Flying with kids
tips
Table of contents
What to expect
by age
Every child is different, and each age comes with different needs. Realistic expectations help the whole flight feel calmer.
Baby
0–12 months
Often the calmest traveler. Feeding/bottle during takeoff and landing helps with ear pressure.
Toddler
1–3 years
The most demanding age: needs movement and gets bored fast. Preparation is everything.
Preschooler
3–6 years
Understands explanations and loves the “adventure”. A tablet with offline content helps a lot.
School kid
6–12 years
More independent. Likes headphones, a book/game, and ideally a window seat.
Teen
12–17 years
Phone + headphones + playlist. Wants comfort and personal space.
What to do in advance
so departure day stays calm
Most issues happen before boarding: seats not confirmed, forgotten bottle, leaving home too late. Do the essentials a day or two ahead.
Seats & reservations
Reserve seats early to sit together. Low-cost carriers often charge for seats — don’t assume you’ll be placed together automatically.
Online check-in
Check in as soon as it opens (often 24h before). Save boarding passes offline (PDF) and print a backup.
Kids meals & special diets
Some airlines offer kids/special meals, but usually you must request them at least 24 hours before departure.
Documents for children
Children need their own travel document (passport/ID depending on destination). For non-EU flights, a passport is usually required from birth. Always verify destination and airline rules.
What to pack in your carry-on
for a flight with kids
Your carry-on is your best friend. Checked luggage can be delayed — you want essentials within reach immediately.
Entertainment
- Tablet with offline movies
- Kids headphones with volume limit
- Coloring book + pencils
- Small favorite toy
- Cards or small puzzles
- Kids audiobook/podcast
Food & drinks
- Favorite snacks
- Empty water bottle (fill after security)
- Pacifier & bottle for babies
- Lollipops/gum for takeoff/landing
- A “calm-down snack”
Comfort & health
- Motion sickness bags (just in case)
- Wet wipes + tissues
- Spare outfit for the child
- Light hoodie/blanket
- Cream/SPF if needed
- Congestion relief (ask a doctor first)
Docs & tech
- Family documents
- Boarding passes offline + printed
- Powerbank
- Parents’ headphones
- Cables/adapter
At the airport with kids
how to stay calm
Prague Airport is family-friendly if you build in time buffer and know the key spots: restrooms, baby rooms, security, and kids areas.
-
Add +30 minutes to your normal plan
Kids inevitably slow things down. A small buffer prevents stress.
Time buffer -
Drop checked luggage early
Free hands make everything easier with kids.
Priority -
Prepare for security while waiting
Fold stroller, keep baby liquids separate, and be ready. It speeds things up.
Security -
Kids area at Terminal 2
Terminal 2 has a small play area for young children — great to burn energy before boarding.
Terminal 2 -
Families may board earlier
Many airlines invite families with small kids to board first. Watch announcements.
Boarding
On board
how to keep it calm
Where to sit
Window + aisle seats work well: the child enjoys the view, and parents have easy bathroom access. Bulkhead rows may offer more legroom but have tradeoffs.
For babies, some long-haul flights offer a bassinet — usually needs advance reservation.
The first minutes matter
Right after seating, kids want to explore. Have a “first distraction” ready: snack, new toy, or tablet.
01
Aisle walks are your friend
On flights longer than 90 minutes, short aisle walks can help toddlers reset. Choose safe moments.
02
A tablet is a lifesaver
Screen-time rules can be relaxed mid-flight. Download content offline — onboard Wi-Fi may be paid or unavailable.
03
Headphones are the second lifesaver
Kids headphones with volume limits protect hearing and keep the cabin peaceful.
Food & drinks on board
what works best
Food is a powerful tool: familiar snacks, something new, a lollipop during takeoff. Just follow the rules.
Liquids
Security has the 100ml rule, but baby food and medicines are often exempt. Keep them separate and inform staff.
Bring your own food
Solid food is usually fine: sandwiches, fruit, crackers. Avoid strong-smelling meals.
Buying onboard
Low-cost carriers sell food onboard but selection is limited. For short flights, bring your own.
How to help kids sleep
on a plane
A tired child often copes better. Some families reduce naps on departure day.
What helps
- Blanket/toy from home — familiar smell calms
- Quiet playlist/white noise with headphones
- Travel pillow for head support
- Window shade down
- Sleep mask for older kids
Ear pain during takeoff
and landing: what helps
Pressure changes can cause discomfort. Luckily, there are simple ways to help.
What helps
- Feeding or bottle during takeoff/landing
- Pacifier/lollipop for older kids
- Yawning/swallowing tricks for older kids
- Congestion relief (ask a doctor)
- Nasal spray if the child has a cold may help
Getting to Prague Airport
with the whole family
Family + luggage + stroller + check-in is logistics. Your own car is often the easiest option, but parking should be simple.
FixParking is about 5 minutes by car from Prague Airport. Park and a driver takes the whole family straight to the terminal.
For families, direct shuttle is a big difference compared to options that require extra transfers.
We recommend for families
- Book online in advance (spot guaranteed)
- Arrive 20 minutes earlier than planned
- Tell the driver you have small children
- Stroller can be placed in the shuttle vehicle
