A couple years ago, we were on a long-haul flight from Chicago to London. Mid-way through the flight, my son had a huge meltdown (and a whole host of other problems resulted from it), and I realized I had packed my toddler carry-on bag all wrong.
I didn’t have his familiar bedtime routine items, I ran out of snacks, and I had made the rookie mistake of thinking I could rely on the in-flight entertainment for shows my son would watch.
That flight is the exact reason this list exists. Quite frankly it was an awful flight for me, and not the best start to our week and a half European vacation. I became a woman on a mission to create the perfect toddler carry-on packing list and help other parents from finding themselves in that same situation.
If you’re traveling with a little one for the first time and wondering what to pack in your toddler’s carry-on, read my tried-and-true list below. It’s saved us from meltdowns more than once, given us items that have saved us during unexpected delays, and isn’t too overwhelming (my first tip – fight the urge to bring EVERYTHING!).
I’m covering the entertainment items that replaced the in-flight screen, the snack strategy that kept us going even on a nine-hour flight, the sleep routine items I’ll never fly without again, and the one bag that holds it all without being a nightmare at security.
If you’re looking for more tips on traveling with toddlers, I’ve got you covered there, too!
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Toddler entertainment & activities:
A fully charged tablet with shows downloaded in case there is no WiFi (or “internot” as my son would say) onboard. We love the Amazon Fire Kids tablet because you can download so many educational games and books, it’s frequently on sale, and they have a guarantee that they’ll replace it if it breaks.
- Another option would be this device where you can clip a smartphone to the tray table.
Kid-sized headphones for their device or in-flight entertainment.
Reusable sticker or mess-free coloring books. There is absolutely zero clean up and they actually keep my son occupied for a long time!
Small toys that will stay on the tray table easily while your kiddos plays. Some of our favorites are small cars, mini magnatiles or Play-doh.
Busy boards or fidget toys which are both small and easy to pack in your bag and keep kids occupied for longer than you’d think.
Crayons and a mini-notebook or coloring pad: We love these in addition to the reusable ones that I mentioned earlier. They also make for a great hotel activity once you get to your destination.
Pro tip: I rotate toys throughout our flight instead of taking them all out at once. It helps keep my son occupied for a longer period of time and helps keep my bag and our seat area cleaner and more organized.
Snacks and feeding essentials:
Multiple snack options! (Arguably the most important item!) Our favorites are crackers, applesauce pouches and breakfast bars.
Spill-proof snack cup: Trust me that it’s a great idea to move your snacks into this while your kiddo holds them if you don’t want them to spill. Here’s one option that you can’t go wrong with and another option with suction for the tray table.
An empty water bottle to fill after security. I always bring my Stanley and my son brings a kid-sized one.
Bib or silicone placemat for younger kids. This helps with needing to change clothes mid-flight. Airplanes don’t have a ton of space, so this is helpful!
Disposable hand wipes and surface wipes.
Extra snacks for delays. I always pack more than I think we’ll need! The food on board flights and in airports is so expensive!
Reminder: The rules for liquids are different for little kids. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby/toddler food are considered medically-necessary liquids. This means you can bring them onboard in quantities greater than the standard 3.4 oz. Be prepared that the TSA agents may need to test and screen these items separately. Click here for my full Flying With Toddlers 101 Guide.
Diapering, clothing & clean-up must-haves:
Several diapers/pull-ups and wipes if you’re still potty training. Make sure to bring enough in case of delays! We also bring this travel potty seat, which is helpful as kiddos are getting more comfortable using a toilet. Or, we also love the OneTwoBlue Pocket Potty, which is great for any on-the-go toddler potty needs.
Changing pad for airport bathrooms, the airplane lavatory and your hotel room. With these disposable ones, you can pack a few in your carry-on bag and the rest in your main luggage.
At least one change of clothes (for your kids AND for you). Pack your kiddos’ clothes in a ziploc bag, so you can also repurpose it if you need to store any dirty clothes.
Lightweight sweater or zip-up: Planes can get really chilly and having the ability to wear layers is great for both you and your kids.
Comfort & sleep items:
Lovey, small blanket or comfort item: Whatever makes your kiddo feel the most comfortable, I say bring it!
Pacifier (if your kiddo uses one). And if they do, bring MULTIPLE backups of the kind they like. We’ve learned that lesson the hard way!
Toddler neck pillow if there’s a chance that your kids will fall asleep on the flight.
White noise app or machine. Planes naturally have white noise, but if your kids need it to be a bit louder, consider bringing a travel white noise machine or downloading an app they can listen to with their headphones before the flight.
Familiar pajamas for evening or long-haul flights. On longer flights, I truly think the more familiar items you can bring, the better! I have a lot more info on traveling with toddlers on long-haul flights here.
Sleep sack if your toddler uses one at home. We love the Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit and the sleep bag walkers from Kyte Baby.
Health, safety & parent survival items:
Backpack diaper bag. My personal favorite is the Freshly Picked classic diaper bag. I’ve had it since my son was born and I honestly see it continuing to be versatile for years to come even as he gets older. I really like the design of it and think it looks a lot more sophisticated than a traditional diaper bag.
Easy-to-organize carry-on bag. If a backpack isn’t your style, a small, easy-to-organize carry-on is great. We love The Foldie for these reasons, but it also folds up super small so you can easily store it away when you get to your destination.
Kid-friendly first aid kit. We’ve learned this the hard way too when my son got sick mid-air. Now I always travel with these items in our carry on bag just in case.
