Tips To Know Before Traveling With Kids On An Airplane

Airport Security

When going through airport security you will want to have your ticket either printed or on your phone and your I.D. ready to show the person checking. The best way to get through the U.S.A TSA security with little to no interuputions is to have everything ready, go fast and do not complain or look upset or have an attitude. Give them no reason to stop you and hold you to miss your flight.

Hold your tickets when walking through the security metal detectors. If your tickets are on your phone digitally place your phone in the same bucket as your other electronics.

What NOT to bring in a carry-on through airport security

• Large containers of liquid (Including water bottles) must not be larger than 3.4fl oz – You can bring an empty water bottle and fill it up once you are through security through their water fountains
• Weapons of any kind – Pocketknives, Razor blades, scissors, screw drivers (checked bags- yes)
• Defense Spray Or bear spray
• Explosives, Firearms or Flammable liquids

If you are like me then you will check your bag 5 times before security to make sure none of those things magically showed up in your bags.

What to place in security bins

• Place all of your electronics flat in the bin
• Empty out your pockets
• Take shoes off (wear easy to put on shoes)
• Remove your travel sized liquid container for them to check (make sure they are under 3.4fl oz)
• Backpacks & Carry on suitcases will be placed on the conveyor belt instead of in a bin

I have been through multiple airport securities and they have all different rules. The Orlando, Florida airport has 2 security checks and each of them had completely different expectations. One side I was required to take my shoes off and leave my electronics in my bag; the other side was the exact opposite.

Be prepared to take off hats to show them the inside. Take any heavier jacket off and place in a bin and walk through the security scanner. If you have a little child that is in a baby carrier (Lillebaby carrier) you do not have to take them out of the carrier. You simple need to walk with them attached to you through security and the TSA agent on the other side will wipe your hands with a cloth to test for explosive residue. Just hold your hands out, palms facing up and wait for them to wipe the cloth and send you on your way.

Preparing Before the Flight

Download movies on your phone or tablets before you leave home. Don’t forget to bring headphones! Here are the streaming services that allow you to download movies or shows for to your device.

Some airlines like Spirit and Frontier are airlines that do not have a bunch of extras in the airplane. They do not have TV screens on the back of the headrest. These airlines make flying more affordable without all the extra amenities. I prefer to spend less on flights and spend more on experiences outside of transportation. 

While your phone is on airplane mode you will be able to get onto your streaming app and watch your downloaded movies. Choose enough movies for how long your flight will be and you will be set.

How to Download from Netflix

Once logging into your Netflix app you will see in the bottom right corner the button ”download” click it. Then it will show you what you can download. Scroll through what is available and choose a few to download. Be sure to do this ahead of time because you need to download it while on wifi because it does takes awhile to download to your device.

You can access your downloaded shows and movies at the bottom right corner of your Netflix app.

How to Download from Disney+

When downloading movies and shows to your Disney+ app you will need to click on a movie or show you want to download. Below the “play” or “continue” button you will see the ”download” button. Then it will be in your downloads where the ”down arrow with a line below” is.

The down arrow will be where you access your download. Be sure to download your movies before hand while you are still on wifi.

What to pack for the flight

You are allowed to bring food with you through security for the airplane. My best tip is if you are flying with only a person item and have a small purse or bag. Stop by a shop and grab a small snack or drink and be sure to get a bag. Place all the extras in the bag and they don’t count that as a personal item.

Snack ideas to bring for the flight:

You can find all the snacks HERE!

• Dried nuts
• Cranberry raisins/ raisins
• Lollipops – for the cabin pressure in the ears
• Trail mix
• Fruit leathers
• Dried fruit
• Pretzels
• Veggie Straws
• Bring an empty water bottle to fill up at a water fountain station

Packing for little babies

Pack enough diapers and wipes for the airplane and a few extra for before and after the flight incase it’s delayed. There will be diapers in the location you are traveling too. Babies live all over the world so there will be some form of diapers and wipes.

Formula fed babies: you are allowed to bring a bottle with water in it and the TSA agent will test the water with a tester strip. Be sure to bring the formula container they will open it because its a tin container. There are some countries where it’s harder to find formula but it’s in every Walmart location in the U.S.A.

Breast fed babies: you are able to bring breast milk with you through airport security. They will test the milk in the bottle with a test strip and send you on your way. I brought frozen breast milk and they only tested the one i had thawed in the bottle.

Pack a couple extra clothes for the baby. I have personally had a baby have a blow out on the airplane and having to change her clothes and diaper in the small airplane bathroom was difficult. Bring their favorite toy and new toys (nothing with sound) so they are excited to play with something on the flight they have never seen before.

Planning a trip to Disney World click here for the best tips to make your trip easier!

If you are traveling alone I’ve made a reel about safety and tips on traveling alone here.