Airplane Travel With Toddlers ~ My Best Tips & Tricks

Recently returned from a nearly coast-to-coast journey with my wild 20 month old son, I thought I would share some of the lessons we’ve learned from airplane travel with toddlers.

One of our flights was a long, 4+ hour leg.  Since our toddler is so active, I’ll admit I spent a few anticipatory sleepless nights pondering:  How would we all survive this journey?

I’m happy to report that he did great.  Here are a few of the tips that helped, which I plan to use again on our future journeys.

Airplane Travel ~ Toddler Tip #1:  Choose the Lowest Number of Flight Connections

This is always a debate in my mind:  Do I select the itinerary with 3 shorter flights (to break it up), or 2 flights (one of which may seem frighteningly long)?

We’ve tried both a few times now, and my vote is to knock it out of the park with the “fewest-but-including-a-long-flight” option.  It seemed to go much smoother for our family with an active baby/toddler on that type of travel itinerary.  Finding and waiting at gates, boarding, getting settled, waiting for takeoff:  all of these come with a certain level of stress.  So I say reduce your number of connections if possible, and choose the schedule with the scary long flight.

My fear was how active my son was vs. the lack of room to move around in coach class airplane seating.  However, at that age they probably still take a nap during the day.  And likely your travel day will begin earlier than usual to head for the airport.  This longer flight gives them that window to both fall asleep and stay asleep for awhile.

Plus, the longer flights (over 3 hours) typically will show movies.  Which is a nice way for mom and day to pass the time (that you may, or may not, get to indulge in … this likely hinges on the Nap Factor).

Airplane Travel – Toddler Tip #2:  Use a Folding Umbrella Stroller

When traveling with little ones, I’ve used both a deluxe, full scale stroller and a small, folding umbrella stroller in airports.  Both work well, but I recommend a nice quality, lightweight umbrella stroller – one with a basket underneath, a little taller for comfort while pushing, and a drink holder.

We’ve been happy with this mid-range one from The First Years, for around $35. (I purchased it immediately after reading the 4th positive review in a row stating, “We bought this stroller for our trip to Disney World…”)

For some illogical reason, I get a little nervous when I have to gate check things when I travel.  But it is not a big deal in the slightest.   And having a means to carry/restrain your baby or toddler, plus a place to strap on that heavy carry-on diaper bag, is worth its weight in gold.

Airplane Travel – Toddler Tip #3:  Bring Snacks, in Practical Containers

Any on the go mom (is there any other kind?) is already on to this tip, but it is even more crucial during airline travel.  Bring a variety of snacks and beverages.

When liquids are presented to TSA as being for your baby or toddler, they are supposed to (and in our experience always do) allow drinks through security under these circumstances.  They may wish to open it and perform a quick, harmless test on the liquid.   My TSA source tells me this can even be, for example, a new, full bottle of juice.  But I usually have any drinks for our little one already poured into travel sippy mugs first.

I recently discovered these awesome containers for finger food snacks.  What a fantastic design!  Toddlers can easily handle these, help themselves to the contents at their pace, and they don’t spill when dropped.  We like to bring a couple along, typically loaded with animal crackers, goldfish, or pretzels.   I found mine at Walmart.

And the most durable, leak proof, fantastic sippy cups I’ve ever found are these Nalgene Grip-N-Gulp bottles.  We’ve love them, and have used them religiously for both of our kids.  My 7 year old still uses hers daily – obviously not because she can’t use a regular cup, simply because they work so well and are still her favorites.  They come in four colors, and are usually stocked at REI (or can be ordered from REI.com).

Airplane Travel – Toddler Tip #4:  Unplug Those Ears!

Depending on their age and habits, try to think of something you can give them during take off and descent.  My son still uses a pacifier, so that worked great.  But I would think a bottle or other drink may help, as well.

Airplane Travel – Toddler Tip #5:  Have Your Electronic Entertainment Ready

Whether it’s on your phone, eReader, or Tablet – have some toddler games and interactive children’s books loaded and ready to go.

My beloved anniversary present this last year, I desperately wanted to keep my nook to myself, as Mom’s Private Property.  Alas, the nervousness of our impending journey helped me quickly overcome this, and I found myself relieved to have broken down and loaded some apps and books on it for my toddler during our 4 1/2 hour flight.

For the amount of distraction you can squeeze out of this, plus the compactness factor compared to trying to pack a toy-box-away-from-home, it can prove to be a lifesaver.

Being somewhat anti-video game, this was a new concept to me and I was surprised at the options for even a very young child.  I shopped for nook apps, I’m sure there are a million additional options for an iPad.  His favorite ended up being an interactive game featuring a big red barn.  The doors would shimmy, and when he’d touch them, they’d open up to reveal a different, noise making farm animal each time.  Even I was entertained by this.

Remember to space the apps out throughout the trip, don’t blow your hand within the first half hour.  Save a couple of exciting options for that last leg of the journey when your wild toddler is just about DONE with sitting, already!

And never underestimate the power of the portable DVD player and bringing a few of their favorite movies.  These have proved invaluable during our traveling-as-parents experience thus far, and are worth every penny.   Ok, each of the three we’ve purchased for our various children over the years (there’s only two children, but at times it feels like there’s a “various” number) have been worth every penny.

Enjoy Your Trip

In the words of my best friend Sarah, from Texas, who travels on planes frequently with her very active son, “I figure, worst case scenario and all heck breaks loose?  Oh well… I’m surrounded by total strangers that I’ll never see again!”

As a mom, you have come to realize from experience that your young children pick up on your stress and anxiety level.  And I swear when this is the case, they seem to fire up the naughtiness level up even more so, as a result!

So my best advice is to prepare the best you can for your trip, and beyond that point just relax and enjoy your it, even the travel portion.  My belief is that exposing your kids to travel is a wonderful gift, which will serve them well in life.  Adventure is out there!

Please share – what’s your best “travel with toddlers” tip?

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None of the links in this article are affiliate links.  I just wanted to point you in the right direction for some of my favorite products I’ve found and loved using for my own kids!  The REI ad on my top right border is affiliate – I would receive a minimal commission if you accessed REI.com and made a purchase through that link.