Jump Ahead
Choose the RIGHT Flight
One thing most people don’t realize is that your flight experience starts long before you board the plane. The flight you choose can completely set the tone for your trip.
Mid-morning flights are always our go-to. Kids are usually more rested, airports are calmer, and delays are less common. We try to book flights around 10:00 AM and arrive 2–3 hours early so we have time for breakfast, bathroom breaks, and most importantly: letting our toddler burn off energy before boarding. Even 20 minutes of running around makes a huge difference on the plane. If a mid-morning flight isn’t possible, try to book around your toddler’s normal nap time.
We also love giving our toddler the window seat since it provides built-in entertainment and keeps them more contained during the flight.
If possible, book a direct flight. Even if it costs a little more, it’s usually worth it. Fewer layovers mean fewer transitions, less waiting, and a much smoother travel day for everyone.
Mom Tip:
Airport Strategy
The airport is NOT the place to keep your toddler calm.
It’s the place to wear them out.
This mindset shift changed everything for us.
Before every flight, we intentionally look for ways to keep our son moving. We let him run around empty gates, walk moving sidewalks over and over, explore terminals, and burn as much energy as possible before boarding. Even just 20–30 minutes of movement makes a huge difference once you’re stuck sitting on the plane.
One thing that became a total game-changer for us once our son got a little older? A ride-on scooter suitcase. It keeps kids moving, entertained, and actually excited about walking through the airport instead of constantly asking to be carried. We let our son pack a few of his favorite travel items inside himself, which makes him feel independent and even more excited for the trip. Just remember, this is NOT the toddler survival backpack. Since the scooter suitcase goes in the overhead bin, anything inside won’t be accessible during the flight. We always explain ahead of time that the items inside are for the airport and hotel, not for the plane. Setting that expectation early avoids a lot of mid-flight frustration later. Honestly, it turns airport walking into part of the adventure instead of another stressful part of travel.
One of our biggest mistakes early on was trying to sit quietly at the gate before boarding. Huge mistake. Toddlers are about to sit in a confined seat for hours. Let them get the wiggles out first.
Another thing that helps? Thinking about the flight in phases instead of one long overwhelming experience.
Example:
First → snack
Then → window time
Then → show
Then → toy
Then → another snack
Then → movie
Breaking things up helps the flight feel manageable for everyone.
Amazon Finds:
Toddler Survival Backpack
This backpack is not just a backpack.
This is your entire flight survival plan.
Entertainment
Even if your family normally limits screen time… flights are survival mode. And honestly? Tablets can be a lifesaver.
Before your trip, download:
♡ Favorite movies
♡ Favorite shows
♡ ONE brand new movie
♡ Simple learning games
♡ Offline videos
Amazon Finds:
Snacks
Snacks are not just snacks on a flight.
They are a strategy.
Snacks:
- buy time
- reset moods
- prevent meltdowns
- create distractions
Bring way more than you think you’ll need.
Mom Tip:
Toys & Activities
This is where timing matters more than quantity.
Do NOT give all the toys at once.
Instead:
♡ Rotate activities slowly
♡ Save your best toys for hard moments
♡ Bring a few “new” or forgotten toys
♡ Wrap small toys for extra excitement
Amazon Finds:
Comfort Items
Even if your toddler doesn’t fully nap, comfort items help them relax and feel safe in a new environment. Sometimes it’s not about getting a full sleep, but it’s about creating a moment of calm. A familiar item can completely reset their mood and give you a break.
On the Flight
Once you finally sit down on the plane, the goal shifts from “keeping them busy” to “keeping things manageable.”
One thing that changed flying for us? Bringing the car seat.
I know it sounds like a hassle, but toddlers thrive on familiarity. The car seat instantly tells them:
“This is where I sit.”
Without it, airplane seats can feel like total freedom — climbing, standing, twisting around nonstop. With the car seat, there’s structure and comfort.
It also helped our son nap WAY better on flights.
Don’t Skip These Tips
These are the small things that make a HUGE difference.
Sleeping & Nap Times on the Plane
Your toddler may not nap perfectly on the plane… and honestly, that’s okay.
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is getting through the travel day with a little less stress and a little more calm.
A few things that helped us the most:
♡ Booking flights during normal nap times
♡ Bringing familiar blankets, stuffed animals, or loveys
♡ Putting pajamas on for red-eye flights
♡ Using the airplane’s white noise to your advantage
♡ Letting naps happen naturally in the car seat or stroller
♡ Lowering expectations and going with the flow
Some flights, our son slept almost the entire time.
Other flights, he barely slept at all and was overtired by landing.
And honestly? Both were survivable.
One rough flight doesn’t ruin the trip. Sometimes the best thing you can do as a parent is stop putting pressure on yourself for everything to go perfectly and just focus on keeping everyone comfortable, flexible, and calm.
Real Mom Moments & Tips
There will probably be a moment during your trip where:
- snacks are everywhere
- your toddler is over it
- you’re exhausted
- and you’re counting down until landing
But there will also be moments where:
- they’re laughing at the window
- cuddled up watching a movie
- or asleep on your chest
And those moments make it all worth it.
One of our flights was honestly a complete disaster. Nothing went according to plan. And now? We laugh about it. The memories still happened. The trip was still worth it.
