By: Special from DFW Airport Date Posted: 5/21/2008 Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend

• Packing luggage at home. Pack a backpack to carry on their own if they’re old enough.
• Getting tickets and checking luggage at the airport. Talk to them ahead of time to prepare them for any lines you might encounter
• Going through security. Children over the age of three will typically have to go through security by themselves. Remind them that “Security people are here to protect us.”
• Visiting restaurants, shops and play areas in the terminal or waiting for the plane. Where they are available, restaurants, shops and play areas can help keep your children occupied while you are waiting at the gate.
• Getting on the plane. Talk to kids ahead of time about seat belt safety, and prepare them for takeoff, pressurization, flight attendants, landing and the fact that they will need to stay seated for a long time.
• Getting off the plane at the destination. Prepare children ahead of time if you will be connecting to another flight, and discuss the “excitement” of renting a car or getting picked up by grandparents.
• Staying at a destination for a few day

  Plan carry-ons and checked luggage Be sure to carry-on any medicines (prescription or non-prescription) that you or your children might need during the flight or any layovers. Remember to pack things to entertain or calm your children in your carry-on luggage. Carry on a favorite item or something familiar from home, such as a stuffed animal or blanket. Portable electronic devices can be a great way to keep older children occupied at the terminal and during the flight. For a list of approved electronic devices and other tips, visit TSA online. Remember to pack a small first aid kit with Band-aids, tissues and other items in case they are needed during the flight.

  s and then preparing to return home. Remind children of what they saw and learned on the first half of the trip.

Prepare yourself
Plan ahead of time for airport security screening and the requirements for children. For specific details on special procedures for children, visit the Transport Security Administration (TSA) online.

• Pack the kids' carry-on with books, coloring books, crayons and various activities to pass the time. If at all possible, save these for the plane -- try not to use them up in the terminal.
• Bring chewing gum or lollipops for pressurization relief. Breastfeeding, formula bottles or sippy cups will work best for infants and toddlers.
• Juice boxes or sealed water cups and bottles might be subject to TSA carry-on rules. Be sure to check online for full details and updated information.
• Plan meals as if your flights will be on-time. Prepare for possible delays by planning for standby meals and snacks such as sandwiches, fruit and cookies.

Young travelers and the new security rules for liquids
On Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2006, TSA adjusted the ban on liquids, gels and aerosols. Air travelers may now carry liquids, gels and aerosols in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints. The following rules apply to all liquids, gels and aerosols carried through security checkpoints.

• All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes rolled up are not allowed. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
• All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon-size bags or bags that are not zip-top, such as fold-over sandwich bags, are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
• Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top

  Getting Around With Kids at DFW International Airport DFW International Airport offers a number of play areas throughout the airport. Children’s play areas are located at: D26 McDonald's Terminal B, Gate 12 Terminal C, Gate 14 All locations feature padded playscapes. The B12 and C14 locations (Junior Flyer’s Clubs) also feature monitors airing cartoons on the Boomerang network. Ride the Skylink Skylink trains are fast, free and fun for children of all ages. The trains typically arrive every two minutes and a full round trip on the train is approximately 18 minutes (2 minutes between trains, round trip in 18 minutes, furthest point is 9 minutes away). If you have an hour or more to wait, this is an excellent way to see all of the airport and airplanes from a unique vantage point. Terminal D Art Terminal D features several interactive structures that children will enjoy walking through. You can find "Circling" at the South Concessions Village and "Crystal Mountain" at the North Concessions Village. Terminal D also has a variety of great restaurants and shops for longer layovers.

  bag from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security officers to more easily examine the declared items.

There are exceptions for baby formula, breast milk and other essential liquids, gels and aerosols, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines. To ensure the health and welfare of certain air travelers, in the absence of suspicious activity or items, the TSA will allow quantities greater than 3 ounces of the following liquids, gels and aerosols through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities for the duration of your itinerary (all exceptions must be presented to the security officer in front of the checkpoint):

• Baby formula, breast milk and juice
• All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels and aerosols) including eye drops and saline solution for medical purposes
• Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition
• Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions

You are allowed reasonable amounts over 3 ounces of the items above in your carry-on baggage, but you will need to perform the following:

• Separate these items from the liquids, gels and aerosols in your quart-size and zip-top bag.
• Declare you have the items to one of the security officers at the security checkpoint.
• Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening.

DFW Airport has taken steps to ensure the security of the boarding areas after you pass through the security checkpoints. Therefore, any liquid, gel or aerosol such as coffee or soda that you purchase in the secure area beyond the security checkpoint is allowed aboard your plane. If you have a layover and are re-screened at your connecting airport, the current rules (see above) for carry-ons apply.