Must Haves When Flying with Kids

Hey there, Disney Dreamers and Travel Enthusiasts!

I’m Rachel, your go-to travel advisor and fellow mom who has navigated countless flights with little ones. As a military spouse, traveling with kids has been a big part of our life, and I’ve learned a lot along the way. Whether you’re visiting family or heading to a magical destination, here are my tried-and-true products that make flying with kids a breeze.

Car Seats: To Bring or Not to Bring?

The first question I always get is, “Do we need to fly with car seats?” If your child is under 2, they can be a lap infant or in a car seat in their own seat. Once they turn 2, car seats aren’t required, but they do need their own seat. Personally, this depends on various factors: Am I flying alone? Do I have help? Do I have car seats where I’m going (to see family, for example)? We always travel with Cosco Car Seats—they’re lightweight (only 12 lbs), affordable, and meet airline requirements. Trust me, lugging a big convertible car seat through the airport is a no-go!

How to Carry Car Seats Through the Airport

“How do you carry it through the airport?” I’m so glad you asked! We love the Gorilla Grip Bag. The car seat fits inside, and I can wear it like a backpack, keeping my hands free. These bags are extremely durable and have served us well for years and many flights.

Baby Carriers for Under 2s

If you’re traveling with kids under 2, I highly recommend the Lillebaby All Seasons Carrier. We’ve had this carrier since my oldest was born, and it’s still helpful for our third! Wearing baby through security keeps your hands free and makes the process so much smoother. You’ll see me travel everywhere with our carrier!

Strollers: A Must-Have for Mobility

We also never travel without strollers. They make it easy to move through the airport quickly and keep everyone accounted for, especially during layovers or delays. Pro tip: Check the stroller policy for your airline! For example, American Airlines caps their gate-checked stroller weight at 20 pounds. We use a double umbrella stroller under 20 pounds to avoid issues.

Other Must-Haves When Flying

Here’s a quick list of essentials that make flying with kids easier:

• Birth Certificates/Passports: Keep these handy just in case you need to prove your child’s age.
• Wipes: An absolute lifesaver for cleanliness.
• Pacifier & Bottle Wipes: Great for keeping baby items clean on the go.
• Chargers & Battery Pack: Stay powered up throughout your journey.
• Headphones: Don’t forget the kids’ headphones for tablets.
• Change of Clothes: A must for everyone to avoid mishaps.
• Reusable Water Bottles: Fill them up after security to stay hydrated. We LOVE Simple Modern Water Bottles in our family!.
• Snacks: You can never have enough! Our favorites include GoBe Snack Spinner, Munchkin Snack Catchers, and Bumpkin Reusable Snack Bags.
• Toys and Games: Keep kids entertained during the flight.

I hope you found this post helpful when preparing for your next flight with kids! Stay tuned for more travel tips and let Pinks & Greens Travel Company help you make your next family adventure smooth and magical.

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