5 Expert Mom Bloggers Share Their Best Tips for Flying with Kids
We've all experienced it: a child having a meltdown in the seat next to you, with parents doing their best to calm them. At Travelzoo, we surveyed fellow travelers and found that 65% would offer help and a smile to parents of a crying baby. However, for slightly older disruptive children, 65% of respondents reported getting upset.
When asked to choose between a delayed flight or a crying baby in an adjacent seat, 79% said a delay was worse. Notably, one-quarter of Americans would pay an extra $25 for an adults-only cabin.
Flying with young children—whether a short 90-minute hop or a transatlantic journey—can be daunting for parents. Building on tips from our Chicago deals expert Megan, we consulted five experienced mom bloggers who share their insights daily.
Here’s their expert advice:
My Strange Family
When traveling, I always pack a magic pen painting book featuring my kids' favorite animated characters. It's a mess-free way for them to paint on the plane—colors appear instantly with the special marker, turning my 2-year-old's scribbles into masterpieces. My 5-year-old can color through an entire book on our six-hour flight to the grandparents. Keep an extra for the return trip!
Have Sippy Will Travel
The best advice for parents prepping for a trip boils down to three essentials: 1) Never forget the snacks—no one enjoys a hangry child (or parents!). 2) Don't skip comfort items like pacifiers, blankies, stuffed toys, or night lights; travel disrupts routines enough. 3) Don't overplan. Focus on what your family loves most to avoid exhaustion. Vacations should recharge, not drain you.
Lady and the Blog
For a fun, stress-free vacation, bring the kids' best friends—their favorite stuffed animals or toys! It turns any adventure magical and gives parents downtime for adult conversation. A true win-win.
Stroller in the City
A game-changer on my solo flight to Los Angeles with three kids was Tropic Of Candycorn's pre-packed travel bags. These individual backpacks are filled with flight-friendly activities that kept my children engaged the entire way—and even on the return!
Mommie and Gracie Show
My top tip: Wear masks. Kids can decorate them with fun faces to make it engaging. We fly often for our YouTube channel, and due to my MS treatments suppressing my immune system, masks became our norm. It prevented colds for Gracie and my husband, especially after she missed a Disney event due to fever. Planes are germ hotspots during peak travel—no one wants illness ruining holidays. Here's a photo of us masked up on our flight to Orlando last month.
