Date: 2024-07-10
Flying with kids? A little preparation can turn first-flight jitters into excitement and make your next family vacation more enjoyable for everyone.
Whether you're planning a beach getaway, visiting relatives, or introducing your children to air travel for the first time, preparing them for the experience can help build confidence and reduce travel-day stress.
At Wilmington Airport (ILG), families across Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey can enjoy the convenience of a smaller regional airport, with nearby parking, a compact terminal, and nonstop flights to popular vacation destinations aboard Avelo Airlines.
Before your next family adventure, try these 10 simple ways to prepare your kids for flying.
1. Create a Vacation Countdown Calendar
The excitement of a family vacation can begin long before departure day!
Create a colorful countdown calendar and let your children mark off each day leading up to the trip. Add fun activities along the way, such as learning about your destination, looking at photos of the beach, or choosing a favorite travel toy.
For younger children, a visual countdown helps make the upcoming trip feel more familiar. Older children might enjoy researching attractions or helping plan a family activity.
Family travel tip: Make the final countdown day a special packing celebration so everyone knows the adventure is almost here.
2. Make Flying Part of Storytime
Books and stories can help children understand what happens at an airport and aboard an airplane.
Choose age-appropriate books about flying, airports, and travel. Talk about the characters' experiences and encourage your children to ask questions.
You can also create your own story about your upcoming trip, beginning with arriving at Wilmington Airport, checking in, going through security, and boarding the plane.
For children who are nervous about flying, knowing what to expect can make unfamiliar experiences feel less intimidating.
3. Let Kids Help Pack Their Carry-On Bags
Give children an opportunity to participate in preparing for their trip by choosing a few items for their carry-on bags.
Depending on their age, they can help select:
- A favorite stuffed animal or comfort item
- Books, coloring activities, or small toys
- Headphones and a tablet with downloaded entertainment
- A light sweater or sweatshirt
- A favorite travel-friendly snack
Parents should review the final contents to ensure everything meets Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and airline requirements. Allowing children to help pack can build excitement while giving them a sense of responsibility.
4. Take a Virtual Tour of the Airport Experience
Help your children become familiar with air travel before departure day.
Look at photos of Wilmington Airport together and explain what they'll see, including the ticket counter, security checkpoint, boarding gate, and airplanes. Talk about the different steps of the journey and what happens at each one. Younger children might enjoy pretending to check in for a flight at home. Set up a make-believe security checkpoint with a toy suitcase and practice placing belongings in a bin.
Family travel tip: Explain that security screening is a normal part of flying and that everyone follows instructions to help keep travelers safe.
5. Dress for Comfort, from Check-In to Landing
Comfortable clothing can make a big difference during a travel day. Choose soft, breathable layers that are easy to adjust as temperatures change between the terminal, airplane, and destination. Comfortable shoes are especially helpful for navigating the airport and boarding.
For younger children, pack an extra outfit in your carry-on in case of spills or unexpected messes. And don't forget that favorite blanket or stuffed animal! Familiar items can offer reassurance during new experiences.
6. Build a Special In-Flight Entertainment Kit
A little entertainment can go a long way when traveling with children. Prepare a small collection of activities that are easy to use while seated, such as coloring books, reusable sticker books, puzzles, or age-appropriate games.
If your children enjoy watching movies or playing games on a tablet, download entertainment before leaving home. Don't assume your flight will offer onboard Wi-Fi or streaming entertainment. Remember to charge devices and pack child-friendly headphones.
Family travel tip: Save one new activity as a surprise for the flight. Something unfamiliar can be especially engaging during the journey.
7. Talk About What Happens During Takeoff and Landing
For children experiencing their first flight, the sounds and sensations of an airplane may be unfamiliar. Explain that airplanes make different noises during takeoff, flight, and landing. Children may hear the engines, feel the airplane accelerate, or notice their ears popping as air pressure changes. Let them know these are normal parts of flying.
Swallowing, sipping a drink, or chewing an age-appropriate snack may help ease ear pressure. For infants, feeding or offering a pacifier during pressure changes may help.
Reassure children that they can ask questions whenever something feels unfamiliar.
8. Plan Snacks and Stay Hydrated
Hungry travelers aren't always happy travelers, especially when they're little! Pack a selection of familiar, easy-to-eat snacks that won't create a mess.
Crackers, dry cereal, and other age-appropriate favorites can help keep children comfortable during the journey. Bring an empty refillable water bottle to fill after passing through security. Wilmington Airport offers a water-bottle refill station, making it convenient to prepare for your flight.
Parents traveling with infants or toddlers should review TSA's special screening rules for formula, breast milk, and other permitted child-feeding liquids.
9. Practice Patience with Travel-Day Games
Even with careful planning, air travel involves waiting. Help children understand that they'll spend time checking in, passing through security, waiting to board, and sitting aboard the airplane. Turn those moments into opportunities for simple games. Try spotting different colors, counting suitcases, playing "I Spy," or making up stories about your destination.
For toddlers and preschoolers, keeping explanations short and activities simple can help maintain their attention. Older children may enjoy helping track the different steps of the journey.
10. Celebrate Their First Flight Milestones
Flying for the first time is a big adventure! Celebrate small milestones along the way, whether it's arriving at Wilmington Airport, completing security screening, finding the boarding gate, or watching the airplane take off.
Offer encouragement and acknowledge your child's curiosity and confidence.
Consider taking a family photo before boarding or creating a travel journal to remember the experience. These small moments can help children build positive associations with flying and look forward to future adventures.
Why Wilmington Airport Is a Great Place to Start a Family Vacation
When traveling with children, convenience matters. Wilmington Airport offers a more manageable alternative to larger regional airports, with parking close to the terminal and shorter distances between check-in, security, and boarding.
ILG's expanded terminal also offers additional seating and charging options, giving families more room to settle in before their flight. With nonstop Avelo Airlines service to popular vacation destinations, families can begin their next adventure closer to home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flying with Kids
How can I prepare my child for their first airplane flight?
Talk about what to expect, read books about flying, practice airport routines, and involve your child in packing. Familiarity and age-appropriate explanations can help children feel more comfortable.
What should I pack in my child's carry-on bag?
Bring snacks, entertainment, a comfort item, a change of clothes, and any essential medications. Remember to check your airline's baggage allowances and TSA requirements before traveling.
How can I help a child who is nervous about flying?
Listen to their concerns, explain unfamiliar sounds and sensations, and provide reassurance without promising that everything will happen exactly as planned. Books, pretend-play activities, and comfort items may help.
How early should families arrive at Wilmington Airport?
Allow enough time for airline check-in, baggage drop-off, security screening, and boarding. Families traveling with young children, strollers, or checked bags should consider additional time and follow their airline's current arrival recommendations.
More Family Travel Tips from Wilmington Airport
Ready to make your next family trip even easier?
Read our guide to "Navigating Airports with Young Children: A Survival Guide" for practical advice on check-in, security, and boarding.
Looking for your next destination? Explore our family beach vacation guide for inspiration, then discover "nonstop destinations from Wilmington Airport."
Your next family adventure starts at ILG — where getting there is part of the fun!
