A parent of three reveals her tricks of the trade on Trip Advisor
As soon as my three children were able to fly, I strapped them into a baby carrier and hopped on a plane. From our home-base in Toronto, we started small, opting for short flights to nearby provinces to test things out. As young babies, they were a dream. They slept in baby carriers attached to me; I breastfed whenever they were hungry. Everyone coo’ed over them and I remember thinking, “This is easy!”
That was short-lived.
Enter toddlers, who needed entertainment, space to move, and so many snacks. Multiple kids meant that I was straddling different age groups, all difficult in their own ways, and all with their own needs. Plus, the stuff! Baby gear, toddler gear, and—you know—actual children. The kids didn’t sit still, they screamed, they threw things, they walked the aisle and paid unwelcome visits to other passengers. I needed a new strategy.
After being marooned by Covid along with everyone else, last year I took the older two—4 and 6 years old—on an 11-hour flight to Fiji. And, armed with their own backpacks and iPads, activity books, headphones, games, and every snack under the sun, they nailed it.
It’s taken me years, and a few-not-so pleasant flights, to figure out how to ace flying with kids. From packing suitcases and parking to what to do with strollers, here’s everything that’s worked for me.
Pack as lightly as possible
As a first-time parent flyer, I made the mistake of packing everything my baby might need in a week—just for a three-day weekend in Florida with the in-laws. I grabbed every onesie and disposable changing pads, throwing in the sound machine, muslin blankets, wipes, bottles, and all the diapers. Even after dropping off my heavy checked bag, I still had so much gear that I arrived at the gate sweaty and on the verge of tears.
Little did I know that I could call ahead to my destination and see what was available on arrival. Large global resort brands like Club Med and Beaches—among my favorite for families with kids—will greet you with baby gear like cribs, infant baths, pureed food, and even bottle warmers. (Not to mention fully trained babysitters who are arguably more qualified to watch my kids than I am.)
While on a Holland-America cruise a few years ago, I learned that some ships also stock diapers and swim diapers (all included in the price). Last year, I made the ultimate convenience call by ordering a box of diapers through Amazon, and had it shipped to our vacation rental in Costa Rica ahead of time.
A quick word on airport parking
Discounted airport parking can be great, but not while attempting to lift a stroller onto an early-morning shuttle in a dark parking lot and coaxing a toddler onto the bus, all while struggling to carry my luggage. I’ve since found Park For U, a Toronto-area company that will meet you at the airport and park the car your behalf, and I recommend that travelers research services like this at their home airports if they are looking for alternatives to cabs or ride-shares—anything to help make the kid-unloading and check-in process smoother and easier.
Use a plane-friendly travel stroller
I always fly with a travel stroller; my favorites are the SilverCross Jet, Bugaboo Bee, or Butterfly. They’re all lighter than traditional strollers, easy to maneuver, and outfitted with additional storage. When traveling with the whole crew, I use a wheeled stroller board attachment to transport two children on one stroller.
Some parents swear by the time-honored ritual of tucking the smallest-of-small travel strollers into the overhead bin, but I already have enough stuff to haul onto a plane. Instead, during the boarding process, I take the stroller to the end of the jetway and gate-check it. When we arrive at our destination, it’s waiting for us right outside the plane door, where I can strap sleepy kids in and be on our way.
…and a baby carrier
Baby carriers are my preferred way to travel with infants. I’ve had the one from Baby Tula Free-To-Grow my first son was born and it’s my favorite; it’s lightweight, comfortable, secure, and ergonomic—so much so that I once sailed through a three-day wine festival wearing my baby in it.
Baby-wearing keeps your hands free to manage passports, boarding passes, and diaper bags. And parents who choose to breastfeed can usually do so while baby-wearing (especially convenient when your husband can’t decide where to have lunch on a sweltering summer day in New York City, your baby is getting grumpy, and you just want to sit for a minute—or so I’ve heard).
Always, always pack snacks
Somewhere between a tantrum on the airport floor in St. Lucia and hour No. 2 of screaming on the plane to Mexico, I decided that I would never be caught snack-less again.
But after years of picking up Goldfish crackers from under plane seats, apologizing for Cheerios on the floor, and cleaning up one particularly explosive incident that left my sons—plus the seats, tray tables, and me coated in a yogurt-y mess—I’ve switched up the strategy. Our newfound snacking sanity is all owed to YumBoxes, bento box–style reusable containers that I fill with all manner of goodie. Because in life and on planes, satiated toddlers keep everyone happy.
Bring stuff to keep ’em busy
I always pack a new toy or book in the boys’ carry-on, even going do far as gift-wrapping it so they have the “project” unwrapping. Magnetic toys, connectors (I like Duplo or Magformers), or mess-free coloring are always a hit with the kids—not to mention the cleaning crew.
Finally, there’s the tablet. Be sure to downloaded your kids’ go-to shows in advance, install your favorite learning apps (Sago Mini School and Teach Your Monster To Read are both great), and have family photos all teed up to swipe through—no Wifi required. (Recently, my kids have also started playing with Apple’s stopwatch app; I have no idea what they’re timing, but it keeps them occupied.)
One more word for the wise: Just when you think you have flying with kids all figured out, everything will change and your child or children will be in a totally new phase. Prepare as much as you can and load up on those snacks, but most importantly be flexible and enjoy the adventure.