| So, you've made it through security and are ready to | | | | time. If you find the noise irritating, you could even put |
| get your vacation under way. Unfortunately, you still | | | | on noise-canceling headphones without music and |
| have a long flight to sit through. Yet, flying doesn't have | | | | eliminate most distractions. |
| to be a miserable experience - even if you are | | | | - Simple games like crosswords and sudokus can |
| traveling with children. Here are some travel tips to help | | | | alleviate stress and exercise your mind. |
| your whole family enjoy your time in the air. | | | | One of the best tips for air travel with children is to |
| As "airline food" isn't exactly a mouthwatering phrase, it | | | | secure seats in the front row of the cabin. In the front |
| is a good idea to pack some food in your carry-on | | | | row of seats, your family will be granted some extra |
| bag. While it may be difficult to pack an entire meal, | | | | space and privacy - luxuries that are especially helpful |
| there are plenty of healthy snacks that can fight your | | | | when flying with infants or toddlers. If you have |
| hunger. Start with healthy items like dried fruit and | | | | toddlers, you should also find it easier to let your |
| granola. If you are looking for a little more protein, add | | | | children play, stretch or wander a little at the front of |
| some jerky to your bag. If you have plenty of healthy | | | | the aircraft. |
| options in your bag, you can more easily resist the | | | | When flying with children internationally, most travel |
| urge to munch on the less-healthy fare aboard the | | | | professionals recommend non-stop flights. Non-stop |
| flight. | | | | flights can be helpful as they allow your children to |
| Keep in mind that the air inside of airplane cabins is | | | | sleep uninterrupted and prevent potentially stressful |
| always very dry. As a result, you might experience a | | | | hours of flight changes. Additionally, your kids will |
| thirst that can't be quenched by the irregular, less than | | | | certainly be happy to arrive at your vacation |
| generous drink service. An extra bottle of water or | | | | destination as soon as possible. However, there are |
| juice in your carry-on bag can go a long ways | | | | some benefits to taking breaks between flights. For |
| towards eliminating this discomfort. | | | | instance, if you are flying to the Caribbean from the |
| If you are one of the many who experience motion | | | | northern U.S., your children might become impatient on |
| sickness, consider taking a pill before boarding the | | | | such a long flight. With a brief layover in a southern |
| plane. For international flights to the Caribbean or | | | | city, you can relieve some of your family's stress from |
| elsewhere, a motion sickness medication may also | | | | being cooped up for a whole day. A break between |
| help you to sleep through much of the flight, allowing | | | | flights will also allow you to pick up snacks and drinks, |
| you to awake rested and relaxed at your destination. | | | | while your children can stretch and walk around freely |
| You have to try your best to relax. Everyone has a | | | | for a little while. |
| different outlet for relaxation, so here is a list of | | | | You should also make sure that you pack all the things |
| activities to keep your stress at a minimum - whatever | | | | your children might need in a carry-on bag. This |
| your interests may be: | | | | includes everything from food and medications to |
| - If you have a laptop computer, you can easily listen | | | | extra clothing and a blanket. Older children will probably |
| to music, watch DVDs or even get some work done. | | | | be entertained by many of the items on the adult list |
| Just make sure you charge your batteries before | | | | above, but also consider packing items like stuffed |
| flying. | | | | animals and art materials. You should try to avoid toys |
| - While MP3 players are nice, you don't need the | | | | with small parts - such as board games, building blocks |
| newest gadget to zone out airplane noise. You can | | | | and model kits - and your child's noisier playthings. |
| plug noise-canceling headphones into any type of | | | | If all else fails, just remind your family that you are all |
| portable music player. | | | | en route to a wonderful Caribbean vacation. |
| - Books and magazines are great ways to pass the | | | | |