I’m always hunting for tips and tricks on how to make air travel go as smoothly as possible for the whole family. Which means finding ways to keep my son occupied and happy for the duration of the flight. There are many common tips that everyone is familiar with, but in my research, I’ve found some ideas that you might not have heard of yet….so let’s get started!
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(1) Triangle Crayons
Now, I’ve seen triangle crayons before, but I never really understood their purpose. I thought that the unique design was for tiny hands — which might be true. However, they also provide an even better purpose when flying on an airplane — not rolling off the tray table every second! I don’t know why I never realized the incredible benefits of these magical triangle crayons, but I won’t be without them on my next flight!
(2) Seat Guru
If you haven’t used Seat Guru, then you need to visit this website before you book your next flight! This website has saved me many times from selecting seats that didn’t recline or were in an undesirable location. Seat Guru has also helped me choose between different flights by comparing the amenities the planes offered. When you’re traveling with kids there are so many factors to consider when selecting a flight or your seats — so having a resource to help you can be a lifesaver. Just enter your airline and flight number and Seat Guru provides you with the plane’s seat configurations, the pros and cons of specific seats, bathroom locations, and amenities onboard. I’m always searching to check if there is on-board entertainment, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. All critical things to make sure my little guy is happy and occupied!
(3) Press’n Seal
Did you know that you can “press and seal” your way to a home-made kid’s cup? Most flights don’t offer lids with the beverage service, which puts me on edge as I’m anticipating a spill. So, next time I fly I’m bringing some Press’n Seal in a baggie to help reduce my family’s chances of spills! I usually travel with reusable or paper straws, so this combo might save me from unnecessary travel stress. Just place some Press’n seal over the top of the cup and pop in a straw….and boom! You have a lid!
(4) Mask Lanyard
This is such a genius invention. We all have to wear a mask while flying, and you don’t want to lose your mask or have to wear one that has fallen on the ground. A Mask lanyard helps to keep your mask clean and always accessible. I remember the last flight with my son, where he kept dropping his mask, or it would get so dirty from wearing it on his chin while eating. With a mask lanyard, you can easily pull your mask on and off and ensure you don’t lose it while taking a drink or bite of food.
(5) Bring a Flashlight
Chances are high that you will drop something on a flight, and it’s almost guaranteed for kids. If you’re flying on an overnight or late flight and the plane is dark, it’s difficult to find something that has fallen on the ground. I hate having to ask my neighbors to look around them — especially if I must wake them up. On my last flight, it was my phone that I had dropped, so I borrowed a flashlight from a fellow passenger … and now I’m sharing this genius idea!
(6) Refillable Water Bottles
Having water always available and being environmentally conscious — that’s a win-win! I constantly cringe when I see the price of a bottle of water in the airport and see the amount of waste they generate. So, my family has started traveling with our refillable water bottles. Arrive at the airport with them empty so you can pass through TSA, and then find a water refill station as soon as you enter the terminal area. Almost every airport has a filtered water station available so take advantage of free and clean water, that’s also better for the planet.
Make sure you have your water bottle full before you get on the plane. I’ve run into situations where my son is so thirsty, but the crew is preparing for take-off, or they haven’t started beverage service yet. So having water (and snacks) always on hand will save the day.
Lastly, if you have a water bottle with a carabiner or a way to attach it to a backpack that’s an extra little hack to save space inside your bags for other important items.
(7) Backpacks
Give each kid their backpack to fill with toys, books, and activities. The reason I recommend a backpack is because kids can wear them, and they also fit nicely under the seat in front of them. This provides easy access to all their important items (like triangle crayons). Backpacks also have pockets to keep everything organized and the flight a little less stressful.
I like L.L.Bean backpacks because they have comfortable straps, many pockets, fun designs, and are lightweight. Plus, they are high quality and come in a variety of styles and patterns. Their junior size is for ages 4 and up, and the regular kids’ version is for ages 13 and up.
(8) Avoid Bulkhead Seats
For some travelers, bulkhead seats are preferred because of the additional legroom. However, if you’re traveling with kids there is a lot of gear (devices, snacks, toys, etc.) that you need to have easy access to. The downside of bulkhead seats is that you don’t the under-seat storage you do with other locations in the plane. So, during certain times of the flight, you won’t be able to access your bags, and likely adults will always need to help with reaching the above-head storage.
*This is a tip that I put on another post, but thought it was worth putting here as well. If you want to read more about this tip and additional ones for making flights with kids less stressful, then check out this post.
