The 11 Best Tips for Flying with Toddlers and Preschoolers
Flying with young children can be extremely stressful, but with thorough planning and preparation, you can make the experience much smoother for everyone. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed tips to make air travel with toddlers and preschoolers less stressful and more enjoyable.
Choose Flight Times When Children Tend to Sleep
Research indicates that toddlers and preschoolers sleep best at night. To take advantage of this, consider booking overnight red-eye flights so your children will likely sleep for the majority of the trip. Getting an early start to the day by boarding a morning flight around 6 or 7am can also help kids sleep for much of the flight.
Aim to work around your children’s nap schedules so they are tired and ready for sleep when it’s time to board and the lights go down. For example, if you know your toddler still naps from 1-3pm, consider booking a late afternoon or early evening flight. Time it so they can nap until close to boarding time. This will increase the chances they’ll sleep soundly on the plane.
Request the darkest area of the cabin so it feels more like nighttime. Some airlines like Emirates provide bassinets for infants to sleep in. Try to avoid flights that will disrupt normal bedtime routines too much.
Book Seats Together and Near the Front of the Plane
When reserving plane tickets for your family, check seat maps and choose a row where your group can occupy all or most of the seats. Toddlers and children under 5 should not sit alone, as they will feel anxious and unsafe separated from parents or caregivers.
Many airlines allow families with small children to board early. Take advantage of this policy so you can settle in and get kids comfortable without annoying other passengers shuffling past. Opt for a row as close to the front of the plane as possible to minimize foot traffic and enable the crew to respond quickly to any needs.
If possible, book window and aisle seats with your toddler in the middle. Children often enjoy looking out the window and it can provide distraction. Aisle seats make it easier to get up frequently, which is inevitable with little ones. Try to avoid rows with bathrooms or galleys nearby that see more disturbances.
For maximum space and comfort, request bulkhead rows or emergency exit rows, which have more legroom. However, check guidelines, as sometimes these rows prohibit infants or require passengers to assist in emergencies. If you can reserve the third seat in your row, it allows room to spread out and you won’t have to worry about a grumpy seatmate.
Pack Engaging Activities and Electronics
It’s essential to pack a variety of engaging activities appropriate for your toddler or preschooler’s interests and attention span. Bring small toys they can comfortably play with in their seat, such as blocks, snap cars, superhero figures, coloring books and washable crayons, stickers, lacing cards, magnetic building tiles, or other favorites.
For kids who love technology, download movies, tv shows and games onto a tablet in advance. Make sure to bring kid-sized headphones so they can watch without disturbing others. Some airlines offer in-flight entertainment suitable for children. You may want to purchase a couple of new, inexpensive toys and wrap them so you can give your toddler something novel periodically throughout the flight to sustain interest.
Bring Snacks, Milk/Formula and Empty Cups
Any parent knows, snacks are crucial when traveling with kids! Airport and in-flight meals may be limited, delayed, or expensive. Pack nut-free snacks and finger foods your kids enjoy, such as crackers, cereal, raisins, sliced fruit, cheese sticks, yogurt tubes, and other favorites. This ensures they have items they are familiar with and satisfied by.
If you are traveling with infants who consume breastmilk or formula, bring along prepared bottles or pre-measured formula powder and bottled water. You can request plastic cups, ice, and bottled water from flight attendants to mix formula as needed. For older toddlers, pack an empty cup, water bottle or thermos that can be refilled and used for water, juice or milk. This avoids constantly needing to ask the crew for drinks.
Let flight attendants know in advance if you need a refrigerator to store milk, breastmilk, or perishable items. Some airlines like Emirates have refrigerators on certain planes just for baby items. If you need to warm bottles, the crew can provide hot water or otherwise assist in heating them.
Dress for Speed, Comfort and Convenience
Choosing comfortable, convenient clothes is key when dressing toddlers for a flight. Opt for soft, stretchy fabrics that allow kids to move freely in their seat. Tight, stiff outfits will quickly get irritating. Avoid thick winter coats you’ll have to remove going through security – bring a lightweight jacket or sweatshirt that can be worn on the plane if chilly.
Look for slip-on shoes like loafers that are easy to get on and off quickly during airport security screening. Shoes with noisy hard soles can bother passengers, so choose soft flexible soles. Outfits should not have metal pieces that could set off detectors. Leave belt buckles, jewelry and hair clips at home. Bring socks to wear through security checkpoints.
Bring an extra full change of clothes in case of spills, blowouts, or motion sickness. Put kids in sleep clothes for overnight flights. Dress yourself in layers so you can modify clothes as cabin temperatures fluctuate.
Check Larger Gear at the Gate
When you first arrive at the airport, you’ll want strollers, car seats, and travel cribs to transport kids and bags check-free. However, just before boarding, at the gate you’ll need to check larger gear, as it won’t fit on the plane. This saves you from lugging it through the airport when you don’t need it.
Ask at check-in whether you need claim tickets for any checked gear – some airlines will check items like car seats for free. You can then use airport strollers and bring a lightweight collapsible stroller on the plane. Wear your toddler in a baby carrier through security when possible so you have free hands. Backpacks worn on your back work better than shoulder bags sliding down when chasing a toddler!
Explain Airport Security Screening to Kids Beforehand
The screening process at airport security checkpoints is something kids need to be prepared for. Before your trip, explain to toddlers and preschoolers in simple kid-friendly terms what will happen. Let them know they’ll have to place bags on a moving belt to be scanned, then walk through a special scanner “box” that sees things people hide.
No one likes removing shoes, jackets, belts, etc., but explain that everybody including grownups has to follow these rules. Tell little ones not to make any jokes about dangerous stuff. Be patient, allowing extra time for airport security stops, and keep a close eye on collecting all your items on the other end of the x-ray scanner.
Having books, videos or stories that portray the airport screening process as routine can help minimize anxiety and uncertainty. Praise them for being cooperative and following instructions. Bringing a favorite stuffed animal or doll through the scanner can calm fears of separation.
Let Kids Pull Their Own Rolling Carry-On
Giving toddlers and preschoolers their own kid-sized rolling carry-on, backpack or duffel bag brings many benefits for air travel. It encourages independence and engages them in an activity other than fussing. Letting kids roll their own bag gives them a sense of responsibility and control. They have fun wheeling it around, practicing tight turns and sudden stops.
Use luggage tags labeled with their name and your contact information so bags don’t get lost. Pack their carry-on with a spare change of clothes, non-messy snacks, a beloved small stuffed animal, books, toys and other items to keep them occupied. Check proportions and size requirements so their mini bag won’t be gate-checked.
Having their hands full with their own rolling luggage prevents toddlers from grabbing at other bags or wandering off as easily. They remain focused on steering their belongings through weaving airport crowds. You may need to guide them around obstacles and other passengers while allowing them to retain ownership.
Bring Essential Baby Care and Comfort Items
Don’t let the packing squeeze of airline luggage restrictions stop you from bringing rudimentary toddler and baby care supplies. Even on short flights, you’ll want basic gear like:
- Diapers, wipes, rash cream
- Plastic bags for soiled clothes and diapers
- Burp cloths for spilled milk or vomiting
- Extra cloth bibs, rags or clothing to wipe up messes
- Favorite lovies like blankets or stuffed animals for soothing
Consider packing a soft foam travel pillow and lightweight blanket to boost comfort and chances kids will sleep. Bring an empty sippy cup for water. Having multiple pacifiers prevents panic if one drops on the floor. Infants may need baby carriers, nursing pillows, sun shades and more.
While airlines like Emirates provide some baby supplies like diapers, packing your own ensures you have familiar and preferred brands. Request bassinets on flights over a certain duration to give infants their own sleep space.
Get Up and Move Around the Cabin Mid-Flight
We all know sitting still for extended periods can be challenging for antsy toddlers and energetic preschoolers. When possible, take short excursions by walking them up and down the aisle to let them move their bodies, work out wiggles, and explore the plane’s cabin. This prevents stiffness and restless outbursts.
However, be respectful of other passengers trying to sleep, read, or relax, especially on overnight flights when cabin lights are dimmed. Avoid loud voices or sounds, and unnecessary touching of other passengers and seats. Apologize softly and smile warmly if your toddler becomes overly energetic. Move efficiently without unnecessary lingering.
Carefully climbing over sleeping passengers’ legs or feet may be necessary in cramped quarters. Offer your child a snack or drink when returning to your seats to re-focus their energy. Limit aisle play sessions to 5-10 minutes maximum, and visit restrooms for diaper changes or other needs in combination with strolls.
Prepare Items to Help Ease Ear Pain at Takeoff and Landing
Babies and toddlers have narrow and delicate Eustachian tubes in their ears. This makes it harder for them to equalize pressure changes that occur at airplane takeoff and landing. To minimize ear pain or discomfort, come prepared with items that can help regulate pressure:
- Nursing or bottles for infants, or sippy cups for toddlers to encourage swallowing
- Drinking straws to promote sipping and swallowing
- Teething toys or pacifiers for babies to gnaw or suck
- Small gumballs for chewing for toddlers over age 2
- Warm washcloth or covered ice pack to soothe external ear pain
Holding and comforting a fussy child or providing distractions like toys or songs helps too. Children are most sensitive to “blocked ear” pain around 8 months to 4 years of age. Discuss remedies with your pediatrician if ear pain persists after landing. Being proactive makes for less stressful airport departures and arrivals.
Conclusion
While air travel with toddlers and infants certainly presents challenges, thorough preparation helps minimize stress and enhances the journey. By smartly packing supplies and distractions, dressing comfortably, and planning for airport hurdles, parents can reduce tantrums and meltdowns.
Keeping toddlers nourished, occupied, and close brings peace of mind. Seeking bulkhead seats, utilizing early boarding, and bringing compact gear simplifies matters. Teaching kids what to expect and allowing them independence fosters cooperation. Limiting cabin time and preventing ear pain maintains harmony.
The effort to smoothly fly with small children is well worthwhile to share precious family visits and amazing adventures. Toddlers and preschoolers can take so much in at popular destinations and make travel memories to cherish. With research, planning, and patience, flying as a family can be manageable, entertaining and deeply rewarding.