Travelling with a toddler can be daunting, especially during long-haul flights.

But with creativity and proper planning, we were able to transform a potentially stressful experience into a fun adventure for the whole family by keeping our two-year-old son entertained.

In this blog, we’re going to share some strategies we found useful during our eight-hour flight from London to Barbados, with our two-year-old son, Jere, and newborn son, Kay.

Get on the Flight Last

Airlines give priority boarding to families travelling with kids.

Boarding early means we have to put out entertainment items early. Then, we’ll have to interrupt the kids to prepare for takeoff. We need to keep everything, stow tray tables, and switch off or set our electronic devices to flight mode.

This interruption can cause frustration and potentially a meltdown. By boarding last, we can reduce the wait time and avoid having to interrupt our kids’ activities quickly right after they’ve begun.

When we have plenty of hand-carry items and are worried about not having enough cabin space by boarding last, Gabes would get on the flight first to secure cabin space for everyone’s hand-carry bags. Anna would stay back with Jere and Kay.

Provide a Fun Learning Experience

Long-haul flights can be an excellent opportunity for children to engage in educational activities while having fun.

By incorporating learning into the travel experience, we can help our kids develop new skills and knowledge without the pressure of a traditional classroom setting.

Here are some of the best toddler toys we bought to ensure our young one’s flight time can both be fun and productive:

Kids’ Travel Tray

To keep Jere comfortable during the activities we planned, we purchased the COOLJOY Travel Tray.

This tray provides a stable, elevated surface on Jere's lap, making it easier for him to enjoy different activities.

The portable tray table features a transparent erasable surface and an educational drawing set, encouraging children to draw and practice writing during flights.

With 15 mesh pockets and a zipper pocket, it provides ample storage for other travel toys, books, and snacks, keeping everything organised and accessible.

The tray table also includes a removable compartment for propping up an iPad, making it perfect for in-flight entertainment like movies and games.

It can double as a handy table for toddlers like Jere to eat from, ensuring mess-free mealtimes during flights.

The travel tray is lightweight and foldable, so it can easily be packed in a carry-on bag. The adjustable straps allow for easy setup. The taller side walls prevent spills during turbulence.

Educational Activity Books

We got workbooks like the Collins Easy Learning Preschool Pen Control Age 3-5 Wipe Clean Activity Book, Numbers Workbook, and ABC Workbook.

Further, these activity books have wipe-clean pages, so kids can repeat activities multiple times, providing extended entertainment and facilitating creative play.

Toddlers like Jere can enjoy hands-on learning and work on their fine motor skills away from the screen. They can also work on the activities independently, so parents like us can have a breather during the flight.

The variety of number- and letter-related activities can keep kids interested, which is helpful for those with short attention spans.

Reusable Sticker Books

Stickers are always a favourite among toddlers, so we brought the Dear Zoo Sticker Activity Book and the First Sticker Book Farm to keep Jere entertained during the flight.

Sticker books are fun, and require fine motor skills and concentration— children have to carefully peel each sticker without ripping it and place it in the correct spot.

This activity engages kids’ problem-solving abilities and spatial awareness while giving them a sense of achievement.

Jere loved it, and it kept him entertained for over three hours as we worked together to find the right places for each sticker. It was the highlight of his flight!

Busy Board

Jere loved his busy board, which kept him occupied during the flight.

The board, inspired by Montessori principles, is designed to develop focus and fine motor skills.

The busy board’s engaging activities, such as zippers and buttons, challenge toddlers in a fun way, fostering concentration and problem-solving.

This item also helps build coordination and communication skills as children explore different elements.

The board’s portable design makes it an ideal travel toy, perfect for keeping little ones entertained during long journeys while enhancing their cognitive and sensory development.

Let Them Sleep

Sleep is crucial for children’s mood and behaviour, so even when flying, we try to stick to their nap routines as much as possible.

Whenever we can, we book flights around our kids’ usual nap times.

Ensuring Jere and Kay get some rest helps us manage their temperament and avoid potential meltdowns. We're always mindful of this, looking out for cues and doing what we can to create a comfortable environment for them to sleep.

Kay, being younger, is easier to settle, so we didn’t need to overthink it.

But with Jere, as an active toddler who gets excited about flights, napping can be more of a challenge. Knowing he enjoys a bottle of milk before sleeping, we gave him that along with plenty of cuddles. To our relief, he slept for over two and a half hours.

Once our sons were both asleep, we were finally able to relax, enjoy the in-flight experience, and catch up on some movies ourselves. Keeping their nap routine intact really made a difference in keeping the whole flight smooth and stress-free.

Engage With the Environment

We take advantage of the opportunity to encourage our two-year-old son to observe the surroundings.

Another way to keep kids entertained during a flight is taking them on short walks up and down the aisle during appropriate times. This will not only change their scenery but also stretch their legs.

Feed Toddlers With Healthy Snacks

Snacks on a plane aren’t just for nourishment— they’re also a great way to keep toddlers entertained.

However, it’s wise to avoid sugary treats, as they can lead to energy crashes and irritability, making the flight more challenging.

Instead, pack healthier options like whole grain crackers or veggie sticks.

Simple snacks like fruit slices or rice cakes can also capture a toddler's attention and help pass the time.

These healthy snacks provide better nutrition and help maintain a more balanced, enjoyable travel experience for everyone.

Utilise Technology Wisely

Screen time can be a concern for parents like us, but supervised screen time becomes our lifesaver during extended flights or long car rides. We generally reserve it as a last resort.

In-Flight Entertainment

For the last hour of our flight to Barbados, we decided to introduce screen time.

We browsed the in-flight movies and were pleasantly surprised to find two of Jere’s favourites, “Kung Fu Panda” and “Neomo”, in the kids' section.

We thought we were in for a smooth finish, but to our surprise, Jere only watched about 15 minutes of each.

iPad

Younger children like Jere love watching videos on their iPads, so to keep him entertained during our flight to Barbados, we downloaded several of his favourite shows, movies, and games prior to the trip. This kept him engaged and helped us get through the flight seamlessly.

Headphones

Jere dislikes traditional headphones and earphones, so to ensure we don’t disturb other passengers while he enjoys in-flight entertainment on his iPad, we opted for the Bandou headphones.

Wrapping Up

As parents, it's important for us to remember that our attitude sets the tone for the flight.

We do our best to stay relaxed and embrace the adventure of flying together as a family.

We can’t just expect our kids to comply; we have to be proactive and creative in grabbing their attention.

Relying solely on the iPad can backfire, as children may easily get bored and irritated, making the experience challenging.

We laugh off small mishaps and focus on creating positive memories instead of stressing over potential challenges like turbulence.

By staying engaged and introducing various activities, we aim to make the journey enjoyable for everyone.

Do you have other strategies to keep toddlers entertained and well-behaved during a long journey? What do you think is the perfect plane toy for kids? Don't hesitate to leave a comment below and help other travellers have fun and hassle-free trips!

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