7 Must-Haves in Your Carry-On for Airplane Travel with Toddlers

Traveling with toddlers? I get it. It can be a lot. Gone are the carefree days when it was just you and your partner. It can be genuinely exciting to reach the milestone with you can finally take-off with your littles, but between planning, prepping and potty-training, it can also feel like a mountain to conquer. Being prepared is the best way to keep meltdowns at bay and create hope for those happy memories.

Here are my 7 airplane‑approved essentials that every parent needs to keep your kids from spiraling (and save your sanity):

1. Noise‑Cancelling Over‑Ear Headphones

Why it’s genius: Blocks the engine roar, helps tiny ears cope with pressure changes during takeoff/landing, and delivers calm and quiet moments, even without screens.

Mom win: It’s like a pacifier for kids that have outgrown them. More quiet moments and less stares and glares from the childless couple two rows ahead.

2. Water or Mess-Free Colouring books

No need to worry about your kiddos colouring on the windows! If you’ve got a little artist in tow, start stocking up on these books seasonally so you always have a few ready to go. Re-usable sticker books are great as well for fine motor skills practice: tactile-play fun that’s mess‑free and reusable.

Mom win: No loose pieces and zero cleanup.

3. Simple Fidget Toys

Go for medium-sized silicone or fabric fidget items (books with zippers and clips, poppers). Suction-based toys can stick to trays and airplane windows while magnetic connectors have a less chance of falling to the floor. Easy to pack, no batteries required and completely silent.

Mom win: Keeps little fingers busy without losing little pieces mid-flight.

4. Magnetic Drawing Board

Another must-have for kids who love the magic of drawing without the mess. Airline-safe and mess-free which means no loose pens or markers to fall through the seats. Steer clear of the cheaper brands with the removable ‘pen’, once lost its gone to the abyss. Our family loves these ones from Amazon: https://amzn.to/44XCawg

Mom win: Sometimes it’s just nice to only have to grab ONE thing from your bag to last an ENTIRE flight. This is it, mamas.

5. Lap Activity Tray

A flat, firm surface that clips or sits on the lap. Perfect for the sticker pad, fidget toys, or drawing board. Keeps everything contained and easily reachable.

Mom win: These fold out like a book and can easily slide in/out of your bag. Less mess to pick-up post flight and kids feel like they’ve got their own dedicated ‘playroom’.

6. Inflatable Travel Neck Pillow for Kids

Inflatable options like Seat‑to‑Sleep cushions or standard blow-up pillows pack small and inflate easily. Kiddo-sized neck pillows come in all types of branded characters these days, so they’re bound to find one they love!

Mom win: Fewer neck cramps, plus pillow doubles as armrest protector for you.

7. A ‘Travel Lovey’

I can’t stress the importance of this last item. Before traveling, choose a special lovey just for the trip. A backup in case the fave from home gets lost. Pick something that’s easy to replace if it goes MIA, and preserves the sentimental one. I speak from experience when I say: don’t let a lost lovey ruin your vacation.

Mom win: Don’t waste valuable vacation time backtracking your steps looking for the bunny your kiddo has had since they were a newborn.

Packed, prepped and ready to go? Here are some other things you may want to consider before the big travel day.

Skip Character‑Sized Kid Suitcases

They’re cute, but take up valuable space, and at what cost when you have two kids or more? One regular-sized carry‑on with compartments does more for less.

Keep Mid-Flight Must-Haves Easily Accessible

Think Beis Weekender or something similar: durable fabrics, outside pockets, easy-open zippers, and a clear view of where everything lives. Chic and mom-approved. Because the last thing you want to be doing mid-flight is juggling oncoming tantrums and trying to find that one toy in the one bag you stored above the seat…three rows down.

Plan for the Airport, Not Just the Plane…

Bring along ride-on seat extensions, like the Doona. They strap to your bag and give your tot a ride through terminals. Have a little one that loves to be carried (or maybe that’s the only way you can settle them in a new environment)? A hip carrier (Ergobaby, Tula) is irreplaceable during security lines and boarding.

Above All…Pack Patience

Traveling with toddlers is a whole different ball game. You’ll overpack and forget things. You’ll plan for everything, and still fall short. But with the right gear and a few breathing exercises, you can roll with it. Familiarize yourself with where to find amenities if need be: family washrooms, kid meals, meds. And oh yeah, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Airport staff have seen it all and then some. Your child’s third meltdown? A regular Tuesday in their book.

At the end of the day, what matters most is those little moments. A mid-flight contact nap that you haven’t had the luxury of in years, your little ones proud of the re-usable sticker ‘artwork’ they’ve created on the window, excitement over taking off (even if mom is a bit nervous). A little prep protects those memories, and maybe helps you enjoy them too.

Shop our curated travel list here: https://amzn.to/4ktwkaR

Safe travels, mamas (and papas)!