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Traveling with a toddler is not always easy, but after a few trips I figured I would type out what has worked for us. I held off writing this post because every kid is SO different. Moments of defeat after a travel day kept me unsure I was the right person to get advice from.
With that said, here are some ideas and items that have helped me when traveling with a toddler (s). Although remember, as mentioned before, you know your kid best – their schedule, what they love and what they need.
Tips for traveling with a toddler:
1. Consider their schedule
For us, we want to save money, but we also want our sanity. So if a flight that doesn’t land super late, or leave incredibly early is not TOO much more – we do it. Of course, if you are going a farther distance, you do the best you can as your options and choices are limited.
2. Stay active until seatbelts
Regardless if you are driving or hopping on a plane – have them walk around or be active before the trip. They most likely will have to sit for awhile either in a seat belt or car seat so extra steps are always welcome. I saw advice once to not get on the plane during boarding (so they aren’t antsy as everyone else gets settled), but I personally like the extra time before people come on! It can be hard to keep a toddler entertained in an airport, but play “I spy” or have fun walking and running around until it is time to go!
2. Don’t Worry about what people think
When traveling with my kids people have been so incredibly kind and helpful! I haven’t encountered too much negativity. A woman even held my baby for a few minutes as I packed things up before we landed. For the most part, humanity realizes babies cry, and toddlers have *moments* – focus on your family and try to ignore any stares.
The good news? You will be on your way soon enough and won’t see those people again. In the moment it lasts forever and can be excruciating, but power through! I remember being in the back of the plane bouncing my screaming baby in a carrier when he peed on me and I was a hot mess after that ride. We all have horror stories – know you are not alone! I also have had flights where things go so smoothly as well.
3. It’s OK to break the rules
Don’t pack the mom guilt when you get ready for your trip, seriously. Personally, I am fine with my kid over doing it on screen time and snacks if we can get to point A to point B with little tantrums or toddler behaviors (ha). One of my kids is at the age where flying and planes are SO fun so we go with it. Order juice, have snacks, watch our favorite shows – make it a treat!
They enjoy it, we survive (and I have even been able to read a little with traveling solo with a toddler and baby)! Truly a miracle. We use this kindle, and it is a great size for travel.
4. Lollipop at lift off
The last flight we took I gave our toddler a dum dum lollipop (perfect for when you are getting all settled with any other kids/luggage) and I think it will be our go to! If your little one’s ears are sensitive too it is a win-win. I recently bought these because they seem “healthier”. Any little treat so they can sit still as you put luggage away and get set-up for the trip is ideal.
5. Pull-ups instead of diapers
A friend of mine recently mentioned how pull-ups make diaper changes easier on the go (depending on the situation and if your toddler is not yet potty trained). The changing table on the planes is too small for bigger toddlers (even some babies), so pull ups are a great solution!
5. New Toy
If you can, bringing a small toy they have never seen before is always exciting and can be captivating at least for a little while. Even a new book you can read together! I check out the Target “dollar” section or better yet, thrift it!
6. Snacks
A very important aspect and top priority when traveling with toddlers. Four younger kids, pouches, Bamba Peanut Butter Puffs, yogurt melts, Gerber teething snacks and buy a banana or other fruit at the airpoirt. For our older child, we have cheeze-its, large animal crackers, nutrigrain bars, granola bars and he also will eat the pasta option on international flights (of course). Fruit is a bit difficult for airplane rides, but on road trips we make sure to pack ones that travel well.
7. Traveling with a toddler: Travel-friendly Play Items
Many of these items you may use or have seen, but here is a list of things your toddler may love on the plane:
Foldable Travel Tray – This is great for sanitary reasons and is machine washable. It gives more flexibility to what they can play with, and things won’t fall off the edge. I could see this being especially great for long-haul flights and during layovers to place on a chair. If they want to bring small cars etc. they won’t slide off the table.
This one looks like a great option if you are a frequent road tripper!
Search and Find Book – This was a big hit for along time (perfect for Bluey loving toddlers). A great option for when you first get on the plane, so you don’t have to go straight to screen time. Especially when you need to wait to put the table tray down. Any search and find book will do!
Magnetic Drawing Board – We play with this even at home – great to practice shapes/letters and an easy way to draw on the plane or in the car.
Water Wow! – No mess painting = genius. They also have a search and find component, which is a great distraction (another during lift-off activity). Another great mess-free option is are the Crayola color wonder mess-free coloring pages.
Window Clings – These are easy to pick up in the Target “dollar” section as well or other stores – have them sit in a window seat so they can play with them. However, I will note I think this is best for a lap child unless your toddler can play with them and be buckled.
Snack Spinner – This was used on our last trip and who knew a snack container could be so great? A toy and practical place to put snacks all in one. It avoids spills as well since only one section can be open at a time. The spinner is pretty fun too! I haven’t tried this one, but it is a little cheaper and Iike that it has a loop attached for easy carrying.
Poke-A-Dot Books – There are perfect for a 1-2 year old! One of the few toys that have kept this age for us occupied for more than a few minutes, as well as this push and pop toy.
Magnetic Travel Tin – This was recently given to us as a gift, and the trend for travel toys seem to be magnetic – better than stickers, and contained. I bring along letter and number magnets he loves to play with to use as well!
Drawing, Sticker & Activity Books – We have used this Bluey drawing and sticker book and it has multiple coloring pages AND stickers – bring a few crayons and you are good to go. This could be the new gift, too. This sticker and activity book is another option (place the animal stickers in their habitat) and a new purchase for us are these sticker books (more interactive, perfect for a 3-4 year old)!
Color your own placemat – I love this for restaurants and it would work perfect for a plane as well!
A great (and affordable option) is to find free printables online of their favorite show or anything they love! Coloring sheets and jumbo crayons are a great idea!
Kid’s Tablet – Often the bread and butter of traveling with a toddler. No shame – this has games, books and and their favorite shows. When all else fails, right?
Traveling with a toddler: Airplane Sleep
If you have been following my Instagram stories, you know I have been on a little journey for how to get my kids to sleep during long-haul flights. Our last flight we tried a blow-up footrest, and I think for younger kids this could be better, but it didn’t work for us.
A lot of people love the Stokke travel bed, but I ultimately settled on the Bubba Board. Although not super compact, you can easily sling it over your stroller and I think this will work much better than the footrest mentioned above. The trick is setting it up and having my toddler actually lay down.
An update on travel beds – I think in the end, they aren’t for us. I think if we had started with them at a young age it could work, but ultimately I don’t think they are worth it to since they aren’t used as much as I wish on our travels. Our kids sleep best in their beds, or the carseat. My oldest is probably too big for most travel beds and we just make do while our youngest, I try to bring a carseat on the plane (since we started this at a yonger age he is a but more used to it).
This is where every kid is so different – it can be a bit of experimenting! I have heard amazing things about the Stokke travel bed, and I do think my toddler would enjoy having his own suitcase to push through the airport or sit on (this will possibly be my next purchase, but one with space for his clothes and things, not a bed).
Lastly, remember traveling with kids is doable and can be fun even if you have some low moments. You are giving them the gift of seeing new places (or spending time with family) and those are truly the best memories.
You can also check out my Baby Travel Products for near and far blog post and my traveling with a toddler and infant blog post as well!
What are your tips or must haves when traveling with a toddler? Let me know in the comments or over on instagram.
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