The May holidays (and soon, June!) are approaching but before you jet off with your kids to a family resort nearby, be sure to read these 10 tips first.
Text: Atika Lim
Your kids may get excited about being on the plane for the first time but that excitement may soon wear off once they realise they’ll be stuck in that plane for the next few hours.
While the inflight entertainment might entertain your kids for a while, it’s not a guarantee that they’ll love the shows on it. So, be prepared. Pack them an activity kit with colouring books, games and a good book so they’ll always have things to do.
In their excitement, kids might forget to keep hydrated so be sure to make them a water bottle and get it filled up by the flight attendants at the start of the flight.
Remind them to drink water through out because the air in the plane can be harsh and drying on their throats.
If you’re flying with kids for the first time, anticipate that they might get nauseated while flying. All the turbulence and jerky movements could cause them to feel funny. Plus, the air pressure at certain altitudes could be too much for their delicate ears.
Pack medicines, sweets and let them play with games from your activity kit to keep their mind off flying.
Flying for the first time might be scary and exciting for kids so it’s great if they had something familiar with them at all times so they feel secured.
Although flying with babies is not advised, anticipate that they could cry because the air pressure could hurt their ears.
Be sure to nurse them during either takeoff or landing as sucking and swallowing could help relieve the pain in their ears.
Long plane rides can make kids cranky so be sure to walk about with them when possible. Whether it’s a trip to the lavatory or just a quick look outside a different window, get your kids to walk about just a bit to get their blood flowing.
If the activity kit you prepared has lost your child’s interest, whip out the iPad. However, load with educational games, shows and other interesting features for them.
We know economy class might be the most economical but when flying with kids, it might make more sense to fly business so it’s more comfortable for both you and your child.
Share with your kids where you’ll be visiting, what you’ll be seeing and show them pictures so they know what they’ll be doing on the trip. Load your phone or iPad with pictures of the destination and let them see for themselves.
Flying can mess with your kids appetite and food on the plane might not come in time when your child is hungry. So, be sure to pack some healthy snacks for them when flying.