travel hacks with 1 year old

• WHERE TO GO
• WHERE TO STAY
• EPIC HOTELS
• DIY HOLIDAY ITINERARIES
• WORLDSCHOOLING
• PHILIPPINES
• MALAYSIA ITINERARIES
• THAILAND ITINERARIES
• BALI ITINERARIES
• CAMBODIA ITINERARIES
• VIETNAM ITINERARIES
• ISRAEL ITINERARIES
• JORDAN ITINERARIES
• FAMILY FRIENDLY HOTELS
• FLYING WITH KIDS
• BUDGET TRAVEL TIPS
• BEST TRAVEL GEAR
• BUDGET HOTELS
• LUXURY HOTELS
• VILLAS WITH PRIVATE POOLS

FLYING WITH KIDS , TRAVEL TIPS |

26 pro tips for flying with a 1 year old – family travel guide 2024.

Table of Contents

Flying with a 1 year old is one of the most challenging aspects of family travel. If you are looking for top tips and advice then you’ve come to the right place. As a full time travel family we have flown with a 1 year old both short and long haul flights. We are super excited to share these top tips, hacks and secrets with you.

Flying with a one-year-old does present some unique and unexpected challenges. In this article we will help you get to grips with some of the challenges and prepare as well as possible.

If you are reading this article you are already doing the first thing right. You’re taking time to plan and prepare for flying with a 1 year-old.  Being fully prepared for your flight can reduce anxiety and help you and your baby have a smooth flight.

Don’t miss our FULL baby travel checklist . EVERYTHING you need to know to plan and prepare your trip.

You may also be interested in our guide on Booking Cheap Flights with Kids

Flying with a 1 year old – unique challenges

Why have we done an article just for flying with a 1 year old? Because it’s hard! Flying with a 1 year old is probably one of the most challenging ages to fly. Not trying to put you off. Just help you understand some of the challenges and get prepared. With a 1 year old you will need to consider more toys and activities. You will also need to consider a range of snacks and drinks for a 1 year old baby. Another challenge is that your 1 year old will be more aware of their environment and therefore can be harder to settle. 

What are your seating options flying with a 1 year old?

Bassinet seats 

If you’re on a long haul flight your airline may have special bassinet seats. A bassinet is an airplane cot for a baby. The airline staff should help you set the bassinet up, and this is a great place for your baby to sit, play, rest and sleep during the flight. Bassinet seats are sometimes available for FREE on request on a first come first served basis. 

Bassinet restrictions

It is worth being aware that some airlines may have weight, size or age restrictions for bassinets. It is normally required that your baby can comfortably fit in the bassinet and normally no more than 10kg – 15kg. Check your airline’s specific policy. Most small 1 year olds should be able to use a bassinet on a flight. Your baby will not be able to use a bassinet at take off, landing and when the seatbelt sign is on. 

What about car seats ?

It is also possible to book an additional seat for your infant. Normally, when you add an infant to your booking they will not be assigned a seat. It is normally expected that your baby will sit on your lap throughout the flight with an infant lap belt. However, it is possible to book an additional seat for your infant. This will normally cost a similar price to an adult seat. If you book an additional seat for your 1 year old you can then use an approved car seat. Traveling with a car seat may be awkward at times but it can be very helpful at your destination.

TOP TIPS for flying with a 1 year old – summary 

• Help them connect with the experience
• Get things organized early
• Book a good place to rest – check Agoda and Booking.com
• Find a flight at a good time
• Get a seat with a bassinet
• Use the space under the seats 
• Pack more than you need
• Bring some ziplock bags
• Bring some sensory toys
• Pre-prep some bottles
• Bring a baby milk bottle through security
• Request an infant meal
• Bring plenty of snacks
• Get some baby ear muffs
• Talk to people sitting near you 
• Prevent baby ear pain
• Get a travel baby changing mat
• Use your all of your baggage allowance
• Pad out your bags with nappies
• Bring a change of clothes
• Pack a small blanket
• Bring creams and medications
• Try to keep some normal routines
• Bring a pram through the airport
• Use a special assistance lanes in the airport
• Team work is dream work

Flying with a 1 year old – full guide

1 help them to connect with the experience.

Before you fly with a 1 year-old, take time to help them connect with the experience.  Babies are very good at picking up on our emotions and reflecting them. If you are positive and excited about the flight your baby will perceive and reflect these emotions. Introduce toys and books that have an airplane theme. Talk to them about the flight and about your trip. Try to find ways to make the experience unique and special for them. The flight is also a good opportunity to introduce an exciting new toy or book and make the experience feel special for them. This is a particularly helpful tip to create a good long-term mindset in your child. 

2 Get things organized early

If you are flying with a 1 year old, try to get organized nice and early. Get things booked as early as possible. Generally flights are cheaper if you book them early. Book your hotel early too – on Agoda and Booking.com you can often get great FREE cancellation policies. If you need to get a passport for your infant this can take several months. Applying for an e-visa (where relevant) often takes a few weeks. Things like travel vaccination can take a while to organize because they rely on appointments and immunity may take a few weeks to kick in. Getting organized early is one of the most important things if you are flying with a 1 year old.

3 Book a great place to rest 

Finding a good hotel To rest after your flight is very important. You will all need to rest and recover from the flight and adjust to the new time zone. Try to get a quiet location (or sound proof room), good black out blinds, air conditioning and baby friendly facilities (e.g. fridge, cot, bath etc…) 

LOOK for a hotel on Agoda

LOOK for a hotel on Booking.com

TOP TIP: Once you know where you are going, get your hotel booked early. One of the great things about using Agoda and booking.com is that you can often find places with very good free cancellation policies. You need to check this when you book.  Agoda and booking.com often have cancellation policies that allow you to cancel for FREE for any reason until close to your check in date. So if you don’t have time to look for the best hotel, just get something good booked early and then look more carefully when you have more time. 

4 Find a flight at a good time

If possible try to find a flight that works well with your baby’s routines. Of course you may not be able to choose the time of your flight, however it is worth considering flight times and layovers when you are booking tickets. It can be good if you can find a flight that departs a couple of hours before your 1 year old is due to nap. Their nap can be a nice way to break up the flight. Another good time to fly is a few hours before your baby’s normal bedtime. Also consider layover times and locations. The best layovers are either relatively short or very long. 1-2 hours is ideal so you have time to get to your connecting flight. Alternatively, 12 hours or more can actually work very well. With a 12 hour layover you may be able to leave the airport and check in to some accommodation to get some rest. You may also have time to see some attractions in your layover country. Also flights with a long layover tend to be cheaper than flights with shorter layovers.

TOP TIP: If you have a long layover check whether your bags go all the way to the destination. If so pack for your layover (clothes and toiletries)

5 Request a bassinet early

Okay this is one of the most important tips for flying with a 1 year old. We mentioned that on some flights you can get special bassinet seats for an infant. However these are generally available on a first-come first-serve basis.  Therefore, if you are on a long-haul flight with a one-year-old we recommend turning up as early as possible to request a bassinet seat. In some cases, a bassinet seat may be automatically assigned to you. However we do not recommend relying on this. 

6 Use the space under the seats 

Airlines normally allow you to put small bags underneath the seat in front of you or underneath your own seat. The only exception is if you’re on an emergency exit row – BUT this won’t happen when you are flying with a 1 year old (infants are not allowed on this row). When you are flying with a 1 year old you need to be able to access things quickly. If all your baby stuff is in the overhead storage it can be really awkward to get things. Pack your special baby carry on in a small flexible bag that can fit under an airplane seat. 

7 Pack more than you need

This feels more like a tip for life! Pack plenty – more than you think you need. Before your flight you will need to work out how much you need. Consider nappies, wet wipes, snacks and milk. Remember you also need to consider journey time to and from the airport, flight times, layover times AND potential delays. If you are stuck in the airport it may be tricky to find extra nappies and milk in the airport. So remember to pack more than you need. 

Don’t miss our full packing list for flying with a baby

8 Bring some ziplock bags

Pack ziplock bags or small plastic bags. These can be used for so many things. For example if your baby drops their dummy on the ground you can stick it in a ziplock bag and pop it in your bags. Or when clothing is inevitably covered in drinks and bodily fluid – stuff them in a ziplock pack and pack them away to clean later. 

9 Bring some sensory toys

Pack some small compact toys for your baby. Flying with a 1 year old may be a great time to introduce a new toy. Find things that are sensory, multi-purpose and stimulating. Bring along a few familiar toys and books. Consider toys that can be used for simple games like blocks, stacking cups and toys with moving parts and magnets. On the flight PACE yourself and your baby. Mix up activities. Keep some of your higher impact activities for later in the flight when everyone is more tired and worn out. 

10 Pre-prep some bottles

Before the flight, pre-prepare some milk bottles. If the milk bottle is clean, dry and sterilized you can add the correct amount of formula powder to the bottle in advance. Later all you need to do is add some warm water and give it a shake. Alternatively, portion up some formula in small plastic bags. You can then make up the bottle on the flight. Almost all airlines will be willing to provide water for formula bottles. If they only have boiling water available, just add a little clean cold water first (e.g. from a water bottle). 

11 Bring a baby milk bottle through security

Security checks usually have 100ml restriction on fluids. However, parents traveling with an infant should be allowed to take a baby drink through security. You will probably need to pop it in a plastic bag for security and they may also want to check it. But it is useful to have an extra drink for your baby. 

12 Request and infant meal

If you book a flight with a 1 year old you should automatically be assigned an infant meal (assuming there is a meal service on your flight). However, this is definitely worth checking. We recommend contacting the airline in advance to check that your child will be given an infant meal – especially if your infant has special dietary requirements. You may also want to bring along some of your baby’s normal food. 

13 Bring plenty of snacks

As every parent knows, snacks are essential to your baby’s happiness and a parent’s sanity. Airplanes normally offer snacks but these can be odd, sporadic and unreliable. See the airplane snacks as an additional bonus. Snacks with complex carbs will help fill your baby’s tum tum and hopefully make them more sleepy. Baby pouches can also provide a healthy and comforting energy hit for your baby. AND don’t forget to bring along a treat or two for yourself. You deserve it if you’re flying with a 1 year old. 

14 Get some baby ear muffs

Get hold of some special baby aeroplane ear muffs (yes – these really are a thing!). These earmuffs are designed to protect your baby’s ears from the loud noise of the airplane. If your 1 year old is comfortable wearing ear muffs they should help protect their ears and they may also help your baby sleep better on the airplane. Get your baby used to the earmuffs before the flight. At first wait till your baby is asleep before you put them on your baby so they get used to them. Eventually you may be able to put them on before your baby is asleep because they will be used to wearing them. 

15 Talk to people sitting near you 

When you get on the airplane, talk to the people sitting near you. If you’re flying with a 1 year old it is natural to feel anxious about the other passengers sitting near you. A short conversation is a great way to humanize you to the people around you. Showing that you are aware of other people’s experience and peace will encourage them to be more sympathetic and understanding. 

16 Prevent baby ear pain

The change in cabin pressure can be very painful for a baby’s ears. The best way to reduce ear pain is for your 1 year old to suck something. This could be a dummy. It could be feeding from a milk bottle. Or even breastfeeding. You baby will need to sit on your lap in a lap belt at take off and landing. If this is loosened it is possible to breastfeed a baby. 

17 Get a travel changing mat

Consider purchasing a travel changing mat. Baby travel changing mats for compact, small and provide a hygienic surface for carrying out nappy changes anyway. A good travel changing mat may also have additional pockets and pouches for things like hand sanitizer, baby wipes and nappies. You can put your own baby travel changing mat on top of baby changing tables in toilets for comfort and hygiene. Most airplanes have small baby changing tables in some of the toilets.

18 Use your all of your baggage allowance

Your baggage allowance will depend on the airline you’re flying with a ticket. You can generally find out your baggage allowance when you purchase your ticket. A good free allowance should be at least 20kg check in. Flying with a 1 year old you should be given some free additional allowance. Many good airlines will let you bring a pram or baby carrier for FREE. You should also be allowed an additional carry on bag for your baby. 

19 Pad out your bags with nappies

If you’re flying with a 1 year old make sure you bring mountains of nappies with you. In many countries you can buy nappies but they may be expensive, hard to find and not your preferred brand. Nappies are a great way to pad out your bags. Filling your bag with lots of nappies will not add much weight but will provide protection to your belongings. As you use the nappies on your trip the extra space in your bags can be filled with gifts and goodies. 

20 Bring a change of clothes

When you are packing your carry on, remember to pack a change of clothes for your baby and for yourself. When you are flying with a 1 year old it is only a matter of time before you will be covered in crumbs, spillages and bodily fluids. Having some clean clothes can really help you feel human again. 

21 Pack a small blanket

You may be given a blanket on a long haul flight but this is not guaranteed. Bring along a small comfortable blanket for you and or your one year old. This can be a familiar comfort to your baby and you can also use it in the airport during layovers or waiting time. A small blanket shouldn’t add too much extra size and weight to your carry on luggage. 

22 Bring creams and medications

You should be allowed to bring creams and meds in your carry-on luggage (as long as fluids don’t exceed 100ml). Make sure creams and medicines are in labeled containers and wrapped in plastic bags for security. Be aware that a long flight can exacerbate nappy rash. So even if your baby is not normally prone to red cheeks – it is probably worth having a good cream. 

23 Try to keep some normal routines

Stay as close as possible to your baby’s normal routines. This should help your 1 year old feel settled and increase their chances of getting some sleep. Consider small familiar comforts like their normal night time clothing, giving them a bottle of warm milk at bedtime or bedtime stories that you may read to your baby at bedtime.

24 Bring a pram through the airport

If you’re traveling with a pram, take it through the airport all the way to the boarding gate. Having your 1 year old in a pram is really helpful when you need your hands-free. When you get to the gate the airport staff should take your pram and store it on the aircraft so that it is available to you when you arrive at your destination. 

TOP TIP If you are not planning to travel with a pram, there are some other great options for you. Consider a sling. There are plenty of small, light, travel friendly sling options. Alternatively, many airlines will also let you switch out for a baby carrier backpack (FREE with an infant). This is a backpack with a baby seat built in. You can also stuff a baby carrier with some extra things like nappies, clothes or toys. 

25 Use a special assistance lanes in the airport

Most airports around the world have special assistance lanes. You can normally find special assistance lanes at immigration checkpoints, security checkpoints and also when you are boarding the aircraft. Make yourself known to staff and ask for help if you need it. This can save valuable time and reduce waiting time in queues. 

26 Team work is dream work

If you are flying with another adult, find ways to team up. Take shifts and switch out to give each other rest. When you are at stress points (e.g. security) try to divide tasks up. One person looking after your baby whilst the other focuses on bags. If you are not flying with another adult – then seriously respect to you. We do have a special article on flying solo with a baby . 

Tips for flying with a 1 year old – SUMMARY 

If you are flying with a 1 year old preparation and planning is everything. Whether it is organizing travel vaccinations, buying clothes and kit, packing or sorting flights and accommodation It’s going to be busy. SO keep your eyes on the prize. It will be worth it. Hopefully our articles will help you think through and plan all of the essentials. 

DON’T MISS our full guide on Booking Cheap Flights with Kids

Looking for a place to stay?

We always recommend that you use a good booking platform to sort out your hotel. This creates accountability and gives you a way to contact your hotel. You can also get other perks such as free cancellations policies.

Life loving, adventure chasing, Mum of 3 who loves travel. Over 10 years of travel writing experience. Emma now loves to give the best tips to help other travel loving parents plan adventures with their kids. Whether you need to find the best accommodation or just need to know how to pack your bag Emma is that travelling mum who love to help you.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. More information about our Privacy Policy

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

More information about our Privacy Policy

Scroll to Top Button

• My Fitness App
• Teaching Schedule
• 200-Hour Power Yoga Teacher Trainings
• Sponsorships + Booking

11 Tips for Flying with a One Year Old

Last summer I wrote a post sharing 11 tips for flying with an infant . At the time Finn was about eight weeks old and we’d already navigated a few flights. Fast-forward a year and my little traveler has made 15+ round trip flights. And I’ve done them all solo!

First, I will share that traveling with a very mobile one year old is nothing like traveling with an infant. The days where Finn would sleep peacefully through flights are lonnnnnngggg gone! I now go into flights fully prepared to be a human jungle gym and to feel mentally and physically exhausted by the time that we land. It is a GAME ON experience…haha. But don’t let this scare you because I promise it’s not as bad as the horror stories that you hear. Knock on wood, we’ve never had an epic meltdown or a tricky situation we couldn’t handle.

Even if you’re flying with an older baby, I recommend going back and reading my infant post because I share a lot of insights on the ticketing, how to check baby gear and the security process, as well as the importance of accepting help.

11 TIPS FOR FLYING WITH A ONE YEAR OLD 

For today, I want to share things that I’ve found to be helpful when it comes to flying with an active, older baby/young toddler. These are my best tips for the 9-18 months old range. You CAN do this! Preparation, low expectations and an open mind are key.

The following includes affiliate links. 

Schedule flight times wisely. 

By the age of one, most children are on semi-predictable schedules. I have found it supremely helpful not to fly at times that interfere with prime sleeping times. There is a flight that leaves Charlotte at 8a to go to Florida and a flight that leaves Florida at 7p to come back to Charlotte. Each time I opt for those flights I am reminded why it is a bad idea, and that it is worth it to pay a little more for a flight that works better in Finn’s schedule. In an ideal world, I love a flight that is after his morning/midday nap.

(THIS IS NOT NORMAL!)

Low expectations around sleep. 

If it’s unavoidable to book a flight that doesn’t run into bed and nap times, have VERY low expectations around airplane sleep. While I could count on Finn to sleep through flights when he was 0-6 months, once he became more “aware” of his surroundings…that was over. There is just too much stimulation and being out of routine to make airplane sleep an easy thing for active babies/toddlers. Regardless of whether we flew during nap or bed time, Finn did not sleep on a plane one single time between 6-12 months old. I did manage to get him to nap on the plane twice recently but it is not the norm!

TSA PreCheck is worth every penny. 

Last fall I got TSA Pre and I don’t know what took me so long. It is worth ever single penny of the $85 it costs to register for it. And that $85 lasts you five years! I swear that I would pay $85 annually for it.

When you are making your way through security with a wiggly baby and the gear that comes with it, the last thing you want to do is take off your shoes and dig your laptop and liquids out of your bag. I love the simplicity of quickly popping Finn out of his stroller, breaking it down and sending it and my backpack through the scanner.

Also, the TSA Pre lines are typically much, much shorter and this is also a godsend with a small, impatient, active baby.

Stroller or baby wearing through airport. 

Once I started keeping a carseat and stroller in Florida, I would just wear Finn in the Ergo at the airport. That was awesome because I didn’t have to juggle any additional baby gear. We eventually got to the place where it would kill my back to have him on me for so long with a backpack too, and we’d both be really hot from making it through the Charlotte airport. At this point I switched back to a stroller but a super lightweight umbrella stroller that can easily be broken down and sent through security or left at the bottom of the jet bridge for gate check. Actually, the umbrella stroller that I’m currently using is SO small that I can collapse it into a tiny square and carry it on the plane and store it in the overhead.

Use the restroom and make sure baby is dry and clean before boarding. 

Using airplane lavatories with a one year old is a special kind of hell. I strongly advise seeking out a family bathroom in the airport and making sure you go right before you get on board and they are clean and dry too.

Wait as long as possible to board. And while you’re in the gate area, ask about open seats. 

When you make it to the gate area, it never hurts to ask the gate agents if there are any seats with no one next to you. More often than not, we have been able to make this happen. While I cannot for the life of me get Finn to actually sit in a seat right now, it’s nice to have the extra space for spreading out books, snacks, gear, etc and to not have to worry about your seat mates personal space being invaded by a baby that loves to pat everyone. 🙂

When the flight starts boarding, DO NOT…I repeat DO NOT…get on the plane when they offer pre-boarding to families with children under the age of two. Instead, wait until the boarding process is winding down and be one of the last people on board. The less time you can spend in that tiny seat, the better.

Bring sanitizing wipes to clean your seat area.

There is no keeping a one year old from touching every single thing possible in your seat area and putting things in their mouth like seat belts and safety cards. Bring some sanitizing wipes and wipe down everything from the tray table to the window shade to the seatbelt.

Snacks are life. 

I never understood the big deal around puffs, cheerios, goldfish, etc until I had a one year old. They are even more crucial when you are flying. I swear, my backpack is half snacks and half books. Bring lots and lots of snack options and also snack cups and sippy cups .

Stock up on books, toys and games. 

Finn is super into board books right now so I bring all different types of them. He especially loves lift the flap books and touch and feel books . I’ll write another post soon with Finn’s favorite books at this age.

Toys are hit or miss for us on the plane. He’s more into things like lifting and lowering the shade a million times, opening and closing the tray table and playing with plastic cups from the flight attendant. Get creative with what can be a toy and different games you can play.

Pacifier, drink or nurse on ascent and descent.

Luckily, taking off and landing never really seems to bother Finn. Even still, I try to make sure he has a pacifier so that he’s swallowing and popping his ears. You can also nurse or give them a drink to sip on.

Change of clothes, extra diapers, diaper bags. 

I think it’s a no-brainer that it’s a wise idea to have a spare change of clothes and extra diapers in your bag but I tend to live life on the wild side and usually have a change for Finn but not for myself. This hasn’t blown up in my face yet (pun intended) but I need to get better about at least packing a spare shirt for myself. Also advised to have disposable diaper bags or old grocery bags to tie off diapers and soiled clothes.

That does it for this edition of air travel with small children. I’ll keep writing this posts as travel shifts and changes for us. I predict the next big change will come when Finn is no longer a lap child and we transition him to his own seat!

Oh also…you might notice that I didn’t mention technology in this post. I am pro-technology in circumstances like air travel but Finn is simply not interested right now. I downloaded Peek-A-Boo Barn on my iPhone on our last trip and it entertained him for like 2 minutes. He was more into spinning my iPhone around and putting it in his mouth. I try to have really clear boundaries with him that my phone is not his toy so it also just feels counter-intuitive to have him play on my phone. Once he gets a little older and is more into sitting and watching a show or movie, I might get him a tablet that is used for travel only.

Would love for you guys to add your tips and questions in the comments!

Share this:

• Share on Tumblr

Some great tips Jen! I think the 1-3 year old set are the hardest for flying with. We don’t fly often but when we do, it is on long-haul flights, mostly between the US and Australia. In these cases, scheduling during sleep times is key – leaving in the late evening and arriving in the early morning – the more hours sleeping on the plane, the less time having to walk up and down aisles with active 2 year olds ;).

Oh Ema, I cannot even imagine these long haul flights with kids. Wow!!!

Thanks for the great tips! You are so brave to do so much travel with him solo. I love it!

You’re welcome!

I fly as much as you with kids and the only thing I can think of is that I always carry a couple “extra special treats “ for worst case scenarios. Or just to get them to sit in their seat/your seat for take off and landing. Usually a small sucker. I fly southwest the most so the only difference is boarding early is a must! and also if your child is 2 and older don’t forget to register them for frequent flyer miles too!!

It is hard but it’s so worth the effort to see family! It’s also great because the kids are flexible travelers:)

Thank you so much for chiming in with your additional suggestions! And I agree that it’s worth the effort and that kids are flexible! 🙂

My son was the same way with screens! He was about 22 months when it would finally hold his attention, and that was only a couple Daniel Tiger episodes or Frozen. (His little sister was born at this time so I NEEDED a distraction at times. My husband works really long hours. )

What did hold his attention was music. Songs. I would play clips on Youtube of Sesame street songs, etc, and the music helped so much. He could hum songs before he could talk.

Anyway! Sorry to go on and on. I just related to your last paragraph a lot. <3

Yes, Finn LOVES music too! Thank you so much for sharing this.

Great list! It’s also helpful to use an overnight diaper to have a little extra absorbency.

Oh I’ve never thought of that. Thank you!

I read somewhere about using disposable puppy training pads, and I can’t recommend this highly enough. I use in place of a changing pad and then I just throw it and the diaper away. The thought of keeping something that has touched all of those nasty places just grossed me out. Now I keep a gallon bag with wipes, diapers and several of those pads with me everywhere! I wish I had known about this with my first! It’s especially helpful for messy diaper changes if you get my drift! It’s not the best for the environment but it sure helps my sanity. Good luck!

This is an awesome suggestion. Thank you for sharing!

Preparing myself for a 3 hour flight with my 15 month old twins coming up! Some of these ideas will definitely be put to use, others can’t (flying Southwest so I have to use family boarding to make sure we are together… or do I? ??).

Love the tips. I will add to your bring your own change of clothes. I flew with my baby at 6 months, I had everything, extra clothes, snacks, toys, empty ziplock bags, and a shirt for myself. And we had a blow out before even getting in the plane at our home airport, he was on my lap and it went all over my pants. Even with cleaning as best as you can in an airport bathroom, I smelled like poo for 6 hours. Even when he’s much older I will always pack a full change of clothes for myself.

Leave a Comment

Notify me of new blog posts by email.

Next post: A Whole New World

Previous post: Summer Adventures

I’m glad you’re here!

MY FITNESS APP

Jen Eddins Fitness App

Weekly strength programming, run training plans and on-demand fitness and yoga classes

Post Categories

Recent Posts

• Stone Mountain State Park Hiking Review
• Blackberry Pie Bars with Oat Crumble Crust
• 15 Training Tips for Your First Marathon
• What I Ate In Florida
• Emerald Coast Beach Week

The Archives

Stay Connected

© Peanut Butter Runner. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Website by Web Symphonies

Subscribe to receive my posts, special offers, recipes, and workouts.

Email address:

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Family Travel

16 Tips for Flying With Toddlers and Young Kids

Traveling with toddlers can be hard, at least if you're not properly prepared. Here, experienced flight attendants share their secrets for flying with young kids.

FLY VIEW PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES

With long security lines, cramped airplane seating, and busy waiting areas, flying isn't the most pleasant experience—and all of the frustration increases exponentially when you add a toddler into the mix. Some young children simply don't have the patience for airport security. They might despise sitting quietly for hours on end, and they might be uneasy during turbulence or get upset with the ear-popping changes in air pressure.

Thankfully, though, you can have a worry-free travel day with proper preparation and planning. Whether you're jetting off to your relative's house or Disney World, check out these stress-reducing strategies for flying (and traveling) with toddlers—some of which came straight from flight attendants.

Book an Early Morning Departure

If you're traveling with toddlers or young children, you should book an early morning departure. These give you the best chance of avoiding delays at takeoff and landing, a flight attendant named Patrick explains. "They are usually less crowded, too," he says. "Plus, everyone is tired and just wants to nap—kids especially."

Save Your Upgrades for Toddler-Free Travel

Traveling in first class with kids can be more stressful than it's worth. Mom Joanna recounts the story of traveling with her loud, lively toddler and incurring the vocal wrath of her first-class seatmates for the entirety of the flight. "It's not fair, but you're just going to get more empathy and support with kids in economy," says a flight attendant.

Talk to Your Kids About What to Expect

"My experience is kids do so much better when they know what to expect," says Shireen, a mom of three from Australia who's traveled to the U.S. several times with her kids. She recommends watching a Let's Go Play video on YouTube , which goes over the entire flight experience, from baggage check-in and ticketing to onboard etiquette and safety.

Dress in Layers and Skip Shoes With Laces

Whether you are changing climates or simply dealing with in-flight heat and/or air conditioning, you can and should be ready for drastically changing temperatures when traveling with a toddler. Wendy, a flight attendant and mom, suggests you dress your kids in comfortable layers—preferably without buttons, zippers, or anything that could prevent them from getting to the bathroom in time.

The same principle applies to shoes: Avoid laces and opt for slip-ons. "There's the added benefit of getting through airport screening that much faster," she says.

Bring Surprises

When flying with a toddler, a wrapped new plaything has two advantages: Kids love to unwrap stuff, and a new toy has more attention-grabbing pull.

Consider Using a Smaller Stroller

Getting through an airport without a stroller is unthinkable for some parents, so consider switching out your regular-size stroller for a small, compact umbrella stroller or travel stroller. Also, check your stroller at the gate before boarding; the crew will have it waiting for you when you get off the plane.

If you've got more than one little traveler with you, consider a kid harness (aka leash), Wendy suggests. "I was so against them until I saw a woman with three young boys using them in baggage claim. It made so much sense," she says, "with the exit doors to outside right there. Look, flying is stressful enough. Do what you need to do to protect your kids and your sanity."

Pack Just Enough

Flight attendants urge parents to pack enough essentials for the flight. "Unfortunately, you can expect there to be zero food on a plane that would interest a kid," says Lynn. "And we are so limited in what we can offer in terms of comfort items as well."

On the flip side, parents will struggle if they zealously overpack. "Usually, when it's one parent traveling with one or more kids, they'll bring way too much stuff in an attempt to keep their kids happy," Wendy says. "They forget they have to carry all that stuff off the plane with them, along with their kids."

Plan Your Packing List

To guard against over-packing while ensuring you don't forget anything critical, consider writing out a full packing list. Star or highlight those items that will need to be packed last minute (like the lovey your kiddo sleeps with or the tablet that's currently charging) so you have a checklist to consult one last time before heading out the door.

Sample Airplane Packing List for Toddlers

When packing your carry-on for the plane ride, use this list as a starting point:

• Comfort item: Consider packing one of your toddler's favorite comfort items in your carry-on for mid-flight snuggles. If the comfort item is a pacifier, be sure to pack more than one, lest it gets flung down the aisle or on the floor.
• Sanitizer, wipes, pull-ups, and diapers: You'll want these critical items within reach at all times during your travels. Not sure how many diapers to throw in the carry-on? One diaper per hour of travel is recommended.
• Electronic devices: If there is any time to let up on strict screen time rules, it's when you're traveling. Make sure that whatever device you're bringing is fully charged and ready to go—and don't forget the chargers for the flight back. Consider pre-loading the tablet or phone with your kids' favorite movies or shows for offline viewing.
• Kid-size headphones: Be sure to follow the basic rules of travel etiquette and pack comfy headphones your little one can wear while enjoying their favorite games or shows. Have more than one kid in tow? Consider investing in a splitter so both can enjoy the show with their own set of headphones.
• Art supplies: A small box of crayons and blank paper can go a long way when it comes to entertaining your toddler on a plane. Mix things up and pack some fun stickers or even plain sticky notes to add to the excitement.
• Plastic bags: You never know when you'll need an extra bag for wet clothes, a dirty diaper, or even just for trash, so pack a few extras.
• Water bottle: Toss an empty clean water bottle into your bag to fill after you get through security. Just make sure that it's leakproof!
• Healthy and fun mess-free snacks: While you don't necessarily want to load your kid up with sugar just before take-off, consider packing a mix of healthy and fun snacks that are relatively mess-free to keep their bellies full and happy. Cheerios, pretzels, crackers, string cheese, and granola bars are good options.

Be Prepared for Security

When you pack, make sure items that need to be removed during security are easily reached. Keep in mind that traveling with snacks may mean extra scrutiny during the screening process.

Prepare for Air Pressure Changes

If your child has recently had an ear infection or a cold, get your doctor's approval before flying. The change in cabin air pressure may cause pain for your toddler. After passing through security, stock up on enough water for everyone to get through a possible delay and have enough left for the descent, which is often the most bothersome time for ear pressure discomfort. Have your kids drink some right after takeoff and during the last 30 to 45 minutes of the descent. The swallowing helps with the pressure changes and gives an added hydrating benefit.

By All Means, Use Pull-Ups

Your little one may have moved beyond Pull-Ups into big kid underwear, but pull-up diapers are a great resource when flying with a recently potty-trained toddler or young child. "I even use them on my 6-year-old," says Wendy, who adds that it's much less stressful than having to race to the bathroom or deal with an in-seat accident.

Show Some Appreciation

Flight attendants love to receive a certain gratuity for dealing with toddlers. "Any kind of chocolate found in an airport, handed over at boarding, does wonders," says Patrick. Of course, it will have zero effect on the random bad-tempered, unprofessional cabin crew member. But it's a nice gesture nonetheless, particularly when flying during the holidays when most flight attendants will be working and away from their families.

"It will be so appreciated," he says. "And we will remember you and look out for you. And not only that, you'll probably score a free drink out of it."

Seat Kids Away From the Aisle

Aisle seats can be dangerous for toddlers and potentially give them a little too much freedom of movement. For example, little hands and feet can be bumped as people walk by and hot coffee and water may be just within reach as the food and beverage cart passes by. If you can, consider the window seat, which offers the benefit of a view and puts you between your toddler and any other passengers in your row.

Beware of Germs

Toddlers tend to get sit a lot, but you can try to avoid any travel-related illness by keeping your little one's hands clean. When flying with a toddler, wipe everything from hands to tray tables down with sanitizing wipes when you're getting settled in your seats—and above all else, do not send your kids to the bathroom without shoes. "The floor is a Petri dish," a flight attendant confides. "You're in the air, things jostle. That's not just water on the bathroom floor."

Keep Your Composure

There's not much you can do to assuage that passenger who complains the moment your child sneezes or giggles. Here's what you need to remember: As long as you're trying (and what parent isn't?), you've got almost everyone on your side. "An adult having an issue with a screaming child is acting like a child as well," offers a flight attendant and mother named Patience. "Don't engage. Just worry about your own child."

Choose an Airline With Kid-Friendly Perks

There's nothing a family-friendly airline wants more than happy, occupied kiddos. As such, many leading carriers have all kinds of kid perks to offer their littlest travelers from a wide array of their favorite TV shows and movies to kid-approved headphones and snacks.

Before boarding, be sure to check in with the gate agent about whether the airline offers priority boarding for families with young children. Often airlines call special boarding for families so they can board a little early so you'll have time to settle in. Other great perks to look for are family lounges or airports with areas for kids to burn off some steam during layovers or before boarding.

Related Articles

Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market.  See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our  credit card rating methodology .

What It’s Like To Fly With a 1-Year-Old [Our Top 5 Tips for Success!]

Ashley Onadele

Senior Content Contributor

123 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 15 U.S. States Visited: 10

Jessica Merritt

Editor & Content Contributor

94 Published Articles 515 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 4 U.S. States Visited: 23

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

36 Published Articles 3280 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 47 U.S. States Visited: 28

Table of Contents

Flying with a baby under 1 year old, flying with a toddler older than 1-year-old, should you buy a seat for your toddler, traveling with breast milk or formula, helpful travel accessories, lounge access with babies, tips for flying with a 1-year-old, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

My kids have been on countless planes, trains, and automobiles and have stayed in hotels, Airbnbs, and even an RV. They’re now 3 and 5 years old, carrying their own backpacks and attempting to pull their own carry-ons, but this wasn’t always the case.

If you’re new to traveling with small children, it might seem overwhelming or outright impossible. Sure, there’s a lot of stuff to pack and juggling to do while taking care of a tiny human, yourself, and all of your things. But it’s probably simpler than you think, especially if you follow some of the tips outlined below .

When kids are especially small — think a few months old to about a year old — it’s downright easy to travel with them. The plane provides white noise and lulls them almost straight to sleep as soon as you’re in the air, barring any pressure change discomfort, of course. They aren’t moving too much, nor are they requesting (demanding) to get out of your arms or the seat and walk the plane.

You can wear your tiny human on your chest or back and they pretty much go wherever you take them without protest. Their schedule and eating habits are predictable and they’ve yet to have their first meltdown.

The early days are almost blissful.

And then they turn 1.

The older your child gets, the more curious they become . The 1-year-old stage is a fun time because they’re walking, or just on the cusp of it, suggesting that they’re ready for more independence, have a sense of humor, and are generally well-tempered. This is a sweet spot right before their inability to communicate leads to temper tantrums and frustration.

Hot Tip: The biggest difference between flying with a 1-year-old and a younger child is how alert they will be.

Your 1-year-old might want to stand in your lap, or in the seat, and wave at, smile at, and talk to other passengers. For more active toddlers, you may have to walk around the cabin with them . And if they’re walking, they’ll likely want to walk on the ground themselves.

They’re hopefully eating solid foods so you’ll have to remember to pack food that you know they’ll like. Don’t rely on getting something at the airport or even the food provided on the plane. They’re also larger, so that tiny, inaccessible plane bathroom won’t be fun for either of you when it comes time to change a diaper at 30,000 feet.

But the biggest difference of all might be whether or not you buy your ever-growing infant their own seat.

When my kids were young enough for it, I was of the mind that as long as my kids could fly for free, we wouldn’t buy them a seat. Plus, they’re only small for so long and I always loved holding onto them when they slept. Add to that the increasing costs of airline tickets, both in cash and miles, and I’m glad that we were able to save the money with a lap infant when we could.

To make having a lap infant easier, either my husband or I would wear the baby in an Ergobaby carrier when they slept so that we had full use of our arms . We could even sleep ourselves without fearing that the baby would fall out of our arms.

I know a lot of parents who prefer for each member of their family to have their own seat, mostly for the sake of space. But in addition to that, some children just don’t sleep well being held — not to mention the adult holding them might be pretty uncomfortable, too.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that children fly in a child restraint system (CRS) , which is essentially a car seat . There are specific requirements for CRS devices, so be sure and check out the website before you fly to make sure you’ve got the right type.

You’ll get a baggage allowance for your 1-year-old when you purchase a seat no matter how old they are. This would allow you to pack more freely instead of packing your child’s items together with the items in your carry-on … something I’ve done many times.

If you’re lucky, you’ll be seated in a row that has an empty seat next to you and your child can sit there free of charge when the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is off.

Baby bassinets are detachable bassinets available on some planes in the bulkhead seat. These bassinets generally have age, weight, and/or height restrictions for use, and with a 1-year-old, your options to use a bassinet may be getting limited .

If you’re inclined to use a bassinet for your baby — particularly on a long-haul flight where you want to ensure the best rest possible — you’ll need to call the airline right after making your reservation to reserve your seat and bassinet.

Hot Tip: Not all airlines offer bassinets. Before you book, check out our ultimate guide to baby bassinet seats on over 50 airlines to find out if your preferred airline offers a bassinet or not.

Economy vs. Business Class Seats

The debate about whether or not kids and babies should be in premium cabins is one we won’t settle here. Still, parents traveling with young children may want to know some of the pros and cons of flying business class with a baby .

In business class, you’re guaranteed to get more legroom and larger seats. When traveling with a lap infant especially, it never hurts to have as much room as possible. In economy, you cannot sit in the exit row where you’d normally expect to have the most room in the back of the plane. That means that you’ll be jammed in a row, potentially with strangers.

With fewer passengers to take care of in business class, the flight attendants should have more time to help you when you need assistance. For example, you may need water to make a bottle or you forgot your child’s juice. In business class, you can expect to be taken care of a little more often.

Unfortunately, just by the sheer volume of folks in the economy compared to the number of attendants, you won’t receive the same service.

In premium cabins, depending on the airline, you may be able to reserve an infant or child meal in advance to be served during your flight. If flying domestic economy, you won’t have this option.

And lastly, flying in business could be cost-prohibitive to many. Even with points, business class seats often cost a significant amount more than economy class tickets. It’s easy to feel that the pros listed above don’t outweigh the dollar amount you’ll have to pay for those conveniences.

Ordering Kids’ and Baby Meals

International airlines shine when it comes to their meal services (even in economy). As such, you can expect to be able to order a kids’ meal in advance of your flight or when you get on board.

The makeup of the meals and offerings varies depending on the airline, of course. Some airlines, usually depending on the length of the flight, will offer hot meals like pasta and even hamburgers. Others might only offer a kids’ snack box.

Whether or not these amenities are included in the price of your ticket depends on the airline as well. For example, United brought back kids’ meals that can be ordered at least 24 hours before your flight for flights over 2,000 miles and where a complimentary meal will be served.

According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), breast milk , formula, and toddler drinks are considered medically necessary. Breast milk, formula, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (including puree pouches) can exceed 3.4 ounces and do not need to fit in quart-size bags.

You are recommended to let the TSA agent know that you’re traveling with these items at the beginning of the screening and to take it out of your carry-on.  It is also recommended that these items travel in clear containers for the sake of expediting the screening process.

Though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes breast pumps as a medical device and as such should be allowed in addition to your carry-on and personal item, this depends on the airline. It’s a good idea to call the airline you’ll be flying with before you check in for your flight to ensure that you can bring your breast pump onboard.

As your children get older, they’ll likely want to help carry their backpacks or pull their own luggage . Eventually, you won’t need to carry or push them in a stroller everywhere because they’ll want to walk on their own, too. In the meantime, however, when traveling with a 1-year-old, all of that still falls on you. Luckily, there are plenty of travel gadgets and accessories to help make it easier.

Umbrella Stroller

Umbrella strollers are lightweight, foldable strollers for babies old enough to hold their heads up. An infant stroller most likely works together with your car seat, which can be bulky and hard to maneuver through the airport. If your child is big enough, an umbrella stroller is the way to go.

Whether or not you go with the convenience of an umbrella stroller or elect for your larger stroller, you can gate-check your stroller and keep it with you right up until you board the plane. Your stroller will either be waiting for you at the gate when you land or will have made its way to the baggage carousel.

Car seat requirements are not the same for cars and airplanes, and to use your car seat on the plane the car seat must be FAA-approved .

It’s important to note that the EU has different requirements for car seats than the U.S., so you’ll want to be aware of this if that’s where you’re traveling. One major difference between EU and U.S. car seats is that EU-approved car seats do not have chest clips. EU regulation states that a child must be able to be removed from the seat in a single motion.

Diaper Bags: Backpack vs. Purse

I think that baby backpacks are better for travel than baby purses (one-shoulder baby bags) for a few reasons.

First, you have a full range of motion when wearing a backpack with weight evenly distributed through your back instead of on one shoulder.

Second, a backpack tends to have more pockets for all the things you’ll be carrying for your baby. It doesn’t hurt that it’s probably easier to convince your partner to share the responsibility of carrying a backpack vs. a purse.

Speaking of all the things you’ll be carrying, here are a few items that should make traveling with a 1-year-old a little easier:

• Bottles, bottle liners, tops
• Extra clothes for you and baby
• Extra socks (and maybe shoes)
• Foldable changing pad for changes in public restrooms
• Formula dispenser
• Hand sanitizer
• Plastic bags for dirty clothes, diapers, etc.
• Spill-proof and independent snack dispenser
• Spill-proof sippy cup

Hot Tip: Check out our in-depth buyer’s guide to the best travel diaper bags , featuring both backpack-style and purse-style options.

There seems to be an ongoing debate on social media about babies in premium cabins (more on that a little later) and whether or not they should be allowed in lounges.

Lounges don’t typically have age restrictions (kids under 2 are even generally free!), though most don’t have amenities geared toward children. But what you get at a lounge is more space to spread out, with time away from the gate to relax and gather yourself before you fly.

Centurion Lounges , however, do a great job of welcoming and catering to young travelers with family rooms decked out with toys, games, TVs, and kid-size furniture. But even without that family-specific amenities, lounges are a great place to chill out before or after a flight with your baby.

At the lounge, you can also get warm water for formula, warm-up milk and kids’ food, and grab some fruit or other snacks for later.

Whether or not you choose to purchase a seat for your 1-year-old, we have some tips for making flying easier.

1. Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks

I used to think people were exaggerating when they said to bring more snacks than you think you need. But I underestimated just how important a well-timed handful of Cheerios would be.

It’s not so much that your child will be hungry, but that snacking tends to quell a fussy toddler. I cannot explain it any further than that.

Pack the snacks you know they love and maybe even a few surprises. There’s an endless list of snacks you could bring. Fruit, Cheerios, Goldfish, pureed food packs … anything that your child can safely consume will work.

Don’t forget that TSA allows water and food for toddlers in reasonable quantities above the standard 3.4 ounces allowed for all passengers. A standard sippy cup is probably enough to get you through your whole travel day.

2. Schedule the Flight Around Nap Time

This is one of my favorite tips, but I think whether or not a flight is timed well will depend on your child .

For some toddlers, the sound of the airplane in flight works like white noise and helps them sleep. But as they get older and are more alert for longer periods of time, the excitement of a new adventure might energize them enough to try and stay awake for longer than you expect.

In this case, scheduling a flight around nap time won’t matter. But for a first flight with a 1-year-old, it’s worth a try. If you find that your child didn’t stick to the schedule, you won’t have to worry about it next time. We live and we learn.

For long-haul flights, I recommend scheduling a red-eye flight to your destination and skipping the last nap before the flight . The reason for this is that the cabin is dimmed along with the white noise of the plane. I’ve never met a traveling child that could resist the urge to fall asleep under those conditions. Hopefully, they’ll be tired enough to sleep through the entire flight.

3. Bring New Toys and Activities

At 1 year old, your toddler will likely be awake for at least part of your flight, so you’ll want to have something to occupy them. Tablets are an easy go-to, but understandably, some parents won’t want to introduce screen time at this age, or at all. But if you do decide to go with a tablet loaded with movies, TV shows, or games, be sure and bring along child-safe and cordless Bluetooth headphones . Child-safe headphones should remain at lower decibels to preserve their tiny eardrums.

Avoid toys that make any type of noise so as not to disturb other passengers on your flight.

Hot Tip: Keep in mind that at a year old, your child may not be able to stay engaged by 1 toy or activity for very long, so it’s a good idea to have several options.

Luckily, there are a lot of other activities that are appropriate for this age. Here are a few of my favorite ways to entertain a 1-year-old on a flight:

• Window Clings : Your toddler can stick these on the window themselves, pull them off, and repeat to their heart’s content. Another alternative is circle stickers, like what you’d find at a garage sale. Really, any sticker will work, just test out how easy they are for tiny fingers to peel off.
• Flash Cards : Even if your toddler isn’t talking yet, flash cards can be a great way to practice learning their shapes and colors. Animals and objects flash cards are also a great way to increase your child’s vocabulary.
• Books : Bring along your toddler’s favorite picture book. Pop-up books are always a hit as well. If you can, bring a book that’s age-appropriate and talks about where you’re going, what you’ll be doing, or flying on a plane.
• Play-Doh : Play-Doh is a tactile activity that lets your toddler use their hands. You can even bring plastic cookie cutters to make different shapes out of them. Clay, an alternative to Play-Doh, is a little more difficult to mold but also a worthy activity for a 1-year-old and even helps to strengthen their grip.
• Coloring Books : Again, coloring books are something that your child can do with their hands. Get the jumbo crayons that are easier to hold and choose a coloring book that has characters they recognize. You can color, too! This is a great activity to do together.
• Water Wow! Books : Water Wow! books by Melissa and Doug are awesome and were an instant hit for my kids. You fill the paintbrush with some water and let your toddler “paint” the pages of the cardboard book. There are several designs to choose from, including construction, numbers, alphabet, and animals. The best part about these is that when they dry, the color disappears so you can use them over and over again.

In addition to the activities above, be sure to include items that are brand new to your child . In fact, all of the items listed could be brand new and you could gift wrap them . It’s the novelty of the surprise that gets them excited and wanting to play with whatever the new toy is. Who doesn’t love unwrapping a gift?

4. Pack Smart

I wish that I could tell you that packing gets easier as your kids get older, but I can’t say that.

Yes, you can probably leave their 10 favorite blankets, nappies, and toys at home, but you’ll still need to pack a considerable number of items when you’re away from home. For example, I always packed 2 outfits per day that we would be away, plus a couple of extra. I didn’t plan to change my child’s clothes more than once per day, but we all know that stuff happens .

I would also bring an extra top for myself on travel days in case that stuff happened on me.

Your 1-year-old likely has at least 1 pair of shoes and might need a coat (and sweaters depending on the weather at your destination), gloves, and beanies. Clothes only get bigger along with your child and consequently take up more room in your luggage.

Packing cubes have been a dream for both packing compactly as well as organizing my family’s bags. We each have our own set of cubes in different colors and I roll whole outfits together to save time when we’re getting dressed in the morning .

Rolling outfits works best for the kids’ clothes since my and my husband’s clothes are too big to roll together like this. This trick also helps me avoid over- or underpacking because I always know what’s meant to go with what.

Once we arrive at our accommodations, I leave the clothes in the packing cubes and just put them into the dresser drawers. Packing cubes have immensely simplified the way I organize and pack for my family.

5. Go With the Flow

I wish I had a dollar for everything that didn’t go according to plan since I started to travel with my family.

Flight delays and cancellations , lost items, cranky kids, and more, will inevitably happen to you. One of my children almost always catches a cold 2 weeks before a long-haul flight. We even ended up in a clinic in Amsterdam on our first family trip to Europe and returned home with ear infections (yes, the whole family).

When you go with the flow of each day, it allows you to take each inconvenience in stride instead of letting it ruin or make you regret your whole trip. Traveling with children requires patience and grace with them as well as yourself, especially when it comes to how you plan your days.

You can’t pack each day with museum visits, tours, and other activities when traveling with small children. They simply don’t have the stamina to keep up and will let you know when they’ve had enough.

Schedule your activities around their nap times to maximize your experience together and to better ensure a good mood from your little one.

We can only plan so much and the rest is out of our control. Temper your expectations and you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation with your 1-year-old.

Traveling with a 1-year-old is different than traveling with a younger baby, but not always in a bad way. It’s true that traveling with babies younger than a year old is easier because they sleep more often, are easier to transport, and are overall more amenable to most situations. But traveling with an older toddler can also be more fun for you.

If you plan accordingly — while saving room for things you can’t control — and follow at least some of the tips outlined above, I trust that you’ll have a great travel experience when flying with a 1-year-old.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep a 1-year-old calm on a plane.

If your child is particularly anxious or energetic at any point during the flight, give them their favorite toy that usually calms them down. A pacifier or a bottle is great during takeoff and landing, especially for helping with inner ear pressure. Their favorite stuffed animals, blanket, or book are additional comfort items you could try.

What can you do if your baby cries on a plane?

You know your child best and what usually calms them down, so start with what you know.

Some other tips to try: shushing while rocking, walking the aisle when the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is off, and good old-fashioned distractions usually help. Alternatively, ask yourself the classic question: is my baby tired, hungry, or wet?

How can you relieve ear pressure for a baby when flying?

During takeoff and landing, you want to make sure that your child is swallowing to avoid or alleviate ear pressure. The best way to do this is to give them a pacifier or bottle. Snacking may also work.

Where do you change diapers on a plane?

There are changing tables in the lavatory located on airplanes. Unfortunately, not every plane has changing tables in the lavatories.

Was this page helpful?

About Ashley Onadele

Ashley discovered a love for travel in college that’s continued as her family has grown. She loves showing parents how they can take their families on trips using points and has contributed to numerous publications and podcasts.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE ™

Get the  latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's  privacy policy   and  terms of service   apply.

Related Posts

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

14 Tips For Flying With A 1-Year-Old

We independently research our recommended products. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our links .

Flying with a baby can be a daunting experience for new parents (and even experienced ones).

The truth is, travelling with a baby will never be the same as your pre-baby travel heydays. But there are various tips and tricks you can use for the flight to go as smoothly as possible — for you, your baby and the passengers around you.

As a parent of a one-year-old, you may be asking yourself: “ How can I keep my 1-year-old entertained on a flight? “, “ Will my baby cope on a long-haul flight? “, “ Will they cry the whole way? ” … All valid questions!

There’s no need to panic. With some preparation and planning, flying with your baby can be a fun adventure and even an easygoing experience.

These travel tips for flying with babies will ensure your first flight goes as smoothly as possible for both you and your baby. You might even hit the jackpot and get them to sleep throughout the journey!

6. Check in online

14. keep calm and do your best, does a nappy bag count as a carry-on, final thoughts on flying with a 1-year-old, booking and other preparations, 1. check what id is needed for your infant.

While children under 16 years old do not require identification to travel within the UK, carrying your child’s birth certificate won’t hurt and will probably make the process quicker and smoother.

But if you and your little one are taking an international flight, then a passport is needed.

Leave plenty of time between your flight and getting your passport — a child’s first passport usually takes a bit longer than an adult renewal. Ideally, you won’t book your flight until you’ve received the passport.

2. Check if you can get priority boarding

Boarding a flight takes more time with a baby or child. Flying with a toddler or baby is already stressful enough, without having fellow travellers sigh as you struggle to make your way to your seats.

Should your airline offer it, take advantage of the priority boarding option. Priority boarding can help with the hassle of getting yourself and your little one on the plane and to your seats quickly before take-off.

Many airlines, including BA, will automatically offer you priority boarding if you’re travelling with an infant. Other airlines will charge you for the pleasure!

3. Consider booking a separate seat

You don’t need to book a seat for under-2s on planes but it can be difficult holding them on your lap the whole way — particularly if they’re at the wriggly stage!

An extra seat for your little one can do wonders for freeing up space while ensuring your baby is safe and comfortable — especially for long-haul flights. Of course, this will add a significant expense to your flight costs and many would consider this over-kill.

If you don’t fancy booking an extra seat, an aisle seat is the next best option so you can easily get up and down without disturbing anyone else around you. We know we’re not the only ones who have spent hours on a flight ‘walking’ up and down the aisle with our cruising pre-walker! It’s a good way to tire them out if nothing else!

Some parents like to book seats closer to the back of the plane, making it easier for you to board, make your way to the toilet, and disembark. Personally, we find the turbulence to be worse at the back so tend to go for more forward seats. Whatever works for you!

4. Consider bringing your own car seat or bassinet

If you’ve booked your baby their own seat, it may be worth bringing a travel car seat or an aeroplane bassinet to make the flight more comfortable for them.

Providing your baby with comfort and a place to fall asleep is a must on a long-haul flight. It also gives you the relief that you won’t have to hold your little one for the entire flight. And there’s the added bonus of having your car-seat with you in your destination country.

Find out with your airline if you’re allowed to bring your own car seat or bassinet on board, as some airlines may require it to be stored away. Some may even offer their own bassinets for your use.

5. Consider an overnight flight

The key to booking flights is knowing your baby’s schedule. An afternoon flight is a good option for shorter journeys if your baby’s nap time is after lunch.

For a long flight, consider booking an overnight flight. This way, your baby will know it’s bedtime and you won’t have to spend half as much time entertaining the little one.

Why stand in a long queue to check in at the airport? You already need to look after your little one and the mountain of luggage you’re taking.

Nowadays, many airlines offer online check-in or automated self-check-in kiosks for you to use. This time saving option can help you avoid any potential tantrums and stress, so take advantage of it!

Navigating the Airport and Flying With Your Baby

7. use a baby carrier.

Getting through airports can be a pain, especially when you have to look after your little one at the same time. Consider using a baby carrier for checking in and waiting around for your flight.

A major benefit of using one is you’ll be hands-free, making your commute around the airport much easier, all while your baby is safe and secure.

We’ve actually used a baby carrier on the plane as well, after take-off, as our little ones both liked to sleep in them.

8. Always pack more baby gear than you think you will need

The last thing you want to deal with is a hungry, dirty-nappied baby while flying. You can never go wrong with packing extras!

Whether you’re on a short or long flight, pack twice as much baby food, bottles, pumped breast milk, nappies, baby blankets, baby formula, and snacks as you think you might need.

You never know if your flight will be delayed or longer than expected due to weather conditions. So, be prepared with plenty of baby necessities!

9. Dress in comfortable clothes

Rule number one of flying, especially with a baby, is to dress comfortably. Flights aren’t the most comfortable, and if you and your baby are in impractical clothing, it can make the trip ten times harder.

Like you, a cold or hot baby can become fussy and irritable. So to avoid your little one throwing a wobbly, dress them in layers that you can slowly take off.

Moreover, if you’re breastfeeding, you’ll definitely want to dress extra comfortably.

10. Don’t forget spare clothing for you and baby!

If you’ve been a parent for more than a few days, you’ll know exactly why you need to pack a spare set of clothing for you and your little one.

Whether you’re in for a long or short flight, always pack an extra set of clothing for you and your baby to avoid the inconvenience of any unfortunate accidents or sickness mid-flight.

There seems to be some sort of mysterious connection between the altitude when you’re flying and baby’s bowel movements. That’s all we’re saying… 💩

11. Know when to ask for help

Always remember that should you need help on your flight, it’s there for you! This is especially true if you’re flying solo but flight attendants and even some other passengers may be able to assist if both you and your partner need an extra set of hands for whatever reason.

12. Help their ears during take-off and landing

One of the number causes of a baby crying during a flight is the popping in their ears from the change in air pressure. Sucking, feeding, or chewing helps relieve the pain and popping in their ears.

Plan feedings for take-off and landing. You can give your baby a dummy or bottle to help ease pain and prevent any crying.

13. Keep your baby busy and entertained with quiet toys

For new parents, the days of enjoying a good book or movie while on a flight are gone. Most of your time spent flying will be entertaining and caring for your baby. So always be prepared with the necessary tools for this task: toys!

The key to finding the best travel toys for babies is to stick with quiet, compact, and lightweight playthings that will bring the most joy.

To make sure you’re well-prepared to keep your little ones occupied, here are some of the best toys and distractions to bring on board:

Soft book or Toys

Soft books or your child’s favourite furry friend are great toys for entertaining your little one during a flight. Soft books have fun interactive activities that are great for sensory stimulation, keeping them thoroughly occupied.

Teething Toys

Teething toys are a go-to for keeping your little one occupied and calm throughout a flight. They can also help with air pressure changes during take-off and landing.

Most 1-year olds are still a little young to watch programmes on a tablet but, if they’re tired enough, they may just relax with one. If your baby is a fan of certain TV shows or games, tablets and phones can be your best friends. A tablet with headphones will keep your little one entertained and quiet.

Sometimes, no matter what you do, your baby will cry while flying. Just remember to stay calm! Caring for a baby is tough enough, and flying with them is no easy task. You’re doing your best, so ignore the eye rolls and sighing you may get from other passengers.

Just think about all the fun you’ll have with your little one when you land at your destination!

Baby Flying FAQs

If you are flying with slightly older kids, be sure to check out our companion guides:

• Flying with a 2-year-old
• Flying with a 3 year-old

How old does a baby have to be to fly?

The NHS generally advise that your baby be over two weeks old to fly, with some airlines insisting on the same. However, there are no standard regulations, so it’s best to always check with your airline before booking.

Some babies aged 2-7 days old can be permitted to fly, provided you have a fit-to-fly letter from your doctor.

Does a 1-year-old need a seat on a plane?

The requirement for a seat varies from airline to airline but most carriers in the UK allow under 2s to fly while sat on an adult’s lap. Always confirm with your airline on the requirements before booking.

Can you bring a car seat on a flight?

Most airlines allow you to take a car seat and pram in the hold for free. However, in many cases, car seats are only allowed on board if you’ve booked a separate plane seat for your infant and intend to secure the car seat into it.

To avoid being caught out by extra costs or restrictions, always check with your airline regarding their carry-on policies for car seats and prams before booking.

Do babies’ ears hurt when flying?

Noise levels and cabin pressure can affect your baby’s ears during a flight and cause them pain, particularly during take-off and landing.

A few ways to reduce this for your 1-year old include:

• Getting them to suck on something — a dummy, bottle or a breast if still breastfeeding
• Distraction — try them with headphones and their favourite show on a tablet or phone

In some cases, airlines will allow some extra carry-on baggage if you’re travelling with babies. This allowance may include a nappy bag, but it’s always worth finding out beforehand.

Rules and regulations may vary by airline and whether you travel domestically or internationally.

So before you book, check your airline’s policy details closely. Moreover, if you buy a seat for your baby rather than have them sit on your lap, the seat will automatically come with its own baggage allowance.

With good preparation and planning in place, managing your little one on a plane is not as terrible and intimidating as it may seem!

From take-off to landing, focus on your baby and make them as comfortable as possible. There are many family-friendly airlines that are primed and ready to make the experience enjoyable for you and your little one.

While flying with a 1-year-old can be tough and require a lot of your energy, it’s well worth it in the end. And remember, you’re probably not alone! Another fellow parent may be on board with their little one, who equally understands your efforts.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Sarah Blackwell

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Toddler Trips: UK Family Travel Blog

Lytchett House, Unit 13, Freeland Park Poole, Dorset, England BH16 6FA

Email: [email protected]

About Our Site

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Terms of Service

Affiliate Disclosure

Family Activities

Family Farm Parks

Kid Theme Parks

Toddler Travel Gear

Our Packing List

Toddler Luggage

Travel Cots

Fun Travel Toys

UK Days Out

Copyright 2024 - Toddler Trips

ToddlerTrips.co.uk is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.

We sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. This doesn't cost our readers a penny, but helps to keep the site running! Thanks for your support. :)

• About the Blogger
• About the Globetrotters
• Community Groups
• Privacy Policy
• PR & Media Inquiries
• Guest Opportunities
• Giveaways & Offers

• Best Destinations
• Explore My City
• Australia & Oceania
• Middle East
• Pregnancy Travel
• Baby Travel
• Toddler Travel
• Tween & Teen Travel
• Theme Park Travel
• Travel Health
• Travel Photography
• Flying with Kids
• Beach Vacation
• Camping, Hiking & Outdoor Adventures
• Travel Toys
• Baby Travel Gear
• Toddler Travel Gear
• Outdoor Gear
• Airline Reviews
• Accommodation Reviews
• Attraction Reviews
• Book Reviews
• Travel Gifts
• Packing Lists
• Expat Life Blog
• Expat Money Matters
• Global Parenting Interviews
• Expat Entrepreneurs
• Family Life in Abu Dhabi
• Booking Tools

Blog , Product Reviews

20+ travel toys for a 1-year-old: entertainment for road trips and long flights.

Keeping your infant entertained on your next vacation

I won’t deny that one-year-olds can be one of the most difficult ages to travel with (ok, for parents!) especially flying! They are still so tiny but wriggly and active and unsure of what is happening around them; they are not quite a toddler but beyond a baby .

How on earth do you entertain your one-year-old while you’re travelling?

There are plenty of great one-year-old toys, but for this age group, they are often large, clunky, interactive (i.e. noisy!) and not particularly luggage friendly!  You really do need to consider a separate set of portable plane and travel toys for 1-year-olds. 

Other than our baby travel essentials , here we’re going to talk you through over 20 great ideas on what you should be packing to entertain a 1-year-old while travelling – our big focus is on being road trip and flying friendly toys.

This post is part of our tried and tested travel gear series – don’t forget to also check out our baby travel advice home page

Buckle buster, finger puppets, classic baby beads, cute character snack cup.

• Lamaze Plush Puzzle Toy

Sensory Fidget Toys

Learn to dress monkey, felt quiet books, stacking cups, tissue pouch toy, board books, soft activity book, chunky crayons, magnetic drawing board, fubbles bubbles, sand toy kit, toy safety straps, what 1-year-old toys should i leave at home, more tips for baby travel.

If your child is slightly older, don’t miss our post best travel toy ideas for a 2-year-old . 

As an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission from qualifying purchases made from this page.

The Best Travel Toys for a 1-year-olds

The most difficult thing about this age group is their propensity to want to either a) insert everything they find into their mouth or b) throw it on the floor! 

Therefore, finding travel toys for 1-year-olds that are made for chewing is great, but also look for items that are easy to clean and not too small so you can find them if they fall into a small confined space! 

Here’s our selection of the best travel toys that have stood the test of time with our 1-year-olds.

Buckle Toys Buster is ideal for travel as he folds up quite small and is great for those fine motor skills and problem-solving.

There are six different clasps and buckles, allowing for several different activities. Buster also has many colourful pals these days, some bulkier than others, but all offer great opportunities for your tot to work on their hand-eye coordination while keeping them occupied on the move.

An interactive fun way to play along with kids is  finger puppets .  They definitely fit well into the portable category, much smaller than most soft toys but not too tinee tiny that you will lose them under a plane seat!

These are the best toys for one-year-olds in any situation, as there are plenty of imaginative games you can make up—and worst case, if they simply end up in your tot’s mouth, it’s not the end of the world!

Manhattan Toys Classic Baby Beads  are a baby essential from this maker of unique educational toys ( do check out the  full Manhattan toys range   – we ended up with a toy box full of their stuff we loved them so much! )

The beads are solid wood but portable, and the rattle is fun but not an overpowering noise it won’t annoy your neighbours on a plane. It’s great to see young toddlers through the  teething stage , and also perfect for those fine motor skills.

We all know just how important it is to keep little bellies satisfied, whether it’s at home or on the move. And we all know how quickly kids knock these things over?

Cue the latest generation of infant snack cups from Skip Hop that are not only designed with an (almost) spill-proof lid; they come in some cute and fun designs too that will only add to the enjoyment factor of snack time – hence we include in here amongst our favourite travel toys for 1-year-olds as they have definitely been a saviour in the past for quick and easy toddler entertainment – two birds and all that.

Lamaze Activity Spiral

Have we mentioned before how much we love Lamaze products? Their activity spiral is an absolute beauty and the perfect travel toy for a 1-year-old.

With all the sensory pieces that we love above Lamaze, it is easily attached to your tot’s infant seat, ideal for long road trips.

A reluctant inclusion as I truly hate any baby travel toy that makes an irritating sound – if it’s annoying me, it’s got to be annoying others around me too – but car keys really are one of those wonderful reality toys that infants simply can’t get enough of, perfect for long car rides.

No losing your own keys mid-journey, these B.Toys Funky Toy Keys are super easy to fit into any diaper bag and a sure-fire quick win for teething tots – even if just a little noisy, they are the closest to ‘the real thing’!

These simple plastic contraptions have taken the world by storm! Even since my bubs have grown into tweens , they STILL love these sensory toys .

The small but satisfying pops and different textures are a great way to keep fingers busy in a way that’s non-disruptive to other passengers.

Bonus if you can find a fidget toy with a suction cup , too, for on-the-go; they can easily be placed on windows, an airplane tray table, and even bathing; a sensory toy is perfect for a 1 year old when travelling.

Learn to dress mo n key is a wonderfully loveable teddy that comes with 11 different activities for small hands, from ties to zips and buttons. A guaranteed entertainer and perfect for long flights, he’s pretty loveable and cuddly too.

Also comes in Learn to Dres s Kitty if you are after different designs, a great toy for travel and at home.

Felt Quiet Books are a fabulous baby entertainer and make the perfect travel toy for 1-year-olds in any situation.

Young children can independently explore with a variety of different scenes to choose from. All the parts attach to the quiet book, so no missing spare parts, and no problem if it ends up in their mouth as it’s machine washable.

Such a simple but vital travel toy. We never went anywhere without our stacking cups – in fact, I’d argue these were our favourite travel toys!

Because they so stack away so small, they’re an easy grab-and-go item, and most importantly, we have been able to double these up as a portable bath toy and a baby beach toy on the go, too – these should be in every family travel bag!

Hands up whose infant LOVVVVVVES pulling tissues out of the box? OK, any infant worth their grit in cookie crumbs will work out this is a fake next to the real thing, but the My Tissue Pouch Travel Toy is as close as it can get to the real thing for this super fun baby activity!

With 11 brightly coloured, machine washable and totally reusable ’tissues’, plus a fun character packet to play with, this will surely gain you 5 minutes of peace on long road trips with your 1-year-old, right?!

We will always throw in at least one set of board books traveling with babies and toddlers.

They’re great travel toys as they’re small enough to slip a different one in your diaper bag or carry on each time you leave the house and pretty robust against little fingers and searching teeth!

Another great book option for a one-year-old is a soft activity book.

The MAMMA Kiddie soft activity book is a great travel toy for a 12-month-old as it comes with lots of added extras, including sensory touches that are chewable and bead counters. It’s still super light, so an easy carry-on bag inclusion for your one-year-old.

As your baby transitions to the toddler years, colouring games are great, but finding the right sort of product is tough.

We love the chunky crayons by Honeysticks – completely infant safe made from Beeswax and easy to grip in those sweet chubby little hands, an ideal travel tour for 18 month old.

Is your infant ready for a car seat travel tray? As infants progress to toddlers, they may benefit from having a good surface to eat and play on on long car journeys especially – see all our favourite car seat trays here!

Another super portable toy that’s not too chunky for travel is a magnetic drawing board, best from 18 months+. Always best not to go too cheap in design for these products – and not too many ‘extras’ that can go missing.

We like the design of Fly2Sky Magnetic drawing board as it has a sealed back to prevent scratching, and it’s small enough to still slip into a carry-on.

This one is not for you to hand to your one-year-old unsupervised, but more an emergency piece of kit that every travelling parent should have handy!

Be it making a roadside stop and getting your little one to stretch their legs, or when you’re waiting for rides at an amusement park, a quick bubble blow is an INSTANT crowd pleaser! – be warned, though, other kids will always want to join in!!!

We like Little Kids Fubbles No Spill Bubbles , which are much less messy than larger novelty wands if it’s for travel. (NB, obviously this includes liquid, so not a good one for the plane – but it’s one of our favorite camping toys for toddlers )

This was another reluctant inclusion as we know it can be a little bulky for travel – we’re hardly suggesting this will work for the plane – but no beach vacation with the kids is complete without your very own sandcastle!

From activity moulds to a watering can, you’ll want some sort of beach activity kit if you’ll be travelling anywhere with sand; these are the best travel toys for 1-year-olds on a beach vacation.

We share more beach toy ideas for toddlers over here!

Last but not least, we’d be remiss at this point not to introduce you to the sheer genius of Toy safety straps .

No more dropped pacifiers on the plane floor or sippy cups that have fallen in the seat well at your child’s feet. Anything that you can strap on – do! These work great for all types of toys with a loop that can be locked into any of your 1-year-old travel toys.

These are items that we have either had bad experiences with or, for the sake of safety or commonsense, we do not recommend using as a travel toy for one year olds:

Tablets/iPads – I won’t deny that I’ve let my kids use our devices from a pretty young age. But not all the time, and certainly not on the plane. The main reason is the best younger kids’ apps tend to be noisy, and a one-year-old is not for keeping headphones on. Save the screen time and toddler apps for at least 2+.

Playdoh – there, I said it. I’m going to have some haters shouting NOOOOOO!! But sorry, this one is on my banned travel toy list!! Some love it, but it’s icky, messy and ends up everywhere, but where you want it (mashed under fingernails, smushed into the airplane seat), you get the picture. At your peril.

Reusable Stickers – these are still really a bit too small and chewable for the one-year-old age group and they may not yet have the fine motor skills for peeling, leading to frustration. Felt books are the best alternative for this age.

Musical instruments – no matter how much they love these at home, loud, noise-making toys on a plane or transport with others is a big no-no.

Jigsaws – again, these may be favorite toys at home, but too many items have been lost down the side of a seat over the years. I recommend this as a good travel toy.

Shape sorter – for much the same reason as jigsaws. We love the hand-eye coordination aspect and won’t deny that they’re great toys for 1-year-olds, but with small pieces that can easily get lost, they don’t make our best travel toys list.

Novelty Suitcases – sorry folks, one is waaaay too young for these!! When they reach at least 2, you can start introducing their own cute independent toddler backpacks with a harness , but I would wait until at least 3 or 4 before trying ride on or wheeled luggage for kids.

Leave us a comment below if there are any other one-year-old travelling favourites you think we should add to our list! (or something that should definitely be left off!!)

Search Different Age Groups

Toys for 2-year-olds

Toys for 3-year-olds

Toys for 4-year-olds

Toys for 5-year-olds

Are you new to travelling with a baby , or would you like some more pointers and advice to make your first trip run smoothly? We recommend you also pop over to these pages:

• Our very best baby travel advice
• Safety, essential gear and tips & hacks you will want to know road tripping with a baby
• 10 baby travel essentials for every journey
• How to tackle your very first baby flight
• Are you ready for a camping trip with a baby?
• How to fly with a baby once they no longer fit the baby bassinet
• Do I really need a travelling high chair?
• Best pop-up sunshades for babies and toddlers at the beach
• Best lightweight strollers for travel (that can even fit on the plane)
• The best infant sleep solutions on the go

Bookmark this page or save it to Pinterest for later

Disclosures: We are participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can read our full disclosure policy here.

© Our Globetrotters | Feature Images CanvaPro

Like it? Share it!

2 thoughts on “ 20+ Travel Toys For A 1-Year-Old: Entertainment For Road Trips And Long Flights ”

My 1 year old son loves Melissa & Doug Take-Along Shape Sorter. I gave it to him to keep him busy on his first plane ride. The shapes are of good quality and a good variety. I was worried that it would be too difficult for him in such many shapes, but he caught up in no time. It’s easy to move, overall, he loves it! I would definitely recommend it to others. It is made of excellent quality materials and will keep your child entertained.

So glad you enjoyed it, it’s definitely a winner travel toy.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Road Trip With a 1 Year Old: A Handy Guide

• Date: July 18, 2022
• Time to read: 5 min.

Traveling in the car is a great way to vacation with a one year old! It can be tricky, but I got all the tips and tricks you need!

Plan to Stop every 2 hours, pack a variety of snacks and travel during nap times to make the trip go as smoothly as possible. Plan stops where babies can walk around and get in some exercise. Pack the essentials in arm’s reach to make stops easier. 

When you are traveling with a 1 year old I like to keep a diaper basket under the seat. Keep diapers, wipes, diaper cream and a changing mat in this basket so that you can quickly grab everything for a diaper change. 

Older babies can enjoy some toys on a road trip as well. Pack some books, small toys and snacks in another basket that is in easy reach. 

Stopping every 2-3 hours is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to help prevent positional asphyxia. This can happen when babies slouch down in their car seats and stop breathing. 

This happens more often in younger babies, but it can happen in older babies if they get themselves in a weird position and cannot get out of it. 

As a general rule, you should have an adult ride next to the baby to monitor their breathing and their comfort. 

Be careful when offering snacks on the road and be sure that you monitor the baby if they are eating to ensure they are not choking. 

Be sure to slow down and enjoy the trip. Traveling with a baby has it’s own pace and it may take some getting used to, but slowing down will make the trip much less stressful. 

Spend an extra night at the hotel, make an extra bathroom stop, slow down and embrace the trip. 

Packing for a 1 Year Old 

When you are packing for your one year old I recommend that you pack 2 extra outfits per 5 days of your trip , and be sure to have a plan if you need to do laundry. 

Eating habits can change on vacation and that can result in some messy outfits. 

Be sure to pack your regular brand of diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream. This can avoid a painful rash or allergic reaction while away from home. 

Choose engaging toys for travel times when your baby is awake and ready to play.

I have a packing for kids guide that might be helpful when you are making your packing list and organizing all the little outfits. There are some free printable checklists included in the linked post.

Great Road Trip Toys for a 1 Year Old

A 1 year old may be distracted by some well chosen toys on your road trip. 

These are the best, low mess, solutions that have worked for our family on 10+ hour road trips. 

Small board books are a great toy for the car. We love big sets of small books like the linked set, and classics in small board book form. 

Corduroy , We’re Going On a Bear Hunt , and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? have all been winners with my babies. I often find these at local thrift stores. 

Reading these to babies can be a great distraction on a long stretch of driving. 

When you need a sure fire distraction bubbles can be really special in the car. Choose a bottle that fits in the cupholder to keep the mess down. 

If you have responsible older kids this can also be fun for them to blow bubbles for the baby. 

Magnet toys are great for the car and they stay contained very well!

We enjoy magnet blocks like Magna Tiles . Just 2-3 blocks are really fun for a 1 year old. They also rattle when they are shaken, which is fun for a baby as well. 

Light Up Toys 

If you will be traveling at night, a light up toy can be super engaging. 

Simple toys like a small flashlight, a puck light, or glow sticks can be magical in a dark car. 

I know that my kids love traveling at night because it is such a new experience and the light up toys are just magical even for my 7 year old. 

Tips for a Traveling Alone With a Baby

I recommend that you travel with two adults whenever possible, but I know that sometimes you must travel on your own with a baby. 

I love a good adventure and this is what I have learned by traveling alone with my babies. 

Stop Frequently

You should plan to stop every 2 hours or less. This gives you time to check in on the baby and to be sure that they have what they need. 

This also gives you a chance to feed and change the baby. 

Mirrors that allow you to see your baby can be helpful, or a deadly distraction, consult your pediatrician about installing a mirror. 

Pack snacks and drinks for both of you in case you need to change plans suddenly. 

Be sure to pack any special foods that your baby needs, formula, snacks or medicine should be well stocked. Don’t forget mom’s favorites too, pack substantial snacks and cold drinks in the cooler. 

Having everything you need just feels good and makes you feel more secure. 

If you don’t feel comfortable stopping or your baby is sleeping you can choose to keep rolling and eat out of the cooler. 

I always think of my car like Mary Poppins carpet bag, or Herminone’s purse. Full of everything we could possibly need. Magically prepared. 

Be Sure To Rest

Drowsy driving is really dangerous and traveling alone with kids is exhausting. 

Be sure you are getting enough sleep to safely drive. Caffeine can help for a short time, but if you find yourself getting tired, plan to stop. 

The biggest tip I have for you is to go slowly. Do one thing at a time and try to be intentional. 

For example, be sure to put the keys in your pocket before leaving the car to unbuckle the baby, be sure to change diapers at each stop and double check buckles before you start driving. 

There are so many little things to do and check it is easy to forget and become overwhelmed. 

Rushing can make things much more stressful. 

When I travel with my husband he loves to rush and do things quickly, but I have to go slow or we will regret it later. 

Don’t be embarrassed by your pace if you are with a group of kid free companions. Focus on mindfulness and be present in each task. 

• What Is a Good Budget For A Family Road Trip?
• Can you Drive Over Hoover Dam? Cost, times and details

Previous Post

11 Trips To Make Your Road Trip More Affordable

Why do road trips make me so hungry.

Related Posts

Making Travel a Family Tradition: How to get the time and money.  

So, we all have dreams. When we are in a family the dreams can be difficult to manage. It feels like you have to pick one, your dream life or your family.  I want to encourage you that you can still travel as a family and you should.  You want to give your children those…

The Ultimate Packing List for a Toddler Beach Vacation

Family beach vacations are a great choice for family vacation, and packing the right things can make the trip smooth with your toddler.  We take a lot of road trips with our family of 6, and we often take spontaneous trips. The way to pack for these trips quickly is to pack in categories! Packing…

How To Pack Baby Formula On A Road Trip: 11 Hacks

Traveling with a baby can require a lot of packing, and with formula there are a few ways to make packing easier and less stressful.  These 11 tips from seasoned road trip mamas can make the trip a lot easier, cleaner and less stressful. 1. Pack All You’ll Need Pack enough formula for the whole…

57 hacks for traveling with a baby/toddler on long-haul flights

You want to travel on a long haul flight of about 6.5hr for business or to go see some relatives.

Hey! By the way… any links on this page that lead to products on Amazon are affiliate links and I earn a commission if you make a purchase. Thanks in advance – I really appreciate it! .

You have a baby or a toddler you need to take along.

You are worried. You don’t know how your little one will behave on the flight.

You’ve witnessed some scenarios where kids cried on planes and the embarrassment and dirty looks moms of such kids received.

You just don’t want to be in that situation.

I understand your fears.

Traveling with a baby/toddler on long-haul flights can be a daunting task. Just thinking about the journey can make your heart race. This is because it is difficult to control babies and toddlers on a flight. But if your family is international, it means flying is a large part of keeping in touch with family members or if your job involves a lot of traveling, you may need to go with your baby. But you don’t have to panic, especially when some people are not warm to screaming kids on a plane.

Whether you are planning to take your 10-month-old baby, a 1 year or two-year-old toddler on long-haul flights, you can make it enjoyable and memorable. Below are 100 hacks for traveling with a baby to help you out.

But before then, let’s take a look at “ when can babies fly long-distances “. Because a lot of parents are not sure when to take their babies on a long haul flight.

How soon can you travel with a newborn?

Many people want to know when the right time to travel with a newborn child is. The truth is, if the baby is healthy, you can travel at two days old. However, some airlines stipulate two weeks old, which is also good, especially for first time moms.  So check with your doctor and your airline to make sure you can travel with your baby.

If your baby is born prematurely, count from the date the baby was supposed to be born to know when to travel. For instance, if you gave birth to the baby at 8 months old. Ensure that the baby is at least 1 month+ before you travel.

If you deliver your baby through the caesarian section, it will take you about a month and two weeks to travel. You can also check with your doctor to ensure everything is okay before you travel.

It is good to wait for a few weeks before flying to ensure that you understand your baby before you fly together.

Can a 2-month-old baby travel on a plane?

Like it is discussed above, you can fly with your babies, however, it is not fun. Especially for a 2-month-old on a plane. But some parents have cogent reasons to travel. This stage of their lives is laden with unpredictable sleeping and nap schedules. They can be fussy or colic at any time and it is hard on parents and other passengers alike, especially if it a long haul flight.

If you are a first time mom, it is likely that you become stressed and you may still be recovering from childbirth. But not to worry, the hacks below will help to make the trip less tiring, endurable and enjoyable. Lol.

Flying with a newborn before vaccinations

You need to take precautions while flying with a newborn before vaccinations. In fact, you may need to avoid going to the part of the world where they can be exposed to diseases they are too young to get vaccinations for. For instance, babies younger than 2 months cannot take anti-malaria tablets and babies less than 6 months cannot receive vaccination against yellow fever.

So if you are concerned with traveling with a newborn before vaccinations, it is better you delay your trip after the first round of vaccines the baby will take when it is two months old. The baby will be vaccinated against diseases such as Tetanus, Pertussis, diphtheria, Pneumococcus, Polio, etc.

After you take the first round of the vaccines for your baby at two months old, it will take about 2 weeks for the baby’s body to produce all the antibodies in response to the vaccinations to create the protection.

So, ideally, you would want to wait until the baby is around 3 months before you can fly if you are concerned about the baby’s vaccinations and health.

Let’ get started with the hacks for traveling with a baby. I will start with the things you need to pack for the long haul flight for you and the baby.

What to pack for a long haul flight with baby

Now you know what to pack for long-haul flights. Let’s look at the things you need to do before the flight.

• Pack some bottles of freshly pumped breast milk or formula
• Pack two shirts for yourself, you will need it.
• Take along a copy of your baby’s birth certificate. Some airlines request for it to prove your infant is yours.
• Pack your baby carrier. It is easy to walk through the security wearing your baby. It will help you skip most security checks like the x-ray machine, metal detector and the rest of it.
• Get a luggage dolly. It will help you get your car seat through the airport.
• Get a wine bag to help you organize the stuff you want to easily access on the plane.
• Get spill -proof travel mugs for drinks on the flight. Because of the baby, your drinks may spill during the flight, you don’t want that to happen.
• Get a pacifier for your child. It will be useful during the flight.
• Get a separate diaper purse to make it easy to change your baby’s diaper on the plane.
• Get a travel bassinet to use on the airplane or check with the airport if there is one available for kids.
• Get a car seat like the CARES harness because it is easy to carry and your baby can settle easily in it and even sleep through the flight.
• Get a Snap and go strollers for travel lightweight if your child is not old enough to sit still with you.
• Get a kid iPad to keep your toddler busy loaded with educational apps and movies your kids enjoy
• Pack a diaper bag filled with diapers, disinfectant wipes, diaper cream, breast milk, a change of dress for the baby, socks, baby bottle, disposable baby bottle liners,
• Pack a few children’s books to entertain your toddler through the flight
• Get a personal handbag where you can put your belongings like mobile chargers, passports, tickets, pens, etc.
• Pack a Ziploc with crackers and chips for the baby.
• Load your mobile phone or tablet with your baby’s favorite rhymes, videos, and apps.
• If your child is under the age of 2, take two changes of clothing for you and the baby, and a few towels.
• Get a new toy that will fascinate your baby. Also, pick one or two old toys along.
• Get a flashlight to help in overnight/late flights
• Take earplugs for yourself and an extra for the next passenger in case your child is screaming.
• Get extra Ziploc bags for used disposable diapers and soiled clothing for later laundry.
• Pack band-aids
• Get a disposable changing pad you can lie on any surface in the bathroom to change your baby diaper.
• Get a blanket or duvet. The airplane air conditioner can be cold on the long-haul flights.

Hacks for traveling with a baby: Things to do before the flight

• Call and check with the airport to know what you can check for free and what items will be charged.
• Book an airplane seat by the window if you are nursing a newborn, but the aisle if you have an active infant. You can choose the bulkhead which is the most forward part of the plane. It is much more private for breastfeeding and quieter with a lot of legroom.
• If your baby is close to 2 years, buy a seat for them. It will help the baby in case of rough turbulence in the air.
• Before leaving for the airport, dress your baby in a simple onesie that will make it easy to change the diaper . Add baby leg warmers and a layer of a sleeveless dress.
• Pack twice the number of diapers and wipes you use at home for the time between leaving the home to the airport, flying and arriving at your destination.
• Take children’s Tylenol or Motrin or whatever drugs you use for fevers, gas pills, a thermometer, etc.
• Buy travel insurance
• Pack snacks for yourself to eat during the flight.
• If you have an active toddler who wouldn’t like to sleep during the day, it is better to take a day flight when everyone is awake. But if your child loves to sleep well at night even in a strange environment, it is better to take a night flight.
• Don’t let the baby sleep for a few hours before flying. It will be easy to sleep on the flight.

Next is the list of things you need to do when you get to the airport.

Hacks for traveling with a baby: Things to do at the airport

• Arrive at the airport very early to get through the processes
• Ask for help if you need it. The TSA agents can help with your stuff while you juggle with your baby as you pass through the security.
• Search for the family bathroom in the airport to help you change your baby’s diaper as you get set for the flight.
• Use early boarding, it takes time to get everyone situated
• Use a baby carrier during the security checks to keep your hands free to carry luggage and keep the baby in control
• Most airports have a play area for children. Ask for it so your child can play and expend some energy before flying.

Next is the list of things to do during the long haul flight.

Hacks for traveling with a baby: Things to do during the flight

• Nurse during take-off and landing to relieve pressure in the baby’s ears. Flight pressure causes earache. If you are not breastfeeding, encourage your toddler to keep eating and drinking to release the pressure.        
• Take a nap when your baby is sleeping on the plane
• Be prepared for a throw up during the fight. Many parents have experienced this. So you need to keep towels handy
• Be prepared for diaper blowouts, get disposable gloves and Ziploc bags.
• Get your pacifiers handy during the ascent and descent of flight to avoid ear pain for the baby
• Order a special meal if you are flying along with your baby. You will eat while everyone else is yet to eat so that if you need your neighbor to help hold the baby, they can help.
• Be prepared to change the baby on your lap because not all planes have a diaper changing table in the bathroom.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Most people understand what it means to be a parent.
• If you are breastfeeding your baby , wear a nursing top, bra, and scarf for easy feeding on the plane. If you are not, prepare the baby’s in-flight bottle as much as you need before you board the flight.
• Don’t sweat the small stuff. If your kid is yelling, don’t be alarmed. Most people will understand.
• Take the baby for a walk along the aisle and say hi to people. Talk to flight attendants and show the baby the window to lookout.
• Don’t change the diapers in your seat, use the bathroom to do it.
• Follow the normal schedule for feeding and sleeping during the flight.
• If your baby is eating porridge or baby food – take along a bib, spoon, baby food, wipes, a thermos with hot water, and fruits.

Lastly, you made it through. Below is the last thing to do after the long haul flight.

Hacks for traveling with a baby: Things to do after the flight

• Don’t rush to disembark unless you want to join a connecting flight. Take your time.

Toddler airplane activities and how to entertain them on a flight

• You can keep your toddler busy with activities such as giving them an empty notebook and pen to write or draw.
• Some airlines have a kid’s park. Check with your airline to find out if they have activity pack on board for children
• Entertain your kids with new toys or most loved toys. Useful travel toy ideas include My Busy books, Buckle toy whale, farm in a Tin, Imaginetics magnet board, etc
• Use toddler travel games such as i-spy.scavenger hunt printable game.
• Download fun apps such as Peekaboo Barn, ACN Toddler, Mouse Maze on your tablet to keep them busy.

Download the Baby Travel checklist

• Registry checklist
• Must have baby items
• Hospital bag checklist
• Baby travel checklists

The truth about traveling with Babies

Traveling with a baby is hard work. There’s no doubt about that.

But you can make it harder when you travel with no prior preparations as enumerated above.

Prepare by getting the needful baby essentials that will make the journey easier for you and the baby.

Imagine you follow all the tips above.

You boarded the flight and your baby behave perfectly well.

Sure, you will love it.

Traveling with kids can be fun when you have the right things at hand.

It is time to enjoy long haul flights with your baby using the hacks for traveling with a baby.

Click here to download the Baby Travel Checkist in PDF

About The Author

Hephzy Asaolu

35 Baby Travel Tips | Infant to 1-Year-Old + Minimalist Baby Packing List

I have been working on this guide for a year. This is all of the knowledge I’ve accumulated from traveling with Eula during the first year of her life. Before her first birthday she’d been on over 40 flights and to at least 10 countries. I lose exact count, to be honest. We’ve dealt with sickness on the road, jet lag, packing, blow outs, missed flights, you name it. And it’s all been fine. After over a year of traveling with a baby I can say with complete honesty that it’s totally worth it and totally doable.

Yes, it’s harder. Of course it’s freaking harder. Not having a baby vs. having a baby. You do the math. But it’s not that hard. When it is hard just remember, this too shall pass. Have a relaxed, what happens happens attitude. No flight ever lasted forever, no crying spell either, no cold, no jet lag. If you’re the sort of person that would get totally freaked or exhausted or just generally not enjoy yourself over a crappy night’s sleep or on the road inconvenience, then maybe it isn’t the life for you.

But if you’re reading this, I’m guessing you value travel, and in that case, it’s worth it. Totally. Babies love to watch the world go by, and ours was always happiest on the move and meeting new people. Keep reading below for my tips & experiences, packing list, a list of favorite gear, and for photos of Eula’s first year growing up on the road! Keep in mind, what worked for us won’t work for everyone, but this is what we did.

Table of Contents

35 Tips for Travel with a Baby Under 1 Year Old

Get the bassinet on long haul flights & an aisle seat at the front of the plane on shorter flights., when can baby safely travel, take as little baby gear as possible., wear your baby., pack light., don’t travel with a lifetime supply of diapers., breastfeed if you can., rent a car with a carseat when you can., not renting a car take the train., eat dinner early., look into local baby sitter or nanny services for date nights or other baby free times., know when to call it., priority boarding, security, and customs: use them with impunity, protocol for going through security varies by airport,  ask for a crib at the hotel or airbnb., rain noise and other sounds on your phone., dave and ava, magic fingers, musical hands: baby show app & baby games apps for phone or ipad., trash can be toys, babies need passports too, even when flying with infant in arms, sometimes there’s a fee., have travel insurance and know where to find the local doctor / emergency room at your destination., blow outs. they happen., on that note…do laundry while on the road., there are huge benefits to traveling with a baby under 1, baby jetlag is real, but you can cope if you plan for it and mentally accept it., gate check strollers and car seats., there are pros and cons to both hotels and airbnb’s/apartments., don’t worry too much over the “nap schedule”., request an empty seat next to you on the plane., be smart and clean, but let the germaphobia go the older they get., you can change a diaper anywhere., babies don’t need a ton of baths, and sinks & buckets work fine., easy flights are worth spending a little more on if you can afford to., move around less., introducing food at 6 months on the road, a bit of our experience..

Eula actually clocked in 6 months old in Morocco, and we waited to let her try solids until Paris just because we didn’t want to take any chances with food born illness. Now at 13 months, I happily let her nibble off of my street food here (I’m writing this from my friend Emma’s flat in Marrakech!) Once we did introduce food, we let her try things at her own pace and we really let local norms guide us. If local children ate it, we let her eat it. I still avoid giving her raw foods (like salad) in countries where the water isn’t very clean because not only is the food not cooked to kill bacteria, it’s washed in the water. That said, I make an exception for fruit with skins and things that can be peeled.

Minimalist Baby Packing List

The diaper bag + carry on packing list.

• Baby Carrier – see the gear list below for faves
• Extra Clothes  – for everyone, mom & dad include — babies blow out, enough said (this was a bigger problem 4-7 months, after which it pretty much stopped)
• Extra Sling – we use a more structured carrier but carry a cloth sling like a Solly Wrap as a back up (in case of blow out emergency) because it’s compact.
•   “Toys” – something amusing for baby, we usually carried a *very* few items that we knew would amuse her and used found objects as the rest (can’t get away with pretending trash is a toy forever, so might as well while you can!)
• Blanket  – handy to cover them up when sleeping on long haul flights or to give them a spot to sit on the floor (I don’t recommend a sleep sack for this because it can be tricky to get them in it once asleep on a plane)
• Snacks – For older babies that have started solids. Fruit, yogurt, bars, all good. I never thought I’d be a pouch carrying mom, but the organic food pouches that have nothing in them but actual food and a bit off water are amazing for travel. And if they are over the 100 mL limit, security usually makes an exception for baby food. I love the brand Smowl, but I don’t know if you can get it in the states. You can probably order them online. They make baby smoothies in pouches with coconut milk, quinoa, fruit. She loves them.
• Pacifier & pacifier clip + back up
• Zip locks bags / trash bag –  for dirty diapers and soiled clothing
• Dedicated Changing Blanket –  we like the Solly swaddling blankets for this as they fold up really compact though something fluffier would probably be more comfortable/absorbant.
• Hand Sanitizer/Disinfecting Wipes –  I like the ones that smell like lavender! But anything will do.
• Stroller  – optional  We didn’t often take one when she was small but we use it more the older she gets. My recommendation is below on the gear list.
• Carseat – optional –  I would only bring this if I had to, and so far I haven’t had to, so I’ve never travelled with one. When she is older and in her own seat, we might. Whatever you do, make sure your carseat clips into your stroller. The last thing you want to do is haul a carseat around by hand. Just no. There are many adapters available that make many carseat/stroller combos compatible.

For the Suitcase  – We prefer Away Bags!

• baby safe sunscreen (if going to a sunny destination)
• small hand breast pump (for nights out!)
• a couple of glass bottles for storing and serving milk
• nose aspirator (babies are nose breathers!)
• bed of some sort 
• medical supplies – bandaids, thermometer, diaper cream, Tylenol for fever if you use it, cornstarch (instead of baby powder)
• baby clothes (jammies, outfits, bonnets, bibs, shoes, sweaters & jackets if cold)
• sleep sack or swaddler (ours never liked to be swaddled so a sleep sack keeps her from kicking blankets off and is safer for little babies)
• a few days worth of diapers & wipes
• extra blankets

My Favorite Gear

• Lenny Lamb – (we used up until about 8 months)
• Ergo Baby 360° (used 8 months+)
• Solly Wrap (used first 3 months and as back up)
• Solly Swaddle blanket (used as changing blanket)
• Fog Linen, Ellie Funday, and Willaby Clothier blankets – we travel with these 3
• Natural Pacifiers
• Wild Creek Co Pacifier Clip
• BabyZen YoYo 0+ Stroller – This is my absolute favorite stroller for travel. It folds up compact enough to fit in an overhead bin (though you can gate check it if you like), has a sizeable undercarriage, and is so easy to fold up and pop out (for a stroller anyway). Can’t recommend highly enough. You can use it from infancy with the bassinet attachment and switch to the seat once they’re big enough). It also can adapt to many carseats, and has wonderful accessories for different weather conditions like rain, cold, and sun. You may notice she’s in a Stokke Xplory in the photos, and that’s because we use it around town sometimes. But the BabyZen YoYo is it for travel.
• Nuna Pipa Carseat
• Philips Avent Glass Baby Bottles – we traveled with 2-3 of these so I would have something to store and serve milk in when I pumped for nights or lunches out when we had a sitter or during long work days
• Medela Harmony Breast Pump – compact, great. I loved this.
• NoseFrida – a lifesaver when baby has a stuffy nose!
• KidCo Peapod Tent – this has been her travel bed since she was 4 months old. It is amazing, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. So light weight and compact. And so much easier than lugging around a pack n’ play. Plus you can pop it at the airport, beach, anywhere! It’s just a great little baby tent.
• Away Suitcases – the best. Choose the size that best suits your needs. Now that we have the baby and because of my work gear we usually travel with 2 carry-ons or 1 carry-on and the medium sized one. In addition to that we have 2 camera/laptop backpacks and my purse/diaper bag.
• Jet Kids Bed Box – okay, I don’t have this. And I didn’t need it because we don’t purchase a seat for her yet. But when we do, I’m definitely going to get this. It’s a suitcase that turns into a freaking bed on a plane for a baby. I can’t say 100% if it’s awesome because I haven’t tried it, but it *sounds* awesome and certainly looks to be.
• In the Pocket Baby Seat – I’ve also never tried this but someone recommended it in the comments and it looks great! Thanks Camilla!

My name is Beth, Elizabeth Evelyn to be exact. A native Tennessean, I was born in the South.

I am the author behind Local Milk Blog.

Local milk is a journal devoted to home cookery, travel, family, and slow living—to being present & finding sustenance of every kind.

It’s about nesting abroad & finding the exotic in the everyday.

Most of all it’s about the perfection of imperfections and seeing the beauty of everyday, mundane life.

Flying with Toddlers: 20 Tips For a Stress-Free Flight

Sharing is caring!

Table of Contents

20 TIPS FOR FLYING WITH A TODDLER

It can be a challenge to fly with toddlers, especially when they are not sleeping. That is why we have compiled some tips for parents who need to fly with their toddlers. Not only will these tips make flying with your toddler easier, but they’ll also help your little one fall asleep on the plane.

Disclosure: Kindly be aware that certain links provided below may be affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It’s important to note that I am an Amazon Associate and earn from qualifying purchases. For the comprehensive disclosure statement, please click here .

After nearly 50 flights, we have some helpful suggestions on how to keep your toddler entertained while you’re in the air. Our son has been traveling since he was 8-weeks-old, so we’ve learned a few hacks along the way.

This post will give you all the information that you need so that you can make your flight as smooth as possible!

Related Post: Best Toys to Keep Toddlers Busy on an Airplane

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

HACKS THAT’LL MAKE FLYING WITH A TODDLER EASIER

Air travel with toddlers is no joke. If you ask me, traveling with a baby is a lot easier, they don’t move around as much and haven’t learned the word “no”.

Now that we’ve started traveling again, we’ve had the interesting task of flying with a 2-year-old. Honestly, it was a lot easier flying with a 1-year-old, before he discovered running.

Now that he’s been on upwards of ten flights during the pandemic, here are our tips on how to fly with a toddler. I know it’s easier said than done, but if you follow our trips flying with your toddler will get easier.

1. Book a Direct Flight (if possible) or Opt for a Long Layover

Having direct flights makes it easier for everyone. The less you have to get off and then back on the plane, the better it is for your toddler.

If a direct flight isn’t available, I recommend a flight with a (longer) layover. You may think it sounds crazy, but I have a reason.

I know what you may be thinking. Why would I choose a long layover if flying with a toddler ? Wouldn’t that make it more difficult? The answer is no. Having a long layover gives your little one time to release energy, eat, take a nap, play, or be a kid.

It’s less stressful having a 3-hour layover than a 1-hour layover. It is hard getting your toddler packed up, deboarding the plane, getting the stroller from gate check, then racing to the next gate.

We’ve had to do it a few times, and it was not fun, well he enjoyed the running, but I didn’t. Of course, he didn’t have to do any of the hard work. He got the chance to hang out in his stroller while I ran through the airport, like a crazy lady.

Related Post: 9 Tips for Flying Budget Airlines with Kids

2. Get Your Toddler Excited About Flying

I’ve found it helpful to talk to your little one about airplanes before the trip. Every time our son hears a plane, we look in the sky to try to find it.

The more comfortable they are with airplanes, the less likely they are to be scared or bothered by the sound. It also prepares them for what’s coming if they are not frequent flyers.

Travel Books for Toddlers

Last update on 2024-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Related Post: Travel Books for Toddlers

3. Get to the Airport Early

The airport can be a confusing place, with so many lights and people everywhere. If you want to avoid any meltdown at security or on the plane, try arriving early to allow your child enough time to adjust.

Every time we go through security our son has a fit because we have to take his blanket away. You will only make yourself, and your little one more upset if you are in a hurry.

Get to the airport early, so you can take your time at security. Trust me, you will save yourself a lot of frustration and aggravation.

4. Let them Play

One of our favorite things to do before boarding a flight is to let our toddler run. He’s always full of energy, so we want him to release as much of that energy as possible.

We let him run back and forth in the terminal, take long walks through the gates, play hide & seek, and do whatever else to get him tired. He gets to release a lot of energy, and time goes faster while waiting to board the flight.

I let him walk as far as he wants and explore different terminals and gates. When we are at larger airports, he likes to get on the tram, especially in Atlanta. He has fun, and it keeps him occupied without a screen or toys.

Read More: Best Travel Beds for Toddlers

5. Bring Snacks & Drinks

One thing you do not want when flying with a toddler is for them to be angry.

Make sure you have filling foods – like macaroni and cheese bars or crackers – which are easy for little fingers but will keep their belly full. These should help keep them calm during the flight as well as reduce meltdowns because of hunger.

People ask us all the time if we can bring food, and the answer is yes. You can pack food in your carry-on or backpack and get through TSA, or any security for that matter.

Note: Make sure you pack all food together in a Ziploc bag, so if security wants to check, it’ll be easily accessible and in one place. We’ve been doing this for years, even before our son was born. We use reusable bags to pack our snacks.

Our Favorite Toddler Snacks while Traveling

6. Board the Flight Last (if you aren’t flying alone)

One of the ways we make it easier to fly with a toddler is by dividing and conquering. I know several family travel bloggers recommend boarding first when flying with a toddler, but I don’t think that is always the case. In my opinion, you should only pre-board if you are flying with a toddler by yourself.

The ultimate toddler flying tip is to divide and conquer. We want to set the tone of the flight, in the beginning, so to make it easier. One person boards the flight early, while the other continues to play with the little one.

This strategy gives the parent that is boarding time to get everything ready. My wife usually gets settled in the seats, installs the car seat, stows our bags, and gets his tablet ready.

By the time the other person gets on the airplane with the toddler, everything is ready, and he can sit down and watch PJ Masks. He is usually so tired from playing that he relaxes, eats his snacks, and watches his tablet.

7. Change their Diaper before Boarding

Changing our toddler’s diaper in the airplane lavatory is always an event. It’s too small, and our son doesn’t make it any easier by fighting us. If possible, change your little one’s diaper before boarding the plane.

Changing your toddler’s diaper with more space will keep everyone from getting frustrated and allow you and your toddler to get comfortable on the flight. Well, maybe not comfortable, but at least sitting.

Read More: 10 Reasons to Travel with Toddlers

8. Bring Headphones

Try giving children age-appropriate headphones or earphones to drown out the noise from other passengers – especially if they’re sensitive sleepers!

A good playlist is always helpful too because their minds won’t wander as much thinking about what song might come on next.

If your toddler is sensitive to noise, having toddler headphones will help drown out the noise. Even if they are not watching a screen, listening to music or a story can be helpful.

Best-Selling Headphones for Toddlers

Related Post: Best Headphones for Toddlers on an Airplane

9. Pack Toys & Activities

There are a lot of ways to keep your toddler entertained while flying . Our son is a busy body, so it can be difficult to keep his attention.

We use a lot of different things to keep him in his seat. The most convenient way of keeping him in his seat is with his tablet . Although it doesn’t always work, it usually keeps him busy for at least 45 minutes to an hour.

Another way we keep him busy with different activities for toddlers . He likes to color, paint, draw, and play with his toys.

Since we usually have the row to ourselves, we can bring different types of toys. The best travel toys for toddlers on an airplane are quiet, portable, inexpensive, and keep their attention.

Related Post: Best Travel Toys for Toddlers

10. Bring a Blanket or Jacket (Wear Layers)

It can get cold on the airplane, so bring a small blanket to keep your child warm and cozy. Your toddler is more likely to sleep if they are comfortable.

You may want to consider dressing warmer, just for the flight. Our toddler usually wears pants on the flight, even if we are going somewhere warm.

This way, he isn’t cold on the flight and keeps an extra pair of shorts in his diaper bag to change after we get off the flight.

Toddler Games/Toys: These toys should pack easily into carry-on bags:

Although we covered this briefly above, this section will go more in-depth about how to keep your toddler entertained while flying. Here are some of the things we use to make flying with a toddler easier.

• Puzzles/busy boards
• Books with simple words and pictures that your toddler knows well, like a favorite book from home
• Small toy cars or mini dolls
• Coloring pages where they can doodle their own designs (try to find paper without lines) or
• Stickers or window clings, are usually a big hit
• Sensory toys are a great way to keep an active toddler busy

Read More: Best Crayons for Toddlers

Sensory Toys for Toddlers

Tips to help your toddler sleep on an airplane

One of the ways you can make long-haul flights with toddlers easier is by getting them to sleep. Nothing’s easier than flying with a sleeping toddler.

Here are a few tips for getting your toddler to sleep while flying on an airplane.

11. A Full Stomach

Bring milk or water to drink along with snacks that contain protein. This will curb your toddler’s hunger and help them stay hydrated and sleepy longer on the plane.

We try to avoid sugary drinks, so we usually opt for flavored water, with no added sugar. It helps keep our little guy hydrated, and he sleeps longer. We’ve started doing this at home and there was a noticeable difference in his sleeping patterns.

12. Bring Something Familiar

Pack items they are familiar with, such as their favorite toy, blanket, stuffed animal, etc., in their bag so you won’t forget them.

Our son has a blanket that he has to have to sleep on. If he doesn’t have his blanket, there is nothing but crying all night.

Having a little familiarity will make your toddler more comfortable, which will increase the likelihood of them falling asleep on the airplane.

13. Make them Comfortable

We all know sleeping upright on an airplane is uncomfortable, so giving your little one space to stretch and lay down will make it easier for them to fall asleep.

We like to put him in the middle, so we both have access to him, and he can stretch out. If you purchased a seat for your little one, a different arrangement may work for your toddler.

I don’t recommend putting them in the window seat because it is the coldest seat in the row. Our son doesn’t like to be cold, so we avoid putting him in the window seat, but your toddler may be different.

Travel Foot Rest & Kids’ Bed

TIPS FOR PARENTS FLYING WITH A TODDLER

The tips in this section are for parents. I know you may be stressed about an upcoming flight with a toddler, but it’s not as bad as you think it will be.

If you follow our toddler flying tips, your next flight with your toddler will be easier than your last. The more you fly, the easier it will get, I promise.

Here are tips for things parents can do before flying with a toddler.

14. Stay Calm

Parents do not realize that kids pick up on their energy, so if you are anxious, your little one will be anxious. If you are relaxed, they are more likely to be relaxed.

Be confident and give your little one the benefit of the doubt. Your toddler may surprise you.

15. Interact with them

Play with your toddler while you are flying. Most of the time they are acting out because they are bored.

Imagine being a curious toddler, and being relegated to a seat on a plane for hours at a time. At least in a car, they have more space.

If you interact and engage with your 2-year-old, they are less likely to have an outburst. Activities and toys are fun but giving them attention will make them happy.

If more than one parent is flying with a toddler, take turns and interact together. You’ll be surprised how happy your toddler will be playing with both of their parents on a flight.

Read More: Fun Travel Activities for Toddlers

16. Let them be curious

There is nothing wrong with your little one being curious. Their brains are still developing, so they want to touch everything.

As long as it isn’t bothering anyone else, why not? As a parent of a stubborn toddler, I’ve learned to pick my battles. Who is it going to hurt if he is playing with the seatbelt or reading the menu?

17. Restrict access to their favorite things before the flight

One of the hacks we do before flying with a toddler is restricting his access to some of his favorite shows and toys. Since he loves the Minions and PJ Mask, we do not allow him to watch the show for 4 – 5 days before the flight.

We do this so he is excited to watch the show or movie on the flight, so he’ll more likely to pay attention to it, although he’s seen it 2394 times.

You can use this technique with a toy. We usually pack his favorite toys a few days before the flight, so when he gets to play with them during the flight, he’s more excited and will play with them longer. Although it isn’t full proof, it’s been working when we fly with our 2-year-old.

20. Ignore Snarky Comments

I can’t tell you how many times people have rolled their eyes or made rude comments when we’ve gotten on a flight with our toddler.

We aren’t bothered by the comments at all. Like everyone else on that flight, you paid your money, so you are entitled to be there with your little one. Do not let anyone make you feel bad for traveling with a baby or a toddler.

Of the 50 or 60 flights we’ve been on with our son, he only had 2-3 not-so-good flights. Even those flights weren’t that bad. He was a baby, and the only way to communicate with us is to cry. What else do people expect from someone who can’t talk?

Don’t stress yourself out worrying about what strangers have to say. If they don’t want to be around on a flight with kids, they should make enough money to fly on a private jet. Until then, they have to deal with it.

CONCLUSION ON FLYING WITH A TODDLER

There are many tips for parents flying with toddlers in this article. Even if these tips do not work for your toddler, it’s not the end of the world. It’s just one flight, plus you’ll never see anyone on that flight again, so no worries.

The most important thing to remember is, that toddlers are toddlers. You can only do so much, so don’t stress yourself out, stay calm, and enjoy the ride. If all else fails, we turn to PJ Masks.

Related Posts

Tips for Renting and Driving a Car in Los Cabos

40 Family Travel Quotes to Feed Your Wanderlust

12 Tips for Traveling with Toddlers

25 Adventure Quotes for Traveling with Kids

2 thoughts on “flying with toddlers: 20 tips for a stress-free flight”.

My son turned 3 yesterday. We’re trying to decide whether to follow through with some travel plans now that covid is back on the rise. This is really helpful. I just spent a few minutes exploring your site. Wish I learned about you 3 years ago!

Thank you for taking the time to check out our site. Happy Belated Birthday to your little one!! Maybe an alternative can be a staycation. We were going to go to Disney for our son’s 3rd birthday but decided with the rise in cases in Flordia we should pivot. We’re going to stay here in Mexico and spend 2 days at a resort with a small water park. IT’s not Disney, but he’ll enjoy the endless fries and cupcakes nonetheless. Maybe that could be an option for you.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Genius tips, tricks & beautiful things, straight to your inbox every day.

© 2010-2021 Wow Media Products, Inc doing business as PureWow. All rights reserved.

12 Genius Travel Hacks for Toddlers

Eep, you’re boarding a plane, train or automobile with a toddler and your anxiety level is at a ten. How will you entertain her? What if there’s a delay? How do you even get a car seat onto an airplane? That’s why we rounded up the best and most genius travel hacks from real moms who have made the trek and lived to tell the tale.

Bring A Box (or Handful) Of Ziploc Bags

“We used them for everything from wet bathing suits to impromptu snack bags. I was so glad I tucked a handful in my carry-on at the last minute.” — Alyssa, California

Separate Essentials Into Pouches

“For example, I had a pouch for easy plane activities (I included the iPad, a couple of favorite books and reusable stickers in here), a pouch for medical needs (things like Band-Aids and Tylenol and hand-sanitizing wipes) and a pouch for quickie diaper changes in the airplane bathroom (this had A&D ointment, a single diaper, a changing pad and wipes—so much easier than carrying in the whole diaper bag).” — Sarah, Massachusetts

If You’re In A Different Time Zone, Split The Difference

“Instead of stressing about bedtimes and nap schedules when you’ve got, say, a six-hour time change, divide it in half. This means your toddler’s bedtime will be three hours later (or earlier) versus six, making it easier to adjust and easier to come home.”— Katherine, New York

Never Hit The Road Without Distraction Snacks

“For a plane flight—or road trip, for that matter—all bets are off, meaning as a parent, it’s OK to relax the rules a bit. I arm myself with all their favorite foods for the drive. This might mean that they skip real meals because they’re stuffing themselves full of Goldfish, but if it distracts from a meltdown, I’m all in. We’ll recalibrate tomorrow.” — Stephanie, New York

Invest In A Plane-friendly Car Seat

“Past two, your toddler requires their own seat on a flight—but they’re still so wiggly and little. To save our arm strength, we swear by the Cosco car seat. It’s inexpensive, but more importantly a fraction of the weight of a typical booster seat. We strap it to the seat as though we’re in a car and it gives our arms a break while feeling comfortable that they’re safe and secure. Better yet, you can use it in the taxi or rental car when you deboard.” — Ana, Connecticut

And A Portable Noise Machine

“On longer travel days when I need my son to nap, I just tuck it behind the car seat. The goal is finding one you can either charge—like this one from LectroFan —or one you can queue up on your phone (any white noise app will do) so that you can create a bit of sleep-friendly ambiance, even if your toddler is in an over-stimulating space.” — Lucy, Florida

Don’t Leave Home Without An Ipad Holder

“We love our iPad—cued up with Sesame Street —for lengthy flights, car trips and more. But it becomes a job propping it up. That’s why we bought a holder for our iPad that hooks onto the back of the headrest on the seat. It changed our lives.” — Katie, Massachusetts

Pack A Change Of Clothes Not Just For Your Kids, But For You, Too

“Poopslosions happen. And while you’re usually prepared with an extra outfit (or two) for your child, it’s never a bad idea to stash one for you or your spouse, too. My daughter got motion sick and puked all over me on takeoff, but I didn’t have a change of clothes and had to borrow my husband’s pullover for the duration of the flight. Next time, I’ll be more prepared.” — Dani, Illinois

A New Toy Is A Great Tantrum-diffuser

“It doesn’t have to be expensive—just something that is new to them, like a sticker pack or a stacking set. It helps give a bit of novelty to a car trip or flight.” — Sarah, New Jersey

Or You Could Just Bring Painter’s Tape

“The tape can stick anywhere and they love to stick it down, then remove it, stick it down, then remove it.” — Dabee, New York

For Plane Flights, Be Strategic About Boarding

“We’ve done it where my husband boards first with the early boarding and installs the car seat, then I board later with our daughter so that she’s not captive on the plane forever. It’s a sanity-saver.” — Rachel, New York

Put Them In Their Jammies For Night Drives

“After years of planning our drives so we’d arrive before bedtime, we learned an amazing secret: If we feed our kids dinner, put them in their pajamas and take off after the sun goes down, they’ll fall right to sleep by eight or nine. And then it’s podcast listening time for mom and dad!  — Jillian, New York

How to Go on Vacation with Your Kids (and Not Feel Like You Need a Vacation When You Get Back)

Royal family expert, a cappella alum, mom

22 Tips For Surviving Long Flights With Kids

Senior Reporter, HuffPost Life

Flying with kids is generally not an easy, breezy experience ― especially now. But there are ways to alleviate the stress.

We asked the HuffPost Parents Facebook community to share travel tips and hacks that have made long flights with kids more bearable.

Naturally, many parents offered some funny joke responses like “Put your children on a different flight”; “Buy the middle seat between two strangers” and “Vodka!” But others shared their real kid-tested wisdom.

Here are 22 travel hacks that have helped parents survive long flights with their children.

1. Get The Kids Involved In The Process

“Treat it as an adventure and get them involved and excited. Brainstorm on fun things they would like to do on the flight and then have them pack their backpacks accordingly.” ― Marie Nicole Feanny

“We had our daughter pick out her own activities. ... I truly think if the child is old enough to participate in the preparation, that gives them ownership and buy-in of the process.” ― Patty Bucklin

2. Use A Foldable Wagon Or Travelmate

“Get a foldable wagon for the airport. You can check it at the gate. It’s awesome for carrying all the stuff and the kids.” ― Colleen Turner

“ Go-Go Babyz so their carseat doubles as a stroller to get through airports easier.” ― Courtney Mae Klaus

3. Choose Your Seats Wisely

“When flying on Southwest or another airline where you get to choose your seat as you board, I try to sit next to a ‘grandma’ who makes eye contact and smiles when she sees my kids. They are usually a lot more likely to not mind if your kids cry at all, and are often even willing to lend a hand with helping (which is especially useful when flying solo with your kids).” ― Amanda Couture

“Try for the front row, so your kid doesn’t kick the seat and can sit on the floor and play.” ― Lauren Elizabeth Metzel

4. Take Care Of Their Ears

“Make sure they are suckling, drinking or chewing something during takeoffs and landing, to avoid ears hurting.” ― Isa Yosoyesa

“Depending on age, a pacifier, bottle for taking off/landing, lollipop, throat lozenges or gum can help relieve pressure.” ― Beth Spiegel

“For babies, have bottles and pacifiers for take off and landings (or nurse).” ― Marc Strawderman

5. Carry On Extra Clothes

“Always have an extra change of clothes for everyone, yourself included.” ― Victoria Acosta DeFelice

“When my daughter was younger we used to pack changes of clothes in Ziploc bags. In each bag was a nappy, a change of clothes and socks. Then, if there was an accident I could take out the Ziploc, change her and put the dirty clothes straight in the Ziploc and seal. It was also easier to grab hold of when in a hurry or in a confined space like an airplane.” ― Ellie Henry

6. Don’t Board Early

“We find it’s harder to keep them entertained on long flights when you sit for an additional 30 minutes while others board, so we wait towards the end of boarding to get on.” ― Heather Heavlin

7. Pack All Of The Snacks

“You can never have enough snacks.” ― Victoria Acosta DeFelice

“We pack a lunch box (minus the drink) so she has an actual ‘meal’ ― sandwich, chips, fruit. A few treats are also good.” ― Patty Bucklin

“For toddlers, bring plenty of snacks such as puffs.” ― Marc Strawderman

8. Engage In A Little Bribery

“Bribe them for good behavior. Granted this doesn’t necessarily work for babies. With that, just pack what you need, cross your fingers and hope for the best.” ― Marie Nicole Feanny

“Buy a new special small toy and tell them you have a surprise for them, but they only get it halfway through the trip, and only if they behave.” ― Jessica Kohoutek Behzad

9. Pick Up New Toys And Books

“I liked to pick up fun things, like small toys/games, stickers, books, etc., leading up to the trip. I would pack my son’s favorite stuffed animal and a blanket in his travel backpack, along with all the new things he had never seen before. We usually had enough fun things in there to keep him happy and occupied both to and from our destination.” ― Julie Turnbull Syers

“For my toddler, I always make a trip to the dollar store and buy $15-$20 worth of throw-away toys that she’s never seen before. Each time she’s getting restless, I pull out something new. I almost never make it through the whole stash.” ― Erin McDaniel

“Save prizes from Happy Meals or pick up some silly cheap ones from the dollar store.” ― Erin Columbare

“Activities and toys that haven’t been seen before or in a while are good.” ― Lisa White Polakowski

10. Try The Raisin Trick

“We use lots of little things in plastic boxes or wrapped up in wrapping paper. One of our favorite things has been a small pot of raisins ― it can be a shaker as long as lid is secure, you can use it to count the raisins, you can give a few at a time to last longer, and smaller children will have fun taking the lid off and putting it back on again. We had this as the only entertainment for our 2-year-old on a very delayed flight which was only supposed to be a 79-minute flight and it kept her busy for hours!” ― Lorraine Calvert

11. Find Toys That Interact With The Plane

“ Window clings are great to play with on the windows.” ― Erin McDaniel

“ Toys that have to do with the airplane itself are great.” ― Colleen Turner

12. Invest In Mess-Free Coloring Books

“ Melissa & Doug’s Water Wow books are great for travel.” ― Lisa White Polakowski

“ Crayola Color Wonder is great as it doesn’t mark on anything but the special paper.” ― Molly Kilkenny

13. Break Your Screen Time Rules

“Let them watch the video screens or tablets. It’s fine.” ― Jamie Martin

“Download movies on their tablet and bring their own headphones.” ― Victoria Acosta DeFelice

“Make sure your electronics are fully charged! Otherwise, you risk having an exhausted, whiny kid in a 3-hour customs line! ― Tatyana Fisher

14. Bring Simple Yet Dynamic Toys

“ Pipe cleaners are good for at least an hour of fun ― making sculptures, inventions, and jewelry.” ― Cindy Rathgeber

“Fan favorites with our kiddos are painter’s tape and dollar spot Band-Aids ― fun to play with and they don’t damage anything when it’s time to clean up!” ― Julie Eberhart Morrow

“My son loves tape and string and things to attach. It keeps him busy and creative and within his seat.” ― Beth Spiegel

“Toys with buckles and clips are awesome.” ― Colleen Turner

15. Buy Sticker Books

“I bring sticker books (wrapped as presents).” ― Claudia De Alba-Larios

“ Melissa & Doug has reusable sticker books.” ― Jamie Martin

16. Use Pacifier Clips To Avoid Losing Toys

“ Paci clips for all toys for babies and toddlers.” ― Sarah Samad Callton

17. Give Your Kids Small Backpacks

“Let each kid carry a small backpack with the things they would want most so they can easily access their stuff ― books, stuffed animal, blanket, snacks, etc.” ― Victoria Acosta DeFelice

“Each kid should have in their own backpack a change of clothes, snacks, headphones and toys.” ― Aruna Radhakrishna

18. Forgo The Lap Seat If Possible

“No lap children. Transatlantic and transpacific flights have turbulence that’s hard to predict and prepare for. Don’t let your baby’s head hit the ceiling and risk injury. Arrange for them to have a carseat and their own seat.” ― Rachel Mace

19. Don’t Forget About Sleep Schedules

“Try to get them to the airport well rested, so they don’t get overtired and wired up during the boarding process. Then protect their ears during take off and hopefully they fall asleep quickly.” ― Isa Yosoyesa

“Try not to skip or delay naps because that’s when babies and toddlers are most likely to have meltdowns.” ― Erin McDaniel

“If your kids don’t sleep on planes, try to fly in their normal waking hours, and pay more for flights that are more convenient, with less stops.” ― Aruna Radhakrishna

20. Make A Peace Offering To Your Neighbors

“Funny little gifts for your neighbors on the flight, like a pair of ear plugs and some chocolate.” ― Colleen Turner

“I bought the lady in front of me a drink!” ― Tracy Deakin

21. Manage Expectations

“I feel like you need to prepare as much as possible and then go into it with the right attitude. Go into it thinking that it very well may be an exhausting rough day, and since you know that you are going to keep your attitude and mood positive and steady no matter what. And then if all little ones do well, you will be pleasantly surprised.” ― Jessica Kohoutek Behzad

“Don’t ever expect them to sleep on a plane, even if it’s a red eye or their normal nap time. If they fall asleep, FANTASTIC, but you don’t want to be unprepared on a super long flight because you thought they’d be sleeping most of the time. Make plans for what you’re going to do if they stay awake the whole time. That goes for babies too.” ― Tina Schumacher Gess

22. Breathe

“Relax. Know that other parents have done it and survived. ... And even though you want to be aware of the other passengers, your child has as much right to his seat (and space) as any other passenger. Staying calm is essential.” ― Claudia De Alba-Larios

Quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.

Before You Go

From our partner, huffpost shopping’s best finds, more in shopping.

How to Survive Flying with a Lap Toddler

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: September 14, 2023

Share this!:

Flying with toddlers is hard. They are fully mobile, totally opinionated, and incapable of all reason and logic at the most inopportune moments.

But why stop there? If you are really up for a family travel challenge, fly with your toddler in your lap. Up until your little one’s second birthday, your child is eligible to fly for free as a lap child on all US airlines and many other airlines around the world. Many budget-conscious families take advantage of those savings for as long as possible, which can make for some very tight accommodations in tiny airplane rows.

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy linked in the menu at the bottom of this site.)

Should You Fly with Your Toddler in Your Lap?

I’ll level with you: the lap toddler is controversial. In fact, all lap children are controversial. Airline safety experts agree that the safest place for your kiddos is in their own seats in child restraint devices (a car seat or CARES harness ).

But until and unless the FAA rules change, parents get to make that safety call for themselves. I’m not going to judge. While I always tried to buy a seat on airplanes for my children whenever possible, they’ve both also flown in my lap several times too over the years.

There is an additional reason, however, that lap toddlers are so controversial. Toddlers are just very different than babies. Toddlers are much bigger and more likely to have developed an independent streak. They can throw serious tantrums when things don’t go their way. Once your child is fully mobile and can walk (somewhere around 10-18 months old for most kids), all bets of containing them are off.

In short, they are just more likely to need the extra space of another seat. (My friend and fellow family travel blogger over a Points With a Crew wrote a brilliant diatribe calling for the end of the lap toddler for just these reasons.)

So, should you take on this air travel challenge? Before you make the call to fly with your 1 year old in your lap, make sure to assess your child’s personality and the length of the flight you are planning to take. My first child, for example, was fiercely independent and did not make a good lap toddler at all. Luckily, my son was much mellower. While budget is often the final deciding factor, your sanity is worth a lot too.

If you’ve thought it through and have made the call to travel with a lap toddler, godspeed and good luck. Now you need to live to tell the tale! (I’m exaggerating here of course, but only somewhat.)

Here are my best tips for lap toddler travel success – a.k.a. how to survive flying with a lap toddler. And while these tips focus on having a toddler in your lap, most of them work for flying with a toddler in his or her own seat as well!

Tips for Airplane Lap Toddler Success

1. Pick the right flight and time.

Is your toddler super-cranky during the pre-dinner witching hour? Don’t pick a 5 pm flight. Does your little one really need a full night of sleep to make it through the day? The 6 am flight is not for you. Would being stranded overnight after a missed connection be really, really rough with a toddler? Don’t book a connection onto the last flight of the night that gets you to your destination.

In short, don’t pick a flight that sets you up for failure before you ever leave. I happen to think that mid-morning flights are just about right for many toddlers. They give you enough time to wake up at a reasonable hour and get to the airport but they are still substantially before nap time meltdowns start.

Of course, if you are flying longer distances like on cross-country or international flights you won’t be able to time things perfectly. But when you do have options, set yourself up for success, even if it sometimes costs a tiny bit more!

2. Maximize your chances of getting an extra seat.

Even if you don’t buy a seat for your toddler, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get one. If there are empty seats on a flight, many airlines will try to make them available for families with lap children to use.

The easiest airline on which to make this happen is Southwest. Because of the airline’s open seating policy, if there is even a single extra seat on the plane, you will be able to snag it for your child. Just double check with the gate agent and ask nicely. The answer, in my experience, has always been yes. I had a better than a 50/50 success rate on Southwest flights, even when traveling at peak periods. See my complete guide to traveling Southwest with kids for all the details you need to think about when flying the airline with little ones.

Other airlines are a mixed bag, as you often need the gate agent to rearrange seat assignments to leave an empty seat next to where your family is sitting. If you want to maximize your chances, book yourself and your partner or other child into an aisle and window seat (leaving an empty middle seat) near the back of the plane. Those are often the last seats to be filled and may be empty anyway. This strategy works best when planes aren’t full or close to full, so I’d only attempt it flying during lower demand times.

3. Electronics are a must.

Yes, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no screen time for little ones until their second birthday. But I recommend leaving your perfect parenting pride behind on the jetway. You won’t wreck your toddler’s development by allowing some videos or apps in-flight to get through a tough moment on a single airplane flight (or in my family’s case, dozens of flights!). A little screen time can definitely be a lifesaver with any toddler in a moment of tiredness or boredom.

With the exception of JetBlue, very few airlines have seat back entertainment anymore on domestic US flights, so be sure to pack your own screen. We have found an old iPhone works great, especially if you have any ancient enough to still have standard headphone jacks that match what you’ll find on many toddler headphones . (If not, I carry this lightning connector to headphone jack adapter ).

Related : Tips for Flying JetBlue with Kids

Related : Best Airlines for Flying with Kids

4. Bring non-electronic entertainment to keep little fingers busy.

Although electronics can be amazing distractions, toddlers have incredibly short attention spans. You’ll be lucky to get 5-15 minutes of sustained attention out of a TV show or movie for the under 2 set, so a phone or tablet simply cannot be the only entertainment you bring.

What worked for my toddler? Wikki Stix were a very big hit as my son neared his second birthday (one word of warning – these are NOT good for toddlers who still mouth objects, but my little guy never tried to eat them). I’ve also had good luck with little cases to open and close filled with treats like goldfish or M&M’s. My toddler loves opening each compartment and grabbing the goodies inside.

Other toddler-friendly entertainment ideas:

• Matchbox cars
• Post-it flags (easy to remove without leaving residue)
• Toys that shake and rattle (a box of Tic Tacs actually works well!)
• Bendy straws
• Coloring pads with triangular crayons  (they don’t roll off tray tables – so simple but so brilliant!)

Check out my post with 20+ tech-free travel entertainment ideas for kids  for lots more inspiration.

5. Bring a wide variety of snacks.

For toddlers, food is entertainment too. Bring a wide variety of non-messy, toddler-friendly food and bring out new items at strategic moments to avoid meltdowns. Double bonus if the food takes a long time to eat.

I pack snacks in individual Ziploc bags and then put them into a snack trap to eat to help contain toddler messes. If you have more than one child in your family, I recommend packing a matching set of everything in separate bags so kids don’t have to share and aren’t jealous of each other’s snacks.

Related : 50 kid-friendly snack recommendations for air travel

6. Walk the aisle. But not too much.

Trying to keep an active toddler in your lap for a long flight is a pretty tough endeavor. Handing them back and forth between two adults helps (assuming you aren’t a parent traveling solo), but that only goes so far. Toddlers want and need to move!

For anything longer than an hour flight, plan to spend some time in the aisle getting a little exercise. Letting them take a lap or two can burn off some energy. Just try to time these walks around the beverage and food service so you can stay out of the way of flight attendants. And don’t crowd folks waiting for the bathroom or stay in galley areas too long.

7. Pack a baby carrier.

Most parents ditch the baby carrier before age 2, but it can still be a great tool when flying with a lap toddler (although it can’t be used on takeoff or landing). Sometimes, you just need to keep your toddler contained.

More importantly, the carrier can be particularly good for getting your toddler to sleep on you. We used a carrier for a flight with my then almost 2 year old son when we departed late in the evening and knew he would sleep most of the flight. It worked like a charm and was much more comfortable than trying to get him to stretch out across my lap awkwardly for bedtime.

If you don’t already have a soft carrier, I recommend the Boba Air as an inexpensive and low bulk option for air travel. It’s the closest successor to the one my family used regularly, the Bitybean (which is now sadly off the market!), and can be used for toddlers up to 45 pounds.

8. Don’t stress the nap.

Depending on your child, you may or may not get your child to nap on the plane if you are flying at nap time. Some kids conk out as soon as the plane starts moving, but my daughter never napped on planes between the ages of 1-3. She was simply too distracted and excited by the new environment. I certainly tried mightily to force a nap (rocking her, etc.) which ended up being more trouble than it was worth and probably provoking bigger meltdowns.

I was much more flexible with my second child at nap time on planes, and it went much more smoothly. And sometimes we even got a nap without trying because I was less stressed about the schedule.

Final Thoughts

While it may seem daunting to fly with a toddler at all – much less with a toddler in your lap – I promise it is worth it. The flights themselves are long but these years are short. I’ve gotten through it with two kids and you will too. Take some of the ideas above, do the preparation you need to match your family’s preferences and your child’s personality, and go get out there!

Have you flown with a lap toddler? How was it? What are your secrets for toddler travel success?

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Lara Walklet

Sunday 1st of December 2019

Really good suggestions. The post-it flags were extra great for my 1.5 year old.

evalinesees

Thursday 14th of November 2019

ooh the special vegetarian meal is brilliant!

Stephanie Ford

Saturday 24th of August 2019

Have others found they are not able to use carriers during flight? That was my back up plan if in desperation, oh no!!!!

Thursday 1st of August 2019

CARES is the only FAA approved one

This is such a great article! I have tried a lot of things mentioned as we frequently travel from L.A. to London with our 4 y.o & 18 m.o. - there are some gems of advice here I haven’t found elsewhere: the veggie meal & the lightweight baby carrier.

My newest obsession when flying are very lightweight tray table covers with sides, so you don’t spend the flight picking up the stuff they inevitably drop from the gross plane floor. They work with babe in lap & even in the bulkhead as they don’t require seat backs.

I have to admit I find wikki sticks end up with us all covered in wax & unable to remove it (wipes don’t work) so we use pipe cleaners instead.

A backpack that is “clamshell” or “front loading” style where the entire front zips open can also be a lifesaver as you can open it one handed & see everything inside.

& sooo many sanitizing wipes to clean everything off before you settle in so you’re little one doesn’t pick up too many germs. & of course the obligatory travel hand sanitizer- those tiny ones that attach to the side of your bag are the best as they are easy to find even in the dark!

Speaking of dark..I always bring a thicker blanket that can block out light (not just a muslin swaddle) as I feel like they always bring the lights up just as my kids fall asleep. You can usually stretch the blanket from behind your shoulder to the seat in front or catch it in the tray table.

Gel clings if you have a window seat are also amusing for my kids, I always pick some up in the dollar section at Target.

Those are my 10 cents! Thanks for this great article.

• Port Overview
• Transportation to the Port
• Uber & Lyft to the Port
• Dropping Off at the Port
• Cruise Parking
• Cruise Hotels
• Hotels with Parking Deals
• Uber & Lyft to the Ports
• Things to Do
• Cozumel Taxi Rates
• Free Things to Do
• Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
• Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
• Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
• Tips For Visiting
• Shore Excursions
• Cruise Parking Discounts
• Hotels with Shuttles
• Which Airport Should I Use?
• Transportation to the Ports
• Dropping Off at the Ports
• Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
• Inexpensive Hotels
• Hotels near the Port
• Hotels With Shuttles
• Budget Hotels
• Carnival Tips
• Drink Packages
• Specialty Restaurants
• Faster to the Fun
• More Articles
• CocoCay Tips
• Norwegian Tips
• Great Stirrup Cay
• Harvest Caye
• How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
• Best Time to Book a Cruise
• Best Websites to Book a Cruise
• Cruises Under $300
• Cruises Under $500
• Spring Break Cruise Deals
• Summer Cruise Deals
• Alaskan Cruise Deals
• 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
• Tips for First-Time Cruisers
• What to Pack for a Cruise
• What to Pack (Alaska)
• Packing Checklist
• Cruising with Kids
• Passports & Birth Certificates
• Bringing Alcohol
• Cruising with a Disability
• Duty-Free Shopping
• Cruise Travel Insurance
• Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
• What Not to Do on a Ship
• News & Articles

41 Must-Have Tips for Cruising With Babies, Toddlers, or Small Kids (From Someone That’s Done It)

When it comes to a family vacation with babies, toddlers, or small kids, there’s not much that’s better than taking a cruise.

Cruising offers a chance for the entire family to sail together, with something they will enjoy doing no matter their ages. So whether you’re traveling with a one-year-old, a ten-year-old, or something in between, everyone will have a chance to make the most of their vacation.

Of course, if you’re a parent then you know that even the simplest of tasks takes planning when you have kids. A cruise is no different. While it’s an easy vacation with the kiddos, there is still plenty for you to know and lots you can do to make the cruise go even smoother.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the most useful tips for cruising with babies, toddlers or small kids from our own experience in having sailed several times with our own son.

From how to keep them entertained on the ship to making sure they stay healthy, these tips run the gamut of what to think about before you take a cruise.

Know How The Kids Clubs Work

The large cruise lines cater to families, and perhaps the biggest draw for both children and adults in the dedicated kids area. Here, parents can drop off their kids for free while the kids get to play games and hang out with others their age. Parents get some time to enjoy the cruise while knowing that the kids are being supervised and also having a lot of fun. 

Kids clubs run from ages 2-17 and groups are broken down by age so that kids will always be able to find someone to play with. You simply drop kids off when you want (hours will be listed in the daily planner) and then pick them up when you’re ready. Parents of small kids will be given a shipboard phone in case you need to be contacted.

Older kids (usually 12+) can check themselves in and out without a parent so they can come and go as they please. 

Most Kids Clubs Are Only For Kids 2-3 Years or Older

One drawback of the kids areas? These spots are only for children that are a little older. For example, kids must be two years old before they can join in Carnival’s kids activities on their own; Royal Caribbean requires kids be at least three years old. There are still things for them to do in the area under those ages, but you must supervise them or pay an extra fee for them to be watched.

In other words, if you’re the parent of a small child and plan to bring them, you’re still going to have lots of time watching them.

You May Be Able to Leave Your Kids While You Go to Port

We’re not sure of every cruise line’s policy, but we know at least Carnival — one of the most popular cruise lines for families — allows you to drop your kids in the play area and head off the ship when in port.

That means the kids can stay and play while parents go explore ashore. If you are on an excursion from the cruise line, then the ship can contact you if you’re needed. If you’re exploring on your own, you’ll want to leave instructions on how reach you.

Personally, we find it a little weird to leave the kids on the ship, but it is something you can do if you like.

Yes, You Can Pack Food and Snacks

Given all the strict rules around bringing drinks on board a cruise, it might seem like you wouldn’t be able to bring food either. In fact, bringing pre-packaged, sealed food is perfectly fine . Feel free to bring baby food (including those pouches that kids love), as well as your kid’s favorite snacks to keep them happy on the trip.

Just make sure that you don’t bring any homemade food . It’s not allowed on ships due to health concerns and issues with customs in other countries.

Don’t Be Afraid to Overpack for a Baby

In general, we recommend packing less than what you need . No one needs four different swimsuits or six pairs of shoes on a cruise. However, being a parent, we are more than willing to overpack when it comes to our kid.

The reason being, with so many people on the ship, it’s nice to do your best to keep the kid happy (especially young ones that can throw tantrums) during the cruise. The last thing you want is a baby who is grumpy and crying — and bothering other passengers — because you forgot something at home. It’s also not easy to run out and grab things like diapers or formula.

Pack Plenty of Over-the-Counter Medicine

Kids — especially small kids — seem like they constantly get sick. The only thing worse than a sick kid is not being able to provide them any relief. There is a doctor on board every cruise ship, but it’s still a good idea to pack over-the-counter items like Benadryl and Tylenol for them to take should they come down with a bug.

Only a Few Ships Allow Kids in Diapers to Swim

Is your little one still in diapers? If so, then you should pick your ship carefully. Most ships don’t allow kids that aren’t toilet-trained into any pools due to health regulations. There are a few ships that we know that have special areas for smaller kids still in swim diapers. It’s usually a section of a larger play area, but better than no water time at all.

Even better is to find a ship that offers a splashpad-type park, like what’s shown above. These spots often allow kids of all ages.

Bottom line: If you still have a kid in diapers, then don’t expect to spend a ton of time playing in the pools on the ship. You can, of course, find a beach in a port to get their time in the water.

Get the Balcony Cabin if You Have a Kid That Naps

At home, those mid-afternoon naps are amazing. You can get so much done around the house while the kids get his/her rest. On a ship? They are kind of boring. When the kid takes a nap, you are stuck in the cabin keeping an eye on them… instead of hanging out poolside or playing in the casino.

That’s why we suggest a balcony cabin for parents with napping kids. This way, there is a space you can go out, talk in a normal voice, and get some fresh air. It’s much nicer watching the waves go by on the balcony than sitting in a dark cabin.

Prepare For Dirty Diapers

Have a ‘Diaper Genie’ at home? They are great for keeping dirty diapers from stinking up the house. But what about in a small cabin? What do you do with those soiled diapers?

If you have a balcony room, you can set the dirty diapers in the room trash can and set it outside to keep the air in your cabin clear. If you don’t have a balcony, we suggest bringing some Ziploc bags to seal up those dirty diapers, along with some air freshener. The room steward will empty the trash when they clean, but that can be several hours.

Cribs Are Available for Cruise Cabins (Free)

Does your kiddo still sleep in a crib? No need to bring the Pack-and-Play, cruise lines have cribs that they can put in your room. They won’t be overly fancy, but it is a dedicated spot for your little one to sleep while on vacation. Best of all, there is no charge for this service.

Just call the cruise line before you sail or let the room steward know when you get on the ship.

Arcades Are Great For Entertaining Bigger Kids

Modern cruise ships all have an arcade tucked away that’s perfect for the kids to have some fun on their own — or with mom and dad. The arcades can be pricey, but it’s worth it to let the kids go play get some alone time during your cruise… or to see the smiles on your kid’s face.

Instead of quarters, the arcades use your room’s keycard to access your onboard account. For that reason, you’ll want to make sure that your kids understand a budget before you let them loose on their own. It’s extremely easy to run up a high bill.

HDMI Inputs Don’t Work on the TV

Do your kids love to play video games or watch DVDs? There is some bad news — the inputs on cruise ship television sets are typically disabled. That means you can’t switch over the watch a DVD player hooked up to an HDMI port.

Instead, your best bet is to bring a console that includes its own monitor. If you want to watch movies, try bringing a laptop. The good news is that Nintendo Switch is popular with the younger kids and features its own screen.

You Can Stream Shows and Movies for Kids… Usually (Downloading Is Safer)

We all know that a movie or a show is a lifesaver for a parent. When you just need some peace and quiet, nothing does it quite like putting on a favorite show. In general, we suggest downloading programs ahead of time so they are for sure available. But in most cases you can stream on a cruise ship.

Just be warned that you have to purchase an Internet package, which can be pricey — up to $30 per day on some cruise lines.

As well, internet at sea isn’t perfect. Sometimes streamed shows can be pixelated instead of perfect HD quality due to the connection. Downloading before you get on the ship means you don’t even need an internet connection.

Umbrella Strollers Are the Best Idea for Cruising

If your child isn’t quite big enough to walk all day, then you’re likely bringing a stroller. But leave that big bulky jogging stroller at home. Space is tight in a cabin, so smaller umbrella strollers — which also fold up to fit in a closet — are ideal. When it comes time to use, these small strollers are also easily maneuverable down the ship’s narrow halls and can easily turn to navigate a crowd.

Place Mats Are a Must for Little Eaters

Cruise ships have high chairs for your little one to sit in, but we also suggest bringing a silicone place mat for them to use while they eat. These mats stick to almost any surface and are easily washable. This way, not only do you keep the table or high chair from getting dirty, but you also keep food from sitting on a potentially unclean surface. It’s just a better solution all around for when it’s time to eat.

Don’t Forget to Pack a Nighlight

Chances are you still get up at least once or twice to soothe your kid while they sleep. Or even if your kid sleeps all the way through the night, you might get up to use the restroom. In an unfamiliar cabin with lots of heavy furniture, that can be a disaster for your shins and feet.

Be sure to pack a small nightlight to provide a little extra light to see by if you have to get up in the middle of the night. This is especially important for dark interior cabins.

Mealtimes Are Easiest in the Buffet

Most people envision eating in the main dining room, cracking into a lobster or slicing a steak. Truth is that parents with small kids — the sort that won’t sit still to eat for more than five minutes at a time — might prefer to dine in the buffet during the evenings.

At night, the less formal buffet is also less crowded, meaning you won’t be as stressed if someone doesn’t want to sit down and eat their dinner or throws a fit because they are tired.

Plan on the Heat and Humidity Zapping Kid Energy

It’s not often mentioned, but the heat and humidity of the Caribbean can zap the energy of even the most energetic kids. If you have an especially small kid or toddler, expect them to be able to stay up only half as long before they need to nap and recharge.

If you are planning a long excursion without many points to take a break, then you might want to reconsider your plan. If you have a kid with a lot of energy, then you will be happy to know they should sleep very well after a long day in the heat.

Keep Excursions Simple

Some excursions have a ton of elements — taxi rides to adventure parks to beach breaks to boat rides. The smaller your kids, the smarter it is to keep things simple.

Just heading out to the beach is more than enough for babies and toddlers. Don’t stress yourself out trying to handle a kid on a wild excursion; you’ll just make your trip less enjoyable for both you and your kids.

There Are Only Showers…No Tubs

If your kid is used to taking baths, then they (and you) need to be prepared for the showers in the cabin . The showers come with a detachable spray handle, and are pretty small. It’s easiest just to have them stand while you give them a quick bath. If they like playing with a water hose, then showers with the spray handle are a lot of fun for them.

Pack a Passport… or Birth Certificate

What sort of documents do you need to travel with a child? A passport is always the best idea as it offers the most flexibility. Should something happen and you need to fly back home, a passport is vital.

However, on most cruises (those that begin and end at the same port), kids can travel with an official birth certificate. Frankly, this is much easier and less expensive than getting a passport and works in most cases. Older kids and adults (those 16 years or older) also need to have a photo ID.

Plan Your Day Around Naps

In addition to realizing that the heat can take a toll on kids, you should also be sure to plan your day around naps. There’s nothing worse than being out and about when your kid decides it’s time to crash. It puts everything on hold.

Be sure to plan on being somewhere that the kiddo can nap — whether it’s hanging out on the beach under an umbrella with a lounger or making it back to the cabin in time for naptime.

Babies Must Be Six Months Old to Cruise

If you have a newborn, don’t plan your cruise just yet. In most cases a child needs to be at least six months old before they are allowed to board the ship. There are some trips where a child must be at least one year old before they can sail. This includes sailings over long distances with more than two consecutive days at sea.

The cruise lines don’t want to have a small child on the ship and be too far from any possible medical help should an issue arise.

Have Enough Diaper and Formula? Bring More

The thing about cruising is that if you run out of something, you can’t just easily run to the store for more. So when you are packing consumables like diapers, wipes, and the like, go ahead and pack even more than you normally would.

Worst case scenario is that you don’t use them on the ship. Best case is that you have an issue and end up being covered until you can get back to home.

If You Need More of Something, Pharmacies in Port Are Lifesavers

Say you do run out of diapers…or wipes…or formula, or anything else that a kid might need. Don’t worry, while you might not be able to get some right away, most ports of call have a small pharmacy or store within them that sell these types of items.

It’s best to simply pack everything you need, but if you do get in a bind, it’s nice to know there is a place where you can pick up the basics.

Sleeping Can Be Difficult With a Baby/Toddler in the Room

Are you used to sleeping in your room while your child sleeps in another? If so, be prepared for some rougher nights. It’s one thing to hear your kid cry through a baby monitor set at low volume. It’s another thing altogether to have the baby making noise in their crib that’s just a few feet from your bed. In the middle of the night, it’s especially loud.

Be ready and expect that you might not get the greatest night’s sleep while your little one is sharing the cabin.

Sunscreen is a Must, but Shirts and Hats Are Better

Yes, you likely already know that sunscreen is a must. At the lower latitudes the sun is stronger and can burn sensitive skin quickly. But let’s face it, putting on sunscreen every hour is a greasy affair — and not much fun when you’re trying to do it to a wiggly two-year-old.

Instead, look for a swim shirt that covers up most of a kid’s torso, leaving just face and arms to sunscreen. A wide-brimmed hat is also a smart idea. Not only is it easier than having to lotion everywhere, it’s also more foolproof and quicker.

Make Sure You Get a Kid’s Life Jacket in Your Cabin

In your cabin closet, you’ll find life jackets for use in case of emergency. Be sure to check that there is also a kid’s life jacket if you are traveling with child. If not, just ask your cabin steward, and they can get you one. Chances are slim that you’ll use it, but you should have it just in case.

Order Bottled Water to the Room if Your Kid Uses Formula

Yes, you can arrange to bring water onto the ship if you have a kid that needs it to mix formula. Or you can also fill up some water bottles at the buffet and bring it back to the cabin to mix.

Instead, it’s easier just to order some bottled water delivered to your room. Carnival, for instance, has it for about $10 for a 12-pack and it keeps you from having to lug on heavy water bottles when you board the ship. 

You can also get water out of the bathroom sink, but to us that just seems wrong for some reason.

Have the Length of Your Cruise Correspond With Your Kid’s Age

Have a one-year-old going on his or her first cruise? Don’t try to do a week-long trip. The younger your kid, the better it is to do shorter cruises. As your kid gets older, however, then the length of the trip can increase.

With small kids, you’re never sure how they might react to something new — even if it’s supposed to be fun. As well, older kids are also better able to take advantage of all the things to do on the cruise and are less likely to be bored.

Most importantly of all, parents don’t have to be stuck in a tiny cabin with a young child for hours on end, and if your kid were to get sick or have a bad time, it’s a lot nicer knowing it’s only a few days until you are back home instead of it being a week or more.

Magnetic Hooks Are Ideal for Drying Swimsuits

Kids love to swim, and there is only so much space in the cabin to hang wet clothes. Instead, bring a few magnetic hooks with you . You can stick these hooks on the metal ceiling, and use them to hang up wet swimsuits.

There is also a retractable drying line that runs across the shower, but we find it usually gets in the way to hang clothes here. As well, the swimsuits don’t dry as well in the damp bathroom.

Expect Your Toddler to Find the Dirty Spots in the Cabin

Every person should expect a clean cabin when taking a cruise, but just like any hotel, there are still spots that don’t get much cleaning attention. Behind and under beds, and tucked away corners may still be dirty.

If you have a baby or a toddler, expect them to find these spots when they are crawling around the room. It’s a bit gross, but it’s a fact of life. That’s what wet wipes are for!

Life Jackets & Lifeguards Are There, But Keep an Eye on Kids

Have a kid that’s not a great swimmer? One nice thing is that cruise lines have life jackets for kids to use and there are lifeguards on duty. 

Head to the pool and you’ll see the guards keeping an eye on things. And nearby you’ll find racks of different sized life jackets. They are free to use; just find one that fits and put it on. Even if your kid thinks he is a good swimmer, a life jacket — and keeping watch — isn’t a bad idea. Cruise pools usually don’t have a shallow end and if the ship is moving, the water can surge back and forth making it more difficult for smaller kids to swim.

Get Snacks for Kids in Port of Call… Don’t Bring Food From the Ship

Any parent knows that the most important word to a kid is “snack.” That’s why it’s tempting to grab a couple of items from the buffet or to bring some snacks from home onto the ship. But, just know that you can’t bring food with you into ports of call. Due to customs, authorities are fairly serious about not bringing things from the ship onto land. 

Instead, if you need something for your kids to eat, you’ll want to make a stop at a store or restaurant to get something while visiting. 

Going Off-the-Beaten Path Means Fewer Facilities for Kids

If you are cruising with kids, then you’ll want to stay in the more touristy spots near the ship and popular attractions. As a rule of thumb, the more off-the-path your destination is, the less likely it is to cater to families. So, for instance, it’s less likely to have changing tables or places to entertain kids. Stick with the more touristy spots and you’ll likely have all the comforts you would expect of back home.

Understand the Muster Situation with Kids

Before your cruise, you’ll have the muster drill, where you learn about the procedures in case of emergency. This includes finding your muster station — the assigned spot to meet. But what if you and your kid are separated (such as at the kids club) when a call to muster takes place?

When you cruise, small children are given a wristband with their assigned muster station. They will wear this at all times. If you are not with your child, then the staff will ensure that kids are escorted to the correct muster area based on this wristband to be reunited.

Bring an Outlet Adapter for Gadgets

These days even kids have lots of devices that need to plug in. For babies and toddlers, this can include sound machines and nightlights, as well as chargers for tablets and more. But many older ships have one or maybe two outlets. 

The lack of outlet space is frustrating. No worry, just pack a cheap outlet adapter . They can be found for about $5-7 and plug in to give you multiple outlets where there was only one.

Newer ships are better about having more outlet space.

Prepare for Seasickness… Just in Case

Seasickness isn’t a huge deal on a cruise, but it does happen for some people. If you’re traveling with your little one on a ship for the first time, then you should be prepared for the possibility. Be sure to pack some seasickness remedies and don’t hesitate to use them if your kid complains of feeling queasy.

The good news is that cruise ships are pretty stable. It’s most likely you won’t even notice you’re on the water.

Don’t Feel Guilty About Having Your Own Vacation

When you cruise with a child — especially a baby or a toddler — it can feel like anything but a vacation. Children are a lot of work, and you deserve to take some time to yourself. Don’t feel guilty about dropping the kids off and enjoying some pool time, the casino, dinner, or the evening show with your spouse. Remember, it’s your vacation too.

Make Sure Kids Understand the Danger of the Ship’s Railing

Every year there are stories of people falling overboard due to climbing on the ship’s railing and losing their balance. NEVER let your kids climb on the railing , and make it clear right from the start how dangerous it is to even think about sitting on the rail. Unfortunately, it’s literally a matter of life and death in some cases.

Pack a Couple of New Toys for the Trip

One pro-tip: Try packing a couple of new toys with you to surprise your kid in the middle of the trip. We’ve found that this is a great way to keep smaller kids entertained if they get bored while at sea and can’t run around like they would at home. It’s also smart as a technique to use when they start to get fussy at an inopportune time. When you feel a tantrum coming up, pull out the new toy and watch their mood change instantly.

Think of it as a cheap insurance policy to keep them entertained and happy.

For more on cruising with babies and toddlers, read our complete guide here .

Have more tips on cruising with your baby, toddler, or small child? Let us know in the comments below.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, what’s the earliest you should schedule a flight after a cruise, everything to know about interior cruise cabins (read before booking), here’s when new cruise ships are worth the higher fares, 8 things definitely worth it on a cruise…and 3 places to save your money, when is a balcony cabin worth it on a cruise, catalina on a cruise: what to know, do, and see during your visit, 12 comments.

Did you feel that there was enough room to move around with the crib in the room? I know they typically put it beside the couch and it looks like it would leave little to no room to maneuver around.

There’s not a ton, no. Cribs are kinda bulky in general and then put it in a relatively small cabin and you don’t get a lot of options.

thanks a lot for wonderful suggestions, Just want to know will my one year old boy be able to eat from any buffet items, is there any food items suitable for them.

Sure. There are plenty of food options, including lots of fruit and cut veggies at the salad bar. You can also bring on foods like pouches if you want.

thanks a ton

Definitely a few tips and tricks we never would have thought of! Taking our kids on their first cruise soon, they’re so excited!

You’ll have a blast!

Are 2 yr old require to sleep in a crib? I would rather him sleep on his own bed.

No, they don’t have to sleep in a crib. One is just provided if needed.

Taking our 1yo on a cruise in 1 month. Great article and advice. Thank you.

Hope you have a great time!

One of the most helpful packing lists I’ve read! Thank you!

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

12 Cruises Under $300 Per Person (Updated)

The best (and worst) royal caribbean ship health inspection scores, according to the cdc, 10 best port canaveral cruise hotels for passengers, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Creating Really Awesome Fun Things

16 of the Best Tips for Road Trips with Toddlers

Updated on May 1, 2024   |  By Jamie Dorobek   |   16 Comments

We love to travel! My son took 10 plane rides before he was 5 months old! (Here are my tips for traveling with a baby via airplane .) Our longest car ride to date with two toddlers (1.5 year old and a 3 year old) was from Texas to Florida. I put together a list of 16 tips for road trips with toddlers. Oh and if you have older kids, don’t miss these 26 car games for kids .

* A giant thank you to Kia for letting my family borrow a Kia Sorento for our 12 hour road trip to Seaside, FL! What a difference a car can make!

After meeting the Kia team at Mom 2.0, a blog conference, and then checking out their fleet of eco friendly cars in San Diego, CA I was sold on driving a Kia Sorento for our family road trip this summer. I can’t get over that 10 years ago Kia was at the bottom, and over the next decade, Kia dedicated itself to quality craftsmanship. In 2016 Kia earned the top spot on JD Power and associates study of best initial quality in the entire car industry, above all of the luxury car brands! That’s impressive.

*This post contains affiliate links.

16 Tips for Road Trips with Toddlers

If you’re new here we have a 1.5 year old and a 3.5 year old and we drove to Seaside, Florida from Texas. According to Google Maps, 788 miles should take a little less than 12 hours. It took us about 15 hours. I put together a list of tips I wish I would have seen before we set off on on our crazy road trip adventure.  #9 ensures 4 hours of peaceful driving, don’t lose kids shoes with #14, and if you get nothing else out this article, pack whole apples for car snacks!

1. Dry Car Snacks

Next to #9, this is the most important tip for my hungry crew! I love to use diaper boxes for traveling. The boxes are sturdy, have built in handle, and I have plenty of them on hand. I rip the flaps off of the diaper box and fill it with easy, healthy snacks. I also put the snack cups and paper towels in this box too. ( These snack cups are the best!)

Here are a few of our favorite car snacks

• Apples (Whole apples are the best because they aren’t messy and take longer to eat.)

2. Cooler Bag Car Snacks

We use a medium sized soft cooler so that it can fit on the floor in the middle of the back seat of the car. We also love this kind of cooler for bringing snacks and drinks to the beach. At some point on the road trip, we grab a bag of ice from the gas station to keep our cooler cool. Plus my kids love ice cubes! ( This is the cooler we use! )

Road trip cooler snacks

• Peeled whole carrots (Same idea as the apples above)
• 2 no spill 360 cups filled with water
• Cut up strawberries in zip lock bags
• Bottles of water
• Yogurt pouches

3. Car Activities

I fill another diaper box with car activities including books that I know my 3.5 year old loves. I like to pick a few books that he knows by heart and can “read” to his 1.5 year old sister. ( Pout Pout Fish  and Brown Bear, Brown Bear are always winners!) I usually buy at least one new book too.

Travel toys for a 3 year old

• Magnetic drawing board
• Rescue bots
• Toy vehicles with moving parts

Best toddler travel toys

• Hand held mirror
• Leap Frog word book
• First 100 Words Book
• Anything the 3 year old is holding, ha!

4. Best Car Activities for Toddlers

Sticky notes and pipe cleaners will bring your toddler and preschoolers hours of fun in the car!

Post It Notes

Pick up a few packs of Post It notes in different colors and let the kids go wild sticking them all over the car. Or make a fancy container like the one below and hand it to your toddler.  Sticky notes on an oatmeal container, who knew that could provide so much entertainment? Oh and store the extra sticky notes inside of the container so that you can remake this fancy contraption if necessary.

Pipe Cleaners

As for pipe cleaners, I got this idea from my friend Cassie who wrote a blog post for C.R.A.F.T years ago. You can read all of her great ideas to keep kids busy on road trips  with pipe cleaners here.  Since my kids are both really young their favorite thing to do is make loops and connect the loops. My 3 year old enjoys stringing Cheerios too.

5. Electronics

Feel free to judge, but electronics are a must for us on long car rides! I’m all about that iPad or Kindle Fire . My 1.5 year old could care less about shows, but the 3.5 year old will almost watch an entire movie. So, if the little one is sleeping, I insist the big guy watch a movie. We have about 10 of his favorite movies/shows downloaded on the Kindle Fire, and it wedges perfectly wedges between the 2 front seats the Kia Sorento.

6. Find Playgrounds

There will be lots of pit stops when road tripping with babies, toddlers, and/or preschoolers. Our 3.5 year old is potty trained so we stopped multiple times for him to use the restroom. We typically tried to combine that with getting gas, changing the 1.5 year olds diaper and possibly grabbing coffee or a real meal. If you’re traveling through small towns there might not be playgrounds readily available so one thing I like to do is search Google maps for “Elementary schools”. If it’s the weekend or summer, likely no one is on the playground and it’s the perfect place to stop and play.

How to find a playground while traveling

• Chick-fil-a
• Search “Elementary school” or “public park” on google maps
• Download the app “Playground Buddy”

7. Music and Car Dance Parties

My kids love a good dance party. At home, we turn the music up really loud and “do circles” around the dining room table. Dance parties cure most bad moods even in the car. Find a song with a good beat and turn it up loud! It’s even better if your kids are familiar with the song or you have a few favorites ready to go on a Spotify playlist or a CD. Maxwell’s very favorite right now is the Hamster Song . (Listen at your own risk, kids love it, but it’s fairly annoying.)

8. Learn Something New

Since you’ve got lots of time, why not teach the kids something new! I found number flash cards in the Target Dollar Spot and decided to teach Maxwell to recognize numbers 0-9. On one side of the card was the number (3) and on the back side was for example, 3 apples. Sometimes I quizzed him, sometimes he quizzed me, sometimes he would ask for a hint and I would hand him the card so that he could count the items on the back of the card. We worked on numbers in sets of 3. So, we started with 0-2. Once he mastered those we would try and find those numbers on road signs. We did this in spontaneous spurts of 5-10 minutes or whenever he asked to “learn numbers”. There was also a prize involved, ha! It worked surprisingly well, upon arriving home he could identify all 10 numbers!

9. Leave Early or Drive Through the Night

Driving through the night is not an option for us, but I know lots of people that swear by this method. Mama needs sleep or everyone will be grumpy! We were on the road by 4am to get 4 hours under our belt while the kids were sleeping. When both kids were up and ready to move by 8am, we stopped and had breakfast. Here’s picture proof we were on the road by 4:36am! For the record, I love the navigation system in the Kia Sorento. It’s bright, user friendly, includes street signs, speed limit sign, and you can see how many miles until the next turn on the driver’s dashboard.

10. Leave Room Between the Car Seats

We are going to talk about car organization in #12, but I think this is worthy of its very own bullet point. It’s very simple: Do not pack anything to go between the 2 car seats in case you need to jump back there and console a total meltdown. I only had to use this tactic once per 777 mile trek, but when you need it, you really need it.

11. Window shades

The Kia Sorento comes with window shades built into the back windows! You can roll down the window and the shades stay up. It’s amazing! I’m a big fan. If your car does not have built in shades, you can buy these that suction cup to any window .

12. Recline Car Seat

This is especially important for our 17 month old. Our Britax Marathon car seats have 7 recline positions and we adjust hers to recline to the 7th position. It ensures she is ready for sleep at any moment! Also fair to note here, dress kids comfortable and bring their favorite sleep item in the car. Don’t pack it in the suitcase like I did one time. My kids need their “blanks”! After all, the ultimate goal of the road trip is to get the kids to sleep! Also, I spy a lone Cheerio on the “blank”, ha!

13. How to organize a car for a toad trip

The next tip for road trips with toddlers involve how and where to put things in your car. I swear just knowing where stuff is hiding in the car is half the battle. I cut the flaps off of diaper boxes and use them to store dry snacks and books/activities on the floor of the back seat. The soft cooler goes in the middle.

Another tip for road trip car organization

Use a hanging jewelry organizer ( this one is perfect! ) to hang on the back of the passenger seat to house things like toy cars, kid sunglasses, hair ties, socks, chap stick, and small fidget toys!

14. Road trip shoe trick

In the name of car organization and knowing where things are, Andy invented this shoe trick. After hunting for kid shoes at multiple pit stops, he started stowing kiddo shoes in the space behind the carseat. Genius!

15. Hand Sanitizer

Go ahead and stick it right in a cup holder so you don’t loose it.

16. Diaper Bags & Trash Bags

The diaper bag should include bazillions of diapers, a ridiculous amount of wipes, and at least one change of clothes for each kid. I pack these goodies in my everyday backpack diaper bag and make sure it is the last thing packed in the trunk of the car. If you have a diaper situation, you’re stopping anyway so I prefer the diaper bag in the trunk versus at my feet.

If you are looking for more travel tips with kids, I’ve got you covered:

• Tips for  long road trips with a bab y
• Tips for traveling with a baby via airplane
• Traveling with a  mobile lap baby via airplane
• Tips for  flying with a toddler
• 26 Car games for kids

Did I miss any tips for road trips with toddlers? I’d love to hear…

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply, comments & reviews.

September 3, 2020

Is it okay to have his seat reclined forward facing? My son is 3 and I have the option to recline it and just want more tips on how to make it safer!

September 4, 2020

Hi Amber! I would check with the maker of your brand of carseat.

August 27, 2020

Thanks for the great article, love the tips. But, with the pandemic still in effect, do you have any additional tips that are specific to travelling now? We have an 18 hour drive planned for October and we have a 4.5 year old and a 1.5 year old who have never done more than 2 hours in the car. I do not think we will be able to stop at playgrounds and we have to be really particular about what “to go” food we partake in because restaurants will be out of the question. Thanks!

October 18, 2020

The only thing extra that I’m adding to my list that isn’t suggested here, is an on the go potty station for my trunk (with corresponding toiletries in diaper bag). We’ll be stopping for picnics and stretches in parking lots as opposed to utilizing restaurants and public spaces (6month old and 2.5 year old)

December 1, 2019

When temps are high slip an icepack behind the cushion of their car seat.

July 30, 2019

1.5 year old should be rear facing..

August 7, 2019

I bet the kid survived just fine.

August 10, 2019

Not if thay are over 20 lbs

August 16, 2019

In several states Amber is correct- it is legally required that a child under two is rear facing. And the thing about driving through other states on a road trip is that you’re required to follow their laws. (You wouldn’t tell a cop pulling you over for speeding, “Well, the speed limit is higher in my state!” would you?). Regardless of laws, children under two are safest rear-facing according to science.

October 22, 2020

You are correct. Best practice is to leave. A child read facing until at least 2 years old or they maximize the harness weight for the rear facing position of their car seat.Children are much safer in an accident rear facing.

June 20, 2019

This was really helpful for me as we are about to take our first road trip as a family with my 2 year old in August. He’s never been in the car longer than 3 hours and even then it seemed challenging. I would love to get more information on who to contact about a collaboration with Kia as well if you don’t mind sharing? Ironically I own a 2017 Kia Sorento but would also be very interested in testing out a newer one with a navigation system like the one you drove and bonus features. Thanks so much!

June 16, 2019

Best tips I have read. Affiliate links are subtle, ads are not overwhelming, I love it so much. Great travel hacks, we are traveling soon and I will be using all of these! Thank you! Just gained a fan.

July 21, 2018

August 29, 2017

I have a trip tomorow with my kid… Definitely going to have to give that a try.

August 26, 2017

These are all fantastic tips! We have three kids between ages 2 and 8, and road trips are becoming more and more common. We love to have the oldest run a few rounds of Mad Libs during a trip. It’s a great way to reinforce language skills and writing during the summer. Though, using the post-its is total genius with the little one. Definitely going to have to give that a try.

Ohhh Mad Libs is a great idea with oldder kiddos!! PLus I LOVE them! Thanks for the tip!

Get C.R.A.F.T. in your inbox!

I want everyone to feel empowered to be creative with their kids so, I’m sharing what I learned for free in a 5 day e-mail course!

12+ Easy ways to entertain a 1 year old on a plane

Entertaining a one-year-old is challenging. Entertaining him on a plane is extra! If you are planning a trip, then here are a few 1 year old travel activities you can do and use on the plane.

To survive this flight gets prepared by taking a few activities with you. I asked the community and here are some suggestions that have worked for other moms.

Tips for Flying with a Lap Toddler

• Pick the right flight and time.
• Maximize your chances of getting an extra seat.
• Bring a wide variety of snacks.
• Walk the aisle.
• Bring a baby carrier.
• Don’t stress the nap.
• Bring non-electronic entertainment to keep little fingers busy.

How do I keep my 1-year-old busy on a plane?

Keep him busy, entertain, and with a lot of different options to offer. Here are the best 1 year old travel activities you can prepare ahead of time (some you don’t need prep) to entertain your toddler on a plane.

Box of Tissues

Box of tissues. My son loved pulling them out one by one. We’d stuff it back in and repeat.

Get Real Toys

Go to the dollar store and buy remotes, keys, and a key chain, strings, beads, a flashlight, etc…just random adult things because toddlers for some reason hate kid toys . 

An Empty Container with Bottle Caps

Toddlers love to take things in and out of containers. Grab a plastic container and fill it up caps that he can pour, add one by one, and get creative.

1 year old travel activities

Some kids love the idea of peeling post-its one by one. You can let him play like that, or you can also add a few post-it’s to the front table, encourage your toddler to remove each post-it one by one.

Window clings

Let your toddler take the window seat and let him play and stick the window clings all over the window.

Water cup and Napkin

In a plastic cup, usually provided during the snack time, pour a little bit of water . (about 1/4 of the way). Shred a napkin in long stips and allow your toddler to drop the napkin stripes on the water. Throw away when done.

Quiet Books

Quiet books have become super popular and provide fine motor skills that usually require concentration. These can get very expensive so if you have a trip ahead of time, check out these busy book sheets form our one-year-old learning workbook. I have printed copies ready to use or PDF.

If you have an older one-year-old (18months+) you can take some store-bought or homemade playdough . I have found more success with playdough when you add toys or materials to play with. Utensils entertained M for a long time the first time we played with playdough.

Circle stickers (the ones you use at garage sales) are easily found at the dollar store and are easy to peel out. Raised stickers are also fun and easy to peel for little hands.

Magic Doodle Pad

One mom suggested a magic doddle pad, she said it was a big hit with her baby. If you don’t have this at hand or don’t want to purchase just get some paper and markers.

Stacking Games

You can get little plastic shot glasses from the supermarket for stacking.

Craft Cubes

Craft cubes are my favorite travel toy. I used them for a long time to entertain Manny when we were on-the-go. We stacked them, we decorated them with stickers, we drew on them with markers.

Easter Eggs

These might be hard to find if it is not Easter but if you find them (Amazon has them) you can take a few and add a few surprise elements inside. You can add some mini erasers (the dollar store has some with really cute shapes and designs) or you can buy other small toys. I bought a squishy toys ones from Walmart that came in a surprise ball. It kept him entertained the whole trip to Chicago last fall.

Finger Puppets

Babies and toddlers love rhymes. Older one-year-old toddlers like to wear the finger puppets themselves while younger ones like to listen to the songs and watch the puppets dance.

Spice Container with Q-tips

Inserting Q-tips in a spice container requires a lot of concentration. This simple game kept Manny entertained for a long time. Next time you ran out of a spice, wash it and keep the container.

Snack Container

Ran out of snacks during the trip? add some pom-poms or cotton balls to the container and keep your little one busy as he takes them in and out of the container.

Magic Color Books

These Sesame Street or these dog design magical papers have the paint embedded into the sheet and the color gets activated when it reacts to the water. For traveling (I did it in the car) use Q-tips to paint. Less water is better with bumpy rides.

1-year-old travel activities do not have to be hard to set up or bulky, just try some of them along with our One-Year-Old Learning Binder for easy and fun entertainment during your travels.

Recommended next: One Year Old Learning Binder

Share With Friends!

Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy

31 Genius Hacks for Traveling with Kids

By Ryan Foy

When my son was born, getting out the door with him (and with everything we needed for him) seemed like an insurmountable task at times. Since then we’ve become total pros at it and have gone on to not just getting out the door, but taking him with us on adventures up and down the state. Traveling with kiddos is rewarding—watching them discover new things is just about the best thing ever. One thing is certain: you’ve got to be prepared for a whole new world of travel scenarios once kids come into the picture. Be bold, and adventure onward! Here’s a roundup of a few of my favorite travel hacks for kids that make things on the road or on a trip a whole lot easier.

Check them out in the slideshow.

41 Genius Hacks for Traveling with Kids

Press 'n' seal travel cup.

Turn any glass into a travel-safe kid's cup by sealing it with Press'n Seal and sticking a straw in it. 

See the hack at Glad.com .

Road Trip Goodie Bags

Reward good behavior on road trips by preparing some goodie bags. When the kids reach a milestone without any disruptions, they get a bag of toys and sweets to fill the time in the car.

See the hack at We Have Aars .

DVD Coloring Case

Turn an old DVD case into an awesome little travel art center. There's a place to store all of your colored pencils and a stack of paper.

See the hack at Handmade by Stacy Vaughn .

Kid Safety Temporary Tattoos

Out on a trip with little ones and worried they might wander off? Write your phone number on their arm and cover it with liquid skin. Ta-da! Waterproof temporary tattoos so your lost ones can always be found.

See the hack at The Paper Mama .

DIY Magnetic Travel Games

Turn a cookie sheet into a travel game center by making some DIY magnetic games. Puzzles out of pictures and popsicle sticks look like a ton of fun!

See the hack at Life Through My Eyes .

Airplane Seat Back Hanging Screen

Tired of getting a sore neck while watching your phone on an airline with no built in TVs? Try this hack to mount your phone to the back of the seat in front of you.

See the hack at Light in the Box .

Pacifier To-Go Cups

Keep those pacis clean in your purse by sticking them in some sauce to-go cups. The salsa bar at Baja Fresh is where I usually snag them from.

See the hack at Buzzfeed .

Baby Powder at the Beach

A little known secret of removing sand from your skin at the beach is baby powder. Bring along a bottle, sprinkle it on your feet and legs, and keep the sand out of your shoes, your car, and anywhere your feet land all summer long.

See the hack at Frugal Coupon Living .

Packing Shoes

The best way to keep your dirty shoes off of your clean clothes in your suitcase is to wrap the soles in a shower cap.

See the hack at Lifehack .

A great way to occupy little hands is to give them an "I spy" game to play with. Fill a bag with little trinkets and beads, and let the kids hunt for items for hours.

See the hack at Six Sisters' Stuff .

DIY Seatbelt Pillow

Make your own seatbelt pillow wrap to make napping in the car much easier. 

See the hack at Good Ideas for You .

DIY Sparkle Bottles

A great way to keep track of time-outs is to hand your kid one of these and say they have to be silent until the glitter all settles to the bottom. Plus, they are fascinating to watch.

See the hack at While He Was Napping .

Phone Number Bracelets

Want your kids to have your phone number and you don't want to tattoo it to their skin? How about making them a bracelet with your number as the beads?

See the hack at Danya Banya .

Road Trip Snack Necklaces

A clever way to keep your kids fed on a road trip while reducing the mess of a bowl full of snacks. Make some snack necklaces as a fun activity, and then take them on the road!

See the hack at And This Is How the Story Goes .

Sippy Cup Lasso

Keep from having to reach around to the backseat floor to retrieve dropped toys and bottles by attaching them to your kid's carseat. 

Road Trip Pillow Cases

Make some customized DIY travel pillows for your kids. They will be more comfortable in the car and have some fun activities built in too.

See the hack at Amazing Mae .

DIY Magnetic Board Games

Turn all of your favorite old board games into magnetic travel versions. 

See the hack at Choose to Thrive .

Bagged Outfits

Make packing and getting ready each morning easier by pre-planning your little ones' outfits and packing them in Ziploc bags.

See the hack at All Things Simple .

DIY Kid Travel Lap Tray

Make a great looking carry-all for your kid's road trip travel toys that includes a tray to play with them on. 

See the hack at Pretty Prudent .

Travel Dollhouse

A bit of an involved sewing project, but a great travel toy nonetheless. Make your little one a fully functional travel dollhouse out of fabric.

See the hack at Country Kitty .

Not-Ugly Car Trash Bag

Put your sewing skills to work again and make a not-ugly trash can for behind your car seats.

See the hack at Pink Chalk Studio .

Portable Lego Kit

Make your kid a portable Lego lunch box where they can store their pieces and have a building platform for constructing on the go.

See the hack at Mama Papa Bubba .

Sealed Travel Toiletries

Keep your gels and liquids from exploding in your bag by sealing the tops with Saran Wrap before you leave.

See the hack at Alexa Travels .

Waterproof Your Phone

Stick your electronic goods in a Ziploc bag to keep them dry while at the beach or pool.

See the hack at One Good Thing by Jillee .

Frozen Juice Boxes

Freeze some juice boxes before you leave, and they will serve multiple purposes on your trip. Keep your cooler cold, and they hydrate the kids when they thaw!

See the hack at Kids Activities Blog .

Dryer Sheets

Toss a dryer sheet in your suitcase to keep odors away while traveling.

See the hack at Popsugar .

Silicone Cupcake Liners

Put some of these in the bottom of your cup holders to keep crumbs and sticky stuff out of there.

Car Seat Buckle Protector

Keep your kids from unbuckling their own safety belts with this nifty DIY trick.

See the hack at Frugal Freebies .

Reuse Wipes Container

You always need plastic bags when you are traveling, whether for trash or to hold wet swimsuits. Pack some extra ones by reusing an old wipes container.

See the hack at Infarrantly Creative .

Sheets Under Car Seats

Keep your car clean on a long trip by putting a sheet underneath your kid's car seat to collect their crumbs and trash.

Recycled Snack Containers

A great way to travel with snacks is in some old coffee creamer jars. The flip-top lid is a great way to dispense them for the kiddos.

See the hack at Stockpiling Moms .

Ryan Foy is a web designer, actor, tech nerd, and all around cool dude. His web design firm, Roundhouse Designs , focuses on creating unique websites for actors, artists, and all around creative people. He lives in California with his wife Chelsea Foy of Lovely Indeed , where they spend their time thrift shopping for cool stuff, eating delicious food, and making beautiful things. They have an awesome little boy named Henry. You can follow him on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , and Pinterest

Share article

Start with the Bed

and the possibilities are endless

20 Simple Travel Hacks for Kids That Will Make Your Trip Enjoyable

May 7, 2021

These travel hacks for kids are going to make everyone’s life easier and the trip so much more enjoyable. The kids will not constantly be asking the age-old question, “Are we there yet?” Instead, they will like the moments spent traveling to their destination. This post is all about travel hacks for kids.

When you travel alone, you sometimes look around at airports, and think how is it even possible to take kids anywhere? They have so much stuff! They never seem to sit still. Plus, they are always asking for something. Then, when you become a parent, you seem to just go with the flow of it all or at least try to roll with all the craziness. After all, our kids are everything!

Furthermore, as someone who loves traveling, I will take advice from anyone who wants to offer it regarding traveling with my kids. If everyone’s life can be even slightly easier when making a trip, I am all ears.

Now that I am a mom of two crazy little ladies, I have used these travel hacks to simplify the traveling process and eliminate chaos any way I can.

Let’s be honest, traveling with kids can be rather hectic as you never know what they are going to do. Hopefully, with this list of travel hacks, they will be more even keel. Moreover, they may even enjoy the travel time.

This post is all about travel hacks for kids.

Table of Contents

Travel Hacks for Kids

Travel hacks for kids – the essentials, sea band nausea relief bracelets.

Even before we took any major car rides, Sadie used these just to go to daycare each day. They have been unbelievable, and she no longer feels car sick. Before I found these amazing bracelets, Sadie dreaded the car!

Travel Potty

To eliminate all of those moments of potty panic, this travel potty will keep you stress free when your little one says, “I need to go NOW!”

Travel Potty Liners

Of course, these are required and a complete must have for the travel potty. The potty and liners are always in the car no matter what.

Neck Pillow

So I am not sure if you have this same problem, but we have gigantic heads. I mean my head alone could have a zip code, so because of genetics, this neck pillow is a must for my four-year-old. It saves me from having to lift her head when she takes a snooze in the car.

Travel Blanket

No matter what, there is always someone in the car who gets a little chilly, so this is just great to have in the trunk or hanging from the back of the seat.

Pacifier Clip

There is just nothing worse than a pacifier stuck in the seats during rush hour traffic. If thinking about it just gives you the chills, this clip is going to save you from those scary situations.

Car Organizer Travel Hacks for Kids

Doesn’t it just feel good when these little items have a place? This car organizer is just so amazing for more reasons than one. Your kids are going to see all of their items and so will you.

Organizing Clips – Travel Hacks for Kids

From hanging water bottles to shoes to hair ties, these clips are great for all of those miscellaneous items.

Snack Containers for Younger Kids

Since you may not want an entire pack of goldfish spilled between your seats, this is the snack cup for you. It is just great that the kids can’t just tip this over. Of course, they will try every which way, but you won’t have the mess you once did.

Snack Containers for Older Kids

This stackable containers are great for older kids and for adults too. Who doesn’t love snacks in the car?

Water Bottle for Kids

The Contigo water bottle for kids is great, and this works well with the organizer clips too.

Backpack for Kids

So quick story about why I have one of these backpacks. When Sadie was two, I took her to Nashville to meet my husband for a little weekend getaway. Before I had this backpack, she literally ran away from me, ran up to a random toddler, kissed him, then headed to the sliding doors almost getting her hands stuck. So, because of this completely ridiculous scene, I did it; I purchased a bag with a leash. Yes, I once judged parents that leashed their children, and then, I learned oh so quickly!

Suitcase for Kids

To be honest, I just purchased this because of the unicorns. In our house, every single thing practically has a unicorn. Nonetheless, I do actually think this is quite the perfect budget-friendly suitcase for kids. It has enough pockets to keep their toiletries, shoes, diapers, undies, socks, and clothes. Plus, they will love carting it around.

Travel Hacks for Kids – The Entertainment

Wireless headphones that fold.

These headphones are a great deal, and they fold. They are just perfect for saving space!

Color Wonder Markers

Thank you to the kind soul who purchased these markers for my daughters. They are perfect!

Color Wonder Paper

Of course, you can’t have markers without the special paper. You will just love this, and it is especially useful when on the go.

Magnetic Drawing Board

If you are trying to eliminate the whole marker/paper concept, this board is great for travel. Your kids will be entertained and can even take notes on how well the trip is going.

Squigz Travel Hacks for Kids

When in Heyday in Jacksonville , I found these outstanding little plastic wonders. They stick to everything and are great for travel. Just imagine how colorful your car windows will be with these Squigz!

Mini Magnetic Travel Blocks

For a more creative twist, try out these magnetic travel blocks. Play a game to see who can make the most items within a certain time frame. Let the fun begin!

Wikki Stix Travel Hacks for Kids

These little stix are great for those who get a little fidgety in the car. Pull out a few of these stix and let the entertainment begin.

Smooth Sailing with these Travel Hacks for Kids

With these travel tips for kids, your next trip will be smooth sailing.

Enjoy and safe travels!

For more packing tips for vacation, check out this post too.

& Remember Start with the Bed, Juliet

Share this:

Other Posts You May Like

Let’s be friends.

Copyright © 2024 Start with the Bed · Theme by 17th Avenue

• Getting Results.
• Newsletters

How to make the most of your next trip abroad

We hope you enjoy ClickOrlando.com Deals, brought to you in connection with StackSocial . WKMG receives an affiliate commission if you buy through our links.

Traveling abroad is a thrilling and enriching experience, but it comes with some unique challenges. It may feel daunting when you haven’t even started packing, but there’s always something you can do to get more from your time abroad, whether you’re looking for ways to stretch your budget, connect with the culture, or just find the best spot for a soak by the sand.

Anyone can jump on a plane and find somewhere fun to be, but a savvy traveller can get more from their time abroad, and sometimes they can do it without breaking the bank. Check out these five travel hacks to find out how.

1. Go Where Your Money Means More

A trip to Hawaii may sound romantic, but the the Aloha state isn’t the only place where you can find pristine beaches and delectable dishes. A great way to stretch your travel budget is to choose a destination where the cost of living is a bit lower.

The first step is to research budget-friendly destinations, places where your dollar is literally worth more than it might be elsewhere. Check conversion rates or opt for places where you can lean into free experiences like hikes and sightseeing. Not all activities need to come with a reservation fee, and the locals are a great resource for finding fun activities that won’t break the bank.

2. Pack Light to Travel Cheap

It’s easy to over-pack when you’re at home. Of course you need everything in your house. That’s why you bought it in the first place. However, once you’re in your hotel, you might realize that third checked bag was about as necessary as the second.

When you’re making your packing list, plan based on what you’re actually going to do, not what you might do. If you have no intention of summiting a snowy mountain, maybe that winter coat can stay home. If you’re going somewhere with variable temperature, opt for versatile clothing you can mix and match. Your cold-weather clothes could just as easily be layers of warm-weather attire.

The hidden benefit of packing light is there’s less risk of losing your luggage. If your bags never have to leave your sight, the only person that can lose them is you. That also means you don’t have to pay extra baggage fees, wait at the carousel, or find a way to transport all those bags to and from the airport.

3. Learn the Local Language with Rosetta Stone

Traveling is as much about the people as it is about the place, and it’s a whole lot harder to connect with people if you can’t talk to them. The tourist spots may be fun and familiar, but the real adventure lies with the locals, which means learning another language.

You don’t need to be fluent to ask for restaurant recommendations, and you don’t need to be a polyglot to get directions, but Rosetta Stone is here to help you from start to finish. This language learning app gives you access to lessons in 25 different languages: German, Italian, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, and more.

Rosetta Stone is a great option to study with before you ever board the plane because you can customize your lessons. If you want to practice listening or refine your pronunciation, there’s speech recognition tech to help you along the way. If you want to learn new words for things like ordering dinner or asking directions, you can try reading and writing exercises.

You won’t become fluent in a night, but you might not need to. There’s a whole lot of space between needing a translator and knowing how to order a drink when you finally make it out of the airport, and it all starts when you get a lifetime subscription to Rosetta Stone for $151.99 with code ROSETTA. That deal only lasts until June 16 though.

4. Plan Your Itinerary Wisely

If the world is your oyster, then your travel itinerary is the menu you order it from. You can’t experience everything a whole country has to offer in a single vacation, but proper planning can help you get the most from a limited stay.

Research restaurants in advance and decide which days you might want to visit them. Better yet, make the reservations before you even get on the plane. The same goes for attractions that might be crowded or tourist magnets. Plan every trip you take with the focus and precision of a Disneyland vacation. There might be lines. the food might end up being expensive, but planning ahead means you can avoid peak hours and have a snack in your pocket.

The best part about a travel itinerary is it’s entirely in your control. If you don’t want to rush from landmark to landmark, then don’t. Plan some unstructured time. Schedule a seaside siesta. Your vacation is yours to plan. Your itinerary is just how you structure your adventure to make sure you get the most from the time you have.

5. Be Smart About Your Smartphone

First thing’s first, make sure you can actually use your phone when you land. An eSim is a useful tool that could help you stay connected around the world, and they also help avoid roaming charges.

Once that’s squared away, it could be helpful to download everything you need in advance. It might be harder to find a signal when you’re knee-deep in jungle. If you need a machete just to clear a path, it might be safe to assume your texts won’t get through either.

Download a map before you go into the jungle. Use locally saved tools for translating, navigating, and scheduling. Your Google Calendar may hold your whole world, but having your itinerary saved in your notes app may be a little easier on your battery. As a related precaution, it may be useful to bring along a portable power bank if you’re going somewhere outlets are scarce or incompatible with your chargers.

Travel Smart and Travel Well

Your next vacation may be one for the books, and a little planning could make that happen. You don’t have to blow your budget just getting somewhere fun, and you don’t have to stick to parts known. Now all that’s left is to find a map and start packing a bag.

Recommended Videos

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

• Backchannel
• Newsletters
• WIRED Insider
• WIRED Consulting

By Kim Zetter

How Researchers Cracked an 11-Year-Old Password to a $3 Million Crypto Wallet

Two years ago when “Michael,” an owner of cryptocurrency , contacted Joe Grand to help recover access to about $2 million worth of bitcoin he stored in encrypted format on his computer, Grand turned him down.

Michael, who is based in Europe and asked to remain anonymous, stored the cryptocurrency in a password-protected digital wallet. He generated a password using the RoboForm password manager and stored that password in a file encrypted with a tool called TrueCrypt. At some point, that file got corrupted and Michael lost access to the 20-character password he had generated to secure his 43.6 BTC (worth a total of about €4,000, or $5,300, in 2013). Michael used the RoboForm password manager to generate the password but did not store it in his manager. He worried that someone would hack his computer and obtain the password.

“At [that] time, I was really paranoid with my security,” he laughs.

Grand is a famed hardware hacker who in 2022 helped another crypto wallet owner recover access to $2 million in cryptocurrency he thought he’d lost forever after forgetting the PIN to his Trezor wallet. Since then, dozens of people have contacted Grand to help them recover their treasure. But Grand, known by the hacker handle “Kingpin,” turns down most of them, for various reasons.

Grand is an electrical engineer who began hacking computing hardware at age 10 and in 2008 cohosted the Discovery Channel’s Prototype This show. He now consults with companies that build complex digital systems to help them understand how hardware hackers like him might subvert their systems. He cracked the Trezor wallet in 2022 using complex hardware techniques that forced the USB-style wallet to reveal its password.

But Michael stored his cryptocurrency in a software-based wallet, which meant none of Grand’s hardware skills were relevant this time. He considered brute-forcing Michael’s password—writing a script to automatically guess millions of possible passwords to find the correct one—but determined this wasn’t feasible. He briefly considered that the RoboForm password manager Michael used to generate his password might have a flaw in the way it generated passwords, which would allow him to guess the password more easily. Grand, however, doubted such a flaw existed.

By Mark Harris

By Chris Baraniuk

By Amanda Hoover

Michael contacted multiple people who specialize in cracking cryptography; they all told him “there’s no chance” of retrieving his money. But last June he approached Grand again, hoping to convince him to help, and this time Grand agreed to give it a try, working with a friend named Bruno in Germany who also hacks digital wallets.

Grand and Bruno spent months reverse engineering the version of the RoboForm program that they thought Michael had used in 2013 and found that the pseudo-random number generator used to generate passwords in that version—and subsequent versions until 2015—did indeed have a significant flaw that made the random number generator not so random. The RoboForm program unwisely tied the random passwords it generated to the date and time on the user’s computer—it determined the computer’s date and time, and then generated passwords that were predictable. If you knew the date and time and other parameters, you could compute any password that would have been generated on a certain date and time in the past.

If Michael knew the day or general time frame in 2013 when he generated it, as well as the parameters he used to generate the password (for example, the number of characters in the password, including lower- and upper-case letters, figures, and special characters), this would narrow the possible password guesses to a manageable number. Then they could hijack the RoboForm function responsible for checking the date and time on a computer and get it to travel back in time, believing the current date was a day in the 2013 time frame when Michael generated his password. RoboForm would then spit out the same passwords it generated on the days in 2013.

There was one problem: Michael couldn’t remember when he created the password.

According to the log on his software wallet, Michael moved bitcoin into his wallet for the first time on April 14, 2013. But he couldn’t remember if he generated the password the same day or some time before or after this. So, looking at the parameters of other passwords he generated using RoboForm, Grand and Bruno configured RoboForm to generate 20-character passwords with upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and eight special characters from March 1 to April 20, 2013.

It failed to generate the right password. So Grand and Bruno lengthened the time frame from April 20 to June 1, 2013, using the same parameters. Still no luck.

Michael says they kept coming back to him, asking if he was sure about the parameters he’d used. He stuck to his first answer.

“They really annoyed me, because who knows what I did 10 years ago,” he recalls. He found other passwords he generated with RoboForm in 2013, and two of them did not use special characters, so Grand and Bruno adjusted. Last November, they reached out to Michael to set up a meeting in person. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, they will ask me again for the settings.”

Instead, they revealed that they had finally found the correct password—no special characters. It was generated on May 15, 2013, at 4:10:40 pm GMT.

“We ultimately got lucky that our parameters and time range was right. If either of those were wrong, we would have … continued to take guesses/shots in the dark,” Grand says in an email to WIRED. “It would have taken significantly longer to precompute all the possible passwords.”

Grand and Bruno created a video to explain the technical details more thoroughly.

RoboForm, made by US-based Siber Systems, was one of the first password managers on the market, and currently has more than 6 million users worldwide, according to a company report. In 2015, Siber seemed to fix the RoboForm password manager. In a cursory glance, Grand and Bruno couldn’t find any sign that the pseudo-random number generator in the 2015 version used the computer’s time, which makes them think they removed it to fix the flaw, though Grand says they would need to examine it more thoroughly to be certain.

Siber Systems confirmed to WIRED that it did fix the issue with version 7.9.14 of RoboForm, released June 10, 2015, but a spokesperson wouldn’t answer questions about how it did so. In a changelog on the company’s website, it mentions only that Siber programmers made changes to “increase randomness of generated passwords,” but it doesn’t say how they did this. Siber spokesman Simon Davis says that “RoboForm 7 was discontinued in 2017.”

Grand says that, without knowing how Siber fixed the issue, attackers may still be able to regenerate passwords generated by versions of RoboForm released before the fix in 2015. He’s also not sure if current versions contain the problem.

“I'm still not sure I would trust it without knowing how they actually improved the password generation in more recent versions,” he says. “I'm not sure if RoboForm knew how bad this particular weakness was.”

Customers may also still be using passwords that were generated with the early versions of the program before the fix. It doesn’t appear that Siber ever notified customers when it released the fixed version 7.9.14 in 2015 that they should generate new passwords for critical accounts or data. The company didn’t respond to a question about this.

If Siber didn’t inform customers, this would mean that anyone like Michael who used RoboForm to generate passwords prior to 2015—and are still using those passwords—may have vulnerable passwords that hackers can regenerate.

“We know that most people don't change passwords unless they're prompted to do so,” Grand says. “Out of 935 passwords in my password manager (not RoboForm), 220 of them are from 2015 and earlier, and most of them are [for] sites I still use.”

Depending on what the company did to fix the issue in 2015, newer passwords may also be vulnerable.

Last November, Grand and Bruno deducted a percentage of bitcoins from Michael’s account for the work they did, then gave him the password to access the rest. The bitcoin was worth $38,000 per coin at the time. Michael waited until it rose to $62,000 per coin and sold some of it. He now has 30 BTC, now worth $3 million, and is waiting for the value to rise to $100,000 per coin.

Michael says he was lucky that he lost the password years ago because, otherwise, he would have sold off the bitcoin when it was worth $40,000 a coin and missed out on a greater fortune.

“That I lost the password was financially a good thing.”

You Might Also Like …

In your inbox: Get Plaintext —Steven Levy's long view on tech

Welcome to the hellhole of programmatic advertising

How many EV charging stations does the US need to replace gas stations?

A nonprofit tried to fix tech culture —but lost control of its own

It's always sunny: Here are the best sunglasses for every adventure

Matt Burgess

Dell Cameron

Andy Greenberg

Hannah Singleton

Thor Benson

Justin Ling

• WEATHER ALERT Heat Advisory Full Story
• WEATHER ALERT Excessive Heat Watch Full Story
• pride parade

ABC 7 Chicago celebrates Pride with live broadcast from 53rd annual Pride Parade

CHICAGO (WLS) -- ABC7 celebrates the 53rd Annual Chicago Pride Parade with a two-hour, live parade broadcast, Sunday, June 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ABC 7's Tanja Babich, Hosea Sanders and Jason Knowles host the Chicago Pride Parade broadcast with Knowles capturing all the action live from the street. LGBTQ+ community advocates join the festivities, including Cody LaGrow (Emmy Award-winning journalist), Kim Hunt (LGBT Hall of Fame and Senior Director of AIDS Initiative Chicago).

The parade will also exclusively stream on ABC 7's Connected TV Apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku and ABC News Live on Hulu.

Members of the ABC 7 Chicago Eyewitness News team are scheduled to ride on the ABC 7 float including Ravi Baichwal, Rob Elgas, Jasmine Minor and Tre Ward.

"ABC7 is proud of our long-standing commitment to Pride, and we are thrilled again to be the station presenting two hours of live parade coverage on multiple platforms," said John Idler, President and General Manager of ABC7 Chicago. "ABC 7 celebrates cultural inclusion and acceptance and the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community that is so important to our city."

The 53rd Annual Pride Parade features actress, writer, and comedian Fortune Feimster as this year's grand marshal. The 2024 parade theme is "Pride is Power." The Pride Parade kicks off this year from Sheridan and Broadway, travels through the Northhalsted, Uptown, Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods and ends on Cannon Drive. The parade features colorful floats, decorated vehicles, musical talent, walking contingents and local government officials all in support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The annual parade celebration commemorates the Stonewall Riots, which occurred June 28, 1969, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. Chicago's Pride Parade takes place the same weekend in the summer, replacing what was once a fight for civil rights with dazzling displays of hope and perseverance.

About ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago

ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago is the No. 1 local news source and most-watched television station in Chicago. With top-rated daily newscasts spanning decades and the largest social media presence in the market with more than 2.6 million Facebook followers, ABC7 Eyewitness News provides breaking news, investigative reporting, weather, politics, traffic and sports in the multiplatform space to Chicago, the suburbs and northwest Indiana. Named Best News Operation by the Associated Press for four consecutive years, ABC 7 Eyewitness News produces "Chicago Proud," a series of features that spotlights everyday heroes in and around Chicago. The station also produces the highest-rated New Year's Eve special in Chicago, holiday kickoff special "The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival," syndicated to a national audience, as well as the award-winning program series "Our Chicago," which showcases the city's diversity and highlights contributions in the Black,

Hispanic, Asian, LGBTQ+ communities, among others. Every Friday, Windy City Weekend, entertains while giving Chicagoans everything they need to know about what's happening in the city. ABC 7 is the only Chicago station producing and broadcasting parades representing Chicago's rich cultural history. In addition to producing town halls focused on current social issues, the station has a long and proud tradition of broadcasting political candidate debates keeping Chicago's electorate informed. ABC7's outreach efforts include annual partnerships with the Red Cross for life-saving blood drives, one of the biggest one-day drives in the country and, most recently, spearheading an effort to raise more than $1.5 million for area food pantries.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/abc7chicago

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abc7Chicago/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abc7Chicago/

Related Topics

• COMMUNITY & EVENTS
• LINCOLN PARK
• PRIDE PARADE
• LGBTQ+ PRIDE
• PRIDE MONTH
• ABC7 CHICAGO

Pride Parade

Thousands line streets for northwest suburban Pride parade

State Department issues travel alert for LGBTQ people, events abroad

City allows more entries for Chicago Pride Parade 2024

Organizers push back against plans to downsize 2024 Pride Parade

Top stories.

Woman who died after boat capsized in Lake Michigan ID'd

Campaign denies Trump plans to stay in Chicago during Milwaukee RNC

4-year-old shot, very critically injured on Near West Side

• 3 minutes ago

'Horizon: An American Saga' is Kevin Costner's passion project

• 15 minutes ago

Why you need sunscreen despite influencers' claims | Doctors explain

Ex-husband of Sherri Papini speaks out for 1st time on kidnapping hoax

100 displaced after Mount Prospect apartment complex fire: officials

New Yorkers pounce on child rape suspect, detain him for police

• 16 minutes ago