Traveling With Kids During the Shutdown?
Traveling With Kids During the Shutdown?
Here's What You Need to Know
Traveling with kids is challenging on a normal day. Add TSA lines stretching to 3 hours, unpredictable flight cancellations, and stressed airport staff working without pay — and you've got a recipe for potential disaster. But it doesn't have to be.
The Parent Truth
If you're flying with kids during the shutdown, you need a different strategy than solo travel. This guide will help you keep your kids calm, entertained, and cooperative — even when everything around you is chaos.
Here's exactly what you need to know to make family travel work during the shutdown.
Before You Even Book: What Parents Need to Know Right Now
First, let's address the elephant in the room: Should you even fly with kids during the shutdown?
If it's optional travel (vacation, visiting family), and you can postpone until the shutdown ends, that's probably your smartest move. But if you must travel — whether for family emergencies, custody schedules, or non-refundable plans — here's how to do it successfully.
Critical Timing Note
Airports are seeing TSA wait times of 2-3+ hours at major hubs during peak times. With kids, you need to add at least 30-60 extra minutes on top of that for bathroom breaks, meltdowns, and slower movement through security.
Plan to arrive 3.5-4 hours early for domestic flights, 4.5-5 hours for international.
TSA Rules for Kids (What's Different)
What Parents Need to Know About TSA Screening:
Kids 12 and Under
Can keep their shoes ON if traveling with a parent who has TSA PreCheck. They can also use the PreCheck lane with you.
Kids 13-17
Must follow standard TSA procedures (shoes off, electronics out) unless they have their own TSA PreCheck.
Baby Formula, Breast Milk, & Food
NOT subject to the 3.4 oz liquid rule. You can bring reasonable amounts (enough for the flight). Must be declared to TSA agents and will be screened separately.
Medications & Medical Supplies
No quantity limits. Label them clearly and declare them at screening. Bring prescriptions or doctor's notes for anything that might raise questions.
Toys & Comfort Items
Allowed. Larger stuffed animals might get extra screening. If your kid has a "must-have" item, bring it — the comfort is worth the extra 30 seconds of screening.
Prep by Age Group: What Each Stage Needs
The Challenge:
They don't understand delays, can't verbalize needs clearly, and meltdowns are inevitable.
Your Strategy:
- Pack a separate diaper bag with enough supplies for 6+ hours (double your normal flight time in case of delays)
- Bring backup formula/food — airport shops may be closed or out of stock during the shutdown
- Wear your baby through security if possible (baby carriers are allowed; you'll walk through with baby, then get screened separately)
- Bring comfort items — pacifier, favorite blanket, stuffed animal
- Plan for noise — headphones for you won't work if you need to hear announcements; accept that your baby might cry and that's okay
The Challenge:
Short attention spans, high energy, and zero patience for long waits.
Your Strategy:
- Bring snacks they actually like — not the time for healthy experimentation
- Pack small, new toys they haven't seen before (dollar store finds work great)
- Download shows/games on a tablet ahead of time (airport WiFi might be overloaded)
- Let them wear their backpack with their own "special" items — gives them ownership
- Practice TSA procedures at home — make it a game to "take off shoes fast"
- Bring a portable potty seat if they're newly potty-trained (airport bathrooms during shutdowns can be gross)
The Challenge:
They understand the situation but might be anxious about delays or cancellations.
Your Strategy:
- Explain what's happening honestly — "Airports are extra busy right now, so things might take longer"
- Give them jobs — let them carry their own backpack, help watch for gate announcements, check the departure board
- Pack activity books, card games, or small craft kits — screen-free options for when devices die
- Bring refillable water bottles — they can fill them after security
- Let them pick one "special treat" at the airport to look forward to
- Teach them to use airport maps/signs — makes them feel capable and engaged
The Challenge:
They're capable but might be moody about delays, or anxious about missing connections.
Your Strategy:
- Let them manage their own carry-on — they're old enough to be responsible
- Give them their own copy of important info — flight numbers, hotel address, emergency contacts
- Charge their devices fully and bring backup chargers — they'll need entertainment
- Let them explore the airport (within reason) if you have a long layover
- Be honest about potential issues — they can handle the truth about delays/cancellations
The Ultimate Family Travel Survival Kit
What to Pack in Your Carry-On When Traveling With Kids:
Non-perishable, individually wrapped, foods they'll actually eat. Think: granola bars, crackers, fruit pouches, pretzels.