#1 Best Advice for Long Flights with Kids: What Parents Actually Recommend

Originally published on August 3, 2026 | Last updated on August 3, 2026

Master the Skies: Practical Advice for Long Flights with Kids—Real Parent Experiences, Expert Strategies, and Tested Tips for Stress-Free Long-Haul Travel with Children of All Ages

Long-haul flight advice isn’t just for first-time international travelers; it’s equally essential for frequent flyers who’ve never traveled with toddlers or infants. Flying with young children is a fundamentally different experience from traveling solo.

What’s Your #1 Long-Haul Flight Tip for Traveling with Kids?

I have asked well-traveled parents who’ve taken long-haul flights with children to share their #1 practical tip that genuinely made the journey easier.

There is no single travel tip for parents traveling with children, as each category infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age, adolescents requires its unique travel adjustments.

In this roundtable piece, you probably notice you go-to-single best long-haul flight tip. This could be anything from travel games, activities, or routines you use to keep your kids from getting bored before or during the flight.

As relatable as it could be, this piece includes actual airplane travel tips for long flights and destinations they’ve flown to with their children.

Long-Haul Flight Tips for Traveling with Kids from Toronto to Barcelona

by Mia Morin

I have flown with my 3-year-old daughter from Toronto to Barcelona. A foldable scooter is a lifesaver in the queue before the flight. I let her ride around until we are ready to check in, then pack her in our bag just before we check in. It only weighs 2kg and folds to 50cm, fitting in an 80L bag. That little thing saved us from endless whining in the line.

She is busy for hours during the flight with reusable sticker books. She can stick and restick them anywhere, even on the plane seat, and they come off easily without leaving any mess. It’s the ideal activity for her to keep her occupied without driving us all mad.

Cross-country flights in the US with Children

Long-Haul Flight Tip across the US, by Deanna Ratnikova @thegodeck

I live in San Diego, while most of my family lives in East Tennessee. There are no direct flights, so my daughter and I are in for nearly a full day of travel to get there and back.

I am trying to better balance screen time, so I use simple conversation and observation games before, during, and after flights.

For example, we may play 20 Questions while waiting for take-off and then Alphabet Sign Search while walking to our connecting flight’s gate, and then Rigmarole while waiting at the gate. The variety of travel games (guessing, word, travel, and music) keeps my daughter entertained.

The laughter and connection we’ve built playing these games inspired me to create a portable collection—Games to Play on the GO—that I sell through my small business.

Destination(s): cross-country flights in the US

Child’s age: 9

Long-Haul Flight and Parenting travel tips

by –Rachel Rothman @rachel_rothman, mom of three

My best tip is to remind yourself that a flight is just one day, not a referendum on your routines. Parents, myself included, often worry that one disrupted nap, extra screen time, or thrown-off meal timing will undo months of healthy habits…and it won’t- something I often have to remind myself of, too. Before any big trip, I spend a little time preparing my kids for what to expect, often using a simple, personalized social story so the experience feels more predictable. I then pack a few novel activities, familiar snacks, and comfort items, reminding myself that flexibility (along with a calm, connected parent) matters far more than a perfect schedule.

Long-Haul Flight Tip for Traveling with Kids from the U.S. to Italy

by Theresa Bauman

I have taken a few long-haul flights to Italy and Ireland (and back to the U.S.) with my daughter when she was 2, 3, and 4 years old. My number one tip is walking laps around the cabin. Once the fasten seatbelt sign is turned off and food is not being served, of course. It’s a great way to get the wiggles out mid-flight. She and I will quietly walk up and down the aisles and, typically, the flight attendant area is larger on long-haul flights, so we might jump around there for a few minutes. The flight attendants are usually super nice and understanding and will let you stand back there for a bit.

Smart Road Tips For Parents Traveling with Children

by Jennifer Fernandez @cieldoretravel

While my kids are teenagers now, I swear by this simple (and low-cost) way to keep kids engaged when traveling: A DIY Activities Bag. I first put these activity bags together when we flew with our kids internationally from Miami to Barcelona when they were 9 and 6 years old.

Using clear plastic freezer bags, I would write their name on each bag and fill them with items from the “dollar” store or bargain sections at big box stores. Typical items included were puzzle/activity booklets, Mad Libs workbooks, pencils, crayons, blank paper pieces, playing cards, and/or mini table games. I also tailored the contents to each child’s preferences and what they were into at the time for a personalized touch.

We would regularly reuse the bags when we went on road trips or on cruise vacations as well. Not only did it keep them engaged and encouraged less screen time, but some activities became conversation starters while others provided some quiet time for mom and dad. And it was super easy to replenish items or replace them as they finished.

Best Advice for Long Flights with Kids & Tips For Red-eye Flights with Kids

by Ron Levin

My #1 tip for long-haul overnight red-eye flights (e.g., from the US to Europe) is to depart on the latest evening flight possible. Have dinner before boarding and make sure the kids are as exhausted as possible and can fall asleep quickly! I have 3 kids: ages 7, 5, and 2.

Travel Essentials and Tips For Parents Taking Long-Haul Flights with Children

by Hilary Altman @ WAC Travel

I have 2 children aged 11 and 13; we have taken long-haul trips with them twice a year since they were born, so I have plenty of experience. They have been to 13 countries throughout Europe – and Africa will be next; I can’t wait to share Africa with them! Destinations: Italy (lots of times), Greece, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, France, England, Scotland, Wales, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia.

When they were little, I would pack a bag full of surprises, perhaps a fidget toy they hadn’t seen for a few years, stuffed toys, scratch-off rainbow cards, stickers, snacks, etc. They would work their way through the bag, one toy/snack at a time – it was a really special treat and has inspired a love of flying.

To this day, I always bring a stack of copier paper everywhere we go and a pencil case with a variety of pens, pencils, tape, glue, etc. (scissors go safely in the checked luggage). We have numerous games we play, such as folding the paper up into a concertina and each person drawing part of a person/monster, then folding it over so the next only sees where the legs/head should go. They also draw, color, write song lyrics, etc.

Our favorite travel game now that they are tweens/teens is ‘Imposter ‘, which just requires one phone. It can be played with 3 or more people, and it’s great for larger groups. It really encourages conversation, and plenty of laughs – they never tire of it, so we can play it for hours.

Takeaway: General Tips for Flying with Kids on Long Flights

Before the Flight

• Book flights during your child’s normal sleep schedule
• Download movies, games, audiobooks, and interactive apps
• Pack comfort items: blankets, stuffed animals, snacks, and medications.

What to Bring on Long Flights with Kids

• Carry-on essentials: extra clothes, new small toys, activity books
• Noise-canceling headphones or earplugs
• Consider purchasing an extra seat for toddlers if possible.

During the Flight with Toddlers

• Dress children in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with layers.
• Use airline meals as activity breaks and engagement opportunities.
• Take occasional walks down the aisles to allow movement.
• Introduce new toys strategically to maintain interest.

General Advice For First-Time Flyers with Kids

• Arrive early to minimize stress and explore the terminal.
• Keep medications and documents in your personal bag.
• Stay flexible and patient—some disruption is normal.
• Maintain familiar routines with bedtime rituals when possible.

If help is needed, always remember that flight attendants are accustomed to traveling children; long flights with kids are manageable.

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