9 Quick Tips for Airport Security with Kids
Almost everyone loves to travel, but no one likes going through airport security. (Sorry TSA!) These nine tips for airport security with kids will make your travels smoother so you can get to your destination with your sanity intact. Buckle your safety belt because your family’s going to be all set for take off!
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1. Prepare to get carded.
If you’re headed out of the country, make sure EVERYONE — including baby — has a valid passport. It can take four to six weeks to obtain official documents, so plan ahead. Even when flying domestically, some airlines may require children to have identification for travel, such as a birth certificate. This is especially true if traveling with only one parent. Be sure to check with your airline prior to departure, or bring along ID just to be safe.
2. Don’t wrap presents.
Bringing gifts along for the holidays, a wedding or other celebration? Security officers may need to unwrap presents for control purposes, undoing all of your pretty bows and ribbons. If you need to be discreet or hide things from the kids in your travel group, hide presents in boxes or dark trash bags instead. Be prepared with a whopper of a distraction for the kiddos, too, should TSA need to take a peek! (Electronics, candy, or money come to mind…)
3. Pack favorite snacks in your carry-on.
Airport security lines can be very long, especially during peak travel times near holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Keep kids happy by bringing along some favorite travel snacks, like fruit, granola bars or chocolate. Liquids and gels are limited to 3.4 ounces per container, packed into a single 1-quart bag per person. If you’re traveling with a child under the age of 2, you can bring more than this liquid limit in baby food, formula, milk, water and juice. Put these items in a separate clear plastic bag to show security.
4. Arrive early for airport security with kids.
Be sure to arrive early for your flight, especially when traveling with kids. During the off-season, you should plan to arrive about two hours before a domestic flight and at least three hours before an international flight. Airports become a frenzy of activity during the holiday travel season, so you may need to show up even earlier depending on your travel dates.
5. Use the family screening line.
If traveling with a baby or young child, take advantage of special help in the Family Line at security. Don’t fret about skipping ahead of other child-less passengers, either; if they could do it, they would! It will mean less stress for you and more time in the airport play area for your kids. Can’t find a Family Line? Sweetly ask the friendliest looking TSA officer you can find if there is such a line; they just may wave you through.
6. Avoid lugging liquids.
Buy bottles of wine, spirits or perfume at Duty Free stores post-security or after you arrive at your destination. Your carry-on bags are limited to tiny 3.4-ounce bottles and while you can pack larger sizes in your checked bags, glass bottle breakage is a distinct possibility. Your suitcases needn’t be drenched in scotch or Chanel No. 5.
7. Wear security-friendly clothing.
Avoid wearing large metal jewelry and clothing with metal buttons or snaps to avoid airport security snafus. Dress yourself and your kids comfortably with easily-removable outerwear, belts and shoes. If traveling to or from somewhere chilly — hats, mittens and winter gear needs to be taken off and placed in the security bins for screening. Pack them in carry-bags until needed. Kids under the age of 12 and adults over age 75 do not need to remove their shoes.
8. Know how to handle bulky gear.
If you’re packing golf clubs, skis, snowboards or other bulky sports gear, check those items as special or fragile baggage. Check with your airline ahead of time about size, weight and packing restrictions to ensure a smooth check-in process.
Keep in mind that gear for kids, like strollers and car seats, can typically be gate-checked for free. To avoid hauling heavy children’s gear through the airport, consider purchasing a compact CARES Airplane Travel Harness and renting baby and toddler travel gear for delivery to your travel destination.
9. Apply for TSA Pre-check or Global Entry.
Have you applied for Global Entry or TSA Pre-check yet? If you’re a U.S. resident who travels often, you should! Yes, you must pay a fee and jump through a few hoops (an extensive online form and an in-person interview). But the payoff in terms of sailing through security is well worth it.
Most U.S. airports and airlines recognize TSA Pre-check. This typically means no more shoe removal (no matter your age), no more removing laptops or liquids from your carry-on (though you’ll still be subject to the same liquid limits), and much shorter screening lines. As a bonus, children under age 12 are granted Pre-check status when traveling with a Pre-check parent or guardian. Global Entry costs a bit more for the five-year membership but enables travelers to whiz through customs when returning to the U.S.
TSA’s goal is to respond to your application within two to three weeks. Global Entry can take longer. Even if you don’t have time to apply before your next flight, you might want to apply for TSA Pre-check or Global Entry sooner rather than later so your family is all set in the future.
Learn more travel tips.
For additional air travel hacks, download The Travel Mamas’ Guide to Flying with Kids. It’s free!
Traveling with young children? Read these essential tips for flying with a baby or toddler.
Fly prepared with this list of travel toys for kids.
Follow these tips for traveling as a single parent.
Keep these airport security tips.
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Do you dread going through airport security with kids? Share your airport security survival tips and questions below!
Rules may be subject to change. Please check with your carrier or the Transportation Security Administration’s website for the latest security information prior to departure.
My daughter recently took a trip with her children that included several flights. She had planned well, but had not idea what to expect when trying to juggle all the bags she packed to keep from having to check or lose them and wrangle a two year old that was refusing to go any further. Good times.
Oy. I’ve been there Joanna! I hope the rest of your daughter’s trip went more smoothly!
That’s a tough time for sure. That juggling act can be difficult!
I just recently flew for the first time in years. The rules to follow can be daunting and quite confusing at times. I had to throw away a bottle of medicine because it was too big. Thank you for all the pointers!
My pleasure! Happy travels.
Global entry is soooo worth it! (Unless you are in Newark)! I never knew that there were family friendly screening lines, that is awesome!
I’ve used my Nexus pass in Newark and it saved loads of time!
Thanks for these tips. Traveling with kids can be stressful and going through airport security can trigger a tantrum. I agree with distracting them with food or electronics. That would definitely ease their anxiety of waiting in line.
It’s hard on adults, much less kids.
These are great tips. Airport security can be such a hassle. Being prepared is half the battle
Absolutely!
So great to know! It’s very important to prepare for these things especially over the busy holiday months when its already so stressful!
So true!
We love to travel and these are really, really great tips that I would have never thought of! Especially wrapping the presents – I will keep this in mind for any of our future trips.
Glad you find them useful, thanks!