Keeping Kids Happy During The Flight.

Flying with kids can be a great way to spend time with them, but you have to prepare for it. Here are a few tips on how to keep them entertained, and how to deal with travel related sickness. Kids love to learn if you are willing to teach.

Entertainment.

• This is a great way to get eat up time, get your child to become an expert on continents, countries and cities with Lonely Planet’s Amazing World Atlas app. It costs £1.91 but it’s worth it!
• learn the language: teach your children to say “hello”, “thank you” and “goodbye”. Again the technology is your friend with plenty of free language apps out there it’s great for all ages. Duolingo is a great app to start with.
• Teach them about local foods, and encourage them to try new things.

Take photos

• Children love to take photographs, so let them have their own camera. Some of  the best holiday photos come from a child’s eye view.

Music & Books

• Load an mp3 player, iPod, or phone with your child’s favourite songs and audiobooks.
• Remember to get child suitable headphones with low volume specifications to protect their ears.

Tablets, apps & electronic games

• Electronics can be a real lifesaver when on the plane, you can download TV episodes, films and games to make time fly by.
• Make sure any apps you download are available offline.

Tips if your child is a first time flyer.

• Before you leave for the airport talk them through what will happen at the security line, including going through the scanner.
• Talk to them about how to find their seat on the plane and when to wear a seatbelt.
• Tell them about what will happen on takeoff and landing.
• Give them a book about aeroplanes so they can learn more about the wonders of flying.

Dealing with travel sickness.

Motion sickness

• Is common in children between 3 and 12 years old. There are a variety of treatments suitable for children that include: tables, diluting salts and wrist bands.

Dehydration

• Flying causes dehydration and this happens faster in children and infants. This is due to the low humidity on planes.
• While you can’t take more than 100ml through security you can buy healthy drinks in duty free, try to avoid fizzy drinks as they could add to travel sickness problems.
• Water or fruit juice is usually a safe option.

Ear pressure

• Ear pain on aeroplane is caused by a change of pressure in the Eustachian tube. Adults learn to equalise the pressure “popping” ears by yawning or swallowing.
• You may want to avoid flying if your child has a cold as this will block the Eustachian tube and could make the flight uncomfortable for them.
• You should always check with your doctor before flying if your child had a cold or ear infection.

What to do if you can’t avoid air travel.

• Make sure that children drink plenty of water, as dehydration will make things worse for them and you. The swallowing motion when drinking will also “pop” children’s ears.
• For younger kids dummies, or feeding during landing will also help equalise ear pressure.
• Ensure children are upright when eating or feeding. Yawning is contagious, so you can always try yawning at your little ones.
• Try to teach older children to yawn, swallow or sucking on a hard boiled sweet can help ease the pain on the ears during takeoff and landing.
• Teach older children to hold their nose and blow to manually “pop” their ears.
• Remember this can be painful so always be gentile.

• Airports can be confusing places for children and there is nothing worse than a lost child.
• To reduce stress, consider a few things like a GPS tracker this can be worn either on their hand luggage, or as a bracelet or watch.
• You can track the signal using your mobile phone.
• For older children arrange a meeting point and provide them with the flight details so they will be able to ask for directions.

If you enjoyed this blog here are some related blog you might also like:

1. Will My Suitcase Fit the Ryanair Cabin Baggage Rules?
2. How To Pack Hand Luggage Effectively.
3. JetKids BedBox vs Trunki
4. Flying With Kids Part 1

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