Refusing to walk through the metal detector. Spilling juice over the laptop of the passenger next to you. Somehow needing the toilet the second the seatbelt sign comes on. Travelling with young children can be a challenge, to put it mildly. But a few basic preparations can help — and can even turn flying into fun. Award-winning travel writer Pól Ó Conghaile shares his top tips for travel with kids.
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Fly with frills
If you’re travelling with kids, it makes sense to book seats (or priority boarding) in advance. If this means paying a little more, so be it. A four-month-old with popping ears isn’t going to understand why Daddy has to sit between two strangers in Row 27. Booking ahead also means you avoid the boarding scrum, and can keep your family together with some sense of your own space.
Pack light
If you’re heading to a sun destination, there’s no need to take ten bags. The golden rule is to pack what you think you’ll need, then remove half of it. Do you really need a third pair of shoes? Will you actually get through all those books? Remember: everything you pack, you have to carry.
It’s worth remembering there will be shops and supermarkets at your destination too — often cheaper than at home — so there’s no need to take on the job of a Sherpa as well as a parent. And then there’s the buggy. Do you really need that hassle?
Pack smart
Too many of us leave hand luggage until the last minute, grabbing whatever won’t fit in the main case as we head out the door. With young children along, that’s asking for trouble. Hand luggage is your toddler or baby’s survival pack for the whole journey.
Start with a spill-proof beaker cup. Having something to drink during take-off and landing helps little ears cope with cabin pressure changes. Cabin air can also be stuffy and dry, so plenty of water or juice is a good idea generally.
Wet wipes and snacks come next. Babies will need their own food and, if you’re not breastfeeding, enough formula for the journey. Your child’s favourite toy or comfort blanket is a must, and it’s worth packing some books, puzzles and games too — a new colouring book or magazine can double as a nice in-flight treat.
The key is to bring activities out gradually, one at a time, rather than all at once.
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Prepare for the worst
With babies and toddlers, it’s sensible to pack at least one full spare outfit. They’re bouncy little creatures, and combined with a bit of turbulence, they’re never more than a few seconds from being covered in airplane food. A plastic bag is handy for storing anything soiled.
Then there are toilet accidents. No matter how often a child goes before take-off, the seatbelt sign has a way of triggering the need to go again. A little preparation goes a long way here.
Finally, it’s worth packing enough basics for the flight and the first night of your holiday. Hold luggage does occasionally go missing, and a delayed bag feels a lot less stressful when everyone’s already in clean clothes.
You may also like: 8 Practical Tips to Ease Motion Sickness in Kids or Top 10 Tips for Happy Car Travel with Kids
Make the airport an adventure
When we think of flying, most of us picture the skies. The reality is less romantic — an early start, a long walk from the car park, and queues for check-in, security and boarding. Then you land and do it all again in reverse, with car hire thrown in for good measure.
Adults can rationalise a long, tedious journey. Toddlers can’t. They live in the moment, and if that moment involves a two-hour wait at the gate, you’re going to know about it.
Accept that you’ll be in the airport for a while. Schedule time for a proper meal. Go for a walk together. Bring out a colouring book or a travel game. For older kids, set a few tasks — can they spot planes from five different countries? What’s the headline on today’s paper?
If you treat the airport as a headache, it will be one. Put a bit of effort into making it fun for the kids, and you may find it more bearable yourself too.
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Do the switcheroo
If two parents are travelling with more than one child, it can help to mix up who’s minding whom. Spend some time together as a family, then have one parent take the baby while the other takes the toddler, and swap partway through. It breaks up a long, cooped-up flight nicely.
Take control of tantrums
Being stuck in a plane at altitude with a screaming toddler ranks fairly high on life’s more traumatic experiences. Your own nerves are one thing — the tut-tutting of fellow passengers is another.
One trick with a tetchy child is to walk the aisle (when it’s safe and clear to do so). Babies and toddlers love watching people and exploring, and a change of scene can have a genuinely calming effect — for both of you.
If a tantrum does happen, let other passengers see you’re doing your best — catch an eye, offer a quick apology for the noise. You’re far more likely to get sympathy this way, and you might even find a fellow parent stepping in to help distract the child.
Related: Parents of 14-Week-Old Twins Hand Out Treats on Flight!
Rest when they rest
If you’re lucky, there may come a moment when your kids fall asleep. You can’t bank on it, and wishing too hard for it will only wind you up. But if it happens, seize the moment — either close your eyes yourself, or dive into a book.
Consider skipping long-haul
Long-haul travel is exhausting, dehydrating and hard on body clocks — and that’s just for the adults. It’s worth asking whether a long flight is really worth it for a holiday your toddler won’t remember.
A couple of hours can get you to France. In under three, you’ve got your pick of Spain, Portugal and much of Italy. Many families choose to wait until their children are a bit older before tackling long-haul trips — the destinations will still be there, and the kids will remember a lot more of them.
About the Author
Pól Ó Conghaile is an award-winning travel writer based in Ireland. He is the author of Secret Dublin, contributes to a number of national publications, and has been named Irish Travel Writer of the Year on multiple occasions. You can find him on his website, Facebook and Twitter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important thing to pack in hand luggage when flying with kids?
A spill-proof drink for take-off and landing, wet wipes, snacks, a favourite comfort toy, and a few staggered activities like books or a colouring set. Having a spare outfit for little ones in your hand luggage too is a real sanity-saver.
Should I book seats in advance when travelling with children?
Yes, where possible. Booking seats or priority boarding in advance means your family can stay together and avoid the scramble of general boarding, which is especially helpful with a baby or toddler.
How can I keep kids entertained during long airport waits?
Build in time for a proper meal, a walk around the terminal, and a new activity like a colouring book kept back specially for the airport. For older children, simple “spotting” games (planes, flags, accents) can make the wait feel shorter.
What’s a good way to handle a toddler tantrum on a flight?
Try walking the aisle with your child when it’s safe to do so — the change of scene and movement often helps. Acknowledging fellow passengers with a quick apology tends to bring more sympathy your way than trying to ignore the situation.
Is long-haul travel a good idea with very young children?
Many parents choose to stick to shorter flights while their children are very young, saving longer long-haul trips for when kids are old enough to enjoy and remember them. It’s a personal call based on your own family’s tolerance for a longer journey.
Related Articles
- 7 Top Tips for Travel with Kids who have Allergies
- 8 Practical Tips to Ease Motion Sickness in Kids
- Top 10 Tips for Happy Car Travel with Kids
- Sleep Tips for Kids on Holidays
- Top 10 Essentials for Travelling with Toddlers & Babies
Save These Tips for Later
Flying with kids gets easier every time you do it — but a bit of preparation always helps. Bookmark this page or share it with another parent who has a trip coming up, so the tips are handy when you need them.
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