Flying with kids is stressful enough without the airport security line becoming a meltdown zone. The good news: TSA has specific rules and accommodations for families that make the process easier than you might think — if you know what to expect.

Here’s a complete guide to flying with kids through TSA, from infants in strollers to teenagers with their own carry-ons.

Do Kids Need Their Own ID to Fly?

For domestic flights: No. TSA does not require identification for travelers under 18 when flying with an adult companion. Your child can board a domestic flight without any ID at all.

For international flights: Yes. Every passenger, regardless of age, needs a passport for international travel. Infant passports are valid for 5 years and require an in-person application with both parents present.

What about teens?

Teenagers between 15-17 may be asked for ID at some airlines’ discretion, but TSA itself does not require it for domestic flights. A school ID, library card, or similar document is fine if requested.

TSA PreCheck for Kids

Kids under 12 can use the TSA PreCheck lane with a PreCheck-enrolled parent — they do not need their own membership. This is a huge perk: your whole family can go through the faster lane even if only one parent is enrolled.

Kids 13-17 can use PreCheck only if they have their own Known Traveler Number (KTN) on the reservation.

Tip: If you’re a family that travels regularly, enrolling teenagers in PreCheck is worth it. See our PreCheck vs Global Entry comparison to pick the right program.

Liquids and Baby Formula Rules

This is where TSA surprises most new parents. The 3-1-1 liquids rule does not apply to breast milk, formula, juice for infants, and toddler food.

You can bring (even through regular screening):

  • Breast milk — any quantity, even without the child present
  • Formula (prepared or powdered, and exempt from the 12 oz powder rule)
  • Toddler juice and water
  • Baby food and purees
  • Medically necessary liquids
  • Ice packs and freezer packs to keep the above cold

Just declare them:

Tell the TSA officer at the start of screening that you have baby food or formula. They’ll screen it separately — sometimes with a quick vapor test, sometimes just visual inspection. You do not need to taste it or open sealed containers.

If your child takes any prescription medication, that’s also exempt from the 3-1-1 limit — see our flying with medication TSA guide for the full rundown.

Snacks and food:

Solid food (Cheerios, goldfish, fruit, sandwiches) has no quantity limit. Pack as much as you want. Solids through the X-ray, liquids declared separately.

Strollers, Car Seats, and Baby Carriers

Strollers and car seats are free to check at the gate on virtually every US airline. But getting them through security requires a plan.

Strollers at security:

  • Fold the stroller and put it on the X-ray belt (if it fits) or have TSA hand-screen it
  • If your stroller is too big for the belt, TSA will do a physical inspection
  • Large jogger strollers almost always get hand-screened
  • Umbrella strollers fit on the belt at most airports

Car seats:

  • Car seats go through the X-ray belt if they fit
  • Larger convertible car seats are hand-screened
  • Gate-check bags can be taken through security and used at the gate

Baby carriers and slings:

  • You can usually wear your baby through the metal detector
  • If you go through a body scanner, you’ll need to put the baby down briefly
  • TSA officers will often conduct a quick pat-down of the carrier

Walking Through the Checkpoint: What to Expect

Here’s the flow with kids, step by step:

1. ID check (adults only)

Parents show ID. Kids don’t need to. Have your REAL ID or passport ready.

2. Unpacking at the bins

  • Laptops and large electronics out (unless PreCheck)
  • 3-1-1 liquids (adult sized) out (unless PreCheck)
  • Baby food/formula/breast milk declared separately
  • Everyone keeps their shoes on now, kids included. TSA dropped the shoe removal requirement in July 2025
  • Adults keep shoes on too, in every lane

3. Stroller/car seat

Fold and send through or hand to TSA for screening.

4. Walking through

  • Kids under 12 can go through the metal detector instead of the body scanner
  • Parents go through the body scanner (or metal detector with PreCheck)
  • If carrying a baby, hold them while walking through the metal detector

5. Repacking

Re-assemble stroller, redress baby, re-shoe kids if needed, restock the snack supply before anyone melts down.

Tips for a Smooth Airport Security Experience with Kids

Pack smart

  • Pack a “security bin” bag on top of your carry-on with everything you need to take out (laptops, liquids, baby food)
  • Use packing cubes so repacking on the other side is fast
  • Keep snacks, pacifiers, and comfort items in an accessible pocket

Dress the family for security

  • Low-metal shoes for parents and kids alike
  • Avoid belts, chunky jewelry, or metal hair accessories
  • Light layers — coats and thick sweaters come off at screening

Time it right

  • Aim for midday (10 AM - 12 PM) to avoid the early rush with cranky kids
  • Avoid the 5-8 AM window unless you’re also doing PreCheck
  • See when airports are busiest to pick the best travel times

Arrive earlier than you think

With kids, add 30-45 minutes to your usual buffer. Bathroom breaks, snack stops, and slow stroller navigation add up.

Bring entertainment

  • Tablets with downloaded shows/games
  • Coloring books and crayons
  • Headphones (TSA often makes a reasonable effort to let families stay together)

What Kids Can (and Can’t) Bring Through Security

Kids’ bags follow the same rules as adult bags, with a few family-friendly exceptions.

Allowed in carry-on:

  • Stuffed animals (no limit)
  • Toys of almost any kind (no weapons-looking toys)
  • Books, coloring supplies
  • Empty water bottles (fill after security)
  • Snacks in any quantity

Not allowed in carry-on:

  • Toy guns that look realistic
  • Toy grenades (yes, really — this causes delays every week)
  • Large quantities of liquids (same 3-1-1 rule applies to adult-sized drinks)
  • Scissors longer than 4 inches (kids’ safety scissors are fine)

For a deeper dive on allowed items, see the complete TSA prohibited items guide.

Flying with Kids Who Have Medical Needs

TSA is generally very accommodating with medical devices, medications, and health-related accessories.

Medical exemptions:

  • Medications (liquid or solid) in reasonable quantities — just declare them
  • Medical devices (insulin pumps, hearing aids, nebulizers) stay on or with the child
  • Feeding tubes and syringes with medication are allowed
  • Wheelchairs and mobility aids go through with the passenger (see TSA rules for seniors and limited mobility if you are traveling with a grandparent too)
  • Epipens and inhalers can be carried anywhere on your person

Tell the TSA officer at the start of screening if your child has special medical needs. You can also request a TSA Cares support escort for families with disabilities or medical conditions.

If you’re traveling with the family pet too, see our flying with pets through TSA guide — the screening process for animals is different from kids and surprises most first-timers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do kids have to take off their shoes at TSA?

No, and neither do adults. TSA ended the shoe removal requirement for all travelers in July 2025. Anyone, at any age, may still be asked to remove footwear if it alarms or if they are selected for additional screening.

Can I bring breast milk if my baby isn’t with me?

Yes. Breast milk is treated as medically necessary and is exempt from the 3-1-1 rule regardless of whether the child is traveling with you.

Do babies need a boarding pass?

Infants under 2 flying as lap children don’t need their own ticket on most US domestic flights, but they do need to be on the reservation. Some airlines issue a “boarding pass” for them for the gate agent’s records.

Can siblings fly alone together?

Yes, but airlines have specific unaccompanied minor rules. Most airlines allow kids 5-14 to fly as unaccompanied minors for a fee, and siblings can be grouped together. Check with your airline before booking. The adult dropping off or collecting an unaccompanied minor needs a gate pass from the airline to get through security.

What if my kid has a meltdown at security?

TSA officers are generally patient with kids. If things go sideways, ask for a private screening area — every checkpoint has one, and using it is completely normal for families.

Can I push a stroller through TSA PreCheck?

Yes. Strollers are allowed through both regular and PreCheck lanes.

Do I need a birth certificate for my baby to fly domestic?

Airlines vary — some require proof of age for infant lap children (under 2), others don’t. Bring a copy of the birth certificate or a photo of it on your phone to be safe.

The Best Tip: Know Before You Go

The single best thing you can do flying with kids is know what the wait times look like at your airport before you leave home. A 45-minute security line with a toddler is a different experience than a 5-minute line.

Look up your airport on Airport TSA Times to see when its checkpoints are busiest, from TSA’s hourly counts at 73 US airports. Pick a calmer window, decide how early to arrive, and get your family through security stress-free.