How to Get Through Airport Security With Kids

If airport security makes you nervous when traveling with kids, you’re definitely not alone.

The first time we flew with our toddler, I remember standing in the security line thinking: How are we supposed to juggle shoes, backpacks, snacks, a stroller… and a wiggly toddler at the same time?

It honestly felt like a high-pressure obstacle course.

But after more than 20 flights with our kids, I realized something surprising.

Airport security with kids actually becomes pretty easy once you know what to expect — and once you learn a few small habits that make the whole process smoother.

Things like having the right stuff ready before you reach the bins, preparing kids for the scanner, and knowing what might temporarily disappear into the security trays.

The two habits that made the biggest difference for us were simple:

Come prepared before you reach the bins, and slow down once you’re through the scanner.

It removes about 90% of the stress.

My kids have never been scared of airport security. If anything, they’re fascinated by it. They stare at the big machines, watch their backpacks disappear on the conveyor belt, and ask a hundred questions about how everything works.

The only time we ever had a mini meltdown was when security took their stuffy for a minute. Once we learned to warn them ahead of time, even that stopped being a problem.

Now security is just another step of the travel day.

What Airport Security Is Like When Traveling With Kids

The overall process is pretty much the same whether you’re traveling with kids or not.

And if you’re worried about holding up the line with kids — don’t be. Security agents see families all day.

You still:

• show your boarding passes and IDs
• place bags on the X-ray belt
• walk through the metal detector or scanner
• collect everything on the other side

The difference is that when you’re traveling as a family, security agents are usually very used to parents juggling a lot of things.

Kids under 12 can usually keep their shoes on, which already makes things easier.

My kids actually love watching their backpacks go through the X-ray machine. It’s like a tiny science experiment happening right in front of them.

Do Toddlers Have to Go Through Airport Security?

Yes — toddlers go through security just like everyone else.

Most toddlers simply walk through the metal detector holding a parent’s hand. In some airports (and when they get old enough), they ask your toddler to walk by themsleves through the metal detector.

If they’re too small, you can carry them.

The machines themselves usually aren’t what bothers little kids. For us, the only moment that ever caused a meltdown was stuffed animals.

One thing that surprises a lot of parents: anything in your child’s hands also has to go through the scanner. The first time that happened, our toddler was not thrilled about watching their teddy disappear down the belt.

So now we always give a little warning. A few minutes before we reach the front of the line I’ll say:

“Your teddy is going through the machine for a minute, then he comes right back.”

Now, I also tuck the stuffy into their carry-on backpack before it’s our turn. No surprises. No last-second grab. No meltdown.

And because it’s already in the backpack, it’s also much harder to accidentally leave behind.

What Happens to Strollers at Airport Security?

If you’re bringing a travel stroller, you’ll take your child out and fold it before security.

If it fits on the X-ray belt, it goes through like everything else. If it’s larger, an agent may inspect it separately.

Our little routine usually looks like this:

• take toddler out
• fold stroller
• place stroller on the belt
• walk through security holding our child

Sometimes, a security agent comes and get your stroller before you even fold it. They scan the stroller quickly beside the metal detector and gives it back to you as soon as you walk through it.

If you’re using a baby carrier instead of a stroller, they might let you wear your baby right through the metal detector.

Sometimes an agent may ask you to remove the carrier for a quick inspection, but most of the time you can keep it on.

Then as soon as we collect everything, we open the stroller again.

Having somewhere for our toddler to sit while we reorganize bags makes things so much easier.

Get organized before you reach the line

There’s always a strange sense of urgency around airport security.

People rushing to empty their pockets, digging through bags, grabbing bins as quickly as possible.

I try to avoid that chaos by getting everything ready before we even enter the line.

We didn’t always do this… and those early airport trips were way more stressful than they needed to be.

For example:

• the night before the flight, pack all carry-ons strategically, so the things you’ll need to take out are easy to reach
• all liquids are in a Ziploc bag that’s easy to grab
• electronics sit on top of backpacks
• kids’ tablets, cameras, and e-readers are easy to reach
• if I’m wearing a watch, I remove it before we get in line
• make sure all the travel toys are organized in the backpack so it’s easy to reach for anything you need to put in the security bin.

That way when it’s our turn, everything is already ready.

With kids, we already have enough to manage.

Removing that extra pressure makes the whole process much calmer.

Let kids help

Kids love feeling important.

Whenever possible, we let them help with the process. My son gets so excited when he gets to put his backpack in the bin.

Sometimes we ask them to help push the bins forward on the counter.

It sounds small, but giving them a role makes the whole experience feel like a fun travel mission instead of something stressful.

Feed your Kids before getting in Line

Security lines can be unpredictable.

Having a snack right before you go can prevent a meltdown before it even starts.

We learned that one the hard way during a very long security line in Montreal.

Now we always take a quick snack break before tackling security!

Slow down when you collect your things

If there’s one thing I always tell parents, it’s this: take your time when gathering your things.

People get incredibly rushed at this stage. Everyone wants to grab their bags and move on as fast as possible.

But that’s exactly when things get forgotten.

I learned that lesson the hard way when I left my Canon camera behind at Charles de Gaulle airport in 2024. Ten minutes later I ran back — but it was already gone.

Now we always move to a nearby bench or table before leaving the security area.

We repack calmly, double-check our bags, and make sure we have everything — and everyone (!!) — before walking away.

What Happens if Your Child Gets Selected for Extra Screening?

Sometimes security agents randomly choose bags or travelers for additional checks. It doesn’t happen often, but it can happen.

On our trip to Italy in 2026, our daughter — who was seven — got picked for both a hand swab and a backpack inspection.

She got a little nervous, especially because the agents were speaking English and she only speaks French right now.

But parents are always allowed to stay with their child. So I stood beside her, translated everything, and held her hand while they explained what they were doing.

The security officer helping us was clearly a mom herself and tried to make her comfortable.

At one point she told my daughter she had “won the security lottery” because both her backpack and her hands were being checked. My daughter ended up smiling by the end.

If something like this happens to your child, the most important thing is to stay calm. Kids look at their parents to understand whether something is scary or not.

If you’re relaxed, they usually relax too.

Read More on Flying With Kids:

• Free Printable Travel Day Checklist
• Free Printable Toddler Carry-On Packing List
• Flying With Kids: A Real Mom’s Guide After 25+ Flights
• Flying With a Toddler: A Real Mom’s Full Survival Guide
• Preparing For Your Child’s First Flight: What Worked For Us
• How to Get Through Airport Security With Kids
• How I Keep My Kids Busy at the Airport Without Overpacking
• What to Pack in Your Toddler’s Carry-On (And What to Skip!)
• 7 Easy Tips to Help Beat Jet Lag with Children
• 8 Great Tips for Surviving Layovers with Kids
• The Travel Stroller Bag We Use on Every Flight (and love!)
• 11 Excellent Carry-On Backpacks for Kids
• The 15 Best Airplane Toys for Toddlers – compact and mess-free