Skip to main content

12 handy tips to make flying with preschoolers less stressful

Traveling with your children is equal parts work and pleasure. While taking a trip together allows you to have a unique experience with your kiddos, it also gives you, the parent, more bags to pack, more schedules to accommodate, more mouths to feed, and more tantrums to tame. And this can feel especially daunting if you’re are flying to your destination and back.

Kids don’t always do well when confined to a small space for a long time. Fortunately, you can take some steps (and prepare some carry-on items) to make the process a whole lot smoother and more pleasurable — for you, for them, and for other passengers, as well. Ready to jet-set with your crew? Here are our top nuggets of wisdom.

boys preparing for flight
Vasilyev Alexandr/ Shutterstock

Get your kids excited about the flight

You might want to be strategic in your flight booking. Are your kids fresher in the morning? Do they still nap? Are they cranky late at night? Take all these things into consideration and time accordingly, if possible.

Recommended Videos

Additionally, get your kids excited for travel. Getting there should be half the fun (in theory). So, allow them to pack their own backpacks of goodies and get them pumped up for the experience from start to finish. To that end, lead by example — act excited for the flight and don’t talk about how you’re dreading it (even if you are).

Dress them for flying

Whether you are heading somewhere hot and tropical or cold and snowy, you will want to dress your kids comfortably in layers. It can get cold in the airplane cabin, so it’s smart to have options for shedding or adding.

BYO blanket and pillow

Naps are desirable during a flight. Try to encourage your kiddos to rest and relax (and close their eyes for an hour or so!) by making them as comfortable as possible. Make sure they have a small pillow and a cozy blanket for cuddling up.

Pick your seat with thought

All plane seats are not created equal. Choose your position wisely. If you have an energetic toddler, you might opt for an aisle seat, so you can get up and down and pace without disrupting other passengers.

Pack a backpack

Allow your children to pack their own mini backpack chock-full of in-flight essentials. Kids love to be trusted with tasks, and they enjoy taking responsibility for themselves. Plus, they’ll have a good time picking out their favorite must-have toys and trinkets.

girl taking photo on flight
MNStudio / Shutterstock

Get some “busy” items

You’ll definitely want to have some busy work on hand to keep your children entertained: Books, activity sheets, crayons and coloring books, and small toys (think action figures or Hot Wheels) are a good starting point.

Prep snacks

Kids get hungry — or they get bored and then think they’re hungry. Either way, it’s wise to have some snacks at the ready; those plane peanuts or pretzels aren’t going to cut it. Try to avoid sugary, processed treats and stick with healthy munchables: baby carrots, apple slices, cheese sticks, and crackers.

Kids will want drinks, as well. The good news: You can pack your own healthy sips without worrying about getting them through security. Per the TSA, bottles or sippy cups of water, juice, or formula on a flight are exempt from the regular-liquids rule.

Be ready to handle air pressure and volume issues

Sudden altitude changes can cause uncomfortable or painful pressure in the middle ear. Most kids will generally experience this during takeoff or landing. Chewing or sucking can help alleviate this achy feeling. If you are traveling with a baby, try giving them a pacifier, a bottle, or the breast. Bigger kids can try drinking with a straw. If they’re old enough to have gum, chewing and swallowing saliva can help, too.

It can get loud in the cabin of an airplane. If your child is sensitive to noise, consider bringing kids’ noise-canceling headphones.

Know what to do if your child becomes disruptive

Your child will inevitably get impatient or fussy on a long flight. It’s best to keep your cool during midair meltdowns. Have some tricks up your sleeve — a new sticker book, an extra treat, or a special surprise. The excitement may diffuse a tantrum in the making. And if it doesn’t? Take a deep breath and move forward with empathy. Allowing yourself to get agitated will elevate the situation. You can, of course, apologize to the other passengers around you, but don’t shame your child for feeling their feelings.

Throw screen rules out the door

If the plane has mini televisions built into the backs of chairs, your kid will be instantly enthralled! Allow them to enjoy this special privilege. No seat screens? No problem! You can bring your own. If there is ever a time to allow your child to use the iPad or play with your phone, it’s during a long-haul flight.

Make friends with the other passengers

Let’s be honest: No one wants to be seated on a plane next to a bunch of rowdy children, but other adults will be able to empathize with your situation — especially if you are visibly doing your best to keep your kiddos calm and behaved. Smile at others, be kind, and respond to conversation prompts — a little effort goes a long way.

Curb seat kicking

If you’ve ever sat in front of a child on an airplane, you know that those little feet can barely contain themselves. Be sure you pay attention during the flight to ensure your budding Rockette is not starting a one-person kick line. Better yet, if you are traveling with a partner or second adult, consider booking one seat in front of where your energetic child will be positioned. That way, your child will — at least — be kicking the seat of a friend or loved one.

Taking kids on a plane can be nerve-racking. It can also be a special experience. Make sure you have planned wisely and are prepared with plenty of distractions, snacks, and in-flight essentials. There may be some tears shed (mostly from you), but at the end of your turbulent experience, you’ll have the reward of a vacation waiting. Good luck!

Lauren Barth
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Lauren Barth is a freelance writer and digital editor with over a decade of experience creating lifestyle, parenting, travel…
The right age for kids to stop napping: What you need to know
How to tell when your child is ready to quit napping
Young boy lying in bed with Teddy bear

Anyone who has ever been around an overtired toddler knows the importance of napping. Napping is important for younger children who need to rest so they can not only recharge their batteries but so they can grow and develop. But napping too much can cause problems sleeping at night. What is the right age for kids to stop napping? And what happens if they nap too much or too little? We have all the answers here.
What is the right age for kids to stop napping? Do older children benefit from naps?

Although there isn’t a hard and fast rule, as toddlers turn to preschoolers and beyond, they’ll only need one nap a day instead of two. There are a few telltale signs to look for that signal your child is outgrowing naps. If your child takes a long time to fall asleep before a nap or at night, or if they are interested in skipping naps, they are probably ready to take fewer naps. If they aren’t tired, don’t try to force them to sleep. Note that even if a nap is skipped, the total number of hours a child needs to sleep in a day is not changed, and they may need to go to bed earlier or wake up later.

Read more
Active parenting explained: Tips for a more engaged approach
Learn if active parenting is the right fit for your family
Child and parent playing with a puzzle

Every parent has an idea of what type of parenting style they want to use when they have kids. It could be something similar to how they were raised, the complete opposite, or a way they wish they were raised. There are quite a few parenting styles these days, and every parent has to find the one they feel works best for their family.

If you want your parenting approach to be hands on to promote open communication with your child for a deep, long-lasting bond, learn about active parenting to see if this style is the right fit for your family's lifestyle.
What is active parenting?

Read more
Slow hair growth in toddlers? Tips to help boost it
Healthy hacks for slow-growing hair
Brushing a toddler's hair

Parents can't control whether their baby will be born with a full head of hair or with only a few, wispy strands. It can be difficult for some to wait for their baby's hair to grow. Still, whichever camp your baby falls into, you've probably read the books and learned early on about the many benefits of brushing your baby's hair regularly. But, as you draw near the 1-year-old mark, you may start to worry about whether your toddler's hair is just growing slowly, or not at all. Is there a range of what's normal for baby and toddler hair growth? Yes! This is because of a baby's individual DNA. So, there's no need to stress either way.

It’s completely normal for babies to have very little to no hair during their first year. After their first birthday comes and goes, you may wonder why there's no active hair growth. Many factors determine how fast hair grows. If your baby is still sporting wispy strands by the time they are in the toddler stage, there's probably no need to worry. Here are some tips for slow-growing toddler hair.
Slow-growing toddler hair

Read more