Flying with young kids...screen free. Have you dared to attempt it?

We just recently returned from a trip, which included the first flights for our girls! While my husband and I were avid travelers pre-kids, it took a family wedding to get us back out there. 

Flying with young kids can be a unique adventure. While screens might seem like an easy solution for keeping kids occupied prior to and during flights, opting for screen-free adventures can strengthen family bonds, create lasting memories, and help kids learn to be resilient and resourceful. Plus, if you're already screen free or screen limited at home, flying without screens is nothing new and scary. If you're trying to limit screens - you don't have to buy into the idea that you can only travel if kids have screens to entertain them, or that kids MUST be seen and not heard on flights. I think we forget sometimes that prior to a couple decades ago, no one, I repeat no one, flew with personal entertainment devices (tablets, smart phones, downloaded media, chair back screens, etc.)

I challenge you to embracing flying without screens. Let your kids enjoy the experience, look at the clouds from high up and daydream. Let them be bored and work through it. 

With that said, today I want to share some things that worked wonderfully for us when flying with young kids.

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Early Preparation:

Start your travel day with plenty of time to spare. Young kids thrive on routine, so try to maintain their regular schedule as much as possible, including meals and naps. Ensure they are well-rested before the flight, and if possible, try to book flights that will allow for as little disruption to your child's sleep routines as possible, including naps!

Prep your children for what the upcoming day will look like - especially if they're young and/or newer to flying. Let them know if their nap might be late, and especially let them know they will be napping in a new environment (if you still have nappers!). Get them involved with packing and getting excited for the trip ahead. 

If you're weaning off screens and you feel like your kids might throw a fit if you don't let them have their tablet, etc. while traveling, let them know yes, they may see other children playing on their screens, however, as a family, you guys do things a little differently now. Emphasize you're excited for them to experience flying (even if it's their 100th flight), and it is an opportunity to play quite things, read and spend time on activities that might get the backseat at home.

Screen-free Inflight Entertainment

If your flight is short and you like to pack light, don't overdue it on the "entertainment". You'd be surprised how far a window seat, snacks and painters tape get you. 

1. If possible, choose a window seat. Young kids are often fascinated by the view from the airplane window. Point out clouds, landscapes, and other airplanes to spark their curiosity. It also keeps your child blocked in and less of a 'flight risk' for running up and down the aisle if they get antsy. 

2. Snacks, snacks, snacks

• Use stashers to pack healthy snacks ahead of time, especially if your child likes to ask for multiple snacks at once, or likes the option of variety. It makes it easy to grab a stasher out of your bag that contains 1-2 small bite sized snacks. 

• You can get stashers here

• Healthier snacks we like to pack:

  • Golden berries

  • Cerebelly bars

  • Fruits

  • Raw nuts

  • Granola

3. Painter's tape

• give your young child a few pieces of painter tape and let them have fun doing whatever their creativity draws them to. Painter's tape comes off easily and won't do harm to the plane and is a quiet plaything for 1-30 mins. Will it work to entertain your child? Won't know unless you try - but it is small enough to not take up much valuable real estate in your carry on. Pro tip: Make sure to remember how many pieces you gave them so you can find and throw away for the flight attendent later.

4. Story time. 

• We love story books with multiple stories. Pack one book and tell many stories. This way you also have stories to read at bedtime on your trip too. Reading to your toddlers during the flight not only entertains them but also nurtures their language development.

• Some of our favorite story books for young kids:

• Tell Me A Story (best for ages 3-7)

• Aesop’s Fables (best for ages 2-8)

• Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales (Little Mermaid, The Princess and the Pea, Thumbelina, and more) (best for ages 3-8)

• Grimm’s Fairy Tales (Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, and more) (best for ages 3-8)

• A World Full of Nature Stories, 50 Folk Tales and Legends (best for ages 5-8)

• Read to Your Toddler Everyday, 20 Folktales (best for ages 1 +)

• For older kids, check out the yoto player too for audio stories and songs, without digital media/screens: 

5. Imaginative play

• If your child has a favorite doll or stuffy, bring them with you - especially if you can toss them in the washer or give them a "bath" later. 

• Allowing your child to share their travels with their beloved friend will bring them comfort. Encourage them to show their stuffy the view, read to them, put them down for a nap in the sky, the stuffy probably will get hungry during the flight and need a snack too. See where your child's imagination takes them. 

6. Engage with flight attendants and explore

• Interactions with flight attendants can be exciting for toddlers. Encourage them to greet and chat with the cabin crew, who often have small gifts or wings for young travelers.

• Let your toddlers explore their surroundings within the limits of safety. Walk them up and down the aisle when the seatbelt sign is off, allowing them to burn off some energy.

7. Paint and Color

• If your child done water painting before - let them try for the first time during the flight - the novelty will increase their engagement to pass the time  

Finally, set your own realistic expectations. Make sure to have low expectations and stay flexible. Parents should ensure they are getting a good night's sleep and eating balanced healthy meals too before traveling. As parents of young kids, we know that meltdowns can occur at any time, for any reason. Ensuring our kids and ourselves are rested help us to respond better in the moment to these situations. 

Flying screen-free with young kids can be an opportunity for shared exploration, bonding, and creating lasting memories. By embracing the adventure, you'll not only make the flight more enjoyable for your little ones but also treasure the journey as a family. So, savor the moments in the sky, and celebrate the joys of traveling with your young explorers.