Our family loves to travel but I hate driving long distances, so I avoid it if possible. Since most of our travels are outside the state we live we fly a lot. My kids started flying when they were babies so they are old pros at this point. If its your first time flying with your little one here are how we make our flights as easy and stress-free as possible.
Aim for non-stop flights-Now I know this is not always possible so if you have to get a flight with a layover try to aim for one close to an hour which will give you enough time to get off the plane and let the kids walk around for a bit before you have to head to the gate to get on the next flight. There are even a few airports that have play areas so the kids can really burn off some energy. Airports with play areas include Boston (BOS), Los Angeles (LAX), Portland (PDX), St.Louis (STL) and LaGuardia (LAG).
Gate check your stroller-If you are traveling with a baby or toddler you will want to have the stroller in the airport, it makes getting around easier especially if you are in a larger one like O’Hare. Instead of checking your stroller with the bags before going through security you can ask to gate check meaning you will leave it just outside the plane as you are boarding, and it will be waiting for you as you exit. You can either ask for a luggage tag at the main check in or right at the gate before you are scheduled to board.
Wait to Board-Most airlines will allow families or those flying with children under 6 be part of the first groups to board the plane. But unless you are flying with an airline that does not assign seats like Southwest, we always wait to board the flight so the kids don’t get restless. Especially if you are flying with a toddler you want to let them walk around near the gate to get all their wiggles out. We also use this time to take a bathroom break before boarding since the ones on the plane are small and not the easiest to use with kids.
Prepare for takeoff-Once we are in our seats I like to wipe down our tray tables because lets face it even before Covid planes have always been germy. For my older kids and the grownups I bring gum to help regulate ear pressure. For babies you can either nurse if you feel comfortable or bring a bottle or sippy cup for them to drink until the plane gets to a cruising altitude. For my toddlers and younger kids I always have gummy bears or fruit snacks which is the next best thing to bubble gum. For our longer distance flights my middle daughter would have issues with ear pressure and so we used earplanes which are like an ear plug and they come in kid sizes.
Dress for comfort-Whenever we are flying to our destination I always put the kids in whatever will be most comfortable for the flight which is usually a light pair pants and shirt. I will bring a change of clothes for once we’ve arrived at our destination because half the time they will end up spilling food or the baby will spit-up. Regardless of the temperatures outside it always seems to get chilly on the plane so we wear light jackets, and I bring a small blanket for the kids. If you are flying during nap time or bedtime having their blanket from home is better than the ones offered on the flights.
Bring snacks-While most flights will offer some light snacks or even meals if you are flying long distance, they are not always the most kid friendly so we always bring our own. Especially if you have allergies or specific dietary restrictions, thankfully most have moved away from peanuts for the snack. Some of the snacks we like to bring are the baby puffs, goldfish crackers, fruit strips and granola or protein bars. I also always bring a reusable water bottle or sippy cup, and most airports have the water bottle refill feature on the drinking fountains.
Entertainment– Most domestic flights no longer have the built-in screens however many do have an app that allows you to watch tv or movies on your phone as part of the flight. My older kids will bring their phones to play on but we never rely on electronics during our flight. Instead we bring coloring books and my kids really love the water wow ones by Melissa and Doug you just add water to the pen and you can color over and over. For my toddlers I like to bring window clings, these are great to play on the airplane window especially during takeoff or while landing because they don’t require the tray tables. If you kids are like mine they love the blind bag toys so I will bring those along since they are small kids love getting new toys. For my babies we like to bring the board books that have all the different textures or pop-up windows. For all ages small stuffed animals are always a winner, we just make sure they get a bath once we’ve returned home.
Be prepared for accidents– Traveling with kids can always be unpredictable but I always try to be prepared for a number of scenarios and try to remember that not every flight will be perfect. When I travel with my younger ones I always have extra diapers and wipes and a change or two of clothes. If you happen to be flying while potty training, make sure to go before you get on the plane because the bathrooms on board can be scary to little ones not to mention are quite small and not meant for more than one person. Kids can also get motion sickness on the plane and thankfully they still offer the sick bags at each seat because we have had to use them.
Flying can be a fun part of your family vacation and I hope what works for us can help make an easier trip for your family.