Planning your first getaway as a family? There’s so much more logistical preparation that goes into a holiday when you’re flying with kids, but there are essentials you can pack to ensure that the little ones will have a good flight. We’ve scoured the net and consolidated a total of ten must-haves for any short or long haul flight you may be taking, and they can help your little ones feel comfortable and entertained while they’re up in the skies.
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Although most airlines do serve meals on board, it is rather likely that your little one will feel a little peckish or restless before and after meal service. Preparing mini snack packs helps keep them satisfied and occupied, and it makes them extra happy too. There are a huge variety of different snack packs out there - or you can even prepare your own - but these Yum Earth Fruit Snacks are great if you're looking for something organic yet delicious.
Yum Earth Organic Fruit Snacks, Click Here
If you kiddo is a little anxious about their first flight, maybe bringing along a plushie might help. Jellycat is a popular brand among parents and their kids because of how soft its texture is, and an adorable little bunny might make a perfect airplane pal for your child. The Elly Store has a wide selection of Jellycat plushies for sale, ranging from animals like bunnies and bears to even chimps and giraffes. You can shop for a plushie with your little one and let them choose their favorite.
A Comfort Plushie, Click Here
A ride-on suitcase is a fun essential to have as tired kids can easily sit on their suitcase while at the airport. At the same time, the suitcase can also be used to store any of your kiddos' belongings that you need to bring on board. What's amazing is that Stokke's ride-on suitcase even comes with a function that allows it to be used as a leg rest and in-flight bed while on the aircraft, providing your children with extra comfort if they're not used to the small sizes of the airplane seats. This 3-in-1 product will definitely make traveling much more of a breeze!
Stokke Ride-On Suitcase, Click Here
Children tend to get bored really easily, especially when they can't run around and are confined to their airplane seat for hours. Having a travel activity pack provides them with non-stop entertainment throughout the flight, and it in contains different items like an activity book, stickers, a travel snap game, and even an inflatable globe. You can even guide them through the different puzzles featured in the activity book as a bonding activity during the flight. The best part is that the activity pack comes in a rucksack so it's easy to carry around as well.
Travel Activity Pack, Click Here
The air in the cabin usually gets cold when you're up in the air, so keeping your little ones warm is important. You can pack a hoodie in their cabin bag so that they can easily put it on when they feel like they need it, and it keeps them snug and warm during naps on the airplane as well. This one from Cotton On Kids comes with a front pocket as well for extra warmth, and can easily be paired with joggers or jeans.
Kids Hoodie, Click Here
If you're preparing your own snacks for the flight and prefer healthy options like nuts or fruits, this little snack container from IKEA is perfect to bring with you. It has two separate compartments, so the top can be filled with nuts or other dry goods while the bottom of the container can hold fruits or vegetable sticks. It even comes with a strainer that helps you drain the water after washing your fruits and vegetable sticks. Besides being an essential on flight, you can even use the container to store your kiddo's snacks throughout the trip!
Snack Container, Click Here
Not all airlines provide pillows on flights, and even when they do, it's not as cute nor fluffy as this Sammy The Ram Kids Travel Neck Pillow. It'll help you kiddo hit the hay in the most comfortable way, and also makes a good travel companion for children who are a little bit anxious while on flights. Even when they're not sleeping, they can hug their ram friend on the flight while they enjoy activities like watching cartoons or doing an activity book.
Kids Travel Neck Pillow, Click Here
These anti-bacterial kids cleansing wipes are perfect because the packaging is so small and portable. It's an absolute essential whenever traveling with kids, and you can use it to wipe down the airplane's seats and tables, as well as hand them to your little ones to clean their hands before and after their meals. It's also gentle and has mild formulation with aloe vera juice and chamomile extract. Since the product comes in a 3-pack set, there's an ample amount of wet wipes for the entire family.
Anti-Bacterial Kids Cleansing Wipes, Click Here
Flights (especially long haul ones) can start to feel uncomfortable for kids if they aren't able to sleep well. The space constraints at the seats can be an issue, but this inflatable airplane allows babies and toddlers to lie flat for better sleep while they're flying from one country to another. It's also quick to inflate (with a manual pump) and deflate, making it a compact and convenient item to bring on your trip. Do note that different airline companies have different rules regarding inflatable kids beds, so we'd recommend checking with them first!
Inflatable Airplane Bed For Kids, Click Here
Even when taking a red-eye flight it can be difficult to get ample sleep since the lights are not turned off throughout the duration of the flight. This can be disruptive for your kids, especially if they're light sleepers or quite sensitive to light. Having a sleep mask allows them to continue sleeping even when the plane lights are turned on mid travel, and this one is soft and adjustable, making it absolutely comfortable for your child to wear. It's also washable so it can be used multiple times on multiple flights.
Kid's Light-Blocking Sleep Mask, Click Here
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