15 Tips and Products to Help You Survive Flying with a Toddler
Flying with a Toddler (Photo: westend61 via Envato)
Flying is the easiest part when it comes to traveling with toddlers. Said no one ever.
As the mom of a strong-willed toddler, I know how challenging it can be after several flights, many of which have been just me and him. Toss in delays and cancellations, aggravated “shushes” from fellow passengers, and in-flight phone issues (with no Ms. Rachel to save us), and you’ve got one confident, humbled mama. These experiences have only helped carry on my desire to improve upon the process, through lessons learned and research on what other well-traveled parents and caregivers are doing to make the ride go smoother.
Every kid is different, when it comes to their personalities, temperaments and needs. But if you’re wondering how to totally ‘own’ flying with a toddler, this list of 15 tips and must-have products is sure to equip you for your next plane ride.
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please note: Companies whose products are featured in this article have no influence on my content. I will never recommend a product that I have not already purchased or would not consider purchasing on my own.)
1. Bring crayons with angled edges.
Bumble Sticks All-Natural Beeswax Crayons (Photo: Star Right via Amazon)
Coloring (or just scribbling) is a great way to help kids relax and reduce their stress. It allows them to focus on the activity, reinforce their motor skills and let their imaginations run wild. Make sure to pack washable, jumbo-sized crayons that have angled versus round edges -- such as Star Right’s Natural Bumble Sticks -- so they won’t roll away if dropped.
2. Pack wall-safe, adhesive coloring paper for the plane ride and beyond.
Wall-Coloring Sticker Roll (Photo: YPLUS via Amazon)
One of the most versatile travel activity products you can get is this safe, Wall-Coloring Sticker Roll by Squeaky Clean. Apply it to the seat tray in front of your child, and let them color away. This product also can be used at restaurants, or even on a stroller/wagon tray. It can be a bit tricky to cut at first, so make sure you tear along the serrated edges.
3. Get some large window stickers (even if you’re not in a window seat).
Under the Ocean Window Clings (Photo: JesPlay via Amazon)
If you plan to get Number 2, window stickers like these Under the Ocean Window Clings will only make this activity 10 times more fun. Encourage your kiddo to stick them on the coloring paper or on the window, if you’re sitting next to one. You might find that stickers are just the trick to keep your little one entertained for several minutes at a time.
Just make sure you use window stickers that come off easily, and the bigger the better, so you don’t leave behind a big mess. (Little stickers can easily fall through the seat cracks and are a pain for the flight crew to clean.)
4. Splurge on the Yoto Mini Audio Player.
Yoto Mini with Travel Case (Photo: Yoto)
It’s a music player. It reads audiobooks. It streams podcasts and educational activities. Best of all: It lets your toddler be in control. Let me say that louder for the parents in the nosebleed seats: It lets your toddler be in control!
The Yoto Mini Audio Player is styled like an old school cassette player (be still, geriatric Millennial hearts) but operates with more modern technology and a straightforward design. Kids can collect a variety of content cards from Yoto’s curated library of songs and singalongs, bestselling audiobooks, children’s podcasts, educational activities and more -- all without a screen, microphone, camera or ads.
To activate content, the cards are simply inserted into the player, while kids listen through headphones. But wait, there’s more: The Yoto Mini Audio Player also can be used as a white noise/sleep sound machine, alarm clock and portable Bluetooth speaker. Huzzah!
5. Invest in a good set of headphones.
PuroQuiets Headphones (Photo: Puro Sound Labs via Amazon)
Headphones are a must if you plan to give your kids some screen time on the plane. For younger toddlers, though, it’s key to invest in a pair that will fit comfortably snug over their ears rather than a flimsy set that they’ll just want to rip off their heads.
One of the best children’s headphones for plane travel is Puro Sound Labs’ PuroQuiet headphones. Providing a comfortable fit for ages 2 to tween, these headphones are able to grow with your child. A volume limit of 85 dBA (A-weighted decibels) keeps the sound to safe listening levels, while noise-canceling capabilities add a layer of comfort for kids seeking more quiet time or those with noise-induced hearing loss.
Other features include easy-to-use controls, wireless and Bluetooth technology, long battery life and a cable that allows multiple pairs of headphones to connect to the one device, so siblings can watch the same movie, for example. PuroQuiet headphones come in a handful of vibrant colors as well as a durable travel case.
6. Make a cereal (or “Cheerio”) necklace.
When packing for your flight, set aside a few minutes to make a cereal necklace. Trust me: This will be a gamechanger. It occupied my son for a whole 10 minutes.
Buy some durable, elastic string like this Rainbow Jewelry-Making Cord, and attach your favorite cereal or loop-shaped snack (my go-to is Happy Baby’s Organic Superfood Puffs). Feed the string through several pieces, tie it up and keep it in a clean, secure place in your diaper bag. Not only does it make for a light mid-flight snack, but it also acts as a fun, sensory activity for your little one.
7. Book a seat with more legroom, if possible. The extra space is SO worth it.
If you’ve got room in your budget, it’s worth spending the extra money on premium seats that offer more legroom. You can also look for bulkhead seats (those that don’t have seats in front of them), though bear in mind you’d have to keep your diaper bag in the overhead bin until the seatbelt safety sign is turned off.
The extra space is a miracle for those with more active toddlers who find it hard to sit still. Whether you’re flying with a 20 month old or a 4 year old, you can utilize the expanded legroom for floor activities or simply as a space for them to stretch their legs.
8. Pack your own snacks as well as a meal, in case of taxiway delays or reroutes.
Stainless Steel Food Containers (Photo: Everusely via Amazon)
When my son and I were stuck on the taxiway for nearly three hours before takeoff one afternoon, I couldn’t help but think about the pickle we’d be in if I hadn’t packed a dinner for him. We’d burned through most of his snacks during the delay, and with a new expected arrival time of 9:30 p.m. (versus 6:30 p.m.), his dinner would have otherwise consisted of a drinkable pouch, cheese puffs and airline cookies.
Whatever a to-go meal looks like for you, whether that’s home-cooked or microwaved, prepare it ahead of time (overnight, if you’re making from scratch, since you’ll already have enough to worry about the day of departure) and pack it in a travel-size, stainless steel container (my favorites are Everusely’s Small Stainless Steel Food-Grade Containers) to preserve the temperature.
Packing an “emergency meal” from home that you know your child likes is always a good idea, regardless of what time you fly. It ensures they’ll be well-fed in the event of any hiccups and can also save you money compared to the overpriced food at the airport.
9. Get your hands on a filtered water bottle.
One of my all-time favorite products to travel with is a filtered water bottle. Aside from being a way to ensure you always have safe drinking water on hand, a filtered water bottle like this one by Clearly Filtered can save you a pretty penny (considering one bottle of water at the airport could cost you at least $5). Plus, it’s good for the environment.
Clearly Filtered water bottles take ordinary tap water and remove 99.9 percent of more than 220 contaminants and hormones. What I particularly love about Clearly Filtered versus competitors is its sleek design, double-wall insulation using stainless steel, variety of fun colors and the fact that it comes in a kids’ size.
Simply pack the empty filtered water bottle in your diaper bag; then fill up at the water fountain, after you get through security. (Filling it up prior to your TSA checkpoint would force you to stop for additional screening.)
10. Be strategic with your carry-on luggage.
Young Family Waiting to Board Plane at Airport (Photo: LightFieldStudios via Envato)
Traveling efficiently isn’t what it might have once looked like for you in your pre-parenting days. With kids in tow, you want to be as hands-free as possible.
Don’t try to pack all your belongings in carry-on bags to avoid checking luggage. Holding little hands, juggling sippy cups and boarding passes, and chasing around a toddler is hard enough; you don’t need to be lugging around a bunch of roller suitcases and duffle bags, as well.
Traveling with a partner or another adult companion? Take advantage of the airline’s family preboarding option, if available. Have them board first with the carry-on bags, while you wait to get on last with the kids. This tip (thanks, Samantha Brown!) not only guarantees you’ll have adequate overhead bin space, but it also gives your little ones more time to burn energy before being seated.
11. But also don’t under-pack and forget critical items in your diaper bag.
It’s easy for some to get carried away in the spirit of packing light. (Raises hand.) While your goal is to be as hands-free as possible in the airport and on the plane, you also don’t want to forget critical items that are often overlooked when you’re more focused on how your family is going to get through the flight.
In addition to food, activities and the usual care amenities, make sure you pack one change of clothes (or two for long-haul flights) in case of spills or other accidents, as well as antibacterial wipes and a miniature, children’s first-aid kit. You want to be prepared for any mishaps that arise, with an arsenal of easy-to-grab, “life-saving” items.
12. Apply for TSA PreCheck (or Global Entry).
Mother and Son Going Through Airport Security (Photo: friends_stock via Envato)
Speeding through airport security lines isn’t only for first-class travelers. The ability to breeze through lines without having to take off shoes or remove liquids, laptops or tablets (among other perks) is more attainable than you think.
Whether you decide to go with TSA PreCheck or Global Entry depends a lot of how you travel. If you plan to primarily fly within the U.S., then the more affordable TSA PreCheck will work for you. Global Entry, which includes the TSA PreCheck benefits at U.S. airports, speeds up the immigration process for those re-entering the U.S. from a foreign country.
TSA PreCheck passengers are screened through a dedicated lane, separate from the main -- and often painfully long -- security lines. You also get to walk through a metal detector instead of standing inside a body scanner.
The process of obtaining TSA PreCheck isn’t as cumbersome as it might sound. It includes an online application, background check, fingerprinting and in-person interview. The best part: Your membership also covers your children 12 and under; those 13 and up will need to apply for their own.
13. Fly with a car seat.
There’s a great debate about whether or not kids should fly with car seats, for safety reasons. Airlines give parents the option to travel with “lap children” under 2, free of charge. Unfortunately, however, this policy is only in place to avoid revenue losses, since the use of a car seat would require purchasing a separate airplane seat for the child. The FAA and a number of other organizations, as well as pediatricians, recommend babies and toddlers use FAA approved safety restraints on planes.
This isn’t a place for debate, but if your child is at least two and you’ve already purchased a separate ticket for them, it’s a no-brainer to put them in a car seat. In addition to being the safest option, other benefits of using a car seat include helping your child relax if they have a harder time winding down or if you’ll be on a longer flight.
(Note: This is not an attempt to provide any health or safety advice. Please contact a licensed medical professional or specialist to help you determine the best option for you.)
14. If you plan to bring a couple toys, choose the ‘right’ ones.
This sounds ambiguous, I know. But if you still have room to squeeze a few toys into your diaper bag, make sure you pack some that won’t just be tossed to the wayside.
Your child’s favorite toy or stuffed animal. A new and exciting toy. A “quiet book” (also known as a busy book or activity book), like this Montessori Quiet Book by deMoca, that’s made of a soft material like felt and loaded with activities designed to put little minds to work. The list goes on. Pick two to three that will pique your child’s interest, even if only for a short while. Remember: The key for how to fly with a lap infant over 1 or a toddler is continuous distractions.
15. Bring a small trash bag.
A small trash bag will barely take up room in your bag, but it can make a big impact on your ability to stay organized… and subsequently not get flustered when trying to find an item in need. Trash can accumulate fast while flying with kids (cue visions of empty snack bags and pouches, hand wipes, used bandages, et al). Toss whatever you need to in your trash bag, to avoid a bigger mess before the flight attendant comes around to collect it.
