If you're going on a family vacation and you're planning a helicopter tour, you'll need to take extra precautionary measures for your young children. Helicopter tours can be a great way for you and your kids to see the sights that you miss while you're standing on the ground. However, you do need to make sure that you're prepared for the experience. Here are four steps you need to take if you're taking young children on a helicopter tour.

Reduce the Sound

If you're going to bring a baby or toddler on the helicopter tour, make sure you take steps to reduce the sound. Helicopters are quite noisy, which can cause serious problems for young children. When you book your tour, ask if they provide noise-canceling headphones. If they don't, pick up a set for each of your kids prior to your tour. The noise-canceling headphones will allow you and your kids to enjoy the tour without worrying about the excess noise.

Avoid Ear Aches

If your trip includes a small baby, you need to worry about earaches. Altitude can cause severe earaches, especially for babies who are too young to relieve their own ear pressure. The best way to avoid earaches during your helicopter tour is to provide your baby with a pacifier. Be sure to bring at least two – one for full-time use and one for backup. Prior to take off, place a pacifier in your baby's mouth. The sucking action provided by the pacifier will help keep your baby's ears clear.

Pack Some Snacks

If you're heading out on a helicopter tour with your kids, don't forget to pack some light snacks. You never know when your kids will get hungry, or even queasy. A light snack of crackers and a sip of bubbly soda will help relieve the queasiness and the hunger. In fact, if you've never been on a helicopter tour, you may find that you need a quick snack as well.

Plan for Boredom

If you have toddlers who will be joining you on your helicopter tour, pack a few things to prevent boredom. Young children can quickly lose interest in sightseeing tours. One of the best ways to alleviate boredom in young children is to provide them with their own camera. A camera will allow them to take pictures of sights that capture their attention. Not only that, but the pictures your child takes will allow you to see the tour from their eyes.