Traveling for the holidays?
Whether you’re packing the car for a road trip to grandma’s or have tickets on hand for a flight to your brother’s house, traveling with young children requires a little more planning ahead than traveling on your own. You need to make sure you keep your child safe and comfortable for the journey...and you want to make it as stress-free as possible for yourself! Here are some tips to make the trip a little easier for you and your children.
Traveling by Air
From getting everyone - and everything - to the gate, to keeping your children as comfortable as possible during the flight. We’ve got you covered.Before you leave:
- Preparation is key. Organize and pack well. Use a checklist. Let a child who can walk carry his/her own backpack. This can lighten your own load and also make things fun. You can let your children pick out some of the books or toys they would like on the trip. You also have the opportunity to teach them the art of packing light (always a good lifelong skill!)
- If your baby is on any specialty formula (i.e. - soy based, hypoallergenic, etc.), take ample supply when traveling to resort locations. Check regulations from your airline and the TSA to see how much liquid is allowed on the plane and any packaging requirements. Review TSA procedures for traveling with children.
- Plan ahead for delays, cancellations, lost luggage etc. In addition to the usual recommendations (medications, valuables, etc. ), carry-on plenty of diapers, wipes, and changes of clothes. It is not easy to find these things in an airport terminal.
- Take a light stroller with you. You can check and retrieve it right at the boarding point, and having it will allow you to put your baby down somewhere safe and clean in the airport. This also gives you the option to be "hands free" while picking up luggage, getting your rental car, using the restroom, etc.
At the airport:
Airports and airplanes are full of germs, but most of them are spread through the "mouth/nose to hand to surface to hand to mouth/nose" mechanism rather than through the air. If your baby is not crawling, you can keep him/her in the stroller and sanitize your own hands (which have just touch spots that 100 other people have touched in the last hour) before touching the baby. Sanitize before you touch your own mouth, nose or eyes as well. This will keep you from getting infected by some of the airport germs and being sick on vacation! If you have a crawler or toddler, you may be out of luck. They touch everything and put whatever they can reach into their mouths. Keep them in that handy stroller if you can, or find a small play area that you can wipe down first!On the plane:
- Buy your baby his or her own seat! While airlines will still allow certain-aged babies to sit on parent's laps, it is not only extremely uncomfortable, but not very safe. For a smaller baby, you can bring his/her car seat on board so they can be safely belted in if there is turbulence or a hard landing. Plus it gives the baby a place to sleep and you can relax hands-free! You can check your older kid(s) car seat(s), or rent at your destination.
- Offer a pacifier, bottle, or nurse during takeoff and landing to help with ear popping. Toddlers can try drinking from a sippy cup. Older kids can try the old standby of chewing gum.
- Finally, if your child has one of those all-out 'fits' that cause everyone in the airplane to keep glancing (or glaring!) your way...smile sweetly, sadly, apologetically, and accept the fact that you have done your best.
Family friendly flying tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Traveling by Car

Children often become restless or irritable when on a long road trip. And being strapped into a car seat doesn’t help matters. What can you do to help the trip go by smoothly for everyone in the car?
- Keep them occupied by pointing out interesting sights along the way and by bringing soft, lightweight toys and favorite music for a sing-along. Audio books and/or a DVD player are more good options to keep your little ones distracted and occupied.
- Plan to stop driving and give everyone a break about every two hours.Look for rest stops or areas with a large grassy area so you can get out and run around for a bit.
- Pack an outdoor activity bag: jump ropes, sidewalk chalk, frisbees and balls can help everyone get the wiggles out.
- Never leave your child alone in a car, even for a minute. Temperatures inside the car can reach deadly levels in minutes, and the child can die of heat stroke.
- In addition to a travelers’ health kit, parents should carry safe water and snacks, child-safe hand wipes, diaper rash ointment, and a water- and insect-proof groundsheet for safe play outside.
More travel tips from the AAP