Traveling with kids on an airplane can be challenging or it can be fun. How do some parents make it a fun time? I visited with one seasoned traveling parent and here are some of her suggestions.
As adults we know how to make our ears adjust to taking off or descending. Kids often do not…especially young ones. Have the kids suck on suckers. The constant swallowing helps equalize the air pressure in their ears. If they are too young, a pacifier works or anything that gets them to swallow.
Take things for kids to play with…but not to throw around. Coloring books are good and so are hand held puzzles (with no pieces) or games. Anything to keep them occupied…
Talk to them before you leave for the airport, she also told me. Tell them there are things they can and cannot do. For instance, no kicking the seat in front of you. No screaming…use our inside voice…whisper…pretend we are hiding. As a passenger, I appreciated what she was telling me.
She also said…they use the restrooms immediately before boarding!
Seems like good advice to me.