Episode #3: Surviving Long Flights with Kids: Sleep, Snacks & Sanity-Saving Tips
You've probably heard the saying, hope isn't a strategy. And that's especially true when it comes to flying with kids. A smooth long haul flight doesn't just happen by chance. It takes preparation and the right strategies. In today's episode, I'm sharing my best tips for making flights with kids easier, from choosing the best times to travel to what you should always bring on board.
How I ALMOST Stopped Flying with Kids
Before we dive into the tips and what helps making flying with our five kids easiest with you, I have to share a story that almost made me want to stop flying with my young kids all together. And this is probably one of the most last and this is probably one of the most impactful stories that has happened to me in our travel experience. And it wasn't a positive one at first, but then it turned into one. So in the spring of 2021, I was 22 weeks pregnant with our fifth baby and we planned a trip to Oahu, Hawaii for spring break. It was still a really crazy time to travel with COVID. We had to get six negative COVID tests before we could leave, which was stressful enough because if even one person tested positive, then the trip was canceled.
But thankfully we were all fine and we had smooth sailings and we were ready to go. We buckled up for a six hour flight from Las Vegas to Honolulu and we were required to wear masks on the flight. And I'm sure you can imagine it is not easy to keep a mask on small kids, especially my fourth child who was 21 months old at the time. And it was really a struggle just to keep that mask on him.
Six hours came and went and we touched down in Oahu. And I remember having this sense of pride and happiness that everything had gone relatively well. My youngest kids cried a little here and there and we had our moments but nothing that lasted more than a couple minutes. And I was honestly feeling pretty great that we had a awesome flight. Honestly, here I am pregnant.
We've got these four young kids and I was actually like patting myself on the back like, okay, that actually went pretty well. Well, there was an older couple sitting right in front of us that turned around like literally right after we touched down. She turned and looked at me and said, that was the worst flight I have ever been on. Your kids kicked my chair the whole flight.
My jaw was on the floor and I'm sure I looked perplexed, but I quickly apologized saying, I'm so sorry. had no idea they were kicking your chair. I wish you would have said something earlier so I could have switched seats or stopped them. The woman then proceeded to tell me that she hoped that our kids would be quote, better disciplined on the island. Quote, I was fuming and remember being so upset that number one, this woman had the gall to say this to a young mom of four pregnant with her fifth, just trying her best while taking her kids on a vacation. My husband advised me to drop it and that we should just not think about it anymore so we could enjoy our time in Hawaii. Well, of course, I thought more about it a lot since.
Now, maybe this woman was having a bad day, had something going on in her life that was hard or a million other reasons as to why she said what she did and behaved that way. I have chosen to let it go and forgive this woman and give her the benefit of the doubt. But I did decide that in the end, it didn't matter what she said. It doesn't matter what anyone says to you or the looks they give you when you're on a plane traveling with your kids.
I was not going to let this woman be the reason I didn't make lifelong memories with my kids and enjoy my life. So I want to remind you that you have every right to be there on that plane as a paid customer. Your child has every right to be on that plane going wherever you're going. And they have every right as a kid to act like a kid and occasionally cry. While I try my absolute best to keep our kids happy, entertained, and quiet and well behaved on the plane, in the end, sometimes things don't always go according to plan. And I have decided to adopt the mantra, (and this may be controversial, but this is the way I have chosen to move forward).
And the mantra is, I don't care what other people think. And I suggest you do the same. If flying with kids sounds overwhelming to you, that overwhelm really comes from you thinking about what others will think of you. And if you give yourself the grace to let that go, I promise flights will go so much better for you. Now really quick circling back to that flight to Oahu where that crazy lady said that to me. I do have to also say that right after she said that there was a really sweet couple sitting directly behind us that patted me on the shoulder and said, “I just want you to know I thought your kids did great on that flight. I couldn't believe how well behaved they were” and maybe she was just saying that to make me feel better or maybe it was true, but either way bless her heart because that truly made my day and is kind of what let me drop it and move on.
5 Keys to Planning a Successful Flight With Kids
Okay, off my soapbox and time to share my best tips for flying with kids. I've broken them down into five categories to help you really think through your travel day a little easier.
1) Pre-Flight Prep (Booking & Seat Strategy)
Timing: Aim for nap/bedtime if your child has predictable rhythms; avoid tight connections (90–120 min+ domestic; longer for international).
Position flights to break up marathon travel days (e.g., overnight near your long-haul departure city).
Prep kids: explain security, the bin for lovies, takeoff/landing bumps, and chair-kicking etiquette.
Seats: Toddler by the window, parent on the aisle = containment + sleep support. Bulkhead = personal preference.
2) Entertainment Lifesavers (Screen-Free First)
Start screen-free to “buy time,” then pivot to shows/games later.
Happy Little Traveler Activity Kits: compact bag hangs from the seatback hook for easy, in-reach access; curated, screen-free toys keep kids busy.
Novelty matters: Hide new toys until takeoff.
Ideas by age:
Toddlers: Water-Wow, sticker books, painter’s tape “rescues,” mini Play-Doh + cutters.
Big kids: Color-by-number stickers, puzzle pads, travel games.
Emergency surprises: $1-store blind bags for meltdown moments.
Tablets (later): Download shows/apps before you go; check twice. Kid-safe headphones + backup battery.
Grab my FREE No-WiFi Apps Guide for toddlers–tweens + parent travel apps and low-stimulation Disney+ picks. → [Get it here]
3) Sleep on Planes (Especially Red-Eyes)
Comfort cues: Lovies, small blanket, pajamas, quick bedtime routine.
Sound & stories: Palm-size white noise machine; Yoto Mini for audiobooks/calming music.
Leg support: Inflatable footrest or seat-extender hammock (window seat; airline policies vary).
Pillows: Inflatable neck pillow + compact blanket/pillow combo.
For parents: Eye mask that anchors to headrest = real sleep.
Medical notes: Some families use melatonin/children’s meds—always consult your pediatrician first.
Real talk: Even seasoned travelers have rough flights. One hard leg doesn’t mean the trip isn’t worth it.
4) Snacks = Happy Flights
Snackle box = variety + time-on-task. Include protein (meat sticks, cheese, nut/seed butters), “slow” snacks (raisins, trail mix).
Hydration: Bring empty bottles; slightly unscrew before takeoff to avoid pressure geysers.
Ears: For pressure, offer chewy snacks, water sips, gum (older kids), nursing/bottles for babies.
5) Mindset & Arrival Plan
Plan for the best; prepare for hiccups. Focus on progress over perfection.
Arrival choreography: stroller retrieval → bathroom → snack → ground transport.
Car seats: bring/check/rent or book a car service that provides them.
Carry-on clothing: Pack a full outfit for everyone (hot-chocolate-in-lap stories happen!).
Favorite Gear From This Episode
Everything is linked in my AMAZON STOREFRONT
Mini white noise machine
Yoto Mini audio player + cards
Inflatable footrest / seat-extender hammock (check your airline)
Kid headphones (volume-limited)
Eye mask that anchors to the headrest
Snackle box (Mothercould)
→ See everything in my Amazon storefront: [Browse favorites]
Free Resources Mentioned
101 Sanity-Saving Tips for Traveling with Kids (airplanes, accommodations, mindset, packing) → [Download]
Best No-WiFi Apps for Kids + Parent Travel Apps (+ calming Disney+ shows) → [Download]
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