Travel delays are frustrating for everyone—but they are especially hard with toddlers. When it happens and you feel like the odds are stacked against you, try to remember: You’re not doing anything wrong. Travel delays with toddlers are just tough.
And though you can’t control the airline, there are some ways you can be better equipped to handle what you can control. This post offers some practical tips, mindset shifts, and real-life tested strategies you can use if you end up handling travel delays with toddlers.
Want to know your rights when a delay happens? The Department of Transportation’s Fly Rights guide is a helpful reference.
Set Expectations Early
One of the best things you can do before a trip—even days or weeks ahead—is talk to your little ones about what travel really looks like. That includes the fun parts and the boring parts, like waiting at the airport (although if you have a toddler like our oldest, the airport is also a fun part).
Try saying things like, “Sometimes we have to wait before we get on the plane,” or “We might have to stay at the airport longer if there’s a delay.” Keeping it simple and honest helps toddlers feel more secure if a delay does happen.
Books or videos about airports and airplanes can also help toddlers understand the experience better. Even a short conversation can go a long way toward making delays feel less out of the ordinary and more like just another part of the adventure.
We love reading picture books about travel before a trip—Richard Scarry’s Busy Busy Airport is a hit in our house!
Keep Them Moving
Much as we would love them to sit patiently and behave (especially in a crowded terminal), toddlers aren’t made to sit still. If you end up delayed, you’re going to need to let them move.
Some good options:
- Go for a walk around the airport and see what interesting things you can find
- Look to see if the airport has a play area
- Play games like ‘I Spy’ or count the airplanes out the window
Added bonus, the extra activity time helps burn energy and reduce meltdowns later.
Rotate Activities & Surprises
I know what you may be thinking here, but I’m NOT suggesting you buy a bunch of new toys just in case you have a travel delay. Though some parents swear by it (and by all means, go for it if that’s the right strategy for you), we believe that you don’t need to buy anything new to keep your toddlers entertained, even if you’re delayed.
That said, it is good to have an activity plan in the event of a delay. Maybe you have a few things set aside in your carry-on bag that you can bring out one at a time. Think things like reusable sticker books, mess-free coloring books, or even an emergency tablet.
The important thing when waiting out a delay is to pace yourself. Try to make each activity last as long as possible. And if you don’t have enough toys, fill in with imaginative games or look around the airport for other things you can use as entertainment.
To give you an example, once we borrowed a whole bunch of sugar packets from a coffee shop. Our son set them all up as hockey players. He played his new game for the entire length of the delay (about 45 minutes)!
Lower the Bar, Raise the Snacks
When you’re stuck in travel delays with toddlers, it’s time to adjust expectations and embrace survival mode. This isn’t the moment to worry about perfect meals or screen time limits. Your main goals: keep everyone calm, fed, and as happy as possible.
Snacks are your best friend during a delay. They can buy you time, reset a grumpy mood, or act as mini “rewards” for stretches of good behavior.
Bonus tip: Use snacks as a kind of timer—“After these crackers, we’ll check the gate again!”
Whether it’s their favorite pretzels or a surprise snack you buy at the airport, never underestimate the power of food to keep little ones content when plans go sideways.
Check out our snack packing post if you want some strategies.
Take Care of You, Too
It’s easy to go into full-on crisis mode during a travel delay with kids, but your calm makes a huge difference. Toddlers pick up on your energy. So when you’re able to stay grounded, it helps them feel more secure, too.
Take a few deep breaths. Drink some water. If your partner or another adult is with you, take turns stepping away for a few quiet minutes. Even a short mental reset can help you get through the rest of the delay with a little more patience.
You’re not expected to have it all together. You’re doing your best—and that’s more than enough.
You’ve Got This
Travel delays with toddlers aren’t fun, but they don’t have to ruin the day. With a little flexibility, some go-to strategies, and lots of snacks, you can get through the wait.
Every delay survived is a parenting win in the travel book. And think of it this way: when you get through a particularly tough travel delay, your next trip is likely to be smoother!
Have your own go-to tip for handling delays with little ones? I’d love to hear it—share it in the comments below!
And if you want more real-time travel tips, feel free to send a message here or on Instagram @oneillwaytotravel. We’re in this together!
Want a quick, printable version of these delay-day strategies? Download the free Delay Day Survival Kit from our Free Resources Page!
Looking for more specific ways to prepare your toddlers for travel? Here are some additional tips!