Tips For Flying With a Toddler

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Flying with a toddler or a baby is always stressful to think about, but there are strategies that can make it a smoother experience. I know many families who stopped flying when having kids because they were so anxious about it that they couldn’t enjoy the trip. But I promise these tips for flying with a toddler are simple and can make the traveling experience easier on everyone.

When our kids were young, we took long flights to Maui, to Niagara Falls and even to the Bahamas. These tried-and-true tips helped us have an easier time flying with toddlers–especially since we were outnumbered with three kids.

Tips for Flying With a Toddler: Packing Essentials

• Check Baby Gear For Free: Most airlines will check your baby gear–car seat and stroller for free. You can either check these before security, or do a gate check if it’s easier for you to keep your kid in the stroller until you’re at the gate.
• Carry-ons: You can bring snacks and meals on board with you. It just needs to go through security. Also, you can bring baby bottles and sippy cups with water, juice, formula, milk, baby food and even medications–these items are exempt from the 3.4oz or less rule–you just need to make sure you pull them out of our bag to have them screened in security.
• Tablets: Kids tablets can be a lifesaver when traveling with kids, and is high on my list of tips for flying with a toddler. Be sure to bring kids headphones that fit them easily–the earbuds that they give out on planes tend to be too big for kids’ ears and they are hard to keep in. Make sure the device is fully charged and has apps downloaded ahead of time.
• Blankets and stuffies: Remember to grab your kids’ favorite comfort items if that will make them feel more comfortable on the plane.

Consider Flight Times

• Direct Flights: Direct flights will help reduce the number of hours you’re traveling in a day. Also, take off and landing tend to be the hardest on toddlers (it can hurt their ears), so it could be beneficial to only have to do that part once.
• Flight Timing: When our kids were babies, we would book red-eye flights so they would sleep the whole time. It worked well for us because our kids weren’t picky when it came to sleeping. But I will say, it didn’t allow us to get comfortable and sleep, so we would start our vacation feeling very sleepy. It also made me a little more stressed knowing that everyone was trying to sleep, if the kids did start fussing. Traveling during the day, but during nap time, can help your toddlers to sleep but not necessarily put a ton of pressure on them to stay completely silent.

Airport Lounges

• Having access to an airport lounge during a layover or before a flight is a game changer. We have free access to lounges with our credit card, and now we can have a (free!) meal, coffee, snacks, cookies, etc. before or between flights. Lounges also provide comfortable seating and places to re-charge those electronics if needed. Check out this list of credit cards that can get your family free lounge access.
• Speaking of credit cards, one of my favorite family travel tips is booking free travel to save money. That always helps with the stress level. Check out how you can use credit cards to earn free family travel.

Tips For Flying With a Toddler: In-flight Strategies

• Seat Selection: Consider choose a seat on the aisle to make getting in and out easier for you and your toddler. This way you can walk to the restroom, or stand up to rock your child without having to disturb a stranger next to you.
• Takeoff and Landing: As I mentioned, take off and landing tend to be the hardest on kids. You can have your toddler suck on a pacifier or sippy cup during takeoff and landing to help alleviate ear pressure. Even chewing on something can help relieve this pressure.
• Stretch and Move: If it’s a long flight, take opportunities to walk up and down the aisle with your toddler if it’s safe to do so.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Snacks

• Snacks and treats: I am not above bribes, especially when it can make life easier in stressful situations. Having snacks and treats on hand can make flying with toddlers much easier, and is one of the easiest tips for flying with a toddler. Especially if the treat is something that will last awhile, like a lollipop.
• Carry-on food: Remember that you can carry on food with you, even if you brought it from home or stopped at McDonalds on your way to the airport. You just need to send it through security. The only exception is liquid for adults, but the toddlers can bring juices and milk without issue.

Entertainment and Distractions

• Toys and Activities: Very similar to my list of road-trip essentials, there are things you can bring on the flight that will help entertain your kid. Bring new or favorite toys to keep your toddler entertained. Coloring books, small toys, stickers, and figurines can work well. Remember to consider volume of the toy and the noise it can make if your child hits it on the seats or tray table.
• Interactive Play: Engaging with your child and playing games is an easy way to make time go by quickly as well. My kids enjoy playing “I Spy” or simply having me read a book to them.
• Split Duties: When possible, trading off between parents can help entertain the child and lessen the burden on one parent to entertain the toddler the entire trip.

Tips For Flying With A Toddler: Stay Calm and Positive

• Patience: Remember that kids can pick up on your mood and emotions. Stay calm and patient while flying with kids, and this will go a long way in keeping them calmer as well.
• Accept Help: If a flight attendant or a fellow passenger offers help, don’t hesitate to accept it. Seasoned moms know firsthand how stressful flying with toddlers can be and truly don’t mind helping you out.

Plan for the Unexpected

• Extra Clothes: Pack an extra set of clothes in case of spills, accidents, or messes.
• Be Flexible: It’s ok if things don’t go exactly as planned. The strangers near you will soon forget if your children were extra loud or fussy. They don’t have to deal with them outside of this flight, so don’t be concerned about what they think of you.
• Consider Trip Insurance: If you are traveling internationally, you may want to consider trip insurance when traveling with kids.

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