Beating boredom on long-haul flights
You may need that vacation but do you need to be stuck on a long-haul flight with a bored toddler or preschooler? We didn’t think so, which is why we’ve come up with a lots of tips on beating boredom and useful tips to help you cope at 30,000 feet!
Coping tips…
Be realistic!Do keep in mind the mantra ‘this too shall pass’.
Traveling with a baby or
toddler is hard but you won’t be stuck on the plane forever and try to focus on the fact that even if your child isn’t behaving very well it will be over soon! And lower your expectations – don’t kid yourself you’ll be able to relax in front of the in-flight movie because it just isn’t going to happen. When you aren’t trailing up and down the aisles, trying to change a diaper on your lap and mopping up spills and trying to stop your child kicking the seatback in front of her, you’ll be crawling around under the seat to pick things up, or reading your child’s favorite book for the nth time.
Fly direct if you canThis helps keep things way more simple and saves you having to dash to make a connecting flight – with the possibility that you might miss it if your incoming flight is late – and reduces your total travel time.
Book a seat for your childIf your child is under two years of age she could travel sitting on your lap… but come on! Who needs it? You’ll be far more comfortable if your child has her own seat whatever her age and it’ll save you juggling her every time one of you needs to get up.
Choose your seat wiselyA window seat is great for an older child who can maneuver past you easily when she wants to go to the bathroom. As far as where to sit on the plane, bulkhead seats offer more floorspace in front of your seats though you will have to check in early to have any chance of getting them. If you’re in the process of
potty-training your toddler, it’s worth considering getting seats that aren’t too far from the lavatory.
Consider flying overnightTire your child out before you depart and changer her into her PJs once you board the plane. She may not sleep for the duration of the flight (she’ll likely be too excited) but at least you’ll get the chance to rest yourself and it’ll help prevent jetlag once you reach your destination because you’ll likely be able to adjust more easily to the new timezone.
Pack more than you’ll needPack anything and everything you might need: diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, snacks, toys and books, a change of clothes in case your child is travel sick and vomits (and a spare tee for you too, since she might well hurl all over you!). Overestimate what you think you’ll need – far better to have too much than to run out.
Prep your childMake your behavior expectations clear before you board the plane and make sure your child knows what to expect – for example, that she won’t be able to undo her seat belt during take-off and landing, or walk about if the plain hits turbulence or bad weather. Tell her she needs to avoid shouting, and mustn’t kick the seat in front of her. It’s a good idea to ‘rehearse’ the flight ahead of time, using your child’s dolls and teddies as passengers.
Boredom busters
Try to book with an airline that has seatback TV screens, as these will have children’s movies and TV channels among the selection of in-flight entertainment. Some airlines also provide complimentary games consoles. Older children especially might be happy to while away a good portion of the flight watching the latest movies or playing games. If seatback TV isn’t an option, consider investing in a portable DVD player (be sure to fully charge the battery before you leave, and pack some spares just in case).
When it comes to toys for younger children, small is beautiful (but ensure it isn’t a choking hazard) and a variety of small toys is better than several larger ones. Your local dollar store will have a huge selection of small toys and trinkets and if you wrap them and give them to your child for the first time during the flight the novelty will keep her occupied for hours. A great toy you might not consider is a Russian stacking doll: each doll unscrews to reveal a smaller one inside until you reach the tiniest one.
Coloring and sticker books are great too, as well as dry-wipe boards or magnadoodle toys that your child can draw on and then erase to start over. Playdough, with some cookie cutters and plastic carving knives, can be spread out on the tray table and used for modeling
Think in terms of something keeping your child amused for, say, a half hour, and work out how many toys you need to pack on that basis. So for an eight hour flight, pack 16 toys or activities. Make sure they know they have to behave for that half hour to be sure of getting the next toy!
Avoid anything that makes a noise, though, as these will drive your fellow passengers nuts. And don’t forget simple old-fashioned games like I spy, or, for a younger child, This Little Piggy played on her toes or Round and Round the Garden on the palm of her hand. Small
healthy snacks and juiceboxes also can help pass the time, especially if your child refuses to eat the airline meal – hunger can be a trigger for tantrums and whining.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 19/06/2009
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