From 18 Months to Big Kids: How to Stay Together on a Plane (Expert Tips, Top Gear & a Travel Checklist)

Flying with children whatever the age can feel like you’re preparing for a moon landing. From navigating airports to keeping toddlers calm in cramped cabin seats, there are approximately 9,807 situations to plan for, although this flight is just a tiny moment in the grand scheme of everything.

It’s almost enough to completely discourage you. But, not quite. And to be honest, planning and managing a trip from London to Cornwall with my five and seven year olds this summer took as much energy as any flight I’ve booked and taken.

Pre-Flight Planning: Start Smart

Before you even think about flying, prepare yourself for success. My friend, mother of two and sleep coach Emma from Glittering sleep shares her best tips for getting off to a strong start:

1. Book strategically

• Short flights? Align your trip with your child’s usual nap time. The gentle hum and vibrations of the plane often help little ones fall asleep.
• Long-haul flights? Overnight trips can work in your favor because your child’s internal clock is already primed for sleep.

2. Preparing for sleep at home

Emma says: “Good sleep when traveling starts before you leave the house. If possible, plan your naps the day before and the day of travel. Tired and overstimulated children are much more difficult to fit on a plane.

Aim for an early bedtime the day before your flight to recharge their sleep reservoir. If your flight departs very early in the morning, consider moving your child’s wake-up time 15 to 30 minutes earlier a few days in advance to help their body adjust.

3. Bring in familiar cues

• Travel Sleep Items: portable white noise machines, favorite blanket or comforter.
  
• Mini version of the bedtime routine: Pajamas, milk, story, lullaby.
  

High travel sleep product recordings

My must-haves for managing sleep on a plane (and they’re all top-rated on Amazon, too).

• Easy@Home white noise machine – Top rated on Amazon right now, check out the reviews for great reads and other great tips! I also like our Yoto Mini players for white noise options and soothing sounds for older children.
  
• Trunki Toddler Travel Blanket – soft, machine washable, perfect for airplane seats and my school friend mom swears by these amazing, award-winning travel pillows for kids ages 3 and up, from Seat for sleeping – literally a portable nest that they can snuggle into.
• Inflatable Toddler Footrest and/or travel bed – turns a seat into a comfortable resting space for long flights (a quick scan will return a ton of options – these were top rated on Amazon in 2025).

Packing Essentials: What to Pack (and Leave Behind)

Parents often pack too much – and I am the most guilty of the very guilty here. The trick (I’m told) is balance: bring the items that actually keep your little one engaged and comfortable. Leave behind anything that is bulky or easily lost, irreplaceable or boring.

The essentials on board:

Do not board without these items. My discussions with parents on WhatsApp are very clear on this subject.

• Snacks and drinks – small items that are easy to eat. Opt for fruit crates, individually wrapped cheeses, crackers, and water bottles with spill-proof lids – I swear by Hydro Flask.
  My 7 year old is a big fan of these baked cheese packets – just one ingredient and no waste, providing a protein shake that’s hard to find on the go. Find them on Amazon, Waitrose or Holland & Barrett – Starbucks & M&S also have a similar version.
• Change of clothes – for both the child and the parent. My two-year-old daughter spilled a tropical fruit smoothie on herself and me during a (very uneventful) takeoff to Oslo one Christmas, and I have at least three friends who shared stories of on-board vomiting with me via WhatsApp while writing this article. One heroine in particular ended up making a makeshift outfit using her husband’s sweater and a seat cover as a sarong to take to Greece this year. These are not opinions, this is survival.
• Stroller or foldable stroller – check your airline policy. Some allow gate screening for easy boarding.
• Noise canceling headphones – ideal for takeoff and landing to relieve pressure on sensitive ears.

High toddler travel gear recordings

The 2025 hot list of trips for toddlers, all top-rated on Amazon too.

Activities to keep them busy

The key to survival is variety, novelty and rotation.

“New things, small ones, that they haven’t seen before,” advises Jenny on my local family’s WhatsApp group. “You can get big packs of fidget toys on Amazon and “quiet books” with Velcro things. Oh, and stickers, snacks, and a tablet with downloaded content. We have a reserve mini-books from an old Advent calendar that have made many flights with us now.

High aircraft activity recordings

Straight from my own experience, plus my best WhatsApp tips and recommendations combined.

• Busy/quiet books: Almost everything that is done by Melissa and Doug is the benchmark here, with top marks for Takeaway shapes And Magnetic covering. Special mention also for Usborne First experiences And Look inside airport books: these are classics and very practical for preparing little ones.
  
• Fidget toys and boards: Mini packs of sensory spinners, zippers, locks and padlocks for hands-on engagement.
  
• Stickers and washi tape: Puffy or removable stickers, as well as mini road washi tape to create game scenarios on the boards.
  
• Small construction toys: Mini Lego sets or Magna-Tiles for building on the go.

I recommend a good circuit of Flying Tiger before you pack your bags – a genius for new little items that all children will love, from 0 to 39 years old.

Bonus Pick for preloaded entertainment:

Because relying on on-board entertainment is a fool’s game. New, of course. But if you’ve ever sat in a seat with the bokeh device, never again. Bring your old favorites, just in case, with everything loaded and downloaded.

• Yoto player with headphones – audio stories and music, perfect for kids of all ages who love their regular content. My kids sit and listen while they color – our current favorites are The distant magic tree series, Demon Hunters K-pop And Fantastic Mr. Fox. Or a Tonie Box (depending on what you like!
• Downloads for tablet: Preload your favorite TV shows or apps for screen time (make sure the headphones are kid-friendly and volume limited). If you’re interested, our latest downloads for a five and seven year old were The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Disney’s Coco, Stick Man and several Pepa Pigs.

Managing tantrums and illness

Even the most prepared parents face tantrums or mid-flight illnesses. I feel you – and my humble advice includes:

Airplane Travel Checklist for Toddlers

This is what I bring. Your list will evolve and change over the years, but consider this the baseline to build on.

Travel essentials

• Foldable stroller/pram (check airline policy for gate screening)
  
• Baby carrier/sling
  
• Travel documents and passports
  
• Change of clothes for toddler and parent
  
• Diapers/wipes/diaper bags
  
• Hand sanitizer and tissues
• Device chargers
  

Snacks and drinks

• Splash-proof water bottles
  
• Appetizers: rice cakes, fruit, vegetable sticks, cheese
  
• Favorite treats in moderation
  
• Milk/formula if necessary
  

Comfort & sleep

• Toddler travel pillow or footrest/inflatable bed
  
• Favorite blanket/quilt
  
• Pajamas and bedtime routine items
  
• Portable white noise machine or app
  
• Snoozeshade or breathable airplane blanket
  

Activities & entertainment

• Busy/Quiet Books (Velcro, Magnetic, Lift Flap)
  
• Mini fidget toys, spinners or sensory boards
  
• Stickers and removable washi tape for board play
  
• Mini Lego/Magna tiles or small construction toys
  
• Tablet/Yoto/Tonie Box player content preloaded
  
• Painter’s tape, post-its or mini-games (Connect 4, Uno)
  

Health and safety

• Calpol/Nurofen for emergencies
  
• Noise canceling headphones for takeoff and landing
  
• Small first aid kit
  
• Hand sanitizer/wipes
  

Advice for parents

• Align the flight with the toddler’s nap or sleep schedule
  
• For babies, feed them during takeoff and landing to reduce pressure in the ears.
  
• Keep Familiar Bedtime Cues on Board
  
• Allow for flexibility: even 20-minute naps are helpful
  
• Stay calm – children and toddlers sense your stress

Happy travels

Flying with toddlers doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Pack strategically, embrace a variety of activities, maintain sleep routines, and keep snacks on hand. A calm parent, combined with familiar comfort, is the secret to a happy flight.

Don’t forget that traveling is also a gift for children. Exposing little ones to new environments and experiences helps them grow, learn and develop adaptability – skills that will last a lifetime.

With preparation, the right equipment and Glittering sleep founder Emma reminds me – with a little flexibility – even the most intimidating flights can become an adventure for your little one, and maybe even for you.

On your (onboard) playlist: Pregnant and parenthood at Christmas? This guide will walk you through