Tips for Traveling with Kids

Vol. 1, No. 26

Jul 17, 2024

You’re reading Modern Motherhood Musings, a weekly newsletter written from one mom to another. Each week I share an honest reflection on motherhood, and a collection of things bringing me joy. I’m passionate about community, and I hope that by sharing our stories, we all feel a little less alone. Disclosure: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

If you’re like me, the idea of traveling with young kids can feel daunting, so when we decided to take our kids on their first flight, I turned to a friend who I knew could offer the best advice. She’s flown over 100 times over the past 5 years with her two kiddos. 100 times!

Today’s musing is a guest post from my sweet friend Lindsey. It’s packed full of tips and tricks for traveling with kids, which will hopefully ease any travel anxiety you have, and make your summer trips easier! Make sure you scroll to the end for two handy attachments Lindsey created for you.

📝 This week’s musing…

Hi readers, my name is Lindsey and my husband is a pilot. We started flying with our kids when they were just babies. There are countless travel blogs that cover the logistics of flying with kids so I’m sure my perspective isn’t new, but I’d be happy to share some things with you that have helped me confidently travel with young kids as a minimalist.

Packing

I prefer to travel with no checked luggage so I have to work hard to pack light. If you do check a bag, look for curbside check-in. Packing cubes work great for each member of the family and can easily be packed into a small suitcase or large backpack. Remember that unless you’re going to a remote destination, you’ll have access to Target for anything you forgot so you don’t need to stress about packing for every possible scenario.

Security

TSA precheck is definitely worth it. Kids get it for free with a qualified adult, you can keep shoes on, and you go through the regular metal detector machine.
You can wear a baby in a carrier all the way through security.
Your stroller goes through a separate screening but it’s super easy, just make sure it’s completely empty. They’ll take it through a door next to the metal detector and wipe it down and then sometimes they’ll wipe your hands as well.
The car seat goes upside down through the machine but take it out of the bag first.
Empty your water bottles before security and refill them on the other side.
If travelling with breast milk, try to freeze it if possible to bypass the liquid screening. Other baby/child liquids over 3.4oz are allowed but require additional screening. Make sure you screenshot the official policy on your phone and ask the TSA agent to please wear a new pair of gloves before handling your items.
Take your time and don’t let people make you feel pressured to hurry through. This can be the most stressful part but go at your own pace!

Walking through the airport

Clearly explain the rules to your kids (stay together, use inside voices, bathroom breaks are not optional). If you have time to kill, find an empty gate for kids to run around, look for an airport playground, watch planes in the window, or ride the moving sidewalks. If you have a baby, it’s a good idea to bring a blanket or sheet for them to play on the floor. If you wear your baby in a carrier, you can use the stroller for your purse, backpack, etc. Stay in your parenting zone and don’t worry about your kids bothering other people, just do your best!

Boarding

Get a gate check tag from the desk for car seat and/or stroller. While you’re up there, ask about family boarding to get settled earlier. You could also ask about empty seat availability - sometimes if there are open seats on the plane, the gate agent will give you a ticket for your lap child to sit in their car seat for free. Car seats must go in the window seat if you bring them on the plane (I’d recommend this for kiddos who will sleep in the car seat). You cannot wear your lap child in a carrier during takeoff/landing for safety reasons so make sure to unstrap it. Put newly potty trained kids in a pullup on the plane for less stress.

During the Flight

My kids don’t sleep on planes but if you think yours might, aim for falling asleep during takeoff. Set up the environment as soon as you board for a snooze - sound machine, bottle, lovey, etc.! We do unlimited snacks and screen time on airplanes which is super fun for the kids. Feel free to get up and walk through the aisle when the seatbelt sign is turned off. Suckers, paci, bottles, etc. help with ear pain during takeoff and landing. For potty trained kids, try to hit the bathroom 45 minutes before landing to avoid a potty emergency during landing. If your kiddo is upset, just focus on them and don’t worry about other passengers.

Rental car

Kids sit on your lap or in adult seats on the shuttle which can be a little unnerving. Ask in the lot for an upgrade to an SUV and they will often give it to you to accommodate kids for free (if you ask at the desk then you have to pay for the upgrade). Take your time installing seats and getting set up - ask for help if you need it. I love these travel seats: Cosco Kids Scenera and Finale 2-in-1.

You can fit these combinations in one car seat bag: Scenera plus baby seat (2 rear facing), Finale plus Scenera (1 forward, 1 rear), Finale plus backless booster (2 forward facing) - pro tip: you can also put diapers or a cot, etc. in your car seat bag!

Hotel

You can use pants hangers to clip the curtains together to block more light.
If your kids need total darkness, I like these blackout curtains or the Slumber pods.
Make sure you ask for a hotel crib when you book your room.
Put kiddo to sleep near the bathroom so you can still watch tv after they’re asleep.
Ask for an extra sheet. You can lay it on the floor for your kids to eat/play on.
Bring a used crib sheet from home to give baby a familiar scent.

Traveling with kids is so worth it. The airport is just a few hours of your trip and doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. My best advice is to stay calm, focus on yourself and your kid(s), and try to embrace the experience!

PS - and this is a good one! I’ve tried flights at all times of day: morning, nap time, evening, and the winner by far is the first flight of the day. It’s worth waking up at 4am. The kids are groggy, the airport is empty and sleepy, and the experience is usually much more calm. Plus sometimes you are rewarded with a nice, long nap at your destination.

Happy traveling!

a woman and he kids traveling through the airport

How cute are Lindsey and her kiddos? I’m amazed at this strong mama!

✨ Friday favorites…

🧽 You never realize how life-changing a sponge can be, until you’re doing dishes for a family of 4. I love the Scrub Daddy sponge because they’re scratch free and odor resistant!

🎒We couldn’t figure out why Will wasn’t eating his lunch at school, but we learned he wasn’t able to open it on his own, so he was spending half the time waiting for help. My mama heart broke, and we quickly switched to this lunchbox. It’s been coming back empty ever since!

🍜 We ate these cold sesame noodles from a restaurant called Riel last summer, and I couldn’t stop thinking about them. Luckily, the Houston Chronicle published the recipe! They’re the perfect cold meal in this summer heat.

👯‍♀️ From one mom, to another…

Your words of wisdom, best piece of advice, and favorite hacks can make a difference in another mom’s journey. What has helped you survive this season? Email me to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

❝

Draw a daily activity map. You can talk through it with your kids and help them prepare for what they’ll be doing that day. It really helps create smooth transitions.

- My Sweet MIL

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And remember those handy attachments I mentioned? Here they are.