Tips for Flying with Kids: A Stress-Free Family Adventure

Flying with kids can be a daunting experience for any parent. The thought of being “that family” with crying children or little ones running up and down the aisles is enough to make anyone anxious. But air travel with kids doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal. With some preparation and tried-and-true strategies, it’s possible to keep your little ones entertained, comfortable, and well-behaved during the journey.

In this blog, we’ll share practical tips and family-tested solutions to help you navigate the skies with confidence and enjoy a smoother flight experience for everyone.

Setting Expectations for Air Travel with Kids

First, let’s set the scene for getting onto a plane with kids. When we travel by plane, we understand that it will be stressful. You’re slightly out of control when flying, as you’re on someone else’s schedule. You can’t control what the lines look like, and there are a lot of unknowns the second you enter the airport.

Approaching the journey with the mindset that it might be a bit chaotic—and embracing that unpredictability—can make a big difference. When parents stay calm and adaptable, it helps kids understand that challenges are a natural part of the experience and that it’s okay when things don’t go perfectly because some things are simply out of our control.

Encouraging Responsibility

When flying with kids, giving them responsibility for some of their belongings can be a game-changer. It lightens your load, teaches them independence, and keeps them engaged.

Personally, I always carry my trusty “mom bag,” packed with essentials like an extra change of clothes and items to make the flight smoother for everyone. This preparation ensures I’m ready for anything while keeping the journey more manageable.

Think about what stresses you out and what you can do to alleviate that stress. If accidents happen or the kids spill a drink all over themselves, I’m not stressed out because I know I’ve got a backup outfit.

Managing Ear Pressure and Keeping Kids Engaged

One thing you should know is that when younger kids are screaming, it’s often due to pressure in their eardrums. They don’t understand how to alleviate it. If you have little ones still bottle-feeding, there are tricks to help with this. For adults, we do the fake yawn or pop our jaws to relieve pressure. For babies, having a bottle with something they’ll be excited to drink, like juice, can help. My kids didn’t drink much juice but eagerly drank it during takeoff and landing when their ears were more pressurized.

As they age and no longer use a bottle, bubble gum can do the trick. I always keep bubble gum in my bag for myself and my children. I have my minty or cinnamon preference, and my kids have their ridiculous Bubble Yum or something they enjoy chewing. This helps alleviate ear pressure.

Surprise and Engage

Another thing I like to bring is a surprise toy, magazine, or activity book that the kids weren’t expecting. Reminding them that there might be a surprise if they behave can be a great incentive. Sometimes, I bring learning apps on an iPad. I’ll download a game without the kids knowing, and when we get on the plane, I’ll say, “Hey, I downloaded this game for you to try.” It often keeps them engaged for hours.

For little ones, I recommend bringing bottles, a change of clothes, and baby wipes for cleanup. Bubble gum helps with ear pressure in older kids. A surprise, whether an app, activity book, toy, or car, can capture their attention unexpectedly.

Keeping the Experience Positive

Travel can be stressful, but if you bring that stress into the adventure with your kids, they’ll absorb it. Even if you’re not openly communicating it, they can feel it. Do everything you can to make the whole experience as positive as possible, even if it means sometimes lying to yourself.