“Travel with kids”, sometimes the very words can make a parent panic. It can be hard enough to fly with one or two people, but throw a kid into the mix, and things get complicated. Well… that’s my life. We travel constantly with our two kids in tow. While I feel they are well-behaved kids and I love traveling with them, they inevitably complicate some parts of travel. I am always making sure they are fed, happy, and comfortable. This isn’t always easy, and I am always on the lookout for tools that can help me do the job.
Thankfully, we are in a day in age where there are so many tools to make even the simplest of tasks easier. So, I knew there had to be tools to make travel with kids even better. One aspect of travel that can be a complete nightmare is air travel. I would love if I could fly first class with the kiddos, but with how much we travel, first class for four people is definitely not in my budget. So, you won’t see us reclining back with our feet up, getting a good night’s sleep as we fly to our next destination. Instead, we are the family that looks uncomfortable in coach, and by the time we arrive, I have little feet and legs all over me as they try to sleep using me as a bed. As a mom, all I want on a flight is my own space, to not feel like I have kids kicking me all night.
I didn’t think there was anything to do about this problem, though, and had consigned to the fact that, unless I wanted to shell out major bucks, this is how it would be on every flight. And then I saw a video for the perfect tool; I came across Fly-Tot! Here was this fantastic looking product that could be inflated at a child’s feet to act as a bed for kids while flying. I thought “what an ingenious idea!” I had to try this to see if it would be a good solution for our family.
Our next flight was on a budget airline (which is code for even more uncomfortable), so I was excited to try out the Fly-Tot and see if it would make the flight more bearable for me and the kids. The Fly-tot has two chambers to fill, but the whole thing can be pumped up in less than two minutes. It comes with a foot pump to make inflation easier. I was happy with how fast it filled, since I didn’t want to feel like I was pumping up an air mattress. As soon as it was done, my son’s face lit up. He smiled and said, “I love it; it’s so comfy.” That’s all I needed to hear, and I knew, at that point, our longer flights had just gotten easier.
Unfortunately, because we were on a budget airline, the seats didn’t lean back far, so we couldn’t test Fly-Tot as a complete bed, but even having the ability to put their feet up made that flight so much more comfortable. No more little feet kicking me and no more turning mom into a bed. They now have their inflatable pillows and their Fly-tot, and they are content and comfortable.
To be honest, I almost wanted to steal it. I mean, who doesn’t want to put their feet up during a flight?! Seeing my kiddos happy while flying, though, makes me happy while flying.
(He looks so comfy!)
Fly-Tot is now my number one top tip for surviving plane travel with our kids, but here are five more tips to make air travel with your kids a breeze:
#1 - Fly-Tot
#2 - Be prepared for upset tummies: Motion sickness can get to everyone, but the last thing you want is a sick kiddo on a plane. If you have a child with a tendency of getting motion sickness I would highly recommend taking precautions like a kid safe motion sickness pill. We never travel without them and you can find them in most airport shops if you happen to forget packing them. If there seems to be an abundance of turbulence this is a great time to quickly have the kiddos take one. If things get really ugly be sure to have a barf bag handy! My first flight with our son I wasn't prepared and as we got off the plane he unfortunately lost it. I stood in the isle in complete shock, and then rushed him off the plane to get him cleaned up. To this day I still feel bad for everyone on that plane. I vowed from that moment on I was always going to be prepared!
#3 - Prepare for air pressure: As adults we are used to what pressure can do to our ears, but for kids it can be really hard for them to deal with. Make sure to have plenty of water and chewing gum (If old enough to handle it). I've noticed that even if the gum doesn't pop their ears it will distract them from the discomfort. The last thing you want is hours of "My ears hurt" or "Mom, I can't hear!". You will want to have plenty of water for hydration too!
#4 - PJ's: for overnight flights, comfort is going to go a long way. You might get weird looks if you wear PJ's in the airport, but thankfully it's completely acceptable for kids. Changing at the airport or on the plane can be complicated so I would just recommend having them change before heading to the airport.
#5 - Sit kids away from the isle seat - I learned this one the hard way when my daughter was sitting on the isle and someone ran into her foot as they passed by, hurting her and tripping them up at the same time. With passengers and big heavy carts barreling through the isles it's just safer to keep kids away and seat them in middle and window seats.
#5 - Pack a kid baggie - Pack a small bag with some essentials for just the plane ride. Make sure this baggie is somewhere handy that you can grab quickly. Our kids each have a backpack and in the front pocket is everything they will need for the flight. Here is what should be in that bag:
Sanitizing wipes - Who wants to be sick while on vacation?! Wipe down everything! I clean seat belts, tray tables, arm rests and anything else I think my kids might touch.
Tablet or smartphone - don't try to be a hero, an airplane flight is not the place to implement "no screen time". Make you life easier and keep the kiddos entertained with movies and games.
Kid size headphones - you don't want to disturb your fellow passengers by making them listen to SpongeBob for hours (no one wants that).
Comfort Items - This could be a stuffed animal, blanket, toy or whatever comforts your child. Having a comfort item will make your kiddo more calm and that's a bonus for everyone! I highly suggest only packing one item though or it can become way too complicated (no need to pack the whole toy box).
With Fly-Tot and these top tips your whole family can enjoy plane travel again! Want to grab a Fly-Tot for your kids? Right now you can grab one off of Amazon. Head over here to grab one before your next trip! See how this fantastic travel tool can make flying even better for you and your kiddos.
