Traveling With Kids in 2025: Must-Know Flight Hacks for Sanity & Survival
- Shantrice Appleby
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
Revamped tips for flying with a teen, a school-ager, and a baby
When I wrote my original travel tips, I was just navigating the skies with a different smaller crew. Fast forward to now, and I’m traveling with a full-on crew:
A teenager who lives on his phone
A 6-year-old with endless energy
A baby who’s… well, a baby
Different ages mean different needs, and everyone needs something. Here’s a refreshed list of go-to flight hacks that’ll make your trip smoother—even if your baby’s diaper explodes mid-flight (yes, that happened).
✈️ Travel Hacks That Still Slay
1. TSA PreCheck + CLEAR (and Global Entry for kids!)
When YOU have CLEAR, your kids under 18 can tag along for free. If YOU have TSA PRECHECK kids under 12 can tag along for free. And Global Entry? Kids get free accounts if their parent has one. Major win for skipping long lines and keeping little legs from meltdowns. Many credit cards offer reimbursement for application fees for TSA/GLOBAL/CLEAR- more details in Part 1 and Part 2
2. Snacks, Snacks, More Snacks
Airport food is overpriced and often a gamble. Bring your own stash:
Granola bars, fruit snacks, crackers, formula, refillable water bottles
Something chewy or with a straw to help with ear pressure
Feeding them = keeping them quiet = protecting your sanity.
3. Maximize Your Carry-Ons
Bring essentials:
Extra clothes for baby (and you!)
Diapers, wipes, toys
Books, headphones, tablet, coloring kits
Pro tip: Pack one small bag under the seat with immediate items so you don’t have to fumble in the overhead bin.
4. Ear Protection for Baby + Headphones for Kids
Use soft infant earmuffs to dull the roar of the plane. For your older kids, pack volume-safe headphones so you don’t hear Bluey playing on full blast three rows back. And bonus if the headphones are compatible with plane seat video monitor!!
🛫 New + Improved 2025 Travel Hacks
5. Seat Survival Kits for Each Kid
Create individual kits with age-specific items:
Teen: portable charger, lip balm, snacks, UNO cards
6-year-old: coloring pad, stickers, fidget toy, mini LEGO
Baby: pacifier, teether, rattle, travel wipes
Pre-pack them in small zipper pouches and slide them into seat-back pockets as soon as you sit down.
6. Backpack-Style Diaper Bag with Built-In Changing Mat
Free your hands and save your back. These diaper bags come with compartments and a fold-out mat, so you can change a diaper anywhere—even that tiny airplane bathroom ledge. (Have you ever changed a 10month old in the confines of an airplane restroom, this would have saved me and my pants!)
7. Plan "Mini Milestones" During Long Flights
If you're a family that love to stick to a schedule, break the flight into chunks to prevent boredom and tantrums:
Hour 1: Snack + coloring
Hour 2: Screen time
Hour 3: Walk/stretch break
Hour 4: New toy or treat surprise
Set a phone alarm or use the plane’s in-flight map to track these little checkpoints. It gives the kids (and you) something to look forward to.
✍🏽 Final Checklist Before You Fly
✅ Enroll in TSA PreCheck / CLEAR✅ Create and pack Seat Kits for each kid✅ Pre-download shows, apps, white noise✅ Pack snacks + refillable water bottles✅ Bring ear protection and backup outfits✅ Stay flexible. Give yourself (and your kids) grace.
💬 Final Thoughts
Traveling with kids of all ages can feel chaotic—but it doesn’t have to be. With some prep and a few sanity-saving hacks, you can survive (and even enjoy) your flight. Want more tips? Don’t forget to check out Part 1 and Part 2.
Here’s to smoother skies, quieter cabins, and more joyful journeys.— Dr. Shan & Crew
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