traveling with Kids – My Must-Haves After Years of Flying Back and Forth
When your husband’s Irish, you’re from Texas, and your kids were born in Ireland, flying internationally just becomes part of life. My girls have been doing these flights since they were babies. We’re talking Dallas to London, Dallas to Dublin, and everywhere in between.
Some flights have been smooth, others have made me wonder why I ever booked the ticket. But after all these years, I’ve learned what works and what can save your sanity when you’re traveling long haul with kids. Here’s my list of must-haves.
Bring the stroller right to the gate
If your kids are still little, a stroller is a must. It keeps them contained and saves your arms when you’re walking through busy airports. Most airlines let you roll it right to the gate and check it for free.
Shop my favorite travel stroller 🔗
Use an FAA-approved car seat
This is a game changer. Kids are more comfortable in their own seat and you’re not stuck holding a squirming child for 10 hours. Just make sure it’s FAA-approved so the airline will let you use it.
See my go-to travel car seat 🔗
Ask for the bulkhead and bassinet
If your baby is small enough, some airlines have clip-on bassinets at the bulkhead. You have to request it ahead of time but it’s so nice to have a safe place to put the baby down during the flight. Just know they take it away during turbulence.
Bring more bottles, formula and food than you think
If you think you’ve packed enough, add more. The last thing you want is to run out halfway over the Atlantic. Spills happen, bottles leak, and you can’t run to the store at 30,000 feet.
Favorite travel formula dispenser 🔗
Travel Bottle Holder 🔗
Snacks. Always snacks.
This is probably my number one rule. Bring snacks for the kids and maybe a few for yourself too. Crackers, cut-up fruit, pouches, granola bars. A lot of airlines let you bring fruit on board for babies, just make sure it’s cut up.
My favorite snack containers for kids 🔗
Entertainment
When my girls were small it was toys, coloring books, stickers. Now it’s tablets, headphones, movies and games. I still pack coloring stuff though. Sometimes a break from screens is nice.
Kid-safe headphones 🔗
Travel drawing pad LED 🔗
Comfort items
Blankets, little pillows, pacifiers, stuffed animals – whatever makes them feel cozy. If they have their comfort things, they settle in much easier.
Lightweight kids travel blanket 🔗
Change of clothes
Not just for the kids, for you too. Spills, accidents, whatever. On overnight flights I have the girls change into pajamas after dinner so they can get comfy and sleep.
Cozy travel pajamas for kids 🔗
Headphones and tablets
Once they’re a little older, the flight becomes routine. Dinner, movies, games, coloring, then sleep. Just download everything before you leave home in case the Wi-Fi isn’t great. We use their iPads because they have always been the most reliable for us when it comes to these long flights. Pricier than others, I know, but worth it when you have a 10+ hours flight ahead of you and want it to work!
A few extra mom tips
- Always check your airline’s rules on snacks and baby gear before you fly.
- Flight attendants can be your best friends on a long flight. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
- Even if it’s chaos, you will land. And one day you might actually miss having that toddler curled up in your lap somewhere over the Atlantic.
- Want to shop more of my travel favorites that aren’t on the list? Everything else, including some things for mom are on this list!
