We’ve been flying with our daughter since she was 6 months old. Back then, it was all about bottles, naps, and diaper changes. Now that she’s almost two, things are… different. There’s less diaper changes and she’s less delicate but now she’s more active, sleeps less, and wants to explore everything.
Here are some real-world tips to help keep your toddler busy, entertained and ease the burden of your next family vacation.
✈️ Stickers for the Window
Our daughter loves Frozen, Moana, Encanto, and Mickey — so we brought a pack of themed stickers. Regular stickers are great for sticker books, but 3D gel window stickers were even better. She loved sticking them to the window and tray table, and best of all, they peel off easily with no mess.
🎨 Magic Water Marker Books
No mess, no stress. These reusable coloring books use a marker filled with water to reveal colors on the page. They’re a genius travel hack, quiet, entertaining, and a lot less of a mess.
🧠 Sensory & Sorting Toys
Toys that involve sorting, stacking, or organizing are perfect for curious little hands. Sensory toys like pop tubes, fidget toys, or suction spinners are also a hit, they’re engaging, quiet, and travel-friendly. Plus, they’re good for a child whose learning about the world.
📱 Don’t Be Afraid to Buy a Tablet
We made it through our trip to the Dominican Republic without a tablet… but it wasn’t easy. We resorted on toys and books mostly, and we caved and used our phones a couple of times in the airport. But for our next trip to Europe, we gave in and ordered a Tablet.
Educational/sensory toys are great, but let’s be honest, they only go so far. When our daughter got bored of the toys, and the plane’s WiFi was down we had no downloaded shows or movies on our phones, which made the flight more difficult than it needed to be. Learn from us: download your kid’s favorite shows or movies in advance. You don’t have to use it the whole flight, but when flying with a toddler… sometimes it’s all about survival.
🍿 Pack a Ton of Snacks
Snacks are clutch. Choose healthy, not-too-messy favorites like crackers, Bear Paws, or Goldfish. They’ll keep your toddler content during long waits and restless stretches.
🛍️ Bring Plastic Bags
You’ll thank yourself later. Use them for trash, dirty wipes, busted markers or the used up stickers. Toss a few extras in your carry-on, this will help keep your area cleaner and give you more space to relax.
🎒 Pack Light (For Yourself)
You’ll be lugging diapers, toys, books, snacks, wipes, and probably sharing a seat. Make room by minimizing your own stuff. Don’t forget to dress comfy too… comfort beats fashion when you're flying with a toddler. And if your child isn’t quite two, you’ll be sharing a seat and you’ll need all the room you can get.
🏃 Tire Them Out at the Airport
If you want your child to sleep on the flight, make sure they don’t nap in the airport. Let them run, explore, play hide-and-seek, whatever burns energy. Your legs and back will be sore, but a tired toddler who is dozing off and napping in the flight is much better than a psychotic bundle of energy!
Final Thought:
Flying with a toddler isn’t easy, but following these tips can make things go a lot smoother, and a lot of fun! With the right toys, snacks, and mindset, you can make the journey smoother for everyone (including your fellow passengers).
Safe travels, and may the naps be ever in your favor!
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