If you want to travel with kids and avoid stress, try these four tips. Pack about one and a half outfits per day, choose a fare that lets your family sit together, book direct flights when possible, and schedule an afternoon break each day. The TSA allows you to bring formula, breast milk, and toddler food over 3.4 ounces in your carry-on. Kids under 18 do not need ID to fly within the U.S.
Traveling with children can seem overwhelming. There’s packing, airports, and all the little details. But it is possible, and it’s probably easier than you expect.
Before our daughter was born, my wife and I traveled often. We went everywhere from the Caribbean to Hawaii, and from London to Germany. Traveling as a couple was easy, and we enjoyed every trip. When our daughter arrived, we wanted her to experience travel too. Planning our first trip with her was much harder than we expected. Here’s what we learned to help make your first family trip easier!
Key Takeaways
- Bring about one and a half outfits for each day you’ll be traveling. For example, if your trip is six days, pack nine outfits.
- Make sure your carry-on has a spare outfit, some snacks, and diapers for the travel day.
- Choose a ticket that lets you pick your seats, since not all airlines offer free family seating.
- Whenever possible, book direct flights. Having fewer flights means less boarding and fewer chances for meltdowns.
- Set aside two to three hours every afternoon for naps and quiet time.
Packing for Kids
The first time I packed for a trip, it was the most stressful part. At home, you have everything you need or can run to a store. When you travel, you need to make sure you have everything before you go.
Pack Light, But Not Too Light
If you’re driving, you can pack as much as you want. But when you fly, space is tight and you have to carry everything through the airport. I share a large checked bag with my daughter—one side for me, one for her. This helps us avoid overpacking.
I use the 1.5 rule: multiply the number of days by one and a half to figure out how many outfits to bring. For a six-day trip, that means nine outfits. The extras are for spills, blowouts, and all the surprises that come with little kids.
Pack for Travel Day
It’s easy to fill your checked bag and forget what you’ll need during the trip. For a short direct flight, just bring a few basics. For flights that are eight hours or longer, or for long travel days, pack a full change of clothes for your child and a shirt for yourself in your carry-on.
Carry-on Checklist for Kids
- A change of clothes, plus a spare shirt for you
- Diapers, wipes, and a changing pad
- Snacks and an empty sippy cup or water bottle
- Formula, breast milk, or food pouches (they’re allowed over 3.4 oz, so tell the TSA officer)
- Headphones, a tablet with downloaded shows, and one new small toy
- Any medicine and a small first-aid kit
Don’t Overdo It
This is really important: you don’t want to be at the airport trying to manage three checked bags, two carry-ons, two backpacks, a stroller, and a cranky toddler.
Flying With Kids
Flying used to be as simple as parking, grabbing your suitcase, and heading out. Now, you might have a stroller, an extra bag, or even a car seat. With a bit of planning, the whole process gets much easier.
Book Seats Together At the Time of Booking
This is my top tip. If your child is under 2, they can fly as a lap infant. Once they turn 2, make sure to choose seats together when you book.
Not all airlines have the same policy. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s family seating dashboard, Alaska, American, Frontier, Hawaiian, and JetBlue guarantee free adjacent seats for kids 13 and under. Delta and United do not offer this guarantee. A federal rule to ban family seating fees was proposed in August 2024, but as of May 2026, it still had not been finalized.
Southwest has changed as well. Open seating ended on January 27, 2026, so now every Southwest flight has assigned seats. With Basic fares, seats are assigned at check-in. Southwest says it will try to seat kids 12 and under next to an adult, but recommends booking Choice fares or higher if you want to pick your seats.
For example, if you book Basic fares for a family of four to save $80, you might find at check-in that your 4-year-old is seated three rows away from you. This means you have to negotiate at the gate. Paying a bit more for seat selection helps you avoid this situation.
Fly Direct Whenever Possible
Our home airport is Indianapolis. It’s a great place to fly from, but there aren’t many direct flights. When you have a connection, you have to board and deplane twice, and move your bags through two airports. A direct flight means you only have to do all of that once.
Bring Snacks
Kids always get hungry on travel day. Pack snacks in your carry-on. Snacks help with hunger and also keep kids busy and happy during the flight.
Know the 2026 TSA Basics
- ID: Kids under 18 don’t need ID for domestic flights.
- Shoes: TSA dropped its shoes-off rule nationwide in July 2025.
- Baby Liquids: Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and food pouches can be over 3.4 ounces and do not need to fit in your quart-sized bag. Take them out and let the officer know at the start of screening.
- Gear: Strollers, car seats, and baby carriers can go through the checkpoint. Anything that fits should go through the X-ray machine.
Car Seats and Strollers
Bonus tip: Most airlines will check car seats and strollers for free, and you can usually gate-check them at your departure airport. Check with your airline before you travel. Bringing your own gear gives your child something familiar and helps you avoid rental fees at your destination.
If you want the safest option for a child under 2, the FAA recommends buying them a seat and using an approved car seat instead of holding them on your lap. Look for the label “certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” Car seats usually need to be in a window seat and cannot be placed in an exit row. Booster seats are not allowed during taxi, takeoff, or landing.
For children weighing 22 to 44 pounds and up to 40 inches tall, the CARES harness is an FAA-approved, lightweight alternative to a car seat.
Flying Internationally
Children need their own passport. For kids under 16, both parents usually need to be present in person. If one parent cannot attend, they can sign Form DS-3053 instead. Apply several months in advance!
Planning Your Destination
Choosing your destination is more important now. Since you’re planning for your child as well, make sure to consider what your little one will need.
Plan A Break Time
Kids need time to rest. Spending a full 16 hours at Walt Disney World from open to close is probably not realistic anymore. Every time we travel with our daughter, we plan for an afternoon nap. That’s the only way she can enjoy the whole day.
Try to set aside a few hours each afternoon for downtime. If you don’t end up needing all of it, you’ll have extra time for more activities. This approach has always worked well for us.
Here’s a theme park tip: At Disney Parks, Rider Switch allows one adult to wait with a child who can’t go on a ride. After the first group is done, the waiting adult can ride without waiting in line again. Just ask a Cast Member at the entrance.
Consider the Climate
Hot destinations like Florida can be tough for young kids. When our daughter was three months old, we ended up spending more time indoors than we thought we would. On every Caribbean trip since, we’ve made sure to take breaks inside to escape the heat. Try to plan indoor activities for the middle of the day and save outdoor fun for mornings and evenings.
Pick the Right Room
The standard room that was fine for two adults might not be enough now. If you’re traveling with a baby, ask for a pack-n-play so your child has a comfortable place to sleep. Consider booking a suite or a room with a separate sleeping area.
My family enjoys cruising, so we always choose a room with a balcony. That way, when it’s time for afternoon naps, parents can relax outside while the little one sleeps inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do kids need ID to fly in the U.S.?
No, TSA does not require ID for kids under 18 on domestic flights. However, some airlines have their own rules, so it’s best to check with your airline.
Can I bring baby formula and breast milk through TSA?
Yes, you can bring baby formula and breast milk in containers larger than 3.4 ounces in your carry-on. Your child does not need to be traveling with you. Let the officer know at the start of screening.
Is it safe to fly with a lap infant?
You can fly with a lap infant until your child turns 2. However, the FAA recommends that children under 2 travel in an approved car seat in their own seat for the safest experience.
Will the airline seat my family together for free?
It depends on the airline. Check the DOT family seating dashboard, and try to choose a fare that lets you pick your seats when booking.
What’s the best age to travel with a baby?
Every family is different. Our daughter’s first trip was at 3 months old. Babies who are not crawling yet are often easier to travel with, since they sleep more and can fly for free on your lap.
Wrapping Things Up
Traveling with a child for the first time can seem overwhelming. You have to pack the right things, book flights, get through airports, and plan your destination. But with a bit of extra planning, it’s definitely possible.
The best part is seeing amazing places with your family. By age two, my daughter had already visited six countries. After her first few trips, she got used to traveling, and now she loves going on vacation.
Are you ready to plan your first family vacation? I’d be happy to help make it easier. Reach out for a free family trip consultation!
