Flying with a toddler presents an entirely different set of challenges than flying with a baby. And it’s due mostly to mobility. Toddlers don’t like to sit still. They’re also more headstrong, prone to meltdowns, and have fleeting attention spans. But the stress of traveling with a toddler doesn’t have to end with your forsaking air travel until they’re teenagers. It just takes some proper planning, smart packing, and a little mental preparation.
Here are 11 tips and tricks to make your plane journey a little bit easier:
1. Get to the Airport Early
When it comes to flying with kids, some argue against arriving at the airport too early because it means entertaining them for a longer stretch of time outside the comforts of home. The simple fact remains, though: airport stress is dictated by your departure time. And the less time you give yourself to go from the parking to the gate - especially with a toddler - the more stress you will create. Traveling with a toddler, especially when they’re walking, takes significantly more time than traveling on your own. Arriving 90 minutes to two hours before your flight ensures no matter how long the check-in or security lines are, or how slowly they’re moving, you’ll never have to sweat missing your flight. Even better, it gives parents a chance to regroup - order lunch, feed the kid, buy a book they won’t be able to read when they get inside the terminal.
2. Split Up When You Board
While all airlines allow parents with children to board first, it’s not always the smartest move. Remember, it usually takes a half-hour for everybody else to board and the plane to start moving - that’s a lot of time stuck in your seat with a restless 2-year-old. The better strategy is to have one parent board the flight early to stow the carry-ons, gate-check the stroller/car seat, and, if you’re concerned about germs, disinfect the armrests and tray tables. Meanwhile, the other parent walks/entertains the kid in the terminal until everybody is on board, and then boards last.
3. If They’re Still Under 2, Consider Buying Them a Seat
Obviously, this decision depends on one’s finances, but if you’ve got the money to buy an extra seat - book it. Being able to give a toddler their own space, rather than bouncing them on your lap for three hours, is a game-changer. There’s a reason some parents oppose the idea of “Lap Toddlers” so much - yes it’s cheaper, but it can be a nightmare if they won’t sit still.
4. Book a Window and an Aisle Seat
If you do go with the lap option, book the aisle and window seats and leave the middle one open. As middle seats are the last to be filled, this increases your odds of scoring your toddler a seat without paying. Worst case scenario, if somebody is sitting there, you can simply offer to trade them the more desirable window seat. Whatever you do, though, don’t give up that aisle seat. You’re going to want easy access to the bathroom and the ability to walk around with your kid.
5. Don’t Fly Too Late in the Day
Ever hung out with a 2-year-old at 5 p.m. on an afternoon when they didn’t get a nap? It’s not a pleasant experience. It may not always work, and your kid may be too distracted to sleep regardless of what time you take off, but booking flights that coincide with their nap schedule at least give you better odds for a smoother trip. Or, if you can’t fly when they usually sleep, try to plan the trip during periods of the day when you know they’re happiest ⏤ for a lot of kids, that’s in the morning. If you do choose a late-day flight, do your best to make sure they get a nap before heading to the airport.
6. Gift Wrap Cheap Toys
Obviously, you don’t want to bring an entire toy box but your main objective while flying with a toddler is to keep them occupied. And the more games, toys, or books you bring along, the easier your job will be. We’ve had great luck with the Water Wow! colouring books, sticker books, whatever their favourite toys are at the time. In addition to toys they already know and love, take a trip to the dollar store before your flight and stock up on cheap stuff you don’t mind losing or accidentally leaving on the plane. And then wrap them individually in wrapping paper like it was Christmas Eve. Whenever your child gets restless during the flight, break out a new toy and help them unwrap it. Let them play with the paper, then the actual toy, and when the child tires of both, well, there’s always snacks.
7. Kiss Screen-Time Restrictions (Temporarily) Goodbye
No matter how opposed you are to screen time under normal circumstances, flying is not the time to stick to your principles. That doesn’t mean you have to hand your 18-month-old an iPad loaded with every season of Cocomelon as soon as the flight takes off, but some screen time can come in handy when attention spans start to wear thin. A few hours staring at a phone or tablet isn’t going to do any damage. Depending on how long the flight, be sure to download a movie or two, episodes of their favourite television shows, and some digital kid’s books before you leave the house - just in case you don’t have access to the internet on the flight. And, more importantly, for everybody’s sake: Buy a trusted pair of child headphones and test them out before you go.
8. Download Audio Books
Even better than apps, movies, or TV shows, download their favourite books in audio form. That way their minds stay engaged but they aren’t mesmerised by a screen the entire time. You can get everything from Fancy Nancy and Curious George to Pinkalicious & Peterrific and Cat in the Hat on Amazon’s Audible or from the local library using the OverDrive or Libby App.
9. Use Food as an Activity
For toddlers, eating food on a plane can be an all-consuming activity on par with watching Paw Patrol. If your kid is tired of listening to books or playing games, break out the crackers and let them concentrate on eating for a bit. Will Gold Fish get everywhere? Maybe. But it beats a bored toddler melting down and a section full of angry passengers. Bagels are one of the best in-flight foods for toddlers because it takes them forever to finish one.
Two other things to remember: Toddler’s ears can pop just as much as a baby’s, so snacks during takeoff and landing are helpful. And second, don’t forget that liquids and pouches still have to comply with the liquids regulations.
10. Play Games, Lots of Games
A lot of parents are so quick to plug their kids in that they neglect to take advantage of their surroundings for entertainment. From flight attendants and carry-on luggage to cartoon safety cards and tiny plastic airline wings, airplanes are packed with stimuli around which to create games and keep kids occupied. A couple of fun games include “I Spy When I Fly” and “No Vacancy,” in which older toddlers keep their eyes on the bathrooms and try to guess which will be vacant first. Here are a few more airplane games, as well as fun airport games to keep kids entertained in the terminal before you ever even board the plane.
11. Have a Plan of Attack: Food, Books, Toys, iPad…
No matter what you pack for entertainment, have a plan coming in and expect to vary activities pretty quickly. Maybe start with a snack at takeoff before moving on to some games, a little reading, and unwrapping a new toy. Keep your powder dry though when it comes to the tablet or phone. Because you know it will almost instantly quiet any ornery toddler, you’d be well advised to resist breaking it out until mid-flight, after exhausting as many other activities as can hold their attention.
Happy Flying!
