Parents are generally split into two camps: those who dream of taking their toddlers on adventures across the world and those who’d rather wait until the kids are out of the preschool stage before attempting long distance travel. Although the thought of travelling with a toddler might make you twitch with anxiety, taking your little one to new places can be rewarding and enjoyable – for both of you.
Although it’s true that young children can be unpredictable, headstrong creatures who thrive on routine, that doesn’t mean they’re not going to be good at traveling. So whether you’re traveling for fun or to visit family across the world, we have some tips to make sure your journey goes smoothly.
9 tips for travelling with a toddler; checklist
Travelling with a toddler unleashes emotions ranging from excitement (to show your mini best mate the world), anxiety (about how your little one will cope with the flight) to fear (of possible tantrums). Here are our top travel tips to help you prepare for your preschooler’s first flight:
#1. Plan ahead
Unleash your inner Type A, because travelling with a toddler requires some planning. Think about how your child might like to explore the world. You’ll want to look for parks and other play spaces, and family friendly eateries you can visit during your travels.
To have the best chance of staying sane, especially if you’re traveling long haul, you must be prepared. Pack plenty of toys and distractions in your carry on to keep your toddler entertained while sitting in the plane.
For a list of great suggestions to keep boredom at bay, see BellyBelly’s article Flying With A Toddler – 15 Sanity Saving Tips and Ideas.
If you’re traveling with older children, prepare them for the flight by explaining that they’ll need to be strapped in with a seat belt during take off and landing. Make sure they know what to expect on the flight, where they are sitting (aisle or window seat) and let them pick out some special things to keep them entertained.
#2. Make packing lists
To make the family travel journey easier with a small child in tow, you need to strike a balance between taking enough toddler paraphernalia and traveling light. Make a list of all essential items and things you’d like to take.
If you’re traveling by taxi, you might want to pack a travel car seat to make sure your child can travel safely. Remember to double check that the car seat clicks properly into the base or seatbelt. Many vacation rentals often allow you to hire car seats; just make sure you ask in advance so it’s all arranged when you arrive.
To keep your toddler happy and buy you a few minutes of peace, it can help to have new toys to play with; you can pull them out at boring moments (e.g. on the plane). Fidget toys and coloring books are also ideal for keeping kids entertained on flights. You don’t need to spend a fortune; secondhand toys will work fine as long as they’re new to your kid.
Keeping a note of where you’ve packed everything, especially if you’re taking multiple bags, can be a lifesaver if you need something quickly during a meltdown. Try to pack mindfully, making sure the things you’re most likely to need often are in easy to reach compartments in your bag.
#3. Pack the ‘just in case’
Although you don’t want to carry things unnecessarily, there are some items always worth taking when travelling with a toddler. Pack some pain relief, in case your little one starts teething or feeling unwell while you’re travelling. Pack teething toys, nappy rash cream, sunscreen and anything else your little one sometimes really needs. A travel first aid kit is an ideal thing to pack in your diaper bag on a family travel adventure.
Make sure you pack something to help your child cope with the changing cabin pressure during take off and landing. According to a 2019 article published in AIMS Public Health, infants and toddlers are at higher risk of sore ears due to their small eustachian tubes. If your little one is still breastfeeding, this can relieve the pressure; bring along a bottle of expressed breast milk. Alternatively, giving a child water to drink or something to suck can also relieve the pressure.
#4. Take plenty of road trip snacks
No matter how you’re traveling, you can never take too many snacks. Make sure you have a mix of snacks, ranging from your toddler’s favourite snacks to vegetable crudites, to keep your little one entertained on long journeys. Storing fresh food in a cooler bag will keep it tastier for longer. Be sure to take plenty of water in a thermos water bottle so it will stay cool.
#5. Arrive early
Being late is stressful, especially when you’re travelling internationally. Add to that a screaming baby or restless youngster and you can see how it could be a recipe for disaster. Arriving early at the airport might not sound like much fun but it can help your day run more smoothly.
Airports are great places for burning off steam. Not only are they huge, but they also usually have an indoor park or play area to entertain the children. Arriving early to the airport can give you time to let your kid run wild and free before they have to be strapped in for take off.
Running late and rushing around a busy airport will leave you feeling stressed. It’s much easier to factor in plenty of time; arrive early and enjoy yourself rather than stressing about missing things.
#6. Don’t try to pack too much into one day
Your toddler might find the change from routine quite overwhelming. The world is filled with new things to explore, and that alone can be a lot. As tempting as it might be to go out and see all the attractions everyone has been raving about, think of your child first, and plan a holiday you’ll both enjoy.
Preschoolers will need regular opportunities to stretch their legs, play, nap and eat; you might also need to consider potential jet lag. These are likely to be your toddler’s top three or four priorities, so make sure you factor them in throughout the day. Once you arrive, children might feel overwhelmed after a busy day of traveling and will want some chill-out time in the hotel room. Alternatively, some kids might want to jump straight into the pool if they’ve been cooped up on a long journey. Play it by ear and make sure you’re following your toddler’s lead.
#7. Be mindful of changing temperatures
Planes and airports are notoriously chilly, so make sure you pack a cardigan or jumper to keep your baby warm on the flight. If it’s hot when you reach your destination, you’ll need to switch to cooler clothes. It’s a great idea to take a change of clothes in your carry on because kids spill snacks on flights.
#8. Toddlers are still toddlers on holiday
You can take toddlers to Disney World but they’ll still have tantrums (in the princess dress shop, thank you very much). This might be a once in a lifetime trip but, as they say, toddlers are going be toddlers.
Expect tantrums and boundary pushing. They’re part of holidaying with small kids. Although it can be embarrassing when strangers are watching, remember, you don’t know these people and will probably never see them again. Long flights can be tough for young kids who don’t like sitting still or being strapped in. If you know that tantrums might be sneaking into your suitcase, you’ll have an easier time managing them on holiday. Don’t expect everything to be perfect just because you’re on vacation.
#9. Remember, you’re still a parent on holiday
Yep, you might be wearing your new sunnies and letting your hair dry naturally in the sun, but you’re still a parent. While your kid is busy coloring pages in a favorite book, you need to stay busy parenting. Keep setting boundaries, keep showing your baby unconditional love and make sure you maintain realistic expectations for your kid’s behavior while you’re away.
Although travelling with a toddler might not be a walk in the park, it’s a fantastic opportunity to make some special memories, explore the world together, and provide your kid with new experiences.
What is travelling with a toddler really like?
If you love hanging out with your toddler, you’ll love hanging out with them on holiday. If they love planes, cars, buses and trains, they’re going to have a field day on vacation or your trip away.
Taking a young kid on a long haul flight can be tiring because you’ll need to keep your little one entertained for the duration of the journey. Bear in mind, most adults get bored on long flights, too! However, toddlers also like a nap, so choosing your flight time carefully could mean your kid naps on the flight and wakes up as you arrive at your destination.
If you’re taking an overnight flight with a young kid, it’s worth investing in a toddler plane bed, which turns a plane seat into a travel crib so your little sidekick has somewhere comfy to bed down. Taking a toddler on vacation certainly changes the holiday, but you can still have a fun time on your family trip.
Is travelling with kids stressful?
Travelling with kids is arguably more stressful than traveling alone because you have to think of their needs, take plenty of extra baggage, and keep them engaged throughout the journey. However, it’s also incredibly fulfilling. There is nothing quite like exploring a new country with your small children. They will love the new sights, experiences and people on the trip.
Some people decide to delay long distance travel until their kids are older. Only you can decide whether that’s the right decision for your family, but there’s certainly no reason why you need to. Follow these travel suggestion, do some careful planning and make sure you’re in the right mindset (toddlers are going to be toddlers). Then, when you go, you can have an amazing time away with your little one.
What is the hardest age to travel with a toddler?
This will vary depending on the individual, but most parents would probably say 18-24 months is the most challenging age for long distance flights. Once your child is old enough to understand directions and communicate needs, things like holidays become a lot easier.
With an 18 month old, you might spend a section of the flight toddling up and down the plane to keep them happy. However, kids of this age also take naps, which can give you a break on a long haul flight.
It might be a tricky age, but that’s no reason to let it put you off altogether. Some families opt for shorter flights with younger toddlers, and wait until they’re a bit older before trying more adventurous destinations.
What is the best age for ‘toddler travel’?
This will be totally dependent on the individual, the journey, and lots of other mitigating factors. If you’re trying to plan an adventure, don’t let the child’s age put you off. One of the benefits of traveling with youngsters is that they still nap during the day, so you can put them in the pushchair for a nap and go on with your day.
You’ll never know how your child will cope with long travels until you do it. For some kids, long distance flights are completely normal and nothing out of the ordinary. Just because children might not have experienced one before, it doesn’t mean they’re unsuited to a life as a jetsetter, hopping between many countries.
What is the minimum age a child can travel?
You need to be 14 days old to fly, meaning your baby can start jet-setting before even cutting a first tooth. It’s always worth checking with the airline before you book, to make sure your child is permitted to fly.
What is the age limit for travelling with children?
Your child can fly from 14 days old and will need to be accompanied by an adult until the age of about 12 years, although this varies between airlines. You will need to check with the airline about its policy on unaccompanied minors.
At what age do toddlers travel free?
This will vary between travel providers, so it’s worth checking before you book. Generally, babies under the age of two can travel for free, provided they sit on the adult’s lap. If you’d like a separate seat for your child, you’ll need to pay for one.
Best way to travel with a toddler on a plane?
This will depend on your toddler. A young kid might be perfectly happy on your lap, but older preschoolers might have a better journey if they have their own space. You might want to consider paying for an extra seat if it’s a long distance trip, whereas it won’t matter so much for a shorter flight.
What documents are needed to travel with a toddler?
When traveling internationally, children will need their own passport. Depending on where you’re visiting, they might also need a visa to enter the country. You should check the entry requirements carefully before traveling.
Do airlines check birth certificates for toddlers?
On an international trip, your kid will need a passport to travel. On a domestic flight, however, you can get away with a birth certificate.
Most airlines will want to check toddlers’ birth certificates to make sure they are under two years of age and able to travel on your lap. If the airline asks and you can’t provide proof, they might ask you to buy an additional seat for your child, which is why it’s always worth taking the birth certificate with you through airport security.
To read more about traveling around the world with a toddler, and teens, please visit : around the world plus kids.
