Flying with a Toddler: What No One Tells You (but should)
It’s not always a disaster, but it’s also not a contact sport.
Traveling with a toddler is like boarding a plane with a wild card. Will they nap peacefully the whole flight? Scream through every descent? Cover you in applesauce? Yes. All of the above.
This post isn’t the sugar-coated version — it’s the honest, mom-tested playbook for getting through your flight with your sanity (mostly) intact.
1. Forget “Rules” — Embrace “Tools”
Your screen time limit? Gone. Your commitment to Montessori travel toys? Maybe next year. Flying is survival mode — pack whatever keeps them entertained and happy.
Our in-flight favorites:
A tablet (preloaded shows + kid headphones = gold)
Sticker books and reusable drawing pads
Small snacks handed out slowly over time = edible entertainment
2. They Will Spill Something — Be Ready
Spilled juice, diaper blowouts, mysterious banana goo — it’s all part of the experience.
Pack:
A full change of clothes for them
A spare shirt / full change of clothes for you
Wipes, wipes, wipes
Ziplock bags or a wet bag for wet clothes and/or trash
3. Time Your Takeoff Tactics
Takeoff and landing are prime times for ear pressure drama. Help prevent the scream-fest with:
A bottle, pacifier, or straw cup for little ones
Gummy snacks or lollipops for older toddlers
Timing with naps for infants
Window seat for your most curious traveler
Bonus: Teach them to “roar like a lion” to pop their ears. Silly? Yes. Effective? Also yes.
4. Bring One Thing for You
Maybe it’s a podcast, a book, or your favorite snack hidden in your bag like a secret.
It doesn’t matter what it is — it just needs to remind you that you’re a person too, not just a sherpa in leggings.
5. Strategize Your Flight Times + Time Zones
Whatever you do - take a flight at the time of day that makes the most sense for YOUR family. Plan around nap times, don’t take the 5:00am flight where you will have to wake the family up at 2:30am to be there on time, plan around time zones. Managing routines and jet lag has always been extremely important for our family, and I have no regrets on prioritizing it.
Example? We took a flight from Los Angeles to London, and we CHOSE to have an 8 hour layover before boarding our next flight from London to Cape Town. Why?
Because we were doing essentially two identical long-haul flights (10+ hours each), it made the most sense for us to treat them as two separate “days” the best we could. Our toddler slept for the majority of the first flight (we chose an overnight flight), then had practically a whole “day” awake at the airport, and then slept again as if it was his nighttime on the second flight (also a nighttime flight).
We knew that London Heathrow had a kids play area, which is where we spent the majority of the layover time. We also registered for a day pass with one of the lounges so we could eat and shower, but our toddler was having a blast at the play area, so we chose to stay there instead.
Did mom and dad sleep a wink over the course of two days? Absolutely not. Did this set-up save our sanity when we arrived to Cape Town and our toddler was already adjusted to the time zone and right on schedule? Absolutely.
6. Accept That You Are Not in Control — and Neither Are They
There will be moments. Tantrums. Delays. Glares from strangers. Try not to spiral. Toddlers are unpredictable, but so are airlines. There are MANY other families doing exactly what you are doing. You’re all in this together.
Pro Tip: Have a system for all their stuff.
Your future self at 36,000 feet will thank you for organizing everything into labeled pouches or zip bags — snacks, toys, meds, mess supplies. Grab them from the Little Departures Market if you’re feeling fancy.
Bottom Line:
You’re not flying for fun. You’re flying for the memories waiting on the other side. And even if it’s a disaster, one day it’ll make a great story.