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Flying with young kids can be stressful and overwhelming, even for experienced travelers. After multiple trips from Alaska to Florida, traveling with children as young as 6 weeks old, and managing 18+ hour travel days, I’ve learned can make a difference when flying with toddlers. Here are some practical strategies I wish I had used from the beginning, that can actually make flying with toddlers easier.
Book morning or daytime flights.
Our airport mostly had flights that departed late at night. My children would go through a full day, sleep a little, and then head to the airport for a 12+ hour travel day. I assumed they would sleep on the plane, but they were usually overstimulated. There was too much going on, and they would get overtired. I started switching to early morning flights, and it made a noticeable difference. Even a few extra hours of sleep significantly improved their moods and ability to settle in for the flights.
Arrive earlier than normal.
While arriving early is always advised, traveling with toddlers requires even more time. Security screening often takes longer due to stroller inspections and screening of milk or formula. If you’re checking car seats, gate-checking items, or traveling without TSA Pre Check, the extra time is essential. Eliminating the pressure of boarding while still in a security line can reduce stress for parents and children.
Pack travel friendly toys. By travel friendly, I mean items that don’t need to be charged, batteries, small, and aren’t noisy. If they are items my kids use frequently, I will hide them a few days before they fly. This way, they get even more excited about them. I personally pack things like a quiet book, magnetic drawing pads, and busy board.
Use car seat covers when checking seats.
I have only brought a car seat onto the plane once. However, I was flying solo with multiple children. While it was nice to have one child contained it was difficult to maneuver and barely fit in the seat. I prefer checking car seats with my luggage and using protective car seat covers. These covers allow easy transport, protect the car seat itself, and can be worn like a backpack.
Consider boarding last.
Although family boarding offers extra time to get settled, it also means toddlers spend more time confined to their seats. Boarding closer to departure time reduces the amount of time spent in their seats. More time to get their energy out before, hopefully taking a nice nap on the plane. Even when you board last, there is still plenty of time to get organized.
Pack more snacks than you think you’ll need.
Airlines may offer snacks, but availability and timing are very unpredictable. Layovers don’t always allow time for full meals, and dealing with a hangry child is no fun. I pack extra snacks and then more extra snacks. I keep some easily accessible in the diaper bag and even more in my carry-on. There is no downside to having extra snacks.
Favorite (less messy) snacks:
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Gate-check the stroller.
Many first-time traveling parents don’t realize strollers can be taken directly to the airplane door and gate-checked. Once I understood how simple this process was, I never traveled without one. With a stroller, you can at least contain one child. You can also use it during layovers to hold your bags. Gate-check tags are provided free at the gate, and the stroller is brought right to the airplane door when you arrive. So nice!
Use nighttime diapers during travel.
Nighttime diapers are designed to hold more and prevent leaks over an extended period, making them ideal for flights. Airplane restrooms are small, lines can form, and diaper changes are not always immediately possible. Using nighttime diapers during travel reduces urgency and stress and offers peace of mind during long flights.
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Related posts: Questions to Consider When Packing for a Family Vacation and Flying With a Baby – What I Wish I Knew
