7 tips for flying with kids & electronics

When I first started traveling (sometime in the pterodactyl-era), I didn't even own a cell-phone: no one I knew did. These days, things are very different: when I step on a plane these days, I usually bring not only my cell-phone, but my Kindle and probably my laptop, and my kids bring their tablets, too. Which is a good thing: technology helps us all stay in touch with friends and family, and can definitely help keep kids (and adults) entertained on long flights.

If you're flying with electronic devices, and especially if you're traveling abroad, there are some things to think about: here are 7 of my tips.


1. Check your data plan before you leave
Most people know about this these days, but it is still good to think about ahead of time. Check with your provider how much it will cost you to use mobile data when you're traveling, just so you don't end up with an astronomical bill when you return home. Use wifi when possible (it's available for free in so many places these days, including many hotels, airports and restaurants), and also make sure you've turned off any automatic updates on your device that might cost you.



2. Fully charge all devices before you leave
Seems obvious, but in the stressed-out mayhem that can reign before you go on a trip with your kids, it can be easy to forget charging your devices. Plug them in, and pack them fully-charged. You might still run out of battery power along the way, but at least you're as prepared as you can be. I know from experience that kids can really use up a lot of battery power if you experience a flight delay, or if you're on a long-haul flight.


3. Bring your cables with you - in your hand luggage
While it's usually pretty easy to remember our actual devices, is can be easy to forget the cables that go with those devices: bring them all, and keep them close. You might need them to recharge your phone or tablet during your trip, for example, if you get stuck at an airport because of a flight delay. There are some very nifty cable- and electronics organizers for travel - some hold hard drives and USB memory-sticks, as well as cables.


4. Bring converters and adapters
If you're traveling abroad, you might need to bring power converters or adapters in order to plug in all your various devices. I travel with several, and two of them allow for USB-charging as well. North American travelers: if your device (usually it's the laptop) has a three-pronged plug, make sure that you bring an adapter that allows for three prongs. Some converters and adapters only allow for a two-pronged plug.


5. Bring a power strip
This is something I hadn't really considered bringing until recently, but it makes sense and I will be bringing one on our next trip. Bring a power strip so that you can recharge several devices at once, using just one outlet. This can even be useful at airports: I've noticed people congregating around any and all power outlets at airports. At Keflavik Airport in Iceland, this meant a person sitting on the floor in the bathroom (of all places) to recharge her phone. If you bring a power strip, you might even make some new friends by offering others a chance to recharge their devices (if you have some extra space, that is).



6. Get a good cover for your device
It's an unfortunate reality that things you pack in your hand luggage might get squashed on a flight. Whether your bag goes in the overhead compartment, or under the seat in front of you, that bag might very well get flattened, crushed, and otherwise mauled. A good cover will protect your phone, tablet, laptop, or e-reader from damage. I have some nice and cheap travel covers for the kids' tablets, a neoprene sleeve for my laptop, and a little "cell-phone wallet" that protects my phone, and also holds a couple of credit cards.


7. Be ready to unpack your devices at security
When you go through security at the airport, you will usually be asked to remove any "large" electronic devices from your bag. In my experience, this always includes laptops, usually includes tablets, and sometimes includes cell-phones as well. The devices are then sent through the x-ray machine separately from the rest of your hand-luggage. Just be ready to remove them all, and keep them readily accessible in your bag. A backpack or bag with a separate compartment for your laptop or tablet can really help speed up the process at security. It also helps keep your device safe, so it's a win-win.

5 tips for how to pack your hand-luggage to make air-travel easier

When you travel by plane with kids, you will definitely be bringing a heftier and heavier load of hand luggage than you would otherwise, and if you don't plan ahead, your carry-ons can slow you down.

Here are 5 tips for how to handle your hand luggage when flying with kids:

1. Let your kids have their own carry on when they're old enough
Once your kids are old enough to pull a wheeled backpack, it's a good idea to let them bring their own carry-on. I prefer the wheeled bags since they're more fun for kids to handle, and easier on little bodies than carrying backpacks or bags. Do check what your kids pack in their hand luggage before you leave home, and make sure they don't bring anything that will get you into trouble (it can happen!) or will be too heavy, or is completely unnecessary. (A child's opinion of what is unnecessary can differ widely from an adult's...)

That's the antibacterial wipes: always within easy reach.

2. Think about what items you'll need the most
Put any items you are most likely to need frequently within easy reach in your carry on. This includes snacks, books and any items your kids can pass the time on while you're waiting (games, e-readers, maybe some activity books or toys). Also, if there are two or more adults in the traveling party, consider dividing items up between your carry-ons: all diaper supplies and changes of clothes in one bag, for example, or all snacks and games in one bag.

Tip: If you put all items you won't be needing frequently into one bag, it will be easier to pack that one into the overhead compartment and out of the way, giving you more leg room on the flight.

3. Remember the rules for liquids
I keep reading in the news that the rules for bringing liquids on board airplanes will be relaxed. So far though, it hasn't happened. Every time you go through a security checkpoint at the airport, you will need to remove any allowed liquids from your hand luggage, and you will be asked to remove any items that don't conform to the rules. Things go a lot faster if you're ready for this.

• You can bring liquids (including creams and gels) in containers that hold no more than 100 ml (3 oz).
• All the liquids have to fit in a clear, 1 litre (1 qt.) ziploc bag and each traveler is allowed one such bag in their carry-on.

You have to be ready to remove this bag at each checkpoint, so make sure it's easily accessible in your carry-on.

Tip: Special rules do apply if you're traveling with a baby (you are allowed to bring food, including formula, for your baby though some restrictions apply), or if you're bringing prescription medications.

4. Put electronics where they're easy to reach
At most airport checkpoints you will also be asked to remove any electronic gadgets from you carry-on before it goes through the x-ray machine. Usually this only applies to things like laptops and other similar sized electronics, and not to cell-phones and e-readers. However, sometimes you will be asked to remove everything. Put these items within easy reach in your hand luggage in order to speed up the process.

Tip: get a cover or sleeve of some kind for electronics like tablets or e-readers. This will help protect the item from damage when you're traveling.

5. Don't wrap gifts
Christmas is getting closer, and a lot of us will be traveling to visit family and friends. Often, we will be bringing gifts. Any gifts you put in your hand luggage should not be wrapped. You might get away with it, but you might also end up spending a lot more time at security than you would like! Better to wrap everything once you arrive at your destination.

8 tips for traveling by plane with electronics

Not too many years ago, I traveled with no electronic devices at all except a cell-phone, and I can even remember a time when I didn't have one of those. These days, it's a different story: my Kindle, my laptop, my cell-phone, and on our upcoming trip the kids' tablets all have to make it on the plane.

Here are some of my tips for flying with your electronics while also keeping your devices safe and in good working order while you travel. These tips apply to things like:

• laptops
• tablets
• cell-phones
• e-readers
• cameras

and anything else you would consider a "small-ish electronic device".

1. Pack electronic devices in your hand-luggage if possible
If you've ever seen how your suitcases are handled as they're loaded into an airplane, you will probably want to keep your electronic devices in your carry-on. Another thing to consider is that occasionally, thefts do occur from checked luggage. Personally, I would not put any of my electronics in the checked luggage: the risk of things getting broken or lost is just too great.


2. Get protective covers
As a parent traveling with kids, you will probably be putting your devices into your hand-luggage with a bunch of other items, which may include more or less messy things like toys, snacks, diapers, changes of clothes, and so on. It's a very good idea to buy some kind of protective cover for your electronics to keep them safe in that muddle - those screens can get damaged easily otherwise.

For our trips, I've purchased a zip-up neoprene cover for my laptop, and some practical and protective leather covers for the kids' Samsung tablets. My cell-phone has a protective cover on it anyway, so it's reasonably safe. 

3. Charge all devices fully before you leave
This is really important to remember, so I'll repeat it: charge everything up before you leave. Many airports now have electrical outlets where you can charge your devices, but it's not always easy to find them or take the time to use them (or find one that's not already taken!). And a device that is taking up space in your carry-on, but won't start when you want to use it is really, really annoying.
 

4. Bring all needed chargers and cables
When you're busy trying to remember everything you need to bring for your trip, this can easily slip your mind. Make sure you bring any battery chargers and cables you need for your devices along on your trip, or they won't be very useful at all! I usually put all these items into a small bag or pouch and pack it into the checked luggage so they're easy to find.


5. For international travel: bring adapters and converters
This is another thing that might slip your mind in the heat of packing for a trip: electrical outlets are not the same the world over. That charger or cable you brought, might not plug into the wall-outlet in a foreign country. Make sure you bring an adapter or converter, as needed, to simplify your life.


6. Bring some headphones
If you or your children are using devices that make noise, to play games or watch movies or listen to audio-books for example, it's a very good idea to bring along some headphones on your flight. That way, you won't be disturbing other travelers, and you will also be able to hear your devices better: the background noise on airplanes can drown out many sounds.

Get child-sized headphones for your kids so they're comfortable: these can often be used for the on-board entertainments system as well.


7. Pack your devices so they can be easily accessed at security
When you go through airport security, small devices like cell-phones and smaller cameras can usually just be left in your hand-luggage. However, security personnel will probably ask you to take out larger devices like laptops and sometimes (not always) tablets and e-readers before putting them through the x-ray machine.

Some backpacks and carry-ons are designed with a special compartment for things like laptops that you can zip open, and easily show your laptop or tablet. But at some security checkpoints you will still have to remove the device from your carry-on. Just make sure your electronics are easy to access to make this process easier.

8. Think about data charges before you go
If you're traveling outside your own country and want to use devices like smart-phones, tablets, laptops and so on that require you to access and use the internet, you should think about what that is going to cost you. Talk to your cell-phone provider about special plans for data-usage when you're abroad, and check how this will affect your other devices as well.

More cell-phone travel-tips can be found in my post: Cell-phone tips & apps when you're traveling with kids (or without!).