FLIGHT WITH A CHILD
Our Kid-Friendly Flight Survival Guide
FLIGHT WITH A CHILD
A flight can be an exciting adventure for a child—but let’s be real, it can also be a bit of a struggle. Long hours in a seat, ear pressure during take-off and landing, motion sickness, or just plain nerves… not every child is a fan (and neither are some parents!)
But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! Here’s your ultimate guide to surviving the flight with your kids—and maybe even having some fun along the way. These are practical, tried-and-true tips that actually work.
Pre-Flight Prep
Choosing a Destination
Choosing a DestinationIf your kids aren’t used to flying, it’s best to start with a short flight to a nearby destination—ideally, one without connections. This makes the experience much more manageable, especially the first few times. As they get more comfortable, you can gradually expand to longer flights.
Here’s a great website to check flights from any origin to any destination and find a nearby spot that suits you.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to pick a destination that’s family-friendly!
Don’t Mess With Sleep Schedules
We recommend not altering your child’s sleep routine before a flight. Some parents think that if they keep their baby or toddler awake longer than usual, they’ll be exhausted and sleep through the flight. While they might be tired, the reality is they may not fall asleep due to excitement, cabin noise, or bright lights—and that often leads to a cranky, overtired child. Not a great way to kick off your family adventure!
Seating Arrangements for Little Ones
Most parents flying with kids under two choose the discounted infant ticket, which means the child sits on a parent’s lap. We’ve personally never had an issue with that—especially since many airlines will try to seat you next to an empty chair when the flight isn’t full (a nice bonus!)
In any case, aim to arrive at the pier at least half an hour before departure time.
But it’s good to know there are other options:
Requesting a bassinet
Some airlines offer bassinets for babies, which means sitting in specific seats that have enough space to accommodate them. This often comes with extra fees, so if it could help you, check with your airline in advance.
Buying a separate seat for your toddler
This can be a great choice if you’d rather not have your little one on your lap the whole time. In this case, we recommend using a car seat on the plane. It’s also ideal for toddlers who are too big for lap seating but still too small to sit comfortably in a regular seat.
Just make sure to check with the airline about car seat regulations, including where they can be safely placed during the flight without blocking emergency exits.
This is the travel car seat we personally recommend (get ready to be surprised).
Your Energy = Their Energy
Maybe you’re nervous about flying with kids—or flying in general—and that’s totally normal. You might even remember being scared of flights yourself as a child. Still, try your best not to project that anxiety onto your children. Kids are incredibly perceptive and pick up on our energy, even if we don’t say a word.
Here’s the mindset we suggest sharing with them:
Flying is fun, safe, and the very first step in a great family adventure.
Check In Early
Yes, it might mean a longer wait at the airport—but we strongly recommend arriving early (within departure airport’s suggested timeframe) to ensure you’re seated together. If the flight is full and you check in late, there’s a chance your family could be split up—one parent with a couple of kids in one row, and the other parent elsewhere.
Some families might actually prefer that (divide and conquer, anyone?), but if you value sitting together and sharing the load during the flight, arriving a little earlier can make a big difference.
No Need to Board First!
On the flip side, there’s no rush to be the first on the plane. In fact, we suggest doing the opposite—try to board closer to the end. There’s no reason to have your kids sitting in a cramped seat any longer than necessary.
Just don’t wander too far from the gate, and keep an eye on the boarding line as it gets shorter. Meanwhile, let the kids move around, stretch, and burn off energy before the long sit-down begins.
Bathroom Breaks Before Boarding
We highly recommend a quick bathroom stop right before boarding—and a diaper change if needed. It’s much easier to take care of these things in the airport than in the tight quarters of an airplane bathroom.
Take off and Landing
Choosing a Destination
These parts of the flight can be a bit challenging for a child—mostly because of the pressure in the ears.
For breastfeeding babies, the best and most effective solution is nursing during take off and landing. It helps relieve the pressure and keeps them calm.
For older kids, what works best for us is having them drink from a straw-top bottle—one that requires suction. It really helps with ear pressure, and we highly recommend giving it a try! We love this kind.
In the Air
You did it! You made it to the airport, took off, and now you’re in the sky! But… what do you do with these wiggly, restless kids for all those hours stuck in airplane seats?
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
Here are our favourite tried-and-true tips that help us survive (and even enjoy!) flights with kids—even the long ones:
Keep Moving
Sure, movement is a challenge on a plane, but it’s still important. Here’s how: Walk the aisle
Especially with toddlers just learning to walk—there’s nothing more fun for them! It’s also a great way to meet friendly faces, earn compliments instead of side-eyes, and get everyone’s blood flowing. Movement keeps both kids and parents sane. Just be mindful of the flight attendants and try not to walk during meal service or cart movement.
Change seats = change of pace
If you’re traveling with multiple kids, try swapping seats now and then. Changing the parent-child dynamic or letting different kids take turns at the window seat adds variety and keeps things interesting.
Small tip
Small tipAvoid hyping up the window seat beforehand—it can lead to disappointment and fights. All seats are exciting in their own way 😉
Snacks, Snacks, Snacks
Even if your flight includes meals, it’s smart to pack your own food. Kids often eat at different times (including while waiting at the gate), and they’re picky about what they like. Full tummies = calmer kids.
Bring snacks that are tasty, healthy, and easy to pack—think no mess, no spills, and no stress.
Some ideas:
Sandwiches Cheese cubes Rice cakes Crackers Cut-up veggies and fruits Corn on the cob Mini pancakes or veggie patties Nuts (for older kids)
Fun & Connection Time
Flying can actually be a golden opportunity for quality time with your kids. When else do you get hours together, side-by-side, with phones on airplane mode?
Sure, it’s easy to hand them a tablet and let them zone out—but we encourage trying something a little different. Use the flight as a chance to bond.
Here are a few of our favourite low-tech, kid-friendly activities:
Creative Time
Bring coloring books, markers or crayons, puzzle books, or stickers. You can draw together or encourage them to start a “travel journal” with drawings of the journey so far. Something New
Kids love novelty. A new coloring book or storybook adds excitement and helps keep them engaged. We especially love flap books—they spark curiosity and are great for shared discovery.
Travel Playlist
Create a special playlist together before the trip—songs your kids love or ones you all pick as a family. Bring headphones (and a splitter if needed) and enjoy the music on the flight—and later during your trip. Bonus: hearing those songs back home will instantly bring up sweet travel memories.
A Favourite Stuffed Animal
For little ones, having a familiar, beloved toy can bring comfort in the unfamiliar setting of a flight. It gives them something to cuddle, talk to, and play with. It can also come in handy for “motivating” your child when they resist sitting down, buckling up, or eating plane food—just let the stuffed animal show them how it’s done! (A hand puppet works great for this, but any favourite plush toy will do.)
Compact Games
Simple, small games are great for shared playtime. Avoid anything with lots of tiny pieces that can get lost easily—like puzzles or card games with many loose parts.
Bonus Tip: Meet the Pilots!
This one won’t make the flight itself easier, but it’s a super fun extra for the kids. While visiting the cockpit during a flight isn’t allowed anymore, you can often request a quick visit after landing. Try asking the flight attendants before descent—they’re often happy to coordinate a short visit with the pilots. It’s a unique, exciting experience your kids will remember!
The Flight Bag
To keep your flight comfortable and stress-free, it’s important to pack everything you’ll need in your carry-on—and pack it smart. Organization is key: items you’ll want quick access to (like diapering supplies) should go in an easy-to-reach spot, while less urgent things can be tucked deeper into the bag.
If you’re bringing two bags on board, it’s a good idea to make one of them smaller—something that fits under the seat in front of you. That’s where you’ll want to keep the essentials. The second bag (or a small carry-on suitcase) can go in the overhead bin with items you’ll only need later in the flight, like food or a change of clothes.
We’ve put together a basic checklist for your in-flight backpack when flying with kids:
A favourite stuffed animal or comfort item Snacks – tasty, healthy, easy to pack, and not messy A spill-proof water bottle for each child (preferably one with a straw or spout that requires sucking—it helps with ear pressure!) Diaper bag essentials – diapers for the day, wipes, and a foldable changing pad A change of clothes for the kids
Books – choose a few lightweight ones with soft covers that suit multiple age ranges (a mix of picture books and simple stories is great). We also recommend including at least one new book for added excitement Creative supplies – paper, markers or crayons, activity books, and stickers
Click here for more great packing tips when traveling with kids
Pro tip:
make your own checklist of everything you’ve brought onto the plane, and go over it with your kids before landing to make sure nothing gets left behind. (Yes, we’ve absolutely had to go back on the plane to rescue a forgotten favourite stuffed toy!)
So there you have it—your ultimate toolkit for making any flight with a child smoother, calmer, and even a little magical. With the right prep, a bit of creativity, and a whole lot of snacks, flying with kids can be more than just manageable—it can be part of the adventure. Travel safe, and enjoy every moment in the sky!
You could also be interested in
First guide of how to find the best destination for your family and kids
What to consider and what to avoid
when traveling with kids
A Safe & Simple Guide to Transportation with Kids
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