Top FIVE Tips for Flying & Traveling with Small Kids. How we survived 12+ hours of travel to Haw

Since I know most people don't read blog posts anymore, and I don't want to bombard everyone with too much information in one post, I think the best way to cover our trip to the Big Island of Hawaii is to break it down into several blog posts, so that you guys can just click on the post that is relevant for YOU.

This one will be all about FLYING and TRAVELING with small kids. I can't tell you how many messages I have received asking about how it was to fly with Elle, our 3 year old to Hawaii. We live on the east coast, and flew from Boston Logan Airport, with a layover in LAX. So it was a 6 hour flight, followed by another 6 hour flight.

Of course out of all the days this winter, a snowstorm decided to make an appearance on the Monday we flew out. Our flight was delayed 3 hours (ironically not because of the snow, but plane maintenance issues). We killed time by visiting the kiddie playground area, and eating.

Once on the plane, United essentially told us that we would not make our connecting flight in LAX (the last one that day going to Kona), so we would have to spend the night in LA and would be on the 8 a.m. flight the following day. This was obviously not what we wanted, but also there was nothing we could do. Then I guess United realized there were A LOT of us going to Kona, and they held the flight in LAX (for an hour!!) so we could all sprint through the airport to make our connecting flight.

I mention this hiccup, because, well they happen. Sure I was less than thrilled when I thought we would have to spend the night in LA (I may or may not have ordered a glass of wine.. or two), but also, what are you gonna do? It's just better to be prepared for the worst, so when it happens, you're not all up in a tizzy. And if nothing happens, then YOU WIN!

Below are my Top FIVE Tips for flying with a toddler:

1. Car seat. We brought ours, we bring it wherever we travel (Germany, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, etc.) I bought this cover bag on Amazon a while back, and it has held up great. We use thin bubble wrap around the car seat, and this time I actually ended up shoving a few other things {snorkeling gear, Elle's puddle jumper, paddle board set} into the bag, and nobody made a peep about it. I know some people bring their car seat on the plane, we don't. I can't image lugging that thing onto the plane. But to each their own.

2. Baggage. I packed one suitcase {a very large one} for Elle and I for our seven day trip. I got t hese space saver bags {no vacuum required} on Amazon to pack our clothes, and they did the job. We had plenty of space in the suitcase, I just had to be mindful not to go over the 50 lbs limit. Which I did... but then I threw a few things into our checked car seat bag.

3. Entertainment: I brought our iPad {with a few preloaded favorite movies}, Elle's Leap Frog System with FIVE book attachments, a coloring book/crayons, some gel stickies, her 365 bedtime stories book, her favorite stuffed animal, favorite small blanket, and her headphones {we have these}. I will say, the only things that were used on the plane were: stuffed animal, blanket, headphones. She was so excited to pick out her own shows/movies on the plane, and wear her headphones, she was not into anything else. So honestly, don't pack too much, you're only going to drive yourself crazy with ALL THE STUFF. Screen time on the plane is a-okay in my book and will save your sanity.

4. Food: I kept it simple and just packed gummy snacks, and goldfish. I also brought Elle's favorite b.box water bottle and had the flight attendant fill it up on the plane. Of course she wanted a clear plastic cup like everyone else had so I was glad that I brought our reusable silicone straws, and silicone cup toppers, so she could drink out of a regular cup {and not have a meltdown} and I was happy the water wouldn't be dumped all over me. We ordered a snack box on the way to LAX, and a meal on the way to Kona. This is much easier than packing too much stuff in my opinion. Plus it's something new and exciting for your kids.

5. Time change: I did not push for a nap, not during flying, and not during our trip. If Elle was tired, then she napped. On our flight to LAX (6 hours), there was no nap. On our flight to Kona (6 hours), Elle fell asleep for the last 3 hours (it was 1:30 am EST when we landed). By the time we got to our hotel, took showers, etc. etc., it was midnight Hawaii time, so 5 a.m. our time, and although the little one {actually all of us} were exhausted, there were not tears, and we fell into a blissful sleep.

MOST IMPORTANT TIP: Always, always, ALWAYS bring an extra set of clothes for your child, and at least an extra top for you, when flying. Kids get motion sickness and throw up. It happens. Elle threw up all over me when we flew to Germany when she was 18 months old, and she thew up again as we were landing in Boston on the way back from Hawaii {it was just her and I on our flight home by the way, fun fun!}. It was super bumpy, and thankfully I caught most of it with an airplane blanket. Then I cleaned her up with some baby wipes, and we were good to go. But, there is nothing worse than smelling like throw up while you are stuck on a plane, so grab an extra set of clothes in your carry on!

Hope these were helpful friends! Don't let your fear of traveling with kids stop you from seeing the world and making these sweet memories. There will be bumps {literal & probably figurative} along the way, but as long as you go into it with a positive attitude and can laugh about it, you will be just fine! Happy traveling!

Xo, Anastasia