Flying with your toddler does not have to be a nightmare.
I want to bring my 2-year old daughter with me, but I don't want to lose my mind.
This Lens contains a few simple tips about and resource for traveling with a toddler, that may help make the first leg of your next vacation low-stress, fun, and easy!
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I'd love to hear your stories about travel with your toddler -- leave them in a comment, or message me so I can include it in a future story!
~ ElizabethFlying With My Toddler
What a different world we live in -- I did not ride in a plane until I was 14!
Flying with a toddler is less difficult than with a crawling baby, since your toddler can play by herself ... but more difficult than a tiny baby who just eats & sleeps.
Our last vacation was to the Big Island of Hawaii, which is a 5+ hour flight from San Francisco Airport. We were blessed with being in first class, which helps for a few reasons: more help from flight attendents, more food and drinks, more legroom (which means kids can't kick the seat in front of them), the tray table is in the armrest (so hitting the tray table does not bump the seat in front of you), and more room for stuff. One problem, though is that you cannot move the armrest up, so no sleeping over 2+ seats.
We used the CARES seatbelt system - much easier than lugging a carseat around. And, Gracie did not fight it as much, so I was able to keep her buckled most of the time.
During the flight to Hawaii, Gracie watched an Elmo DVD, ate food (breakfast was fruit & cereal, great for kids), and played with some new Dora toys. The flight was during her nap time, but she did not fall asleep until the plane was coming in for a landing. Which meant that I had to carry her dead weight off the plane, and she only slept for about 45 minutes (as we got our luggage).
The flight back was much more difficult, because we were almost late for the flight (giving Gracie no time to run around beforehand), and we were all tired. Gracie did not eat much (dinner was steak & fish, neither good toddler food), did not sleep, and did not want to watch a DVD. I pretty much had to entertain her for 4 1/2 hours - hard work!
My advice - bring lots of options, plan for Plan B (and C), don't depend on anything, arrive early, and have a calm attitude!
Recent News re Toddlers on Planes
- Mom and Toddler Kicked Off Plane
- Can you believe that a mom and a toddler who said "bye bye plane" were kicked off for the kid being loud? The flight attendant allegedly said she should give the baby DRUGS to keep the kid silent. First, that's wrong for anyone to force you to give drugs for non-medical use to your kid. Second, it does not work. Some kids (like mine) get hyper. I hope that not only is this chick fired, they also put in a new program at the airline to train their people to be helpful to passengers, not jerks!
- Another Toddler Kicked Off
- A 3-year old was kicked off a plane for refusing to get into her seat, etc. The flight was delayed for 15 minutes, and then they kicked them off the plane. Supposedly she was kicking, hitting, crawling under seats -- and I do think that 15 minutes might be enough to give a couple to calm down their kid. You do have to draw a line.
- Video - Separate Kid Sections with No Violent Movies?
- Family Friendly Skies -- a bill to require kid-friendly sections for planes, because airlines show violent movies on screens. The airlines say parents should be responsible for making the kid not look at the screen -- how do I make a 2 year old not watch a 6 foot screen right in front of them? But, I'm actually not too hot about this -- kind of overkill and hard to do in real life.
Tips for Traveling with a Toddler Plexo
Always Get the Kid a Seat
Much safer, and heck, you need the room! Even if your toddler is under age 2, would you let the kid sit on your lap in the car? Besides, on a crowded plane, you need the room for your kid to play and sleep, and to keep the toys/food/supplies.3 points
Pack New Quiet Toys Made for Travel
You would think this is obvious, but I have seen people get on a plane with their kids and have no toys for the kids to play with, for hours. What do you expect?2 points
Use a CARES System Instead of Carseat
Carseats are heavy and hard to use. CARES is light and easy. Your kid hates being in a carseat for hours and hours (and will probably be out of it for much of the time, defeating the purpose). Carseats make the tray table impossible to use. Yes, CARES costs a few bucks. But safety and low-stress is worth a few bucks.2 points
If You Can, Travel Business or First Class
Totally expensive, but if you can upgrade or afford it, First Class benefits are worth it. Your kid cannot kick the seat in front because it is too far away. The tray table is in the armrest, so pushing on it does not bother anyone. You have more room for your stuff. And, you get food and more attention and help from the flight attendants.2 points
Don't Count on Your Kid Sleeping
No nap or sleep makes toddler a fussy kid. Create Plan B of toys etc. just in case your kid does not sleep.2 points
Let Your Kid Run Around in the Airport
Don't keep the kid in a stroller! Let the kid run around and get out some energy.2 points
Bring Food and Drink for Toddler & You
Here's another obvious choice that some people forget. Much more difficult to bring food and drink due to the new security rules. But even more important given that airlines barely give you any food, and much of it is inappropriate (or in the case of nuts, even dangerous) for kids.1 point
Be Wary of Drugs - You Kid May Get Hyper.
My toddler gets hyper with cold meds, not tired. That would be uncool during a plane flight.1 point
Bring Enough Food/Diapers/Toys in Case of Delay.
What if you sit on the runway for 7 hours? What if you spend 3 days stuck at the airport in a storm?1 point
Bring Food - No Kid's Meals on Airplanes
Not even in 1st class. At least none of the airlines that I fly (United, American).1 point
Ask For Help, But Don't Expect Babysitting
Great flight attendants (about 1/2 of them) will help amuse your kid, and will watch her when she is sleeping. But they are not babysitters.1 point
You Can't Sit In, In Front, or Behind Exit Rows
Carseats cannot go near exit rows, since they obstruct getting out (allegedly). They will let you buy a ticket for those rows, but will make you move.1 point
Check Out Seatguru.com to Pick the Perfect Seats
Info on good/bad bulkhead, noise, lack of airflow, etc.1 point
Prepare your toddler to travel!
Make the flight as much a part of the vacation as the destination!
If possible, Take your child to the airport on a day you're not flying and show her what the people are doing: standing in lines, going through security (the loud metal doorway and the requirement that my toddler walk through it alone was terrifying to her until she did it once), etc.
Buy the Shae by Air DVD Toolkit%u2122 or one of the few books/media available that SHOW children what goes on at the airport. Give them something...1 point
Bring a DVD Player & New DVDs, with Toddler Headphones
One DVD gives you a 1-2 hour break from amusing your toddler - especially helpful if you kid does not sleep. And, you can get toddler headphones, too.0 points
Bring Enough Food/Diapers/Toys in Case You Get Kicked Off the Plane
If your flight attendant is crazy, you might get kicked off for having a loud kid. They are TOTALLY WRONG for doing this, but it could happen.0 points
UPDATE: Our Last Flight
Over Memorial Day Weekend (2007) Gracie and I flew by ourselves from San Francisco Airport to St. Louis, Missouri, to visit my side of the family.I was able to get us first class seats, which make a huge difference. The problem is that on this American Airlines plane, the CARES seatbelt did not fit, so Gracie was only strapped in using the lap belt. Not optimal, but nothing I could do about it right then.
Big problem -- Grace had no desire to watch her DVDs, after about 10 minutes. Big problem #2 -- Grace did not take a nap on the plane (again), so I had 4+ hours to keep her entertained.
On one of the flights, there was a kid in front of us who was older, and louder, than Gracie. Helped me feel better, because compared to him, Grace was an angel. :)
These flights did stress me out a bit, since we were alone (so no break to hand out with daddy), and I felt like Gracie was being loud. But, after the flight, the two ladies behind us told her that she was a very good girl. And, congratulated her for having the good taste for flying in first class. :)
Lessons learned:
-Don't plan on a nap.
-Don't plan on DVDs.
-Don't forget the ERGO backpack (I did not bring a stroller or backpack, which meant that I either had to carry her, or watch her take off running through the airport).
Out Next Trip - To Missouri in August for a wedding & family visit. Hopefully, daddy will be able to come too ...
My Flickr Plexo
Here's some vacation photos ... what do you like?
Resources for Toddler Travel
EVERY Child Can Be A Good Little Traveler!
DVD to help your kid understand security and plane travel, and how to be polite & have fun.2 points
CARES | Kids Fly Safe
You don't have to bring a carseat on the plane with your toddler ... just bring the FAA-approved CARES child restraint 5-point seatbelt conversion sys...1 point
--Jet With Kids Club--
Resources, products, and books to learn about how to fly around the world with children.1 point
Traveling With Kids, LLC, Traveling with kids, children and infants
Traveling with kids, whether traveling with children, kids or infants, search our site to find products and information to assist you and your family...0 points
Welcome to SeatGuru! Your Guide to Airplane Seats and In-flight Amenities
Information on airline seats and in-flight amenities featuring the best seat, legroom, and recline information.0 points
Travel With Toddler Blog
How to enjoy your trip, stay, vacation, flight, drive, or ride, with your toddler in tow.0 points
Should You Travel Alone With Your Toddler?
Pros to Flying Alone With Toddler:
- You get to make all the decisions (well, the adult decisions anyway).
- People feel more sympathy for you and help you with luggage.
- One (or more) less piece of luggage to worry about.
- You only have one baby to worry about. :)
Cons to Flying Alone With Toddler:
- Who watches the kid while you go the bathroom? (answer - get the flight attendant if the kid is sleeping. If not, take the kid along with you)
- How do you carry luggage & a toddler?
Answer - use a luggage cart, a stroller, and/or a baby backpack
- How do you manage security?
Answer - I find that they help me when I am without another adult, either because they feel sorry for me, or because they want me to go faster.
- You forget to eat or drink.
Answer - bring snacks for yourself, and buy a bottle of water once you get through security.
Don't worry! You can do it!
Questions? Stories to Share?
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ebizsalez
very useful information for all parents with toddlers. i think everyone with a young one should read this lens before going on board. THANK YOU. Posted September 29, 2007 |
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travelmommy
Great lens, Liz! Thank you for your great advice. Your resources are top notch, and I appreciate the nod to Shae by Air. It's important for parents to prepare their toddlers. Air travel is not getting easier but it can still be a wonderful adventure for little ones! Posted August 17, 2007 |
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barbararyan
This is great advise on travelling with a toddler, we're doing a story on this in Mom2Mom Mag in September. Posted July 31, 2007 |
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Karendelac
Fantastic lens Liz, 5 star topic. Please visit me soon. Posted July 14, 2007 |
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EverythingMouse
I agree about getting a seat for the baby. Always tempting not to, but you really should for safety. Posted July 13, 2007 |
Travel With Toddler Blog
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Video - Frequent Flyer Toddler
I wish my kid was that calm!
Frequent Flyer
Give me a book and some tunes and I love international flights!
Runtime: 1:09
1562 views
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Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySearch for Airfare on Orbitz!
You should always check out multiple websites, including the airline. But this is a good place to start. Our last trip with toddler was to Hawaii ...
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