Tips for Flying with A 2-Year-Old Toddler (From a Mom of 4) — A Mom Explores | Family Travel Tips, Destination Guides with Kids, Family Vacation Ideas, and more!

Flying with a toddler is one of the biggest obstacles to travel that many families face.

The prospect of bringing a spirited 2-year-old on a long flight is enough to scare any parent away from a family trip.

As a mom of 4 and family travel blogger, I’m here to share my tried-and-true, battle-tested tips for surviving your next flight with a two year old toddler.

I’ll share my tips for getting them to sleep or nap on the plane, what snacks to bring, what toys and activities are worth taking up space in your carry-on, what to do about diapers, wipes, and potty-training 2-year-olds on a plane, and feeling confident and somewhat relaxed while you’re doing it.

We’re traveled both domestically and internationally with all 4 of our toddlers, and they all have different temperaments and personalities. I know that some 2-year-olds are a breeze when they travel, and others will have you pulling your hair out. I’ve been there, and I’m here to help.

If you have younger children, be sure to read my posts about how to fly with a 1-year-old, and how to fly with a baby.

The good news is, I think flying with a 2-year-old is much easier than traveling with a 1-year-old toddler. 1-year-olds have no attention span, and just want to crawl or walk and explore.

2-year-olds are slightly more reasonable, and a bit more easily bribed to sit for a while.

Here are my top tips for flying with a 2-year-old toddler.

>> Related: Looking for the best and most comfortable travel clothes that don’t smell no matter how much you wear them? Read here: Best Travel Clothes for Women

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Before You Fly

I’m going to go through some of the top questions I receive on Instagram and TikTok about flying with a toddler - specifically 2-year-olds.

Do I Need a Car Seat with A 2-Year-Old on A Plane?

The short answer is that you don’t need a car seat to fly with a 2-year-old.

The longer answer is that I personally prefer to bring our toddler’s car seat on the airplane for several reasons.

1. If you know you’ll need a car seat for your toddler when you arrive at your destination, it’s a great way to avoid having to rent one. You’ll have a seat you’re comfortable using, that you know is safe, and that is up to your cleanliness standards.

2. It helps keep your 2-year-old contained during flights. In the past, I realized my toddlers did much better on longer road trips than long-haul flights. One reason is that they know they can’t get out of their car seats. The same applies to toddlers on airplanes. If they’re in the car seat, they won’t keep asking to get up and explore.

3. It keeps your 2-year-old safe on the plane. During taxiing on the runway and during turbulence, a car seat can help prevent injuries to your toddler.

4. You don’t have to worry about your car seat getting damaged by luggage handlers.

Note: if you are planning to bring a car seat on the plane, make sure it is FAA-approved. You’ll be able to find a sticker on the side of the seat that tells you if it’s FAA-approved.

Be sure to know where this sticker is in case a flight attendant or airline employee asks you about it! I have had to do this on our recent flight to Las Vegas with our toddler.

Tips for Flying with A Car Seat

Should you bring your own car seat for your 1-year-old? Again, this is a personal decision. I have always opted to bring our car seat along. If I’m not using it on the plane I gate check it and store it in a car seat protector bag.

This is another money-saving move for me. We have 4 kids, so if we rented car seats for all of them upon arrival it would really add up.

Another option is to buy a special car seat specifically for travel. I’m in multiple family travel Facebook groups, and I often see this car seat recommended for toddlers on a plane because it is lightweight, narrow enough to fit in an airplane seat, and fairly inexpensive.

If you travel often, this might be your best bet. It’s a one-time investment that will pay off in the long run.

Finally, you do have the option to rent a car seat upon arrival. Most car rental places will offer car seats as an add-on when you’re booking the vehicle.

The pros are that you don’t have to lug your own car seat through the airport and you don’t have to worry about yours getting damaged by the luggage handlers. In addition, this might be your best choice when traveling abroad to make sure the car seat you use is legal and able to be installed in your rental car.

The cons are that you don’t know the history of the car seat you’re renting. If you’re very concerned about that, you’re probably better off renting from Baby Quip with high standards for safety and cleanliness. You can rent anything from car seats to strollers to cribs and beyond. If you’re trying to pack like a minimalist, BabyQuip is your best bet.

And if car seats are stressing you out, I would highly recommend checking out Travel Car Seat Mom. This website is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to car seat safety and travel.

What Do You Need to Fly with a 2-Year-Old?

While children under the age of 2 don’t NEED their own seat on the plane, you do need to purchase a plane ticket for your 2-year-old. Be sure to have their ticket either on the airline’s app on your phone, or print one out at the kiosk or ticket counter before going through security.

You won’t need a toddler ID to get through security if you’re flying domestically.

However, if you’re flying internationally you will need a passport for your 2-year-old.

Can I hold my toddler on the plane?

If you’re traveling with a 2-year-old, they do need their own seat on the plane. Once you’re on board, you can certainly hold your toddler on your lap if needed.

What are the airline’s policies about checking baby gear?

It’s so important to read the traveling with kids policy for whichever airline you’re flying. I’ve been on dozens of flights with babies, toddlers, and little kids, and I still check each time I’m flying.

Most airlines will let you check items like strollers, car seats, and travel beds for free.

Most people don’t realize this, but most also allow you to take a diaper bag on the plane in addition to personal items and carry-ons.

You can check these items right when you arrive at the airport before going through security, or you can bring strollers and car seats with you through the airport and gate check them if you prefer.

Can I bring snacks, milk, or juice through airport security?

Did you know that TSA considers baby and toddler milk, formula, and food to be “medically necessary liquids”?

You can find this right on the TSA website:

“Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby/toddler food (to include puree pouches) in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters are allowed in carry-on baggage and do not need to fit within a quart-sized bag.”

One tip for going through TSA with a toddler is that you should take out any food or liquids that you’ve brought, and inform them that it’s for your toddler.

I usually keep my 2-year-old’s snacks in a gallon-size plastic bag in their backpack or my carry-on.

You can also use a cooler with ice packs. Again, just inform the TSA and take it out from your luggage so they can do any special screening that they need to do.

This includes things like snacks for the baby, food pouches, juices, and baby food. If you don’t want to worry about a cooler for milk, try a shelf-stable kind like Horizon Organic.

What Should I Pack for a 2-year-old?

I have a fun TikTok video on exactly what I pack in my 2-year-old’s carry-on. Don’t forget to follow along there and on my Instagram page where I share lots of videos about flying with kids!

Sometimes it’s easier to have a written list, though, so here’s an overview of what I pack when I travel with a two year old.

I put diapers and wipes in a gallon-size plastic bag if I’m traveling with a child that’s not potty-trained. It’s easy to have the necessary items handy for quick diaper changes, and the gallon-size bag can double as storage for soiled clothes in a pinch.
I use small organizers or mini packing cubes for everything so that I can find what I need quickly while wrangling my 2-year-old.
Have an “on the flight” kit in a small pouch that can fit in your seat back pocket. These are the items I’ll want to use on the flight in case my toddler falls asleep on me and I can’t reach my carry-on. It should have:
- headphones (both plug in and wireless)
- snacks for you
  - gum or mints
  - a book or tablet with pre-loaded entertainment or ebooks
  - lip balm
  - pain reliever in case of a headache
I bring a snack bag for my 2 year old with:
- Fruit pouches
- Granola bars
- Apple or orange slices
- Crackers
- Lollipops (perfect for takeoff and landing to help their ears)
- Sippy cup or straw cup to use on your trip if your child is not yet drinking out of regular cups (and even if they are, sometimes you don’t want to deal with spills on the plane or in the hotel room.
- Water bottle to fill up after you go through security
- 1-2 lightweight books (I like the indestructible ones)
- Very few toys. Kids are interested in their surroundings, and I find that toys just end up taking up space. There are a few that might help in a pinch:
Fold-up busy board
Tape or sticky notes
Water Wow books
A spinner
A calculator or remote control from the dollar store so they can satisfy their need to press buttons
Crayola Color Wonder coloring books. The markers are mess-free and only color on the special paper.
Bring an extra set of clothes for both you and your toddler in case of an accident, sickness, or lost luggage.
Health items like infant pain reliever, thermometer, bandages, etc. You never know when ear pain from the flight or a sudden illness will make them miserable on the plane!
Bring a lightweight muslin blanket for getting your child to sleep (plus pacifier or any other sleep aids you use)
Have several empty gallon ziplock bags or plastic bags for trash or soiled items. They take up almost no space and you will be so thankful in the rare situation you need them.
Finally, don’t forget face/hand wipes and sanitizing wipes to keep you, your child, and your space clean!

Check out my Amazon shopping list for flying with toddlers!

At The Airport with A Two Year Old

Getting through The Airport with All the Toddler Gear

If we’re bringing a stroller on our trip, I start with our toddler in the stroller. I take out any items that will need to be put through security separately and put them in the basket of the stroller.

Lately I’ve been attaching our 2-year-old’s car seat to a cheap luggage cart so I can roll it through the airport like a suitcase. This way I can use it on the plane, and I just fold up the luggage cart, which easily fits under the seat.

To go through security, you’ll need to take your child out of the stroller, and put any car seats, strollers, luggage, baby carriers, etc. through the x-ray machine.

Children under 12 can leave on their shoes and jackets, so no need to worry about taking off your toddler’s shoes!

You can carry your child through the metal detector or let them walk through with you.

Don’t worry if you’re stressed about breaking down your stroller or getting your car seat on the belt with a wild toddler running loose. TSA agents are always willing to help (at least in my experience), and for added peace of mind, you can wear your toddler in a carrier until you’re ready to walk through the metal detector.

I usually bring a baby or toddler carrier with me, too, for those moments where it’s too chaotic to let my 2-year-old walk by themselves. For example, I’ll usually put our toddler in the carrier when it’s time to board the plane and I need to gate check the stroller.

If you’re with a partner or another adult, one of you can be in charge of the kids, while the other installs the car seat on the plane. If you’re alone, this part will be a bit trickier, so make sure you’ve watched videos on how to get the car seat set up on the plane before you’re on it.

Visit a Family Restroom Before Boarding the Plane

I love that most airports nowadays have family restrooms. I always take the kids in there with me, and there’s plenty of room for all of our suitcases and bags, too.

This is the perfect opportunity to change a diaper or put a fresh pull-up on your child, or if they’re potty trained, to encourage them to use the restroom before they’re on the plane.

Toddler Play Room at the Milwaukee airport

Get Their Wiggles Out

Quite a few airports now have play areas for kids! These areas are great for letting your 2-year-old burn off some energy before they’re stuck in an airplane seat for hours on end.

Some have play sets, some have toys, and some have tvs.

If you can’t find a play area, I suggest leaving one adult with the luggage (and possibly older kids) while the other parent simply walks around the terminal with the 2-year-old.

Strategy for Boarding the Airplane with a Toddler

You can choose one of the following strategies for boarding the airplane with your 2-year-old:

1. Many airlines offer family boarding after first class but before the rest of the economy classes board the plane. This allows parents with things like strollers and car seats to have more time and space to get everything set up.

2. Another option is to wait until the very last minute to board the plane so you don’t have to make your toddler sit down for any longer than they need to. This is a wonderful option if you have 2 adults with you so you can split up and have one set up the gear while the other stays with the toddler to burn some more energy.

Entertaining A 2-Year-Old on the Plane

My favorite strategy for keeping a toddler entertained on an airplane is to take turns with another adult, whether that’s a partner or grandparent.

For example, on our most recent flight to Costa Rica, we had a layover, so my husband took our 2-year-old daughter for the first leg, and I took her for the second.

This way we both had an opportunity to relax and enjoy the flight. Yes, we still had 3 other kids on the plane with us, but they’re all pretty self-sufficient and able to entertain themselves.

We DO allow screen time for our toddler on airplanes. In fact, we are pretty relaxed about screen time when travel is involved.

However, I still like to pack several travel activities for our toddler, too.

Here are my best tips for keeping toddlers occupied on the plane.

Bring Something for Takeoff and Landing

With babies, we typically let them nurse or take a bottle for take off or landing. With our 2-year-old, we brought plenty of organic lollipops to help prevent pressure in her ears when the cabin pressure changes.

We love the YumEarth lollipops because they don’t have artificial dyes.

Bring More Snacks than You Think You’ll Need

For some reason, my kids never stop eating when they’re on an airplane.

I’m not sure if they’re genuinely hungry or just bored, but having snacks that take a longer time to eat can really help pass the time.

Our 2-year-old loves:

String Cheese
Apple slices
Clementines
Goldfish crackers
Granola Bars
Z Bars
Applesauce pouches
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches (You can do homemade, which we usually do. In a pinch I’ve done Uncrustables)
Pretzel sticks
Animal Crackers
Veggie Straws
Dry Cereal
Graham Crackers
Yogurt Tubes (we freeze the night before)
Bell pepper slices
Bags of mini cookies

Airplane Toys

Boogie Boards: all of our toddlers have loved these LCD tablets that erase with the press of a button, and come with an attached stylus.
Crayola Color Wonder Coloring Books: these mess free activity books come with markers that only show up on the special paper.
Reusable sticker books
Window Clings
Water Wow books
Magnadoodle

Bring a Tablet with Pre-Downloaded Entertainment

We have used Amazon Kids Kindle Tables for YEARS, and they are perfect for travel.

This is why age 2 starts to get a little bit easier when it comes to travel. 2-year-olds still have short attention spans, but they can start to pay attention to shows and movies, which might give you a few moments of peace on your flight!

We only let the kids use the Kindles on flights or long road trips, so they love getting the chance to use them.

If you use the Amazon Kids app, kids can’t exit the app so you know they won’t be buying anything or surfing the internet.

You can download games, shows, and movies ahead of time so you know your toddler will have something to watch.

Don’t forget a childproof case that props the tablet up on the tray table and some toddler-friendly headphones! Here are our favorite headphones for toddlers.

How to Stay Comfortable When Traveling with a Toddler

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made when traveling with kids is to spend weeks preparing for their comfort and entertainment on a trip, but forgetting about myself!

Travel days with toddlers are long and exhausting, so make sure you have what you need to stay comfortable and happy since the parents are the ones who set the mood for the trip.

Dress Comfortably

My Nana was from London, and always taught my mom, who then taught my siblings and me to dress nicely for travel days.

Nowadays it’s more socially acceptable to dress comfortably for a flight, but I still like to look put together.

Black joggers or leggings with a sweater or a cute top with a cardigan are my go-to outfits of choice for travel days. If we’re going to be chasing toddlers and sitting for long periods of time, I want a comfortable waistband and the ability to move around.

However, I always make sure my hair is done and I’m wearing a little bit of makeup (unless it’s an overnight flight).

Looking well-groomed and adding a bit of jewelry or a scarf will help you look put together even while your clothes are comfortable.

For a shorter flight, I might even wear a comfortable maxi dress or maxi skirt!

Bring Multiple Types of Headphones

I always bring a pair of headphones to plug into the headphone jack in case there’s a movie on the seat back screen I want to watch. Sometimes my toddler actually falls asleep or pays attention to a show on her tablet, and I’m able to enjoy a movie!

I also bring my wireless headphones so I can watch movies or tv shows I’ve downloaded ahead of time to my phone.

Create an Airplane Kit

Bring a small bag or organizer with headphones, lip balm, pain reliever, gum or mints, a snack, and any other small items you might need during the flight.

As a parent dealing with a toddler, it’s nice to have all of your own things easily accessible in case your little one falls asleep on you or you need to grab something and only have one hand free.

Take Photos and Videos of Your Trip

Don’t forget to document your trip for the memories! Even the moments in the airport and on the airplane.

I used to wait until I was at our destination to start documenting, but I love having those small moments captured of our toddler experiencing the magic of air travel with their little headphones on.

Even if it’s not a particularly magical experience for you in the moment, someday you will look back on those memories with fondness and a sense of humor.