Bringing your children to different parts of the world and introducing them to your love of traveling builds memories as you adventure together. It can be an adjustment to have a little co-passenger on the way, but there’s a certain fulfillment in having the extra company. Hold their hand and use these tips for flying with kids.
1. Book Your Seats
The seats you choose are more important than ever when you’re flying with kids. An average of 2.6 million passengers flew every day throughout March and April 2023. It’s important to give your children as much breathing room as possible, especially if it’s their first time on the plane.
Flying private or even first class is the most ideal since you get plenty of peace and quiet. Economy is understandable if you want to save money, but there is plenty of traffic in those cabins. If budget allows, you may want to at least splurge for economy plus.
Next are the little nuances. Backrow seats can seem appealing if you want to be near the bathroom, but this typically offers the least amount of legroom and recline power. The first few rows may be a better location, especially if you’re ordering a meal or drink onboard.
2. Be Mindful of the Schedule
The schedule can seem inconsequential for shorter flights, but there’s so much more consideration when flying internationally. It’s a good amount of hours on public transport, and you won’t really know how your kids will react to the whole ordeal until they finally get there.
Early morning flights have their advantages, like having less delay, and it will seem a little more peaceful. You could also get to your destination by afternoon if it’s a shorter flight, which minimizes your kid’s possible restlessness.
The next best option is a late-night flight. While it’s more prone to delays, it will line up with your kid’s energy levels. Giving children a chance to sleep on the way means less fuss. You could also sneak some shuteye along the way.
3. Apply for Travel Insurance
Experienced travelers understand that there can be moments when you may feel unwell and need to seek medical attention. The last thing anyone would want is skipping a doctor’s visit if it’s their kid on the line, all because of the cost.
Check your travel insurance provider and see what coverage you can get for your kid. In the best-case scenario, you wouldn’t even have to use it. However, if anything happens, at least you have some financial leeway to get your child checked.
4. Explain the Process
Compared to flying with babies, traveling with kids can be a little more complex. Young children may find new experiences unsettling and be unsure of how to express themselves. It’s up to parents to get their nerves settled and reassure them that everything will be fine.
Tell your kids how you’re hoping to bring them to a new destination to see some cool sights or meet family members. Share how everyone is going to fly on a plane to get to that location and when it’s going to happen.
Open the floor for questions. Your kid will likely be curious about the most random things, like whether they can bring their toys or how airplanes stay in the air. Indulge them while answering and remind them that you’ll be with them every step of the way.
5. Pack Light
Your hands will likely be full when attending to the kids, so it’s best to pack as lightly as possible. Assign one carry-on bag per person and ensure it has essentials like passports, wallets, electronics ,and other goodies.
You can have a kid pack their own backpack. Suggest bringing a comfort item, like a blanket or teddy bear, that they can hold during the trip. Headphones or earplugs are also good if they are sensitive to noise.
Remember to check the bag’s weight before zipping everything shut. You want to stay within your baggage allowance to avoid extra fees and hassles while going through security. If you have too many items, reevaluate your gear and see what you could leave behind.
6. Schedule to Arrive Early
Teach your kids the art of being early to important events. Experts recommend getting to an airport three hours prior to international flights because of the security checkpoints. You can apply the same principle when you’re heading for local ones, too.
The extra hours can count as a buffer when encountering traffic or changing road routes when getting to the airport. It’s much harder to travel with toddlers if you’re too stressed out about being late for your flight in the long run.
7. Prepare Entertainment
There’s a lot of waiting involved when at the airport. Even when you get on board, you still have to kill some time before you finally arrive at your destination. Some planes may have entertainment amenities like movies, but it may take more to hold your child’s attention. You can bring along toys like a Rubik’s cube or playdough with a portable tray.
These other suggestions can also work:
- Phone: Screentime can be such a lifesaver at times. Remember to download free offline games to avoid relying on Wi-Fi or data. You can take your pick from story apps to puzzle games and so much more. Listen to announcements on whether the electronics need to be turned off when the plane takes off or lands.
- Books: Kids who show an interest in reading would love having a book while waiting. You can bring their favorite titles for rereading or buy them a new one so they’re even more engrossed in it. Tap them on the shoulder when you need to catch their attention and get a move-on at the airport.
- Activities: Airport games have their own little charm, as they involve creativity and bonding with your kid. You can have a mini magnet drawing board and take turns guessing what the other is doodling. Classics like I Spy and 20 Questions are also great if you would rather leave props behind.
8. Pack Plenty of Snacks
Little ones can get pretty hungry, and that can lead to a couple of tantrums. One of the best tips for flying with a toddler is to pack healthy snacks or fun foods they can eat to feel full. You can repackage chips or cookies into reusable bags. However, if you want to make options from scratch, these kinds of snacks are best:
- Sandwiches or wraps: Sandwiches are perfect since you can place everything into paper bags and have your toddler hold them. Make ham and cheese for a savory flavor or use peanut butter and jelly for a sweet option. Tortilla wraps also work since they are thinner, but they may take extra prep time.
- Pigs in a blanket: Finger foods like pigs in a blanket are straightforward, appetizing, and easy to whip up. While hot dogs are ideal, you can use chicken sausage as well. Remember to cut them into quarters before wrapping them in your dough. Add a little coarse salt on top before baking.
- Nuggets and tater tots: If you’re in a real pinch and you’re still working on packing, consider air frying nuggets and tater tots. You can let them cook while you finalize everything. Once they’re ready, you can pop them into a bag for snacking at the airport. Pour some ketchup or ranch as some dip to go.
Extra tip — make sure your kids are hydrated. Tantrums due to thirst can also be tough to deal with. You can buy a drink before the flight at the airport once you get past security or bring an empty water bottle. There should be water stations by your gate before boarding.
9. Have a Bathroom Schedule
Your kids will likely have to use the bathroom along the journey. It could be because they feel nervous about flying or had too many sips of water. Unfortunately, they may forget to tell you all about it until they can’t hold it in anymore.
Ignoring the urge to pee or holding it in can be painful for the bladder or kidneys. It can even hurt for your kids to go to the toilet once they pass the point of no return. Check in with them frequently and see if they need to have a potty break.
You can also make an arbitrary visit to the public bathrooms even if the kids say they don’t need to go number one or two. Some only realize they do have to go once they get close to the toilet. Make sure you accompany and assist them however they need.
10. Ask Attendants for Help
While parents feel the need to rely only on each other, you’re more than welcome to ask airline staff for help. For instance, you can ask about any onboard supplies like blankets and medication in case you’ve forgotten to bring them with you.
You can also request assistance on going through customs and getting your bags. If you need to head to the bathroom on your own, consider asking an attendant to watch your toddler for you. Just let your kid know about it too, so that he doesn’t freak out that you’re gone.
Clarifications can also be helpful. Until you actually check in for your seats, they can be reassigned. Dietary meals ordered may have gotten canceled, too. Coordinate with the crew and settle down once everything is said and done.
11. Practice Patience
Your kids may initially have plenty of energy upon arriving at the airport and getting to the plane. Allow them to run around and crawl under your supervision. It can be a joy to watch them explore the vicinity, so take a picture or two to remember it.
Once that energy dissipates, complaints may start to roll in. It’s important to extend your patience during this stage and reassure them that they will get to rest soon. It’s the perfect time to bring out those different entertainment tools or just talk with them.
If you’re facing a full-blown meltdown, hold your kid’s hand and talk them through their emotions. Being dismissive will get you nowhere, and you need to let them know that you validate their feelings. Reassure them that everything will be OK.
12. Bring Disinfecting Wipes
Your kids will come into contact with all kinds of surfaces. While the airport does mop and clean, it’s better to be safe than sorry about lingering bacteria. Bring disinfectant wipes and sanitize the areas where your toddler is spending time in.
Remember to bring the wipes to the restroom, too. About 60 passengers share one bathroom during a flight, and it’s hard to tell if the last person was sick or not. Clean the seats and the faucet handles before your kid uses them and washes their hands.
13. Have Medication
Even if your kid is vaccinated, they are still prone to other kinds of plane problems. For instance, some experience ear discomfort because of the change in air pressure. Give your child pain reliever about 30 to 60 minutes before taking off and landing to ease the issue.
Others experience nausea and motion sickness when flying. In these cases, you may want to ask your doctor about prescriptions meant to prevent travel sickness. You can also bring mints or gum onboard to mitigate the condition.
14. Get a Pillow Ready
Some airlines may give out pillows, especially for long-haul flights. However, if they don’t provide one, it’s best to have your own for your kid. You can secure a neck pillow on your toddler with the little lock feature.
The pillow can improve your child’s quality of sleep while onboard. Even if they don’t end up dozing off, it still provides comfort and support while staying seated. Remember to treat yourself and your partner with the cushion, too.
15. Rest Upon Arrival
Kids can also get jet lag upon arriving in a new place. The circadian clock can take a day or more to adapt depending on the time zone. Make sure you get to your accommodation and have your children rest. If it’s a significant shift, they may have to sleep in more.
Once toddlers get their energy levels back up, work on getting back to their usual routine. You can bring them outside during daylight hours to soak in the sunshine and adjust. Try to keep them busy until they’re back to their regular bedtime.
Give Your Kids the Best Flight
Plenty of preparation comes before the flight, but there’s still much work to do during and after. Follow these tips for flying with kids and give them the best experience possible. Just think about all the other amazing experiences you all get to share after landing.
Flying with babies? Check this.
Jack Shaw is the Senior Outdoors Writer for Modded Magazine. Driven by his passion for writing, Jack loves to traverse the wilderness, travel, and explore the unknown. He has over six years of experience writing professionally and loves engaging in new projects. His works have been published in The Travel Magazine, EcoHotels, Trekaroo, and more.
