We’re a family of travelers. We love to go on adventures together and explore new places. As you can imagine, we didn’t want to give up our love of travel just because we had kids. If anything, when we became parents we were even more inspired to travel because we had someone else to enjoy each experience with.
Although Caden didn’t go on his first flight until he was 13 months old because of COVID, we still went on many road trips. We even went on an 8-hour road trip to Bend, Oregon when he was only 2 months old! Willow, on the other hand, went on her first flight when she was just 8 weeks old; she completed 24 flights by her first birthday!
That said, I realize that many parents are intimidated by the idea of traveling with their kids. But having kids shouldn’t stop you from doing what you love, no matter how challenging it may seem.
Choosing the optimal age to travel with kids can make your trip more manageable for everyone. So in this post, I’m going to talk about the best age for traveling with kids and ways to make the experience a positive one.
What is the best age to travel with kids?
There is some debate over the best age to travel with kids. But most experts agree that the best times are when your child is between 3 and 9 months old, when they’re not yet mobile, or when they’re between 3-4 years old.
According to experts, like Dr. Mark Waltzman, assistant professor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and pediatric emergency room physician at Boston Children’s Hospital, flying with young infants is especially risky. Waltzman recommends waiting until your baby has had their first set of immunizations.
The recirculated air and confined space of an airplane poses a greater risk for newborns because their immune system is weaker.
Toddler-age children, or kids 1-3 years old, have a very short attention span and easily get restless during long flights or car trips. Kids of this age also want to explore their surroundings and have a hard time following directions.
However, that’s not to say you can’t travel with kids of this age. If, like us, you don’t want to delay family travel for years, or if you simply can’t put off a trip until your child reaches a good age, there are numerous ways to make traveling with kids easier.
How to Travel With Kids
Infant And Toddlers
Bring plenty of snacks.
This is one of my toddler travel hacks for conquering a flight with a toddler. Although bringing plenty of snacks is just as helpful when you have older kids, it’s especially important when traveling with babies and toddlers.
I learned pretty quickly how difficult it can be to find and pack baby-friendly snacks while traveling. To prevent a hunger-induced meltdown, pack more than enough snacks for your little one.
Don’t be ashamed to use screen time.
Many people are quick to shame parents who rely on screen time to entertain their kids. For us, screen time is a necessity while traveling.
Starting at 18 months, screen time becomes a good coping mechanism to avoid tantrums on a flight. Now that Caden is three, we can often get a solid two hours of quiet time on a flight when we give him his iPad, headphones, and favorite snackbox.
Pack travel-friendly entertainment.
Babies and toddlers aren’t exactly good at keeping themselves entertained for extended periods. Pack plenty of travel-friendly entertainment, this way every time your child starts to get restless, you can give them something to distract them for a bit.
Some of my favorite travel-friendly toys for babies and toddlers include:
- Safari Window Gel Clings
- Melissa & Doug K's Kids Take-Along Shape Sorter
- Super Sensory Stretchy Strings
Wear your baby.
Babywearing makes traveling with infants and babies so much easier. Most airlines won’t allow you to use your baby carrier during takeoff and landing, but you can use it the rest of the time to free up your hands and keep your baby close.
The Aerial Carrier from Wildbird is the best dupe for the Artipoppe I’ve seen. These comfortable carriers are a lifesaver when traveling with a baby.
Include your infant in your flight reservation, even if they don’t need a seat.
When you book your flight, add your infant to your flight reservation as a lap child. Even if your baby doesn’t need a seat of their own, you’ll still need to let the airline know you’re bringing an infant with you. Some international flights require a fee for lap infants, but it’s significantly cheaper than the cost of adult fare.
Babywearing and using a feeding support pillow are crucial to comfortable travel with a lap infant, especially for long flights and international trips.
Pro tip: Take advantage of family boarding. This will give you extra time to board the plane and get situated.
Plan ahead if you’re potty training.
It’s especially important to plan ahead if you’re traveling with a potty-training toddler. Some great tips include allowing extra time for frequent bathroom trips, packing an extra outfit in case they have an accident, and keeping a travel potty seat on hand.
Check out my other potty training essentials that can make things easier.
Use a travel stroller.
A good travel stroller is a must-have when traveling with infants and toddlers. The most important things to look for in a travel stroller are convenience and durability. If you prefer to travel with a stroller, you’ll want one that is lightweight and easy to navigate. Bonus points for one that folds down for easier storage.
If you would rather gate-check your stroller, I recommend investing in a travel stroller with a bag. If your travel plans include a long layover, you can ask the gate attendant to have your gate-checked stroller brought to you in between flights.
There are dozens of strollers to choose from, but the MINU V2 Stroller from UPPAbaby is, in my opinion, the best by far. It’s worth every penny if you travel as much as we do.
Invest in a travel car seat.
If your child travels well in a car seat in the car, they might do just as well on a plane. If your toddler has their own seat assignment, consider bringing a travel car seat to keep them secure and comfortable throughout the flight.
Not all car seats are approved for airplane use. The Safety 1st Getaway All-in-One Convertible Car Seat is lightweight and perfect for travel. This car seat is certified for use on an aircraft; it meets or exceeds federal and ASTM safety standards.
Preschoolers
Bring mess-free toys.
Just as they are for babies and toddlers, travel-friendly toys are useful for entertaining preschoolers. Pack a few in your carry-on bag or diaper bag to distract your child when they start to get restless.
Some of my favorite travel-friendly toys for entertaining a preschooler include:
- Magnetic action figures
- Fat Brain Toys Squigz
- Preschool activity book
- My First Color-By-Sticker Book
- WikkiStix
- MagMen Magnetic Travel Toys
Use a stroller.
Even if you wouldn’t ordinarily use a stroller with your preschooler, I recommend using one when you have a lot of miles to cover or if you are going to spend a lot of time walking.
Strollers are especially handy at theme parks, where your four- or five-year-old might struggle to keep up. Plus, it gives them a spot to rest if they (miraculously) want to take a nap while you’re out and about.
Pack a noise machine.
If your kid is used to falling asleep with a noise machine, don’t forget to bring one with you. A portable noise machine can drown out background noise and make it easier for your little one to fall asleep when they’re away from home.
Elementary-Age Kids
Use packing cubes for each family member.
Although this tip applies to kids of all ages, it’s especially helpful for kids who dress themselves but still need a little help picking out clothes. Designating packing cubes for every member of your family can help you stay organized and also save space.
Let your child pack their own carry-on.
To make traveling more enjoyable, encourage your child to pack their own carry-on bag or backpack with things that will keep them entertained. In addition to the essentials you might want them to carry, you can even let them pick out a couple of new things, like books, toys, or games, to enjoy on the trip.
Allow for adjustments to your itinerary.
Children are unpredictable at any age. But flexibility is especially important when traveling with elementary-age kids. Create a travel itinerary that can be adjusted.
You might plan to spend a few hours at the beach, then see that everyone is having such a good time that you want to stick around for the rest of the day. Or, your child might be especially jet-lagged and need some extra time to rest before embarking on a fun-filled adventure.
Tweens And Teens
Check downloaded content.
Wi-Fi access is unpredictable while traveling. Even when you have internet access, it’s not always reliable. Plan ahead by double-checking that your child’s device has plenty of downloaded content. This way they can watch TV shows or movies and listen to podcasts or audiobooks even if they don’t have an internet connection.
Involve your kids in the planning process.
There are many different ways to include your kids when planning a family vacation. Consider which aspects of the trip you’re willing to compromise on, then give your child some options to choose from.
Use Apple AirTags to safely give your teens some space.
I love this tip for parents of teenagers who are itching to spend some time on their own. This is especially the case when several families travel together or when your teen brings a friend on the trip. With Apple AirTags, you can know where your teen is at all times, without having to actually keep them in your sight.
While traveling with kids of a certain age is definitely easier, it’s ultimately up to you to decide when your kids are ready.
Traveling with kids can be intimidating and overwhelming the first few times. Waiting until your little one is a little bit older can help, but there are plenty of ways to make the whole experience easier, no matter your kid’s age.
You can find a ton of tips, tricks, and ideas for traveling with kids, head over to the blog.
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