Are you planning a long-haul flight with kids? If so, you’re in luck! This article has all the tips, venue names, and addresses you need to include in your family holiday packing list to make sure your family’s air travel experience is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible. From pre-flight prep to post-flight entertainment, we’ve got everything you need to know to make your kids’ long-haul flight a breeze. So let’s start:

1) Get your child ready for the big day! Bring your child into the planning process by allowing them to pack their favorite toys, games, and a favorite book or stuffed toy. This allows them to feel a sense of ownership and comfort while on the flight. Create a countdown calendar as the departure day draws near and surprise your child with a special travel-related surprise. This way, you can set the tone for a fun, stress-free journey and make the journey part of their adventure, making the thrill of flying a memory they will cherish for years to come.
2) Make sure you have lots of yummy snacks!
3) Get your kid’s favorite TV shows.
4) Make sure you reserve your seats.
5) “Don’t be scared to hang out with other parents.” Don’t be afraid to chat with other parents who are on the same path, and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with a stranger at the gate.
6) Take advantage of soft play at the airport. The soft play zone at the airport is the perfect place for kids to relax and unwind before a long flight. It’s a fun and stimulating place for kids to play and imagine.
The airport’s soft play area is also a great spot for napping kids. It helps them relax and drift off to sleep throughout the flight, making for a restful flight and a much smoother long-distance journey.
7) Ask for your baby’s bassinet Taking a bassinet with you on a long-haul flight can make a huge difference in your child’s experience. Bassinets, which are attached to the bulkhead of the aircraft, provide a secure and comfortable place for your child to sleep or nap. You can request a bassinet during your booking or on board the plane. Cabin crew can help you with this, but availability might be limited.
8) Include extra clothes in your family holiday packing list! While you and your kids are getting ready for a relaxing day at the beach, you might catch a whiff of a different kind of smell. Kids are known to surprise us sometimes.
9) Bring some fun stuff. Take your kids on a long-haul adventure with a wide variety of fun activities to choose from, such as coloring books, puzzle games, tablet games, and even their favorite story book, for a peaceful reading retreat in the sky, making your journey even more enjoyable.

10) Take toilet breaks! A dry nap or a pit stop before your child gets on the plane is a great way to make sure they’re prepared for the long flight ahead. It’s also a great way to avoid the middle-of-the-night, cramped aisles of a flight. You’ll have a much smoother flight, and it’ll be more convenient for you and your little one.
11) Book early.
12) Take medication. Make sure your child’s health is a priority by ensuring they have enough of their medications on board. Make sure to keep a copy of their prescription and a medical note that explains why they need the medication for a fast security process.
13). Stay hydrated. Jet lag and discomfort can be exacerbated by dehydration in airplane cabins. Make sure your child drinks plenty of water on long-haul flights by bringing a reusable bottle and avoiding sugary drinks to avoid energy surges and crashes.
14) Child-friendly airlines Select a child-friendly airline that provides kid-friendly options such as kid-friendly food, kid-friendly activity packs, and family-friendly designated areas. Some airlines even offer priority boarding to families with young kids. Look for airlines that offer child-friendly entertainment systems with kid-friendly films and TV shows on board, as well as comfortable seating options. These airlines prioritize families and make the boarding process easier.
15) Create a comfort area. One of the easiest and most effective ways to make your child feel comfortable on a long flight is to create a “comfort corner” in the airplane seat. Set up a comfortable place with your child’s favorite blanket, pillow, or soft toy.

Well, after making travel kid-friendly, we come to our second question. What are the criteria for a kid-friendly stay?

If you’re looking for a hotel that’s perfect for kids, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of the top family-friendly hotels and resorts, along with everything you need to know to find the perfect place for your little one. –

1) Rooms that can accommodate 2 parents with 2, 3, or 4 children.
2) Easy booking for families of 5 and over.
3) A family rate: You’re asking for a split room with a discount and not comparing it to the rack rates because you never pay for a second room.
4) Give kids something to play with while they’re at your check-in. This can be anything from colored pencils and coloring books to beach balls and stuffed animals. This way, they’ll feel like they’re on vacation with you, and you’ll feel more connected to them.

5) Give proactive advice on kid-friendly things to do while you’re at the hotel. This way, you’ll be able to point kids in the direction of local parks and playgrounds, as well as kid museums and cooking classes. This could take a few hours on your concierge’s part, but it’ll make your family’s visit much more enjoyable.
6) More space in the rooms.
7) A pool and hot tub for kids.
8) An all-day kids club.
9) Easy meals for kids It’s important to have a laid-back restaurant with a good menu and a children’s menu, or a laid-back section outside a more family-friendly restaurant. This means kids can wait for dinner, pick up, and bring things back to their room.
10) Simple or Cheap Ways to Do Your Laundry.
11) Family-friendly hotels should offer child-sized robes and bathrooms that are accessible to both adults and children. While most hotels allow children under the age of five to use the bathroom sink to brush their teeth or wash their hands, some resorts require children to use garbage cans as makeshift steps to get to the bathroom sinks.
12) An overall kid-friendly vibe It also stresses the importance of having a child-friendly environment, where staff, from housekeepers to managers to pool staff, can interact with well-mannered children, ask questions about their holidays, and offer advice for the following day.

Some examples of child-friendly accommodation in some of the UK’s best family holiday destinations for your luxury family holidays or cheap family holidays include:

1. The Resident, Covent Garden

Not only is The Resident (formerly The Nadler) one of Covent Garden’s best hotels, but it’s also one of central London’s best kids’ hotels. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the boutique hotel’s features:

• The resident’s family holiday rooms come with a mini kitchen, so you’ll always have a microwave and a fridge when you’re visiting. That’s always a bonus when traveling with your little ones.
• The hotel will even stock your mini kitchen with all the groceries you’ll need before you get there, so you don’t have to worry about finding a supermarket near you.
• The resident hotels also offer a range of deals for their guests to assist with their cheap family holidays, as well as high-class facilities to give you the feel of luxury family holidays at the same price.
• They’ve previously offered money off Merlin’s attractions, including London’s Eye, London’s Dungeon, and London’s Sea Life aquarium.

2. Fielding Hotel, Covent Garden

It is one of the best places for family holidays and is located in Covent Garden’s central area. It is a four-star hotel that boasts spacious queen rooms that can accommodate up to four guests in a sofa bed or double bed.

The hotel also has a number of private apartments, each with its own fully-furnished kitchen, a private living area, and bedrooms that accommodate up to six or eight guests, making it ideal for European family holidays.

3. St Martins Lane, London; This elegant 5-star hotel is more expensive but offers Superior Double Double rooms. These rooms are perfect for families who need two double beds, making them an ideal place for European family holidays for people with a large family size.

4. Park Plaza, County Hall, London

The hotel chain also has a number of hotels in central London that offer their own family holiday getaway packages or family holiday packages. My personal favorite is the Park Plaza County Hall on South Bank, just a short stroll away from some of London’s biggest family-friendly attractions, such as the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, and more.

The Park Plaza Family Package is the best amongst family holiday packages, which includes kids’ goodie bags and seasonal kids’ activities, as well as complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dinner for children under 12 when dining with their parents. Free in-room cinema (and WiFi) is also included.

Visitors to the Park Plaza also get two-for-one tickets to Merlin’s top London attractions for children under 12, making it another prominent name in the list of best places for family holidays.

5. The Nox Hotel, Waterloo, can be your best friend for family-friendly holidays. It is located in Waterloo and is just a few minutes walk from the South Bank of London and many of the city’s attractions. It’s a beautiful family-friendly apartment hotel with a double bed and two single beds for children. The hotel’s sleek family studios feature a fully fitted kitchenette with a fridge, microwave, and toaster. The hotel is also a few minutes away from Waterloo Station, so it’s perfect for any day trip out of the capital, including a visit to Hampton Court Palace.

6. The Grand at Trafalgar Square It’s hard to get much more centrally located than this hotel. It has one bedroom suite with a kitchenette, making it a great choice for families.

7. Marlin Waterloo; Just 650 yards from the London Eye, Marlin Waterloo has family rooms with a kitchenette.

8. The Ampersand, Kensington The Ampersand is housed in a large, Victorian-style building and is a chic boutique hotel just a few minutes walk from South Kensington tube station. It’s also close to many of the city’s children’s museums, making it another good choice for family-friendly holidays.

In addition to the stunning decor in the rooms—many of which come with their kitchenette—and some with stunning views of the surrounding rooftops, The Ampersand also offers a science-themed Science Afternoon Tea, which includes dinosaur biscuits, rocket cheese straws, and other fun treats for the little ones, as well as a colorful games room with a Ping Pong table.

9. Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington

The Royal Garden Hotel is a five-star hotel situated at the end of London’s high street, with stunning views over the city’s gardens and Hyde Park. It is just a few minutes walk from London’s Palace, making you feel like you’re living next door to royalty.

The hotel is very family-friendly: children are welcome to bring backpacks filled with toys and games to play in their room, and there are plenty of other children’s toys and games to choose from, such as a wigwam tent.

You’ll also be able to borrow a micro-scooter to ride around the park, and there’s a food and Netflix package that allows unlimited movie and food delivery to your room, so the kids will be spoilt for choice.

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember is to take it easy and enjoy your holiday. One of the most important things to remember when deciding the place amongst some of the best family holiday destinations to go, planning, and getting ready for a flight with your kids until reaching the venue to start your holiday is to take it easy. Make the most of being the proud parents because it’s an adventure full of memories and time spent together as a family.

Fly with your children, surprise them with a Wonderful Qatar Airways Experience during their holiday, and enjoy the ride.