Let’s be honest: travelling with children is a wonderful experience that enriches the soul... but the plane journey can become a real jungle. We’ve all felt that cold sweat when the pilot announces take-off and, at that very moment, the drama begins. Tantrums at 30,000 feet, awkward ear pain, or the dreaded phrase that gets repeated like a mantra: “I’m bored.”

We know perfectly well that family holidays don’t start when you check in at the hotel. They begin much earlier, right in your living room, facing an open suitcase and that eternal doubt: “Am I forgetting something vital?”

The purpose of this guide isn’t just to help you survive the flight, but to actually enjoy it (or at the very least, come as close as possible to a peaceful moment). We’ve put together a tried-and-tested list, from parent to parent, so that the flight becomes part of the adventure—not a logistical nightmare. Trust me, with the right preparation, anything is possible.

 
 

🛑 No time to read the whole post now?

We know that being a parent means you barely get five minutes to yourself.

👉 [Download our PDF CHECKLIST here] ready to print. 

Stick it on the fridge and tick off the boxes as you pack.

Documentation and “bureaucracy”: quick and clear

Before we dive into toys and snacks, let’s get the boring stuff out of the way. There’s nothing worse than the stress of queuing at the gate, desperately searching for papers while trying to stop the kids from running off.

  • ID card or passport and the family book (sometimes requested and takes up no space): Check the expiry date today. It’s a classic mistake to realise two days before travel that your child’s document is out of date.
  • European Health Insurance Card or travel insurance: Essential if you’re travelling abroad.
  • Digital lifesaver: Take a photo of all documents with your phone and email them to yourself or save them to the cloud. If the physical copies are lost, having digital versions can save the day.

The anti-boredom kit: in-flight entertainment

This is where the real challenge begins. A bored child in a confined space is a ticking time bomb. Your approach needs to be varied and layered.

  • The golden rule: Always include a new toy. It doesn’t have to be expensive, just something novel. The element of surprise will buy you at least 30 minutes of absolute peace.
  • Technology (your ace in the hole): Don’t feel guilty about screen time on the plane. It’s survival.
    • Take a tablet loaded with their favourite films or series. The plane WiFi is notoriously unreliable, and you don’t want to find out mid-flight.
    • Don’t forget some comfortable children’s headphones. Your fellow passengers will thank you.
  • Analogue always works too:
    • Sticker books: Magical. They keep kids entertained and, unlike felt-tip pens, won’t stain the seat covers or clothing.
    • Magnetic games: The pieces stick to the board, meaning you won’t be crawling around on the cabin floor searching for that lost bit.

 
 

The anti-hunger kit and ear care: crisis management

Hunger and changes in ear pressure are the two main triggers for tears in little ones. Here’s your plan of attack.

  • Avoid sugar: The last thing you want in a pressurised metal tube is a child on a sugar high.
  • Snack allies: Sliced fruit, rice cakes, breadsticks or small sandwiches. Real food that fills the gap and keeps little hands busy.
  • The go-to trick for ears:
    • Babies: Offer a bottle, breastfeeding or a dummy during take-off and landing. The sucking motion helps balance the pressure.
    • Older children: Here we do make an exception with sugar. A lollipop or some chewing gum works wonders. Swallowing and moving the jaw unclogs their ears and prevents pain.
  • Hydration: Take an empty reusable water bottle and fill it up after security. The air in planes is very dry and staying hydrated helps calm nerves.

Hygiene and “just in case” essentials: clothing and cleaning

It’s happened to me: a child who spills juice (or something worse) all over themselves in the very first minute of the flight. If you haven’t packed a spare set of clothes, the journey seems endless.

  • A complete change of clothes
 for everyone! Packing a spare set for your child is a given, but here’s an expert tip: bring a clean top for yourself, too. If your child is sick or spills juice, chances are you’ll get caught in the crossfire.
  • Layering (the “onion effect”): Planes can be freezing, but Mallorca will greet you with bright sunshine. Dress children in easy-to-remove layers (zip-up hoodies work wonders).
  • Wet wipes: The ultimate lifesaver. Perfect for cleaning hands, faces, dodgy folding tables, stains on clothes
 Never pack too few.

Cabin first aid kit: health basics

You don’t need to carry an entire pharmacy, just the essentials to sort out any sudden discomfort. Remember, liquids must be in containers of less than 100ml.

  • Painkillers/antipyretics: Calpol or Nurofen (or whichever equivalent you use) in a small bottle or single-dose sachets. If your child starts coming down with a fever mid-flight, you’ll be grateful to have it on hand.
  • Fun plasters and a thermometer: Take up hardly any space and solve a lot of problems.

What you really can leave at home (save yourself some space)

Here comes the best part. Stop playing Tetris with the car boot. At Hotels VIVA, we know that travelling with the family requires military-level logistics, which is why we want to make things easier for you.

If you’re staying with us (especially in our family-friendly hotels like VIVA Blue or VIVA Eden Lago), cross these off your list:

  • Travel cot: We’ve got you covered. Just let us know when you book and it’ll be ready in your room.
  • High chair: Available in all our restaurants.
  • Pool towels: We’ll lend you some (with a small deposit). Save that suitcase space—it's gold.
  • Emergency baby food: Our buffet offers children’s options and freshly prepared purĂ©es.

See? We’ve just freed up half your suitcase so you can treat yourself to an ensaimada to take home.

 
 

Conclusion: relax, you’re staying at a Hotel VIVA

If, despite all this planning, you forget something, don’t panic. The important thing is that you arrive; we’ll take care of the rest.

Remember, if you’ve made the clever choice to stay in an aparthotel, you’ll have plenty of handy facilities waiting for you. In family-friendly hotels like VIVA Blue & Spa or VIVA Eden Lago, there are minimarkets for any emergencies and rooms equipped with a microwave and fridge—making life easier from the very first moment.

Take a deep breath, order that tomato juice you only ever fancy on a plane, and smile. You’re about to begin an unforgettable holiday in Mallorca.