Flying with kids during peak travel season can feel loud, tiring, and unpredictable, especially when lines are long and gates are packed. The good news is that a simple, well planned airport kit can make the whole day calmer for you and more relaxed for your child. When we prepare before we leave home, time at the gate and hours in the air feel less like a battle and more like a normal part of the trip.
Here are 10 kid friendly items to put in your child’s carry on so you can keep them comfortable, busy, and happy from check in to touchdown.
1. Travel Only Tablet Or Kids Device
One big reason many kids stay calm on flights is that screen time feels special, not something they get all day, every day. In our family, the kids only use their tablets when we travel or on rare evenings when they have to come with us to a work dinner. They did not touch a tablet until they were around three years old, and once they tried it, they loved it like most kids do. That is exactly why we keep clear rules around when they can use it.
Because of those limits, our kids light up when they hear that it is finally “tablet time” at the airport or once we settle into our seats. As soon as they pick a show or game, the noise level drops and the flight feels more peaceful for everyone nearby.
Before you leave home, load the device with kid friendly TV episodes, movies, audiobooks, and games that work offline. That way you are not relying on inflight entertainment or airport Wi Fi, which can be slow or unavailable. Think of it as building a small, portable fun center just for your child.
Make sure every device is fully charged before your trip. If you are flying to another country, pack the correct plug adapters so you can charge at the airport or in your hotel. A universal adapter is handy when you are not sure what outlets you will find. It also helps to bring a small adapter that lets you charge a device and plug in wired headphones at the same time so your child does not need to stop their show just to get more battery.
If you do not want the tablet to run the whole day, set a simple rule at the start, such as “one show, then a snack” or “games until we take off, then coloring.” This keeps you in control while still giving your child something exciting to look forward to.
2. Kid Friendly Headphones
We have all been in a quiet space where someone plays a show or video call on speaker and the whole area suddenly feels louder and more stressful. On airplanes, that noise can bother a lot of people in a very small space. Many flight attendants now remind passengers that they need to use headphones, but you still see and hear people ignore this rule.
To keep your family from adding to the noise, give each child their own pair of kid sized headphones. Wireless models work really well with tablets, and most also come with a simple cable so you can switch to wired mode when the battery runs low. Look for headphones that are easy for small hands to put on and adjust, and that have built in volume limits to protect their ears.
If two kids are sharing one device, pack a small headphone splitter. This lets both children plug in, listen to the same show, and stop arguing about whose turn it is. Keeping sound in their ears instead of in the whole cabin is one of the simplest ways to make the flight better for your family and for your seatmates.
3. Cleaner Space And A Small Organizer Or Backpack
The seatback pocket in front of you looks handy, but it is also one of the spots that gets cleaned the least. People shove used tissues, snack trash, and sometimes even dirty wipes or diapers inside. If you would rather keep your child’s hands away from that area, bring your own setup instead of using the pocket.
One option is a tray cover with built in pockets that hangs over the tray table or seat. It can hold snacks, crayons, a toy, and a tablet in one place. If you set it up while people are boarding, your child’s things are ready before the plane leaves the gate and you are not digging in your bag later.
Another easy choice is a small backpack just for your child’s travel items. Let them help pack it with a favorite stuffed animal, a small book, a puzzle, or a toy car. The backpack can stay under the seat in front of them so they can reach it without help.
When kids know where their things are and can grab them on their own, they feel more independent and ask you for fewer items during the flight. That simple change can make a long trip feel less tiring for everyone.
4. Markers, Crayons, And Paper
Most children enjoy drawing or coloring, and it is a quiet activity that works well in airports and on airplanes. We like to put together a very small art kit with washable markers, crayons, and a notepad. The “washable” part matters, because then you are not worried about stains on clothes, tray tables, or your own hands.
Drawing is especially helpful if your child is still too young for a device or if you want to give their eyes a break from screens. You can make it more fun by turning it into a game. Ask them to draw the airplane, the view from the window, the place you are flying to, or a silly version of the pilot. You can also add sticker books or simple activity books that do not have tiny pieces that slide all over the floor.
To keep things neat, store the art supplies in a slim pouch or folder so it slides easily into a backpack. This little kit can fill time at the gate, calm a restless child during taxi, or give them something to do while you are waiting for food on the plane.
5. A Spill Safe Water Bottle For Flying
Air travel can dry you out quickly, and kids are quick to notice when they feel thirsty. We also like to have our children take small sips during takeoff and landing because swallowing can help their ears adjust to changes in air pressure.
Not all bottles behave well in the air, though. Some spray water when you open them after takeoff because the pressure inside changed. Others leak if they tip over in a seat or bag. For travel days, look for a bottle that your child can open and close on their own, that does not spray water when you flip or twist the lid, and that seals tightly when it is shut.
A medium sized bottle is usually enough to cover time in the terminal and a long stretch of the flight. Bring it through security empty, then fill it at a fountain or café near your gate. When each child has their own solid, leakproof bottle, you reduce spills, wet clothes, and last minute “I need water right now” requests while the crew is busy.
6. Three Kinds Of Wipes For Travel Messes
Wipes might be the most useful item in a parent’s carry on. In one trip, we might use them to clean a sticky tray table, wipe off hands after snacks, freshen a tired face, or quickly sanitize a hotel TV remote.
We like to bring three simple types:
- Sanitizing hand wipes for quick cleaning after touching rails, screens, or seatbelt buckles.
- Soft, water based wipes for faces and gentle cleanups, especially if your child has sensitive skin.
- Strong disinfecting wipes for hard surfaces like armrests, tray tables, seatback screens, and handles in airplane bathrooms or hotel rooms.
You can keep each kind in a separate small pouch or resealable bag so you grab the right one without thinking. A few thin packs take up very little space in your carry on, but they make it much easier to keep everyone cleaner and more comfortable from the gate to the hotel.
7. Inflatable Footrest Cushion
If you are traveling with a toddler or preschooler, an inflatable cushion that sits on the floor can change the way they rest in their seat. This type of cushion usually fits in the space between your child’s seat and the seat in front of them, filling the gap where small legs would normally dangle.
When it is fully inflated, your child can stretch out their legs, sit cross legged, or curl up as if they have a tiny bed. That extra support often helps them nap longer and sleep more deeply, which can make the whole flight feel easier for you and for them.
Most of these cushions pack down very small when they are deflated, so you can slip one into a carry on and inflate it after you reach cruising height. Just remember that not every airline allows these cushions, so it is important to check the rules of the airline you are flying before you go. If they are allowed, this little tool can turn a tough long haul flight into something much more manageable for a young child.
8. Soft Travel Blanket, Small Pillow, And Simple Sleep Mask
Many airlines only pass out blankets and pillows on longer routes, and even then the blankets are often thin and not very warm. If your child gets cold easily or has trouble getting comfortable in an upright seat, bringing your own soft blanket and pillow can make a big difference.
Travel blankets that roll into their own pouch or case are especially useful. You can clip them to a backpack or slide them over the handle of a suitcase so they do not take up room inside your bag. A child sized travel pillow with a removable, washable cover is another smart item to pack, since it supports their neck and head better than a rolled sweater.
A basic sleep mask helps block out overhead lights and the glow from nearby screens. Some children like masks made just for kids with fun designs, while others are happy using a simple adult mask that fits without feeling tight. When you put all three items together, you create a mini bedtime setup that feels familiar even in a cramped seat.
9. Cozy Travel Outfits
What your child wears on the plane has a big impact on how settled they feel. For long or overnight flights, swapping everyday clothes for pajamas or soft sweatpants signals to their body that it is time to relax. Look for loose, stretchy pieces without tight waistbands, itchy tags, or tricky buttons and zippers.
You can have them start the day in this comfy outfit, or you can pack a “plane outfit” in your carry on and change them at the airport or soon after takeoff. If you wait until you are on the plane, try to do the change early, right after the seatbelt sign goes off, while the lavatories are still fairly clean.
Dressing in layers works best for most kids. A breathable top, soft pants, and a cozy sweatshirt or hoodie that can come off if they get warm gives them options as the cabin temperature changes.
We also follow one simple rule on every flight: pack a full change of clothes for every family member in a carry on. Spills, motion sickness, bathroom accidents, or even a lost suitcase are all easier to handle when you know everyone can change into something clean and dry.
If you are flying to a place with a pool or beach, add swimsuits to your carry on as well. That way, if checked bags arrive late, your kids can still splash and play without forcing you to buy extra gear at high resort prices.
10. Snacks And A Simple Backup Meal
Hungry kids and long travel days do not mix very well. Airport food can be costly, and the choices on board might not work for picky eaters or children with allergies. Packing your own food gives you control over what your child eats and when they eat it.
We like to bring a mix of easy, not too messy snacks such as granola bars, crackers, pretzels, dried fruit, and sliced fresh fruit in small containers. You can also pack a few small sweets as “emergency treats” for tough moments or as a fun reward close to landing.
For longer flights, it helps to include at least one more filling option in an insulated container, such as pasta, rice, or another simple meal your child already knows and likes. This is especially important if anyone in your family has food allergies or special dietary needs, since you cannot always count on what is served on the plane. Having a real meal ready to go keeps your child from grazing on snacks for hours without feeling full.
When you are packing, think through the whole day: a snack for the car ride or train to the airport, something for the gate, something for mid flight, and a small treat for after you land. Use clear, resealable containers or bags so you can see what you have and hand things over quickly.
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