So you want to take that dream vacation but you’re nervous to fly with your young kids? I’ve got you! Flying with kids can be overwhelming and nerve-wracking (even going to the grocery store can feel that way!), but I promise it is possible to have a stress-free flight with your little ones.
Here are my 5 tips for flying with young kids to help you prepare for your flight and airport experience:
Buy new toys/activities or pack ones that haven’t been played with in a while.
New toys are sure to hold their attention more than the same ones they see every day at home. Now I know what you’re thinking, “Great now I need to account for airplane toys in my vacation budget…” And you definitely don’t have to! Even toys that have been out of sight for a while feel brand new to a tiny human. If you’re able to buy a few new things, that’s awesome! If not, simply taking some favorite toys out of the rotation a few weeks before you travel and re-introducing them is just as effective. Some of my go-to items: are Water Wow books, reusable sticker books, playdough, Duplos, and “fidget”/sensory toys.
Bring the stroller!
Your stroller can stay with you all the way until you step foot onto the plane. You will need to get a tag at the gate, and when you get to the end of the jetway you’ll fold up your stroller and hand it off to the attendant. It will be waiting for you in the same spot when you land! Having a stroller at the airport is a lifesaver. Pulling everyone’s suitcases around and having to keep an eye on your wandering toddler is stress on top of stress. Keeping them contained in the stroller makes sure that they stay within your sight, and avoids you having to carry them in addition to all the luggage when they inevitably cannot take another step on their own.
If they’re in diapers or newly potty trained, have them wear a sleep diaper.
There’s something about airplanes that activates a little bladder. My son has peed through SO many outfits when we fly, despite literally never doing this at home and only being in the air for 2 hours. Sleep diapers hold so much more, and this way you avoid the very awkward changing situation in the tiny airplane bathroom.
Don’t be ashamed to bust out the iPad.
I am not a screen-free mom by any means, and we very rarely give my son the iPad at home. That being said, I’d never travel without it. Sometimes your kids just want to relax and watch a movie. And sometimes your 7AM flight doesn’t leave until noon, and your Mary Poppins bag of tricks has long lost its value by takeoff. I highly recommend downloading their favorite shows/movies to the iPad itself instead of relying on the plane’s WIFI. Most streaming services offer this in the app; the movies are downloaded to your account and can be watched without any internet. My son does fine with the volume down low, but we do bring headphones just in case.
DO NOT worry about what anyone else thinks!
This is the most important tip. Your kid has the right to fly and take up space just like any other traveler. Even if they scream the entire time. And if they do scream the entire time, the plane will land just the same and you’ll never see any of those people again.
We fly multiple times a year with our (rambunctious) 3.5-year-old and have since he was just over a year old. These are my tried and true tips, as a mom and a travel agent, to make sure you’re prepared and feeling confident for your adventure!
