Welcome back to the ParkDIA blog! In our last blog post, we touched on a few of the ways that you can make traveling with young children, or children in general, just a little bit easier. We were able to cover a couple of ways that you can prepare yourself for a flight and make the process of getting on the plane a little bit easier, but we certainly have not covered all of the ways that you can ensure you’re ready for a travel day with children.
In today’s blog, we’ll continue to touch on some of the ways that you can start to prepare for your next family vacation. Let’s get started.
Eat Beforehand
Depending on how long your flight is, eating is one of the factors that you need to take into consideration. Whether it’s during a meal time or the flight is long enough that you have to factor in the chance that your children will get hungry, eating beforehand is a great way to avoid any temper tantrums that arise from them being hungry.
If you have a large family, don’t stress yourself out by choosing to eat at the airport before heading over to your gate. Rather, save yourself some money and some time by enjoying a meal at home. This will make it so that the only thing you have to worry about once you’ve arrived at the airport are bathroom breaks and your little ones shouldn’t get hungry during the flight.
Bring Snacks
We’ve just talked a little bit about eating beforehand and how to minimize the chances of your kids getting hungry on the flight. Even when you’ve made all efforts to feed them in advance and avoid hunger on the flight, there’s a pretty good chance that at least one of them is going to ask for a snack.
Again, if you’re a big family, the last thing that you want to do is pay for any of the snacks that your airline is providing. That’s why you should always make sure that you have some snacks packed in your carry on bag. If you have young children, having formula ready to heat up on the flight is a must. Otherwise, get a few soft options for your little ones that can also pass through security.
At times this can be a challenge, but figuring out what your little ones are going to eat and what you’re able to get through security is worth it when you don’t have to worry about what you’re going to do when your children do get a little hungry on the flight.
Prioritize Bathroom Stops
Another essential thing to take into consideration when traveling with kids is going to be bathroom breaks. They are crucial to making sure that your flight goes smoothly and that your little ones are happy. When you factor in the food and beverages that your kids are consuming, it’s to be expected that they’re going to have to go to the bathroom. For that reason, we always suggest that you prioritize bathroom stops.
If you’re keeping track of your flight and when your flight is arriving and taking off, then you can adequately plan bathroom trips before the flight. Aside from that, you want to make sure that you continue to ask them if they need to use the restroom while they are on the flight so that you avoid any chances of an accident. If you have children that are potty training, then you know how crucial this is.
Bring an iPad
Technology has advanced quite a bit, and one of the ways that we can take advantage of that is by bringing it on the flight. iPads are a great way to keep your child entertained while on the flight. One of the best things about iPads is the fact that you can download both games and movies to keep your child busy. Plug in some headphones and your child is going to be entertained for the duration of the flight.
If you have more than one child, you will want to either bring multiple iPads or a jack where you can plug in multiple headphones. While this might not be ideal for when children are playing games, it’s definitely a great way to keep them entertained with a movie that they all enjoy.
Plan for Upset Tummies
Flying isn’t always easy for children. Aside from it being tough to sit still for long periods of time, it can lead to some upset tummies. If your child is known for getting motion sickness or having a sensitive stomach, then you may want to prepare for that. There are a few different ways that you can prepare for upset stomachs, one of them being sick bags and extra clothes in the case that they wind up throwing up.
There are also plenty of medications designed for children when traveling. Dramamine, Tums, and Pepto Bismol are all options that you could have ready in the case that there are any upset stomachs. There are both pills and liquids that come in travel sizes so that you can get them past security and have them ready if you need them.
Do as Much Planning as Possible
There are so many different ways that you can provide your children with an enjoyable flight, but the reality is that you’re going to want to try and do as much planning as possible before the travel day arrives. Whether that’s making sure that you have everything properly packed, taking advantage of early check-in, or reserving your parking at ParkDIA — take care of as much as you can in advance!
ParkDIA has made it easy for you to reserve your parking spot. Whether you want covered or uncovered parking, we’ve got you covered. Simply select your parking spot option, the dates that you’ll be gone, and leave your car at our lot. We’ll make sure that it’s ready for your return. Browse our rates and airport parking services offered to the Denver area and reach out to our team if you need any additional help!
