What’s worse—entertaining kids at home for the entirety of spring break, or having to bring them on an airplane to your destination? Just kidding.  Even though it might make things difficult for working parents, having kids home from school for a few days during one of the best weather months of the year is really not that bad. Especially if you’re in the latter camp and have a family getaway planned. Yay vacation! Memories! Etcetera!

If you’re stressed about traveling by air with your child(ren) during a peak week, fear not, dear parent. We have a few expert hacks below on how to make flying with kids this spring break, well, not fun, per say, but definitely a bit less hectic:

Book your flights wisely. Running through the airport to catch a layover with kids and all that stuff sounds like a nightmare, as does flying with a screaming child who’s cranky because he missed his nap. Try to book flights that take nap times into consideration (early morning can work too since these flights are least likely to experience delays), as well as direct flights whenever possible. Children ages two and older are required to have their own seat on a plane, but it might be a good idea to book a ticket for a younger child too if you plan to travel with their carseat, or simply if you want to keep your lap (relatively) infant free. As for the best flight seats to choose with kids? Avoid the exit row, try to get the extra legroom ones if they’re available, and put little ones in the window instead of the aisle so they can’t escape or block the snack cart.

Pack more than you think you’ll need in your carry-ons. I’ll never forget my first flight with my then two-year-old, when he breezed through literally 7 snacks before we even boarded our plane. Don’t be me! Stock your carry-on with treats that’ll satiate and that won’t get flagged at security — and maybe try to ration the food out better than I did? The carry-on should meet the weight limits, but still include as many items as possible that’ll make your travel easier, whether that’s a ride-on suitcase, noise-cancelling headphones, compact blankets and pillows for snoozing, or car seat covers (this TikTok video has some pretty great travel product ideas if you’re not sure where to start). And definitely bring extra clothes for each child, and at least an extra top for yourself. 

Prepare your kids for the flying experience. Younger children, first-time fliers and/or anxious kiddos might be nervous about what to expect on their journey, so make sure to talk them through it, from arrival at boarding to baggage claim. This social story from United Airlines articulates well what’ll happen when travelling, or show them an educational YouTube video about a kid’s first flight. Definitely include a part in there about how each person in the family (depending on their age) is responsible for their own belongings, but don’t be shocked if you still end up toting around everyone else’s luggage. Worth a shot!

Prioritize hygiene and safety. Flu season may be over, but allergy season is in full swing, plus, kids (and adults) tend to catch colds this time of year as the weather changes. Make sure to pack wipes, hand sanitizer, band-aids and tissues in your carry-on bags, as well as any emergency medications you may need such as ibuprofen or antihistamines. Wipe down the tray tables and armrests once you arrive at your seats, and encourage the kiddos to wash their hands (or sanitize) regularly, both before, during and after the ride. Don’t forget the SPF if you’re headed somewhere sunny, and figure out before you leave what the car seat situation might be upon arrival — for example, can you rent one in the Uber from the airport to your hotel?

Go in with an open-mind. Your kid may cry, have a blow-out diaper, have ear pain during takeoff and landing, or need to walk the aisles for the flight’s duration. Such is life when traveling with little ones. Hey, I warned you from the beginning of the article that this wasn’t going to be the fun part! As with most aspects of parenting, ultimately these things are out of your control, and you’ll need to roll with the punches. If your neighbors are annoyed, ignore it to the best of your ability, and make a joke upon landing. “Kids, amirite?”  Your flight will land, you’ll all be fine, and it’ll all be a distant memory one day. Good luck on your family adventure, folks.

Need more travel tips? Check out Starglow’s road trip travel hacks and ways to make summer travel fun.

What’s your favorite hack for flying with kids?

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