Being a former flight attendant and an avid traveler I have learned lots of tips and tricks for traveling with little ones. People always think I’m crazy for traveling so much with my kids, well I think i’d be crazy not to!

My littlest took her first flight at two weeks and my second took her first flight at 3 months, internationally! I’m a firm believer that kids will adjust to any situation. I’m hoping my kids will grow up loving to travel and feel comfortable doing it. There’s a WHOLE big world out there, and I hope they get to see as much of it as possible.

1. Bring a backpack!!! This is my number one tip. Nothing is harder than going after a screaming wild child with a purse or diaper back hanging from your arm. If you have a backpack, you have full mobility. This is the backpack I take every time and LOVE it!

2. Organization is key! Know exactly where everything is in your backpack. I put the diapers and wipes in the same compartment every time, binkies (pacifiers)  in a certain pocket, and snacks in another. Nothing is worse than having a cranky kid and you are frantically searching through your bag for snacks or a paci.

3. Timing…If it’s at all possible I either fly REALLY early in the morning so they are exhausted or during late afternoon so they will nap. Once those big old engines start up, even adults have a hard time staying awake.

 

4. FEED THEM. Before we get on any flight I make sure they have full tummies. Nothing is worse than a cranky hungry child on an airplane. Every one gets sleepy when they get full. We LOVE the sushi in the Chicago airport!

 

5. Block them in. Nothing is worse than having a crazy child running up and down the aisles. I ALWAYS sit on the aisle seat and put my kids in the middle and window seat. This way they can’t get past me.

 

6. Entertainment. iPods, iPads, iPhones, mini DVD players. Anything that will entertain them and keep them in their seat. We always bring iPads and will load new games or movies.  I give it to them when were ON the plane. Then they are so excited to play the new stuff they sit still! Yay!

7. Bring a stroller. If you have a kid under the age of three I would definitely recommend a stroller. Just bring a small umbrella stroller, there’s no need to bring a big old heavy thing that is hard to fold.

8. Snacks, lots of them! Bring something thats easy to eat and not to messy. I recommend…fruit snacks, gold fish, cheerios, cereal bars, and grapes.

9. Be stern. Nothing is more annoying than a parent that lets their kid do whatever they want, because they don’t want a scene on an airplane. When I was a flight attendant it always amazed me what parents let their kids get away with. One mom let her kid ring the call button over and over until I had to ask her to stop. Or the mom that let the kid stomp all over gold fish and ground them into the carpet. If you let your kids get away with these things so they won’t throw a fit on a plane, they will NEVER learn!

10. Wear them out. Let them run up and down the airport as many times as possible. Many airports now a days have fun play areas. I know Minneapolis and Chicago have GREAT playgrounds in the terminals. There are many others with some fun ones as well!

xoxo, Katie