Air Travel with Kids

Airport Security
Discuss the security clearance process with your children so they will not be frightened or surprised. Do not travel with the toys that can be mistaken for weapons. If you have a photo ID of their children, bring them. Put all your identification numbers, credit card, and all tickets in a bag before leaving home for the airport. Never hand a child to a fellow passenger or passenger, while going through airport security. Walk through your children with you. If possible, try to choose an airline that is child friendly! Some airlines, including discount of transport, care for the families.

Airplane food
When traveling with children on a plane, try to pack some food they like to carry in a bag on. They tend to be a little picky about what they are serving on the plane. Pack finger foods, like fruits, pretzels and cereal for their children to enjoy during the flight. These elements could help them adapt to changes in cabin pressure. For younger children, try using bottles, sippy cups, 'or pacifiers to help relieve the pressure of the inner ear. For older children, chewing gum can serve the same purpose.

Air Bag-O-Tricks
When packing your 'bag-o-tricks' for an airplane trip with children, think "versatile", such as:

• A pad of unlined, white stationery - use for drawing, paper airplanes, fans, and other origami projects
• Crayola WATERCOLOR pencils - These don't melt like crayons and, when dipped in a cup of water, can be used as face paint (dries quickly, doesn't smear, easily removed with water or baby wipe). A mother once pulled them out during an airport delay and ended up with a line of kids waiting to get their faces painted (not to mention several grateful parents!).
• A set of 20(+/-) plastic 'links' - unlimited uses. Some are: hook onto child's belt loop in a crowd, stretch between 2 people and have a limbo contest while waiting to board the plane; hang baby's toys so they don't drop on dirty floors; use as fasteners on luggage for name tags or jacket holders; and ...
• One or 2 favorite 'beanies' - great storytelling opportunities plus a wonderful ice-breaker for new friends!

Avoid peak times for air travel
When traveling with children by air, if possible in the book does not peak hours (late at night and noon Monday through Wednesday). This gives you a chance at a free seat for your child to stretch and sleep. Arrive at the airport early. Sprints in an endless terminal are difficult enough, but nearly impossible when packing a baby on her back and holding a young child by the hand. When traveling by car and that along the "trafficking" NEVER give out too fast to know! Try every hour. You might even have a timer.

DVDs Keep Kids quiet on the plane
Bring a portable DVD player and headphones on the plane with you. This could be very useful in airports when he had to wait for hours to catch his next flight. They are lightweight and keep the children occupied during the flight. Remember to pack all their cables. You can also connect to television in the hotel room.

Health Check
If you are going to fly, younger children have their ears checked before leaving. Nobody wants to travel with a child who has an ear infection. Make sure you are in a condition fit. If they have the flu or sinusitis, please ask your plan to give their children decongestan, to be drunk half an hour before the flight.

Keep them busy
When you have to travel on flights longer active child, you should take your child busy! Use the piece of chalk - a piece of cloth with a slate-like material in the face. He keeps the child occupied for hours with colored chalk pictures, drawings and guessing games. Folds and fits into its own travel bag, taking very little space.

Goody Carry-on
To keep kids entertained and well behaved during long airplane trips, buy a small carry-on (children size), with wheels. Go to an "everything is a dollar store, and fill the bag with" surprises ". Have children carry / roll the bag around the airport etc, and during the flight, give them a surprise every 30 minutes or less. You will be surprised how entertaining it can stay, and maybe give him a chance to "catch a nap."

Keeping hydrated and clean in the plane
When travelling with children, be sure to pack a change of clothes for yourself. When your children have spilled sticky drinks all over you on the plane, you can change your cloth easily! Also it helps to premake airsickness bags at home, as the ones the airlines provide are not always there. Another tip - put some cold drinks such as Capri Sun or juice boxes in your carry-on. If your child is thirsty and it will be a while for the drink steward to come down the isle, you will be glad you have them.