Tips for Flying with Kids: Stress-Free Family Air Travel from a Mom Who’s Been There

Flying with kids can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re juggling multiple little ones, tight layovers, and unpredictable delays. But after flying with our kids since they were six months old (and doing it a lot), we’ve found a rhythm that works and turns air travel into something manageable—sometimes even enjoyable.

Here’s our go-to list of family travel tips that will help you survive (and maybe even love) flying with kids.

1. Always Pack Snacks and Lunch

Nothing derails a travel day faster than hungry kids during a short layover—or worse, when your flight is delayed on the tarmac. We pack enough snacks and lunch for each child so we’re not dependent on airport food options. Think easy, no-mess items like:

Apples, grapes, or clementines

Granola bars

Homemade lunchables

Meat sticks

Trail mix

Bonus: Packing your own food saves you money and avoids the meltdown zone.

2. Buy a Seat for Every Child—Even Under 2

Yes, lap infants under 2 can fly for free, but we’ve found that buying them their own seat is worth every penny. It gives them space to nap in next to you, a place to put their belongings, prevents constant shifting, and makes the whole flight more comfortable for everyone. Safety-wise, it’s also the better choice.

3. Give Each Child Their Own Backpack

Our rule is simple: If you want it on the plane, you carry it. Each kid’s backpack includes:

Snacks

A lightweight jacket or hoodie

iPad and headphones

Small comfort item (like a stuffed animal or blanket)

We used to bring all the “recommended” travel toys—coloring books, magnetic games, sticker packs—but we always ended up with missing pieces and more mess than fun. Now, we stick to iPads and let them watch the airline’s free entertainment. Honestly? It usually puts them to sleep. Just last week, all three kids were asleep within five minutes of turning on their shows, and they stayed asleep for nearly the entire three-hour flight.

4. Bring Empty Water Bottles for Everyone

Buying bottled water at the airport adds up fast—especially for a family. With five of us, that’s easily $30 gone before we even board. Now we bring empty, reusable water bottles and fill them at the airport after security. It’s free and means no repeatedly asking the flight attendant for refills.

5. Pick Flights that Match Your Family’s Schedule

If your kids are early risers, consider morning flights. We often choose a 7:00 a.m. departure because our kids are always up before 6 a.m. and have no problems getting up earlier. If the flight is long or has layovers, they’ll usually nap, enjoy the destination once we arrive, and go to bed at their usual time. Our kids also fall apart past 8 p.m. so we know traveling at night wouldn’t be fun for anyone. Matching flight times to your kids’ natural rhythms can make travel days much smoother.

6. Keep a “Flight Day” Mindset

Flying with kids is all about flexibility. Delays happen. Seat changes happen. Security lines happen. Expect a few hiccups and focus on keeping everyone fed, rested, and entertained. We don’t overschedule the arrival day and always plan an easy, low-stress first activity at our destination.

7. Make Boarding Work for You

Some families prefer boarding early to get settled, but with kids, we often board last so they can run off a little more energy in the terminal instead of sitting still on the plane for longer than necessary. This only changes if we fly Southwest….then we are ready to board with families after the A group boards so we can get seating together.

8. Prepare for Security Like a Pro

We used to only carry on bags. But now, we check everything. I don’t bring a purse when we travel. Each of us carries one small backpack. Long story short, we try to drop as much as we can at bag check so we aren’t carrying much through the airport.

We also have TSA PreCheck since we travel often so we can avoid long security lines.

Final Thoughts

Flying with Kids Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful

The key to flying with kids is preparation, flexibility, and knowing your family’s rhythm. With the right snacks, gear, and mindset, you can turn a potentially chaotic day into a smooth travel experience.

The more you do it, the easier it becomes—and before long, you’ll find your kids are pros at airport life, too.