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You may have found travel with an infant relatively easy. After all, they sleep quite a bit. And they don’t have much of an opinion about what’s going on. A toddler is a different ballgame. They’re mobile, they throw tantrums, and they have plenty of opinions you’ll certainly hear about. But traveling with your toddler can be so rewarding. That’s why I put together this comprehensive list of tips for how to travel with kids under 4.
I previously shared a Europe packing list for a toddler. Now, I want to share my best tips and tricks for plane travel with your toddler. I learned some the hard way, if I’m being honest. But at least you can learn from my mistakes!
How to Travel with Kids on a Plane: Things to Know Beforehand
Before we get into tips and tricks, let’s cover the basics. Here’s what you should know before you book a flight with your little one.
- Kids can sit on your lap on a plane for free up to age 2. After that, you need to buy them a seat.
- Your kid needs a passport to travel internationally. You should also check any visa requirements for your destination.
- You may need other documents. For example, if your child’s other parent isn’t traveling with you, you may need a note from them granting permission.
- If you’re from the U.S. and have Global Entry, your kid also needs it. Fortunately, it’s free to apply for a minor.
Tips for Booking Your Flight
Before you click “buy” on your flights, take a quick look at these tips for how to travel with kids under 4 on a plan. They can save you money and maximize convenience!
- When buying tickets, consider the timing of the flight and your kid’s sleep/nap schedule. Obviously, delays happen and a lot is out of your control. But you can try to optimize for a time when your kid won’t be overtired at boarding time and might sleep on the plane.
- Get direct flights whenever possible. Yes, even when it means paying extra. Reducing or eliminating layovers reduces the overall travel time. It also reduces the chances of delays and other things going wrong. Consider valuing your peace of mind and enjoyment of the trip over money.
- If you buy a basic economy fare, the airline has to sit the child with one parent (but not necessarily both). With basic economy, you can’t choose a seat. However, the airline will seat at least one parent with your toddler. You can save money by using this fare with a toddler. It’s just not the most convenient, considering baggage fees, etc. Read the fine print.
- Be strategic when selecting your airline seats. For example, we chose two aisles and one middle in the 4-seat row in the middle of the plane, hoping no one would want the middle. (And if they did, we could exchange the aisle seat to be together.) Of course, there’s no guarantee it will work. But if flight isn’t full, you’ll likely end up with an extra seat for your toddler to nap.
Tips for Planning Itinerary
Planning your vacation can be the most fun part of the process. But keep in mind that you’ll make choices differently than you did pre-toddler. Some planning tips for how to travel with kids under 4 without losing your mind:
- Choose a toddler-friendly destination. Do some research online and talk to other parents. Save the more adventurous trips for when your kids are older. Some destinations I’d recommend and/or have seen recommended by others: Portugal, Japan, Indonesia, Dominican Republic, San Diego, Greece, Switzerland, Mexico, Florida.
- Do yourself a favor and consider your toddler’s routine. Build in nap time (or at least a long car ride where they can nap). I’ve found they’re not nearly as affected by jet lag as we are. So, plan on following the routine in local time.
- Consider either staying in one place or renting a car. Give yourself the freedom to move around on your own schedule.
- Avoid scheduled tours for the most part. A one-hour walking tour around the city would work fine. But I don’t recommend organized day-long tours. Trying to keep your toddler on someone else’s schedule all day is going to stress you out.
- Plan just one major activity per day. Trying to drag a toddler through a busy itinerary is a recipe for frustration. For example, one day on a recent trip our major activity was to see a famous castle. The outing was around 3 hours. After that, my kid was exhausted and cranky. That was his maximum for the day. The rest of the day, we ate at cafes and restaurants, drove, and napped. Keep vacations light and easy at this stage.
Tips for Packing: How to Travel with Kids…Without All the Bags
I have a full packing list for toddler travel and plenty of other travel tips available on the blog. But here are the basics of how to travel with kids (minimally) you should consider when packing your suitcase:
- Strollers and car seats are free to check. And diaper bags also don’t count against your carry-on / personal item limit.
- Ask your hotel what they have before you start packing. Many hotels can provide things like cribs, sheets, beach toys, etc.
- You can bring milk through security. But you need to build in extra airport time for them to open your bag and swab your hands..
- Consider your kid might not eat the food the airline serves. Airline food isn’t known for being great. And it’s made with adults in mind. If you have a picky eater, pack snacks to get them through the flight.
- Bring their favorite blanket or stuffed animal if they have one on the plane. It could help them sleep. That goes for the hotel, too.
- Bring an extra outfit on the plane. You just never know with a little one who’s either in diapers or recently potty trained.
Tips for How to Travel with Kids Through the Airport
As much as I love travel, I despise airports. But there are a few perks to having your toddler with you. Here are some tips and tricks for how to travel with kids under 4 through the airport:
- You can preboard if you have a small child. Technically, airlines will usually say the child needs to be under 2. But no one is checking.
- In many airports, you can use the priority lane for security and passport control. Again, “small children” generally are defined as under 2. But no one gave us a hard time bringing our almost-three-year-old through even when we were honest about his age.
- Let your toddler run around and tire themselves out as much as possible before a long flight. It can feel exhausting chasing your little one through the airport. But it’s actually better to do it before you all need to sit for hours on end.
- Do a diaper change or use the potty right before boarding starts. I’ve had so many flight experiences where we boarded, buckled seatbelts, and then….waited. There are sometimes strict rules about getting out of your seat before and during takeoff. And announcing “I need to go poo poo” at the worst possible time is a classic toddler move. Try to head this off with a bathroom visit or diaper change at the last minute before boarding.
How to Entertain a Toddler on a Long Flight
Kids at this age have no attention span and boundless energy. How can we keep them from causing trouble when trapped for hours in a metal tube? Here’s what’s worked best for us:
- Mentally prepare your toddler. Talk to them in the days before the flight and at the airport about what to expect.
- Buy one new toy at the airport. Hide it and tell your little one they’ll earn it if they cooperate for boarding and takeoff. The novelty of something new keeps them busy for a surprising amount of time.
- Don’t use a screen right away. Try to get your toddler to sleep first. When they wake up, pass the rest of the time with the screen if you choose. But introducing it first guarantees they’ll refuse to sleep.
- Bring a Water Pen Activity Pad: Fill the “pen” with water to give your toddler the experience of painting with no mess. It’s reusable and takes up very little space.
- Bring Interactive “Tap to Read” Books: These keep my son busy for quite a while on long car trips or at restaurant meals. They’re easy to pack in a backpack, there’s no mess, and no screen time.
- Pack Bluetooth Kids Headphones: These are comfortable for toddlers and have volume controls to protect their ears. They’re also Bluetooth, so you can go wireless. (But pack the cord as a backup on the plane.)
- Avoid toys with small parts. Basically, anything they can drop under their plane seat. (E.g., puzzles, crayons, Velcro or magnet activity books.)
- Make sure YOU are well rested and fed for the flight. Don’t assume you’ll be able to sleep on the plane. If your kid doesn’t let you sleep, you’ll end up with multiple cranky people.
Best Apps for Entertaining a Toddler on a Plane
If you use a tablet, here are the best apps I’ve found for keeping toddlers entertained on a plane:
- Kids Doodle: Paper and crayons may be better than screens in general. But I can’t handle constantly contorting to pick up crayons from a plane floor. This app allows your kid to draw with just their fingers. It’s free to download and lots of free options.
- Netflix: You can download shows and movies for offline viewing.
- 123 Toddler: Simple games that even tiny ones can do independently. Free to download and use a few games (which was all we needed). In-app purchases available.
Products that Make Air Travel with a Toddler Easier
I said in my toddler packing list post that I don’t recommend buying a ton of products. However, when it comes to how to travel with kids with ease, some are really worth it.
- Collapsible Travel Stroller: Truly just the best. It folds up to take up almost no space in a car or overhead compartment.
- Travel Potty Training Seat: This thing is genius. We’ve been carrying it everywhere since we potty trained our kid a few months ago. It makes almost any public toilet accessible for a toddler. And it folds up to easily fit in a bag.
- Toddler Milk Travel Packets: A brilliant way to get around packing shelf-stable milk. (And therefore carrying a heavier bag and spending more time at airport security.) But I recommend trying this at home before packing it to see if your kid likes it.
- Padded Car Seat Bag with Wheels: This allows us to pull our son’s car seat along like the rest of our wheeled luggage. And while I never recommend over-packing, you do also have the option of throwing a few extra things in here for free. (As car seats are free to check.)
- WayB Pico Travel Car Seat: Full disclosure, I haven’t purchased this yet. But it’s something I’m considering investing in. A full size car seat is bulky and heavy to travel with. Plus you need extra airport time on both ends to check it and retrieve it from a special “oversize luggage” area.
- Water Pen Activity Pad: See above tips for entertaining your toddler on the plane.
- Interactive “Tap to Read” Books: See above tips for entertaining your toddler on the plane.
- Bluetooth Kids Headphones: See above tips for entertaining your toddler on the plane.
What Do You Think?
Do you have fail-proof tips for how to travel with kids under 4? I’d love to hear from veteran parents about any advice or lifesaver products in the comments1
You May Also Like…
The Ultimate Europe Packing List for Your Toddler
How to Travel Light with Kids: What Do You Need to Travel with a Baby?
Newborn Travel Essentials that Make Flying with Baby Painless
The Best Minimalist Travel and Packing Tips for Effortless Travel
The Ultimate Carry-On Packing List for International Travel
How to Travel with Just a Carry-On: A One-Week Vacation Packing List
