When it comes to traveling through the airport with young children, it can be a daunting task for even the most seasoned travelers. From managing the family luggage and navigating security checkpoints to keeping restless little ones entertained during long waits, the airport can present a long list of challenges for parents and caregivers.
However, with some careful planning and preparation, traveling with young children can become a manageable and even enjoyable experience. The team of experts at Your Baby Club have shared their top tips for parents, so you can set off on your vacation on the right foot.
Organize Essential Documents
When flying with the family, you will need passports, visas, and any other important documents at hand. Having to look after not only your own but also your children’s important documents can be stressful if they aren’t organized efficiently. To eliminate the added stress of trying to find essential documents when flying, bring a folder with them organized, and keep it safe in your carry-on luggage. Having these documents readily available can make the airport process run much smoother, as it ensures you have quick access when going through security, checking in, or for any emergencies.
Use Family Security Lanes
The family security lines are purposefully designed for families with young children, so why wouldn’t you make the most of them? Depending on the airport you fly from, many have infrastructures put in place to aid parents and alleviate the stress of traveling with children.
This often means shorter wait times, which can be particularly advantageous when traveling with restless or impatient little ones who may struggle to stand in long lines. Family security lanes also often have dedicated staff trained to assist families with young children through the screening process. Upon entering the airport, you can ask a steward about their family-friendly security lines and how they work for that specific location.
Check-In Strollers and Car Seats
Often at no charge, you can check in strollers and car seats at either the ticket counter or at the gate with most airlines. For transporting your little ones around the airport, using a stroller provides a convenient way to transport both your children and any carry-on items, allowing you to move more efficiently.
It also provides a comfortable place for your child to sit or rest, minimizing the chance of any tantrums or meltdowns, as young children can quickly become tired or restless when walking long distances, especially in large airports with multiple terminals. Checking in strollers and car seats free of charge can help simplify the overall process of navigating the airport, especially if the routine is unfamiliar for your younger children.
Bring Entertainment and Snacks
This one may sound obvious, but dedicating some hand-luggage space solely to games and snacks for your kids is a great way to keep them occupied and happy. While tablets may be your go-to, bring a range of different toys and games so they don’t lose interest and become unsettled during the flight. Things like coloring books, puzzles, finger puppets, and fidget toys are perfect to keep your little ones occupied. Bringing sensory toys on the plane can help to distract them during take-off and turbulence.
Depending on the length of the flight, bring a suitable number of snacks for the journey. When packing food for your child, place them into clear zip-lock bags and ensure they are sealed shut. For creamier snacks, they have to be 3.4 ounces or less according to the official TSA guidelines. Dry foods like granola, dried fruit, cereals, crackers, and cookies are good options to bring with you.
Plan Bathroom Breaks
Before arriving at the airport, familiarize yourself with the layout and closest bathroom locations. Upon arrival, strategically time your bathroom breaks, taking into account your flight departure time, boarding procedures, and any other activities or delays that may affect your travel schedule at the airport.
Arrive Early
Leave excess time before arriving at the airport for damage control. No matter how prepared you may be, traveling with young kids can be unpredictable. By giving yourself extra time for any mishaps, it won’t impact your itinerary and cause you to unnecessarily rush at the airport. For domestic flights, aim to get to the airport at least two hours before. You should factor in extra time if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling on longer flights that are international.
Dress Comfortably
This goes for parents and children, but dressing comfortably and in layers can save both time and meltdowns from occurring. If your little one needs changing, spills something down them, or becomes overheated, dressing them in layers means you can easily remove the outer layers of clothing without a fuss.
For longer flights, keeping your kids comfortable can prevent them from becoming distressed or uncomfortable. Additionally, throughout the airport process, if they are dressed comfortably, it can encourage them to nap during long waits or even on the flight.
Check In Online
Most airlines allow you to check in online, which can come in handy for those with young children. Not only does it avoid the queuing time you would have to go through doing it in person, but you can also select seats on the flight if not done beforehand.
By eliminating this step at the airport, you can go straight to checking in your luggage and speed up the process ahead of boarding your flight. For families, this can give you more time to grab a bite to eat, or even avoid a rush if you do happen to fall behind schedule.
