Flying with a 2 Year Old

belladonna11307

I know this popped up a lot recently, but I can't find those posts!  I'm a fairly experienced traveler, as I used to do it for work all the time.  However, I've never done it with a two year old.  I'm planning to bring as little baggage as we can manage, but am insisting on a carry on for snacks, toys, clothes and emergency diapers for DD.  It's only about a two hour flight so it shouldn't be too terrible in any case.  What are your tips and tricks for surviving an airport and flight with a toddler?

rlyttle

iPad or laptop with a movie.

alake

Take a car seat onto the plane.  The seat belt on a plane does not fit well, anyone under forty pounds.  We are flying home to Canada on Friday, and it will be my nearly six year old`s first time flying without a car seat.  She is now booster trained and we are taking a booster for her.  It will be easier to contain her on the flight, and a lot safer.  Other than this, everything you have said sounds good.

brettsmama

I arrived plenty early so we did not have to rush. Had him wear his harness so he could walk around and explore but not get separated. Snacks and activities, We also took the dvd player. His distraction stuff i put in a small rolling backpack that he pulled, he liked having his own bag to pull and it kept him busy. I also bought a strap to hook the car seat to my other rolling carry on. It was great because i didn't have to carry the car seat plus it's designed so DS could actually ride in the car seat as I rolled it through the airport if he got tired.

kaydee77

I just flew with my 2 year old last month, 2.5 hour flight.  I also agree that bringing the car seat on the plane is not necessary.  I thought the seat belt fit her just fine, and

Anyways, we brought our kindle loaded with toddler games - if you have one, it's great, it kept my DD occupied more than half the flight.

I also brought snacks, a mini coloring book, a sticker book, and a favorite stuffed animal.  You should be fine, I was a little nervous about DD's first flight but she was very well-behaved.

olechka

we never took the car seat with us either.   books and stickers when IPAD can't be used, snacks and we always take her waterbottle and buy juice to drink on the way up and down and a sucker too.

Nechie122

Leave more time than you think you'll need because you'll be slower than you were prekids. Take advantage of any play areas near your gate to let your LO burn off some energy. Using a car seat is a personal thing but I found it to be a giant hassle to lug around, even with the travel cart, and we ended up checking it. Special snacks to use as treats; I like lollipops because they take a long time to eat and help with ear pressure. Buy milk ahead of time; you can only get juice and water on board. Special toys like coloring books. With any luck, she'll sleep! Mine always does!

It's honestly not a big deal. My DD is 25 months old and has been on 10 round trip flights and one emergency landing and I think the anticipation is the worst part.

belladonna11307

Thanks everyone!   We're going to bring the car seat so we have one we know we can trust once we get there.  Worst case scenario is we check it when we board (I've already checked the airline's policy on that).  I'll plan on a bag full of things for her to do and hope for sleep

dadalou

If they are in diapers change right before getting on the plane.  The changing tables in airplane bathrooms (if there even is one) are terrible.