How to Make Long Flights Less Stressful for Kids

Long flights can be stressful for a variety of reasons. For one, you likely already have built-up stress even before your flight from making your way to the airport early and queuing at long lines. Once you board the plane, you have to make do with the limited space in your seat for hours until you reach your destination. Moreover, because the air pressure is lower in higher altitudes, your body also takes in less oxygen. This can make you feel drained and tired throughout the flight.

Now imagine all that with kids in tow.

Taking children with you during long flights can be an incredibly stressful experience if you’re not well-prepared, which is why it’s important to know what to do to keep little ones relaxed during the trip. To make flying with children as hassle-free as possible, here are some tips you can try:

1. Lessen Pre-Flight Stress

If your kids are already stressed or in a bad mood even before they get on the plane, then things will most likely go downhill from there. So, to lessen the chances of them throwing a tantrum or feeling irritable later on, strive to keep them in good spirits before the flight. One way to do this is to make sure they slept well and had a proper meal, so that they won’t be too fussy before and during the flight.

If you’re in Singapore for a long layover, consider staying in hotels near Singapore airport so you wouldn’t have to worry about waking up the kids extra early or missing meals just to get to the airport on time. Being in a hotel that’s a few minutes away from the airport means the kids are better rested and can even have some time to play before the flight.

2. Have Snacks Ready

Your children will inevitably feel peckish during a long flight, which can make them feel irritable. So, make sure to bring some of their favourite snacks for them to munch on before or during the flight. Choose foods that aren’t prone to mess such as marshmallows, muffins, granola bars, sliced fruits, or sandwiches. For ease of packing, you can put them in lunchboxes with several compartments.

Be sure you’ve got some baby wipes with you as well to clean up your kids’ hands after the snack. In addition, do make sure you check with airline regulations for any limitations on the foods and liquids you’re allowed to bring to the flight to prevent any complications during inspections.

3. Provide Distractions

When taking long flights with kids, you’ll soon find that successfully keeping them distracted is already half the battle won. Prepare items that can keep them entertained during the flight. This could be a puzzle toy, a colouring book, or a tablet pre-loaded with shows they can watch. Bring comfort items as well, such as a plushie or their favourite blanket, to make them feel extra comfortable during the flight.

That being said, be careful not to take too many of these distractions with you. Bringing all sorts of toys means additional things for you to carry, which is another source of stress you’d want to avoid.

4. Dress them In Layers

Once your plane reaches high altitude, kids may start to feel much colder and can lead to discomfort during the trip. Hence, dress them up in outerwear that’s easy to put on and remove. This helps them stay warm during the flight itself while also being easy to take off once the plane lands and the temperature changes again.

5. Avoid Putting Kids in Aisle Seats

While it may seem like a great idea at first glance to place your kid in an aisle seat as it offers them more room for movement, it can also put them at risk of constantly being bumped by people or carts passing by. If possible, get a window seat for your kid instead. Not only does this set-up keep them away from passers-by, the window view can also function as a nice distraction.

6. Prepare them for Pressure Changes

Air pressure changes can be tough even for adults, so make sure you’re prepared to ease your kids into them during takeoff and landing. Help them relieve air pressure by making them do breathing exercises or by giving them something to chew or suck on, such as gum or hard candy. You can also get them filtered earplugs that are the appropriate size for their ears. Finally, have your kids drink water a few minutes after take-off and before landing to reduce pressure build-up.

7. Keep Your Composure

Children tend to mirror the people around them. If you’re stressed and irritable, then chances are your child will pick this up and act the same. Thus, strive to keep your calm during the flight. If accidents happen, such as a spilled drink or your toddler crying, try to deal with the situation with as much composure as you can instead of resorting to scolding. Being calm helps prevent any issue from escalating further and adding to your stresses.

Bringing kids along with you on a long flight can be challenging, but it’s certainly not an impossible feat. Let the tips in this article be your guide in making sure that your kids feel happy and comfortable during the entire flight the next time your family goes on a trip.