How to Survive a Long Airplane Trip with a Toddler
Trying to fly with a toddler is always a challenge. Let’s face it, a plane ride is only entertaining for so long when you’re a little one. I can’t blame my toddler for getting bored during a long flight, have the time I’m bored too. While a long flight can get boring, it’s always very challenging for a toddler to handle. That’s why I’ve created my own list of tips to help you survive that next long airplane trip with your little one.
How to Survive a Long Airplane Trip with a Toddler
Fly at Night
If you can schedule your long flight to cover most of the nighttime hours, then that would be the perfect way to survive a long airplane trip with a toddler. Making sure most of the long flight occurs during your toddler’s sleeping hours will help them sleep for most of the flight, and in turn, minimize the moments left to keep them entertained.
Travel During Off-Peak Seasons
Try to avoid airplane travel during peak traveling seasons, as you’ll end up with more wiggle room for your active toddler. Traveling during off-peak seasons will also give you a chance to let your toddler be themselves and find entertainment without having to be super quiet as there will be fewer passengers. We can’t always travel during off-peak seasons, but try it if you can schedule a trip during the off-peak season.
Bring Full Charged Gadgets
There’s nothing wrong with having some fully charged gadgets on hand for your toddler during a long airplane trip. This can include a table with some children’s audiobooks downloaded as well as some educational games for your toddler to enjoy during a time where you simply don’t want to be in charge of entertaining them but need them to remain quiet and calm on the airplane trip.
Walk the Aisles
Make sure to walk the aisles when the passengers can have the seat belts off. This is a great way to calmly get the wiggles out so that your toddler isn’t’ too antsy in their seat. Of course, walking the aisles may be a little challenging with a toddler in tow, but this will help get some of their wiggles out so that they’re more apt to stay seated again for a longer period during your long airplane trip with a toddler.
Bring Activity Bag
Pack up a small carry on bag that has some of your toddler’s favorite toys. These toys can be quite beneficial for some pretend play during a long airplane trip with a toddler. There are many ways you can work to have some pretend playtime with their favorite figurines and other toys during your long trip up in the air with a little one.
These are just some of my simple tips to help you survive a long airplane trip with a toddler. You will know which of these tips will work best for your family and your toddler. Use my tips as a means to start planning a way to keep your toddler calm and happy during your next long airplane trip.
GiGi Eats
August 30, 2019The thought of doing this is TERRIFYING to me! Ha! My sister did it with her 1.5 year old – We flew 20 hours… And she did an AMAZING job. But I mean, they did give her some sleep drugs, lol!
Jenny
August 30, 2019I have not taken my children on any flights yet but these are great tips.
Kelly martin
August 30, 2019Great tips for travelling with a toddler on a plane. Flying at night is a good one.
Erin Knight
August 30, 2019Flight at night during toddler’s sleeping hours is the best. Less work for the parents and also the baby can have a sound sleep to prepare for an adventure.. Thanks for sahring your tips.
Stacie
August 30, 2019Traveling off-peak is a great tip! A less crowded plane means more freedom to get up and let the little one walk off some energy, or at the very least, inconvenience fewer people if/when the little one has a meltdown. I mean, toddler, after all.
Shannon gurnee
August 30, 2019Oh my gosh, what a cutie! I remember how challenging it could be traveling with a little one. These are some great tips.
Anosa
August 31, 2019These are great tips, my nephew and his parents are planning their first trip abroad.
Claire Roach
August 31, 2019I dreaded the first time I took the twins on a plane, they were 14 months but actually a lot better than I expected.
Kara
August 31, 2019I loved flying with mine when they were toddlers as the motion of the plane used to send them to sleep. Great tips
Tara Pittman
August 31, 2019Great tips. When I traveled with my boys as toddlers, I found that sitting in their car seat helped them to not want to wander.
Amy Desrosiers
August 31, 2019I have never traveled with my kids. Heck, I need something to entertain myself on a plane lol..
Brandy
August 31, 2019These are all great tips to survive a long airplane trip with a toddler. I love that you were able to share some details like this to help other parents survive such a challenging flight time with a little one.
Sherry
August 31, 2019I remember traveling with my kids as toddlers. We always made sure they had a bag with things to keep them busy.
Kathy
August 31, 2019You’ve got a lot of wonderful tips here. I’ve never actually been on a plane before. I’m sure these tips are going to be great for someone with a toddler though.
Mayuri Patel
September 1, 2019Such a useful post as nowadays more and more parents are traveling on flights with kids. Keeping them busy is important and also allowing the child to walk down the aisle. Also having their favorite snacks at hand is useful.
Heather
September 1, 2019I wasn’t brave enough to take my girls anywhere longer than a few hours when they were smaller. Though they were great on those trips!
Tiffany La Forge-Grau
September 2, 2019It can be pretty tough. Stick to this guide though and it will surely be a breeze!
Ruth I
September 2, 2019These are helpful tips! I will pass this to my sister as they are planning to come back here next year with my 2 year old niece.
Jaime Oliver
September 2, 2019I totally agree with you. Flying in the night helps massively – i try to get it then or during normal nap time hours
LaToyia Dennis
September 3, 2019I remember those days. Great tips…and photos!
Emily Fata
September 3, 2019As someone who travels a lot, I often wonder how parents cope with entertaining their little ones when on long haul flights! I guess these are some of the tips and tricks that they must use.
Celebrate Woman Today
September 3, 2019He’s growing so fast! Awesome you’re figuring your motherhood under different circumstances in a composed way. Kudos to you!
Emman Damian
September 3, 2019It’s all about bringing your tricks so that your toddler will be patient and not noisy. They love attention and care. Also, bring some toys!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
September 3, 2019It can be hard to get through a long flight with a little one. One year we did this my son screamed until he fell asleep. He was quite young then though. Now we take lots of things to distract him and he is fine, thankfully!!!
winsze
September 3, 2019These are all amazing tips, I will sure to use them when I have a toddler, but in the meantime I’ll probably use some of the ideas for myself.. fully charged gadget! 🙂
Valerie
September 4, 2019Tech is helpful for folks of all ages. When my boys were small there was no tech to bring, people just told stories and talked or watched something inflight if there was something.
Krystel | Frugal Living
September 4, 2019These are really great tips. Traveling with kids is not easy.
Ava Miller
September 10, 2019Great post, it’s so difficult to travel with toddlers that i try my best to avoid it and prefr to take the car. Thanks for sharing
Sarah Emery
September 10, 2019I could only imagine traveling with little ones. These are very helpful tips.
Colleen
September 25, 2019These are all great tips. We did some long trips with our kids when they were toddlers. It can be done, but it’s a completely different beast altogether.
Steph s
September 25, 2019Great tips! Flights with little ones is such a challenge but you’ve got some really good tips to keep them occupied!
Nigar Rahman
September 26, 2019Great tips! It’s really difficult to survive in an airplane trip with a toddler. You have given some easy solution. Thanks!
katrina Kroeplin
September 26, 2019those are great tips. it can def be hard to travel with a toddler. snacks are a must have on a long trip. i love a tablet, coloring books etc.
Tiffany La Forge-Grau
September 26, 2019Travelling with toddlers can be a real hassle. This is a great guide to keeping everyone around you happy!
littlemisadvencha
September 26, 2019travelling with a toddler is indeed a little bit challenging. that is why it is a must to be prepared. thanks for all these helpful tips. 🙂
Kristine Nicole Alessandra
September 27, 2019Booking a flight that coincides with the toddler’s bedtime is great advice. I will have to share that tip with my daughter for their future travels with their 3 year old.
surekha-dreamingloud
September 27, 2019Nice blog..! I agree to all your points, this would be very useful in the future. surekha~dreamingloud
Angelica
September 27, 2019Do you have tips on how to survive with three?! LOL I want to travel but am afraid of what those toddlers will do to me in the air!
dANIEL
September 30, 2019I have not taken my children on any flights before, but planning to do that this coming Christmas holiday. Extremely its incredible article. Thanks for sharing.
Emily Fata
August 4, 2020Oh man, I feel like it would be difficult to travel with a toddler! These are such great tips to help with that.