How to Travel with Toddlers on Long Flights: A Mom’s Honest Guide to Surviving (and Enjoying) the Journey

Let’s face it, traveling with toddlers is no easy feat. Add in the challenge of long flights, and you’ve got a whole new level of stress and chaos. As a mom of four kids (yes, I know the chaos well), I’ve had my fair share of long-haul flights with toddlers in tow. From packing enough snacks to dealing with the tantrums at 30,000 feet, it can feel like a never-ending battle to keep the little ones entertained and comfortable.

But fear not, fellow parents! With a little planning, some creativity, and the right mindset, you can turn your long flight into a relatively smooth experience. Trust me, if I can survive a 10-hour flight with a toddler on my lap and another trying to break free from their seatbelt, you can totally do it, too.

Here’s my tried-and-true guide for surviving long flights with toddlers, filled with tips, tricks, and a healthy dose of humor because, let’s be honest, you’re going to need it.

1. Prep Your Toddler for the Flight (Yes, You Need to Do This)

Before you even step foot in the airport, start prepping your toddler for the experience. If your child is old enough to understand, talk to them about the flight ahead of time. Let them know they’ll be sitting on an airplane for a long time, and there will be a lot of sitting still (which, let’s face it, is harder than convincing a toddler to eat broccoli). I know they’re not always the best listeners, but setting expectations early can help them understand what to expect, and it will make the trip feel less intimidating.

Try these strategies:

Read Books About Airplanes: Get a couple of airplane-themed books and read them together. Kids love repetition, so don’t be surprised if they want to read the same one 20 times. It’ll get them excited about the whole flying thing! Check out these great airplane books for kids.
Watch Airplane Videos: YouTube has a ton of fun videos about flying that might interest your toddler. Plus, it’s a good way to show them what happens during the flight – especially if they’re nervous. I recommend checking out this YouTube playlist about airplanes for kids.
Talk About the Experience: Discuss things like seat belts, the food, and even the flight attendants. This will give them a sense of familiarity and reduce any fear or anxiety.

2. Packing for the Flight: What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind)

You may think you need to pack everything but the kitchen sink when traveling with toddlers. Trust me, I’ve been there. But after years of trial and error, I’ve learned the art of packing light while still being fully prepared for every toddler meltdown, snack demand, and bathroom emergency.

Here’s my packing list for a long flight with a toddler:

Essential Items

Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks: Seriously, you cannot bring enough snacks. Toddlers love to snack (like, love it), and they’re going to need a constant supply of mini meals to keep them entertained and satisfied. Go for a variety of textures and flavors to keep things interesting (think crackers, fruit, granola bars, and little sandwiches). Don’t forget the mess-free options like pouches and dry snacks (unless you’re into cleaning up yogurt messes mid-flight). Here are some snacks to bring on a plane with kids.
Toys & Activities: Bring a mix of quiet activities that won’t disturb your fellow passengers. Think crayons, coloring books, sticker sets, and small travel games. One of my lifesavers has been those little magnetic drawing boards – they’re mess-free and super engaging. (Side note: You know you’re a seasoned mom when you pack a fidget spinner and a slinky for the flight.) If you’re looking for some more fun and creative toddler travel activities, this list of ideas will help.
Tablets and Headphones: You may have some strong feelings about screen time, but let’s be honest—if a 4-hour flight goes by without an iPad, you might be a superhero (but not that kind of superhero). Download a few kid-friendly shows or movies before the flight (always offline, because airport Wi-Fi is a joke). Don’t forget toddler-sized headphones so they can watch without blasting the entire plane.
Comfort Items: Bring their favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or pacifier (if they use one). Having something familiar will provide comfort, especially during takeoff and landing when ears might hurt, and everything feels new. Need recommendations? Here’s a guide to some comfort items to pack for toddlers on flights.
Wipes and Hand Sanitizer: You will thank me later. Toddlers are notorious for touching everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, in their vicinity. Pack extra wipes for cleaning hands, faces, and seats. Trust me, you’ll want to sanitize everything in your area.
Diapers, Pull-Ups, or Extra Clothes: Yes, even if your toddler is potty-trained, accidents happen. Make sure you have enough diapers, pull-ups, or extra clothes to survive any unexpected situations (like that time my toddler decided to play in the airplane bathroom with everything).

3. How to Keep Your Toddler Comfortable During the Flight

Let’s talk about comfort. Long flights can be tough on everyone, but toddlers, in particular, are more sensitive to things like changes in air pressure, uncomfortable seats, and just general boredom (which, as you know, leads to the dreaded tantrum).

The Right Clothes Matter

Dress your toddler in layers. Airplane cabins are notorious for swinging between frigid and scorching, so make sure they’re dressed in breathable clothes that are easy to add or remove as needed. Also, pack an extra layer, like a sweater or jacket, in case it gets chilly. The same goes for your own comfort – you’ll be a much happier parent if you’re not shivering or sweating through your clothes.

Keep Ears Comfortable During Takeoff and Landing

Airplane cabins are pressurized, which can make a toddler’s ears pop and hurt during takeoff and landing. To help with the discomfort:

Give Them Something to Drink: Encourage your toddler to sip on water or juice through a straw. The swallowing motion will help alleviate the pressure.
Chewing Gum or Snacks: If your toddler is old enough to chew, offer them something to chew on (like a chewy snack or gum if they’re over 5).
Earphones or Earplugs: Some kids do well with toddler-friendly noise-canceling headphones, which will also block out some of the noise from the plane. This article from The Bump provides a great list of options for noise-canceling headphones for kids.

4. The Key to Surviving Toddler Tantrums at 30,000 Feet

Let’s talk about something real – toddler tantrums on a plane. Yup, they happen. And guess what? They’re a lot more common than you think. So how do you survive them (and prevent a full-blown meltdown from taking over the entire cabin)? Here are some tricks:

Stay Calm: It’s easy to panic when your toddler screams at the top of their lungs in the middle of a flight. But remember: other passengers have been there, and most of them will be understanding. Stay calm, breathe, and reassure your toddler that everything is okay.
Distract, Distract, Distract: Offer a toy, snack, or even a fun game to divert their attention. Sometimes, singing a silly song or telling a funny story works wonders. I’ve sung the “Wheels on the Bus” more times than I care to admit, but hey – it’s a classic!
Walk It Off: If your toddler is really losing it, try walking them up and down the aisle. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than an hour-long scream fest.
Stay Positive: Remember, this is just a moment in time. Your toddler’s tantrum will pass, and you will survive it. You’ve got this.

5. Planning for Arrival: Managing Jet Lag and Adjusting to the New Time Zone

The flight might be over, but the adventure’s not done yet. Jet lag can hit toddlers hard, especially if there’s a significant time zone change. Here are a few things to keep in mind when adjusting to the new time zone:

Stick to Their Routine: Try to keep meals, naps, and bedtimes as close to your toddler’s usual routine as possible. If your toddler is used to napping at 1 PM, try to have them nap around that time, even if it’s a little earlier than their new time zone would suggest.
Get Outside: Fresh air and sunlight can do wonders for resetting your toddler’s internal clock. Even a quick walk outside will help them adjust faster.
Keep Them Hydrated: Flying can dehydrate the body, so make sure your toddler drinks plenty of water throughout the day to help with the adjustment.

6. Final Tips and Tricks for Flying with Toddlers

A few extra tips to make your journey even easier:

Book Flights That Align with Naptime: If possible, schedule flights during your toddler’s usual nap time or bedtime. That way, they’ll sleep through part of the flight, which gives you a break.
Check with the Airline for Toddler Amenities: Some airlines provide special amenities for families, like kid-friendly meals or priority boarding. Be sure to check with your airline ahead of time to see what perks they offer.
Bring a Travel Pillow and Blanket: Even though the airline will likely provide these, they’re often uncomfortable. A small, familiar pillow or blanket from home will make a big difference in helping your toddler sleep.

Final Thoughts

Flying with toddlers isn’t a walk in the park, but it’s not the nightmare it might seem like either. With the right preparation, a few clever distractions, and a lot of patience, you can survive (and even enjoy!) your long-haul flight with your little ones.

Remember, every trip will teach you something new, and by the time you’ve flown halfway around the world with a toddler, you’ll feel like you can conquer anything. Just keep calm, be prepared, and keep the snacks coming!

Have more questions or need extra tips? Be sure to check out our site for more helpful guides and insider advice. Happy travels!