As we prepare to embark on another flight with our littles (now ages 6 and 4), I thought I’d throw together an updated post. Without further ado, here my my tops tips for flying with young children.
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Tip #1: Keep the expectations low
Give everyone grace (especially yourself) on this fine day. You’ve got this, Mama!
Tip #2: Be as prepared as possible for the flight
This means entertainment, snacks, and backup items.
Entertainment:
- Something to DO, something to COLOR, something to PLAY WITH and something to WATCH. Never assume that what you plan or think your kiddo will like will be the actual thing he/she actually ends up doing either, LOL. Here are some items in my arsenal:
**REMINDER FOR MEDIA**
- Make sure devices are charged the night before
- Turn them on before you go through security (and have them easily accessible)
- Download any shows you want the night before
- Pack those headphones!
- If you need adaptors for headphones, pack those too!
Snacks:
- We love fresh fruit and veggies (cut up bell peppers, apples, cuties)
- Packaged snacks (granola bars, chips, crackers, beef jerky)
- In case of emergency snacks (candy, cookies, LOL)
- Make sure you have plenty of snacks! I cannot emphasize this enough.
- Have something to suck on or chew to help with clogged ears
I like to save these bottles and bring 2 empty ones with me. We either fill them up with water once we’ve gone through security or we can transfer drinks on the plane into them. I LOVE that they are pretty much spill proof! (Learned through personal experience that airplane drinks + young kids = no.)
Back up Items:
- Extra clothes for kiddos (including socks and underwear), extra t-shirt for adults
- Sweatshirts for all
- Buy a bottle of water (or fill an empty one) once you pass security
Tip #3: Travel as light as possible
A little ironic, given tip #2, eh? Hear me out.
You want to be prepared…but not go overboard. Have snacks, something to keep you warm, and something to entertain…and that’s it. Gone are the days of toting around a neck pillow, Starbucks venti macchiato, and reading material!
Tip #4: Whatever makes YOUR life easier…DO IT!
For me, this includes:
- Wearing leggings WITH POCKETS so I can easily access my phone, credit card, ID, and headphones
- Keys go on a lanyard around my neck
- Boarding pass is either pulled up on my phone or printed out and in my pocket
- **For international travel** — put everyone’s passports and tickets into a gallon ziplock bag for easy access
- Go to the restroom right before boarding plane
- If it doesn’t fit under my seat, it doesn’t come with me (I don’t like dealing with overhead bin, LOL)
Other things to be aware of:
- Children under 12 do not need to take off their shoes at security
- Have electronics turned on and ready to be placed into bin
- Take off sweater/sweatshirt at security
- Cannot have anything liquid over 3.4 oz (this includes food that is “liquidy”…like my 5 oz. cup of oatmeal, womp womp)
- Whatever comes your way…this too shall pass
And that, my friends, is basically it!
Wishing you safe and happy travels,
