Reddit
One of the biggest fears new parents have is travelling with their baby. As we all know, babies are unpredictable and can shift moods at a moment’s notice. So between keeping your newborn calm and your fellow airplane passengers happy, flying can get pretty stressful.
But thankfully, parents are coming up with creative ways to make friends on planes and ease their travel anxiety. Here are the five best methods we’ve found:
5 Creative Ways Parents Make Friends On Plane
Free Ear Plugs(01 of28)
This creative couple carried a sign to the airport saying, “5½ month old’s first flight. To protect you from sudden infant (or parent) cries, FREE EARPLUGS!” This amusing tactic will win you brownie points from your fellow passengers. Plus, the ear plugs will definitely do them some good.Source: Reddit (credit:Reddit)
Candy Bags(02 of28)
This is thoughtful way to let everyone on the flight know there’s a baby on board. Your fellow passengers will appreciate the heads up, free candy and ear plugs.Source: Reddit (credit:Reddit)
Care Package(03 of28)
If you’re really worried about how your little one will handle a flight, prepare a small care package for the passengers you’ll be sitting beside. While this is essentially the same as a candy bag, the trick here is to have your little one hand it to the passengers.One Redditor who received this on a flight, posted the image to the site saying: “A baby just handed me this on my flight. I ain't mad.” Pure genius! Source: Today.com (credit:Today.com)
Sweet Note(04 of28)
Sweet treats really will make everyone smile. But if not, a sweet note just might do the trick!Source: Blogspot (credit:Blogspot)
Sympathy Points(05 of28)
Write a pre-apology note to gain some sympathy from your fellow passengers. Source: Lunchbox Dad (credit:Lunchbox Dad)
And in case you don't feel like apologizing for your newborn…(06 of28)
Try this “No-Bullsh*t Goody Bag” for parents. It contains hilarious items such as a drink coupon for “one warm mug of SHUT THE HELL UP” and a pill that’s either “a sleeping pill or Ecstasy. Either way, your mood will improve.”Source: Huffington Post (credit:Huffington Post)
Colouring Case(07 of28)
Creating a colouring case from a DVD box is a brilliant idea! This way you can easily store and carry around all your supplies in an organized fashion. Colouring is definitely a fallback activity for any kid which makes this an essential game to pack while on a long trip.Source: Stacy Vaughn (credit:Stacy Vaughn)
Travel Bingo(08 of28)
This is a guaranteed fun game for kids! And the best part is that all you need are these printables and some wooden chips to play. There are four printables to choose from, so you can mix things up or play with the same card.Source: Say Yes (credit:Say Yes)
Keep The Coins(09 of28)
This is a great game to help keep kids calm and avoid tantrums while travelling. Before setting out, give each of your kids a small bag filled with coins. Explain to them that every time they fight, yell, throw things, or misbehave in general, you will take one coin away. If they complain when you ask for a coin, take two. By the end of the trip, your kids get to keep the remaining coins in the bag and this incentive will keep them on good behavior!Source: The Vintage Mother (credit:The Vintage Mother)
Crumpled Paper(10 of28)
This is a genius idea! Crumple up a piece of white paper and give it to your baby to play with. They will have so much fun with this, guaranteed! Let them crumple it up more, unfold it, and fold it again. Just make sure to take it away or replace it if it gets too soggy (as they will most likely put it in their mouth!).Source: Parents (credit:Getty)
Alphabet Word Game(11 of28)
This is an easy game for any kid who knows the alphabet. Using these templates, fill in the blanks with objects or words you find along your travels by each letter. For instance, A – airplane, B – barn, etc.Source: Prepared Not Scared (credit:Prepared Not Scared)
Funny Face(12 of28)
Magnet games are great for travelling because all the pieces stick together. This funny face game in particular will be a hit with your kids because they can spend hours mixing and matching different facial features! Use the templates found here to create your own funny face game. Source: Ladybird Ln (credit:Ladybird Ln)
Chalkboard Tic-Tac-Toe(13 of28)
Who doesn’t love a game of tic-tac-toe? This chalkboard version made with a cutting board and chalkboard paint will let your kids play this classic game over and over again. Source: iVillage (credit:iVillage)
20 Questions(14 of28)
This game can be played by kids at any age. One person thinks of something that falls under a specific category (such as animal, vegetable, and so on) and another person has to find out what it is. The catch is that they can only ask 20 questions and the answers can only be a yes or a no.Source: Squidoo (credit:Getty)
I-Spy Bottle(15 of28)
Everyone loves I-Spy and it makes a perfect game for kids while you travel. Just grab a plastic bottle and fill it with rice and small items or toys. Then seal the lid on with a hot glue gun and you’re all set!Source: Meet the Dubiens (credit:Meet the Dubiens)
Race Track(16 of28)
This is great for young toddler around the ages of 2 or 3. Grab a cardboard box lid and draw a track along the bottom. Then give it to your child and let him play with his toy cars. This will keep your child entertained for at least 30 minutes at a time!Source: Small Family Big World (credit:Small Family Big World)
Magnetic Patterns Book(17 of28)
This game will definitely keep your kids busy for hours. The idea is for kids to try and match their coloured magnetic blocks with the image shown on the page above. Because all the pieces are magnets, they won’t have to worry about their blocks falling off the page when the car, plane, or train moves. The templates for the designs can be printed here. Source: Say Yes (credit:Say Yes)
Numbers Flip Book(18 of28)
This flip book game is great for preschoolers. This game uses numbers and number words. The left side cards show a number, while the right side card shows the number in words. Get your child to match the two together. Use these templates to fashion your own numbers flip book. Source: Second Story Window (credit:Second Story Window)
Picture Books(19 of28)
Sometimes it’s hard to take babies on long trips, but if you must, here’s a trick. Read a picture book. Not only will this keep them entertained, but the sound of your voice will soothe them as you show them familiar pictures. One good suggestion are any books by Dr. Seuss. The colourful pictures and rhyming stories will captivate your kids.Source: Moms Minivan (credit:Getty)
Magnetic Puzzles(20 of28)
If your kids love puzzles, then you should use this magnetic version while travelling. Just grab a cookie sheet from the dollar store to act as your base and add magnets to the backs of the puzzle pieces.Source: My Kind of Makeover (credit:My Kind of Makeover)
Bubble Wrap Game(21 of28)
This is another version of the I-Spy game, but this time it uses bubble wrap. First, cut a piece of bubble wrap to fit a piece of paper. Then draw symbols for items you might see along your trip, such as a tree, bridge, school bus, and so on. Place the bubble wrap on top of the drawings and you’re all set! As you travel, your child can pop the bubbles of items they see along the way.Source: Apartment Therapy (credit:Apartment Therapy)
Card Bames(22 of28)
A deck of cards is essential for any long family trips. The reason? There are so many games for all ages that you can play with 52 cards. If you’re looking for some card games, try Spades, Hearts, Old Maid, Euchre, Ranter-Go-Round, Spit, or Kings in the Corner. Source: Daily Mom (credit:Daily Mom)
Chalkboard Cover(23 of28)
Paint the bottom of a burner cover with chalkboard paint and let your kids go crazy! This is perfect for bringing on the plane, train, or car. Your kids can use it to doodle or play games. We suggest teaching them how to play Hangman, which will keep them occupied for quite a while.Source: Brassy Apple (credit:Brassy Apple)
Cat’s Cradle(24 of28)
Cat’s Cradle is an old game played with a piece of string. If your kids have never heard of it, it will fascinate them. You can easily teach your kids (and yourself) how to play by following these instructions. Before you know it, your kids will be pros! This game is good for older kids who have outgrown simple activities like colouring.Source: If You Love To Read (credit:If You Love To Read)
What Did I Bring On My Trip?(25 of28)
This is a great game to get the whole family involved. One player starts by saying, “I’m going on a trip and I’m bringing…” The first player ends the sentence by saying an item that starts with the letter “A.” Then the next player goes, but says something with the letter “B,” and so on. But to make things a little more challenging, make each player repeat everything that has already been said, plus add a new item to the list! See how far you can get before someone messes up!Source: Squidoo (credit:Getty)
Tangram Puzzle(26 of28)
Tangrams are great because they combine math and creativity all together! This particular magnetic tangram is made from an altoids mint container and some design printouts. It can be put together fairly quickly and is small enough that your kids can take it with them wherever they go!Source: Delia Creates (credit:Delia Creates)
Bubbles(27 of28)
If you’re travelling with a baby on board, it can get tiring hearing the same baby songs play over and over! An alternative to keeping your baby entertained (specifically while in the car) is to keep a bottle of bubbles with you. The bubbles will keep your child calm if they’re about to get upset and older kids won’t mind joining in the bubble fun either! Source: Moms Minivan (credit:Getty)
Printable Mad Libs(28 of28)
Have some hysterical fun with mad libs while on your next vacation with the kids. Not only is this a great way for kids to practice their language arts, but it’s a game that always ends with everyone laughing. Click here to get some free printable mad libs.Source: Classroom Jr. (credit:Classroom Jr.)