This Kids’ Packing List Will Help Keep You Sane on a Flight
BY: Aimee Algas Alker |Nov 19, 2014
The typical toddler is characterized by a strong will, an inability to recognize danger, and the potential to unleash piercing screams. This did not bode well for the first plane trip I planned, back when my daughter was 20 months old. So I sought the wisdom of other moms, asking them, "What do kids need to fly?" They gave me tips and tricks for flying with kids—in particular, a packing list for kids to help ease the ride.
Fortunately, most airlines allow you an extra carry-on if you're travelling with a small child. Fill it with a good balance of familiar items and novelties, and you'll be well on your way to flying with kids and landing with your sanity intact.
If you're starting to feel your skin crawl at the sound of Elmo's voice, your fellow passengers probably are, too. Bring a pair of headphones for your child, but practice using them ahead of time. (On our first flight, my daughter kept ripping the headphones off and putting them in her mouth.)
To kill time, wrap them like presents and use lots of tape (but keep the crew in mind and ask for an extra bag for your trash). One mom suggests books with compartments and windows that your child can open and check out.
Make sure you check that the diaper bag is fully loaded before you head out. In the whirlwind of getting out the door, these basics often get taken for granted. A good tip for those traveling with babies: Put a nighttime diaper on for longer flights—you'll worry less about it leaking.
Bring one each for child and parent—when kids spill, parents often get caught in the crossfire. Pack clothing in a ziplock bag in case something spills.
Small cartons of ultra-pasteurized, shelf-stable milk are extra convenient, as they don't need refrigeration. The 3.4-ounce rule about liquids does not apply to baby needs—just offer them up for inspection when you go through security.
The familiarity of whatever your kid snuggles with in bed will keep her comfortable on the plane. A favorite pillow or stuffed animal can also do the trick.
Again, familiarity engenders comfort. Also, according to the flight crew, it's safest for small kids to fly in their own seat. We use a folding luggage cart to wheel ours around the airport.
In-Flight Earplugs
Not just any old earplugs, these are specially designed to help mitigate the pain from changes in air pressure, which is often why kids start wailing during the descent. Practice before the flight so your child gets used to them, or do what I did: sneak them into her ears while she's sleeping.
Kids learn and develop different skills and interests throughout various stages of development. Each toy needs to match up to your child's age, interest, and skill set.
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This did not bode well for the first plane <a href=\"/occasion/ga-family-getaways\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">trip</a> I planned, back when my daughter was 20 months old. So I sought the wisdom of other moms, asking them, \"What do kids need to fly?\" They gave me tips and tricks for flying with kids—in particular, a packing list for kids to help ease the ride.</p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Fortunately, most airlines allow you an extra carry-on if you're travelling with a small child. Fill it with a good balance of familiar items and novelties, and you'll be well on your way to flying with kids and landing with your sanity intact.</p>\n<h2>To Keep Your Child Busy</h2>\n<table><colgroup> <col width=\"200\" /> <col width=\"400\" /> </colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"/goods/tablets-and-e-readers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tablet</a></h3>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Load it with your child's favorite games and television shows, plus a few new ones. I also bring along an old phone, fully charged, for pretend play.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"/goods?query=kids+headphones\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Headphones</a></h3>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">If you're starting to feel your skin crawl at the sound of Elmo's voice, your fellow passengers probably are, too. Bring a pair of headphones for your child, but practice using them ahead of time. (On our first flight, my daughter kept ripping the headphones off and putting them in her mouth.)</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"/goods/toys\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Toys</a> and <a href=\"/goods/kids-books-and-magazines\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Books</a></h3>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">To kill time, wrap them like presents and use lots of tape (but keep the crew in mind and <a href=\"/articles/flying-with-kids-tips-from-a-flight-crew\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ask for an extra bag for your trash</a>). One mom suggests books with compartments and windows that your child can open and check out.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"/goods/arts-and-crafts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Art Supplies</a></h3>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bring crayons and paper, or even a chalkboard for less mess.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"/goods/building-sets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Magnetic Blocks</a> or Other Kinetic Toys</h3>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Magnetic blocks are ideal on planes, as they're the least likely to fall to the floor.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<h2> </h2>\n<h2>To Keep Your Child (and You) Clean</h2>\n<table><colgroup> <col width=\"200\" /> <col width=\"400\" /> </colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"/goods/baby-care\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Diapers, Wipes, and Burp Cloths</a></h3>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Make sure you check that the <a href=\"/goods/v1-diapers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">diaper bag</a> is fully loaded before you head out. In the whirlwind of getting out the door, these basics often get taken for granted. A good tip for those traveling with babies: Put a nighttime diaper on for longer flights—you'll worry less about it leaking.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Change of <a href=\"/goods?category=baby-kids-and-toys&category2=girls-clothing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Clothes</a></h3>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bring one each for child and parent—when kids spill, parents often get caught in the crossfire. Pack clothing in a ziplock bag in case something spills.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<h2> </h2>\n<h2>To Keep Your Child Comfortable</h2>\n<table><colgroup> <col width=\"200\" /> <col width=\"400\" /> </colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"/goods/snack-foods\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Snacks</a> and Milk</h3>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Small cartons of ultra-pasteurized, shelf-stable milk are extra convenient, as they don't need refrigeration. The 3.4-ounce rule about liquids does not apply to baby needs—just offer them up for inspection when you go through security.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">Cozy <a href=\"/goods/blankets-and-throws?query=blanket\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Blanket</a></h3>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The familiarity of whatever your kid snuggles with in bed will keep her comfortable on the plane. A favorite pillow or <a href=\"/browse/?query=stuffed-animal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">stuffed animal</a> can also do the trick.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"/browse/?query=car-seat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Car Seat</a></h3>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Again, familiarity engenders comfort. Also, <a href=\"/articles/flying-with-kids-tips-from-a-flight-crew\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">according to the flight crew</a>, it's safest for small kids to fly in their own seat. We use a folding <a href=\"/goods?query=luggage+cart\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">luggage cart</a> to wheel ours around the airport.</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h3 dir=\"ltr\">In-Flight Earplugs</h3>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Not just any old earplugs, these are specially designed to help mitigate the pain from changes in air pressure, which is often why kids start wailing during the descent. Practice before the flight so your child gets used to them, or do what I did: sneak them into her ears while she's sleeping. </p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<p style=\"letter-spacing: 2px;\"><strong><br />RELATED READS:</strong></p>\n<hr />\n<div style=\"display: inline-block; padding-bottom: 13px; padding-top: 13px; width: 100%;\"><a href=\"/articles/flying-with-kids-tips-from-a-flight-crew?aar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img style=\"float: left; margin-right: 13px; margin-bottom: 13px;\" src=\"https://img.grouponcdn.com/seocms/4KVuSmTQbuFmUKdNQFJJSa6Ck2qU/family-at-airport-traveling-flying-for-the-holidays_jpg-600x390_jpg-600x390/v1/t200x200\" alt=\"Flying with Kids: Dos and Don'ts from the Flight Crew\" width=\"150\" /></a><strong><a href=\"/articles/flying-with-kids-tips-from-a-flight-crew?aar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Flying with Kids: Dos and Don'ts from the Flight Crew</a></strong><br /><br />Never let them go barefoot, and other tips for flying with kids from a veteran flight crew</div>\n<div style=\"display: inline-block; padding-bottom: 13px; padding-top: 13px; width: 100%;\"><a href=\"/articles/age-appropriate-toys?aar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img style=\"float: left; margin-right: 13px; margin-bottom: 13px;\" src=\"https://img.grouponcdn.com/seocms/3xsKGDVEpXHUUXSmAnpc8DryqGEU/age-appropriate-toys-01_jpg-600x390/v1/t200x200\" alt=\"Age Appropriate Toys: Recommendations & Guidelines\" width=\"150\" /></a><strong><a href=\"/articles/age-appropriate-toys?aar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Age Appropriate Toys: Recommendations & Guidelines</a></strong><br /><br />Kids learn and develop different skills and interests throughout various stages of development. Each toy needs to match up to your child's age, interest, and skill set.</div>\n</div>"}}},"translations":{"all":"All {{categoryName}}","article_by":"BY: ","article_url":"articles","bought":"bought","browseByRegion":"Browse by State or Province","categories":"Categories","categoryDealsInLocationHeader":"{{categoryName}} Deals in {{locationName}}","citiesUrl":"cities","close":"Close","dealsInPopularCities":"Deals in Popular Cities","discoverLocalDeals":"Discover Local Deals","events_path":"events","facebook_like":"Like it!","featured_video":"Featured Video: ","googleplus_share":"Share this on Google+","home":"Home","local":"Local","localDealsBlurb":"Make any day special with deals on the latest things to do, eat and see in and around your city.","more":"More","more_resources":"More Resources","moreCitiesLink":"More Cities","popularCategories":"Popular Categories","multiple_locations":"Multiple Locations","top_deals_heading":"Top Deals On {{categoryName}} In {{currentMonth}} In & Around {{locationName}}","popular_deals_heading":"Most Popular {{categoryName}} In & Around {{locationName}}","top_events_heading":"Events In {{currentMonth}} & {{nextMonth}} In & Around {{locationName}}","columbus_top_reviewed_heading":"Best Reviewed {{categoryName}} in {{locationName}}","readLess":"Read Less","readMore":"Read More","recommendedMerchants":"Recommended Merchants","regionGuideHeading":"{{regionName}} Guide and Deals","regionType":"State","relatedContent":"Related Reads","selectLocalMerchants":"Select Local Merchants","twitter_share":"Share with Twitter","video_home":"Videos","widgetTitle":{"brandSpecific":true,"generic":"Gemini Guide","groupon":"Groupon Guide","livingsocial":"LivingSocial Guide","gemini":"LivingSocial Guide"},"view_deal":"View Deal","view_all":"View All","online_deal":"Online Deal","hide_deals_like_this":"Hide Deals Like This","show":"Show","hide":"Hide","backTo":"Back to","book_now":"Book Now","claim":"Claim","get_coupon":"Get Coupon","free_to_claim":"Free to Claim","cash_back":"Cash Back","free_event":"Free Event","discount_off":"OFF","zero_concert_deal_msg":"We are sorry. 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Flying with Kids: Dos and Don'ts from the Flight Crew
Age Appropriate Toys: Recommendations & Guidelines