Flying with Kids: Make it easy!

Flying with kids greatly differs based on the age! Here are some useful tips & tricks for different age groups:

Babies (ages 0-1):

  • Stroller - We had a compact folding travel stroller that we would gate check. We had the UPPAbaby G-Luxe when we had one baby & a compact double stroller (purchased second hand!) for when we had two kids. We even brought the compact double to Europe! Our kids were 1 & 3 at the time. It fit through doorways & handled the cobblestone streets beautifully! Gate checking your stroller means you can go through security with the stroller & go all of the way to the gate with it, then check it with the staff at your gate. HIGHLY recommend, especially when traveling with more than one child. It will be waiting for you again at the other side of the gate upon arrival. Easy peasy! I purchased the Childress Gate Check Stroller Bag to protect the single stroller if we had to check it at any time.

  • Baby Carrier - Also strongly recommended for ease of carrying baby & sleeping on the airplane. I had an Ergobaby & I used it for both of my kids! Loved it. If a stroller wasn’t an option or wasn’t a good option, I would just carry baby in the Ergo.

  • Nursing/Feeding - Do this upon take off & landing. It will protect babies ears from popping & hopefully baby will then sleep for most of the flight! If your baby takes a pacifier, also make sure to have a couple in your diaper bag! We always used these Pacifier Clips to make sure they weren’t falling on the floor.

  • Diaper Bag - Bring extras in your diaper bag! You never know what will happen on a flight. Anything is possible with a baby! Bring at least 1 change of clothes for baby as well as extra diapers, wipes, etc. Better to be prepared than be stuck without! In my diaper bag, I also had a portable changing pad. It came in handy more times than I can count! Bring extra plastic baggies just in case….

  • Speaking of diapers….Changing baby on the airplane: There is typically (for domestic flights) 1 lavatory that has a small baby changing table. It will denote which lavatory on the door. And when I mean small, I mean tiny, so just be prepared for a very small space.

  • White Noise - I have a white noise machine & app. We all still use white noise to this day! It helps everyone to sleep better & block out any excess noise. We don’t use it on airplanes, as the airplane provides its own white noise, but we certainly use it in hotels/rentals, etc. This is my favorite white noise machine: HomeMedics Sound Sleep. We also have the LectroFan, but it’s just a bit more pricey.

  • Less is more! Don’t overdue it with the amount of things you need on the airplane. It’s just more work for you & the infant age is the easiest time to travel. Hopefully baby will sleep most of the flight.

  • Under the age of 2, baby can sit with you, so you are not required to purchase a seat. We rarely traveled with a car seat in the infant years & would just rent one if needs be at our destination. When we did travel with a carseat, we would pack it in a carseat travel bag & checked it. I would stuff the seat with diapers, wipes & other items that weren’t fragile. Checking a car seat is free, so take advantage if needs be!

Toddlers (ages 1-3):

  • Walk it Out - Get those little legs moving in the airport prior to getting on the airplane! Let them walk, run, climb (check out the airports you’ll be going to for kid play spaces!), etc.! Get their wiggles out before having to sit for hours.

  • Stroller - Same tip as above under babies!

  • Carrier - Same tip as above under babies!

  • Airplane Wiggles - They’re little kids, so they’re not going just sit for the entire plane ride. If they need to walk the isles, make sure to do so with them only when it’s safe! I would also always put them at a window, so they have something to look at outside & if they need to stand, there’s no chance for escape.

  • Nap Time - If you can time your flight with your child’s nap, this will help you big time on the flight!

  • Snacks & Sippy Cups - Bring more snacks than you think you’ll need. Snacking will help everyone! Lollipops for landing. We carried no spill sippy cups & would fill them in the airport or on the airplane. The CamelBak Eddie & Contigo were water bottles that we used for years. For toddlers, these snack cups were awesome: Munchkin Snack Catcher.

  • Depending on your child’s age, you may need to purchase a seat for them. At this point, a carseat is really up to you. If you will need one at your destination, sometimes, it’s best to bring it on the airplane & your child may just sit quietly or sleep. Some won’t though, so this is really at your discretion. I would do my best to time our flight with a nap, so our kids usually were great about sleeping on the plane.

  • Entertainment - Download a couple episodes of your toddler’s favorite shows & bring just a handful of their favorite toys. Again, less is more! Headphone suggestions for young children: Belkin SoundForm Mini Headphones & Amazon Fire Tablet. Other favorites were Melissa & Doug Water Paint books, Melissa & Doug Puffy Stickers or Melissa & Doug Puffy Stickers set, & Melissa & Doug Reusable Stickers.

  • Lovies/Security Blanket - Both of my children had movies from when they were infants. We always had them by their side. They held onto them when napping/sleeping & it just gave them comfort when going someplace new. Our favorite are the Angel Dear Lovies.

Young children (ages 4-10):

  • Kid’s Backpacks - Around the age of 4/5, we had our kids cary their own mini-backpacks filled with most of what they would need. They loved feeling older than they were & having their own stuff. When they were really young, I got them the Pottery Barn backpack for preschool-age children.

  • Carry-on Only (see my packing light tips!)- We only travel with carry-ons, so the kids started rolling their own small carry-ons at a pretty young age. We would assist when necessary, of course, but it gave them a sense of independence & responsibility. I got this Samsonite rolling suitcase for our son when he was around 7 years old. It’s perfect for him.

  • Snacks & Water Bottles - Hydro Flask is our “go to” now with the kids. The 21oz seems to be a great size for elementary age children. Favorite snacks: sugar-free gum, goldfish, lollipops, fruit bars, protein z-bars.

  • Tablets & Headphones - Make sure they are fully charged ahead of time! Our kids eventually graduated to an iPad Mini & Nintendo Switch. We also upgraded their headphones: Tonoshark Active Noise Cancelling Headphones.

  • Entertainment Ideas - Travel games (helps if they are magnetized! Checkers/Tic-Tac-Toe), coloring books, mini play dough, wikki stix, a book, friendship bracelet kit, crayons (the triangular crayons are great because they won’t roll!), markers, Mad Libs.

Pre-teen (ages 10-12):

  • Backpacks & Carry-ons - Each person is responsible for their own backpack & carry-on. We only travel with carry-ons (no checked baggage!), so everyone gets 1 of each.

  • Waterbottles

  • Tablets & Headphones

  • Snacks

  • Entertainment Ideas - Travel games, workbooks, book, friendship bracelets, coloring, colored pencils, blank notebook/notepad/journal.

    A Few Must-Have Favorites for Adults:

    • Neck Pillow - The Travelrest Memory Foam is my absolute favorite. I tried MANY & this one is the winner. It’s gotten me through 15 hour flights!

    • Eye Mask - Alaska Bear or Zimasilk 100% Natural

    • Noise Cancelling Headphones - Bose are great!

    • Water Bottle - I prefer stainless steel.

    • A good/engaging book!