Family travel can seem a daunting experience, especially during peak vacation periods. There is plenty to consider when traveling with children, from packing the right plush toy to preparing for an unexpected diaper emergency. To ensure your journey is comfortable for all the family, Qatar Airways has prepared the top 10 essential tips for traveling with kids.

1. Reserve a bassinet seat
If you are traveling with a child under two years of age, request a bassinet seat. The extra room will provide a much more comfortable journey than if your child was on your lap for the flight. We recommend making any special requests in advance to provide the crew with enough time to prepare for your arrival onboard.

2. Keep them entertained
Make sure you pack the kids’ favorite toys and games – the last thing you want to do is leave their favorite stuffed animal behind. Once onboard, turn their inflight entertainment system to Oryx One, for access to thousands of kid's channels and games. Qatar Airways' Oryx Kids Club also provides all children with an interactive activity pack filled with coloring pages, plush toys and even books.

4. Make meal time fun
It is always a good idea to have a few emergency snacks when traveling with children. Qatar Airways has handled the snack packing for you - visit the flight galley for a choice of snacks to enjoy at any time throughout your flight. Qatar Airways also makes the kids’ meal times exciting, with lunch boxes filled with tasty and nutritious meals, fruit juice, fun treats and even games. The best part is that your children can keep the meal box as a memento of their journey.

5. Pack wet wipes
The food we mentioned, sometimes ends up on your child’s lap rather than in their mouths. Pack a large supply of wet wipes for emergency clean ups – they’ll come in handy throughout your vacation too. 

6. Pack your child’s backpack
It’s always a good idea to pack a backpack of essentials for your child to carry themselves as hand luggage. They will enjoy the responsibility of having their own luggage to take care of. We recommend packing their bag with them, with the addition of a few surprises to keep them entertained throughout the journey.

7. Check the policy for travel without a seat
Check the fare conditions of your flight when traveling with infants and children as airlines have their own unique policies. Qatar Airways charges a small percentage of the adult fare for an infant ticket without a seat, and a larger percentage for accompanied children who need a seat. Make sure to check the terms and conditions of the fare upon booking.

9. Have a first-aid kit on hand
It is always a good idea to pack medicine that you may need in the case that your kids fall ill inflight. Pack their regular medicine and avoid trying something new when traveling. A few good essentials to pack are pain reliever, ear drops for the altitude change, band aids, motion sickness relief and cough medicine.

10. Plan for your arrival
There is a chance that your children may be disgruntled after their journey onboard - particularly if you arrive in the evening. After sitting still for a long period of time they may need to exercise some energy before they settle down. A handy tip for this is to book accommodation with, or near a playground. If there isn’t a play area nearby, go for a quick walk before bedtime.