Nothing fills parents with dread quite like the thought of a long flight with high-energy, zero-calm toddlers. How will you keep them entertained for a whole flight?
How will you convince them to stay seated when the seatbelts signs are on? Will your fellow passengers tut loudly whenever your toddlers make a noise – which they will frequently do because they are, well, toddlers?
Keep reading to find out what you’ll need to pack in your cabin bag for a (hopefully) stress-free flight with your toddler.
Can a toddler have a carry-on bag?
Whether toddlers get their own carry-on bag will depend on whether they have their own seats on the plane. Children aged two and above will require their own plane seats, so they’ll get a cabin bag allowance.
Infants under two years can travel on your knee, meaning you can save some money. However, this might restrict the amount of hand luggage you can take on board.
Some airlines allow infants to have a carry-on bag even if they don’t have a seat to themselves; the rules vary between airlines, though, so you’ll need to check the details before you fly.
If you’re only entitled to one carry-on bag, you’ll need to pack it precisely to make sure you fit everything in and can also access everything easily.
Toddler plane carry-on bag
Assuming your toddler is entitled to cabin baggage of their own, it’s time to start planning what to pack in a toddler plane carry-on bag. Try to imagine the flight; what sorts of things might you need close to hand and what could make life easier?
Packing a separate carry-on bag for your toddler means keeping your things separate. This will make it easier to find toddler items quickly because you won’t be digging around in a bag full of passports, reading books and whatever else you need for air travel.
You might want to use your regular diaper bag as your toddler carry-on. Alternatively, you could use your toddler’s own backpack, though this is likely to be smaller and you might not fit as much in.
Be realistic about how much you can carry; you don’t want to struggle with multiple bags while chasing after a boisterous toddler in the airport.
All airports have their own carry-on size restrictions, too, so before you travel, make sure your bag meets the criteria set by the airline.
What should I pack in my toddler carry-on luggage?
Flying with your little one for the first time can be daunting, so we’re sharing a few tips to make sure you have a smooth journey.
Here is a packing list of flight essentials to include in your carry-on baggage when flying with a toddler:
Carry-On Bag #1. Diaper change necessities
You will need plenty of diapers, baby wipes and diaper bags. It’s always better to overestimate how many; you don’t want to get caught short 35,000 feet in the air. Depending on your toddler’s age, you might also want to take a portable changing mat.
Carry-On Bag #2. Spare clothes
Don’t leave home without a set of extra clothes for your toddler. Toddlers are likely to end up spilling drinks, covering themselves in food or leaking out of their diapers. Save yourself some stress by packing an extra outfit, just in case.
Carry-On Bag #3. A plastic bag
If toddlers soil their clothes, a plastic bag will be helpful for storing the dirty clothes. If they don’t, you can use the bag to gather your trash before you get off the plane. Plastic bags are helpful, so it’s always worth having some tucked away in your cabin bag. A few paper towels might also come in handy, to clean up any spills.
Carry-On Bag #4. Snacks
Food, glorious food. Don’t leave home without it. You should take plenty of snacks to keep your child happy during the flight.
Unopened items should be fine going through security, although you might be able to pick up toddler snacks once you’re through to the departures lounge.
The time and duration of the flight will dictate how much you need to pack. For example, a short flight between mealtimes might mean you only need to take a variety of snacks but for a longer flight you might need to take more food.
If you have a fussy eater and are planning to order food on the flight, make sure you have some fallback snacks you know your toddler will eat. Plane food can be an acquired taste, even at the best of times.
Carry-On Bag #5. Drinks
Your toddler will need drinks for the duration of the flight, too. A thirsty toddler is a grumpy toddler, so it’s best to take a drink on board with you.
There are fluid restrictions for air travel, so it might be easier to buy a bottled drink from the departures lounge before boarding. Be sure to take your child’s favorite cup or bottle to decant it into for the flight.
Carry-On Bag #6. Toys
If you have anxious dreams about restless toddlers on flights, you’ll understand the importance of packing toys. Make sure your carry-on bag houses exciting new toys that might hold your toddler’s interest.
New toys will usually hold children’s attention for longer, so save some new toys for the journey. Wrapping them could buy you some time, too; young kids love unwrapping gifts. Playdoh, sticker books and busy boards are fantastic at keeping toddlers busy.
For more ideas about how to make the flight easier, look at Flying With A Toddler –15 Sanity Saving Tips And Ideas.
More toys
There’s no such thing as too many toys, especially if you’re going to be on a plane for a long flight. It’s also worth packing a couple of your child’s favorite toys, the ones they play with repeatedly.
Carry-On Bag #7. Electronics and chargers
If your toddler has a tablet, it’s worth taking this along. You could download a movie or TV show in advance to give yourself some peace on the plane.
Don’t forget to pack a pair of headphones; the other passengers might not love the Bluey theme song as much as you do (they have lousy taste, clearly).
Load the tablet with toddler-friendly games to keep your little one busy during the flight. You can download games to your phone if your child doesn’t have a tablet.
A younger toddler might quickly tire of electronics, but it should buy you a bit of time. If you have a screen-lover, don’t forget to pack a battery charger to keep it charged for the duration of the flight.
Carry-On Bag #8. Anti-bacterial wipes
Anti-bacterial wipes are a godsend when you have a young child. You can wipe down the tray tables, armrests and any other surfaces at the start of the journey and then not worry when your toddler gums, licks and handles everything in sight.
Carry-On Bag #9. Medicine
Taking a bottle of pain relief medication for your child is also a good idea; you never know when illness or teething pain will hit. These things can come on quickly and having a bottle of medicine with you could make life much easier.
How to pack carry-on bag with a toddler for short and long trips
Write a packing list and check it twice before leaving for the airport. You don’t want to forget anything. The key to stress-free air travel is to ensure everything you need is within easy reach.
Whether it’s a clean diaper or a pouch of baby food you need, you want to be able to get hold of it quickly. For this reason, bags with compartments and pockets are ideal. You can organize your packing and keep everything where it should be.
Long haul vs short haul – what to pack for my toddler
The flight duration will affect how much stuff you need to pack. For example, you might be less worried about keeping them entertained for a shorter flight if it’s only a few hours long.
On the other hand, if it’s a long-haul flight scheduled to fly overnight, you might get lucky with a sleepy toddler who requires little entertainment. However, remember that flights can be delayed, so packing for all eventualities is essential.
The longer your flight is, the more food, diapers and entertainment you’ll need to pack in your carry-on bag. If the flight is over naptime, you might want to take your little one’s favorite blanket or cuddly toy to try to encourage sleep.
What to bring on a plane for 1-year-old
One-year-olds aren’t easy to contain on a plane, especially if they’ve recently become mobile. A newly mobile toddler will want to be on the move and might be frustrated when confined to an airplane seat.
You must pull out all the stops to keep a one-year-old happy in the air. Play-Doh, coloring books, stickers … you’ll need it all and it all needs to be crammed into a carry-on bag.
If you’re traveling with your partner, take turns occupying the toddler. This will be crucial on a long flight, but even on a short-haul flight, it could help you keep your small child happy. Snacks can also help to occupy toddlers, so bring snacks you know they’ll enjoy.
A baby carrier might be helpful at the airport, allowing you to transport your baby while keeping your hands free. Alternatively, you could use a stroller up to the gate but you’ll have to check the details of how to go about this with your airline.
Travel essentials for 2-year-old
2-year-olds might be easier to distract for longer periods. Things like sticker books might occupy them for decent chunks of time, but you’ll still have to unpeel the stickers, so it’s not a break for you. They are also more likely to watch a TV show on a tablet, which can buy you enough time to enjoy a drink in peace.
If you want to travel safely you may consider using: TSA Locks
Read more about this in Travelling With A Toddler – 8 Tips For An Enjoyable Holiday.
