Packing for a family trip with a toddler can get a little overwhelming. There’s such a fine balance between having everything you need and packing way too much.
If ever there’s a time when parents get nervous flying, it’s flying with a toddler. Toddlers like to move, are extremely curious and definitely don’t like to be confined to one space. It’s completely understandable that parents will want to pack everything under the sun into their toddler carry on bag to avoid those toddler tantrums on the plane. But there is such a thing as packing too much!
That’s why I created this flying with a toddler checklist. After several family flights over the years, I have narrowed it down to what I need to pack for a toddler each and every time.
Whether you are packing toddler carry on luggage or carrying it all in your diaper bag backpack, this flying with toddler checklist will help you decide what’s worth packing for your toddler and what should be left behind.
Read More
This post tackles what to bring when flying with a toddler. If you’d like to see what I pack for the entire trip, don’t miss my list of essential toddler travel gear.
This post contains compensated links.
what to bring when flying with a toddler
What to bring when flying with a toddler? Here’s my complete packing checklist for flying with a toddler. If you want a quick downloadable toddler packing list, be sure to sign up below!
However, if you want more detailed information, I’ll discuss each item in more detail below. This information will help turn my own list into YOUR own personal packing checklist for flying with a toddler.
I’ll also discuss what things from your airplane packing list for toddlers should go in your own carry on and what can go in your toddlers’ travel backpack.
Traveling With a Toddler Packing Checklist
Here are the things I have on my own flying with toddler checklist:
Toddler Flight Essentials: Toys, Screens & Snacks
- Toddler Carry On Bag
- Airplane Travel Toys
- Non-Screen Time Activities
- iPad / Kid-Friendly Tablet
- Toddler Headphones
- Airplane Snacks
- Travel Sippy Cup
- Travel Snack Cup
Toddler Diaper & Potty Essentials For Flights
- Diapers or Pull-Ups
- Wipes
- Diaper Change Mat
- Hand Sanitizer
- Extra Set of Clothes
- Wet/Dry Bag
- Travel Potty
Sleep & Comfort
- Pajamas
- Stuffed Animal
- Blanket
- White Noise Machine
- Toddler Airplane Bed
- First Aid Kit
- Toddler Tylenol
Toddler Travel Gear
- Toddler Carrier
- Car Seat with Gate Check Bag
If you are thinking that my list for what to pack when flying with a toddler seems ridiculously long, don’t worry. You don’t necessarily need all of those items every time you fly with a toddler. Each toddler is different and each family trip is different. Read on, and I’ll help you determine what is right for your personal situation.
Let’s review each of these items from the toddler carry on packing list.
Toddler Flight Essentials: Toys, Screens & Snacks
1. Toddler Carry On Bag
Before you decide what to bring for your toddler, you need to determine what your toddler’s carry-on entitlement is. This is a bit tricky and depends on your toddlers age and if they have their own seat.
For a child under 2 travelling as a lap infant, they usually do not get their own carry-on allowance. Most airlines allow you one carry-on plus one personal item for the adult, and some also allow a separate diaper bag per child, while others count the diaper bag as your personal item, so always check your airline’s policy.
However, if your child has their own ticketed seat, then they have the exact same carry on entitlement as everyone else. If your airline ticket allows some form of carry on bag, this opens up a wonderful opportunity for your toddler to bring their own carry on bag. This not only allows them to feel like a big kid, but it enables them to bring their own travel toys, snacks etc.
If your toddler has a carry-on allowance, be sure to check out my favorite favorite toddler backpacks for travel or carry on suitcases for toddlers.
2. Airplane Travel Toys
You’ll want to pack at least a few toys for your toddler to keep him entertained on the plane. My list of the best travel toys for the airplane has some great ideas for what will entertain your toddler on the airplane.
One strategy which works very well is to let your toddler pack a few of the travel toys in his own carry on! Just make sure to keep the toys small small, like a few small cars or finger puppets.
3. Non-Screen Time Activities
Your toddler may have a limited attention span for the tablet. I always recommend packing a few screen free toddler activities, which can include coloring books, anti-roll crayons and gel cling stickers.
I know first-hand that a big travel day can be a little stressful for a toddler, so I created a coloring book which helps toddlers prepare for their first flight. I’ve learned that talking through what is going to happen with your toddler eases their anxiety and makes them happier and more cooperative travellers.
My coloring book is a fun way to prepare your toddler for their first flight. It’s available on Amazon.
4. iPad / Kid-Friendly Tablet
Even if your toddler doesn’t get much screen time at home, having a few shows or simple apps can keep your toddler occupied in short bursts on the plane. I list my favorite toddler airplane activities on the iPad, which includes things like Little Baby Bum (a toddler favorite) and a few fun and easy apps for toddlers.
I recommend packing your kid-friendly tablet and toddler headphones in your own backpack diaper bag, as they can be heavy for toddlers to carry and there’s less risk of them being dropped.
5. Toddler Headphones
If you bring an iPad or tablet, you will need some headphones, so the tablet doesn’t annoy the other passengers. My list of toddler headphones for the airplane is full of great options that are safe for your toddler’s hearing. These toddler headphones for the airplane are my current favorites!
6. Airplane Snacks
One of my favorite ways to occupy my toddler on a flight is with food. This achieves two things: 1) It keeps them busy and 2) it staves off any hangry moments.
My favorite toddler airplane snacks, like Cheerios or blueberries, require fine motor skills and take a while to eat. You can also help your toddler feel independent by letting them carry a few mess-free snacks like granola bars.
The rest of your toddler’s travel snacks will go in your carry on.
7. Travel Snack Cup
Speaking of travel snacks, don’t forget to pack your toddler snack cup for travel in the carry on for your toddler. Spill proof snack containers are an excellent way to let your toddler hold his own snack without you having to worry about a giant mess on the floor.
My son’s absolute favorite was this Munchkin spill proof snack cup. He didn’t just use it on our flights – he brought it with him everywhere! If you’d like more options, check out my favorite toddler snack cups for travel.
8. Travel Sippy Cup
Regular airplane plastic cups make for great airplane toys, but are too risky to let your toddler use. So, when packing for toddlers on a plane, don’t forget to bring one of these travel sippy cups, which will help keep your seat dry and your toddler hydrated.
You’ll want to have the sippy cup for the rest of your family trip too, so make sure it’s a travel-friendly spill-proof sippy cup and your toddler loves it.
Toddler Diaper & Potty Essentials For Flights
9. Diapers or Pull-Ups
Depending on where you are in the potty training phase, you may still need to pack diapers or pull-ups. Traveling with a potty training toddler doesn’t need to be intimidating.
You can still use a pull-up for emergencies (like on the plane, when the seat belt light is on), but plan to take your toddler to the toilet. Even when my toddler was using the toilet, we used pull-ups for the plane for sleeping and those times that we weren’t able to get out of our seats.
I made sure to tell our toddler it was just for emergencies and that he should tell us if he had to go. I never felt that this set us back on our potty training with him. And it made the flight much less stressful!
Running low on diapers or pull-ups?
10. Wipes
Whether your toddler is fully potty trained or not, you’ll still want to pack enough wipes. Trust me when I say that you’ll still be packing and using wipes for years to come!
From messes to cleaning off the tray table, you’ll want to pack plenty of wipes!
11. Diaper Change Mat
If your toddler is still in diapers, pack a quality diaper change mat for travel. Then you can use it in the airplane toilet to give your toddler a clean place to lie down. You’ll be glad you have it for the entirety of your trip too, so you aren’t searching for places to do diaper changes.
12. Hand Sanitizer
This one needs no explanation! It’s always worth packing a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer that fits within your airport’s liquid rules. In the US this is typically 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less in your liquids bag.
13. Extra Set of Clothes
It’s always worth having an extra set of clothes for your toddler when flying. You just don’t know when an accident or a big mess is going to happen!
If you are already bringing pajamas, then you may not need this extra set of clothes – it will depend on the length of your flight and your total travel time to get to your destination.
14. Travel Potty
If your toddler is completely out of diapers, and refuses to use a pull-up as a backup, then you can pack a portable toddler travel potty. I really like the OXO 2-in-1 travel potty since it can be used as a stand-alone toddler potty or on top of the airplane toilet.
If you won’t be using it on the airplane, then you can safely pack it in your toddler suitcase for the remainder of the trip.
15. Wet/Dry Bag
A wet/dry bag is the perfect place to put soiled clothes, to keep them away from everything else in your carry on.
Sleep & Comfort
16. Toddler Airplane Bed
The one toddler travel item that has made the biggest impact on my long-haul flights with a toddler is an airplane bed for toddlers. Airplane beds do everything – they not only give your toddler a larger sleeping area, but they also give your toddler a larger area to play and stop toys from falling on the floor.
Unfortunately, inflatable airplane beds fold down to a fairly bulky size, so you will need to find space for them in your carry-on. I always had my partner carry ours – he always grumbled, but in the end, we always agreed it was worth the space in our carry on bags!
I have extensive first-hand experience and share it in my list of the best airplane beds for toddlers. Additionally, I have posts on two of my favorites: the Flyaway Design Kids Bed Review and my Fly Tot Review.
17. Pajamas
Every flying with a toddler checklist should include pajamas, especially if you are flying overnight and want to get your toddler to sleep on the plane. If you can closely replicate your toddler’s at home bedtime routine, which likely includes getting pajamas on and reading a book, you’ll have much better luck!
18. Stuffed Animal
If your toddler won’t sleep without his favorite stuffed animal, then make sure to bring it on the plane for your toddler.
19. Blanket
With so many new people and experiences, airplanes can be unsettling for toddlers. It’s worth bringing your toddler’s favorite blanket to give your them that feel of familiarity and comfort on the plane.
Even if your toddler doesn’t have a favorite blanket, packing a light travel blanket will have so many uses on your trip.
20. White Noise Machine
If your toddler is used to sleeping with white noise at home, then by all means pack a white noise machine to help get your toddler to sleep on vacation.
A white noise machine for travel won’t appear on most flying with toddler checklists, but I found it very useful to help our toddler get to sleep on the airplane and in our hotels.
21. First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is never a bad thing to have in your carry on! You just never know when your adventurous toddler will have a spill or a small owie.
22. Toddler Tylenol
I always pack medications in my carry on, so toddler Tylenol should go in your own carry on. It’s useful to bring your own from home, since you won’t want the stress of trying to find a pharmacy or read labels in another language if your toddler gets sick on your trip.
Toddler Travel Gear
23. Toddler Carrier
A toddler carrier for travel is a must! You just never know when those little legs are going to get tired. If your toddler still enjoys being carried, then a toddler carrier is an excellent way to try to get your toddler to sleep on the plane.
As with the airplane travel beds, I have tried a ton of different toddler carriers for travel. I share all the details in my list of my favorite toddler carriers for travel.
24. Car Seat with Gate Check Bag
If you’ve purchased a seat for your toddler who is under two years old, you can bring a travel car seat on to the plane for your toddler. If you plan on gate checking your car seat, pack a gate check bag and see these clever ways to carry a car seat through the airport.
Printable Flying with Toddler Checklist
Sign up to get a printable for what to take on a plane for a toddler. We’ve also included a fun checklist for your toddler!
Your toddler’s checklist has images, so your toddler can participate in the packing!
My Toddler Coloring Book
I’ve created a coloring book to help your toddler become a happy little traveler! My First Flight Coloring Book features 32 fun, easy-to-color illustrations, introducing young children to every step of a travel day—so they know what to expect before they even board the plane. A toddler who understands flying is much more likely to be calm, confident, and cooperative in the air. Get your copy on Amazon today!
Come Join Us!
We love answering questions in our Baby Can Travel Facebook group. Come ask all your baby travel related questions and share advice with other traveling parents!
Found this post useful? Share it with your friends!
This post was written & edited by:
Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.