Flying With Kids for the First Time: What to Know Before You Go

By the Best Rainbow Activity Books team · October 1, 2026

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A first flight is a big day for a little kid. The airport is loud. The line is long. The plane is new. A little prep turns all of it into an adventure. Here is what to know, from security to landing.

Before the airport

Talk about the trip

Kids do better when they know what is coming. Tell the story of the day: the car, the big airport, the security line, the gate, the plane, the bumpy takeoff, the snack, the landing. Read about airplanes together. Our Airplane Activity Book walks kids through airport steps, plane parts and pilot jobs.

Choose seats on purpose

• A window seat gives a toddler something to watch.
• Sit together. Book early, then check your seats again before the trip.
• Nonstop flights beat connections with little kids.

Lap baby or own seat?

Children under 2 can fly on a parent’s lap, but the FAA strongly urges an approved car seat or other approved device for the whole flight. To check a car seat, look for the label: “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” Booster seats are not allowed during taxi, takeoff and landing.

For kids who have outgrown a car seat on the plane, the CARES harness is FAA-certified for children who weigh 22 to 44 pounds and are up to 40 inches tall.

Flying with a lap baby? Bring a copy of the birth certificate. Airlines can ask for proof of age.

At security

TSA has kid-friendly rules. Knowing them saves time in line:

• No ID for kids on domestic flights. The adult shows ID.
• Shoes stay on. Children 12 and under can keep shoes, light jackets and hats on.
• Formula, breast milk and juice are allowed. More than 3.4 ounces is fine in the carry-on. Tell the officer at the start; these items are screened separately. Ice packs are allowed too.
• Strollers and car seats go through the X-ray. Take kids out first.
• Families stay together. TSA will not separate a child from their parent.

On the plane

Help little ears

Pressure changes can hurt little ears. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests feeding a baby from the breast or a bottle, or offering a pacifier, during takeoff and landing. Older kids can sip water or eat a crunchy snack. If your child has a cold or ear infection, ask your pediatrician before you fly.

Board smart

Families with a car seat should board early to install it without blocking the aisle. Families without one can board last and use the extra minutes to run around the gate area.

Hand out activities in rounds

Same rule as the car: one thing at a time. Paper pages win on planes. No batteries, no Wi-Fi, no noise. Pack a few pages, a small box of crayons and a zip bag. Hand out a new page every 20–30 minutes.

Pack these: our picks for the carry-on

The carry-on checklist

• Two changes of clothes for kids, one for you
• Diapers or pull-ups for twice the flight time
• Wipes, plastic bags, hand sanitizer
• Empty water bottles to fill after security
• Snacks: crackers, fruit pouches, cheese sticks
• Activity pages, crayons, a small surprise
• Any medicine, in its labeled bottle

After you land

Stay seated until the crowd clears. There is no prize for getting off first. Use the airport bathroom before the car ride. Then celebrate: your child just flew!

Printable books for this trip

Airplane Activity BookRoad Trip & Airplane Activity BookAround the World Activity BookNew York City Activity Book

More travel tips

• First Road Trip With Little Kids: A Simple Plan That Works
• Road Trip With Multiple Kids: How to Keep the Peace in the Back Seat
• Our All-Time Favorite Things to Do on the Road With Kids