Flying w/ kids... nonstop or break it up with a short layover?

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between the ages of 6-13

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seems like at this age they would be perfectly content to just watch a movie on an iPad or something, no?

I wouldn't worry about a 5 hour flight with my 8 year old.

Now my 2 year old?

Normally, I would say non-stop.

But with the mask requirements, it may be more prudent to split it up.

Also, with three kids in that age group -- if you aren't flying business/first, then at the minimum, spring for the preferred seating with the extra 4 inches of leg room. Even for kids, normal economy seating gets crowded after a few hours.

I have 4 kids and have flown with all of them quite a bit. The key to a successful trip is start prepping them days in advance. Setting the expectations of how seats will be rotated, who will sit by who, what to expect (ears popping) and how the entire experience should be treated like an adventure.

- spilled drink? No problem kid... that's just an extra memory to tell the folks back home about the trip.
- ears popping? Man, you're earning your first wings!
- got locked in the bathroom? That happens to EVERYONE on their first flight. (trust me, if you don't show each of them how the bathroom door works and make sure they can operate it, one of them will lock themselves in and freak the hell out.)

The big thing, especially with that age group -- set the expectations well in advance that naps will be taken - no exceptions. Set a time to turn off all electronics and make them sleep. The biggest thing that turns a successful trip into family misery is exhausted kids on the tail-end of a long flight.

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they have to wear them in the airports, so that wouldn't help right?

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Meh... not fully enforced in most airports.

Nonstop. If you have a delay to miss another flight you could have a bad time keeping them entertained.

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Nonstop is always preferable, with or without kids.

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This, without a doubt. A 5 hour flight won't be fun for sure. But you are reducing your travel time and total travel time is more important IMO. The last thing you want is a 2.5 hour layover between flights, which likely means you have a 30-60 min layover. Which likely means you are basically hurrying to pack up, hustle to the next gate, and get there as they board. Then get situated in new seats, unpack, etc.

Reduced travel time is almost always better with younger kids (hell anyone).

ETA: Not to mention the last thing I want to do is have a delay, miss a flight, etc. with kids.

Non stop. you're losing a lot of time landing, layover, take off. Get it over with.

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Nonstop is always preferable, with or without kids.

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This; I’m not letting my kids, especially 6 and over dictate my travel plans. If I have the option for nonstop I’m doing it and they will have to deal with it. Give them a tablet or phone with games if need be. Bring a portable charger if you have to. I’m not splitting it up unless I absolutely have to.

Nonstop. Have done longer international trips with no issues and kids similar ages. Just bring iPads.

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Just bring iPads.

just bring books

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tablets, books, games, it's rare you won't have a screen in the seat in front of you on a 5 hour flight that they can watch shows/movies on.

We flew to France in 2018 with an almost 3 year old and 7 year old with a 4 hour delay on the runway. If we made it through that, those kids can easily do a 5 hour flight.