12 Easy Tips to Make Flying with Kids (Ages 0–6) Way Easier

Flying with young children—especially toddlers and pre-schoolers—can feel overwhelming. Will they nap on the plane? What if their ears hurt? How will they handle the time difference? Whether you’re flying long-haul or just a few hours, a little preparation goes a long way in making the journey smoother for both your child and you.

This guide is packed with simple, practical tips to help make air travel easier for children up to age 5 or 6. From sleep adjustments and smart packing to inflight routines and jet lag tricks, these parent-approved strategies will help you feel more confident the next time you take off.

1. Adjust Their Sleep Schedule Before You Go

To avoid full-on jet lag, start shifting your child’s sleep by 15–30 minutes per day around 5–7 days before your trip.

• Flying east? Move their bedtime and wake-up time earlier.
  
• Flying west? Push bedtime later and let them sleep in a bit longer.
  

Start talking about the new schedule in advance: “When we’re at Grandma’s house, bedtime will be a little later!” Setting expectations early can really help.

2. Pack Comfort and Familiarity from Home

Aeroplanes and hotel rooms can feel strange to little ones, so bring items that feel like home:

• A favourite soft toy, blanket, or cot sheet can signal that it’s safe to sleep.
  
• Pack bedtime routine essentials like a familiar storybook, white noise machine (or app), and pyjamas. Keeping things consistent—even on a plane—makes sleep more likely.
  

3. Choose the Right Flight Time and Seats

Try to book flights that align with your child’s natural rhythm.

Red-eye flights can be useful for long-hauls if your child sleeps well in transit, while morning flights often work best for toddlers who nap in the middle of the day.

When it comes to seating:

• Bulkhead seats offer more legroom and may accommodate bassinets (book early).
  
• Inflatable footrests or travel cushions can help create a flat area for lying down.
  

Don’t forget to gate-check your pushchair or travel car seat to make airport transitions smoother.

4. Ease Ear Pain During Take-off and Landing

Changes in cabin pressure can be uncomfortable or painful for children.

Offer a bottle, dummy (soother), straw cup, lollipop, or chewy snack during take-off and landing. For older toddlers, try a “yawning game” or gently teach them to ‘blow out’ their ears.

5. Bring a Bag of Quiet Entertainment

A well-packed activity bag is your secret weapon:

• Include a mix of colouring books, magnetic toys, mess-free markers, sticker pads, and soft books.
  
• Wrap small toys or snacks like presents—unwrapping one per hour adds excitement and novelty.
  
• Download shows or audiobooks in advance—don’t rely on in-flight Wi-Fi.
  
• Child-sized noise-cancelling headphones can be a real game-changer.
  

6. Recreate the Bedtime Routine on the Plane

When it’s time to sleep, mimic your usual routine as closely as possible—even at 30,000 feet.

• Change your child into pyjamas, dim the overhead light, and read a short book.
  
• Use a travel white noise machine or app to drown out background sounds.
  
• Bring any essentials like dummies, sleep sacks, or lullaby playlists.
  

Familiar cues help your child wind down and feel secure.

7. Keep Them Hydrated and Snack-Satisfied

Plane air is very dry, and dehydration can make children tired or irritable.

Offer water regularly—especially if they’re breastfeeding or drinking less milk while travelling. Bring a selection of healthy, low-sugar snacks: string cheese, chopped fruit, oat bars, wholegrain crackers.

Avoid high-sugar options that may cause energy spikes and crashes.

8. Use Natural Light to Help Reset Their Clock

Light exposure plays a key role in resetting your child’s body clock.

• After arrival, get outside into daylight—especially in the morning if travelling east.
  
• If you arrive in the evening, keep lights dim and begin a wind-down routine.
  

Bonus tip: Playing outdoors helps burn off extra energy and supports better sleep that night.

9. Be Flexible but Keep Familiar Routines

Once you’ve landed, try to shift meals, naps, and bedtime to local time as soon as possible.

• Be gentle and flexible—if your child needs a short nap on the first day, let them.
  
• Maintain your usual bedtime routine (bath, book, etc.) to provide a sense of normality in a new setting.

10. Divide and Conquer – and Lower the Bar

If you’re travelling with a partner, tag-team parenting duties:

• One adult can walk with a restless child while the other rests or eats.
  
• Take turns during early mornings or tough nights.
  

Most importantly: lower your expectations. Travelling with young children isn’t going to be perfect—and that’s perfectly okay. Stick to a loose routine where you can, and trust that their body will adjust in a few days.

11. Charge Up Your Electronics and Pack the Essentials

Having the right tech ready can make all the difference on a flight.

• Make sure tablets, iPads, and other devices are fully charged before you leave home.
  
• Bring portable chargers (power banks) in your carry-on—many flights don’t have working charging points.
  
• Pack kid-friendly headphones (like BuddyPhones) so your child can enjoy shows or audiobooks without disturbing others.
  
• Don’t forget charging cables, adapters, and downloaded content—streaming isn’t always reliable in the air.
  

These simple steps can help avoid mid-flight meltdowns and keep your child happily entertained.

12. Arrive Early to Keep Things Calm

Airports can be busy and unpredictable—especially with children in tow. Give yourselves extra time to navigate check-in, security, and toilet stops without rushing.

• Aim to arrive 2.5 to 3 hours before departure, even for shorter flights.
  
• A calmer pace helps reduce stress for everyone, particularly little ones who may already feel overwhelmed.
  
• Use any extra time to let your child stretch their legs, have a snack, or get used to the environment before boarding.
  

Starting the journey with less pressure makes a huge difference in how smoothly the rest of the day goes.

With the right balance of preparation and flexibility, flying with kids can be less stressful—and even enjoyable. ✈️Wishing you smooth skies and happy travels with your little co-pilots!