✈️ Traveling with a Toddler: My Survival Strategies

Before having kids, I used to judge parents who let their toddlers run wild at the airport. “Why don’t they just control their kid?” I’d think smugly. Now, as a parent, I know the truth: traveling with a toddler is less about control and more about survival.

Traveling with a toddler is like flipping a switch to full-on chaos mode. No matter how rested they are, as soon as you hit the airport, they turn into a little whirlwind of excitement, impatience, and snack requests. Keeping them entertained, fed, and meltdown-free while dealing with security lines and boarding a plane is basically Olympic-level parenting.

I've figured out that preparation is key. Forget about packing light—bring all the snacks, extra clothes, surprise toys, and whatever screen time you can squeeze in. And seriously, lower your expectations. If your toddler actually takes a nap, it's a total win. If they don’t kick the seat in front of them, you're already winning. And if you make it to your destination with everyone still chatting, you definitely deserve a medal!

These are the practical steps from my last few trips with my toddler

1. Book a good flight. Good = shortest flight time, aisle seat,

2. Pack everything, but be compact. You don’t want to have 5 loose items you are juggling around at the security screening

3. Involve your toddler. Get them excited about the destination. Involve them in planning, and packing. I found my toddler is well-behaved when he’s got a stake

4. Download Netflix shows for offline viewing. Get comfy headphones

5. And most importantly. Pad the time needed for everything. Arrive early. Don’t book flights with short layovers. Expect everything to take longer