A Toronto-to-Thailand itinerary is a big trip, especially with a two-year-old. The good news is that many families do it successfully, and a little planning goes a long way. The biggest mindset shift is to think less about keeping your toddler entertained for 18–24 hours straight and more about getting through the flight in 15–30 minute chunks.
Here are the strategies that tend to make the biggest difference:
Before the flight
- Choose flights strategically. If possible, pick a departure that lines up with your toddler's normal bedtime. Don't expect them to sleep the entire flight, but it can help.
- Book seats early. If your child is under 2 and eligible to fly as a lap infant, consider whether purchasing them their own seat is worth it. Having their own space (and using an FAA/Transport Canada-approved car seat if allowed by the airline) is often much easier on very long flights.
- Avoid over-scheduling the day. Let them run, climb, and play at the airport before boarding.
Pack a "survival kit"
Bring more snacks than you think you'll need.
Good options include:
- Crackers
- Cheese sticks (kept cool)
- Fruit pouches
- Dry cereal
- Granola bars (if they can chew them safely)
- Raisins or dried fruit (if appropriate for your child)
- Lollipops or chewy snacks for takeoff and landing if they use them
Other essentials:
- One change of clothes for your toddler (or two)
- A spare shirt for each parent
- Plenty of diapers/pull-ups and wipes
- Plastic bags for dirty clothes
- Small blanket
- Favorite stuffed animal or comfort item
- Children's pain reliever if your pediatrician recommends carrying it
- Water bottle (fill after security)
Entertainment is everything
Instead of one big toy, bring lots of small, "new" activities.
Ideas:
- Reusable sticker books
- Water-reveal coloring books
- Window clings
- Post-it notes
- Painter's tape (toddlers love sticking and peeling it)
- Magnetic drawing board
- Finger puppets
- Small toy cars or animals
- Lift-the-flap books
For screen time:
- Download plenty of shows and movies before you leave.
- Bring child-sized headphones they've already practiced wearing.
- Don't worry if screen time is much higher than normal—long-haul flights are an exception for many families.
Plan around movement
Toddlers aren't built to sit for 12+ hours.
Every couple of hours:
- Walk the aisle when it's safe.
- Visit the galley if the crew says it's okay.
- Stretch.
- Let them stand and wiggle.
Sleep
Don't stress if their sleep schedule gets messy.
Helpful things:
- Pajamas
- Sleep sack (if they still use one)
- Familiar bedtime routine
- White noise on your phone (offline)
If they only sleep a few hours, that's still a win.
Meals
Feed them before boarding if possible.
On the plane:
- Accept the airline meal if they'll eat it.
- Supplement with familiar snacks.
- Don't rely on the airline having toddler-friendly food.
Diapering and potty training
If they're newly potty trained, many parents temporarily use a pull-up for the flight to reduce stress. Bring plenty of wipes and a changing pad, as airplane bathrooms are tight.
Manage expectations
Some fussing is normal. Most passengers understand that toddlers have a hard time on long flights. If your child cries for a while, it's not a sign you're doing anything wrong.
If you have a layover
A layover of 2–4 hours can actually be helpful:
- Find a play area if the airport has one.
- Let your toddler run.
- Change into fresh clothes if needed.
- Eat a proper meal.
One packing tip that saves a lot of hassle
Pack your carry-on in "time blocks." For example:
- Hour 1–2: snacks + stickers
- Hour 3–4: coloring + book
- Hour 5: tablet
- After nap: new toy + snack
This way, you're not digging through the whole bag every 20 minutes.
Finally, if you're crossing many time zones into Thailand, consider shifting your toddler to local time as soon as you arrive. Get outside in daylight, keep naps reasonable on the first day, and expect the adjustment to take a few days rather than trying to fix it on the plane.
With a two-year-old, the goal isn't a perfectly peaceful flight—it's making sure everyone arrives rested enough to start enjoying the trip.
