Tips to make Air Travel
With Toddlers Very Fun

Air travel with toddlers does not have to be difficult. You can make an airplane trip or car ride FUN. This page will hopefully help make your plane ride a joyful experience. See my helpful car tips if you are planning a trip by car. We traveled across the country on an airplane with our toddler. It was nice, and we really enjoyed our trip. It can be fun for your family too. I did my research, and along with some tips of my own our plane ride turned out great. If you are planning air travel with toddlers, my tips will help you.

At first, I was not looking forward to our airplane trip. Especially, upon hearing the news stories on television. Parents who travel with toddlers were being asked to leave the plane because the child was misbehaving. I was frightened. My son is a well behaved child.

Keep in mind though he was only 1 1/2 years old at the time. We were flying across the country, so you can only imagine how we felt. The fact is we prepared for our trip. I asked his pediatrician for tips. We also talked to friends and family and asked them for advice. My husband and I came up with the rest on our own, and it ended up being a nice trip. Air travel with toddlers can be easy. (other than Mom getting a nasty sinus infection and was miserable.) JeNoah, our son was a gem. So we pass these great tips on to all of you.

*MUST HAVE items in your carry on bag*

• Purchase some new toys. You can go to like a Dollar store and get some cheap ones. It helps to bring out new toys when they start to become restless.
• Buy lots of snacks they like to eat. Fruit Snacks, chips, cookies. Depending on the length of your flight you will know how much to buy and pack. You know your child so you know what they like to eat. The airplane snacks were really not geared toward children. At least on our flights they weren't.
• Get the crayons and coloring books ready to pack in your carry-on.You cannot do air travel with toddlers without crayons and coloring books.
• A stroller. An umbrella one preferably. DO NOT forget this. You don't have to check it in through baggage. You can use it to stroll your toddler from gate to gate. The airlines just give you a gate claim tag when you board the plane. They keep it for you as you fly. When you exit the plane it is waiting for you. So don't forget your stroller. It is so useful.
• Keep a little sweatshirt or jacket in the carry on. It can get chilly. There are many climate changes from state to state. You don't want your little one catching a cold.
• Anything that is their favorite comfort item. A blanket, pacifier, stuffed animal. Air travel with toddlers can be scary. It will help them to have some comforts from home.
• Diapers and wipes. Unless they are potty trained
• Their own sippy cup. Empty. The security checkpoint will make you dump out your juice anyway. You can buy some juice before you board the plane. Or else fill with water.
• Books. I read a few books to my son. Especially for those long flights. These will help pass the time.
• Tylenol or Advil. You can have 8oz. of a liquid in your carry on. Air travel with toddlers can be hard on their ears. Give them Tylenol if their ears start bothering them. My ears were ringing and hurting and my son's didn't bother him at all. So it will depend on the person, but have it just in case you do need it.
• Portable DVD player. Don't forget to bring their favorite movies to watch. This really helps. You should bring headphones that plug into your player. Some flights make you use the headphones in your DVD player. Some do not. Bring them just in case. Some planes do not have the satellite televisions. My son loved watching his movies.

If there is any room left in your carry on then moms and dads you can add some things for yourself. LOL.

Important Tips for BEFORE the flight.

• Make sure that you keep your child on their regular schedule before your flight. Don't try to skip their nap and think they will sleep on the plane. WRONG. The child can become over-stimulated and tired. Resulting in a very cranky child. This can make air travel toddlers bad. Just stay right on schedule. My son slept on the plane exactly at his normal nap time. If it is possible, try to schedule your flight times around their nap times and bed times. This will just make your travel easier.
• Try and feed your toddler before the flight. When you travel with toddlers who are hungry, it's not good. You want them to be nice and full prior to flying.
• Dress your child comfortably for the plane. Sweats and a t-shirt preferred. Their pajamas would be better. Easy shoes that will come off fast are recommended. Depending on how long the flight may be their shoes are going to come off. I put slippers on my son.

When your child becomes Restless on the airplane.

Here are some tips that may help.

1. Bring out one of the new toys you purchased and are in your carry on. Sometimes it may not last for long, but it does get their attention for a period of time. I have some great suggestions above.
2. If the airplane has the satellite televisions turn it on the Nickelodeon channel. Our flight had the screens on the back of each seat. My son wouldn't really wear the headphones but he did watch what was going on. If your flight does not have satellite TV, this is a good time to use your Portable DVD player. Play your child's favorite movie. Amazon.com has great selections. Click on some today! My son watched his movie and ate a snack in his own seat he loved it. Air travel with toddlers can be like they are at home watching movies.
3. Crayons and coloring books. Pull the tray table down and color a picture with your child.
4. You can get up and walk around with your child. You can walk up and down the aisles, or go to the restroom.
5. Bring out another new toy. This will always help stimulate their minds and distract their attention.
6. When the snack cart comes around get your child their own drink. Even allow them to have a choice and pick whatever they want. They will love having their own drink and snack. Air travel with toddlers can be so much FUN!!
7. Books. You can always read a book with your child.
8. Let them look out the window. My little boy loved it. He was so amazed and not afraid. This really helps out with longer flights.

I hope these tips work for your toddler. They worked for our family wonderfully. We had a 7 hour flight originally. Then 2 hours were added on to that because of a "repair" to our plane. We were on our plane for what seemed like forever. We managed to survive with our toddler and so can you. Using these tips, our trip turned out to be FUN!! Our vacation turned out to be even better. Now we are not afraid of air travel with toddlers. So from my family to yours we wish you the best trip ever! HAPPY FLYING!!! Leave Air Travel With Toddlers Page and Go to Main Travel Page