This summer in Dubai was as hot as ever, so my daughter and I escaped to the Netherlands, where we spent time in our very own luxurious caravan. Our caravan is more like a tiny home on wheels: two separate beds, a shower, a toilet, and everything we need to feel cozy and comfortable in the Dutch countryside. It’s become our little sanctuary away from the desert heat.
But let me rewind to the journey itself, because travelling solo with a toddler deserves its own chapter. At the time, my daughter was 2 years and 10 months, which meant I had to purchase her a full seat. And yes—I still took our travel pram (Redsbaby Skip) with me. Honestly, it’s hard enough travelling alone with a young child, and the pram saved us in airports and during long walks (if you know Dubai airport, you know it’s huge so the pram is perfect for tired toddler legs).
Flying Solo: Business Class vs Economy with a Toddler
I’ll be honest: I splurged. My shares portfolio had been performing really well, so I decided to upgrade our outbound flight from Dubai to Amsterdam to Emirates Business Class on the A380—and it was worth every penny.
Here’s what I noticed:
Business Class with a Toddler
- Space is everything. The wide seats recline into a fully flat bed, so my daughter could nap comfortably. I could stretch out too, which made the world of difference compared to being cramped in economy.
- Entertainment on tap. She was allowed to watch TV (let’s be real, it’s part of the fun). Emirates’ ICE system kept her busy with movies and shows while I got to enjoy a glass of sparkling water and a quiet meal.
- Meals & treats. The food was excellent, and she actually ate (a miracle at 40,000 feet!). Plus, the onboard lounge was such a unique experience—sweet treats, chatting with other travellers, and moving around freely made the flight feel less restrictive.
- Sleep-friendly. With a comfy mattress on top of the seat (added after take off and removed just before landing, blanket, and pillow, it was much easier for her to rest and for me to feel human when we landed.
Economy with a Toddler
On the way back, we flew economy. While the service was still lovely (it’s Emirates, after all), the difference was huge. Less space, less freedom to move, and no onboard lounge to stretch legs. It worked, but I was grateful I’d chosen business class for the long outbound journey when we were both fresh and excited.
Pro tip: Whenever possible, I always choose the A380 over the Boeing 777 Dreamliner. The A380 is bigger, smoother, and has the lounge—perfect for keeping a restless toddler entertained.
What I Packed to Survive the Flight
Like any solo mother travelling with a toddler, I overpacked activities. And you know what? I don’t regret it. Having options kept her engaged and gave me peace of mind. Here were the winners:
- Peppa Pig Magnet Book – perfect for mess-free fun. Get it here.
- Melissa & Doug Sticker WOW! Stamper & Activity Pad (Unicorns) – get it here. She loved stamping away and creating her own little worlds.
- Quick Push Popper Toy with Lights – this one was a huge hit. Think of it as a cross between a fidget toy and a game.
- Montessori Threading Beads – big, chunky beads to practice threading. It worked wonders for quiet concentration.
- Skillmatics Dot It Sticker Art Activity (Unicorns & Princesses) – find it here. With over 500 stickers, it kept her busy for ages without me worrying about sticky mess everywhere.
Did I use every single toy I packed? No. But having the variety gave me peace of mind, especially when travelling solo.
Pro tip. you know your child best. So you’ll be able to gauge what they’re interested in at that time. Sometimes girls are more interested in boys toys and vice versa. The most important thing is that you offer something NOVEL, something they haven’t seen before so it sparks their interest and curiosity.
Tips for Solo Mothers Flying with Toddlers
- Bring the pram. Even if your toddler is almost three, it’s a lifesaver in airports.
- Upgrade if you can. The extra space, comfort, and onboard lounge in business class made the long flight so much smoother. You can save up your frequent flyer points from your (business credit card) or some health insurance also offer you to save points. It’s worth to do you research as to where you can save up your Frequent Flyer Points, because every purchase adds up, and before you know it you’ll have your upgrade!
- Pack variety, but don’t stress. A mix of mess-free activities, snacks, and one comfort item (a favourite teddy or blanket) goes a long way. Some of her favourite activites include coloured painters tape, the window spinners as well as paper cups.
- Choose your aircraft wisely. If possible, pick an A380—it really does make the journey more enjoyable. Pick a stopover if time and money allows, as to make the journey more enjoyable and relaxed (without rushing). (Stopover in Abu Dhabi for example).
- Make it an adventure. Talk to your toddler about the journey, involve them in the fun, and don’t worry if things don’t go perfectly. That’s part of the story.
Travelling solo with a toddler is never easy, but it’s always worth it. From the moment we stepped off the plane in Amsterdam to the time we settled into our cosy caravan in the Netherlands, I felt proud. Proud that I’d done it on my own, proud that my daughter had a wonderful adventure, and grateful that these are the memories we’re making together.
