A first flight with little travellers can feel like proper drama before you've even left the house. There's a whole string of new things coming: queues, security, waiting, take-off and the roar of the engines. But when they know what's ahead, they cope much better. And that helps — because you've only got one set of nerves between you.
In Cestoteka's picture guides, we start with getting ready for the journey and the flight itself. That way little travellers can discover not only the place you're heading to, but also what they'll meet along the way.
At home, a few days before you fly
Talk through what will happen: you'll go to a big airport, the suitcase will disappear along a belt, their little backpack will be checked at security, then you'll wait a while at the gate, and finally the plane will race along and lift up above the clouds. You can describe a plane as a bus that can fly — and when it wobbles a bit, it's like a car driving over bumps.
Security and waiting
Security is often one of the biggest unknowns for children, because they have to put their backpack down, walk through a frame and maybe even let go of a soft toy for a moment. Explain beforehand that the people at the airport are checking bags so everyone can fly safely, and that their backpack and soft toy will come straight back to them.
Leave water pistols, lightsabers and toy weapons at home. They can cause a fuss at security and create drama before you've even boarded. The lightsaber can manage this holiday from the sofa.
Give yourselves plenty of time getting to the airport. With little travellers everything stretches a bit — parking, finding the gate, and the loo, which you'll visit about three times before you even board. At least once, almost certainly, right after you've just asked if anyone needed to go.
A backpack they pack themselves
Let little travellers pack their own backpack and just check it afterwards. It's a small thing, but it gives them a sense of adventure and responsibility straight away — because looking after their soft toy monkey on the journey is their job, not yours.
A favourite toy, a book, an empty water bottle and a light sweatshirt work well, because planes are often cooler than you expect. Keep wet wipes and a spare set of clothes with you, so the little backpack doesn't end up heavier than its owner.
And above all: lots of small snacks. Really lots. Familiar favourites you can bring out gradually, without half the supplies tumbling into the aisle every time you open the bag. Save one new little treat for a long wait or for when they start to get restless. It doesn't need to be expensive — stickers or a small book will do.
At the airport
Let them look. Conveyor belts, planes behind the glass and people with suitcases are all part of a big adventure for them. Show them where you'll board and which plane is yours, so they know their turn is coming soon too.
If the airport offers a priority lane for families with children, don't hesitate to use it. With little travellers you'll stand in plenty more queues, so you might as well shorten this one thanks to them.
Buggies are often handed over at the gate, but check the process with your airline in advance. While you're waiting to board, don't unpack every bit of entertainment at once — save something for the plane as well.
On the plane
Once you're on board, give little travellers a moment to settle in. Show them the seatbelt, the window and the fold-down tray table. That tray is an attraction in its own right — it just has to stay stowed for take-off and landing.
The safety card in the seat pocket often grabs their attention too. It's full of pictures and exclamation marks, so it may win out over the carefully chosen book.
Before take-off, explain that everyone needs to sit with their seatbelt on, the engines will get louder and the plane will speed up quickly. When they know that noise belongs to take-off, it doesn't have to catch them by surprise.
If you can choose seats, a window works well when your little companion really wants to look outside. An aisle seat among your group will earn its keep on the repeated trips to the loo. Because we wouldn't bet on just the one visit.
Ears at take-off and landing
Swallowing often helps when the pressure changes, so keep a drink or a fruit pouch handy. For children who can already manage a lolly safely, that can be a good option too. Descent starts earlier than you'd think, so don't save the drink until you're almost on the ground.
What else helps during the flight
A book, colouring, stickers or a short story through headphones can be rotated as you go. You don't need a tablet packed with games — a few favourites and something new for later usually do the job.
When the seatbelt sign is off and the aisle is clear, you can set off on a little expedition around the plane. There will probably be plenty of chances to stretch your legs on the other trips to the loo as well. And if sleep arrives, let them sleep. Dozing off on a plane is a win — they can look at the clouds another time.
After landing, expect everything to take a little longer still: getting off, finding the suitcase, maybe the buggy, and making your way out of the airport. Keep a snack and some water to hand. The first hour in a new country doesn't have to be perfect — getting through it is enough, and the rest will come.
A little adventure starts at home
A first flight isn't a test of whether you're perfect parents. It's a shared journey on which little travellers see the world from above for the first time. When they know what's coming, there's more room to look forward to the new things — and to take home the feeling of a great adventure.
If you'd like to introduce them to the place you're heading to before you take off, we've prepared picture guides for them at cestoteka.com. You can read them aloud together, look at the pictures and discover what the holiday has in store.