Kids and airport security. Getting through airport security with kids. I have two new articles up at family.com with everything you need to know about getting kids through the security checks at the airport.
Security Savvy for Moms and Dads: Airport Checkpoints With Kids
Maybe you’re going to visit family. Maybe you’re traveling for work and bringing the baby. Or maybe you’re going on an old-fashioned vacation to soak up some Big Island sun.
For some reason or another, you’re going to find yourself flying in this time of heightened security and travel restrictions. And you may be worried about negotiating the dreaded security line with your little ones in tow.
But there’s actually nothing to fear.
Though business travelers sometimes roll their eyes at my family when they see me in front of them in the security line, my four kids are so good at getting through quickly and efficiently that we never hold up the line.
Here’s what you need to know to be security savvy:
Getting Through Airport Security With Babies
- If you bring a stroller, choose a small one: Strollers can be handy in airports for hanging diaper bags and older kids carry-ons but leave the bells-and-whistles stroller at home. Bring a simple umbrella stroller that’s easily to collapse. You’ll need to take the baby out of the stroller, fold it with one hand, and put it on the belt. You can only do this if you have one that folds easily.
- If you carry the baby in a carrier, be ready to take him out: The backpack or front pouch will have to go through security so make sure you can easily unsnap the baby to put the carrier on the belt.
- Don’t wear metal jewelry: You’ll carry the baby through security with you and the last thing you want is for the walk-through metal detector to sound. I stash my jewelry and watch in my carry-on. Then I put them on after security to avoid unnecessary delays.
- Liquids should be removal-ready: Bottled water is not allowed, but baby formula and breast milk may be carried in larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) quantities if you need it during travel. It must be removed from the carry-on bags for screening, but does not have to be in a zip-top bag (however, it might be easiest to grab it from a bag in an outer pocket you can easily reach). Gels and other liquids must also be removed. Best to pack these in your checked luggage instead of in your carry-on.
Getting Through Airport Security With Kids: Toddlers
- Skip the shoelaces: Since you’ll have to take your toddler’s shoes off (and your own), wear shoes that come on and off easily. I’ve seen security lines bottlenecked because business folks have to untie their laces. It’s fun to breeze by them with the family and beat them to the gate!
- Play the airport security stuffy game: The more familiar your toddler and older children are with what to expect, the more secure she’ll feel. Practice with their favorite stuffed animals. Cut a metal detector out of a cardboard box and pick stuffed animals for them to act out as people. Have a stuffed animal feel scared to walk through on her own and have another (the Mommy stuffy) reassure her. Your kids will love this game. Then, when the time comes, they’ll be old pros already.
- Arrive at the airport early: A lot of airports have great play spaces inside the terminals. Toddlers also love to watch airplanes take off and land. The extra time will keep the whole family relaxed as you go through security.
With School-Aged Kids
- Pack (as) light (as you can): It’s tempting for school-age children to want to bring every toy, book and stuffed animal they own in a carry-on bag but don’t let them. Bring the minimum you need for the airplane so they can easily carry their own bag. Explain to them they will be responsible for taking it off the belt after it is X-rayed.
- Watch the video: The TSA has a short animated video that explains to kids what to expect at security.
- Practice makes perfect: A fun game for older kids is to use a timer and see how long it takes them to get off their shoes, put a pretend carry-on on a counter, take out the “liquids,” push it along, gather it up and put their shoes back on. Play this several times to see if they can beat their record.
For the most up-to-date information about security requirements when traveling with children, check the TSA website before you head to the airport.
Jennifer Margulis, a writer and mother of four, has traveled to Europe and Africa with her children and is a frequent contributor to Disney Family.
The other article is about how to keep up with airport security rules and regulations when you’re traveling with small children.
Edited to add: The article’s no longer on the internet but you can read it here, thanks to the Wayback Machine Internet Archive.
With the winter storms in Washington D.C. and in the wake of the foiled Christmas Day attack, it’s a pretty stressful time to get on an airplane in America. Especially when you’re taking the kids. But a little planning, some practice with stuffies, and arriving early at the airport can all go a long way to de-stressing the trip.
I have two six-hour airplane rides to take soon, and my baby will be coming along.
The one problem with these new articles is that I don’t give any advice for how to get the spit-up stains off your work clothes before you give a talk about writing to a full auditorium.
I haven’t figured that out yet…
Related posts:
Security Savvy for Moms and Dads
Eating Out With Kids: Do’s and Don’ts
9 Things You May Not Know About Iceland
Published: February 10, 2010
Updated:February 7, 2024
Alisa Bowman says
Oh, so nice to come here just to read and then to see myself referred to. Love you.
Alisa Bowman says
Oye, I was going to comment on the Disney story, but it seems I already have an account and have forgotten my password. This is a chronic problem of mine–even with Swipper and even with saving confirmation emails.
I was just going to add, about security, to check your kid’s toys and make sure they don’t have water hiding inside. Also, there are sometimes separate security lines for families, which is nice. And nearly every airline will let you board first (even before the first class folks) if you are with a child under age 5.
Alexandra Grabbe says
I used to travel Boston/Paris with young children on a regular basis. Glad those days are over!
Jennifer says
It’s been many years since my kids were babies. I’d like to think there’s more air travel advice out there now than there was then.
Elisa says
I have only flown twice with my daughter. once when she was 5 months old then an international flight when she was 1 year old. Now that we are planning our trip back home(another international flight) I’m getting a bit stressed out.She is now two years old, the 12 hour ride, the security, etc…This is a nice resource to have found. The times I did traveled, somehow having a kid, has it’s perks (like boarding first. etc)
saludos.
Lilliana says
I wanted to thank you for your informative articles/blogs. I found you through the Disneyfamily.com email I get weekly. I did notice that you included links to some sites that ship baby products and I wanted to introduce you to our site http://www.mytotstravel.com. We are parent owned and operated and pride ourselves on customer service. We make traveling with kids easier by shipping and making sure your package is at your travel destination prior to your arrival. Parents can buy formula, food, diapers, and more on our site and we’ll get it to your destination. Additionally we also RENT baby equipment in San Antonio, TX and we sell and rent the CARES air travel harness (we rent these throughout the US). We are parents of an almost 2 yr old and we still love to travel. From long car trips to long and short flights we’ve been there and we know how challenging and fun it can be. Just wanted to make you aware we’re out here. Keep up the great writing and thanks for keeping us informed.
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