Family holidays with a toddler in tow take a little extra planning, but with the right preparation, flying with young children can be just as enjoyable as any other trip.
There are countless benefits of travel, and even though your child may be too young to appreciate them all, you can still enjoy the world now that you have a little one — sometimes even more. You often get VIP treatment at the airport, as staff will fast track you past queues for the sake of your little one.
My family has travelled extensively with my two-year-old daughter. She's been on several domestic flights, and we've taken her to Asia and Europe as well. We've learnt a lot along the way and have enjoyed making memories as a family. When she's older, I have no doubt she'll enjoy hearing the stories and seeing the photos from our trips. These are tested tips for travelling with a toddler.
1. Prepare for take-off and landing
One of the biggest surprises when flying is the change in air pressure. While ear popping may not bother a seasoned traveller, for a first-timer — especially such a young one — it can feel uncomfortable.
There's no surefire way to avoid this, but some common fixes include:
Making sure your child is well hydrated before and during the flight
Giving them something to eat
Giving your toddler a dummy or something to suck on
2. Book late-night flights
Sleeping on planes can be difficult, so give your child the best chance of some shut-eye. By booking a flight that coincides with their bedtime, they'll naturally be sleepy and more likely to doze off during the journey — even if it's on your lap or shoulder. A well-rested child makes all the difference when flying with a toddler.
Don't be surprised if the excitement of the holiday keeps them up later than usual. Being on a plane is a thrilling moment for young children, so let them soak it all in before you try to settle them down.
3. Pack toys and snacks
Toddlers often need more creature comforts on a flight than adult passengers. Pack cuddly toys, a blanket for extra warmth and plenty of snacks for the journey. This will help keep your toddler comfortable and entertained in the event of delays or unexpected hold-ups. Steer clear of anything too high in sugar, but a few extra treats tucked away never hurt.
Wrapping up toys — even something small like a colouring book — can make the journey feel a little more special.
4. Break up a long haul flight with a toddler
Everyone has their own tricks for beating jet lag, but many don't translate well to children. One of the best approaches is to break up the journey where you can.
A friend of mine swears by taking three separate flights from Australia to Europe. While most adults prefer to just get it over and done with, he finds that changing planes and seeing new airports breaks up the trip, lets his children stretch their legs and gives them a chance to eat somewhere familiar if the airport food hasn't gone down well.
When I've flown with my daughter to the UK, I've always tried to build in as long a stopover as possible. Booking an airport hotel means we can get a proper sleep and arrive at the second leg far less exhausted.
5. Choose a toddler-friendly destination
Save destinations centred around cultural activities for when children are older. When we flew to Europe to visit family, we went to Rome and Budapest — both beautiful, historically rich cities that, as it turns out, hold very little appeal for a toddler.
I can tell you with certainty that the first half of the Museo Leonardo da Vinci is genuinely fascinating, but that's as far as I got before my little one started protesting. The result was that neither parent felt they got their money's worth from that trip.
Next time, we went to Bali — and had an amazing time. Digging on the beach, playing in a kids' room and splashing in a pool are far better ingredients for a holiday with a young family than museums and ancient architecture. When searching for toddler-friendly destinations, think about how much unstructured outdoor and water time is on offer.
6. Don't be afraid to ask for help
Flying with a toddler can be an ordeal at times, especially as a solo parent, but cabin crew and airport staff are on your side. Everyone wants to help you through the journey — if only to keep the other passengers happy — so don't hesitate to ask.
Most airlines these days have entertainment packs for children, but if you need anything else, someone will be happy to help. Whether it's retrieving something from the overhead locker while your child is asleep on you or assistance at the baggage carousel, flight attendants are there to help. Many also carry spare snacks, nappies and even toys.
You'll often find sympathy with other parents too — just ask, or make the face. They'll know exactly what you mean.
7. Give your toddler some leeway
You may have firm rules about screen time and other habits at home, but this isn't a normal day. Even if you've packed enough toys, books and crafts to last the entire holiday, sometimes that's not what they want.
With screens all around them, they're bound to get envious of other passengers watching films. A bit of extra screen time in the air isn't the end of the world, even if it means watching the same six episodes of Bluey on repeat.
Letting them stretch their legs up and down the aisle is also welcome relief on a long haul flight with a toddler, so don't feel guilty about spending time hanging around near the galley.
8. Be kind to yourself
As with any aspect of parenting, you can do everything right and still end up with a crying child. You aren't the first and certainly won't be the last to go through this on a plane. While it can feel like every eye is on you, most people are looking with sympathy rather than judgment.
Just as you would on the ground, you need to look after yourself in order to look after your child — there's a reason cabin crew tell you to fit your own mask first. Try to get some rest, eat and drink well, and think happy, beachy thoughts when you need them.
Planning a family trip takes more than just booking flights from packing for kids to choosing the right place to go, the details matter. If you're still deciding on a destination, we've rounded up the best holiday spots for babies and toddlers as well as affordable family-friendly options that won't break the bank. Travelling with a younger baby? Check out our tips for flying with a baby, and don't forget to brush up on car seat rules for your destination before you go.
