You might be surprised to learn that you can take an infant and a toddler on a helicopter sightseeing tour; I know I was. But is it really that shocking when kids can fly in airplanes? Aviation law still applies, and yes, you don’t have to pay for a lap child. You can’t fly in a doorless helicopter, but you can fly in one that is enclosed with all the necessary seatbelts and other gear. Of course you will still want to check with your intended tour company before you book your trip, but with any luck you and your little ones will be airborne exploring via the sky above in no time. There are just a few tricks you need to know before you take off.
- Ask for noise canceling headphones for the baby or bring your own. Helicopters are loud. Adults should be given a headset, but a babies, especially one held in your lap, can be forgotten. Baby’s tender ears should be protected. It will also give him or her something to poke at and grab while in flight.
- Bring more than one pacifier. If your baby takes a pacifier, always have a spare or two very handy in case one is lost. Halfway through our first helicopter ride with both kids baby Ty lost his pacifier. Up until that point he was doing quietly enjoying the ride. After the pacifier was lost things went downhill. You can’t exactly stand up in a helicopter to look for the missing pacifier.
- Pack a small snack and fizzy beverage. No matter how smooth the tour company you travel with claims their flights are you may still get a little queasy. Pack a bottle or sippy cup of water for the baby, but don’t forget yourself and older children. Bringing a few crackers for you and older children, along with a soda or fizzy water, can help those tender stomachs get focused back on the baby and enjoying your ride.
- Wear dark colors. The last thing you want to have while on a helicopter ride around a tropical island is glare off the window. Wearing dark clothing helps minimize the reflection so your photos can come out as if no glass is in the way.
- Give the toddler a camera. Your toddler may love a ride aboard a helicopter, but even the most amazing trip can get a little long. When your child’s interest in waterfalls and canyons starts to wane, hand your little one a camera to capture the rest of the trip. Keeping a toddler’s mind engaged is always the key to a successful outing you all can enjoy.
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walking on travels: keep traveling, keep moving forward;
take your kids walking on life’s path to adventure
Traveling with Baby: 5 Tricks to Taking a Helicopter Tour written by Keryn Means
February 6, 2013 at 11:47 am
I had no idea as well, but my husband who is a flight instructor wants to take Erika flying. SO adorabs!
Charu recently posted..Off the Beaten Path: Djibouti, an Unlikely Luxury Destination
February 6, 2013 at 12:35 pm
Do it Charu! She will LOVE it, especially when she is a little older.
February 6, 2013 at 12:28 pm
Adorable post! I love helicopters (and babies) and the tips are useful even for those who aren’t taking a baby onboard. I’d never thought of the dark clothing before but it makes perfect sense. And of course every baby should have a camera! a good, REAL drop- n water-resistant one. The toy cameras I’ve seen have had a screen so small, the kids couldn’t see anything and weren’t interested.
Lesley Peterson recently posted..ArtSmart Roundtable: Is that a Buddha in your backpack?
February 6, 2013 at 12:34 pm
Leslie I could not agree more about the camera. My son has a Fisher Price camera that is more like a slide show. That was his first. By 2 years old he had stolen my point and shoot. He has now claimed it as his own and I bought myself a new one
For the flight he got to use my iPhone in a LifeProof case. Very toddler friendly!
February 7, 2013 at 3:27 am
sure looks like fun! Mind you when I was younger and we took my late Grandma out for her birthday in a plane (a small site seeing one) I went so green (they were doing big loops!) that they had to land quickly!
Wonder if you feel the same effects in a Helicopter?
I like the safety measures that they have in place for little ones, be good if they had the same in planes when flying with small children!
Lisa Wood recently posted..Roses For Valentines Day :: Plus Our Gift To You!
February 15, 2013 at 9:47 am
This is great!! What age would you suggest you could do this from? We are heading to NZ and wondering if we might do it. Although our baby will be just under 6 months – do you reckon a little young? I am so keen and so is my husband but not sure!!
February 15, 2013 at 9:52 am
Hi Nicola, I would check with the helicopter tour company to see if they put an age restriction on their passengers. IN theory if your baby can fly in an airplane than they can fly in a helicopter though. My baby was 8 months old. He did great until we lost that pacifier. I would definitely give it a go, but have those noise reducing headphones for the baby. Protect those little ears!
April 13, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Great idea! I wouldn’t have thought you could take a helicopter ride with kids. Glad I now know you can as I have a “copter” obsessed child!
Bethaney – Flashpacker Family recently posted..Ten Tips to Avoid Drugging Your Child on a Flight