10 Tips for Taking Kids on Overnight Flights

BE COMFY: Buttons can be your worst enemy on an overnight flight.  My girls love to dress in yoga pants, a cozy t-shirt, and a big sweatshirt.  They also wear fluffy socks and a pair of sneakers they can take off during the flight.  Layers are perfect when flying because the temperature of planes can be unpredictable.

SNACKS: Vacation mentality can start at the airport, and you can often become carless about what you put in your body.  You may regret this as soon as turbulence hits and your stomach is doing somersaults. Try to make healthy choices and avoid sugar or heavy carbs.  Try to veer your children towards water and away from soda or juice. 

MOVIES: If your kids can’t fall asleep, it’s good to have movies on hand for distraction.  I usually load some onto our iPad and one onto my phone, in case of emergencies.  A good tool to have is a portable charger in case your battery dies mid-movie.  iTunes movies are great to load because they are available for 24 hours after you press play.  

TIMING IS EVERYTHING:  For me, the perfect overnight flight to take is around 8:00/9:00.  This allows time to play as well as time to sleep. 

DINNER: This can get tricky.  Overnight flights can often serve food very late at night, after kids have fallen asleep.  However, if they are hungry they may not fall asleep.  I like to bring something they can eat (a sandwich) in case they get hungry, but let them have the plane meal instead if they are still awake. 

GET COZY: For overnight flights, my girls have a soft throw they call their “plane blanket.”  It can be used as a blanket or to drape over their shoulders to get comfy.  They also have neck pillows which keeps them from leaning on me for the entire flight. 

DARKNESS:  If your child needs complete darkness, eye masks can be a solution.  Most times you won’t need it because planes create an environment that is sleep inducing by turning the lights off and having the shades drawn.  However, in the morning the lights come on quickly and eye masks may let kids sleep a little longer.

ART:  If kids can’t sleep, you may want them to do a quiet activity instead of using electronics.  I like to bring coloring books, markers, and crayons.  You may want to bring a pad of blank paper so they can get creative. 

GAMES:  Another quiet activity kids can play with are simple games like activity books, sticker books, and small toys.  Make sure they bring toys they can play with on their own or they’ll be bothering you or a sibling to play with them. Also, make sure it is something they can play with quietly so they don’t disturb people trying to sleep near them.  

STICK TO ROUTINE:  Before your kids settle in for the night you may want to try to replicate their night routine. Bring them to the bathroom and have them brush their teeth and wash their face.  Bring a book (or download one) to read them a bedtime story.