Flying with Kids Without Losing Your Mind: Our Best Strategies for Family Travel

We are Ellie and Jesse, and on this episode of Design for Adventure, we are diving into the sometimes overwhelming and intimidating world of flying with young children. While we aren't "pro travelers" with hundreds of flights under our belts, we have successfully navigated the skies with our kids from ages six months up to five years old, and we’re here to share how we make it work.In this episode, we cover:Paying for Convenience: Why I believe spending a little extra on TSA Pre-check, Wi-Fi, or a direct flight is a total game changer for your sanity.The Gear That Works: Our experience with gate-checking strollers, using baby carriers through security, and letting our son take charge of his own BB-8 suitcase.In-Flight Survival: How we use new "busy books," triangle crayons, and tray covers to keep the kids entertained. We also discuss our screen-time philosophy, including why we let our kids watch movies or the airplane tracker to stay settled.Snacks and "Sugar Hype": Why we avoid apple juice and sugary snacks in favor of water, milk, and fruit to prevent kids from running up and down the aisles.The Car Seat Debate: Our "hot take" on why gate-checking your car seat might be better than bringing it on the plane—especially if you want to avoid your toddler kicking the seat in front of them.Airport Logistics: Why we prefer boarding early to get organized and our tips for the "standing diaper change" in those tiny airplane bathrooms.Our biggest takeaway is to stay optimistic and calm because your children will read your energy. We truly believe that your kids have every right to be on that plane. Whether you are planning a trip to Disney or visiting family, we hope these tips help you get out there and have an adventure!The Adventure Gear List:We know how much the right gear matters when you're 30,000 feet in the air! Here is the specific equipment we mentioned in this episode:Toddler Star Wars Suitcase: I love letting our son be responsible for his own bag, and this suitcase is the perfect size for him to pull through the airport.Airplane Tray Cover: This was a total game-changer for me; it flips over the tray to keep toys from rolling off and includes a clear pouch on the back to hold a phone or tablet for hands-free viewing.Triangle Crayons & Colored Pencils: I highly recommend these because they won't roll off the tray table. Noise-Canceling Earmuffs: These were essential for our kids to help quiet the "scary noises" of the plane and keep them calm throughout the flight.Earphone Splitters: This is my secret to peace—it allowed both of my kids to watch a movie together on one device without any fighting. Audio splitterNew "Busy Books": I always pack a brand-new busy book or coloring book from Amazon or the dollar store to keep the novelty high for at least thirty minutes.Dry Erase Travel Board: My daughter LOVES this toy. Plays with it at home, in the car, and on flights. Its super compact too.Travel Magna Tiles: We never leave home without them. Baby Carrier: This made navigating the airport so much easier for us, especially since we could wear the baby right through security without having to take her out.Nursing Cover: This was a lifesaver for nursing during takeoff and landing, and it doubled as a way to darken the area so my daughter felt more secure and relaxed.Padded Car Seat Bag: If you decide to gate-check your car seat like we do, I recommend using a padded bag to protect it and make it easier to haul through the terminal.Organization Bags: I keep everything in its place using separate bags for toys, food, and extra clothes so I know exactly which one to grab.Travel Backpack: Its a military backpack, but it has so many pockets and compartments, I can fit everything I need in here and stay organized.Connect with Design for Adventure:Instagram: @DesignForAdventurePodFacebook: Design for AdventureSubscribe on SpotifyI may receive a small commission from the links