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For Parents
Change of clothes
Bring a change of clothes for yourself and your kids. Yes, it takes up space — but after we once had orange juice spill all over my partner’s bag right before a six-hour flight, I was so grateful I had packed extra clothes in my bag too!
Wipes
Even with older kids, wipes can save the day. My oldest hates having dirty hands, so being able to clean anything quickly has prevented many meltdowns.
Portable toilet seat
During the whole potty-training phase (and honestly until their bum is big enough not to fall into the toilet), we always carried a portable toilet seat. It doesn’t take much room and it’s a lifesaver when your little one is scared to poop anywhere that isn’t home. We had the same challenge with both kids, and this seat made a huge difference at home, at daycare/school, and on the go.
Snacks
Here are our favorite plane-friendly snacks:
- Trail mix (preferably nut-free, since some travelers may have severe allergies)
- Dried fruit like mango, papaya, or strawberries (check customs rules before bringing these)
- Granola bars (we prefer high-protein ones to avoid the sugar crash)
- Water with electrolytes (planes are dehydrating, and this makes drinking more appealing)
- Their favorite crackers
I know these aren’t the healthiest snacks, but my goal during travel is simply to keep them fed and happy. They’ll get plenty of fresh fruits and veggies once we land… especially in places like Mexico where the mango is irresistible!
The Perfect Carry-On for Your Kiddos
From a very young age, we’ve had our kids carry their own toys or snacks. Some parents have their kids pack their own bags — I personally don’t. I prefer packing it myself to keep the contents a surprise.
Little tip that makes it way more exciting:
I wrap each toy in drawing paper (so they can use it afterwards). They get to open “gifts” throughout the plane ride… endless fun!
Here’s what we pack:
- Play-Doh (the small 1 oz party-pack containers)
- Origami paper and/or drawing paper
- A small bag of LEGO pieces
- Markers
- A small journal or notepad
- Stickers
- 1–2 small cars like Hot Wheels
- A kids’ magazine (smaller than books and comes with activities!)
And finally… Halloween candies!
If we didn’t put them away, they would still be around the following year. So instead of throwing them out, I keep a secret stash and slip a few into their carry-on bags. Instead of paying $15 at Relay for treats, we save that money for something fun during the trip. 😊