A Survival Guide for Traveling With a Toddler (2023)

Whether it is your first trip or 100th trip, flying with a toddler is stressful. We all know that look, the one people give when they realize you are boarding the plane with a toddler or baby: the please-don’t-sit-next-to-me look.

Traveling with a toddler on a plane does not have to be a nightmare. There are some tricks and tips that will help you navigate any plane ride like a pro. And if none of that works, at least you have the complimentary wine to get you through it.

Flying with a Toddler Checklist

Before the Flight

The first step to flying with a toddler is over-preparing. Do as much early planning as possible. Different airlines will have different requirements. For most airlines, children under 2 years old don’t need to buy a seat (unless you want to put them in a car seat). Children older than 2 years old will need to have their own seat.

Book your seats in advance. Try to get the extra legroom, as this will give you some space to let your child play or move around. For babies under 9 months old, you can call ahead to reserve the baby bassinet provided on some flights.

If you can, book flights that happen at night or during their naptime, so they are more likely to sleep.  

Prepare your toddler for the journey by telling them they will go on a plane soon. Show them videos or read books about traveling on a plane to help them understand what they will go through.

What to Pack for Your Toddler

1. Overpack: Pack too many diapers (one per hour of flying) and change of clothes for you and your child.
2. Baby wipes: great for on-the-go clean up for all kinds of messes
3. Snacks: pack a mix of snacks (healthy ones, special treats, and things like Cheerios that keep them eating for a long time).
4. Loveys: Your toddler’s favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or toy that will help him feel comfortable and calm
5. Pacifiers: if they still use one, pack a couple of them.
6. Entertainment (Specific activities below)
7. Sippy cups: Airplanes do allow formula, breast milk, baby or toddler food bigger than 100ml. Alternatively, you can pack them empty before security and fill them up with milk or water after.

Tips for Traveling With a Toddler

1. Give your toddler a job. I don’t mean child labor, but something to occupy your toddler and make them feel important. Give them some paper to hold (not a passport) or give them something to throw in the bin. Keep their attention focused while you check-in.
2. Give yourself more time. Toddlers are the least efficient people in the world. Everything will take longer. They will want to do things themselves, which means patiently watching the clock while they spend fifteen minutes trying to tie their own shoes. Don’t make it more stressful by needing to rush as well.
3. Dress your toddler comfortably: Keep their clothing simple and comfortable. Clothing with multiple layers can be a sneaky way of hiding the inevitable stains that come along the way. Choose shoes that are easy to slip on and off to pack through security smoothly.
4. Good quality noise-canceling headphones. These work great for plane noise but also for tantrums. They don’t block out everything, but they make it more manageable to stay calm like this vacation was supposed to be.
5. Have your toddler suck a pacifier or drink milk/water on take-off and landing: When taking off and landing the plane, the air pressure changes. Having the toddler suck or drink can help relieve the pressure.
6. Take breaks to stretch: Everyone traveling on long flights needs a break from time to time. Get up and allow your toddler to walk down the aisles to stretch their legs. If you are traveling with a partner, take turns as one relaxes while the other entertains the toddler for a few moments.
7. To leash or not to leash: You may want to consider using a child harness to navigate through the airport.

Toddler Airplane Activities

Once you settle on the plane, you will face the next hurdle of keeping your little one entertained for the next few hours. You want things that will keep your little one busy, quiet, and mess-free. I suggest having some of their known favorites available, as well as some new entertainment.

Below are some things to pack and some to avoid for toddler plane activities.

Pack

1. Amazon Tablet: Even if you rarely let your toddler watch TV at home, screens during a flight can be the difference between a miserable few hours or peace and quiet. I don’t typically let my toddler watch more than an hour of TV a day at home, but during flights, all rules are thrown out the window. I’ll take whatever it takes to keep him chill. Another benefit of the tablet is that you can be sure to download your toddler’s favorite shows or movies.
2. Books: Reading can be a great way to entertain your little one. To save carry-on space, try downloading children’s books on an Amazon tablet.
3. Mess Free Coloring Books or LCD Writing tablet: Both let kids draw without the mess!
4. Suction cup toys: I used these suction cup toys that could stick to the window of the airplane. It kept him entertained with minimal work from my end.
5. Toys with connected pieces: any toy with lots of different pieces that come apart risks getting lost under a seat. Toys like the one linked keep their hands busy without you needing to keep track of every little piece of plastic.

Avoid

1. Noisy Toys: don’t bring any toys that make sounds, sing, or flash brightly.
2. Small Toys: this includes toys with lots of small pieces. It will be a nightmare to keep track of. You will spend more time picking it up than your kid spends playing with it.
3. Crayons, markers, glitter, & play-doh: While these might be highly entertaining for your child, they can cause a big mess quickly. Play it safe and avoid them on the flight.

Embrace the Chaos

Sometimes, no matter how much you prepare, your toddler may still have a meltdown. Those are the moments where you have to “let go” and take a deep breath. Embrace the chaos. Your toddler’s meltdown is out of your control and the best thing you can do for them is try to connect with them.

Taking a flight with a toddler is stressful for you both and it can be overstimulating. Do what you can to settle them and reassure them, but understand that you are doing your best. Some people don’t like children and they will never be satisfied, even if your little one acts like an angel. Most parents will recognize the struggle and empathize with you.

Conclusion

Traveling with a toddler is an exciting and daunting experience. You want to show them a whole new world, but you are aware that things can turn sour fast. Being prepared and anticipating the needs of your little one can help reduce the likelihood of tantrums on the plane. When all else fails, embrace the chaos and reconnect with your little one any way you can.

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