How to Travel with Kids on Bumpy Flights

Traveling with your family can be equally as fun as it is frustrating. It’s always great to get out of town and make new memories with your kids, especially as they’re growing up and seeing different parts of the world for the first time.

In order to travel, many parents take their kids on flights. While flying with kids is safe and parents do it all the time, kids are often scared when planes deal with mild to moderate turbulence. 

If you’re worried about how to travel with kids on bumpy flights, read on to learn some techniques that can keep everyone calm during turbulence. With the right trip prep, your family will land at your vacation destination before you know it.

Pack All Their Favorites

One of the reasons that kids of all ages get scared on planes is because it’s a new experience. They aren’t sure why they’re so high up and how the plane works. That makes turbulence even more terrifying, resulting in screaming and crying that leads to unhappy passengers around you.

You can normalize any plane trip by packing your child’s favorite toys and belongings in their carry-on. The blanket they sleep with every night or their favorite stuffed animal will help relax them as the plane takes off.

Then you can use other favorite toys to distract them mid-flight. A coloring book, an iPad or even a handheld gaming console will draw their attention from the flight and onto whatever they’re doing.

Explain the Situation

Older kids who are in the elementary school years may still be scared during a flight, but they present a new option to parents. They’re upset about turbulence because all they know is that they’re in the air. Shaking is scary, but it’ll seem more normal if they understand what’s happening.

That’s why parents can try to explain the situation by teaching their child about turbulence if it occurs. There are many reasons why turbulence happens, depending on where your flight is. Talk with your kid about how the turbulence may be due to flying over irregular terrain, like mountains.

Older kids may also be glad to know that turbulence happens to 80 percent of aircraft, but kids can get through it by focusing on their book or TV show.

Prepare for a Meltdown

Even after your child’s been given their favorite toys or even taught about turbulence, they may still get afraid and launch into a meltdown. Sometimes it can’t be helped, but there are still options for parents to use to calm any child down.

You can establish a rewards system with treats or a visit to the toy store after you land. Ask the flight attendant for an extra bag of pretzels or peanuts. Some parents even hand out gift bags to the passengers around them with candies and ear plugs in case their child cries. 

Reassure Yourself That It’s Okay

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if your child cries or people get upset. Life happens and you’ll always do your best to make sure your kid feels happy and safe. Preparing with things like toys and reassuring conversations is a good way to avoid a turbulence related meltdown, so everyone can have an enjoyable flight.