Top Tips for Air Travel with Kids

I’ve talked a lot about traveling with little ones and offered advice on packing carry ons, surviving security, and packing toys.

But if I had to give you my best 5 Tips for surviving air travel with kids, this would be it:

1) Car seats. Not just because I’m fanatical about safety (and ALL children under 40 pounds are safest on the airplane when in a car seat) but because I love my sanity more. I’ve held my babies on numerous flights and let me tell you, it sucks! You end up uncomfortable with whiny, wiggly, tired little monsters by the end of the flight (personal space on an airplane is already at a minimum, you really want to share yours with another person?).

2) Pack a change of clothes in your carry on. I don’t bring a whole lot of extra stuff, but I always bring a change of clothes for each kid and a spare shirt for myself when traveling with infants. Spit up happens as do blow outs, potty accidents and apple juice disasters. It’s always better to be prepared!

3) Bend the rules. My kids know I’m a mean mommy because there are a lot of things I don’t let them do but I let them have special “treats” on the airplane like juice and screen time which keeps them happier and less likely to cause trouble (plus you can use it as an incentive to behave well “no juice on the airplane if you’re not a good listener at security…”)

4) Pack small, exciting toys. Over the years, we’ve lightened our toy load while traveling. We’ve learned to bring small (and quiet!) toys and I usually throw in a few new ones (mostly ones I’ve hidden from fast food kids meals). I also sometimes buy small $1 craft items the girls can work on during the flight. Don’t bring things with lots of pieces, that make repetitive noises or aren’t interactive. Our favorites are: slinkies, small cars/airplanes, books, color wonder books/markers, old cell phones, playing cards and small stacking cups or blocks.

5) Take it easy. Airplane travel is rarely fun, especially when you have kids, but it can be a lot more bearable if you just relax about it. Don’t stress about every little thing. Just take it as it comes, be flexible and calm with the kids and know it will all be over soon!