Top 3 Tips to Survive a 10-Hour Flight Without Screens (with Kids!)
Hi, I’m a travel planner, mom of two very active, very awesome kids (ages 6 and 7), and someone who loves to travel even when it’s chaos. Let me be honest—flying for 10 hours with kids, without screens, sounds like a special kind of challenge. But we’ve done it. We just got back from an overnight flight to Scotland from the East Coast, and it was our longest continuous flight yet.
We’ve been traveling as a family for the last 4 years—sometimes with magical moments, sometimes with full-on meltdowns (kids and adults included). I didn’t grow up traveling. It wasn’t accessible to my family in the '90s, and that’s a big part of why my husband and I prioritize it for our kids now. Travel teaches resilience, curiosity, flexibility, and empathy—and when you have neurodivergent kids like we do, those lessons are gold.
So stick with me. I will get to the three tips. But first: a little context.
Flying with ADHD Kids = Next-Level Planning
My kids both have ADHD. They’re high-energy, passionate, curious, and impulsive—qualities that make them awesome people, and also a unique challenge at 38,000 feet with turbulence and cramped legroom. Every time we fly, especially solo, I’m a ball of anxiety. Will there be meltdowns? Will they kick the seat in front of them? Will someone have an accident or pour an entire cup of juice on their pants?
We’ve tested, failed, adjusted, and refined. These three tips are the must-haves we keep coming back to.
Tip #1: Every Kid Gets Their Own “Airplane Survival Pack”
This has been a game-changer. From the time they were under 5, we gave them kid-size backpacks (the REI Tarn 12 is still our favorite). Now that they’re older, they’ve graduated to regular backpacks—but the concept is the same:
Snacks: Pack your own. Airport snacks are overpriced and often not ADHD-friendly. We go with protein-heavy choices like meat sticks, trail mix, or granola bars and always throw in some lollipops for the fun and keeps mouths occupied while safety briefing is occuring.
Favorite toys: A small baggie of tried-and-true fidget toys or figurines they already love.
A surprise: One new, inexpensive toy wrapped like a gift. (It buys 30–60 glorious minutes of curiosity and quiet.)
Drawing/coloring kit: Crayons, colored pencils, and a sketch pad or activity book.
Stuffy or comfort item: Especially important on overnight flights.
Extra clothes: If you’re checking bags, always have an extra change of clothes in their packs—never know when those juice spills will happen.
This gives kids autonomy, predictability, and something to look forward to. And it gives you a bag of tricks when the wiggles hit.
Tip #2: Audiobooks Save Everyone’s Sanity
Look, screens can be great—but for us, 10 hours of tablets leads to overstimulation, tantrums, and zero sleep. On overnight flights especially, we’ve found that screens actually make things harder. Instead, we rely on:
Yoto Players (our fave—portable, intuitive, and screen-free)
MP3 players or preloaded phones with airplane mode
Audible audiobooks or free downloads from your local library via Libby!
Some of our go-to titles:
Magic Tree House series
Roald Dahl favorites
Kidz Bop (not a book, but a strong favorite in our house)
Podcasts (big fans of PBS kids, BrainBots and Rebel Girls)
Pro tip: Let them choose their own audiobook before the trip, and make it “special flight-only listening.”
Tip #3: Follow a Loose Schedule (Even on a Plane)
Let’s be real—toddlers don’t do schedules on planes. But now that our kids are school-aged, we’ve learned to use the plane’s natural rhythm and the in-flight service to help anchor their experience.
Here’s what it looks like:
Takeoff + Activity #1: Drawing, sticker books, or a snack.
Meal service: Usually ~1 hour in.
Settle + Audio Story: We dim lights, pull out blankets, and prep for rest.
Sleep time: Even if they don’t fully sleep, quiet time helps.
Wake-up snack + final toys/audio before landing.
We talk them through this plan before we board and remind them throughout the flight. It gives predictability and structure—two things that are critical for ADHD kids, even in the clouds.
Final Thoughts: It’s Never Perfect, But It’s Always Worth It
Not every flight will go smoothly. We’ve had spills, seat kicks, and overstimulation tears. But we’ve also had giggles, sweet conversations, and that magical hush when everyone’s listening to a story while the cabin dims. Those moments? They’re why we do it.
Travel with kids—especially neurodivergent kids—is work. But it’s worth every ounce of preparation. And with these screen-free tools in your back pocket, you can walk onto that 10-hour flight with a little more confidence.
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Want help planning your own kid-friendly adventure—whether it's a hop to the UK or a long-haul family getaway? I’m here to help you travel smarter, with less stress and more magic.