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Let’s be honest, we all truly need a holiday right now. Even though we can’t have a holiday at this very moment, we can dream of the perfect family holiday and we can plan ahead to make it happen. I started to plan a big family holiday for the end of next year with the hopes that things will be better, it’s just something nice to look forward to, you know?
Normally, with holidays planned I’d be worrying about everything and anything… how the children would react to the busy airports, double-check or triple check if everything is packed, and many other things that I can’t recall right now but when the time gets closer, the worries come creeping in. Not this time, I say! With all this time in our hands, until we actually go somewhere, I’ve been looking into how to have a stress-free airport experience when travelling with kids and thought I’d share some of the things I’ve found with other families who might go through the same!
I’ve also partnered up with Aviation Spares & Repairs, ground support equipment supplier, who have been in the aviation industry for years on end and have the expertise and experience to know how to have a less stressful airport experience.
Be prepared
Aviation Spares recommends being prepared ahead of time. This means, pinning all your travel information after booking the trip, so you don’t have to dip through thousands of emails to find your booking information. Also, checking-in online will save time and allow you to go straight to security when you arrive at the airport.
Pack light
It’s easy to overpack to make sure you have everything you need but do you really need to bring all your toiletries for the hotel stay? Pack essentials only and don’t worry if you end up forgetting about a toothbrush or hairbrush, those are things you can easily purchase no matter where you are in the world.
And don’t forget to give your kids a small carry-on to give them some responsibility. As this article on Family Travel Journal mentions, “Even young children enjoy pulling a bag, that contains their stuff and that they can be responsible for. If it’s packed full of their toys, so much the better.”
Arrive early
Kate on Thin Ice advises on showing up to the airport early to guarantee you have enough time to eat something before your flight and unwind instead of rushing around the airport.
Play games
Distraction is what you need to de-stress and what your children need to keep busy. Whether it is an airport-related game or their favourite series on a handy tablet, it will keep everyone somewhat entertained.
Time with Thea recommends packing “as many activities as possible and play some fun airport games, from plane spotting to see from which country the planes are from to I-Spy airport equipment, such as airport baggage carts and aircraft towbars, to encourage your little ones to learn more about what goes on at airports.” If you need some help learning about the different names of airport equipment, visit https://aviationspares.com/.
Take a deep breath
Sometimes the hustle and bustle of airports can be overwhelming for both adults and children alike. So, if you feel like you need to step away and breathe in, do it. Find an empty gate and relax for a bit.
Do you have any other tips to have a stress-free airport experience?
Let me know your thoughts with a comment below