Flying with small children can be a challenge for everyone involved, but you can pick up a few things to make the trip easier for the whole family — and for your fellow passengers. The parents working at Wirecutter have collected a list of the gear they’ve learned to pack, from tools for organizing everything you’re bringing on board the plane to ways to keep everyone comfortable, occupied and happy till touchdown.
More and more airlines offer free streaming content, but a tablet loaded with games or videos lets you make sure you have your kids’ favorites along.
Bring a good pair of over-the-ear headphones for each child — our testing found the BT2200’s volume limiting to be in safer ranges.
Good for kids who prefer sitting in an airplane seat rather than in a convertible car seat or for use in smaller planes with narrow seats.
This easy-to-clean bottle is simple for younger kids to open and close by themselves, and the least likely to leak of all the bottles tested.
Bring two warm, washable, packable puffy blankets: one for cuddling when the temperature drops, and a spare in case of airsickness.
Along with a few favorite paperbacks, pack some new magazines for everyone to discover. This one focuses on storytelling through art and literature.
Wirecutter, a New York Times company, reviews and recommends products. More at Wirecutter.com.
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