“Mum,” whispered a little voice in my ear.
“Mmmmm, I’m sort of trying to have a nap,” I replied sleepily.
“MUM!” the voice repeated louder. I remembered where I was and jerked awake quickly. Sleeping on planes is not an option with my kids….unless you’re dad.
“Ok, I’m awake. What do you need, buddy?”
“Can I please have a shut-up biscuit?”
I gave hubby a guilty look. I thought I had done a pretty good job at keeping that particular biscuit a secret. Apparently, I hadn’t. At the age of four, my son’s listening skills were usually fairly lacking. Clearly, when it came to yummy biscuits, he was all ears.
I hope nobody understood that! It’s the one time that his speech disorder could have been a positive. Hubby read my face like a book.
“He even got the sshhhhhhh sound properly,” he said proudly. We had been working on that sound for weeks.
He then gave me the same look that I gave him two weeks earlier when our 18-month-old daughter repeated a swear word she heard from dad’s failed efforts to start his motorbike. It turned out our youngest child had no such speech problem, as there was no mistaking the word that she repeated.
What are shut-up biscuits?
Shut-up biscuits are any type of biscuit we don’t normally keep in the pantry. Think Arnott’s Creams, Scotch Fingers – anything slightly special.
I stash a packet in my carry-on and bring them out strategically, one at a time, when I need to distract the kids or adjust the mood mid-flight.
In hindsight, “mood adjustment biscuits” probably sounds more socially acceptable.
They work everywhere, too. Planes, long car rides, airport lounges… even a Vietnamese grandma once handed them directly to my kids. Clearly, this is a universal parenting technique.
Why flying with kids feels so stressful
Let’s be honest, the idea of entertaining kids in a confined space, at altitude, for hours is enough to spike anxiety in even the calmest parent. I’ll admit it, I secretly love hearing other children have a meltdown on a plane. It gives me a free pass when mine inevitably follow suit 30 minutes later.
It was easy when they were babies because breastfeeding pretty much silenced any squawking. But as they get older and move into toddler years, you’ll need a whole new strategy. So here they are – my tried and tested tips for flying with kids, refined over many flights, tantrums and snack negotiations.
11 Tried & tested tips for flying with kids
#1. Mood adjustment biscuits (formerly known as shut-up biscuits)
Enough said. Pack them. Hide them. Deploy wisely.
#2. Stock up on cheap surprises
Discount shops are gold. Stickers, novelty toys, tiny craft kits – anything new buys you attention time.
#3. Carry small toys everywhere
Little cars live permanently in my handbag. You never know when you’ll need them.
#4. Embrace screen time
This is not the moment for guilt. Load the tablet, charge the devices, and surrender.
#5. Use airline kids’ packs
If your airline offers them, grab one. Even five minutes of novelty helps.
#6. Ask for a cup of ice and a straw
I don’t know why this works, but it does. Every toddler is mesmerised by stabbing ice.
#7. Never forget the comfort item
Teddy, blanket, dummy – whatever it is. But never let your child be responsible for making sure it leaves the plane with you. That one has to be your responsibility.
#8. Quiet books are magic
Fabric quiet books are incredible for toddlers. If you’ve never seen one, do yourself a favour and Google it.
#9. Walk the aisles when needed
Most people can’t help smiling at a toddler wobbling past. A change of scenery works wonders.
#10. Let go of your own expectations
This is the hardest one. You’re probably not watching a movie in peace. Your holiday starts after the flight.
#11. Remember, it’s part of the adventure
For kids, the journey is half the excitement. Reframing it helps – for them and for you.
Flying with kids: final tip
Flying with kids is about preparation, flexibility, and accepting that sometimes biscuits are the answer.
If things unravel a bit? That’s okay. You’ll land eventually, and the holiday really does start once you’re off the plane.
Where to next?
Let me know what you think!