Dreading a flight with a toddler in tow? Here are some clever and simple ideas on how to keep toddlers entertained on a plane.
A seasoned traveller, Citizen Femme’s Fashion Features Director Ella Alexander was determined to make her first long-haul flight as a mum as smooth and painless as possible – for her two year-old, herself and their fellow passengers. With a positive-but-realistic attitude, she set about planning her trip to New Orleans by asking the advice of other well-travelled mums. Here’s how she navigated the journey (and the often simple things that helped her do it).
Earlier this spring, my husband and I took our toddler on his first long-haul flight. No one leaps to bring a small child to a confined space with limited movement for any length of time, but the trip in question was our honeymoon and we wanted to make the most of the free child flight before our son turned two. So, three weeks before Lenny’s second birthday, we embarked on a 10-hour flight to New Orleans, the city of jazz, gumbo and, as our son observed, a great many turtles. It was to be the best family holiday imaginable – but first we had to get there.
As excited as I was to arrive, I wasn’t overburdened with joy about the journey. Lenny had, by this point, entered his tantrum era with a gleeful enthusiasm that was likely to be at odds with a plane full of people trying to sleep or rest. I have limited experience in travelling with a child, but I have always thought that you have a 50/50 chance of it going well, which are the same odds on any given day to be honest. You can have a bad day at home, but if you have one of those on a flight, you know you’re going to end up somewhere no parent wants to be. Before I left, I asked every well-travelled mum I knew (several of whom work for Citizen Femme), for their advice; the tips and tricks they had gleaned when flying with toddlers. These are some of the clever items and solutions that genuinely worked and are well worth sharing with all those other folks out there who feel a tad apprehensive about the prospect of heading to the airport.
Before I go on, I want to say, it was fine. Both flights were a solid seven out of 10 (and this is with an acute nappy rash situation that came on just days before we were due to fly). There were a few choice moments, where I think both of us wished that we were child-free, but then we arrived and seeing a city we love through the eyes of a toddler was magic. Memories were acquired and locked in forever. One of the most important things I realised is that you shouldn’t worry about what other passengers think. We all have a duty to keep our children as happy and to respect the space and ears of those outside of our family unit, but sometimes our best isn’t good enough and children are to scream. This will feel like agony and you will be deathly worried about bothering everyone around you, but remember it’s a plane, not a spa. Anyone who gives you a look or passes comment is confused about where they are. So bon voyage – and bonne chance!
A Busy Board
You might already have these, but a freelancer friend recommended I invest pre-flight and it was a godsend. Our busy board was designed by Montessori, so full of hands-on activities including zippers, buttons, and laces for him to play with all intended to promote fine motor skills, cognitive development, and problem-solving abilities. It’s lightweight and compact, so easily fitted in our hand luggage. We ordered it the week before and told Lenny that it was a special toy only to be used on the plane. By the time we were on board and presented him with it, he was beside himself with excitement – and it kept him engaged not just on the plane but also on multiple car journeys since.
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The Post-It Notes
Full credit to Citizen Femme founder Sheena Bhattessa for this one. Sheena travels regularly with her two young children (recently three!), and said it was the most budget-friendly, compact travel toy imaginable. We ordered three different colours of post-it notes which we used as stickers that he could also draw on. A huge hit that kept him busy for a solid hour. Then collect them up and save them for the way back. So much better than actual stickers, which once wedded to the back of a plane seat or arm rest are an absolute nightmare to remove – especially if your little one decides they want to take them with them as you are about to disembark!
The Julia Donaldson Collection On The iPad
If ever there was an occasion for screen time, a 10-hour flight is it. None of us want our children to be glued to an iPad or phone, but TV has an undeniable value when it comes to keeping children entertained during times where they can’t run around freely. That said, we have choice about what we let our children watch, and while I’m sure Lenny would love 10 hours of highly-saturated cartoons, I knew eventually he’d become overstimulated and make his and our lives a misery. It’s a long game on such a lengthy flight so I had to plan carefully. Instead, we downloaded a few of the beautiful, gentle Julia Donaldson iPlayer adaptations onto an iPad. I don’t need to explain to anyone with a young child who Donaldson is, but these screen versions of her much-loved stories such as the Smeds and the Smoos or Tiddler are soothing, imaginative and voiced by some of the biggest names in TV and film, from Helena Bonham Carter to Kit Harrington.
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Tour The Plane
I know this is obvious, but don’t feel you need to stay in your seat for the duration – something first time parents might be unsure about. Your toddler will be unlikely to let you even if you do want to. Don’t underestimate how exciting a plane is to a small child. Our son couldn’t believe how high in the sky he was and that he was flying in the clouds. We walked up and down the gangways approx 859 times, which he found utterly engrossing. He stretched his legs and explored, and we stared out of the windows and counted clouds, which honestly I think I enjoyed as much as he did. An ideal way to pass the time as you can also promise another walkabout to look forward to after the food/a little rest. Bribery like this is totally acceptable!
A Plane Picnic
Obviously, you’ll pack snacks for your toddler anyway (British Airways don’t typically provide food for under-twos, so check with your airline before you fly), but ham it up and turn it into an event. We told Lenny we were having (yet another) plane picnic with his favourite foods, pre-made sandwiches with his preferred filling (peanut butter), those carrot puffs that taste like air, biscuits, a few of the Ella’s Kitchen yoghurts, ‘juice’ (his beaker filled with water and 2% apple juice). You can’t overpack too much food; it’s such a great distraction. Do whatever you feel comfortable with, but I felt that a long-haul flight was a time for whatever Lenny wanted to eat. No rules (or more challenging vegetables) applied.
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Let Them Choose A Book At The Airport
Another well-travelled journalist friend shared this nugget with me and it really worked. Head to WHSmith or Waterstones at whichever airport you’re flying from, and let them choose a book to read on the plane. Lenny was so excited by the newness of the book (and I think giddy about having been given a rare gift of autonomy), that it kept him occupied for much longer than usual. It did also mean we had to read The Gruffalo (which we have at home!) approximately 7202 times on the plane, but we took the shift-work in turns. The same principle applies to comics if that’s what catches their eye. Just something to page through that’s new and exciting.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?