Family travel planning can feel like a puzzle with many moving pieces, especially when young children are involved. Between airport security, flight safety rules, car seat logistics and packing the right supplies, it is easy to get overwhelmed. A little preparation goes a long way toward a smoother journey. This guide walks you through the key steps, drawing on official guidance from the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, the American Academy of Pediatrics and Ready.gov, so you can focus on making memories instead of managing stress.
Navigating TSA screening with children
The Transportation Security Administration has developed modified screening procedures for children who appear to be 12 years old and younger. According to the TSA’s traveling with children guidance, officers will consult parents or the traveling guardian about the child’s screening. Children 12 and under can leave their shoes, light jackets and headwear on during screening, and they will not be separated from their parent or guardian. Infants and small children may be carried through the walk-through metal detector; if the alarm sounds, additional screening is required. Strollers, umbrella strollers, baby carriers, car seats and booster seats must be screened by X-ray, and any equipment that does not fit through the X-ray machine will undergo a visual or physical inspection by TSA officers.
Liquid formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby or toddler food, including puree pouches, are allowed in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) in carry-on bags. The TSA considers these items medically necessary liquids. Cooling accessories such as ice packs, freezer packs, gel packs and liquid-filled teethers are also allowed in carry-ons. The TSA states that your child or infant does not need to be traveling with you to bring breast milk and cooling accessories. At the checkpoint, inform the TSA officer at the start of screening if you are carrying these items in amounts over 3.4 ounces, and remove them from your carry-on for separate screening. TSA may check liquids for explosives or prohibited items, but screening will not involve placing anything into the liquid. If you do not want your items X-rayed or opened, notify the TSA officer, and additional screening procedures will be used. You can request private screening at any time. For questions about screening policies or to request assistance, TSA Cares can be reached at (855) 787-2227, ideally 72 hours before travel.
FAA rules for child safety on the plane
The Federal Aviation Administration advises that the safest place on an airplane for children under 2 years is in an approved child car seat or device based on the child’s weight. The FAA recommends purchasing a ticket for your child so you can use one. Look for the required label on the restraint that reads: “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” Baby carriers, booster seats and backless child restraints are not allowed to be used during ground movement, take-off or landing. The FAA also notes that one harness-type restraint is FAA-certified for children up to 40 inches tall who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds; check the FAA page for details.
Before your flight, check with your airline to make sure your family is seated together and that your car seat is suitable for air travel. Car seats generally must be installed in a window seat, cannot be placed in an exit row, and must not block an escape path in an emergency. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to secure the restraint in the airplane seat. For more detailed guidance, the FAA offers travel tips, podcasts and installation how-to videos on its website.
Car seat basics for the drive
Once you reach your destination, you will need a properly installed car seat for ground transportation. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that all infants and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car safety seat as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car safety seat manufacturer. Many convertible seats have limits that allow children to ride rear-facing for 2 years or more. The AAP explains that rear-facing seats protect the head, neck and spine better than forward-facing seats in a crash.
There are three main types of rear-facing seats: rear-facing-only seats, convertible seats and all-in-one seats. Rear-facing-only seats are small, have carrying handles and usually come with a base that stays in the car. Convertible seats can be used rear-facing and later forward-facing, and they often have higher rear-facing weight limits, up to 40 to 50 pounds. All-in-one seats can be used rear-facing, forward-facing and as belt-positioning boosters, but they are often bigger and do not have a carrying handle or separate base. The AAP advises that a car safety seat should be used only for travel, not for sleeping, feeding or any other use outside the vehicle.
When installing a rear-facing seat, place the harness straps in slots that are at or below your child’s shoulders. The harness should be snug enough that you cannot pinch any slack between your fingers over the child’s shoulders, and the chest clip should be at the center of the chest, even with the armpits. The AAP says you can install a car safety seat using either the vehicle’s seat belt or the LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) system; both are equally safe, and caregivers should use whichever works best for their car safety seat and vehicle. If you can move the seat at the belt path more than an inch side to side or front to back, it is not tight enough. Never place a rear-facing seat in the front seat of a vehicle that has an active front passenger airbag, because an inflating airbag could hit the back of the seat and cause serious injury or death. The AAP also recommends dressing children in thinner layers before strapping them in, because bulky clothing can compress in a crash and leave the straps too loose.
If you need help with installation, consider working with a certified child passenger safety technician. The AAP notes that everyone can benefit from professional installation help, and expectant parents may want to arrange a check before the baby is born to ensure a safe ride home from the hospital. For more on managing the gear that comes with parenting, see our childcare supplies resources.
Packing a family travel bag
A well-stocked bag can make travel days much easier, whether you face a flight delay, a long layover or an unexpected detour. Ready.gov’s disaster supplies kit checklist offers a practical starting point. While the full kit is designed for emergencies that last several days, you can adapt the list into a family travel bag with essentials for the journey. Ready.gov recommends storing items in airtight plastic bags and putting the whole kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.
A basic travel bag could include water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation), a several-day supply of non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand crank radio, a flashlight, a first aid kit, extra batteries, a whistle to signal for help, a dust mask, plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties, a wrench or pliers, a manual can opener, local maps, and a cell phone with chargers and a backup battery. Ready.gov also suggests adding items based on your family’s needs: soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes; prescription medications and non-prescription medications such as pain relievers; infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream; pet food and extra water for pets; cash or traveler’s checks; copies of important family documents saved electronically or in a waterproof container; a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person; a complete change of clothing and sturdy shoes; a fire extinguisher; matches in a waterproof container; feminine supplies and personal hygiene items; mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils; paper and pencil; and books, games, puzzles or other activities for children. For more ideas on organizing everyday carry items, visit our bags and everyday carry page.
Check your airline’s rules before you book
Both the FAA and the TSA encourage travelers to confirm policies with their airline ahead of time. The FAA specifically says to check with your airline before your flight to make sure your family is seated together and that your car seat is suitable for air travel. Airlines may have their own rules about which child restraints they accept and where they can be placed. The TSA also reminds travelers that TSA Cares can answer questions about screening procedures, and you can reach out 72 hours before traveling to request assistance at the checkpoint. Taking a few minutes to review your airline’s family travel policies can prevent surprises at the gate.
Putting it all together: a family travel checklist
A simple checklist can help you stay organized. Confirm TSA rules for formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and cooling accessories, and pack those items so they are easy to remove at the checkpoint. Verify that your child’s car seat or restraint has the FAA-required label and is approved for air travel. Install the car seat correctly in your vehicle using either the seat belt or LATCH system, and make sure the harness fits snugly. Assemble a family travel bag with food, water, first aid supplies, comfort items and activities. Check your airline’s seating and car seat policies, and contact TSA Cares if you have questions about screening. For more on building checklists that work for your family, see our family checklists collection. You can also explore broader parenting logistics strategies and our in-depth parenting logistics guide for school, outings, travel and supplies.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring breast milk through TSA if my baby is not traveling with me?
Yes. The TSA states that your child or infant does not need to be traveling with you to bring breast milk and cooling accessories. These items are considered medically necessary liquids and are allowed in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces. Inform the TSA officer at the start of screening and remove them from your carry-on for separate screening.
Can my child use a booster seat on the airplane?
No. According to the FAA, booster seats and backless child restraints are not allowed to be used during ground movement, take-off or landing. Only an approved child restraint with the label “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft” may be used for children under 2, or the FAA-certified harness-type device for children who meet its height and weight limits.
How long should my child stay rear-facing in the car?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants and toddlers ride in a rear-facing car safety seat as long as possible, until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by the car safety seat manufacturer. Many convertible seats have limits that allow children to ride rear-facing for 2 years or more. Once a child outgrows the rear-facing-only seat, a convertible or all-in-one seat installed rear-facing should be used.
For more family travel planning resources, visit our Travel with Children page.
