Travelling with kids in the summer holidays
Long trips can be a challenge, so pre-plan activities to keep the kids entertained.
Bring your own in-flight entertainment and fill up a backpack with some essentials to keep them entertained throughout the flight.
This could include:
- Colouring books - with plenty of pencils or crayons
- Sticker books
- Tablets - fully charged and lots downloaded!
- Healthy snacks
- Mini games - magnetic noughts & crosses
- Card games - snap & pairs or Dobble!
- Small easy compact toys
- Headphones
Ask them to help you choose and carry their own backpack to get them involved. Take music your child enjoys or even have them make a playlist with you. Play games like '‘'I Spy' and other guessing games if you're out of other ideas.
Plan ahead by making a child-friendly itinerary and get them involved, the more planning you put in the less likely that something will go wrong. Explain where you're going, how you're travelling & how long it could take. Prepare them in advance and let them know they may need to take off their shoes and backpack when going through airport security - this can be scary for some!
If you've got a night flight and want to keep them in routine, it's a good idea to pack your hand luggage with items such as:
- Blankets
- Pyjamas
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Neck pillows
- Spare clothes
Investing in ear defenders can also help protect your child's ears from the noise on a plane and help them to get some sleep by blocking out the noises.
The change in air pressure can give children sore ears, during take-off and landing, prevent sore ears by encouraging swallowing. Get them to drink through a straw or blow bubbles through a straw. For babies and toddlers, a bottle or dummy could help.
Handy extras to consider in your hand luggage:
- Mini first aid kit
- Children's medicine - if they require it
- Lightweight travel changing mat - for babies and toddlers
- Not forgetting plenty of hand sanitiser!
When it comes to booking seats, an aisle seat is a good idea to make it easier to access the toilet. Check if you can book seats with more room for babies and children and some airlines allow you to pre-order kids meals.
If you've got family travel plans this summer, make sure what matters most is covered:
- Family and Group policies
- 24/7 UK emergency helpline
- Up to £10 million in medical expenses cover with our Gold cover level
- Covid-19 cover as standard
- Manage your policy online 24/7 via our online portal
If you have any questions about what other cover is offered by Select & Protect Travel insurance use our FAQs or contact an agent using our online chat!