Why you should never let your kids take a bag on the plane – even if it’s free
A TRAVEL expert has revealed you should never let your kids bring a bag on the plane if you want a stress-free journey.
Experienced flyer, Vanessa Grant recommends parents don’t let their kids take a bag with them after sharing her recent experience of travelling with her kids – aged 8 and 11.
“Smart packing is what really saved us,” she said.
Vanessa did two long-haul flights with her family from Canada to Indonesia which went smoothly because the kids didn’t have bags, she claims.
It is important to “instil a sense of responsibility” in kids however, it is not worth the stress of tracking down a lost backpack in a busy international airport, according to the travel expert.
Vanessa explained: “The stakes are just too high and even replacing a charging cord can be pricey at a duty-free shop, let alone a whole backpack’s worth of stuff.”
It is also important to bring the right type of carry-on when travelling with your family, to make your life a lot easier.
A small rolling suitcase is perfect for long-haul flights and “is like the clown car of carry-ons”.
Vanessa added: “It fits a change of clothes for three of us, plus toiletries and some snacks.”
CARRY-ONS
Instead of storing your carry-on in the overhead bins you should put it under the seat of your shortest child so they’ll be able to rest their feet on it, Vanessa recommends.
This clever hack will stop your child from complaining as it is “uncomfortable to have your legs hanging for hours”.
Packing a change of clothes for everyone will ensure you have a smoother journey, according to the experienced flyer.
“Spills and vomiting can happen to anyone,” she said.
Vanessa added: “One of my kids lost multiple socks on the plane and in the hotel.
“Luckily most airlines give passengers a little package including a toothbrush and toothpaste, ear plugs, an eye mask and socks so we had a few extra pairs.”
To help their child sleep on the plane, parents might want to bring medication with them.
Gravol and Melatonin are “safe for kids five and up” and are known to make them feel sleepy.
One of my kids lost multiple socks on the plane and in the hotel
Vanessa Grant
Bringing snacks for your kids can end up saving a lot of money as they likely won’t eat all the food offered by airlines, “unless your child is a unicorn”.
Vanessa also recommends bringing an empty water bottle you can fill up before getting on the plane.
Most kids on flights are thrilled to get “hours of uninterrupted screen time, both on their tablets and the screens on the back of seats in front of them”.
However, screens even for kids can get old quickly.
Parents should bring alternative activities for their children.
Vanessa brought a book, notepad and pens which kept them entertained throughout the flight.
Forgetting either your charger or headphones can spoil the whole journey, the travel expert claims.
Parents will need the chargers to make sure their children can stay entertained on the screens.
“We brought headphones for everyone,” Venessa said.
She added: “No one—including you—wants to hear the sound effects from your kid’s favourite video game for hours on end.”
It comes after a travel expert revealed his top tips to beat jet lag.
And this travel expert knows the exact 24-hour window to travel to save the most money.
Tips for long-haul flights
- Dress for sleep success
- Buckle your seatbelt over your blanket
- Bring snacks
- Book your best-located seat
- Preempt jet lag
- Bring a key accessory
- Stick to your beauty sleep
- Exercise
- Bring a portable charger