10 Tips You Better Know Before Flying With A Toddler

So, you think you want to go flying with a toddler?

Okay, first of all… don’t do that.

[ReviewDisclaimer]

But if you MUST, you’ve come to the right place. Maybe. Because I’m about to give advice in an area where… I’m pretty unqualified.

I just returned from a 5-day trip to South Florida with my husband, 3-year-old, and the star of today’s show—my right in the thick of unpredictable toddlerhood… VERY BUSY baby girl.

Ahhh… there she is!

Most of us made it out alive. #RIPsanity

Moving past my dramatics, I’m actually no newbie to the world of airplane rides with children. Maddie, (aforementioned toddler,) took her first flight at only 8 weeks old. And then again at 3 and 6 months. Lilly has been on a plane at 13 months, 2 years, and 2.5 years.

I mean heck, I flew at 29 weeks pregnant, across an ocean, with a 2-year-old. And while that trip had its’ moments, (you may refer to Part 1 of “Adventures in Oahu With Kids,”) it really wasn’t a TOTAL disaster.

Important verbiage distinction: if you go on vacation with kids, it’s not actually vacation. It’s a “trip.” 

Anyway! So why all the fuss about THIS trip? I have experience. I have my husband. The 3-year old won’t peek up from her tablet the whole 2 hours.

18 months is a BUSY age. And listen here Linda… I have a VERY. BUSY. 18-month old.

She is cuddly and sweet, but those snuggles are exclusively on her terms. She’s fearless and incredibly independent so when I call her name to come to me… more often than not she runs in the other direction. And then laughs about it.

That sweet smile… that’s how she tricks you.

POINT IS… we made it… but not without a ton of planning, prep, and skillfully timed distribution of toys and entertainment from this Type A personality mama. So, if you’re ALSO planning on taking a flight with little ones in the near future, here are the 10 ways we managed to survive flying with a toddler. 

1.) Stick to a schedule.

If your kid naps, schedule your flight around that nap. Sorry Susan…if you think a tired toddler will be well-behaved, or like magic, take a fabulous nap at 30,000 feet… I just can’t.

Yours might. My eldest did. Maddie would NEVER. So I’d advise coordinating your travel plans around said nap, to make sure everyone is in good spirits from the get-go.

Lilly KILLIN IT at the plane nap game.

 2.) Decide on your seating situation.

You may be aware that on most airlines, children under 2 years of age fly for free if they sit on your lap. Depending on the price of your ticket, it could be worth it. That’s what we did this time, (and several times in the past.)

But you’ll also get the sancti-mommies who will tell you your child will literally not survive the flight if they’re not strapped into FAA-approved carseats. My eldest LOVES her carseat and used to take wonderful naps in it, so I too, thought this was a good (and safe!) idea. But until you’re only halfway into your 9-hour plane ride and your 2-year-old decides right smack in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that her car seat is actual purgatory… you haven’t lived.

The calm before the storm.

I’m not going to tell you what to do in this situation, because hate mail would make me sad, so go with your gut on this one!

3.) Book that kid a window seat.

Car seat or not… the window is the place to be. They can’t (easily) crawl out into the aisle, there’s plenty to see, and with some creativity, the window serves as some momentary entertainment!

4.) Burn some energy.

Part of this whole airplane preparedness thing is to arrive at a decent time. But after you check in, move through security, and get to the other side, you might have up to an hour until your plane actually departs.

So any goodies you’ve packed… save those for the actual plane ride. Walk your kids around the airport. Let them explore the stores. Ride with them on the people movers. They will be sitting down for however many hours, so it’s important they move those little legs in wide open spaces, and not into a fellow passenger’s seat.

5.) Board last.

(See above.) This is all about minimizing seat time. In normal VACATION travel, (remember that distinction?) this would actually kill David and I. ZONE 1 is like the Amazon Prime of travel efficiency—nothing’s better. But I’ll be damned if I let my kid see that people are actually allowed to WALK AROUND on the plane. Not happening. Board last. Every time.

6.) Minimize non-child related carry-ons.

Checked baggage is a beautiful thing. And YOU, Mom and Dad, don’t need to bring anything into that airplane cabin but your A-game, phone, wallet, and keys. (And boarding pass of course.)

Before we left on this flight, David told me he was bringing his laptop to do some work on the plane, like he had nothing but peace and quiet time for 2 hours.

Dudes. [Insert face palm.]  Amiright?

7.) Put on your positive pants.

I’m talking, be your own hype man like you’ve never been so pumped for something in your entire life. Why? It’s so easy to get stressed out, feel judged, or become frustrated within the confinements of your row.

Do some deep breathing, have a cocktail – you know your girl did! – or do anything that gives you joy. I tickled baby girl for a solid 10 minutes. Hearing her laugh was about 1000% better than hearing her cry. (Can I get an amen from my fellow passengers?)

8.) Bring EMPTY water bottles.

It’s probably not news that you can’t bring liquid in excess of 3 oz through security… but you can’t. We always bring our empty Contigo water bottles and then fill them up at a water fountain on the concourse. (It’s also a fun way for your kids to help kill time before the plane boards.)

9.) Bring ALL the SNACKS.

This is about the only time I’ll break away from the “stick to a schedule” tip. Snacks are key to passing time on a flight.

These snack containers are AMAZING for travel—planes, trains, automobiles, anything! Bring a variety of snacks that would take a while to get through. Goldfish, veggie straws, blueberries, raisins = great. Apple sauce pouch = not great.

Bonus points for snacks that are chewy or require sucking, as that can help relieve any ear pressure they might experience at high altitudes!

10.) Don’t forget an abundance of activities!

A couple days prior to your flight, REALLY SPEND TIME observing the kinds of toys and activities that keep your child’s attention. Maddie is STILL not into screens, so expecting that she would suddenly love YouTube Kids in an exciting and unfamiliar environment is dumb. She loves things that are very hands-on, and can provide movement even in a tiny space.

If you’re looking for some ideas on how to keep your little one entertained during a flight, I have compiled 10 Airplane Activities For Every Busy Toddler. Click below to get it (Subscribers, check your e-mail!)

So even though I obviously had my reservations about this trip, I played all of my best cards to make the flight a relative success. Best of all, we were all able to make the trip to celebrate my Dad’s big 70^th birthday. Flight with kids and all… I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

Look how adorable he is!

Any veterans out there who have flown with a child at this age? I would LOVE to hear your tips!