How to entertain children on long flights

Most parents are all too aware of the potential perils of a long car journey when travelling with children, so the idea of preparing and entertaining the kids on a long-haul flight may seem like someone’s idea of a joke. But having children shouldn’t stop you from going on long-haul holidays every now and then whilst your children are still young. Once you’re over the fear of the journey, long-haul holidays can provide you with memories to last a lifetime. Plus with ever more cheap flights to long-haul destinations, that holiday of a lifetime is more accessible than ever. So read on for some of our top tips and advice on how to entertain children on long flights.

 

Preparation is the key to a successful long-haul flight with children. Make sure you have all the information you will need printed off, including flight details and departure terminal as well as any airport parking or car hire bookings you have made in advance. Then plan a generous amount of time for getting to the airport so that you can deal with any unforeseen distractions on route without the stress of missing your flight. Airport hotels are a great option for long flights with children, especially for those flying at unsociable hours, allowing you and your children to get a comfortable night’s sleep before you travel and enjoy a relaxed transfer to the airport.

 

Many long-haul flights these days will provide entertainment on individual TV screens which can keep children occupied for hours at a time with films and cartoons, but it is worth checking this with your airline as some low-cost airlines offering cheap flights may not be able to provide this. At any rate, children will often need more distractions on a long-haul flight than a few hours of television so some key items to pack in your hand luggage include a pack of cards, some magazines with puzzles and crosswords and maybe even a travel version of your favourite family game.

 

Whether you’re flying first class with a luxury airline or have managed to bag a great deal on cheap flights with a low-cost airline, getting your children to eat the food provided by the airline you are flying with can be a nightmare for some parents. This means it’s essential to bring along a good supply of healthy snacks and several bottles of water or juice to prevent hunger and dehydration setting in. And remember, any fluids you take onto your flight will have to be purchased after you’ve got through security at the airport.