How to Keep a Toddler Happy on an Airplane

Different children respond to airplanes differently, but for many families, the prospect of taking a toddler on an airplane is enough to send shivers down the parents' spine. Many very young children do not respond well to the crowds, confinement, air pressure and tedium of being on an airplane and for that reason, many families prefer to avoid taking a toddler on an airplane at all. That said, sometimes air travel is the only sensible means of traveling with a toddler and if you are prepared, you can increase your odds of success in keeping a toddler happy on an airplane.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Try to avoid extremely long flights, which may push your child's patience. If a long flight is unavoidable, think about whether layovers would make things easier or harder for your child. Some children may settle into the plane ride better without the disruption of a layover, whereas others might welcome the opportunity to run around and perhaps play on an airport playground between flight segments.

2. Choose the time of your flight carefully. A long flight might work out better if you leave shortly before your toddler usually goes to sleep. Your child may end up sleeping through most of the flight. A short flight might be easier if you go at whatever time your child is least likely to be disruptive. If your child is calmest in the mornings, choose a morning flight.

3. If you are able to choose your seats in advance, factor in your child's temperament into your seat selection. If you think your child would appreciate looking out the window, try to get a window seat. If you expect you will need to get up and take your child to the bathroom frequently, an aisle seat may make the most sense.

4. Stock up on numerous small, interesting toys or other items that your child hasn't played with before and pack these in an easily accessible location in your carry-on baggage. Presenting these items to your toddler throughout the flight can help her to stay occupied.

5. Consider buying or renting a portable DVD player with a long battery life. Even if you don't like your child to watch a lot of TV in normal circumstances, a few movies can go a long way toward maintaining everyone's sanity when you are traveling.

6. Talk about the flight with your toddler before you take off. Show him pictures of what the inside of an airplane looks like and talk about how the flight will proceed. If you can find one, read a children's storybook about airplanes and flying in advance to give your child an idea of what to expect. Play up the trip as a fun adventure.

7. Plan ways to keep yourself calm. If you are stressed or anxious during the flight, as many people become while they are traveling, your child may pick up on your emotions and react to them accordingly with similar behavior.

8. Bring a small snack or chewy candy for takeoff and landing, since this may minimize the amount of ear popping that your toddler experiences. If you are taking a long flight, consider packing additional snacks if your child is a picky eater and likely to refuse the in-flight meal.

9. During the flight, you may wish to allow your child to get up and walk in the aisles when the seatbelt sign isn't on, but consider your toddler's temperament. Some children may do better without being allowed to get out of their seat frequently (except possibly to use the bathroom), because then they may resist staying buckled in during landing and any other time that the seatbelt light is on.

Tips & Warnings

• Have patience and realistic expectations. Remember that your toddler is exactly that--a toddler, and by definition, a toddler may not always react in a reasonable and mature manner to stressful situations. Try not to get angry with your child if he or she does throw a fit on the airplane; stay calm and do what you can to soothe your child, while keeping in mind that all toddlers throw fits sometimes.
• Bring a no-spill sippy cup for your child to drink from during the flight as the flight attendants are likely to have only standard plastic cups, which can make a huge mess rather easily.