Nine Tips for Air Travel with Little ones

There is nothing more exciting for children or grand-children than to hear they are going to take a trip on a plane, but, once they're aboard, the novelty quickly wears off.  Flying is the exact opposite of what children are about.  There no pots to bang or wide-open spaces where they can run.  In-flight movies are not geared toward passengers who love to sing along, and the noise level s reminiscent of a library, not a fast food restaurant playground.

Here are some great suggestions from  a former flight attendant and a mother of two....

1) Carry-on or check.  When you're traveling with kids or grand kids, checking luggage and being suitcase free despite your balking at the cost, make it fairly simple to get through security, the airport, and on and off the plane.  A stroller is a must for zipping through airports, but leave the big, bulky one at home.  Opt for a lightweight umbrella stroller.  They're easy to fold and they fit most overhead bins; this means you don't have to wait with squirmy 2 year old after landing; they child will be comfortable in the stroller.

2) Plan your seating.  Even if your children or grandchildren are young enough to be considered "lap children (younger than age two), it's safer to purchase their own seats for them.  Buckle infants in their own aviation-approved car seat, which offers familiar comfort.  Toddlers can stand when the seat belt sign is off and use the airline seat a a coloring or play table.  If you've worried about disturbing other passengers, request bulkhead seats facing the partition that divides a plane into sections.  This is a terrific place to park with kids because there are no passengers to disturb in front of you. 

3) Dress the youngsters appropriately.  Slip-on shoes make the security screening process go smoothly, and bring layers - sweater, sweatshirts, sweatpants, even socks - aboard; airline temperatures are unpredictable.  Just to be sure to have an extra outfit, including underpants, ready.

4) Food.  Eating lunch and snacks is a great diversion tactic.  Trail mix, colorful crackers, grapes, and baby carrots are all airplane-friend food.  Turn eating time into fun time with games of counting, sorting, letter sounding, and spellings.  Use sippy cups and bowls with suction cups to keep containers secure to the tray table and to avoid spills.

5) Potty stops.  There are two crucial times to insist your toilet-trained little traveler use the potty: before take-off and before landing.  Simply walking the cabin aisle on the way to the lavatory can amuse toddlers (after beverage and snack service ends).  Kids love company so as you're roaming the cabin, look around for other children to visit.  I've seen families switch seats so the children could sit near one another and the kids end up entertaining themselves for the entire flight.

6) Books.  Children love to be read to and to turn pages of picture books.  Take it a step further with a photo album filed with photos of the family. 

7) Showtime. DVDs have changed the way children travel.  With a DVD player (and headset) and a new show to watch, they will remain busy and in their seat for hours at a time.

8) Make a tent.  Get creative with the tray table and drape a blanket over the seat or between the upraised arm rest and immediately you have a world of fun in your row.  Better yet, bring along dark blanket and charm  the little traveler with glow-in-the-dark toys; they're perfect for night flights too.

9) Surprise.  Have ready a surprise sack filled with new toys, treats (skip the sugar), and diversions.  Pipe cleaners - stickers - traveling play dough equals extended entertainment.