The Family Airport Survival Guide: How to Make Flying With Kids Easier

Flying with kids can feel like an adventure before the vacation even begins. Between getting everyone through security, finding the right gate, keeping kids fed, and figuring out how to fill a few hours in a terminal, airport days can quickly become exhausting.

But we have learned that a little preparation can make a huge difference.

Pack for the Airport, Not Just the Vacation

One of the easiest mistakes to make is packing everything neatly into checked luggage—and then realizing the things you actually need are somewhere underneath the airplane.

Every child should have a small backpack with a few essentials:

• Headphones

• A sweatshirt

• An empty reusable water bottle

• A snack

• Something to read

• One or two activities

• A charging cable for electronics

  
  

Older kids can carry their own bags, which also helps distribute everything the family needs.

Snacks Are Your Secret Weapon

Airport food can be expensive, lines can be long, and kids somehow become hungry at exactly the wrong moment.

We like having easy snacks ready before we leave home. Crackers, granola bars, fruit snacks, pretzels, and other simple foods can keep everyone happy until you find a real meal.

Give Yourself Extra Time

Traveling with children is rarely the moment to see how quickly you can race through an airport.

Arriving early gives your family time for bathroom stops, security delays, food, and the inevitable forgotten water bottle.

More importantly, it keeps the beginning of the trip from feeling stressful.

Let the Kids Be Part of the Adventure

One of our favorite tricks is giving kids little travel responsibilities.

Have them:

• Find the gate number

• Watch for boarding time

• Look for your airplane

• Help find baggage claim

• Pick a snack

• Keep track of their backpack

  
  

Suddenly the airport becomes part of the adventure instead of just something they have to endure.

Fuel Your Life Tip

The vacation doesn't start when you reach your destination.

It starts when you walk out your front door.

Finding little ways to enjoy the journey can turn even a long airport day into another family memory.