10 Tips For Flying With A Toddler

Are you planning your first family vacation with a toddler in tow? Are you a wee bit (or a lot) nervous about how your little one will cope on his or her first flight? With a little planning, that flight will go smoothly and you’ll be making memories at your vacation destination before you know it. I have the tools to help families plan magical family vacations to destinations in the US and abroad. I iron out the details while they make sure the sunblock is packed and the camera battery is charged. Contact me today at TheTravelSmith.net to start planning your next great family vacation!

1. Timing is Everything

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Does your toddler sleep well in the car? Plan your flight during naptime and your little one might be out like a light before you hit cruising altitude.

2. Direct Flights

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If at all possible, fly direct to and from your destination. It might cost more, but think long and hard about the extra cost of a hundred dollars vs. having to wait around in a connecting airport with a toddler who has had all of the air travel he or she can handle for the day

3. Have a Seat

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Children ages 2 and over are required to have their own seat on flights. Really think about how your child will sit in a standard plane seat with just a lap belt. If you’ll be renting a car at your destination, you’ll probably be bringing a carseat, so why not use it on the plane? Check your carseat manual to see if your seat is FAA compliant. There are also a few alternatives on the market that are FAA approved that aren’t as cumbersome as a standard carseat. The CARES harness and the IMMI GO seat are popular options.

4. Don't Touch That!

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I swear, I say that a million times every day. Between a child’s need to touch everything and their hands coming in contact with their mouth every 5 minutes, it’s a recipe for illness on vacation.

I do my best to keep everyone well by having a packet of sanitizing wipes in my carry-on bag. Before the kids even sit down, I wipe down all of the hard surfaces with a few wipes. I can’t stop them from touching everything, but I can make sure what they touch is a little cleaner before they touch it.

5. Herding Chickens

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Sometimes the most stressful part of air travel with a child is getting from the car to the gate. You’re juggling luggage, tickets, and kids all at once. The best way I’ve found to deal with this is to buckle the kids into either a stroller or a baby carrier. My oldest (4) has outgrown a stroller for most things, but I’ll still bring along the double stroller with the bench seat for her on vacations.

6. Potty Time

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Be prepared for busy bathrooms with automatic flushers and loud hand dryers in the airport. My oldest had potty training regression after our first vacation with her. She got spooked by an automatic flushing toilet and wouldn’t go in public restrooms for a good 6 months afterwards. Make a few attempts at a potty break before boarding the airplane, and don’t be too proud to use a pull-up for the flight. You can present them as special airplane underwear if your child is skeptical.

7. Snack Time

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Don’t let your child get hangry. That’s just generally a good idea, but especially on a plane. Don’t rely on airport restaurants or airlines to supply foods that your child will like. Pack a snack bag full of non-messy foods for your child to enjoy. Drinking or eating will help your child’s ears clear if they’ve been affected by pressure change in the cabin.

Bring an empty sippy cup to fill with water you’ve purchased after going through security. Here are the current TSA rules for liquids carried on board.

8. I'm Bored

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Bring enough toys to keep your child’s attention, but don’t pack the whole toy box. My kids love a travel sized MagnaDoodle for drawing (you’ll never lose the pen), a few books, and a stuffed animal for a 2 hour flight. I stopped packing coloring books and crayons because I was tired of chasing crayons under seats every 15 minutes.

9. Embrace Technology

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Seriously. Load up the tablet with kid’s games that don’t need WiFi. Don’t break it out right away, but have a tablet or a cell phone (in airplane mode) on the back burner if you need it.

10. Prepare

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Kids generally like to know what to expect. It’s hard for a parent to explain the airport/airplane process to a toddler, so I’ve found a few ways to make it easier.

A great resource is a short 10 minute DVD that explains the entire process from a toddler’s perspective. Shae by Air is a favorite video in our house. It explains every step of the way including going through security, reminders to not kick the seat in front of you, and ears popping.

Another option is to take a little field trip to the airport. Your child can experience first-hand the bustle of an airport.