Why Flying with Kids is the Best User Research Experience I’ve Ever Had
The Scene: A 16-Hour Flight with Two Kids and No iPad Reliance
Picture this: I’m in the middle seat of an economy-class row, balancing a 3-year-old on one side and a restless 6-year-old on the other. We’re 30,000 feet in the air, 5 hours into a 16-hour non-stop flight to India. The in-flight meal? Rejected after a few bites. The TV quota? Maxed out (we try to limit screen time to 90 minutes every 8 hours - one movie). Five hours in, and I know it’s time to pull out my best strategy.
I take a deep breath and reach into my bag - the one I packed meticulously, filled with carefully curated activities, surprises, and satiating snacks. This was no longer just an experiment; it was a well-tested strategy that had evolved over years. Years of traveling with kids - whether by air or road - taught me that preparation is everything. Through countless flights and enough road trips, I refined a system that kept my children engaged and made long-haul travel manageable. I started making activity bags when my firstborn was two years old, and now, traveling with a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old, it has become an essential part of my travel planning. This is my research in action, refined through trial, insights, and iteration.
For example, I initially packed large coloring books, only to realize they were cumbersome in tight spaces. Switching to smaller activity sheets and sticker books significantly improved usability and engagement. Similarly, I replaced small loose crayons with twistable colored pencils & paint-with-water activity books to avoid mid-flight messes. These iterative adjustments made traveling solo with my kids much smoother and more predictable.
Traveling with Kids = User Research & Iteration in Action
Any travel requires research and planning, but traveling with young kids? That’s a design challenge in itself.
When they were babies, my strategy revolved around bassinets, nap schedules, and a stash of milk bottles.
As toddlers, the goal shifted to engagement and movement. At this stage, my idea for the activity bag took shape. Engagement meant extensive pre-work—researching, identifying, and planning a variety of plane-ready, age-appropriate activities. The goal was to ensure my toddler stayed entertained at regular intervals during long flights, minimizing disruptions and fostering independent play. Over time, I refined my approach, learning what worked best through trial and experience.
Now, as a solo parent traveling with a 3-year-old and a 6-year-old, it’s about sustaining entertainment and minimizing meltdowns—without relying on screens for the entire journey.
As a Service Designer and User Researcher, I realized I was applying the same structured process I used in my professional life:
Understanding the Users: My kids had different needs at each stage of their lives and of travel.
Research: I sought insights from other parents, read travel hacks, and reflected on past experiences.
Ideation & Testing: I experimented with different activity kits, snacks, and engagement techniques.
Iteration: Each trip, I refined my strategies, adjusting for what worked and what didn’t.
The Birth of Juni Bags: A UX Case Study in Parenting & Travel
Through this iterative process, I developed a concept: Juni Bags—travel activity kits for kids up to 6 years old on long-haul flights.
I sourced engaging, compact activities like coloring books, sticker activities, finger puppets, and small surprise toys.
I tested different types of packaging, from folders to ziplock bags to zipper mesh pouches, to see what was easiest to access mid-flight.
I even added a guide for parents, suggesting how to introduce the activities gradually to keep kids engaged.
What started as a personal survival tool turned into something I created for friends. At one point, I considered launching it as a small business—building a logo, website, and marketing plan. However, the execution wasn’t fully thought out in terms of supply. Because it was for friends, I personally sourced materials but had limited knowledge of wholesale sourcing. I also learned that I’m more proactive and efficient in operations when collaborating with others. Despite these challenges, the process was an invaluable lesson in product design and user testing.
What This Experience Taught Me About UX & Customer Experience
Empathy-Driven Design Works Everywhere
Whether designing a product or planning a trip, understanding your users (or kids) is the key to creating a successful experience.
Structured Planning Saves the Day
Having a well-researched framework (like my travel prep) allows for smoother execution.
Iteration is Everything
No plan works perfectly the first time. Observing, adjusting, and improving is the only way to ensure a successful outcome - whether it’s a product, a customer journey, or a transatlantic flight with toddlers.
Motherhood as an Asset, Not a Career Gap
Before having kids, I worked in Service Design & User Research, helping companies identify gaps in their customer experience. I stepped away from that career for a few years, but that didn’t mean I stopped building relevant skills.
Every trip, every meltdown avoided, every problem solved was a lesson in human-centered design.
Every time I refined my travel strategy, I was iterating, optimizing, and thinking like a researcher.
Every time I packed an activity kit, I was designing an experience tailored to my audience.
The reality is, motherhood builds skills that are highly valuable in the workforce—whether or not they fit neatly into a resume.
Your Turn: What "Invisible" Skills Have You Gained?
I know I’m not alone in this. Whether you’ve taken a break from work or have had to juggle parenting and professional life, you’ve built skills that matter.
Have you ever had to manage chaos (aka event planning)?
Have you had to negotiate with an unreasonable toddler (aka conflict resolution)?
Have you had to plan months ahead for a smooth outcome (aka strategic thinking)?
Let’s start recognizing and owning these skills. Share your thoughts: What’s one parenting moment that secretly made you a better professional?