How to Make Airline Travel with a Pre-Schooler Easier

Who hasn't been stuck in the airplane row behind a screaming child or in the seat in front of a kicking child? Maybe you're the parent with the child who just doesn't want to sit still. Below are some tips to help make that airline trip a little more tolerable for you, your pre-schooler, and your fellow passengers.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stocked carry-on bag
• Positive attitude

1. A few days before your trip, go to a dollar store or your neighborhood bargain bin and stock up on inexpensive activities/toys, such as crayons, colored pencils, stickers, spiral notebooks, coloring books, stencils, flashcards, etc. to bring in your carry-on bag. (See Step 3 below.) From experience, the $10 investment goes a long way in making the flight more pleasant for everyone.

2. Accept that all "at-home" rules may go out the window when traveling on an airplane. Keep the routine as close as possible to your home routine, (bedtime story, milk before bed), but accept that the rules must bend when your energetic pre-schooler is stuck in a small seat for hours.

3. Take a lot of care with your carry-on bag. Make sure you have an full set of extra clothing (including underwear & socks), diapers, a refillable cup (preferably a non-spill sippy cup), snacks, and activities (see Step 1 above) to keep your pre-schooler occupied. If the flight is long, don't forget headsets and/or a portable DVD player and an assortment of DVDs.
   
   If you are traveling on an overnight flight, don't forget to include in your carry-on, your child's favorite bedtime story and pillow, stuffed animal or blankie.

4. Once you've cleared security at the airport, fill up your sippy cup with water or purchase bottled water or juice. Unless you're traveling in business class, it may be challenging to get water on the plane until you've reached cruising altitude.

5. Make a final stop at the restroom before boarding. There is a lot more room in the airport facilities than those on the aircraft. It doesn't hurt to try to reduce the visits to the airplane facilities.

6. At the boarding gate, personally request to pre-board since you are traveling with a small child. Not all airlines allow pre-boarding with children, however, the worst that can happen is that your request will be denied.

7. Upon boarding the aircraft, if you are traveling with an FAA approved car seat, such as the Sit N Stroll, request a lap belt extension from the flight attendant greeting passengers. The flight attendant will either have one handy or will have another attendant deliver one to your seat, eliminating the need for you to hunt one down with seconds left before "cross check."

8. When you get to your seat on the plane, make sure your child's activities are easily accessible and that you have a few diapers handy. Your three year old, who is completely toilet trained may decide he has to go to the bathroom while the airline is on its final descent, and an extra diaper within reaching distance will be a lifesaver.

9. Enjoy your trip! Although airline travel isn't the easiest with a pre-schooler, think of the fun you'll have once you reach your destination!

Tips & Warnings

• Dole out the new toys periodically throughout the flight, making sure you've saved enough goodies to occupy your child on the way home.
• Prepare single servings of snacks, such as a small bag of goldfish or a fruit twist. Alternating between single servings of snacks keeps a little one occupied by adding variety to the seemingly endless flight.

[rlerner]

on 10/28/2008 What a fantastic article. Your thorough tips are extremely insightful.