Flying with kids can be a daunting thought. You never know what to expect and as we all know things can change in seconds. Here are our tips to flying with kids from experience!
It is an art we need to learn to excel at in order to make our lives easier as parents.
Start Young – Tip 1
One HUGE tip I have for any and ALL parents is to start traveling with them asap. Your life does NOT end when you have kids. A change happens as we all know…packing is a chore, there are a lot more things we need to plan for and having a routine will be the key to a smooth flight.
Once you start young your kiddo will know what to expect as you travel. Making time for frequent longer drives or flights will help in the long run!
Another quick tip for flying with kids for the first time would be to prep them with education! Showing them a video and explaining the process may help them with what to expect making the process easier for you as a parent and ease their minds.
Priority Boarding – Tip 2
Take advantage!
Depending on your airline you may want to consider priority boarding in order to skip the hassle of finding enough seats so you do not have to separate the family. BUT some airlines (such as Southwest) offer family pre-boarding with kids 6 and under. SO check beforehand because it might be included in your flight already!
Another advantage is if you have a carry on you wont have to battle to fit it in the overhead compartment.
Purchasing Flights – Tip 3
This kind of goes with your priority boarding. When you go to book a flight consider, highly consider, direct flights. When you have a direct flight you skip out on the possibility of losing your luggage, missing your connecting flight, and having delays. ALL of which are frustrating when you have small children.
You may also want to consider purchasing a seat for your little if they are wiggle worms! If you are flying on a tight budget and do not want to purchase an extra seat for your child you may get lucky and have an extra seat next to you to spread out on. The plus side is if you fly with your kids you are less likely to have someone willingly sit next to you if they have another option.
TSA PreCheck – Tip 4
HIGHLY suggested. It is more than worth it to apply for TSA PreCheck when flying with kids and here’s why:
- Get through security faster
- You do not have to remove your shoes – when you are putting three pairs off and on it takes a while
- No taking electronics or liquids out of your carry on
- Children under 12 do not need their own Pre-Check
- Less stress!
Having PreCheck lessens the stress of having to manage the kids, shoes, removing a million things fro your bags and body, things out for inspections, etc.
Luggage – Tip 5
I am truly the worst at packing when flying with the kids. Their clothes are so small it’s much to easy to pack a lot more than they need. My husband is always there to remind me to not go overboard. Bringing a carry on each is enough when you have to tote around car seats and strollers.
Try to check your bags when you can. It is much easier to travel when all you have to worry about is your kids. You do not want to be hauling around everyone’s check bags and personal items when they decide they can no longer manage to carry them because they are “too tired”.
Luggage also includes strollers and carriers. The airline gate will check your stroller and car seats or free. Using a stroller can make the travel through your airport a lot easier than carrying them.
What to Pack in your Carry On – Tip 6
My kids want to bring ALL sorts of items when we pack and I am sure they would end up with a half eaten snack, five stuffed animals, and a sock. We can’t let this happen so here’s what I pack.
They each get a backpack with:
- Silly Putty
- Coloring pencils and a small paper pad
- One stuffed animal and a small blanket – for comfort
- A lunchbox on a carabiner full of snacks
- Water bottle we choose these they stay cold!
- Kids Amazon tablet and these awesome wireless headphones
- If you homeschool, their school work!
In my bag I carry:
- Considering packing extra clothes for you and your kids to put in your carry on. I know I have had to use them a few times
- Gum, lollipops, pacifiers etc to help with their ears to pop and be more comfortable when the cabin pressure rises
- A little trash bag – I saw this because depending on your flight you may not have attendants walking around collecting trash or if there is an accident you may need a place for the dirty clothes
- A surprise for the kids for when we are deep into a flight and about to go wild. I like simple items such as these
- Hand sanitizer
- Antibacterial wipes (clean the seats and trays eww)
- Tissues and wipes
- A book for wishful thinking
Extras for Babies and Toddlers:
- Wipes – my kids are so messy
- Diapers (pack extra) – we also strapped a pack in the car seat before we bagged it up and checked it
- Pacifiers/lollipops etc for their ears
- Baby food/formula/bottles
- Medications such as pain relievers
- Check car seat rules and regulations for each airline to ensure you can bring yours on the plane if that is what you are planning!
The Day Before – Tip 7
Tips to flying with kids before your trip date is to make sure you do these simple, but easy to forget, things…
- Download movies and games BEFORE you leave for the airport. Always have a backup plan..you can’t rely on things working on an airline.
- Charge all devices ahead of time and power banks we use this guy
- Pack the night BEFORE and put the bags somewhere where the kids will not mess with them. TRUST ME.
- DO NOT show your kids the snacks you have for them…I know mine will eat them before we leave the house
- Have your car seat bags next to your car seats for a quick process (you can purchase here )
Before you Board a Plane – Tip 8
We have learned what to do before boarding. This may be a shocker but we let our kids release their energy before a flight. If they are running circles and having a good time I would rather it was before boarding than them being on a small plane yelling and being wild.
One of the biggest tips to flying with kids before you board is to USE THE BATHROOM. We have a rule for before boarding and before picking up our luggage. BATHROOM break and EVERYONE has to try. This rule is implemented at each stop when we travel with our RV as well. There are cases where you cannot get up during a flight so make sure you are going before you board!
Make sure you have snacks and fill your water bottles to ensure an easy flight because yet again you may not have access during the flight.
Most IMPORTANT Tips to Flying With Kids – Tip 9
RELAX. Try to relax. Kids will feed off of our energy and if we are stressed and on the verge of a meltdown they will gladly join you.
I know for me, I panic and try to keep my kids quiet and calm on planes in order to not disturb others. You need to realize it’s worse for you than anyone else because they are your kids. But in reality everyone was a child at one point in their life and a LOT of people have and have had kids. If anyone has something to say just ask if they would like to take over. You know they wouldn’t dare!
YOU ALSO PAID FOR YOUR FLIGHT. So enjoy and try not to stress so much.
We hope you enjoyed our tips to flying with kids! Don’t forget to follow us on social media and send us an email if you have any questions.
Safe and intentional travels to all,
Four Season Travelers – The Brownings