Essentials to Keep the Kids Entertained While Away

If you’re planning a family holiday in Australia, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to keep the kids entertained on the long flight. Even a direct flight from Heathrow to Perth can last over 17 hours, and even longer to Sydney and Melbourne. In most cases, you’ll also have to deal with a layover, which makes for a very long trip. Long trips can try the patience of even the most stoic adults, but imagine how difficult they can be for the little ones.

world map child pointing

To help you get through the long flight to the holiday on the other side, here are some tips to help keep your kids entertained.

Plan plenty of activities

Because you’ll have a lot of time on the plane, it’s important to keep your kids entertained so they don’t irritate other passengers. Generally, young children can focus on an activity for about thirty minutes before getting bored. With that in mind, break the trip up into thirty-minute segments and plan a different activity for each segment. These can include games, toys, snacks or the use of certain electronics. Make sure you keep each activity within reach in your carry-on, and be ready to head off any meltdowns with a fun distraction.

Invest in a DVD player or iPad

One great way to keep kids occupied on a long flight is to use an iPad or portable DVD player for films and short videos. You can also let them use a laptop or your phone to play games and have some extra screen time. Even if you don’t like the idea of kids being plugged in, spending a long flight comfortably watching Spongebob is better than the alternative.

 

Dress the part

To prevent discomfort, dress in comfortable clothes. Encourage your kids to dress in comfortable sweats or leggings, shirts that can be layered according to the temperature, and kid’s Ugg boots to help cradle and comfort tired little feet. You should also choose clothes that look decent for the daytime but are comfortable enough to sleep in.

Bring some presents

Since this flight will be a challenge even for the best-behaved kids, you’ll want to make an effort to reward their hard work. You can wrap up a few small surprises – toys, new books, and even special snacks – and give them to your kids at certain intervals during the trip. Just don’t give them too many sweets, since sugar will not be conducive to sitting still and behaving.

While you may be dreading the flight, a few small tricks to make the trip a little easier will do wonders for your children’s (and everyone else’s) comfort. Once you arrive, think of all the incredible adventures you will have as a family, and all of the memories you will create.