8 Ways to Keep Your Kids Happy on a Flight — Without Screen Time Dhinesh Manuel April 11, 2019 Family Travel, Family Travel, Travel Tips 1 Comment This post was last updated on September 18, 2023. Parents flying with kids don’t always feel welcome on a long flight. The unavoidable mid-air tantrums, the seat kicking, and the occasional diaper mishap usually mean other passengers try and distance themselves from young families on flights. So, parents resort to the most convenient way of keeping their kids calm when flying: screen time, either on their phones and tablets or through in-flight entertainment. But what’s all this screen-viewing actually doing to the minds of young children? The American Academy of Pediatrics currently recommends that children aged 2 to 5 years old should be limited to one hour per day of high-quality educational programs. And parents should watch with them to help their kids understand what they’re seeing and apply it to the world around them. However, if you’re stuck on long round trip flights to and from your family vacation, then what do you do? Well, this is where we can help. If you want to keep your kids occupied while flying, it doesn’t have to involve electronic devices. Follow these simple tips for your kids to be happy and occupied during your flight. That way, Mom and Dad can have a little time to relax and enjoy the journey too! Play a Card Game Whether it’s fam-favorite Uno, a simple old-school 52-card deck, or any of the new generation of brain-power-boosting games (Set is one of our favorites), there’s a myriad of benefits your kids will get by engaging in a game of cards. Instead of just blankly staring at a screen, kids will be able to use their minds for math, problem-solving, and deduction as they work to win against their siblings or parents. And, yes — they can be lightheartedly competitive. You can encourage your kids to engage in more and more games. Also, you can even try and keep score so that epic comebacks over a dozen round or so are encouraged. That way, their hyperactive minds are kept busy for longer — wink, wink. As a bonus, your flight may go a lot smoother than you initially thought. What else could you wish for? Surprise Them with a New Toy What kid doesn’t get that look of amazement on their face when they receive a new toy? Well, if you can store that surprise for when you’re in the air, it will be a double win for mom and dad! Want to up the ante? Why not pack up more than one toy and present them to your kid/kids over the period of your flight? It could be something as simple as Play-Doh or a new set of extra special markers. (Avoid things with lots smart parts, like a model they have to assemble. That way madness lies…) Whatever it may be, make sure to build up to the moment you unveil their new toys by dropping hints before your departure. Maybe you can even hide the toy in their backpacks. Your kids will enjoy hours of non-digital entertainment. That will leave you with some quiet time to finally finish that book you started last year! Bring Along Some Healthy Food and Snacks We’re definitely not telling you to stuff your kids’ faces full of food just to give them something to do. But, the truth is that growing children will have an almost bottomless appetite. Having a snack can definitely help keep them from being too restless. Some healthy options for kids are yogurt, fruit (which you can keep fresh with a small ice pack), cheese, and multi-grain crackers. If you’re worried that this may not be enough, you can always pack that one “cheat” item. You know, the snack that’s not necessarily healthy but will come to your aid in a last-ditch effort to calm a tantrum. Introduce Your Kids to the Cabin Crew Most cabin crews are kind and courteous to families who booked flights with kids. By introducing your kids to the crew, it immediately puts your child/children on their radar. They may even make a mental note to treat them to the occasional airline trinket or keepsake that will make them feel important. Maybe you can take the opportunity to visit the service area in the back of the aircraft when the crew is having some downtime. There, you can engage in some conversations with them along with your kids. Your children will love to learn more about what they do, their colorful uniforms, and how they could grow up to be a pilot or flight attendant one day. They’ll cherish these memories for years to come. And, who know, maybe you’ll have a future pilot in the family! Read Them a Book Ah, the classic parent-child activity! Pack some of your kids’ favorites so that they can beat the boredom on a long flight. Whether they’re still reading picture books are have moved on to chapter books, reading time will help them keep busy. If your children are old enough, have them take part in the reading, too. Not only will they improve their reading skills, but maybe they’ll even help teach your younger ones how to read. If they’re in the pre-reading toddler age, you can find books that are more interactive in nature and engage them with what they see on each page. Remember not to pull out too many books all at once, as kids may not be able to focus on one at a time. Talk to Your Kids It’s no secret that kids love to chatter and ask their parents tons of questions. Take advantage of this and use your time in the sky to entertain your kids — and yourself. Talk to them all about what they’re going to see and do on their trip. Not only will you probably get some adorable answers, but you’ll also get to spending time bonding with your children without being distracted by a screen. On the way back, ask them questions about what they liked most from the trip or what they remember learning about. This can help distract them and take their mind off of things they may have started to whine about. And, asking them questions can especially help to distract nervous flyers. If you don’t know where to begin, bring a foldable map — no screen time necessary — and get your kids excited about your upcoming trip. Download Music or Audiobooks If you have to go digital, then music is a safe choice. Many kids would love to listen to their favorite nursery rhymes selection or even a story being read to them via audiobook. Thanks to headphones, they’re also likely to get lost in their own little world for hours on end. If you select the right mix of songs and stories, your kid might even doze off for a few hours during the flight and not notice the time passing. Just make sure to select the right kind of age-appropriate headphones. And make sure your kids do occasionally unplug so you can have a conversation with them and ask them how they’re enjoying their trip. RELATED: Flying with Kids? Here’s Your Ultimate Guide For Purchasing a Travel Stroller Bring Along Some Art Supplies You’d be surprised at how kids can keep themselves occupied with some paper, crayons, and markers. Pack a bunch of notepads and let their creativity go wild. You can even pack up some stickers with their favorite branded cartoon characters. And, there’s so many coloring book options out there that your kids will love. If you’re traveling with toddlers, invest in a water reveal pad. They’ll use a water-filled pen to reveal colors on a pad — totally safe, clean, and fun. While this craftwork could keep them busy for hours, just make sure you supervise them closely. You don’t want their handiwork to end up stuck to the back of a seat. Or worse, on the back of another passenger’s head! As a parent, you obviously want what’s best for your child’s development. By following these simple suggestions, you can sit on those long round trip flights with confidence knowing that your kids are going to be busy, happy, and learning something new as well. Do you have any other tips for traveling screen-free with kids? Please share them with us in the comments.
