I'll be honest, this is my least favourite age to fly with a baby. My ideal age is between 3-7 months as I shared here. In my opinion, 1 year olds are like baby teenagers. They aren't as programmable and easy-going as younger infants. Plus their capabilities, level of understanding, independence and negotiating skills aren't as developed as older toddlers (for whom I have another blog post).
So here we have a wee one, right in the middle of the baby stage, with a keen sense of curiosity, a desire for independence that doesn't match their experience, an unbreakable will, little ability to regulate or communicate their emotions, a short attention span…sounds very much like a teenager, right? So how do you survive? We can do this dear Mama & Papa! I'll share some practical activities first based on my own experience, followed by general tips.
Best Activities for a 1 Year Old During a Flight: Quiet, Easy to Pack, No Mess
How can I keep my 1-year-old occupied on a flight? That's one valid question. But on an aircraft, you also want quiet activities that won't annoy other passengers. You also want no-mess games, so flight attendants won't get grumpy. Here's a list of activities I've tried, or wish I had. I recommend selecting 3-5 ideas per trip, as toddlers tend to cycle through activities quickly.
Packing/Unpacking Toys: you could invest in a toy made exclusively for this type of play, like this cloth tissue box (pictured above) I think it's genius! Does your baby ever take all the wipes or tissues out of a package? Then this unpacking toy is sure to keep them satisfied! Alternatively, you could make unpacking "toys" of your own. Fill a zipper or drawstring bag with oversized blocks (eg. Duplo, this will double for the next activity) or pack everyday items like hair ties, clothes pins, Q-tips, straws. Most babies will enjoy packing the items in and out of the bag. One edible idea is to carry cereal and allow your tiny tot to pack them in & out of Tupperware (this might be a bit messy though). It might sound simple but at this stage, babies love packing and unpacking items. This is a quiet activity that should keep them occupied for a while.
2. Oversized Blocks- pack a few Duplo or Mega Blocks and help your little one build during the flight.
3. Puzzles- age appropriate puzzles are available for one-year-olds. Here are some pretty small ones which makes them easier to carry along. I love puzzles because they are great for motor skills, visual perception and brain development.
4.Stacking Toys- another fun way to keep your little one occupied. This idea is great for promoting dexterity and math skills. I love this option that has holes at the bottom and doubles as water/sand toys - perfect for a beach vacation!
5. Doodle Pads- perfect, perfect, perfect! You probably used these as a kid. No falling pencils, no need for multiple papers. With old fashioned tablets like this, your little one can draw and erase as desired with little worries. Opt for a smaller one that will fit into your luggage easily.
6. Wiping- seriously, this might sound silly, but 1-year-olds love cleaning. Literally! Just provide a wipe and allow them to clean the tray table, arm rests etc. You may want to sanitize these areas beforehand to maximize safety.
7. Suction Spinners - these are noise-free fidget spinners that can be attached to the plane window, tray table etc, via a suction cap. Watch your little one spin away with delight! I'd be surprised if this isn't a hit with your favourite tiny person! Find suction spinners here Video: AliExpress
8. Books- carry small cardboard books and read quietly to your little one. To add more interest, try interactive books such those that pop up, have different textures, or open and close tabs. Reading is one my favourites because it helps foster language development, expands vocabulary and is a great way to bond with your baby.
9. Stickers: I'm a big sticker fan! Most toddlers between 12-23 months are definitely #teamsticker too! They often find this activity fascinating and may engage in it for quite some time, all while developing fine motor skills. At this age, it's a bit harder to get babies to always place the stickers on the paper provided. But it's still worth a try, once you're willing to remove any stray stickers afterwards! Opt for larger stickers without curves or narrow attachments, so it's easier for them to manipulate.
10. Travel Sized Busy Boards- I saved the best for last! Buckles, buttons, velcro, lacing...so much excitement to keep your baby busy and develop fine motor skills. They are often recommended for older toddlers, but I think with supervision, this should keep your little one safely busy. I really love these, which are pretty much like a book and so easy to pack!
What I really like about these ideas is that they can be very useful during your stay away from home too. You will find that you can use them to keep your baby occupied in your accommodation, while eating out, when family is babysitting, etc.
General Tips for Flying with a One Year Old
While every baby is different, I hope you'll find some of these useful as you navigate, "How to Survive a Flight with a 1 year old?" Here are some quick tips that I'd recommend for flying with a baby 12 months and older:
Try to book a flight close to their naptime or bedtime - I've found that this can help a great deal. In a best case scenario, by the time the plane takes off, your baby will be quiet tired. Especially if the flight is at night with reduced light, and possibly, little noise on the aircraft, it's likely easier for your little passenger to fall asleep!
Travel with someone - you will benefit from a break, especially for longer flights. If possible, it would be ideal to have another adult in tow.
Let them be as active as possible at the airport- this way, they will need less time to be mobile on the plane. Some airports have playrooms or built-in playgrounds for kids. But even where those are absent, walk them around the waiting area as much as possible. Hopefully, they will expend enough energy to take an in-flight nap.
Carry a drink or snacks to reduce pressure on their ears during take off/landing- even for adults this part can be uncomfortable! If your baby still breastfeeds, this is a great solution. If not, once they are chewing/swallowing that helps solve this common problem.
Get some rest before the trip (if you can)- you're probably rolling your eyes right now. But if by some miracle you can, being rested might really help you be more patient, quick-thinking and energetic for the long haul.
Have your own calming strategies- so important! As parents, we have to try to find a way to keep it together when we are triggered. Whatever this looks like for you, try to equip yourself. Maybe it's prayer, music, getting a drink, a quick game on an app, looking at photos on your phone, an adult coloring book, mindfulness exercises (5 senses exercise, distraction, etc), deep breathing, meditating on scripture. Staying calm and refreshing yourself mentally is so important to take care of yourself and your little one.
Allow them to walk around on the plane- especially on longer flights, it may be too much to expect your little one to sit through it all. They may express frustration by kicking the seat in front of you. That's no fun! So take a walk every now and then based on their cues.
Pack age appropriate activities- thankfully, I already got that one figured out for you. Just choose your favorites from the list above.
Here's to happy and tear-free travels…(for you, as the parent, especially). I really hope this helps!