Taking youngsters to RIAT

[VectairQRAD]

So this year will mark my first year going with a wee one in tow. I'm wondering if anyone had any past experience with this? Specifically for me it's a 1 year old.

Obviously my priorities are focused around hearing protection, hydration/sustenance and the weather.

We've got some baby ear defenders, though if anyone has recommendations for ones they swear by I have zero issues buying more. I'm going to assume the normal water, food and clothing we use on day trips already are more than sufficient. But again happy to take advice about RIAT specific things.

In the past I've seen the Radio Flyer type trolleys used as a combination child/luggage haulage system. Are these preferred over generic prams? They look more practical but how is the comfort for the kids to be in all day?

Outside of this stuff is there anything I've not thought about or other general kids at RIAT advice that isn't necessarily obvious for the first time doing it?

Thanks!

[iainpeden]

Personally I'd be forking out for a baby sitter!

[Paulo(mk2)]

There is a large amount of the showground that isn't hardstanding - would recommend not taking a pram for this reason alone.

We have a trolley from Costco and throw a couple of garden chair cushions in it to make it comfortable for when little legs get tired! Maybe an umbrella to cover little one - prams do have covers which you'll be missing, especially if it's warmer/sunny.

Take some toys, or be prepared to buy some!

[Jaymer15]

I have taken all my kids when they were young to RIAT and other shows.

To be fair I only take them when the wife comes to the show as they can be hard work on your own. But then last time the kids came there were 5 of them.

We did take the pram and didn't have too much of a issue on the grass but the prams we have used don't have small wheels.
After that take the stuff you have already said about such as lots to eat and drink, ear defenders and then anything for what the weather has in store for us.What I would do should there be anything loud, is to hold them in tight with the ear defenders on. It work with my kids and a B1 taking off.

What I will say is I took my oldest son when he was 3 years old and now at 16 he wants to join the RAF as a fast jet pilot. I first went to RIAT when I was a couple of months sort of my 5th birthday back in 1985 and it started a hobby that has lasted a lifetime. Then having spent 28 years working as an electrician I now work at my local airport on Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) as an Airfield Technician.

[VectairQRAD]

Thanks for the responses!

We have a trolley from Costco and throw a couple of garden chair cushions in it to make it comfortable for when little legs get tired

Was this one that came with a sun shade/cover? I've seen some do come with almost a gazebo type roof. Would some additional covering need to be jerry rigged for more coverage or are these built on ones sufficient?

[Yunglee]

Not been with very young kids but have been with young teenagers (not the same I know)...based on that and seeing loads of families at RIAT on showdays, the best equiped ones have stuff like a beech shelter for some cover from either sun or rain (https://amzn.eu/d/eawkVdQ) and a picnic blanket.

[C-Harvey]

You asked for advice..

Leave your baby and wife at home.

[a321]

I took my son to a Wattisham airshow in a buggy when he was 3 got some nice pics of him in front of a Phantom in his buggy. Fairford with a 1 year old you wont enjoy it. And he will have no idea what is going on, and if its wet or hot it will be a nightmare for both of you.

[Supra]

Wattisham for instance was probably a 3 hour airshow with a few thousand people?
RIAT is a 8 hour balls-out airshow with an active lazy-lunch! That's following a stupid-early start & the annual Dawn scrum to get parked, then get into the showground & find a spot to view.

Ultra good or bad weather will adversely affect all aspects of your experience & result in a fore-shortened day! Naturally, you can mitigate some issues with good preparation & planning, but the reality
is that your 'wee one' will have no recollection of the experience in the long-term, just the misery of an awful experience in the short-term!

Trust me. It will be fractious & you may end up at war with your wife, who will question your choices & detract from your positive experience. If you wish, take your wife but I strongly recommend you
award short stuff a 'Nanny Day' preferably with a sleep-over the night before?
HTH. Good Luck.

[Malcolm]

It all depends on how important YOUR enjoyment of RIAT is to you, and how much of that you are prepared to sacrifice for others. Personally I agree with C-Harvey, a321 and Supra, but your enjoyment, your rules.

In skiing circles there is a phrase - "There are no friends on a powder day". Not sure how that translates to airshows, but the sentiment applies.