5 Tips To Help Navigate Air Travel During The Holidays With Kids

We are officially in holiday mode, which means there’s likely some travel that lies ahead to visit family, friends, and loved ones. That also means that airports and roadways will be a bit more crowded than usual. New environments, long lines, and delays can cause a heap of frustration for anyone, especially tiny travelers. From traveling with my own crew of littles to traveling with my mama friends with their kids in tow, there’s been a lot of trial and error over the years. While a meltdown might be inevitable, we can help you mitigate the stress with a few tips.

Let Your Kiddo Know What to Expect

We reserve tablets and portable games for use on the plane because they minimize the risk of them being dropped or left behind as we move from baggage to security and other high-traffic areas throughout the airport. Instead, we play call-and-response style games such as “I Spy.” It allows us to keep them occupied while moving quickly from point A to point B.

Look For Special Security Lanes

For parents with TSA PreCheck, kids under 18 on the same reservation can use your TSA
PreCheck to expedite security screening. Otherwise, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to pass through the general screening lines. You can view screening wait times in real time by visiting your airport's website. However, some airports like Orlando International offer a service called MCO Reserve. It lets you make a reservation for a specified time to come through security.

You'll also notice designated lanes called “Families On The Fly” at several other airports. These lanes are designed to help families go through security more quickly and smoothly. Some of the participating airports include: Charleston International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Jacksonville International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and Tampa International Airport. For the complete list of participating airports, visit the TSA website.

Skip The Family Boarding

Most parents take advantage of family boarding to get on the plane early and settle in. If your kids are experienced travelers, go ahead. However, if your child is new to flying or tends to get restless in their seat, consider using the boarding time to give them a few extra moments to ease their jitters and wiggles, and board with the last boarding group. I also like this method if more than one adult is traveling with the kids, because one of them can take advantage of family boarding to go ahead and stow the luggage, drop off the stroller or car seat for gate check, and pull out the flight essentials like snacks and games.

Look For Play Areas And Kid Zones

As adults, we’re used to slumping from one place to another. Our kids, however, especially younger ones, are used to spending their days playing with friends and outdoors. If possible, build playtime into the travel day. If your flight is delayed or you have a more extended layover, explore fun activities around the airport, such as art exhibits, museums, theaters, bookstores, little libraries, and play areas, to keep your little ones happily occupied. You can find these areas at many major airports, including Chicago O'Hare, Seattle-Tacoma, Nashville, Portland, and Indianapolis.

If You Can, Get It When You Get There

I usually try to pack as much as I can to be ready, but my best friend’s bright tip is just to buy things when we arrive. Of course, I bring a bookbag or carry-on with the essentials, but there’s really no need to buy lots of stuff in advance just to carry through the airport and to the resort. Services like Instacart Walmart Delivery make it so easy to schedule deliveries directly to your resort when you arrive. Other services, like Baby Quip, are excellent for delivering items like cribs, car seats, and high chairs straight to your hotel or resort. Plus, items like inflatable booster seats and bed bumpers are small enough to fit in a carry-on, making packing even easier.

And, as a bonus tip: you can never have too many snacks! Even the shortest of travel days can encounter a few bumps along the way, such as being held on the tarmac, turbulence that prevents in-flight service, or landing after hours when airport restaurants or markets have already closed. The same goes for packing a few extra sets of clothes, plus diapers, pull-ups, and undies, in your carry-on luggage in case your luggage is lost or delayed.