Traveling with kids on long flights is basically an olympic sport and i’m out here with a participation trophy and a drinking problem. hi it’s me, the mom who once bribed a flight attendant with candy to let my kid keep the plastic wings pin. these are the hacks that kept me from yeeting myself out the emergency exit at 30,000 feet.
the time we flew 14 hours to tokyo and only one person cried (me)
we boarded with two kids under five, three carry-ons, and the confidence of people who had never done this before. ten minutes in my toddler screamed “I NEED TO POOP” during takeoff. i changed a diaper in that tiny bathroom while the plane bounced and i questioned every life choice. we landed alive. that’s a win.
the actual survival kit for traveling with kids on long flights
snacks that saved my life
- pouches (the kind you don’t have to refrigerate)
- mini bags of goldfish i pre-portioned so i’m not that parent dumping an entire family-size bag
- lollipops for takeoff/landing (ear pressure hack + bribe)
- new snacks they’ve never seen = 20 extra minutes of silence
screen time rules i broke
- downloaded like 12 episodes of bluey, paw patrol, and whatever trash youtube kids suggested
- bought those cheap $30 amazon tablets just for flights. zero regrets
- wrapped new $3 toys from the dollar spot in wrapping paper. each one buys you 15-30 minutes
airplane hacks i swear by
- request the bassinet row even if your kid is too big—they give you extra legroom anyway
- bring a roll of painter’s tape. tape toys to the tray table. tape the window. tape their mouth (kidding… mostly)
- change them into pajamas at boarding. instant sleep cue and everyone thinks you’re organized
- pack an extra shirt for YOU. trust me on the bodily fluids
the timing cheat sheet traveling with kids on long flights
- book the red-eye when they’re little. they sleep most of the flight or you all suffer together
- older kids? daytime flight + melatonin gummies (talk to your pediatrician first obviously)
- feed them a full meal right before boarding. sleepy full tummy = gold
things i wish someone told me about traveling with kids on long flights
- the second you think “this is going great” is when the meltdown begins
- flight attendants have seen worse. ask for help. they’ll bring you wine
- people judging you? they either don’t have kids or forgot what it’s like. headphones in. ignore
- you will lose at least one shoe. accept it
next up currently manifesting a flight where nobody screams. probably never happening.
anyway if you’re about to attempt traveling with kids on long flights, just know you’re a warrior. pack the snacks. charge the devices. lower your standards to the floor. you got this (probably).
