How to Survive Long Haul Flights with Kids

Flying long distances with kids can feel like a marathon! Between the potential meltdowns, restless energy, and disrupted sleep schedules, it’s no surprise that parents often dread long haul flights. 

Our extended family is spread in many different countries across the globe. Our biggest journey is when we visit my in-laws who live in Australia, with ourselves being in Canada, this means we’re flying quite far! 

But after years of traveling internationally with our kids, including those 20 hour flights between Canada and Australia, we’ve learned a thing or two about making these flights as smooth as possible. 

From surviving the toddler years to keeping older kids entertained, here’s everything we’ve figured out along the way.

Tips for Surviving Long-Haul Flights with a Toddler

Let’s be real, the toddler years are hands down the most challenging age for long flights. They don’t want to sit still, they don’t understand why they have to wear a seatbelt, and they love making noise at the worst possible moments. 

For this reason, we always try to book a night flight whenever possible. It helps them sleep through a big chunk of the journey, making life easier for everyone.

Once we board, the first thing I do is wipe down everything including the tray table, armrests, buckles, window, and anything else they’ll inevitably touch. Then, we let them explore their space for a few minutes before getting settled.

The best advice for kids is to always bring a variety of snacks and introduce toys and activities slowly, one at a time, to keep their attention for as long as possible.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you click to purchase, it is at no additional cost to you, and I receive a small commission. Thank you for your support.

When it’s time for bed, we follow the same routine we do at home: changing into pajamas, reading a short book, and offering milk (which flight attendants are usually happy to warm up if needed). Even when our kids were less than 2 years old, we liked to book separate seats for them and bring their car seats on board. Not only is it safer, but it also gives them a familiar space to sleep in, and let’s be honest, it keeps them contained so they’re not climbing all over us for 15 hours straight. Moms also deserve a rest!

For entertainment, I always pack new, exciting activities they haven’t seen before. Here are some of our favorite purchases:

• Water Wow books that “color” with water and dry to be used again. Find them by clicking here.
  
• Painter’s tape—it might sound weird, but toddlers love sticking and peeling tape on the tray table. Grab some by clicking here.
  
• Reusable sticker books, which offer endless fun. Check them out here.
  
• Fidget toys, especially ones that are new to them. These are great, click here.
  
• Doodle boards for mess-free drawing. See them by clicking here.
  

Having a variety of distractions ready to go makes a huge difference. The key? Pace yourself, don’t give them everything at once!

Tips for Long Haul Flights with Kids

Once kids are out of the toddler stage, a long flight with kids gets a lot easier. They understand instructions better, they can (hopefully) sit still for longer, and screens become your best friend. I don’t typically encourage unlimited screen time, but on a long flight? It’s survival mode.

Even though we don’t always do a full bedtime routine in-flight, we still try to stick to a similar sleep schedule. When it’s time to rest, screens go off, and we encourage them to get cozy with a favorite stuffy, a blanket, and a neck pillow. We use these ones (click to check them out). I’ve also heard of families using these inflatable foot rests. You can get them here. We’ve never used them, but if you do, I’d love a review!

Most long-haul flights have seat-back entertainment, but I always bring headphones since airlines don’t always provide good ones. These ones here are great for kids. We also make sure to download shows, movies, and games on their Amazon Fire tablets ahead of time. These tablets are affordable, durable, and allow us to have full control over what they’re watching. Check them out here.

Aside from screens, older kids might enjoy:

• Activity books or puzzle books
  
• Card games (Uno is always a hit)
  
• Travel journals to document their trip
  
• Audiobooks or music playlists
  

Keeping them comfortable, entertained, and well-fed makes all the difference!

Snack Ideas for the Plane

Packing the right snacks for a long haul flight with kids can be a game changer when traveling. You want options that are easy to pack, won’t get crushed in your bag, and don’t make a huge mess.

We always bring a mix of salty, sweet, and protein-packed snacks to keep everyone happy. Some of our go-to travel-friendly snacks include Cheez-It crackers, GoGo Squeez fruit pouches, Made Good granola bars, Made Good soft-baked mini cookies, Craisins, cheese strings, and yogurt tubes (just remember to eat or toss dairy before landing in a new country!). We also like to pack sliced apples for a fresh option and a small treat like Maynards Swedish Berries (which double as ear-popping helpers during takeoff and landing!).

Having a variety of snacks keeps hunger at bay and helps avoid overpriced airport food meltdowns. Just be sure to check entry restrictions—many countries require you to finish or discard fresh produce before arrival.

Be Prepared

As an emergency nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly minor illnesses or injuries can escalate, especially when you’re far from home. That’s why I always make sure to pack a small but well stocked travel first aid kit for long-haul flights. If your child is prone to motion sickness like my husband and son, bring travel sickness medication like Dramamine, Gravol, or Kwells. Even if they’ve never been carsick before, turbulence and long hours in the air can take a toll. 

I also never travel without fever relieving medication like children’s ibuprofen or acetaminophen because nothing is worse than dealing with an unexpected fever at 35,000 feet. 

Bandaids are a must for inevitable scrapes, and I always have antiseptic wipes to clean up any cuts or spills. Being prepared means I can relax knowing I have what I need to handle minor travel hiccups without unnecessary stress.

Managing Jet Lag: Adjusting to a New Time Zone

One of the biggest challenges after international flights with kids is jet lag, and let me tell you, it hits differently when you’re traveling with kids. Over the years, we’ve experimented with adjusting our kids’ sleep schedules before we travel, but honestly? It never works. Instead, we’ve found that the best way to adjust is to do it once we arrive.

Here’s what works for us:

• Stay awake until bedtime in your new time zone (even if you’re exhausted). If you absolutely need a nap, keep it to 30 minutes max.
  
• Get outside as much as possible—sunlight and fresh air help reset your body’s internal clock. Whether it’s a walk, beach time, or a hike, just being outdoors helps.
  
• Hydrate and eat meals on the local schedule—this helps signal to your body that it’s time to adjust.
  

Oddly enough, we’ve found that traveling west is easier to adjust to than traveling east. No matter what, we always expect a few rough nights when coming home. On our last trip from Australia to Toronto, we did everything right, but guess what? Our kids were wide awake at 1 AM starving. So there we were, making toast and hanging out in the middle of the night. It took days to fully adjust, but that’s just part of international travel. Be patient, roll with it, and know that everyone will eventually settle into the new routine.

Long haul flights with kids aren’t always easy, but they’re definitely doable with the right preparation. How to prepare for a long plane ride? Bring the right gear, snacks, and entertainment, it can make a world of difference. 

Use these tips for a comfortable flight. Remember, kids feed off our energy, so if you stay calm and go with the flow, they’ll be more likely to do the same. And at the end of the day, even the longest flight is just one small part of an incredible adventure.

Have you done a long-haul flight with kids before? What are your go-to travel hacks? Let me know in the comments! 

If you’re visiting from Canada and want to check out my AMAZON.CA store please click here! I appreciate your support!