Bags are packed and you are on your way. But first, you have a plane trip to survive. Try some of the following tips to make the trip a smooth one for you and your fellow passengers.
Bring On the Electronics
Forget your policy on limiting screen time; DVDs and gaming devices can be lifesavers on an airplane. Spring Hill mom and frequent traveler Meggin Nilssen recommends surprising your child with a new DVD and bringing a portable DVD player or laptop. Don’t forget the headphones! Handheld gaming devices like Nintendo DS will also help fight boredom.
Have Backpack, Will Travel
Olathe dad Matt Benson shares his favorite tip: “Have kids travel with a backpack. You can put in a few of their favorite small toys and they can carry it themselves.” Small stuffed animals, books, coloring books, crayons, travel games and a deck of cards are some of the items kids might enjoy on the trip.
Stock Up On Snacks
Bring along a few snacks (check out www.TSA.gov for regulations on food and beverages) to ward off meltdowns due to hunger. Benson also brings gum for his two children. “They don’t get it very often so it’s a big treat and it also helps their ears with taking off and landing with the pressure changes.”
Let’s Play a Game
Players take turns creating lines in a story. The first person might say, “Ben was thirsty.” The next person could say, “Fortunately there was a glass of water in the fridge.” The third person might say, “Unfortunately the water had bug juice mixed in.” Then the next person could say, “Fortunately Ben loved bug juice.” Keep going with the silliness!
Let Your Imagination Soar
There are hundreds of simple activities that require nothing but an imagination. Try What Does That Make You Think Of? One person starts with any item such as “a banana”. The next person says what a banana makes them think of, such as “a monkey.” The next person says what a monkey makes them think of and so on.
Tisha Foley lives in Belton with her husband, daughter and son.