8 Best Ways to Prepare Your Kids for Long Flights

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Is it really possible for children to handle long flights without having a major meltdown? With the right preparation, it absolutely is. Keep reading to discover the 8 best ways to prepare your kids for long flights.

My family has made several long haul trips with our son without a single meltdown. And I’m talking about travel days that are 22-24 hours long with each flight being 5+ hours long.

Tip #1: Talk to your kids about the plan

I am a firm believer in talking to your kids about what to expect when something new is coming their way. Whether you going to visit a relative tomorrow or starting a new school next month, the more you talk to your children about the changes in their day-to-day schedules, the better they will handle these changes.

Traveling is no different. As soon as you tell your kids about your trip, start talking to them about what to expect on your travel day.

Show them your flight itinerary. Talk to them about the layovers, how long they will be, and what you will be doing during them. Discuss when you will be getting to the airport and arriving at your destination. Explain what the security procedures at the airport will be like.

No detail is too small to cover. The more your kids know, the better prepared they will be to handle it all.

Before my son’s first long flight, when he was 7 years old, we had several conversations with him about what to expect from our travel day, which was about 22 hours long. On that day, he felt like he knew what was happening when it happened. It made it much easier for him to handle a full day of transitions because none of it was a surprise to him.

Tip #2: Make it fun

The next way to prepare your kids for long flights is to make it fun. While a day of travel can be stressful for adults, it can be a lot of fun for kids. So, capitalize on this sense of adventure and use it to your advantage.

Let them have more screen time than normal. Pack new or special toys or books that you only use when traveling. Let your kids have snacks that you normally wouldn’t give them.

During those times when you are waiting and need your kids to be good, engage them in a game. It doesn’t have to be hard. Use your imagination to make something up.

See who can spot the most people wearing red shirts, or have them to make up a story about the next person they see. (Check out my list of screen free activities if you need some ideas.)

It doesn’t matter what the game is, the point is to just engage them in a way that will keep them entertained when you need them to wait patiently.

The more fun your kids have, the better they will act and the more pleasant your trip will be for you and them.

Tip #3: Dress them comfortably

One of the most important ways to prepare your kids for long flights is to dress your kids comfortably, no matter how long your travel day is.

Letting your kids wear comfy clothes will result in less whining and hopefully will allow them to rest some during the trip. If possible, let them wear one of their favorite outfits. If you will be traveling during the early morning or night, consider putting them in pajamas for the flight.

Tip #4: Put them in slip-on shoes

My next tip to prepare your kids for long flights is to dress them in slip-on shoes for your flight.

This will make them easy to get on and off while at the airport. It will also allow them to get comfortable and settle in better while on the plane. And maybe, with any luck, they will go to sleep at some point on your journey.

Tip #5: Pack their carry-on’s with lots of entertainment

Another tip for preparing kids for long flights is to let them help pack their things. Give them their own carry-on bag. Their school backpack is a great bag to use for their carry-on.

Let them pick out what entertainment and activities they want to pack in it for the plane ride. Be sure they choose a variety of activities to cure boredom.

Also, mix in low-tech with high-tech options in case they run out of batteries. Just be careful to watch your kids’ bags so they aren’t forgotten or stolen.

Tip #6: Load up on snacks

Generally speaking, hungry kids are cranky kids. So, be prepared with lots of snacks. This way, when hunger strikes, you will be ready for it.

If your kids are anything like mine, they can be picky about their snacks and may not like what’s offered by the airlines. So, pack ones that you know your kids love.

Pack several different snacks in either single-serve containers or ziploc bags. Go for snacks that are easy to eat without a huge mess.

Some of my go-to travel snacks are Cheerios, animal crackers, and grapes. See my list of the best airplane snacks for kids for some great ideas.

And remember to always pack more snacks than you think you will need because you never know when you will have an unexpected delay.

Tip #7: Don’t forget to bring their comfort items

Another one of my secret tricks to prepare your kids for long flights is to pack their comfort items! This could be their favorite stuffed animal, a beloved blanket, or other lovey item.

A comfort item will help settle their nerves, provide comfort when they get grumpy, and can even help them fall asleep on a plane.

We can’t go anywhere without at least one stuffed animal! I always pack a pillow and small blanket for my son as well.  These help him to get more comfortable when it is time to sleep.

Just be vigilant that you don’t lose a special comfort item!

Tip #8: Give your kids time to get their wiggles out

All parents know that kids can only stay still for a limited amount of time. In order to avoid a situation where your kids getting antsy during the flight, give them time to get their wiggles out while at the airport.

Take them for a walk, head to an uncrowded area and let them jump up and down, or have them stand up and wiggle around.

Burning off some of their energy before you board your plane will make everyone’s flight more enjoyable.

Conclusion

There is no reason why kids can’t handle long flights as well as, or better, than adults can. You just need to take a little time before your flight to prepare them for it. Pack the right items. Give them time to burn off some energy, and talk to them about what to expect.

With these simple tips, you can turn your children into world-class travelers from a very early age. I hope these tips help you prepare your kids for long flights.

For more tips, check out our complete guide to happy travel with kids, flying with kids, how to handle child anxiety when flying, tips for airport security, life lessons to teach kids while traveling, and common mistakes when flying with toddlers.

And check out these tips from the TSA on flying with kids!

Happy travels!