1. Talk to your toddler and other little ones about your upcoming air travel ahead of time!

Are you getting ready to fly with your little ones? I recently had a very busy season of traveling. Flying from Florida to Texas, then Texas to Oregon, and then to Alaska from Oregon by myself with a wiggly 9 month old and a busy and strong willed 3 year old. Prior to this busy season, we would fly regularly as a family of 4, and I’ve picked up quite a few tips and tricks to help us get through it all with grace, peace, and even some fun! Here are my top 10 air travel hacks and tips!

I learned this from another mom and let me tell you, it’s so important! It gets them excited for the trip, like a big adventure. Talk them thru as many details as you can about your upcoming trip – the drive to the airport, who you’re going to see, the walk to the shuttle bus (if you use long term parking) walking to the check-in agents, finding your gate, waiting for your plane to get ready. I also found this super cute book that is PERFECT for toddlers that I used to help my son understand what happens in preparation for the plane to take off, it has little flaps that open up all throughout the book, that make it really interactive, its called  Peep Inside How a Plane Works and you can get it on Amazon for $14: https://amzn.to/4febuKV

2. Choose your seats ahead of time, rather than letting them assign seats for you.

Getting a window seat for your Toddler is the way to go. It gives them something to look out at, and makes them feel a bit more secure and cozy with you sitting next to them. Most airlines will put families with kids towards the back, but there is no guarantee you’ll get a window seat if you let them choose for you.

3. Pick a departure time that works for your little ones – Think Nap Time!

I’ve flown at all hours of the day, and the most recent flight with my 9 month old and 3 year old by myself, I chose an overnight flight. My 9 month old was out as soon as the plane started moving. My 3 year old ate and played before eventually passing out, which made for a pretty easy stress free flight. The other time that works well is in the afternoon, just in time for nap time!

4. Pack Your Air Plane Survival Kit

One thing to think about when planning on which toys and snacks to bring, is that your toddlers attention spans are very short – 5 to 10 minute windows is how long they can focus for. So make sure you have some sort of activity rotation system. I actually have a great blog post that goes into more detail on what to bring that you can read here.

  • Toys they love
  • One or two NEW toys that you can get them excited about
  • Books and Coloring Items
  • Stickers Galore!
  • Post it Notes
  • Snacks they love
  • New snacks or candy you can give as a reward for good behavior
  • A few change of clothes in case they have spills on accidents on the plane
  • extra Diapers and wipes
  • Favorite Bottle and Comfort item

5. Think about Popping Ears During Take off and Descend

With my 9 month old I made sure to nurse her during take off and descend. Or give her a bottle or pacifier to suck on. Just anything to get her jaw moving during these two changes in altitude that effect ears. If you’re lucky they’ll just sleep through it. For my toddler, I make sure he is chewing on something or sucking on a lollipop. Most of the time, he sleeps through it! Whenever I hear crying babies on planes, it is almost always during these change in altitudes!

6. Bring Your Stroller With You!

This may just be a personal preference, so you figure out what you and your little one will feel most comfortable with, but having tried both a carrier AND a stroller through the airport, my favorite by far is having a stroller! For my toddler he used a stroller up until I had my baby girl. After that we switched to just her stroller and then purchased a ride along board that attached to the stroller. He LOVED riding through the airport on it. You can grab something similar on Amazon that works with most strollers here: https://amzn.to/3UrGvCr.

ALSO you can check the stroller in at the gate, literally take it with you and leave it right before you walk on to the plane, and it will be waiting for you when you step off the plane. I do recommend getting yourself one of these cheap stroller bags to place it in, just so it doesn’t get damaged. You can get one here for $25 in Amazon: https://amzn.to/48kilQ9 OR before you get through security, check with the check in agents, depending on which airline you are flying with they can get you a free sturdy plastic large bag that you can place it in.

7. Download All Your Kids Favorite Shows Ahead of Time

Don’t forget this one! Even if you’re against screen time, during a flight is the time you want to bust out your phone or iPad and let them watch their favorite kid friendly shows! Something familiar that will feel comforting is the way to go.

8. Take Advantage of Early Boarding!

Most airlines I have flown offer early boarding for parents with kids two and under. I know some people say “oh don’t do early boarding, just let them run around for as long as they can before they board.” Maybe that’s true if your kids are all two and up in age, but if you’re flying with a toddler AND a baby, you are going to want to do early boarding. In my experience, it gives your toddler and you time to get comfortable in your seats. Show them how the seat buckle works, and how not to hit the tray table in front of them, and just let’s them get settled in without a bunch of people staring at them walking down the aisle. I find for kids that are more sensitive to loud noises and people, getting on the plane when its crowded can make for a more stressful situation. I know Delta, Southwest and Alaska Airlines offer early boarding for families. ALSO, when you are flying SOLO with your kids, having the extra time and space to place your stuff down as you get everyone in their seats – is VERY important. Once all the other passengers pile in it can be hard to try and rearrange all your crap. Which leads me to my next tip of what to pack!

9. Don’t Bring a Ton of Crap on the Plane with You!

When I was flying with my 9 month old and 3 year old. I only brought items that were absolutely necessary. A change of clothes for myself and the kids. Extra wipes that are easily accessible. All of your kids activities, and snacks, and thats IT! If your toddler is up for it, you could get a small backpack and put lightweight items in it like snacks and coloring books that they can wear. Only don’t end up carrying it for them like I once got stuck with. Basically you want your hands free when you’re traveling solo… so pack smart!

10. Make Sure You Yourself are Well Fed!

In addition to making sure your little ones are well fed, (no one likes a hangry toddler) make sure YOU are properly fueled up with protein! I always try and eat eggs, or a protein smoothie before any travel. I know myself, if I don’t eat, small situations will get me flustered. Making sure your blood sugar levels are good, and that you are hydrated is SO important. If you are in a good mood, and having fun, chances are your toddler will also be in a good mood. They are so observant, and I tell you, I think my toddler tries to match my energy LOL. I try and do things to keep myself level headed – deep breathing, stopping at a bathroom to collect my thoughts or talk to a friend – whatever it takes to get me into a calm and excited state of mind. Your toddler needs you engaged with them throughout the flight, so make sure you take care of yourself!

BONUS AIR TRAVEL HACK

Okay, so this last travel hack I just learned about recently, and it blew my mind! I was so grateful for it. It was when I was flying on Alaska Airlines from Oregon to Alaska. I got to the gate agent early to get a tag for my stroller that I was planning to leave at the gate. The gate agent looked at where I was sitting and said “Hey there is no one sitting in your row, why don’t you just take the car seat with you and have baby sit in the car seat.” I was so surprised, I wasn’t sure if my car seat was FAA approved, he flipped it over and saw that it was. I was SO excited. My 9 month old at the time was having a really hard time falling asleep in my arms, but LOVES sleeping in her car seat. The only hard part was carrying the car seat to our seats, but even with that, the flight attendants helped me out. I was SO SO grateful for that! She slept the whole time in her car seat, while I was able to tend to my 3 year old. So next time you find yourself in a row to yourself, and you happen to be traveling with your car seat/ stroller, make sure you at least ask the gate agent if you can take the car seat with you! The only caveat, is that if your baby is in the car seat, then they need to remain in the car seat even during take off and landing! Lucky for me, the take off process soothed her to sleep!

So there you have it! Those are all my tried and true travel tips for flying with a toddler and baby! Overall, It’s really important to stay calm, keep the experience light and fun, and BE PREPARED with all your toys, and snacks! Remember, you’ll most likely never see the people around you on the plane again, so even if your little ones cause a scene, just love your kids through it. Most people understand, and if they don’t – who the hell cares.

Safe travels!!