Before You Fly: Keeping Kids Happy at the Airport

Keeping the kids happy is one of the most important factors involved in enjoying a happy and relaxing vacation. But trips can often get off to a bad start when the kids start acting up at the airport.

So how should you go about keeping them happy when there is so much waiting around and walking to do? Here are a few tips to help keep the kids happy—and the parents sane.

One Word: Tablet

No parent of a child older than three years old would ever dream of traveling without a tablet in hand. Even if you don’t let your child watch a tablet at home, you might want to make an exception when you go traveling.

Find a decent tablet for your child—preferably one that is robust enough to put up with a few knocks—charge it up, download some games and movies, and you will have an easy way to keep them occupied even at the airport where they are most likely to get bored and restless.

Also, remember to pack a couple of chargers should the tablets run out of juice!

Seek Out the Play Area

For kids who are young enough, a play area can be the perfect opportunity to get them to use up all that energy. Of course, not every airport has a play area, but if your’s does, you’ll want to find it.

For example, if you’ve just finished a stay in the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles and you’re traveling from Washington Dulles International Airport, you’ll find a fantastic play area here.

Go to the airport’s website the day before you travel and find out what facilities it has for kids. If there is a play area, make a note of where it is, then head straight over to it once you’ve checked-in and passed through security.

Stock Up on Snacks and Drinks

Make sure you stock up on snacks and drinks to keep your kids happy. Try to pack a few of their favorite things to bring out when you need them. However, seeing as there are restrictions on taking food and drink through security, you might need to seek these out once you arrive at the airport.

Invest In Kid-Friendly Travel Gear

As well as a tablet, there are other cool things that you can get for your kids. For example, you might want to buy a Trunki, which is a small suitcase on wheels that they can roll along and sit on, and this can help to make travelling more fun.

Also don’t forget to take along a selection of toys and games like magazines, pens, pencils, and stickers so they always have something to do.

Be Patient—It Will Be Over Soon

Finally, make a special effort to be patient with your kids. They will be tired, over-excited, and bored all at the same time, and that’s a bad combination.

Sympathise with them and make an extra special effort to remain calm. Travelling can be stressful enough as it is, so you don’t need to make it worse. And remember, it will all be over soon.