. no seats in front of you and you get extra leg room for all of the coloring books,dvd, and junk for entertainment you'll be hauling.
Instead being the first to board the plane I wait to be the last so my daughter can get her wiggles out a bit more. Less time being restrained to a seat. We also use the airport bathroom right before boarding too.
Strap the baby in a umbrella small type stroller for use in the airport.
Bring a dvd player, games, toys, coloring, snacks etc.Crayola has the markers that only write on certain paper those are perfect. Apples and Bananas are a great snack that doesn't need refrdigeration it's not a liquid. Bring along 3 sippie cups because the cups the flight attendants give you kids spill very easily. I bring an empty one on, order my daughter's drink and then dump her cup into a sippie.
With your 3 hour lay-over... go sit down somewhere like a restaurant in the airport and have a meal and relax.
Find a spot if possible where your children wont be in the way or bother anyone and let them run wild. Do lots of walking don't sit down at the airport you'll be sitting alot on the plane.
Do you know how your going to sit on the plane? Most seat rows are 2 seats or 3 seats together is your baby sitting on your lap? If your all sharing a row of 3 put the arm rests up it'll be more like a couch and sit by the aisle so your kids are contained from running away from you.
Use backpacks... Get everyone their own personal back pack. It keeps your hands free.Have everyone their own toys, sippies, extra clothing if needed in their backpack.
If it is in your budget, I HIGHLY recommend a Leap Frog Leapster with headphones and a couple of games. Both of your older two will love it. Since it is a learning system, you can feel good about it, too.
Wrap up little presents for them that they can open periodically or as rewards--doesn't have to be anything expensive. You could even wrap up the snacks you are planning to bring and other little toys that might entertain them. Even a McDonald's toy is usually good for 1/2 an hour or so with my son. Read to them. Good luck!
My husband is a pilot and we've taken a lot of plane trips. The trick I found worked best was to buy a few small, novelty toys and DON'T let the kids see them at all until you are on the plane. Then, as their interest wanes, bring out one, then another. My son always loved a new, unique Hot Wheels car; my girls like art supplies. Try to keep toys self-contained (ie: mini Etch a Sketch w/attached pen, baby toys w/multiple sides/push and pull parts all attached, unique/old fashioned toys they might not be familiar with like Jacob's Ladder or wax/cellophane writing boards, etc.) I also took their favorite treats, especially things they would not expect to normally have. We took plenty of juice boxes, gum and such. The best thing you can do for yourself is make sure everyone gets a really good night's sleep and don't expect to get any rest on the flight yourself. If your expectation for personal peace is low, your patience with the kids will actually be higher. I dress the baby in a one piece outfit (no chance of lost socks, shoes, etc.) and pack an extra. Everyone gets a small rolling bag or backpack with his/her own "stuff" in it. Only pack things you are willing to lose - it's gets pretty hectic on a flight with little ones. Also, when waiting at the gate, let your kids run around and burn off energy. They will be expected (and it's safest) to stay seated adn buckled in for the flight. I give a dose of baby Tylenol about 30 mins. before the flight for grumpy or teething kids. It really helps them relax. When you arrive at your destination, hit the bathrooms, then let them run a bit. That helps, too. Have a great trip!
SAHM of seven, travel regularly across the country with various numbers of kiddos
Beth & Tamara have excellent ideas that I have used with my 3 kids. Most useful to me was kid-sized backpacks. In secret, I pack each child's backpack (the baby's too) with age appropriate coloring/activity books, new colors, some small toys and a EMPTY sippy cup (even for my 7 year old). I keep the backpacks closed - no peeking until we get to the airport or on the plane. My girls are in such anticipation to see what is in their bags (that they have to carry around) that the flight seems to go by quickly.
PS. They made me empty my baby's water bottle at security. AAAHHHRRGG!
