Flying with kids - handling flight-delays

Traveling by plane always involve the risk of delays: congested airports, mechanical problems, weather, strikes... there are many reasons your flight might be delayed. And if you're traveling in winter, the risk is even greater in my experience since bad weather like snow and fog can really mess up the flow of traffic at any airport. When you're flying with kids, this can be extremely stressful, since most children (young ones especially), don't always do well when they have to wait around for anything.

Last year when we were headed to Sweden for Christmas, a very short hail-storm at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport ended up delaying us a lot. Not the greatest travel experience ever, but once we reached our destination it was OK of course.

Most flight-delays can't be avoided, but there are things you can do to make things a little easier on yourself and your children when you run into unexpected wait-times. 

1. Explain what's going on to your children
As a parent, it's easy to assume and take for granted that the kids have understood the announcement over the speakers, or what the person at the check-in counter just told you, but that's often not the case. Kids do not always pay attention, and might not be able to grasp exactly what's happening. I try to go over with the kids why we are delayed simply but in some detail (hail puts ice on the wings - then they have to remove the ice - that can take a long time).

I'm a big believer in that most kids handle problems and challenges better if you explain what is going on to them quite thoroughly. This is why I do a step-by-step walk-through of our trips with the kids before we leave, for example. Same thing goes when unexpected things happen while we're traveling. I find that with my own kids, this tends to reduce their worrying and can also re-direct their attention so that they're not just wondering when we're going again, but can look out at the tarmac and try to spot de-icing trucks, mechanics, a new plane, or whatever. 

2. Make a plan
Once you've explained what's going on to your kids, you can try to make a plan together. Does somebody want to stay at the gate (if that's where you are) while others go looking for some kind of activity? Can you ask the ground crew approximately how much time you have before it's reasonable to expect the flight to leave? Tell the kids what you know, and then try to lay out a plan for how to spend the time. (Sleeping is not a bad idea in some cases!)

T-Rex to the rescue!

3. Do something useful and/or fun
Here are some examples of things to do in an airport while you're waiting for the flight to take off:

• Go to the bathroom (much nicer than airplane bathrooms!)
• Go for a snack or a meal at a restaurant
• Stock up on extra snacks and maybe magazines or books
• Find the play area
• Go shopping for souvenirs or gifts, or just window-shop for the heck of it
• Dig out the activities you hopefully brought along in your hand-luggage
• Play simple games like "I Spy", 20 questions, or "Rock, paper, scissors"

If you're stuck on board the plane, it can be a little worse. Some things to try:

• Those activities and games will come in handy now
• Watch movies or play games on your electronic devices (this is why you should have them fully charged before you leave on your trip!)
• Read books
• Draw or color
• Make up stories together - each person makes up a bit of a story and the others follow, taking turns
• Play with hand-puppets - my kids really love this, and it often helps them and me relieve some stress.

4. Try not to stress
This is often really difficult to do when you're stuck in a place like an airport or airplane for an undetermined length of time during a travel delay (my main worry is always connecting flights, and that can stress you out a lot). However, try to remember that you will eventually reach your destination one way or another (in most cases anyway!). Also, if I'm stressing out, I know my kids will respond in kind: nothing seems to set their stress-level like me acting slightly unhinged.

Try to bottle up that worry and stress, and pass the time with them the best way you can. Some deep breathing exercises, maybe some stretching to relax those tense muscles, and why not a cup of nice coffee, or tea or some other easy to consume treat might be in order.

Flying with kids: 10 ways to pass time at the airport

As my kids have gotten a little bit older, they are now 5 and 9 years old, I find that time spent waiting in airports is almost more challenging than time spent on board the airplane. Once we're in the air, they have their little entertainment-screens to keep them busy, there are drinks and snacks and meals being served, and they often get sleepy on longer flights.

However, in airports, they seem to get way more antsy. Maybe it's because time spent in airports means you're just waiting rather than actually traveling somewhere. I know I often feel restless before I get on board the flight, and the same is probably true for the kids. Sometimes you will also end up waiting at the airport a lot longer than you planned on: delays do happen when you travel by plane!

Of course, there are things you can do in airports, and what you choose to do to entertain your children (or how they choose to entertain themselves), will depend a lot on their ages, personalities and preferences. Here are 10 ideas for how to spend your time at the airport:

1. Find a play area
Many airports have a play area for kids somewhere on the premises. For younger kids, this can be the best option: they can run and play freely before they have to sit still on the airplane. Ask at the information desk, or look at an airport map to try to locate available play spaces.

2. Watch the planes & your luggage
This is my son's favourite activity at the airport. He's quite happy to stand at any window and watch the planes on the tarmac. It's even more fun if he can see the plane we'll be boarding, and especially extra fun if he can see the luggage being loaded onto the plane. He loves trying to spot our suitcases as they're being put into the hold. 

3. Eat in peace & quiet
Eating on board an airplane can be challenging for kids: too much going on, and a lot of awkwardness when you try to eat off your tray-table. Adding to the difficulty: food often doesn't taste as good at high altitude, and kids who are anxious or excited sometimes have a hard time settling down for a meal on board. Having a sit-down meal at the airport before departure can help both pass the time, and fill some hungry stomachs. Go to a restaurant, or buy some foods you can take with you and eat while sitting at your gate.


4. Play some hands-on games
There are travel-versions of many popular games that are perfect to bring out when you're getting bored at the airport: chess, 4 in a row, card games of all kinds, memory games... Pick one you know your kids like, and bring it in your hand-luggage.

5. Run around
Younger kids can find it very challenging to sit still, and stand around in lineups. When you're traveling by plane, you will probably be doing a lot of both those things. One way to help them burn off some steam is to find a quiet, relatively spacious part of the airport (away from security areas and other passengers), and let them goof around and even run around a bit. Don't bug other passengers, and don't cause a security alert, but let them get moving for a while and then they might be better able to handle sitting still on board the plane.


6. Read a book
I find that the engine noise on board often make it difficult to read books aloud. A book is a lot easier to share with your children when you're sitting waiting at the gate at the airport, whether it's an e-book, or a regular book.

7. Use the internet
These days, most airports have some kind of internet access. Some have free wifi for a limited time, other airports offer free wifi for as long as you're there. If you've brought along a tablet, laptop or other electronic gadget, this might be the time to let your kids browse the net, play some online games, check their email and favorite websites, and generally just kill time on the web.

8. Go to the bathroom
Going to the bathroom on board a plane is a very cramped and sometimes very dirty experience. Spend at least some of your airport time in the bathrooms there: it's a much easier place for kids to get comfortable in, and for mom and dad to do things like change baby diapers, wash hands and faces, and so on.

9. Shop
Maybe the time at the airport can be used to get some cool local souvenirs, books, magazines, snacks for the flight, candy, or whatever else is on offer. Most airports have a lot of shops in them, and if your kids are into shopping, this might be a good time to do that.


10. Do some arts & crafts
My kids usually prefer using their coloring books and drawing pads when we're waiting at the airport. Find a good table, or a space on the floor, and break out the crayons, markers, sticker books, and whatever other supplies you've packed. This can be a nice, relaxing way to spend the time until your flight is ready to depart.

Flying with kids: Sea-Tac Airport

Sea-Tac Airport, also known as Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is located in SeaTac, just outside Seattle in Washington state. I've travelled with my kids through this airport quite a few times, since it's close enough to Vancouver to offer an alternative departure airport. We've used it both when we went to Maui, and when we've travelled to Sweden.

In recent years, flights to Sweden out of Sea-Tac have often been so much cheaper than flights out of Vancouver, that it's really been the only logical option. Another reason I like Sea-Tac, besides the cheaper flights, is that it has one of the best play-areas I've seen at any airport.

Getting to and from Sea-Tac
When my family is flying out of Sea-Tac, we usually drive down from Vancouver. The drive itself takes about three hours, but can be longer depending on wait times at the border crossing.

Another option we've used in the past, though I still haven't done this when traveling with the kids, is the Quick Shuttle bus. This bus travels between Vancouver and Sea-Tac. On the Canadian side, it goes from Vancouver Airport and makes a few other stops before crossing the border into the US. The price is good, but the thought of first having to contain my kids on a bus for several hours, and then put them on a plane for a long flight, has never seemed that great to me. Maybe I will use that option soon though, since the kids are getting older.

For travel between the airport and downtown Seattle, you can also use the Central Link Light Rail. There are also other public transit options, as well as various shuttle services.

Facilities for kids
Sea-Tac has one of the best play areas for kids of any airport I've visited. It is located between Concourse A and the Central terminal, not too far from the food court. It is a very well thought out space for families and has cushioned floor tiles, climbing equipment, and seats for parents along the walls. There are also washrooms with change-tables right next to the play area.

This is a perfect place for the kids to burn off some energy before a flight. Just release them and sit down and take it easy for a bit! The only problem I've found is getting the kids to leave when it's time to go!

The food court in Sea-Tac's Central Terminal.

Where to eat
There are a wide variety of restaurants and cafes throughout the airport: Japanese food, burgers and fries, sandwiches, pasta... it's all available. When I am traveling with the kids, we usually grab something to eat in the food court in the Central Terminal and watch the planes while we eat.

Other family-friendly features and facilities

• There's free wi-fi throughout the airport.
• There are also charger kiosks where you can charge your cell-phone, mp3 player or other electronic devices: Sea-Tac's FAQ has more information.
• If you need to rent strollers or car seats, you can do so at Ken's Baggage & Frozen Food Storage.
• Several large restrooms are available at Sea-Tac, which makes it a lot easier to take the kids to the bathroom, especially if you have a stroller as well as hand-luggage with you.
• More information about services and accessibility at Sea-Tac for persons with special needs can be found here.

Note: Sea-Tac is a big airport and it uses a train to connect the various terminal buildings. You will probably have to take this train to get to your gate. The trains are easy to find and leave frequently. It is good to be aware of this "extra travel step" when you're calculating how much time to allow when getting from point A to point B!

Hotels
There are a lot of accommodation choices in the area around Sea-Tac Airport. Many hotels offer shuttles to the airport, or are close to the Light Rail. The hotel website Seattle Southside offers some good search features to help you find and book a hotel.

Picture of Sea-Tac food-court by Phantomkid, via Wikimedia.

My top 5 tips for surviving long flights with kids

Long flights with young kids is a grand adventure, but can also make for some challenging family time. I don't think it can ever be a totally stress-free experience, but here are my top 5 tips for getting through a long flight (or flights) with less stress:

1. Prepare before you go
Preparing yourself and your kids ahead of time is really important. Think through what you will need to pack in your hand-luggage, and get your supplies together (medications for example). Talk to your kids about the trip. Tell them what will happen before you get on the plane and on board. Read and talk about airplanes and airports. Also talk to your kids about how to behave during your trip: I find that it's a lot easier for my kids (5 and 9 years old) to do what's expected if we've discussed it ahead of time.

Ask the airline about cots for your baby if you're traveling with an infant, and order kids' meals (or any other special meals) for older kids and yourself. Prepare yourself by thinking through what might happen during your trip (flight delays, tantrums, diaper disasters, and so on) and how you can deal with it. You can never prepare for everything, but just thinking about your trip a little bit will make you more able to deal with both the expected and unexpected.

2. Give yourself enough time
Arrive early at the airport so you don't have to stress too much to get to your gate on time. Be prepared for lineups at check-in and security. Also book any connecting flights so that you have enough time between flights and won't have to rush with your (possibly tired and reluctant) kids through unfamiliar airports.

If you're traveling abroad, you might have to go through security and immigration before catching a connecting flight, and that can add a lot to the transfer time between flights.

3. Stay calm & relax
If your kids start melting down, or if they have a tantrum, or if they are doing things they shouldn't on the flight, try to stay calm and deal with it as best you can. Staying calm can be really hard to do, but I find that it's a lot easier to calm my kids down if I manage to maintain at least some calm myself.

I always try to remember that my kids might be scared, uncomfortable, and anxious, and that the strange environment of airplanes and airports probably isn't helping with that. Try to talk your kids, hold them, comfort them, and redirect their attention (toys, games, snacks, and movies can help). Eventually it will be OK, and you will arrive at your destination.

4. Go to the bathroom when you can
Sometimes it seems my kids are programmed to need bathroom breaks when it's most difficult to get to the bathroom. For example when we're in a long security line-up, right after the meal is served on board (tray tables down, loaded with food and drinks), or when we're waiting to disembark the plane and the crush of people makes it hard to move at all.

To help prevent emergencies, I try to get my kids into the bathroom right before and after a flight, and if possible before we get into any long line-ups. During the flight I try to get them into the bathroom before the meal is served, and I'll ask them if they need to go if there seems to be less of a queue for the washrooms. I often feel like obsess over washrooms when we're flying, but when it comes to this, it definitely helps to plan ahead!

5. Pay attention to food, drinks and sleep
Tired, hungry and thirsty kids are more likely to melt down, cry, whine or be miserable in general. On long flights it's sometimes hard for kids to eat and drink enough, because they're in a strange environment with strange food, strange people, and a lot of strange things going on. Bringing  familiar snacks along is a good way to make sure your children will at least have something to eat, even if they don't like anything on the plane. I also try to make sure my kids drink enough (but preferably not so much that we spend every 5 minutes in the airplane bathroom!), and that they relax and sleep as much as possible.

Whenever my kids start really going haywire on a trip, it's usually because they're really tired, hungry or thirsty. Snacks, some water and some sleep (or even just taking it easy by watching a movie or staring out at the airplanes at the airport) can help.

All images thanks to Online-Sign.com.

Hanging out at Vancouver International Airport

You'd think that with all the flying I've done with my kids, they might be totally bored and blasé when it comes to airports. However, that doesn't seem to be the case. On a recent Spring Break day, my kids' choice for an outing was to head to our home-town airport, Vancouver International (YVR) and watch the planes.

View from the Canada Line, heading to YVR.

We headed to Richmond, and then hopped on the SkyTrain from there so we wouldn't have to pay for airport parking. To my transit-loving kids, riding the SkyTrain is a good time all in itself, so adding it to the airport-trip made it extra special.

Vancouver Airport has a great public observation area. It's located in the domestic terminal, just above the food court. Just ride the escalator or elevator up and there's the view!

My son could spend all day in this place just watching the planes taking off and landing, the trucks and cars driving around servicing the airplanes, and luggage being loaded and off-loaded. He just absolutely loves it, and judging from the number of kids we saw there, he's not alone!

There are binoculars to use, there's an interactive scale-model of the airport and surrounding area where you can see all its various buildings, runways and terminals. It also shows the spots where they've made archaeological finds along the water-front.

Along the windows there are several information boards set up where you can learn about the airport's history, air travel in general, how YVR operates, and the kinds of aircraft you can see at YVR.

If you have a child (or two) who are interested in airplanes, this is a really great place to spend some time no matter what the weather is like. Bring a snack, or get something to eat or drink from one of the restaurants or cafes downstairs, then grab a seat (there are lots of tables and benches here), and just hang out.

• One great thing about YVR is that there's free WiFi, so if want to, you can browse the net on your device of choice while your kids are enjoying the view.
• The observation area is outside security, so there's no problem accessing it if you're not going on a flight, and it's easy to find from the SkyTrain station. YVR has a detailed map of the airport at their site.
•  If you're looking for some gifts or souvenirs, there are some nice-looking stores in the terminal as well. My kids always go gaga for the Vancouver Aquarium's store here, and I usually have to drag them away from it when we're leaving!

Totem pole in the domestic terminal.

I might be biased since this is my home-town airport, but Vancouver International Airport is one of the nicest airports I've seen in my travels. One thing that really sets it apart is all the native Canadian art you can find throughout. Wood carvings, paintings, totem poles, sculptures... it's an impressive collection.

Wooden sculpture near the SkyTrain station.

Tip: Purchase a transit day pass or fare-saver tickets if you're taking the SkyTrain to YVR. Buying a ticket from the vending machines at the YVR SkyTrain station will cost you an extra $5 when you leave the airport. This so-called AddFare is not charged on trips to the airport. You can read more about this at Translink's homepage. It's a bit of an annoyance that they are charging this extra fee, but if you plan ahead, you can easily avoid it.

Flying with kids: stressed out parents

I recently came across an article in a Swedish newspaper that mentioned an interesting travel survey done by Gatwick Airport in 2011. In the survey, 1000 people were asked about the most stressful aspects of traveling with their kids. And I have to say, I was not really surprised by the results:

nearly one in three families (30%) find disturbing other holidaymakers one of the most stressful aspects of a trip abroad

And:

More parents are worried about other people’s reactions (54%) to a crying child than the fact they might be in distress (40%) and one in five parents (21%) admit to wishing they had stayed at home.

I've never wished I stayed at home, but I can absolutely relate to the rest of it.

As a parent, you can experience intense feelings of stress (almost panic) when your child is acting out, or having a tantrum or meltdown at the airport or on the plane, right in front of lots and lots of people you don't know. And whether those people actually are judging your child, you, and your parenting skills or not, you will probably feel as though they are doing precisely that.

Funny how I have this photo, but not one of the meltdown that came before it...

How to deal with it

• Come prepared. There are some good tips at the end of that Gatwick press-release, and you can find more tips on this blog, for example in My Basic Guide to Flying with Children.
• Try not to stress over what other people are thinking. This is easy to say, but very hard to do. However, if you're stressed, you will probably be less able to help your child calm down, so that stress is really counter-productive. The thing to focus on is your child, rather than the bystanders, and trying to figure out what is going on with them.
• Remember that your child's behavior isn't necessarily misbehavior. Lots of people, kids and adults, have a difficult time with airplane travel. Your child might be scared, anxious, uncomfortable, hungry, thirsty, in pain from ear pressure, or exhausted. An adult might be able to deal with all that somehow, but a child, especially a young child, might not. Fear of flying, hunger, thirst, and exhaustion are the most common causes of my own kids' travel meltdowns.
• Make a few simple on-board rules for young kids. If you can stop your child from a) kicking the seat in front, b) playing excessively with their tray-table, and c) pulling on the seat-back in front of them, you are doing OK, and your fellow passengers will most likely be OK. It's nice if you can avoid screaming too, but that's usually caused by something bugging your child (fear, hunger, thirst, exhaustion again), and if you can remedy those things, the screaming will likely stop.
• Maintain a sense of humor. This can be difficult to do, but it really can help.
• If your child is disruptive, it doesn't mean you're a bad parent. When your child is disturbing the peace, many of us feel like every bystander must surely be thinking we're terrible, horrible parents. But really, what do they know? They don't know that maybe your child has an ear ache, that they didn't sleep or eat properly for 15 hours, or that they have a phobia about putting on their seat-belt. I know from experience that a child might be perfectly calm on one flight, then fidgety, whiny and even melting down on the next one. After all, kids are people too, just people with less ability than adults to control their emotions and behavior.
• Know that it won't last forever. If your child is screaming, or acting out at the airport or on the plane, every minute (even second) can feel like an eternity. But the reality is that eventually your child will calm down, the plane will land, and everyone will be alright: you, your child, and the other passengers.

How to help other parents
To me, this is really the other side of this issue. Feeling judged by other travellers makes parents feel guilty, which stresses them out, causing them to likely be less effective at calming their kids down. Even just a little bit of compassion goes a long way I think.

• Offer some kindness and understanding. When I see parents with kids who are screaming and crying or acting out on board or at the airport, I try to offer some kind and understanding words. Simple, parent-sharing stuff like: "My kids do that too sometimes, and then on the next flight, they'll be perfect angels." Or: "Your child must be so tired, I bet all he wants to do is sleep!"
• Don't offer advice. I rarely offer advice, since I figure most parents know their own kids better than I do, and are trying their best already. (I have offered decongestants and Gravol from my on board pharmacy on a couple of occasions however.) Sometimes I see parents try to handle a situation in a way I wouldn't do myself, but usually you can tell people are really trying their best and there is no point in making them feel worse: they feel plenty bad enough already if their kids are the loudest on the plane.
• Help out. Play peekaboo for a little bit with a fussy baby. Bring out a toy (hand puppets are good for this) and goof around with a child that is restless and bored. Offer to help get a carry-on down if a parent is struggling with it while they're child is upset. I've had complete strangers do these things for me on flights, and it is very much appreciated.
• Smile. Even if you can only offer a pained "been-there-done-that" kind of smile, it is 100% more helpful than an evil stare or a mumbled "my kids would NEVER..."

More tips

• 9 tips on how to handle tantrums on board and at the airport
• Flying with kids: handling meltdowns
• Traveling with kids & getting the evil eye

Flying with kids: passing time at the airport

Long flights can be an endurance test for parents and children: cramped quarters, limited mobility, lots of people all around and no privacy. But in my own experience, waiting in airports can be just as much of an endurance test, and worst of all: you're not even going anywhere, you're just waiting for a flight.

However, there are some things you can do to try to make this time spent in airports a little easier for you and your children. Here are some of my tips:

Preparation
This is one of my favorite tips to make everything about flying with kids better: prepare your kids and yourself for what's going to happen by talking to them about it in some detail. In this case, tell them before you travel that you will have to wait at the airport for your flight (or flights). Also explain to them about some of the things that will take place at the airport: check-in, security, lining up at the gate, and so on. Even just a little bit of this kind of preparation can go a long way!

For example, if your kids haven't travelled by plane before, they might assume that you will just immediately hop on your plane and go as soon as you get to the airport. In my experience, it will be a lot easier for them and you to handle waiting at the airport if they have some idea of what to expect when you're there.

Give yourself enough time (if possible)
Going through an airport these days can take a lot of time, especially if you're traveling abroad. Lineups for check-in, security, passport control, and at the gate can really add up. While it's no fun being stuck for too long in an airport with kids, it's no fun having to rush like crazy through the airport either if you have your children with you. (My kids usually do not react well to rushing!)

Try to have enough time that you can deal with stuff like unplanned bathroom breaks, diaper changes, and extra-long lineups at security, without having to go nuts. This means arriving in good time at the airport for your first flight, and booking connecting flights that leave you some wiggle-room, if possible. (I usually like 1 1/2-2 hours between connecting flights, though I have managed on less than that with the kids too.)

Make sure everyone eats and drinks
Hungry and thirsty kids are no fun at the airport or anywhere else. And with the stress of flying, and possible time-zone changes, might mean that your kids don't eat or drink when they need to do so. This might end up causing tantrums or meltdowns, or just general whining.

Make sure you have snacks with you for your kidst, or pick something up at the airport. Also make sure they have something to drink at regular intervals. It sounds simple, but it's not always easy to remember such simple things when you're rushing around and trying to make sure you get to where you're going on time. Quick pit stops for snacks and drinks can do wonders.

Also, if you are breastfeeding, it might be more comfortable for you to feed your baby at the airport where you'll have more room and more privacy than on board. On the other hand, breastfeeding your baby on board helps with ear pressure, and might help them sleep too!

Watch the action
One great way to spend time at the airport with your kids is to find a good spot to sit, and just let them watch the airplanes and vehicles on the tarmac. For some kids, this is all they need to pass the time while you're waiting. Seat yourself where you can keep an eye on them while maybe having a coffee or snack, or at least somewhere you can sit comfortably for a while. Being close to the bathrooms never hurts either if you're traveling with kids.

Find the play room
If you're really lucky, the airport you're in will have a play area. Ask at an information desk, or grab a map of the airport (they're usually available from a stand somewhere) and try to locate it. In my opinion, every airport should have a play area, and they should all be equipped with comfy seats for parents, and have roomy bathrooms fitted with change tables nearby.

Nap
If you're traveling with older kids, napping might be out of the question at the airport, unless you've been doing some long-haul travel and your kids are really exhausted. But if you're traveling with an infant, or if your older child is really tired, one good way to spend time at the airport is to find a quiet spot and let them take a nap.

An infant might sleep in your arms, on a blanket on the floor, in a stroller, or on a seat next to you. For an older child finding some seats for them to stretch out on can work too. If possible, find a quiet area near your departure gate, so you can get to your flight easily once it's time to go.  

Break out some easy, non-messy activities
Sit down at a cafe, or at the gate, or wherever else there's room for you and the kids and bring out some activities and games. Sticker books, coloring books, memory games, paper and crayons, books to read, hand-held games... anything that is easy to pack in your hand luggage and won't be too messy is great. My personal preferences right now is reading books on my Kindle to the kids, or letting them play with sticker books.

Play games
Playing games with your kids can be a great way to pass the time when you're waiting at the gate or in any line-up. You can do finger-plays with little kids, do "I Spy" with older ones, or tell knock-knock jokes (I'm wary of these right now since the 5-year old is in a "toilet-words-are-hilarious! phase).

Other ideas: have the kids do some Simon Says, or have them scavenge for planes of a particular color, or find a certain number of trucks or buses. Look at the baggage handlers and try to spot your own suitcases, or see who can spot suitcases of a certain color first. And hey, there's always smart-phone apps, iPads, or why not that old-school classic: rock, paper, scissors!