Flying with kids can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here is a guide to surviving the journey and ensuring you have a smooth time flying with kids. Over the years, I’ve gone from an anxious, over prepared parent of a 4-month-old to a more experienced traveler managing a toddler and a baby during long international flights. I even managed being stuck at New York airport with both kids and navigate thru global airline computer disruption! Yes, that infamous meltdown that happened in July of last year. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot—sometimes the hard way—and I am happy to help you avoid some of the pitfalls to have a stress-free, or at least more manageable, experience.
1. Preparing for the Flight
Never underestimate the power of preparation! It can help avoid many stressful, uncontrollable challenges that may arise during travel.
Traveling to the Czech Republic from Florida usually takes about 24 hours door-to-door, even though the flight portion itself is only 15-16 hours. Because of this, early preparation is key to a smooth journey. I typically start planning about three weeks before departure and begin actual packing a week prior. Three weeks out, I focus on clothing—ensuring the kids have enough warm-weather clothes in their current sizes. Since we live in Florida, their warm clothes often don’t fit, so I order what’s missing. I usually stick to basics, as there are plenty of stores in the Czech Republic where I can easily find more kids’ clothing, often at very affordable prices.
Packing Your Suitcases
I recommend packing most items in checked bags and reserving one or two changes of clothes in your carry-on for travel, in case of delayed luggage. I pack most of our things into large suitcases, but I use small cube organizers I bought online to keep everything more organized and make unpacking easier upon arrival.
This system helps us tremendously—if we don’t want to drag large suitcases upstairs to our bedrooms, we can simply grab the smaller cube organizers and leave the large suitcases in the garage. Each person in our family has their own set of organizers in their favorite color, making it easier to find the right items quickly.
Take a picture of your open suitcases once packed. If they get delayed or lost, you’ll be asked to describe what’s inside each one to help identify it. And trust me—after packing and repacking multiple times, dealing with jet lag and general tiredness after arrivals, I don’t always remember what’s in each bag. That’s why I always take a picture, so I don’t have to worry about it later.
Don’t forget to tag your suitcases with your current contact information. I love using luggage tags with steel loops to ensure they stay securely attached and always make it to my destination.
Keep Your Documents Organized
You can buy pretty much anything you forget or lose, but replacing passports isn’t so easy. With so much to keep track of (especially your kids), you want everything else to be as simple as possible. I carry our passports and boarding passes in a special pouch around my neck through the airport, so I always know where they are and can access them quickly. Once we’re boarded, I securely place them in a designated spot in my carry-on.
Snacks Are Your Best Friend
It always surprises me how much snacks can do. Pack several snacks that kids can eat easily and carry them in convenient snack holders to avoid spills. Think crackers, puffs, dried fruits, cut up apples, grapes, nuts, kids’ bars (we prefer Cerebelly bars or Yumi bars as they have no added sugars), and anything your child likes that does not include gooey messes. Extra credit for snacks that require more than a few bites, such as raisins or little crackers; they keep little hands and mouths busy. For younger toddlers, you can use a “snack catcher” bowl that’s also fun for them to fish out their snacks. I usually mix two or three kids’ snacks together. For biggers kids, we had a success with the spinner bowl and I myself carry stackable snack container 🙂
Entertainment Arsenal
Children get bored easily, especially when air travel, because long flights seem very long. Pack toys that are lightweight and engaging:
Activities: Stickers, Activity Books, Water Coloring Books and Picture Books are absolute lifesavers! They are compact, and children will be engaged and have quite fun with them for a long time.
Sensory Toys: Consider squishy balls, fidget toys, or anything tactile.
Baby toys: Here you want to make sure these things can attach and / or be easily cleaned. Great travel toys are Suction Sensory Toys, fun Shaker Toy, silicone Pulling Toys, a Silicone Teether, and great Silicone Straps so strap anything and everything!
Preloaded Devices: A tablet in a sturdy case with their favorite shows or apps can be a lifesaver for slightly older toddlers. Don’t forget kid-sized headphones!
Sleep Essentials
Help your child rest on the plane. A warm blanket, a small pillow, or a soft toy can help a child feel better. For flights that last through the night, I have used an inflatable footrest to make the seat into a little bed for a child as well as travel hammock.
Packing for Emergencies
When flying with kids, I always carry extra clothes for the children and yourself with you at all times. I assure you this: I have been there and done that after a diaper explosion in the middle of a flight! The best clothes are compact and easy to change. Can you survive in dirty clothes? You sure can. However, your child may not be as comfortable with wearing wet and cold clothing for extended periods of time.
If you have a child in diapers, I recommend, besides a more regular diaper bag, keeping one diaper and a travel pack of wipes in a compact pouch with a handle, ready to grab quickly when you need to change them. This way, you don’t have to carry a larger bag with all diapers, wipes, and other essentials. Airplane aisles and bathrooms are small, and you may only have one hand free to grab these items while holding your baby with the other hand on the changing table and managing the plane’s movement. Don’t forget to re-stock this pouch after each use.
2. Navigating the Airport
When you have one or multiple layovers, it’s important to plan how you’ll transfer between flights. Do you have just one child or more? Can they walk and run if needed? Are you carrying a backpack or just a carry-on? Do you need to carry additional bags with you?
When I had only one baby, I found it helpful to bring both a carrier and a compact stroller, which I gate-checked. The carrier gave me free hands to manage bags and board the plane, while the stroller allowed me to rest my body during transfers and use it at our final destination.
The challenge came when some airports wouldn’t return my stroller at the gate, forcing me to carry everything myself. On two occasions, after a delayed arrival, I had to run to catch my next flight while carrying a 20-pound baby, a 15-pound backpack, and another bag. So I finally gave in and bought the compact Yoyo stroller. What a game changer! They fold up small enough to be carried on the plane instead of checked at the gate or worrying whether they will be returned during a layover. They’re also ideal when navigating through tight European store isles and fitting into compact cars. I never had to part with it again—I just fold it at the gate and take it on board with me. No more sweat and tears during transfers.
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, we had another child, raising the bar for travel and introducing a whole new set of challenges.
The Car Seat
Flying a solo with a toddler and a baby I have also added a carseat (to allow me to tend to my older one while the baby napped or simply played securely). Being long international flights with a multiple layovers and also being stuck two days on the way back this was a lifesaver. Not only for flights, but also being able to securely transport our daughter via car when we got stuck in New York last summer. I was so grateful I had a carseat for her. I have chosen this specific ultra light Cybex carseat because I could attach it to the Yoyo stroller I already had. Just got two fitting adapters and it all worked seamlessly. On a side note – I did purchased the swivel base option and have been using the car seat back in US for 9 months now – it has a great baby weight accommodation and being able to swivel has been a game changer for my back!
My 3 years old son rocked his own suitcase at this age and was able to comfortable pull it himself due to the support legs taking the weight off of him and also use it as a transportation device or a seat when his tiny legs got tired.
Baby Carrier Essentials
Your list should include a good baby carrier. It clears your hands, particularly during security checks or when handling an energetic toddler. I have been very happy with Tula Free to Grow.
Pack Light but Smart when flying with kids
Managing children, bags, and passports is hard; it’s a full workout. Stick to a compact diaper bag (I used an awesome backpack that is no longer available but this one is similar and has great reviews as well) with the essentials: diapers, wipes, a changing mat, and some baby toys. Anything else can go in your checked luggage. You can also attach a handy little mesh “pocket” to the stroller! I found it particularly handy while going thru security and keeping my passports and flight tickets handy.
Takeoff and Landing Tips
Sometimes, pressure variations can be quite challenging for little ears. Breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or a pacifier are the best options for babies. Sippy cups or chewy food items such as gummies are useful for toddlers.
Keep Them Engaged
Limit the number of toys and activities the child can access at one time and change them as the flight progresses. A new toy or book the child has not seen could work wonders for them.
Embrace Screen Time
Long flights are not a time to limit the screen time (I used to use it as well to keep myself occupied prior flying with kids). When flying with kids, fill the tablet with movies, shows, or games your child enjoys watching or playing. It is a small price to pay for some quietness.
Be Flexible when flying with kids
Traveling by air is always with its hitches. There are always delays, turbulence, and sometimes a complete system breakdown. Stay calm, breathe, and roll with the punches. Your kids take cues from you—if you stay relaxed, they’re more likely to follow suit.
Layovers: The Ultimate Test
Layovers can be challenging at the best of times, but when traveling with young children can be even more challenging. However, they are also a way to get off one’s feet and rest for a while.
Scout for Kid-Friendly Areas
There are now many play areas or family lounges in many airports. They are lifesavers for children, allowing them to burn their energy.
Fuel Up
Take the chance to grab a comforting meal or refill water bottles. Keeping everyone fed and hydrated makes for the most satisfied travelers.
Plan for Delays
Having once had a 12-hour layover due to a system failure, I can say that being prepared is crucial. More food, movies, or games, as well as time and tolerance, are required. Stroller in this case is a lifesaver.
Final Thoughts
It’s not always fun when flying with children:
- There will be blowouts.
- There will be sleepless nights.
- There will be children who decide to walk up and down the aisle 20 times.
But there will also be moments of joy, like your child’s excitement at takeoff or awe at seeing the world from 30,000 feet.
If you prepare well and have the right attitude, you can turn flying with kids into a manageable (and sometimes even fun) experience. So, stock up on those snacks, get that carry-on stroller, and go for your next family getaway! The memories you will make are priceless!
You can find more useful travel items here!
You’ve got this! 🙂
