Flying with a Baby and a Toddler: How We Survived (and Even Enjoyed It!)

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Traveling with a baby and a toddler might sound like the beginning of a comedy (or a horror movie), but with a little prep and the right mindset, it can actually be a sweet, bonding experience full of little joys and big wins.

Whether you're visiting family or off on an adventure, flying with young kids is totally doable—and worth it.

We just tackled a trip with our baby and toddler in tow, and I’m here to share everything we learned—from the toys that saved us mid-tantrum to the snacks that kept everyone happy. Let’s dive into how to not just survive—but maybe even thrive—when flying with little ones.

What to Pack: What We Took on the Plane

(What Did and What Didn’t Work)

Keeping tiny hands busy (and quiet) is the name of the game. Here are a few MVPs that don’t take up much space but go a long way:

Magnetic Puzzles
We brought the Melissa & Doug Paw Patrol version for our 4-year-old, and it was perfect for his skill level. All the pieces stay on the board—amazing for travel!

Travel Magnet Tiles
These were in our son’s Easter basket and have become the best on-the-go toy. He loves his full-sized tiles at home, so these were a perfect mini alternative for travel.

Books
Our toddler is into Step Into Reading Paw Patrol books—can you tell we’re in a Paw Patrol phase? The 5-in-1 collection kept him entertained, even on his own. Our baby enjoyed textured books and anything Eric Carle!

Water Wow Books
Zero mess and so much fun. Older kids might also enjoy traditional coloring books—just keep crayons within reach.

Fidget Toys
A hit with our first son. Sadly, a miss for our youngest. I packed fidget spinners for our most recent flight, but since he’d already played with them at home, the novelty had worn off.

Stacking Cups or Links
Our 9-month-old is obsessed. We use soft silicone ones that stack easily and double as teething toys.

Tablet + Headphones
We preload a few favorite shows or games but wait to introduce it as our last-resort magic wand. We’re usually screen-limited at home, but travel days = unlimited screens. On our recent trip to Disney, our oldest watched WALL-E on the way there and fell asleep to it on the flight home. A total win. I let our eldest borrow my IPad with a kid-proof case, but if you are looking for a tablet specifically for your child, check out Amazon’s Fire Tablet!

Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks

You truly can’t pack too many snacks. Here's what worked best for us:

For the Toddler:

• Snack bars (cut into bite-sized pieces)

• Crackers in a snack catcher

• Fruit pouches

• Beef sticks

• Pretzels — fun story: our son fell asleep before the flight attendant came by with pretzels. My husband and I ate them... and the first thing he asked for when he woke up was “those yummy pretzels.”

• Mini muffins (bonus points if they’re homemade!)

For the Baby:

• Puffs or melts

• Formula or breastmilk—always pack extra in case of delays (See my post here for baby feeding travel tips)

• Pre-cut soft fruits (if your baby is eating solids)

• A soft-spouted sippy or bottle for takeoff and landing (helps with ear pressure)

I didn’t pack teething biscuits this time—our baby makes a massive mess with them, so they weren’t worth it.

And don’t forget wipes. So many wipes.
I bring two kinds: sanitizing wipes for tray tables and seat belts, and the gentle kind for faces, hands, and cleanups (like the inevitable food pouch explosion or spit-up surprise).

If you're ordering drinks on the plane, ask the flight attendants for a lid for everyone’s cups. Airplane seats are tight—spills are inevitable otherwise.

Overall Travel Tips: What Helped Us Most

• Don’t check essential medications.
  Always keep any needed medicine for your kids (and yourself!) with you on the plane. We learned this the hard way—our oldest struggled with recurring ear infections, and Benadryl helped relieve pressure during flights. Talk to your pediatrician ahead of time so you know exactly what’s safe and how much to bring.

• Try to book flights around nap times.
  If your child naps well in your arms, this is golden. Our youngest fought naps on one flight and it was... rough. It happens.

• Babywear through the airport.
  It’s a total game-changer when your hands are full.

• Gate check your stroller.
  This way, you can use it right up to boarding and have it ready when you land.

• Pack a change of clothes for every child—and one for yourself. Accidents happen.

• Bring something new.
  A toy they haven’t seen before can buy you a solid 20 minutes. (Our fidget spinners failed because our baby had already played with them for weeks.)

• Accept help.
  Say “yes” when someone offers. You’ll be surprised by how kind strangers can be. I even exchanged numbers with a mom I met at the gate—turns out we live close and had a ton in common!

• Keep the diaper bag simple but complete.
  Think: diapers, wipes, snacks, comfort item, change of clothes, and one or two good distractions.

Honestly, most people are way more understanding than you’d expect. From silly faces from strangers to kind words from flight attendants, I’ve been touched by how much support there is out there.

Why Travel with Young Kids at All?

Because even though it’s exhausting, chaotic, and sometimes sticky… it’s also magical.

We’ve had plenty of rough moments. Our last trip included a 3.5-hour flight where our 9-month-old fought his nap, slept for 15 minutes, then refused to sit with either of us. We landed at 11am California time and still had a whole day ahead of us. It was a day, let me tell you.

But still—we keep going. Because...

You’re not just creating memories. You’re building resilience, flexibility, and connection as a family.

They might not remember every hike or museum, but they’ll remember how it felt to be together, to explore, to cuddle during turbulence, or carry their own backpack through the airport.

And you’ll remember how much they actually do retain. Our oldest started recalling details from Disneyland at age three—things I never expected stuck with him. Sweet, sweet memories.

Travel breaks the routine. It opens their eyes to the world. And even when it’s hard, it’s so worth it.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the hassle:
It is.
Take the trip.

Have you flown with your little ones before?
Drop your favorite tips—or travel stories!—in the comments below. I’d love to hear them.