Kids on Planes

kathrynha

Flew with my daughter early morning when she was 4. I put her to bed the night before in leggings and a t-shirt rather than pyjamas so that I didn't need to get her dressed when tired.


Took full spare outfit for her, plus baby wipes and nappy sacks to deal with any possible spillages or sickness.


For the plane I took lots of little toys and snacks, and handed them out to her about every 20mins. The pound shop is great for little colouring books and cheap small toys.


Lollies are good to suck on for take off and landing

quidsy

Ah ok, I thought boarding. Scrap previous reference to it

pollyanna24

trolleyrun wrote: »

Have you pre-booked your bags to check in? If you haven't, you'll be stung at the airport for extra fees.

Bring a change of clothes for the children as hand luggage. They might spill something or they might vomit on themselves. A change of clothes for yourself as well is a good idea.

Headphones for the gadgets. Nobody else wants to listen to whatever your children are watching.

Calpol or similar. This will need to go in the liquids bag when you go through security. Also, a blanket or similar in case they want to sleep more on the aircraft.

Tell the children what's going to happen when you get to the airport, when you board and onboard the aircraft. That way they know what to expect. Also explain to them about the seatbelt sign and how you expect them to behave. Play "airplanes" at home for a few days to get them used to it as well.

The shops in the terminal will be open, but you can bring sandwiches and snacks from home if you want. Any liquids are restricted so better to buy once you're through security.

I've never flown to/from stanstead so I don't know the terminal at all. In regards to time, leave as much time to get checked in and through security as you can. Ryanair close their flights as early as possible and they don't budge even if you're a minute out.

I've paid to check in three suitcases (this is between me, my girls, and my parents).

Calpol a good idea, thank you. But I won't be allowed through customs with it, will I?

I didn't think I was allowed to bring food through security either, I don't know as I've never tried it before.

I think I will book fast track as someone has mentioned before. It's £3.50 per person and my mum agrees.

pollyanna24

Hersetta wrote: »

Having used Stansted a lot it will be very busy at the time you need to go through security. There is a fast track entrance for families but I think your's will be too old - your youngest is older than my youngest and we couldn't - it was more for people with nery young children /prams etc.


The last 2 times we have been security has only taken about 20 mins - do you have bags to drop off - if so I suggest you use Ryanair's self service bag drop which was much, much quicker than traditional bag drop/check in.


All the shops will be open - boots sandwich meal deals are good for families and pret a manger do a nice range of breakfast rolls and drinks. The terminal is pretty grim (not enough seating) so go to the gate as soon as you can and get in the queue.

People are all being very helpful, thank you.

Do I have to do anything before I get to the airport to use the self service bag drop as we will have three suitcases to check in?

I have already printed off all our boarding passes.

pollyanna24

quidsy wrote: »

Make them both a breakfast packed lunch the night before just buy drinks once through security.


Most kids will conk out once back in the car in the middle of the night, take day clothes with you & change them into them once you get to the airport.


TBH as long as you have allocated seats the fast track really isn't worth it. Just don't take a heap of hand luggage & you should be fine.


Enjoy the trip

I have already told my kids they are sleeping in their clothes the night before, bad mum? Maybe, but they're okay with the idea.

pollyanna24

k3lvc wrote: »

For clarity we were talking Fast Track security, not priority boarding

Yes, this is what I was thinking of booking. Do I have to buy a ticket for each of us?

pollyanna24

quidsy wrote: »

Make them both a breakfast packed lunch the night before just buy drinks once through security.


Most kids will conk out once back in the car in the middle of the night, take day clothes with you & change them into them once you get to the airport.


TBH as long as you have allocated seats the fast track really isn't worth it. Just don't take a heap of hand luggage & you should be fine.


Enjoy the trip

What kind of things would I pack for a breakfast though? My youngest always has porridge and toast and the oldest a chocolate pancake (that one will be easy enough).

Can't think what else I should bring. A sandwich each maybe?

kathrynha

pollyanna24 wrote: »

I've paid to check in three suitcases (this is between me, my girls, and my parents).

Calpol a good idea, thank you. But I won't be allowed through customs with it, will I?

I didn't think I was allowed to bring food through security either, I don't know as I've never tried it before.

I think I will book fast track as someone has mentioned before. It's £3.50 per person and my mum agrees.

Big bottle of Calpol might not be allowed, but the sachets will be fine. Also no risk of a glass bottle breaking.

Food is allowed, although I'm guessing food such as yogurt would be classed as a liquid, so it would have to be solid food

pollyanna24

pollyanna24 wrote: »

Yes, this is what I was thinking of booking. Do I have to buy a ticket for each of us?

Sorry. One more thing. What time should I book this for as it asks for a time? The flight is at 6.30am, planning on getting to airport at 4.30am, so should I say 4.30am?

glentoran99

kathrynha wrote: »

Big bottle of Calpol might not be allowed, but the sachets will be fine. Also no risk of a glass bottle breaking.

Food is allowed, although I'm guessing food such as yogurt would be classed as a liquid, so it would have to be solid food

Calpol is fine, as is baby food