10 Things You NEED to Do Before Flying With Kids

Flying with kids can be a little challenging. But it isn’t terrible. You just need to be prepared. From what to flight to book to where to sit and what toys to bring onboard, here’s some vital info to make your trip as easy as possible.

Have the right mind-set and do these simple things, and you’ll find yourself thinking, “That wasn’t so bad” afterward!

Book a Non-Stop Flight

Some people don’t realize the hassle and risk of changing planes at an intermediary airport, and how it complicates your trip. Others even think it would break up a long journey and help kids since they can stretch their legs-no way!

Layovers are time-consuming, expensive and risky. First of all, taking time to land, deplane, wait for your next flight, boarding and take-off adds extra time to your trip, rather than flying straight past the airport. You’ll most likely end up purchasing food or items while you wait. And what if your next flight is late or even canceled?

It’s best if you take the shortest option available with children. Even if a direct flight is a little more expensive, it’s the preferred way to go. KAYAK is an excellent source for deals on airfare.

Wear Comfortable Clothes

It’s best to dress your kids in comfortable clothes for the trip. Elastic-waist pants and leggings are so much easier to wear than jeans. It’s also good to dress in layers. My kids always wear lightweight pants and short-sleeves year-round, then bring a light blanket in case the plane is chilly.

If you’re traveling where winters are harsh, always bring a coat onboard, or in your carry-on luggage. You don’t want to risk luggage being lost and having to leave the airport with no jacket at all.

And be sure to bring a change of clothes for your child, and at least an extra top for yourself. Both enclosed in large, resealable bags. A diaper blow-out or vomiting episode can stink up your whole trip. (and yes, your seatmates will be grateful)

Simplify to Make Security Easier

It seems that going through airport security is always stressful, with crowds of people and much commotion all at once. But a little preparation will make it easier. As you approach the line, be sure to have your passport/identification and boarding passes ready to go.

Unless you have to bring only carry-on luggage because of extreme baggage fees, try to check as much as possible. At most, carry only one suitcase per adult. Kids 3 and older can wear a small backpack with the things they need for the flight.

You should have a lightweight stroller and diaper bag with your purse inside. This makes it simpler to scan items and get past security without significant hassles. Remember, in the U.S., adults must remove shoes, but children 12 and younger don’t need to. Visit the TSA’s website to review policies for families.

Bring the Right Baby Gear

There’s a variety of baby travel gear that you could purchase for your trip. But I would save your money. Bring a simple umbrella stroller that you can take to the door of the aircraft. The airline staff stores it under the plane, and it will be waiting for you as you deplane at your destination.

I don’t recommend bringing a car seat. They can be rented with your rental car when you arrive, or if you’re staying with family or friends, hopefully, you can find a loaner for the trip. If you bring a car seat on board, you’ll have to pay for the seat.

Children under two years old can fly for free in their parent’s lap, although I would recommend purchasing a seat for any littles if your flight is more than 6 hours. You will love the relief of setting them down to nap or for you to run to the restroom.

However, some parents want their babies and toddlers to have their very own comfortable car seats, and want them to be strapped in for safety. And in case they get antsy!

Stay Healthy and Safe

One of the most useful items to have in your bag is baby wipes. Planes are filthy places. When you first board, use Clorox wipes to clean the armrests, seatbelt and tray tables. From then on, use baby wipes to clean little hands or wipe up spills. Hand sanitizer can also be used before eating.

I always travel with a small first aid kit in my bag for fevers, band-aids and Tylenol. Some parents give kids Benadryl to make them drowsy, but watch out because some children actually become hyper after a dose. Definitely test this at home first. And the dry, recycled air on planes make tissues for runny noses, hand cream and lip balm essential.

Sit at the Bulkhead or Back of the Plane

Assuming you’re in economy, your best bet is to sit in the back of the plane. Families are noisy, and there’s less stress if you sit back where there’s always the commotion of flight attendants and bathrooms.

But if you are on a large plane, usually long-haul flight, with a bulkhead area that isn’t age-restricted, sit there! You may have to pay more expensive fees to get these seats, but it can be worth it. The bulkhead area has the most legroom on board, and it’s perfect for letting toddlers move about without going down the aisle.

The bulkhead is where bassinets, if offered by your airline, are typically provided. What a great perk on a long flight! Check SeatGuru so you can understand the best options for seating on your plane.

Bring Snacks Galore

You need snacks for your young kids on this trip. Little snacks. Fun snacks. New snacks. I can’t emphasis the importance of snacks enough. You do not want hungry children on a plane.

Food can also be a great distraction for kids. A nibble of something enjoyable can help take their focus off the frustration of being in an enclosed space. Or of their boredom.

Choose bite-size, non-messy snacks. Goldfish, small crackers, gummy fruit snacks, grapes, tiny cookies, lollypops and gum, if they are old enough, are all excellent choices. Avoid chocolate that can quickly melt and get everywhere. Be polite and pick up as much of the crumbs as you can. Planes can’t be vacuumed after each flight, and it’s rude to leave a mess for the next passenger.

As for beverages, parents want to bring along plenty of water. You can either buy water at the gate just before boarding or bring empty sippy cups or empty refillable water bottles. Just fill them at a water fountain past security and save yourself some money.

The TSA allows for breast milk, formula and juice in higher amounts than the typical 3.4 ounces. See their website for details.

Take Along Some Novelty Toys

Once you know you’re taking a trip with young children, start saving up small toys that can be an interesting diversion on the plane. Like small cars, transformers, Play-Doh, little dolls or figures.

Of course, you’ll want to take classic toys like crayons, coloring pages, sticker scenes and small books. Many kids will sit for long periods if Mom is reading a book to them.

Don’t take toys that make noise, are messy or could get lost easily. (like a bouncy ball) And don’t take anything dear to your child. We once left a favorite toy that was part of a set in a hotel in San Francisco. Thankfully, the hotel mailed it back to us.

Distract With Electronics

A little help from electronic devices can be a blessing on a long plane trip. If you’re on an international flight or upgraded plane, you may have access to seatback TVs with movies or shows to entertain your little ones. Otherwise, bring a tablet loaded with content for your kids.

Don’t try to download movies at the airport, though. Public Wi-Fi is rarely strong enough for large files to download correctly.

And remember the headphones. Please don’t be those people who force everyone around them to listen to a toddler’s favorite TV show. Bring child-sized headphones for your kids. The earbuds given out during the flight won’t fit their little ears correctly, and would probably bother them anyway.

Have the Right Attitude

The real key to plane travel with young children and babies is the right attitude. Just accept that you will be busy the whole time entertaining your kids, and be ready for the unexpected. It’s ok-it’s an adventure!

But parents who bring a book to read, or hope to nap a little can feel frustrated. Be prepared to give your full attention to your kids. And maybe, maybe you can sneak in a few minutes to yourself, or trade-off with your spouse.

Traveling on a plane with your family can be hectic, but it’s not so bad if you prepare with these things you need to do before flying with kids. And if a trip across the pond is in your future, don’t forget to check out this post on my Top Tips for Taking Your Kids to Europe. And even if you do end up in a mess-take a deep breath and think of what a memorable story it will make in the future. Being a parent is never dull, you know!