Flying with a Toddler: Airplane Activities + Carry-On

Flying with a toddler is mostly about the hour around boarding and the first part of the flight. Board with a fed, changed child, give them their own seat if you can, and keep a few small, quiet activities that work on a tray table. Plan for movement in the airport so sitting still on the plane feels easier.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may receive a commission when you buy through the paid links in this article, at no extra cost to you.

Seat or lap?

Children under two can usually fly on a parent's lap, but the FAA strongly recommends a separate seat with an approved child restraint. Your car seat may be approved for aircraft; look for the label that says it is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft. The FAA notes the seat should be no wider than about 16 inches to fit most airplane seats. Buying a ticket is the only way to guarantee you can use it.

For children who weigh 22 to 44 pounds and can sit upright alone, the FAA also lists the AmSafe CARES harness as an approved option. It is for aircraft only, not cars, and the FAA advises buying it from the manufacturer because of counterfeits.

Carry-on checklist for a toddler

Diapers for the flight plus delays, wipes, a portable changing pad
One full change of clothes for your child and a spare shirt for you
Snacks in small portions and your child's usual cup
Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks or baby food pouches: TSA allows these in amounts over 3.4 oz in carry-on bags. Tell the officer at the start of screening and take them out of the bag. Ice packs are allowed.
Comfort item and a light blanket
Any medicine your child needs
A small activity pouch (below)

Screen-free airplane activities for toddlers

Choose items with few loose parts. Anything dropped on a plane is likely gone.

Sticker play with large reusable stickers on the tray table, for toddlers who don't put stickers in their mouths.
Board book. One familiar lift-the-flap book and one new one.
Painter's tape. Stick short strips on the tray table for your toddler to peel off. It lifts cleanly.
Cup stacking with two or three stacking cups.
Window game. Look for clouds, wings, trucks on the runway.
Finger puppets without small parts, for songs and peekaboo.
Mess-free coloring for older toddlers who meet the product's age label, such as a mess-free coloring pad.
Snack sorting. Puffs or cereal into a muffin tray or the cup's lid, then eaten one by one while your child sits upright.

Offer one activity at a time and put each away before the next. Our guide to a screen-free travel kit for toddlers explains how to rotate a small kit.

Toddler hands peeling painter's tape strips off an airplane tray table

Takeoff and landing

Ear pressure changes can be uncomfortable. Many parents offer a bottle, breastfeed, offer a drink from a cup or a snack during descent so their child swallows. A toddler who is asleep at landing may not need to be woken.

Airport plan

Allow extra time for security. Children 12 and under can usually keep their shoes on.
Let your toddler walk in a quiet corner of the gate area before boarding.
Change the diaper just before boarding.
If the airline offers early boarding for families, decide whether you'd rather board early to install a car seat or board last to shorten time on the plane. With two adults, you can split.

Your mindset

Most other passengers have seen a crying toddler before. Your job is to care for your child, not to keep them perfectly quiet. A walk down the aisle when the seatbelt sign is off, a snack or a new activity usually helps more than anything else.

Want activities for older kids too? The Road Trip Ready Kids shop has printable road trip activity packs and checklists you can print once and reuse on every drive.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring milk for my toddler through security?

Yes. TSA allows formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby food over 3.4 oz in carry-ons. Tell the officer and expect separate screening.

Does my car seat work on a plane?

Check the label for aircraft certification and the width. Your airline must allow an approved, properly labeled seat if you bought your child a seat.

What's the best time to fly with a toddler?

Many parents prefer flights that overlap with a nap or early mornings when children are fresh. There is no universal answer; think about your child's best time of day.