Flying with Kids? The Ultimate Airport Survival Guide
Flying with Kids? Here’s How to Survive…
Picture this: you're wrangling a stroller, three carry-ons, and a toddler who just realized they can run 30 mph through a TSA line. Meanwhile, your other child is emotionally spiraling over their stuffed animal going through the X-ray machine. Sound familiar?
Flying with kids is part adventure, part obstacle course, part test of patience. But with a few smart strategies, it can actually be manageable—dare we say, even fun.
1. Let Them Burn Off Energy Before Takeoff
Kids are meant to move. So let them.
Find an empty gate and let them run laps. Turn your luggage into an obstacle course. Let them "window shop" or people-watch and make up stories about fellow travelers. ("That guy with the sunglasses? Totally a secret agent.")
Bonus tip: Many airports have play areas—check ahead or ask a staff member.
Related Read: Best Airport Play Areas for Kids
2. Master the TSA Line with Mini Assignments
Security lines + kids = chaos. But a little structure goes a long way.
Give each child a job. One’s in charge of shoes, one loads the bags, another protects the stuffed animal. Turning it into a mission helps ease the stress (and might distract them from the fact they have to take off their beloved light-up Crocs).
Related Read: How to Breeze Through Airport Security with Kids
3. Snacks Are Your Secret Weapon
Forget overpriced terminal snacks and pack your own stash. Aim for variety—crunchy (pretzels), chewy (gummies), and protein-packed (cheese sticks or nuts). And always, always keep one "emergency snack" hidden for when things go sideways.
Bring empty water bottles to fill after security—hydrated kids are happier kids. It’s science.
Related Read: Best Healthy Travel Snacks for Kids
4. Don’t Waste Gate Time—Use It
Once you’re past security, shift to full distraction mode.
Play I-Spy. Whisper-sing songs and try not to laugh. Pull out a mystery toy they’ve never seen before. (I’m obviously biased, but Beansie travel toys were made for moments like these.)
And whatever you do, don’t tell them how long the wait is. Keep it vague. “We’ll board soon” is your go-to line. Always.
Related Read: Best Travel Toys for Kids
5. Timing Is Everything When Boarding
There’s no perfect strategy here, but here’s what works for me:
If you’re flying with a partner, one adult boards first with all the gear to get settled. The other stays back and lets the kids move around until the last possible second. Saves your sanity and the other passengers’.
6. Once You’re in the Air—Keep It Moving
You’ve officially entered survival mode. Think of the flight in 20-minute chunks.
Coloring → Snack → iPad → Tiny game → Wrapped surprise toy → Attempted nap.
Rinse and repeat.
Little hack: wrap small toys or activities like gifts and let them open them throughout the flight. Weirdly effective.
Related Read: How to Keep Kids Entertained on a Plane
7. The Bathroom Situation
Why do they never have to go before takeoff and always have to go when the seatbelt sign is on? No idea. But you know it’s going to happen.
Try the “just in case” visit before boarding, and accept that you’ll probably be awkwardly navigating the tiny airplane bathroom regardless.
8. The Final Stretch: Landing
You made it. And now, just make it off the plane without losing a stuffed animal, forgetting a shoe, or having a meltdown in the aisle.
Make a big deal of it. Take a “we survived” selfie. Hand out one last snack. Declare your kids official Travel Ninjas. Whatever it takes.
The Bottom Line? Lower the bar. Bring the snacks. Embrace the chaos.
Flying with kids is a lot. But it’s also full of funny, sweet, chaotic little memories you’ll actually laugh about later. And when in doubt? Beansie toys + snacks + screens = survival.
Got a favorite travel trick of your own? We’re all ears—drop it in the comments.