How Kids Can Be Savvy Travelers Too!
As we’re gearing up for the holidays, for families that can mean traveling with children and infants. Holidays can be delightful with kids – but travel can be stressful. Here are some ways that savvy families can have all the holiday cheer without the hassle.
Be Prepared to Be Screened
Strollers, car seats, and carriers need to be screened, either by x-ray or manually.
Food for babies and toddlers can skip the 3-1-1 rule – with some caveats.
Bring the snacks!
Parents traveling with babies and toddlers can bring more than 3.4 ounces of breast milk, formula, milk products, juice, gel or liquid teethers, bottled water, or canned, jarred or liquid baby food- even those pouches of pureed foods are good to go on board with you for the in-flight snack needs of your little adventurers. Please be sure to inform the TSA officer as you head through the checkpoint because even though these items are considered medically necessary, they still will need to be screened.
Bring snacks! Dried fruit, nuts, granola bars, crackers, pretzels, and cookies are all good to go.
Boots are made for walking
Children under the age of 12 do not need to remove their shoes. Children able to walk through the metal detector without assistance may do so separately from their parent or guardian, but at no point will you become separated from your child during the screening process! You’ll be asked to carry your babies and toddlers through the metal detector while their stroller or car seat will be screened separately.
Checking it Twice
Check your kids bags for things that might make for a nightmare before Christmas.
Check all packed bags for plastic toys that resemble prohibited items (guns, knives, etc.) even the smallest of toys – can appear much larger through the x-ray machine. Packing items that look like something that is prohibited can cause big problems at the checkpoint and possibly delay you from getting to your plane on time.
When in doubt, use the “What Can I Bring?” tool found at tsa.gov.