Flight Attendants Say This Is the No. 1 Thing Parents Should Bring on a Plane to Keep Kids Happy and Calm

Key Points

• Flight attendants recommend packing familiar snacks, favorite toys, and comforting items from home to help children feel secure during flights.

• Coloring books, crayons, and downloaded movies can keep young travelers entertained when in-flight Wi-Fi or entertainment options fail.

• Creating special flying rituals and asking flight attendants for assistance can help reduce stress and make family travel more enjoyable.

The act of traveling is, in and of itself, stressful—but flying with kids is like doing the whole thing on hard mode. Babies and toddlers (through no fault of their own) can feel troubled by the change in routine, getting up early, and the chaos of the airport, leading to tantrums and tears. While there are some situations where kiddos can truly be inconsolable, flight attendants agree there’s one thing that can help foster a drama-free flight: maintaining a sense of familiarity.

“I think my number one tip would be to bring things your child already enjoys, especially snacks they’re familiar with,” advised Rene Mondy, a former Delta Air Lines flight attendant and founder of Dear John the Box via email. “The snack and technology options sometimes didn’t work for children on my flights.”

While there are certain amenities onboard that can help calm an out-of-hand situation, such as the food cart or seatback entertainment console, it’s a good idea not to rely entirely on them—instead, come prepared for the worst-case scenario.

“The Wi-Fi can fail, as well, or they may have absolutely no interest in what’s playing [through in-flight entertainment],” Mondy added. “A coloring book, paper and crayons, or another familiar activity can work wonders. I once reached into my own purse for paper and a pen for a child, and it completely saved the day.”

One Southwest Airlines flight attendant, who asked to remain anonymous, agreed and recommended bringing a familiar, favorite reminder from home, such as a blanket, stuffed animal, or even downloading a beloved movie to an iPad to soothe children.

“Being confined to a plane with strangers and for multiple hours can be a bit terrifying for young passengers, especially as they deal with pressure in their ears, so anything that can bring added comfort makes sense,” the flight attendant said.

Another United Airlines flight attendant and father said he would use things that his children loved as part of a reward system.

“My kids knew that every time they traveled, they were able to bring a bird stuffed animal that only went on trips,” he shared. “This, along with their favorite snacks, turned into a flying ritual and something they always looked forward to. They also only got these if they were on their best behavior.”

There are tons of other tips and tricks for calming young fliers, naturally—some involve asking for a visit to the cockpit, burning off energy before a flight, and communicating in a way that eases meltdowns. Regardless of the approach that works best for you and your family, one thing is for certain: A flight attendant wants nothing more than for every passenger to have a pleasant and comfortable experience. Ask for assistance if you need it— the reassurance from a friendly stranger in uniform may just do the trick.

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