Tips/Tricks when navigating airports or keeping them entertained and still on flights (Appox 4 hrs). Will have ipads/games etc.

Should we have pack them a little carry-on of sorts? Figure we'd just thrown their clothes in with ours in checked bags but no opposed to buying them any luggage. What have you tried that works best here?

Any/All advice welcome!

Where are you going? Connections?

Ages? Where are you going?

For my daughters first flight (IAH to Nashville) we went to the dollar type store and bought some new stuff she didn't have before, she had her American Girl doll with her, and then I am guessing an iPad. She did pretty good. But the "new" items, even if cheap, always seem to be a hit.

Not international, but we've done a few decent (>3hr) flights with our kid starting when she was 3.

We just pack a backpack with snacks and a few coloring books. She picks out a stuffed animal to take along and we charge up the iPad and headphones. The iPad is enough to get her through the trip.

As for luggage, she's got her own carryon sized bag that fits everything just fine. I can usually sneak some stuff in there as well.

Ages and Genders would be helpful to answer your question.

First time International for my kids was 14 hours nonstop LAX - SYD on Qantas.
I told them both (especially the 9 y/o) to NOT watch The Simpsons movie.

At some point, you're going to fall asleep.
I woke up mid-flight and the 9 y/o was watching The Simpsons movie. I said screw it and went back to sleep.

Same daughter, was 8 y/o the first time I took them to Puerto Rico. 8 hours nonstop from LA. She winds up watching the Ewan McGregor Scarlett Johansson movie "The Island".

We get back home and she writes a school report describing what she did on Spring Break and describes the problems facing "Lincoln Six Echo" in great detail. Kids aren't dumb and if they're paying attention, catch everything.

Last weekend, running around with my 3 y/o grandson, I can say for certain, carry changes of clothes and wipes. Little boys are a mess. And also challenging to get down for a nap where there are more interesting things involved.

SNACKS! Lollipops or something they can chew on for their ears for landing depending on child's age. iPad should be enough as my youngest is 3 and can rock a 34-hour flight just with that.

34 hour flight? Where y'all taking him - the moon??

JMac03 said:

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Ages? Where are you going?

For my daughters first flight (IAH to Nashville) we went to the dollar type store and bought some new stuff she didn't have before, she had her American Girl doll with her, and then I am guessing an iPad. She did pretty good. But the "new" items, even if cheap, always seem to be a hit.

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Ages are important here.

My kids (now 7) have been to England 5 or 6 times starting when they were 6 months. Now they carry their backpacks with activities and a change of clothes, just like I do in my briefcase. Snacks. Not really any different than an adult.

Appreciate the insight,

2 boys ages 6 and 3

Headed up Punta Cana for a week

Use your wallet when you can. By that, I mean rent the luggage cart, pay a porter, or whatever you can to lessen your work. Lots of walking in an airport and little legs get tired. Let them ride on the cart or something. Also, be mindful of potty breaks before getting into immigration lines, airplane landing approaches and boarding.

We sit kid, parent, kid, aisle, parent. Seems to work for us. Family boarding on SWA helps a lot. Start queing up for it when they let A1-30 start boarding. Many families (cough cough Asians) will que up with the whole damn extended family in tow trying to get on early. You want to be ahead of them. And the employees don't usually care to say anything. Strange what they enforce like nazis and what they let slide.

Haha! Definitely typo there!

Snacks!
I pack snacks for myself and my wife when we fly.
Pack some sandwiches too. May only be a 3hr flight, but the time before the flight at the airport, the time waiting on bags, etc add up and you're looking at 6+hrs.