The Bag Of Tricks For A Peaceful Plane Ride

CONNECTIONS | by KAVITA VARMA-WHITE

TRAVELING ON AN AIRPLANE WITH YOUNG KIDS (especially from infant to age 6) can be a tough predicament. You are at the mercy of airport crowds, long security lines and plane delays. You are at the mercy of the mood of your child and the patience of your fellow passengers. And don’t feel too bad when they shoot you mean glares if your child is crying. That is a parenting rite of passage.

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That said, here are five things to bring in your carry-on bag (aka Bag of Tricks) to make every plane journey more comfortable for your kids (which, in turn, means more comfort for you). We know some airlines are now charging for carry-ons, but it’s worth every penny when you consider all the distractions you can load in it.

A bottle of water. This sounds like a no-brainer, but with the security restrictions on liquids, it’s hard to do (especially when you want to avoid buying expensive bottled water in the terminal). Bring an empty water bottle from home and fill it up at a water fountain. It’s not fun to wait for the flight attendants to bring their out their cart.

Snacks. Bring more than you think you’ll need. Prepare in individual snack bags so they are easy to access and you can take home and reuse.

A pillow case. Bring your own case (spritzed with lavender water) and fill with your jacket or sweater to make a cozy pillow for napping.

A new toy. Pack a reasonable stash of small toys and books, and make there’s something new. Unveil it when your child has lost interest in everything else.

An iPod or portable DVD player. Doesn’t matter if you don’t normally allow much screen time — now is the time break some rules.