How to Travel via Airplane with Two Kids and a Layover

The key is in the preparation, and in packing well. Make a list of everything you'll need a few days (up to a week) before you have to pack and keep adding to it. Run it by others; make sure you don't forget anything.

Check with your airline to find out how much a checked bag costs and how many carry ons are allowed on board. Each airline has different parameters as to sizes and types of carry ons allowed.

We are traveling Delta. One checked bag up to 50lbs costs $25. That will be our parent suitcase. On top of that, each ticket holder (so not our baby, but our preschooler and the two of us) is allowed one carry on and one personal item. Personal items can be purses, diaper bags, briefcases, or something similar to the carry on. Here's how we have it worked out:

Hobbs the Husband: His backpack and our baby's suitcase
Me the Wife: My purse and the diaper bag
Cupcakes the Preschooler: Her backpack and her suitcase

We have this planned out exactly so we won't face any embarrassing or expensive blunders at the airport. I just wish we had a scale so we could make sure our suitcase wasn't 50lbs.

Another tip: pack as lightly as humanly possible. During this trip, we are going to be staying with family so we will, thankfully, have access to a washer and dryer. This is why we are only going to bring half the necessary outfits. The exception is the baby. We're packing 8 outfits because babies go through more outfits than most other people.

We have two bags for our baby, Tootsie Roll: a suitcase and the diaper bag.

SUITCASE:

* 8 Outfits
* 3 Pajamas
* Swim Suit
* Sleep Sack
* Diapers
* Extra Pacifier
* Toys
* Spoons
* Rice Cereal

DIAPER BAG

(* Ironically, no diapers)
* Travel Wipes
* Changing Pad
* 2 Sets of Extra Clothes
* Extra Pacifier
* Ergo Baby Carrier
* Candy for Bribes
(for the preschooler)

I remember going on road trips with my family when I was very young, and my parents made it so much fun for us! In preparation for our travels, they would give us a little goodie travel bag with all kinds of fun activities and yummy things to eat! I'll never forget those memories and I'm excited to pass them onto my children.

So we went to Target / the mall and got a bunch of new things to put in her little backpack that she's not able to use until we are in the airport / on the airplane. And don't worry, we didn't break the bank. Here's what we purchased:

Hello Kitty Activity Pad with Special Marker $2 at Target, Hello Kitty Sticker Pad $1 at Target, Small Hello Kitty Notepad $2.50 at Japanese Import Store, and we're breaking out the special twistable crayons that we put away after our trips to keep them special.

Our daughter, Cupcakes, also has two bags.

SUITCASE

* 4 Outfits
* 2 Pajamas
* 8 Pairs Underwear
* Swim Suit
* Toys & Books
* Blanket

BACKPACK

* LeapPad
* Travel Pad
* Fun Crayons
* Markers
* Little Ponies
* Motorcycle
* Lovey

I wrote a post about our airplane travels when Cupcakes was a toddler, and it's full of some unique tips. Check it out here: Toddler Travel Tips!

Pack three bags for the parents: a suitcase for both parents' clothes, wife's purse, husband's backpack.

SUITCASE

* 4 or 5 outfits
* Pajamas
* Socks & Undies
* Medicine
* Kids' Medicine
* Swim Suits
* Jewelry
* Baby's Vitamin
* Toiletries: Soap,
Shampoo / Conditioner,
Face Wash, Razors,
Deodorant, Nail File,
Toothbrushes & Toothpaste

BACK PACK

* Laptop & Charger
* Phone Chargers
* Book
* Filofax & some supplies

PURSE

* Notebook
* A Few Diapers
* Travel Wipes
* Changing Pad
* Phone
* Book

I happen to love McDonalds, but I know there are a lot of health-conscious mommies who don't. That's perfectly understandable, and we don't eat at McDonalds a lot, but we love it at airports. This way, it's a special treat. It doesn't have to be McDonalds. Many airports have a lot of options, and most even have healthy food hubs!

Since airports have you get there two hours before boarding, you will have a lot of time to kill, and all those shops are so tempting! Get some grub and chow down; it takes up a good chunk of your wait, and airport picnics are fun!

Try to make the best of this. Traveling is fun, and it's no more than a day or two. You can do it! And you can smile through it and help your kids have a great time! Smiling releases endorphins, you know! Have a great trip!!