Tips for Surviving a Long Flight with a Toddler

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surviving a long flight with a toddler

We just got back from a week in southern California that was a healthy combination of restful and adventurous. We had initially planned a babymoon to Turks and Caicos but with me being seven months pregnant and the Zika virus making headlines in Latin countries and the Caribbean, we decided to head for the west coast instead. The last-minute change of plans more than doubled our flight time and I will be honest with you, I had a lot of anxiety about taking a two and a half year old on a plane for more than six hours one-way. By anxiety I mean, I was dreading it. I knew if we just got the flight out of the way I’d be able to relax and enjoy our trip. Well, moms, I’m here to tell you that not only did we survive the flight but after having done it, I would do it again in a heart beat. And I want to encourage you to do it, too. Don’t let anxiety about flying with kiddos stop you from having new experiences and adventures as a family! Here are my tips for surviving a long flight with a busy-body toddler:

~Have one large, carry-on tote (that can be zipped closed for your convenience…we used this one). That will be your designated toddler tote. Pack everything below in your tote:

~ All the toddler necessities. This includes diapers, wipes, hand sanitizer, favorite stuffed animals and blankets, sippy cup (buy waters once you’ve made it through security so you don’t have to wait for the drink cart to make its way to you 30 minutes into the flight), and a change of clothing.

~ LOTS of their favorite snacks: fruit/veggie pouches, crackers, pretzels, gummy candy (great for helping them deal with pressure changes during take off and landing), and anything else that will help keep them full and happy during a long flight.

~ New books. I went to HomeGoods a day before our trip and bought five new books for us to read and look through during the flight.

~ Presents!!! I bought ten small, affordable toys (less than $50 for everything) and wrapped them in tissue paper prior to our trip. Every hour or so we’d open a new present! This was a highlight! Be sure to save some for the flight home!

~ Play-doh. You can find small sets that come with smaller containers and plastic animal shapes. Flip down the tray table and that will kill an hour, easy!

~ New coloring books and crayons.

~ Lastly, and perhaps the most helpful of all, download movies and favorite shows ahead of time onto a Kindle or iPad, so that when all else fails, you’ll have the one magical solution to silencing a feisty, antsy, frustrated toddler. Don’t forget headphones. And charge that battery ahead of time!

With just an hour and a half left of our flight to California, all our anxiety melted away as we watched our tuckered-out two year old snooze peacefully in my arms, clutching his new favorite book. Success!

Do you fly with your toddlers? What do you do to prepare? I would love to hear some of your favorite tips and tricks, too!

1 COMMENT

  1. So I fly with my toddler from RDU-LGA all the time – I know – 2 hours is way different than 6! But my parents live in Wilton and I like to come up every 2 months or so! We have one of those foldit freezer bags (they sell cheap at homegoods) and I load that sucker up with sippy cups of milk and those twist top yogurts. TSA will allow you through with drinks for the kids! They just do a quick swipe of your hands and you are set! Yes to the toddler bag! And I always let him pick a special snack for the plane rides. The last couple times has been m&m’s! Kind of like the present thing, I give him a couple about midway through and then a few more once the plane lands. Good job momma! Hope you guys had fun on your babymoon!

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