A Complete Checklist According to a Frequent-flying Mom of Two

Flying with kids is, without a doubt, a challenge. And the list of must-pack items is a tricky one. Bring too much stuff and you’ll just add to the chaos, but forget crucial items and, well, turbulence will be the least of your problems.

I have two-year-old and four-year-old daughters who fly several times per year. They’ve flown cross country on multiple occasions, and to Hawaii and Mexico. I’ve perfected our packing list to ensure my kids are occupied, entertained, and satiated, so I’m able to relax (somewhat) knowing I’ve done everything within my control. Here are the items I swear by for every flight, based on real-world testing from two very opinionated and well-traveled kiddos.

Entertainment

Food and Drink

Sleep and Wellness

Entertainment 

Even my most screen-averse parent friends agree: a flight is not the time to stick to strict constraints. But coming around to a pro-tablet mindset isn’t the only thing you need. Arrive with fully-charged devices and content pre-downloaded to smartphones, laptops, or tablets in the event that in-flight Wi-Fi doesn’t work or if you don’t want to pay extra for it.

My kids have different tastes in content, so we usually give one a phone and the other the iPad on planes. We pre-download everything and test it in airplane mode to make sure there are no snafus once you’re offline. And even if your flight is short, you’ll want to have charging cables and power banks at the ready since screen time will likely start well ahead of boarding and power outlets are often sparse or non-functional. Just don’t forget to charge your power bank ahead of departing, too.

I also highly suggest other forms of entertainment for when screens inevitably lose their appeal. I always come ready with small, inexpensive surprises like mess-free drawing pads and doodling tablets, reusable sticker sets, or magnetic toys. Just be mindful of small parts or you’ll spend the majority of the flight craning awkwardly underneath your seat to fish for lost pieces or worse, have them roll away never to be seen again.

No one likes hearing someone else’s music, TV show, or movie on a plane, especially kids’ content, so a good pair of headphones is a must. However, children couldn’t, and shouldn’t, use the same headphones as adults. For one, they’re often too big and don’t stay on well—which means you’ll spend the entirety of the flight adjusting them—and also, growing ears shouldn’t be subjected to the same level of volume that adults can tolerate. For these reasons, I got my daughter these kid-geared headphones. They’re made by a trusted electronics brand, so there’s no compromising quality simply because they’re meant for little ones. Not only do they adjust well and fit great, the connection is crystal clear and my daughter loves that they come in a fun color.

We don’t fly without an iPad and ours has been housed in this dual case and stand since we purchased it three years ago. It functions as a case to protect your device against drops and kicks and also as a kick-out stand to prop up on the table in front of you so tired hands (parents included) can rest. This one has worked out well for us on so many flights as it’s made from non-slip, anti-dust, and scratch-resistant silicone and fits 10.2-inch Apple iPads. It’s also easy to remove and wipe clean, and I appreciate that it comes with a tempered glass screen protector and is available in a wide range of colors.

Coloring is a tried-and-true activity to keep kids busy, but I don’t usually trust mine to use regular crayons or markers on an airplane. Instead, I buy these “mess-free” sets with markers that only work on the accompanying paper, often themed after well-known characters. My kids love Bluey, but they also come in Mickey Mouse, Disney princesses, dinosaurs, Peppa Pig, Baby Shark, and many others, as well as blank pages for one-of-a-kind creations. The included markers won’t show on skin, clothing, or any other surface, like airplane seats and tables. Just keep an eye on them. They can fall and roll never to be seen again, so I try to hand my kids one at a time to prevent them from going missing. Or, if you don’t want to wrangle multiple markers, my children also love this Bluey Aqua Art kit which uses a water-filled pen to “color” the pages.

Remember the classic Etch-a-Sketch from the ‘80s? This is basically just a souped-up version for a new generation with a few cool new touches. This particular board, which we have, is unicorn-themed with rainbow colors revealed as you draw. It comes with fun stamps and detachable legs, which we use at home as a table, but remove when we travel as the board itself is pretty slim and slips easily into any carry-on bag. I also like that it has an attached drawing pen that won’t go missing in-flight.

I always pack a few new toys whenever we fly. I do it as a tradition so my kids know that when we board a plane, they’re going to be treated to fun surprises. This is one of the newest in our arsenal. They’re a collection of magnetic and rubber figurines that my kids can twist and bend to create fun playscapes on the airplane table in front of them, and I appreciate that the magnets mean they’re less likely to get lost as they attach to one another so easily. They’re similar in function to our much beloved Magnatiles used at home, but I find those to be too flimsy on an airplane, which is the last place we should really be building complex towers. I also like that these come in bright colors and the pliable quality makes them a good sensory fidget toy for multiple ages.

Unlike regular stickers that might risk becoming permanent fixtures upon airplane tray tables, these are no ordinary stickies. These puffed-up versions are reusable and meant to be adhered to two accompanying play scenes straight from an episode of “Bluey.” More than 35 stickers are included and they can be repositioned over and over again. This single-handedly passed an entire short flight for my kids. My only mistake? Not buying one for each of my girls.

Food and Drink

Trust me when I say this: you can never have enough snacks on an airplane. Don’t expect a mini bag of pretzels or a measly pouch of peanuts to keep kids satiated during long flights, and even if you come onboard with full meals packed, snacks are the cure-all for boredom and can help pass a good 20 minutes. I usually fill a tote bag with my kids’ favorite foods so when hunger strikes all I have to do is take the tote from a carry-on backpack or diaper bag for what I need. And just like with screen time, I allow more snacks on a plane than I would in a regular setting. It makes things more exciting for the kids—fruit snacks at 9 a.m.?!—and guarantees they eat something, anything, as the only thing harder than a tired, bored kid is a tired, bored, hungry kid. I pick my battles and a plane is the last place I want to go to war with my toddler. Plus, if your children’s ears gets sensitive, having extra snacks and even soothing lollipops can make things more comfortable.

While only you can determine which food items are right for your child, there are certain items that I rely on that can be helpful to even the pickiest eaters to ensure they’re hydrated, well fed, and don’t make a mess of your entire row.

This is our go-to everyday cup that my older daughter uses at home, at school, and when we travel. We have it in at least four different prints, including a Bluey variety, as well as unicorns and Paw Patrol. I love it because unlike some other trendy thermoses with a straw, this one has a handy lid that snaps closed to keep germs out. It’s also a kid-appropriate size so they can drink from it without assistance and open and close the flip top on their own. The vacuum insulated, double wall stainless steel shell keeps ice cold for hours and it’s BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and the carry handle folds down when not in use.

I’ve tried many different kids’ cups in a seemingly impossible bid to avoid spills. This is the closest I’ve come to finding something that is truly spillproof. Children can drink from anywhere around the rim just like a regular cup but it automatically seals when they’re done drinking.

While my two-year-old can use the Thermos above, we only bring this cup for her when we travel as it’s far less likely to leak when it drops to her side. I buy them in a set of two since I like to have a clean one at the ready in case one falls onto a grimey floor (but keeping a TSA-approved dish soap in your bag on hand is a good idea, too). Each one is BPA-free, holds seven ounces, and is dishwasher-safe.

Listen, flight attendants’ jobs are hard enough without having to clean up after our kids. While a few crushed Cheerios are inevitable, there are things that can help prevent food from becoming a full-on mess in the aisles. I bought this snack holder when my kids were babies to help encourage their pincer grasp and eat at a balanced pace, but I still find it useful on planes to prevent big spills. I like it for smaller or crumbly foods, which I transport in Ziploc bags and then pour into the cup. Other larger snacks stay stored in those baggies and when empty, the Ziploc can double as a trash bag.

Sleep and Wellness

Falling asleep on a plane is a tall order for most people, regardless of age. It’s so uncomfortable to doze sitting up, and that’s before you factor in all the noise and bumps. But when flights align with a nap or bedtime, it’s important to at least try to help kids get some sleep, even in cramped quarters. Fortunately, their smaller frames can somewhat splay across a parent’s lap, and it doesn’t hurt to bring a small travel blanket or pillow (we have this one) to make things cozier.

Likewise, flying in a small, shared space can also be ripe for germs, even though airline cabins do highly filtrate the air. To play it safe, it’s wise to keep a few of the practices made popular during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic and take extra steps to prevent spreading or catching germs by wearing a mask and sanitizing surfaces. 

I can’t believe that I didn’t stop to sanitize my seat on a plane before the pandemic. But now that I know better, I never sit down without wiping down commonly touched surfaces such as the arm rests, seat belt buckle and clasp, and the seat-back table and entertainment screen for every one in my family. It only takes a few moments and provides a lot of peace of mind that I’ve done all I can to make sure we arrive at our destination just as healthy as when we departed. I always stash these Clorox sanitizing wipes in my personal carry-on. The slim pouch doesn’t take up much room in my bag, plus they have a nice fresh scent and, most importantly, remove 99.9 percent of allergens on surfaces.

Since my girls were infants, I’ve trusted one wet wipe only: these exact ones. They’re 99.9-percent water-based, unscented, hypoallergenic, plant-based, and plastic-free. This is important as many other wipes that advertise themselves as “water wipes” are actually loaded with fragrances and chemicals. But if you take a close look at the ingredients, these include just water and fruit extract. My daughters have sensitive skin and these wipes never irritate their skin and come in handy for so much more than wiping bums. On planes specifically, they work really well to clean sticky hands and faces, brush off stains, and wipe off cups or toys that fall on the ground. While they do come in a travel-friendly size, I prefer the standard brick since my youngest is still in diapers and the wipe count is a better value anyway.

My kids use noise machines at home and when we travel. While we have a larger, more stationary machine in their bedrooms, this is the mini version that we use on airplanes, in hotels, and on the road. The lanyard can attach onto a stroller or car seat, or just tuck into their chair on a plane. It charges quickly and easily (a single charge lasts 24 hours), has three soothing sounds—bright white, deep white, and gentle surf—and multiple volume levels. The latter is key as you can control the volume in public places such as an airplane while still helping to drown out background noise. Plus, with a diameter of just 3.5 inches and a weight of 3.8 ounces, it won’t take up much room or add weight, either.

Flight Advice From a Parent

I don’t know which is harder, helping little ones manage long flights or dealing with the ungracious adults who recoil at the sight of a child onboard a plane. Both can be unpleasant, but being over prepared can do wonders to mitigate either situation. While some rules are always paramount when it comes to safety, others go out the window when we fly. Screen time? Have at it. Sugary snacks? Sure, have seconds. Flying with little kids is an all-hands-on-deck scenario, and even older children are prone to boredom, antsiness, and acting out. Getting from takeoff to landing without a ton of tears requires a more flexible mindset than you might employ in your everyday life.

Just as you might want to watch a movie on a plane, so will your kid. Bring headphones that will work onboard or a Bluetooth adapter, or better yet, a tablet pre-downloaded with content. If you’re wary of uninterrupted screen time, art and games are always a good idea but keep your surroundings in mind. Avoid small pieces that might go rolling down the aisle at the first bump in the sky.

And no matter how short the flight is, bring all the snacks (and have plenty of extras). Anticipate delays and unexpected interruptions and don’t ever assume food will be readily available, especially if your kids are picky. Lastly, if you’re flying overnight or at nap time, also consider how hard it is to sleep onboard a plane and bring items that might make it easier, whether that’s a mini noise machine, a travel pillow, or a favorite stuffie.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rules for bringing kids’ drinks and snacks on the plane?

In general, bringing liquids into the airport is restricted in accordance with the TSA’s 3-1-1 Rule, which only allows liquids that measure 3.4 ounces or less. However, once you’re past security, you’re free to purchase full-size drinks or fill your own reusable water bottles. There are a few exceptions to this rule though.

According to TSA, baby formula, breast milk, toddler drinks (including water), and baby and toddler food such as puree pouches, are allowed in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces in carry-on baggage since they are considered medically necessary. This also applies to breast milk and formula cooling packs and water-filled teething rings. I’ve brought my kids’ full water cups with no problem, and also regular water bottles, so long as I inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process that they’re for my children. They test these items, though they’re able to do so without touching or contaminating any food or drink.

Food and drinks for older kids and teenagers, however, are unlikely to pass through no matter how innocuous they seem. I once had leftovers of my grandma’s famous applesauce confiscated after flying home from a family holiday.

Is it better for my kids to have their own suitcases, or should I pack their stuff with mine?

The younger the kid, the more stuff they seem to need. But even though we’ve managed to pare down our packing lists as our children have grown, there’s still always a lot to pack, from favorite toys to multiple outfit changes and noise machines to sleep. For this reason, I always pack my kids’ stuff into their own suitcase, though there are a few things I do to lighten the load. First, I pack both girls into one suitcase. While I often need a checked-size bag for them if we’re going away for longer than a weekend, I’m always able to fit stuff for both of them into one suitcase by utilizing packing cubes. This helps me to pack lighter overall, which can really help streamline a trip with less to manage and maneuver through airports, and fewer bags to dig through when you need something.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L contributor Emily Hochberg is a travel writer and parent of two kids. She’s visited 35 countries and travels with her kids regularly around the continental U.S. and to places like Hawaii and Mexico, often flying with them multiple times per year. She packs for her children every single time and has perfected their packing list for flights, road trips, and vacations of all kinds. She also has extensive experience testing and reviewing all types of travel products and gear and owns and uses every single item included on this list.

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