Holiday Travel with Kids: Pediatrician's Guide to Stress-Free Flying

The holidays often mean visiting loved ones near and far. Whether you're flying across the country or driving a few hours away, traveling with kids can add an extra layer of planning—and let's be honest, a little anxiety too. But here's the thing: with some thoughtful prep, you can turn potential chaos into a confident adventure.

Our pediatric team created this guide to help families travel safely, keep routines on track, and make the journey a little smoother. Because the holidays should be about joy, not meltdowns in the airport terminal.

Before You Go: Preparing for Safe & Smooth Travel

Health & Safety Check

Start here. Schedule any needed check-ups or vaccines early—think flu, COVID, and RSV. You can see the full vaccine schedule here from birth to adolescence. Then pack a small health kit with the essentials: a thermometer, fever reducer, saline spray, hand sanitizer, bandages, and any daily medications your child takes.

Critical reminder: always keep medications in your carry-on, never in checked luggage. You don't want to be stuck without asthma medication or antibiotics if a bag gets delayed.

Documents & Contacts

Bring your insurance cards and a list of your child's medications and dosages. Double check to make sure Poppins' private phone number is saved in your phone—because the last thing you want is to be searching for it when your toddler spikes a fever at 2 AM at grandma’s house.

If you're traveling internationally, confirm that passports are current. Remember: kids' passports expire in 5 years, not 10 years like adults, so double check those dates. You'll also want any necessary consent documentation for minors traveling internationally without both parents.

Parent Tip: Keep comfort items—like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal—accessible for transitions and meltdowns. These small touchstones can make unfamiliar places feel safer.

Traveling by Car: Buckle Up & Plan Ahead

Car Seat Safety

Before you hit the road, check your child's car seat expiration date and confirm it's properly installed. This isn't the time to wing it—our car seat safety guide walks you through winter-specific considerations. Never add aftermarket padding or covers that didn't come with the seat, as these can compromise safety.

For long drives, plan breaks every 2–3 hours. Kids need to stretch, you need to feed them, and everyone needs a bathroom. These stops aren't delays—they're sanity savers.

Winter Travel Tips

If you're driving in cold weather, here's something many parents don't know: remove bulky coats before buckling your child in. The puffy material can compress in a crash, leaving the harness too loose. Instead, buckle them in their regular clothes and use a blanket over the harness for warmth.

Keep an emergency kit in the car: water, snacks, a flashlight, first-aid supplies, and extra clothes. Winter weather is unpredictable, and being prepared means one less thing to worry about.

Distraction & Rest Stops

Pack snacks, quiet activities, or audiobooks that match your kids' ages. See our Poppins Gift Guide here. Rotate toys every few hours to keep them engaged. Boredom is the enemy of peace on a road trip, so strategic activities can go a long way.

Traveling by Plane: Ears, Germs, and Routines

At the Airport

Allow extra time for security when you're traveling with car seats or strollers. If you're bringing baby's milk, formula, or medications, expect additional screening time—TSA will need to check these liquids separately. The process can be unpredictable, and rushing with kids is a recipe for stress. Use hand sanitizer or wipes before snacks or after your kids touch playground equipment in play areas.

In the Air

Babies and toddlers often struggle with ear pressure during takeoff and landing. Help them equalize by feeding, offering a pacifier, or giving them sips of water. For older kids, drinking water or sucking on a piece of candy can help.

Bring wipes for tray tables and armrests—planes aren't cleaned as thoroughly as you'd hope. And remember, liquids for children's medications can exceed the usual TSA limits as long as they're in their original bottles and you declare them during screening.

"Traveling can disrupt routines, but maintaining even small pieces of your normal schedule—like familiar snack times or a consistent bedtime—helps kids feel grounded," says Aly Insull, one of our Poppins pediatric nurse practitioners. "It's not about perfection. It's about giving them touchstones of normalcy in the midst of change."

Parent Tip: Stick to your usual nap and feeding rhythm when possible. Even a partial routine helps kids regulate, which means less dysregulation for everyone.

Keeping Everyone Healthy on the Go

Hydration & Nutrition

Bring your own snacks—fruit pouches, crackers, cheese sticks—and refillable water bottles. Airport and gas station food is expensive and often not kid-friendly. Plus, having familiar snacks on hand prevents hangry meltdowns.

Encourage regular sips of water, especially during flights (cabin air is dry) or in heated cars.

Germ Prevention

Encourage handwashing before meals and after using bathrooms or touching play zones. When you arrive at your hotel or destination, take a few minutes to disinfect high-touch surfaces: remote controls, door handles, light switches. It's a small investment that can prevent illness from derailing your trip.

The CDC maintains detailed guidance on traveling safely with infants and children, including age-specific recommendations for international travel and managing health issues on the road. You can find their complete resource here.

Sleep & Routines

Pack a travel white noise machine or download a sound app. Unfamiliar environments can make sleep harder, and white noise creates a consistent audio backdrop. Keep bedtime rituals familiar—same pajamas, same bedtime story, same wind-down process. Consistency is comforting.

Holiday Safety Away from Home

Childproofing on Arrival

When you arrive at grandma's house or your hotel, do a quick scan for hazards: loose cords, uncovered outlets, accessible cleaning supplies. Move breakables, candles, and small décor items (hello, choking hazards) out of reach. Grandparents' homes often aren't childproofed because, well, they don't have young children living there anymore.

Supervision Reminders

Watch young children closely around fireplaces, stairs, stoves, or pets they're unfamiliar with. Set clear rules for new environments: "no touching plugs," "no running near the tree," "gentle hands with the dog." Kids thrive on clear expectations, especially in new places.

Family Travel Safety Checklist

Before you leave, run through this quick list:

☑️ Car seats properly installed
☑️ Medications packed in carry-on
☑️ Snacks, water, milk/formula, and comfort items ready
☑️ Diapers (one for every hour you're traveling, to be safe)
☑️ Hand sanitizer and wipes accessible
☑️ Emergency and medical info handy

Safe Travels from Our Team to Yours

Traveling with kids takes extra patience—but preparation turns chaos into confidence. Whether it's a road trip to see family or a cross-country flight to somewhere new, a few simple safety steps keep your holidays merry and stress-free.

From our pediatric team to your family—safe travels and happy holidays. And remember, if anything health-related comes up while you're away, Poppins is here 24/7/365 to support you throughout the holiday season.