Navigating airplane travel with kids in tow is a little like bracing for battle. It requires arming yourself with ample supplies, being tactical with every move (we’ll deconstruct later) and strategizing for sneak (blowout) attacks—the thought of changing a diaper at 10,000 feet alone is enough to make you consider banning travel until she’s a teenager.
It can all seem downright daunting — but not if you organize like a boss, have a foolproof plan in place and use DoorDash to deliver travel necessities straight to your door. Imagine the time and energy you’ll save skipping schlepps to brick-and-mortar shops all over town.
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Without further ado, here’s our guide to surviving the airport and plane with minimal sweat — from what’s nonnegotiable to what you can leave behind. You can thank us when you get there.
Ample in-flight entertainment
While en route, the goal — especially with young kids — is distraction. Tablets (charged and loaded with things to play and watch), headphones, activity books, mess-free crafts and games are your go-tos for ensuring they’ll stay busy onboard and off. So busy, in fact, that they forget about the airport lines and long wait times, cramped plane quarters and, dare we jinx it, turbulence.
But maybe the best strategy of all is to bust out something brand-spankin’ new, where the novelty will take a longer time to wear off. Word to the wise here: Make sure the toys you tote are on the quiet side — to spare seat neighbors — and leave anything with tiny pieces at home, or you’ll be crawling around crusty floors to find them. Score something new at CVS between July 4 and 9 and get rewarded with 30% off orders of $30+. (But no worries if you miss the window, either: DashPass members still save every day with bonuses like reduced service fees.)
Creature comforts
Since the airport and the plane will be their home away from home for hours on end — especially if you encounter a (gasp!) flight delay — make their environs, however cramped, as comfy as possible. Bring travel blankets, pillows (their regular pillow if you can fit it) and stuffies — which are 100% necessary.
Don’t rely on the airline for eats — pack snacks and more snacks, so they never even have the chance to be hungry. Diced or dried fruit, raw veggies, crackers, puffs for babies and squeeze pouches are good portable options—just make sure you finish all fresh fruit and veggies before deplaning if you're traveling internationally. Order it all from Food Lion or Stop & Shop between July 18 and 24 to receive 40% off orders $40+ (max $20) for new consumers and 30% off orders $50+ (max $20) for existing consumers. Or, check out the DoorDash app to see where you can get groceries delivered quickly and easily to your door.
Essential equipment
Packing for travel is as much about what you put everything in as it is about the stuff itself. Ease of transport — particularly if you have to lug baggage through the airport — is the biggest thing to consider. Your child counts as (precious) cargo, so her stroller is a non-negotiable. Most airlines let you check a stroller for free, and some umbrella ones can even be stored in the overhead bin, just be sure to check all the hidden compartments so you don't miss something crucial when you gate-check. Bring a backpack-style diaper bag, since you’ll already need to magically conjure octopus arms for pushing said stroller, carrying luggage and holding a tiny hand or two. You might consider giving your tot an extra thrill aboard a ride-on suitcase that’s small enough to stow in the main cabin.
Strategic maneuvers
Before departing, devise a master plan for conquering the experience. This pearl may be controversial … but instead of getting on the pre-board bandwagon, think about waiting it out: The less time your child is actually on the aircraft, the better. If you're traveling with multiple adults, send one ahead to set everything up while the other waits to board last with the little one(s). Then, just before takeoff and landing, have your tot drink something: Swallowing can help with air-pressure changes.
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