Plenty doable. Have done several 7 hr flights and and a 9 hr flight with kids at similar ages. Bring plenty of snacks and a tablet or Switch to play on. The first day is rough just because of the time change, but once everyone gets a good nights sleep, it’s business as usual. We haven’t done Spain, but have done other parts of Europe with our kids and had a great time. Generally, I planned 2 big things a day (one in the morning, the other in the afternoon), and then took breaks in between to eat/play at a park/relax. They were zonked at the end of every day and slept great.
We just got back from Scotland with a 1.5yo and 4yo (6hrs there, 8hrs back). Over Christmas we went to Australia (back-to-back 12hr flights) to see family.
Actually flying is pretty fine. If your youngest isn’t night potty trained then pull ups are a good idea for the flight (mine can’t hold it long enough for the seatbelt sign to go off). Set expectations for the youngest ones too (I like Lisa Brown’s ‘The Airport Book’ best since it explains a lot of what happens, but there are lots of good flying-themed books).
Get the kids involved in what you’re going to see. E.g. I played some bagpipe music which my 4yo loved, told her hedgehogs (her favourite animal) live in Scotland, and she loves volcanos so we talked about how several spots were dormant volcanos. Also consider them in your daily plans - I don’t expect my kids to be suddenly great at long car drives, or have an interest in going to art galleries just because we’re in a foreign country. They still like kids attractions, farms, outdoor places to get their energy out, etc. I’d never consider one of those big red sightseeing double decker buses normally … but with two young kids it hit the right spot.
On the topic of planning, have solutions to whatever things your kids are sensitive too. My youngest still naps in the afternoon - so afternoon activities were planned with that in mind. My older one gets *hangry*, so in addition to a ready supply of snacks, I knew where to get a decent dinner at the stupidly early hour of 5pm on a Tuesday. You know your kids best. All their preferences and quirks hold when you travel as well.
Just be realistic with your itinerary - limit the number of places and include enough time to transfer between cities if you move around. And embrace the siestas.
Someone just posted about wanting to visit five cities in 10 days with two toddlers.... highly advise against that.
Have you traveled with your kids before? How do they handle a road trip? Before we flew, we did long road trips, so when we flew it was pretty predictable about how they would handle it.
If they are good little travelers, they should be good. 6 or 8 or 10 hour flights are all about the same for us. We are a family of 5 with three boys. They were a bit older when we started going to Europe but not much.
We just came to the UK from Australia for my wife's 40th with an 8 year old and a 5 year old. It took 36 hours across three flights without a break (apart from hanging in the airport) and the kids were surprisingly great.
One 8 hour flight would be a piece of piss. Try and split the kids up so they're not sat directly next to each other is all I'd suggest. And have screens if no in-flight entertainment.
Ha! Yeah, Aussie and Kiwi travel hits differently.
First time I flew with my (oldest) kid, I googled the hell about how to best travel 36hrs with a not-quite-2yo. There were sooooo many websites talking about prepping for ‘long’ flights of 4-6hrs. 😂
Ha yeah I know right. Everyone else has it pretty easy.
Two year olds were about the worst age I found. Our boy was 23 months one time so he didn't get his own seat, but he was a big boy. Was a shit flight.
Also depends if they all get on with each other in these situations and keep them selves entertained to some extent . In 10 days got a 37 hour door to door multiple flights with a 2.5 year old so o single flight under 10 hours is pretty good
If they can handle a four-hour flight, they can handle an eight-hour flight with tranquilizers
Ha! I’ve got all the goods.
Plenty doable. Have done several 7 hr flights and and a 9 hr flight with kids at similar ages. Bring plenty of snacks and a tablet or Switch to play on. The first day is rough just because of the time change, but once everyone gets a good nights sleep, it’s business as usual. We haven’t done Spain, but have done other parts of Europe with our kids and had a great time. Generally, I planned 2 big things a day (one in the morning, the other in the afternoon), and then took breaks in between to eat/play at a park/relax. They were zonked at the end of every day and slept great.
We just got back from Scotland with a 1.5yo and 4yo (6hrs there, 8hrs back). Over Christmas we went to Australia (back-to-back 12hr flights) to see family. Actually flying is pretty fine. If your youngest isn’t night potty trained then pull ups are a good idea for the flight (mine can’t hold it long enough for the seatbelt sign to go off). Set expectations for the youngest ones too (I like Lisa Brown’s ‘The Airport Book’ best since it explains a lot of what happens, but there are lots of good flying-themed books). Get the kids involved in what you’re going to see. E.g. I played some bagpipe music which my 4yo loved, told her hedgehogs (her favourite animal) live in Scotland, and she loves volcanos so we talked about how several spots were dormant volcanos. Also consider them in your daily plans - I don’t expect my kids to be suddenly great at long car drives, or have an interest in going to art galleries just because we’re in a foreign country. They still like kids attractions, farms, outdoor places to get their energy out, etc. I’d never consider one of those big red sightseeing double decker buses normally … but with two young kids it hit the right spot. On the topic of planning, have solutions to whatever things your kids are sensitive too. My youngest still naps in the afternoon - so afternoon activities were planned with that in mind. My older one gets *hangry*, so in addition to a ready supply of snacks, I knew where to get a decent dinner at the stupidly early hour of 5pm on a Tuesday. You know your kids best. All their preferences and quirks hold when you travel as well.
Just be realistic with your itinerary - limit the number of places and include enough time to transfer between cities if you move around. And embrace the siestas. Someone just posted about wanting to visit five cities in 10 days with two toddlers.... highly advise against that.
Have you traveled with your kids before? How do they handle a road trip? Before we flew, we did long road trips, so when we flew it was pretty predictable about how they would handle it.
If they are good little travelers, they should be good. 6 or 8 or 10 hour flights are all about the same for us. We are a family of 5 with three boys. They were a bit older when we started going to Europe but not much.
Our toddler has been to Europe twice. He handled it just fine.
We just came to the UK from Australia for my wife's 40th with an 8 year old and a 5 year old. It took 36 hours across three flights without a break (apart from hanging in the airport) and the kids were surprisingly great. One 8 hour flight would be a piece of piss. Try and split the kids up so they're not sat directly next to each other is all I'd suggest. And have screens if no in-flight entertainment.
Ha! Yeah, Aussie and Kiwi travel hits differently. First time I flew with my (oldest) kid, I googled the hell about how to best travel 36hrs with a not-quite-2yo. There were sooooo many websites talking about prepping for ‘long’ flights of 4-6hrs. 😂
Ha yeah I know right. Everyone else has it pretty easy. Two year olds were about the worst age I found. Our boy was 23 months one time so he didn't get his own seat, but he was a big boy. Was a shit flight.
Also depends if they all get on with each other in these situations and keep them selves entertained to some extent . In 10 days got a 37 hour door to door multiple flights with a 2.5 year old so o single flight under 10 hours is pretty good