What to Pack for Flying With Kids: A Complete Checklist

Traveling with children can add an extra layer of complexity to a trip, but planning ahead will help things go as smoothly as possible. With limited space and hours to fill, flying can be particularly tricky. That’s why I (a mother of two little ones) always make sure to pack something fun to do, watch, and eat. I’ll also bring options to optimize naps, which doesn’t always happen, but a mom can dream.

After gathering pointers from a parenting expert and a seasoned flight attendant, I rounded up all the essentials and nice-to-haves when flying with kids. From screen time, snack time, and sit-still activities to just-in-case items and products to make parents’ lives easier, here’s what to pack for the flight.

Entertainment 

“Airplanes have very little for kids’ entertainment,” says Jessica Hoffman, a flight attendant of 18 years. For the sake of convenience, she recommends at least some screen time and other activities that’ll capture children’s attention. Here’s what we recommend for portable tech, games, and other things to keep them busy, still, and (mostly) quiet.

“Downloading movies and shows to be watched on a screen with headphones is usually the easiest,” says Hoffman. “Flying is a treat, and screen time falls into that.” If you don’t already have a designated tablet for your child, we suggest the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro. It’s got a 13-hour battery life, 32 gigs of storage space, and comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which includes digital books, games, and videos.

You’ll want to have some kid-friendly headphones at the ready. This lightweight, cordless set from JBL is fit for a child’s head, with plush ear cushions and a soft headband. It’s easy to pair with a phone or tablet through Bluetooth, too. “Plan ahead — practice with headphones if your kids aren’t used to wearing them,” Hoffman recommends.

I like small magnetic board games because they take up minimal space and can be played anywhere, even without a flat surface, since the pieces stick to the board. This one is two games in one. You’ll get tic-tac-toe, which younger kiddos can get the hang of pretty quickly, and checkers, which is great for slightly older kids and parents who want to play, too.

Parenting expert Megan Winokur is a fan of coloring books when flying with kids. I suggest this one from the tried-and-true toy brand Melissa & Doug. Each mini pad has four reusable pages and a refillable water pen. When the wet brush swipes onto the pages, colors appear. When it dries, the colors “erase” so the pictures can be “painted” again. Most importantly, it’s a totally mess-free activity.

Winokur says sticker books are always a hit when flying with her kids. “Dot It sticker art is one of our favorites,” she says. “It comes with over 500 easy-peel stickers and eight pictures to create.” There are different themes, too, like space, dinosaurs, princesses, and dress-up.

The best toys to bring on an airplane are small and simple yet entertaining and interactive. For instance, these bendy giraffes are under six inches tall, and the set of four weighs less than half a pound. They itch the sensory scratch and fidget urge with telescopic arms, stretchable necks, and suction feet that attach to any flat surface.

Food and Drink

Aside from small bags of peanuts, pretzels, and sometimes cookies, airlines don’t usually have kid-friendly snacks. You’ll definitely want to pack something for your children to eat and drink (or drink out of) on the plane while keeping mess prevention in mind. “​​Less mess is always best!” says Hoffman.

For flights, Winokur recommends bringing a reusable water bottle like this one from Simple Modern. The kid-size design holds 12 to 14 ounces of liquid and fits in most cup holders. It’s also lightweight, durable, dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and (crucially) leakproof when the straw-nozzle is in the closed position.

“There are tons of fun ‘snackle box’ or snack spinner options out there that you can fill with your favorite snacks,” offers Winokur. “This will keep [kids] entertained and stocked up for the flight while also saving some space in your bag.” The GoBe Kids Original Snack Spinner comes in two sizes, each with five little compartments that can hold mini portions of things like nuts, Goldfish crackers, cheese cubes, or apple slices. After suctioning it to a tray table, your child can press the middle button to spin the wheel and choose a new snack.

The best kids’ snacks for plane rides depend on the child. But to keep children happy, full, and satisfied, snacks might be a cross between health food and junk food — or “healthy junk food,” if you will. For example, these little bags of crackers and grahams from Annie’s are organic, free of corn syrup, and made with (some) whole grains. And besides the inevitable crumbs, they’re not terribly messy.

You’re wise to also bring a treat to prevent meltdowns and reward good behavior — sitting still for multiple hours is a challenge for many children. I often go with lollipops because they last longer than most other candy and take up negligible space. YumEarth Organic Pops are naturally flavored and colored, and they’re flat, so you can stash them in any pocket.

Sleep and Quiet Time

Every parent knows that when kids don’t get the rest they need, family outings can quickly go off the rails. Long flights and changing time zones can throw a wrench in things, but with some planning — and, let’s be honest, a bit of luck — you might manage to get a nap or at least quiet time in.

“I also let my kids each bring a small stuffed animal to help them feel more at home,” adds Winokur.

Airplanes can be chilly and generally don’t have a soft space to lay one’s head. You might consider bringing a travel pillow and blanket to make your child’s seat as plush, cozy, and warm as possible. This set comes with a kid-size throw that stuffs into the pillow, which is just 16 x 14 inches. It can fit in a carry-on or be a kid’s personal item.

Another option is to get your child a neck pillow (which may or may not count as a personal item, depending on the airline). This highly rated option has lots of support around the sides and chin to prevent kids’ necks from falling forward and keep them comfy if they doze off while sitting upright. The removable cover is also conveniently machine-washable.

“We never leave home without our white noise machine,” says Winokur. “It helps everyone sleep better, especially when you may be sharing a hotel room as a family.” The cordless, rechargeable Snooz Go is great for flights. It’s less than four inches in diameter and can connect to headphones via Bluetooth.

Wellness and Hygiene

There are also a few wellness and hygiene products you’ll want to add to your carry-on packing list. These will help keep surfaces, hands, and faces clean while covering you in the event of owies and popping ears from cabin pressure.

These sanitizing wipes can be used to disinfect tray tables, clean armrests, and de-germ kids’ hands when a proper sink and soap aren’t available. But since they’re made with alcohol, they shouldn’t be used to clean faces or for diaper changes.

These skin-friendly wet wipes are fragrance free and super gentle, so you can use them not only to clean kids’ hands but also their faces in a pinch. They’re made from biodegradable materials, meaning you can flush them without worrying about polluting the water or clogging the drain.

From used wet wipes to paper napkins and snack wrappers, you’re bound to have many little bits of trash when flying with kids. I like to bring at least a couple of gallon-sized food storage bags on flights so I have somewhere other than my backpack or the plane seat pocket to shove garbage until I reach a trash receptacle at the airport.

This mini, TSA-approved first aid kit has everything you may need to tend to knicks, cuts, or splinters. (As is often the case with my kids, Band-Aids aren’t just small wound dressings but also placebos for various blood-free boo-boos.) It’s roughly the size of a wallet and contains 50 items, including adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, medical tape, and thermometer strips — to name just a few.

EarPlanes are clever earplugs that help alleviate the discomfort of cabin pressure, especially during takeoff and landing. The kids’ version are small and designed to fit children’s ears. They also reduce noise by 20 decibels, which might help sleepy kiddos get some in-flight shut-eye.

If your kids are old enough to chew gum, it might help prevent their ears from popping during takeoff and landing. And, like lollipops, it’s a long-lasting treat that might feel special on a flight. This classic variety pack has flavors both chewing gum-aged children and adults will enjoy.

Luggage

Depending on your kids’ ages and travel experience, they might be able to (or want to) carry their own cargo, like a backpack or carry-on suitcase. Other options include ride-on luggage and parents’ personal item bags to tote all the must-haves mentioned above.

After testing some of the best kids’ luggage on the market, the Rockland Jr. Hardside Spinner is our favorite for younger children. Even those ages 7 or younger should be able to push and pull the compact, lightweight suitcase. And the cute designs will get your mini traveler in training excited about the trip ahead.

Of all the kids’ backpacks we tested, the State Kane Backpack is arguably the best for air travel. It has one spacious compartment with plenty of room for a small blanket, travel pillow, or change of clothes, plus a padded tablet sleeve, an easy-access front pocket for snacks or a charger, and side slots for water bottles. The designs cater to kids ages 4 through 8 and are versatile enough to grow with your child.

We don’t need to tell you to bring a diaper bag when flying with a baby. But even if you have slightly older kids, a diaper backpack that stashes the essentials while keeping your hands free isn’t a bad idea. This one from Bugaboo is sophisticated enough for any adult to carry. We tested it firsthand and loved the light, comfy design, intuitive pockets, and handy laptop sleeve.

The JetKids BedBox is a ride-on suitcase, which, if you’re not familiar, allows a small child to sit on top and be tugged around through an airport. It boasts a spacious main compartment and reliable rotating wheels that make it easy to maneuver over carpet and hard floors. Parents can also reattach the pull strap and carry it over their shoulder.

Tips for Packing

Prioritize entertainment

Some flights may have age-appropriate movies, but generally speaking, airplanes don’t offer much in terms of kids’ entertainment. Hoffman recommends bringing a tablet with downloaded shows or movies. “[I] hate to suggest more screen time, but tray tables are not toys,” she notes. “I see this too often and just experienced a 10-hour flight where the tray table was the only entertainment.”

It’s good to have other portable activities in your bag of tricks, too, such as mini travel games, books, or fidget toys. “Stickers and coloring books are always a hit with my two kids (ages four and seven),” says Winokur. Something your child has never seen or used before might pique their interest best. “The magic of a new set of sparkle crayons or gel pens can really make the activity even more exciting,” the parenting expert adds.

Hoffman also recommends asking to see the flight deck when deplaning, which can give children something to look forward to. “Pilots love to show kids buttons and a few fun things up there that can be interactive for kids.”

Have everything charged and ready to go

Yes, airports and airplanes have outlets, USB ports, and WiFi — but they’re not always reliable or accessible. With that in mind, make sure all electronics (both kids’ and parents’) are fully charged and ready to go, including tablets, phones, headphones, noise machines, etc.

Download shows or movies ahead of time so they can be streamed offline. (Most streaming services, like Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, allow you to do this.) “I use a splitter for the headphones so both my kids can watch or listen to music together on the same tablet or phone,” says Winokur. A portable power bank might be a good idea, too, just in case.

Consolidate your kids’ most-needed items

This is easier said than done when flying with kids, but it’s smart to try to pack light. Consider what your child needs on the plane, what they’ll actually use, and what will make your life easier. Make a list of these items, then consolidate them into one carry-on bag so everything is easily accessible.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Theresa Holland is a T+L contributor and mother of two children under age six. With multiple family trips each year, including many flights, she’s learned a few tricks to keep the littles happy when flying while also making parents’ lives easier. As a travel writer and shopping expert, she knows how to find the best luggage, consumer tech, and accessories that make trips go as smoothly as possible. For this story, Theresa consulted lifestyle and parenting expert Megan Winokur and Jessica Hoffman, a flight attendant of 18 years.

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