12 Top Tips for Flying With Kids to Make Your Travel Easier

Are you preparing for your first flight with kids and feeling anxious about making sure you cover every possible scenario? Maybe you’ve had a stressful experience flying with your kids and know you must be missing something that makes it look so easy for other people?

Let me reassure you, it’s not you – it’s them! Whether you’re going on a short domestic flight or a long-haul international journey, flying with kids requires a bit of planning and a lot of patience!

There’s so much to think about from getting to the airport to navigating your way through the airport, then you need to stay somewhat sane for the flight. Luckily there are some really simple actions you can take that make flying with kids that much easier. I’m talking about planning entertainment and snacks, booking the right flight, or even how to prepare them beforehand.

There are countless strategies you can take on board (pun intended) to make the flight as stress-free as possible.

What’s in this post?

In this post we cover our top 12 tips to flying with kids based on our own experiences flying short and long haul with our two children.

We also answer some common questions about flying with kids including how to keep kids comfortable and entertained on a long flight, if you’ll be allocated seats together, and most importantly, what to avoid when traveling.

If there’s something on this list you’re particularly interested in you can skip straight there by clicking on that section in the contents below. If not, then scroll down to read all of our top tips for flying with kids.

Table Of Contents

What’s in this post?
Summary: what to consider when flying with kids?
Read these next …

This post contains affiliate links, you’ll know if something is an affiliate link as they’re highlighted in pink. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

A young child sits in an airplane seat wearing teal headphones, watching a video on a tablet resting on their lap, with legs stretched out during the flight.

1. Find a quiet area of the gate to let the kids run their energy off

If you were to ask parents what one of the top stress inducing place is with kids I bet most would say the airport! But airports don’t need to be difficult places to navigate with kids.

This tip may not always be possible if you’re in a busy airport but even in the biggest of airports there’s normally a quiet corner or closed gate you can use. Even 30 minutes letting them burn off some energy can make travel days easier.

2. Pack plenty of snacks

Snacks always help when you’re trying to keep entertained while flying! Make sure you pack plenty and a good variety too so they don’t get bored with the same food.

Before planning snacks to bring with you make sure you check the rules around what food you can bring into the country you’re visiting as some of tight restrictions upon entering.

3. Split clothes into different suitcases

If one suitcase goes missing enroute it can take days, weeks or months to reappear and make it’s way to you.

We always split our clothes so we have a couple of outfits per person in each suitcase. This means that if one case disappears we still have at least a couple of options to keep you going.

4. Bring important items in your hand luggage

For the same reason as above, if there’s items that you cannot get by without or can’t buy elsewhere then put them in your hand luggage so they’re always with you.

Things like medicines, the only phone charger, expensive jewellery, or money are things you should bring in hand luggage with you where possible.

5. Do a click and collect order for the airport

This is an option I had no idea existed until I had kids but you can click and collect from some stores in the airport. You check in, go through security and collect from the store in the airport lounge and it doesn’t count towards your initial luggage allowance. Great for bulky items like nappies, formula or toiletries.

If you’re in the UK you can use the Boots airport click and collect service to get all those bits you need when travelling with kids.

6. Bring surprises

Something to consider when planning a trip with kids is what you pack in their travel bag. I always pack plenty of snacks, toys, games, activity books and electronics. I always sneak a little surprise or two in there too – something they weren’t expecting to pull out if they’re getting a bit antsy or bored.

A child walks up the steps into an airplane behind an adult, entering through the open aircraft door with a blue exterior and visible cabin interior.

7. Book long flights with an overnight departure

If it’s a long flight try and book an overnight flight. Once you get on the plane, take off and have some form of dinner or food it’s normally way past their bedtime and they’re ready for some sleep.

Even if they don’t sleep all night, hopefully getting some sleep will set you and them up well for the rest of the flight.

8. Book short flights with an early morning departure

If you’re travelling on a short flight book an early morning departure. The airport is usually quieter for the first few flights out and it’ll give you more time at the other end to get everyone settled before bed time.

9. Force bathroom breaks

We’ve all been there when you ask if anyone needs a toilet, receive a chorus of “no” only to be told they’re absolutely bursting 10 minutes later. To avoid any accidents while travelling in general but especially flying, force the bathroom breaks.

I don’t ask if they need to go, I tell them we’re all going to the toilet at specific times (like just before security and ahead of boarding) and they always go, even if they don’t feel like they need it at the time.

10. Explain what’s going to happen

The best way to help kids feel confident when flying is to prepare them with what to expect when they’re in the airport and on the plane. Explain what they’ll do and hear – you can even use YouTube to show them what take off and landing are like.

You can also get them involved while you’re preparing to leave the house like checking documents or helping to pack, or while you’re at the airport like finding the gate or navigating security.

The FAA has a Youtube channel with some great videos on how to prepare your child for their first flight or you can pick up a book to read through with your child, here are a few options on Amazon,

Busy Airport: A Push, Pull, Slide Book

This book is an interactive book with bright colours, perfect for kids aged 0-2. You can pick grab a copy of the Busy Airport book from Amazon for £8

We’re Going on an Airplane!

This book is great for kids aged 1-5 as it’s more educational but still follows a story. You can grab a copy of the We’re Going on an Airplane book on Amazon for £9.71

Ultimate Book of Airplanes and Airports

This book has everything your child will need to know about flying, with loads of information and fun visuals. The book is great for kids aged 3 to 10. You can grab a copy of the Ultimate Book of Airplanes and Airports from Amazon for £17.99

11. Fly direct

I know it can save money by booking indirect flights but when it comes to flying with kids I’d just pay the extra to have to worry about one airport and one flight.

12. Choose a window seat

If you do book your seats choose a window one. I know it can be easier to have an aisle seat if your child is going to want to get up and down for the toilet but if you’re on a short haul flight a well timed toilet break before boarding can stop this from happening.

Then you can use the view to keep them distracted as well as all the other bits you bring for them to do and watch.

An airplane with extended landing gear flies overhead against a bright blue sky with white clouds, framed by the tops of leafless trees.

FAQs : what to consider when flying with kids

How to make kids comfortable on a plane

Wearing comfortable clothes – even PJs for a night flight, letting them take off their shoes or bringing a cuddly toy can all work to help kids feel comfortable on a plane.

If it’s less about how comfortable they are and more that they’re just nervous about the flight then prepare them by explaining what’s going to happen and the noises they may hear, you can also watch some YouTube videos ahead of time so they know what to expect.

Do children have to sit next to parents on a flight?

It’s a dilemma, you don’t want to be forced into paying extra just to sit next to your kids but then you can’t leave your 2 year old to fend for themselves!

This really depends on the airline. If it’s important that you’re all sat together the safest way is to book your seats to guarantee this. However, some airlines have policies that state that a child (usually under 12) will always be seated with at least one adult.

Check your airline’s policy and if in doubt just play it safe and book your seats!

How do you occupy kids on a long flight

It’s hard enough to keep yourself entertained on a long haul flight as an adult, never mind the kids!

To make sure you can keep kids entertained on a long haul flight bring more snacks and activities than you think you’ll need, throw screen time rules out of the window and ration their toys or activities so they don’t do everything in the first hour.

Summary: what to consider when flying with kids?

We use all of the above in some form or another when we travel so I’ve listed our top 3 tips for flying with kids below,

Book short flights with an early morning departure so you’re flying when the kids are wide awake and not tired and grumpy
Do a click and collect order at the airport for nappies, formula, medicines or toiletries to save room in your luggage.
Pack surprises in their hand luggage so there’s something unexpected to keep them entertained on the flight.

It’s not always smooth sailing and stress-free but there are things you can put in place to make flying with kids that bit easier.