After hundreds of flights, packing my carry on became second nature. After adding a toddler to the mix, it wasn’t quite so straight-forward. But with some trial and error (mostly error), I’ve finally got it down again.
As a travel advisor and mom of two, I’m always looking for the best toddler travel hacks. We’ve vetted tons of products and finally narrowed down the toddler carry on essentials you need for a stress free flight.
Here are the exact items I keep in my toddler carry-on when we fly:
Toddler Carry On Essentials
Audio Player
As a (mostly) screen-free house, the Yoto Mini is fantastic for stories on the go! Toddlers can swap the fun cards all by themselves to listen to endless stories, all without holding a screen.
I highly recommend the Yoto Mini + Starter Pack so your toddler has a variety of cards to get started. It’s compact without being too small, so is perfect for your toddler’s carry on bag!
You can also find all sorts of accessories: travel case, card holder book, silicone jacket (highly recommend), shoulder strap… Plenty to personalize!
Volume-Limiting Headphones
Headphones are now required for any audio on United flights, and I’m sure other carriers will soon be following suit. Common curtesy has become law!
Make sure your toddler has kid-safe headphones with volume limiting capabilities. Not only will it keep you within the rules, but you’ll protect your toddler’s growing ears, too.
Whether you’re using them for the Yoto Mini, an airplane screen or even a tablet, toddler headphones are a must!
These toddler headphones come in different colors. Our toddler absolutely loves the detachable kitty ears for them!
Water Wow! Reusable Books
If you’re unfamiliar with the Water Wow series, then let me tell you – wow! They are fantastic.
These books are mess-free, infinitely reusable and fit perfectly in your seat back pocket. Just fill the “special markers” with water in the air to use on the “special pad” and you’ve got mess-free coloring, without worrying about lost crayons!
From the farm to dinosaurs, there are many different themes available!
Wet Bag
If you’re not bringing wet bags with you everywhere you go, then you’re missing out. From spilled juice to wet swimsuits, these are the safety net every diaper bag needs.
We’ve used these fun wet bags for a few years now. They come in all sorts of patterns, and are truly waterproof. They fold flat to fit in your carry on, plus have a handle for hanging up when you need it most.
💡 Pro tip: If you’re still diapering, pack a wet bag with everything you’ll need for 1-2 diaper changes so you don’t have to bring your entire diaper bag into the tiny airplane bathroom!
Silicone Snack Cup
While snackle boxes are all the rage (and lots of fun), they are unfortunately easy to spill, especially from a tiny airplane tray.
Bring your Munchkin snack catchers full of your toddler’s favorites. They prevent spills (and subsequent meltdowns) and are easy for toddlers to hold. No seat back tray required!
Just make sure you bring along extra snacks to refill. Toddlers always want extra comfort snacks in flight!
CARES Airplane Harness
Did you know the seat belt on planes is rated for children weighing 40 lbs or more? The FAA recommends that toddlers weighing less than this use a car seat or FAA-approved harness in flight.
The CARES Harness is the only certified harness by the FAA, which can only be purchased on the Kids Fly Safe website. Any flight harnesses you see on Amazon are knockoffs and are not FAA certified!
You can also get a lightweight travel car seat that could also be used for your rental car. While it’s an investment, the WAYB Pico travel car seat is lightweight and easy to install, making it perfect for flights, or even for riding in an Uber!
Toddler Water Bottle
Pack your toddler’s favorite water bottle from home! This will ensure they actually drink water so they can stay hydrated.
Just make sure their favorite bottle is leak-proof, or you’ll really need those wet bags.
Suction Cup Spinner Toys
Fidget spinners that suction to the window and have poppers? A sensory toy trifecta!
These are the only travel toy our toddler never gets tired of. Not only are they essential for your toddler carry on, they’re great for road trips, too!
This set comes with an extra suction cup for when your toddler figures out how to remove them.
LCD Writing Tablet
Endlessly color on this “screen” with a single pen that you won’t have to worry about losing during turbulence since it’s attached.
From drawing squiggles to helping them write their name or even teaching them tic-tac-toe, toddlers love the magic of writing on this tablet, then instantly being able to erase.
My toddler still thinks this is her iPad, which we have no problem letting her believe.
Bonus: Extra Outfit
You know how messy your toddler can be. Now add turbulence in a small space.
Pack an extra outfit for your toddler in your carry-on. You’d be surprised how much messier ketchup is at 10,000 feet.
While you’re at it, bring an extra outfit for yourself in the carry-on, too. Whether you spill, your toddler spills on you, or your luggage gets delayed, you’ll be glad you have one if you need it.
Conclusion
Packing your toddler carry on essentials is about the quality of your chosen items. It also helps to keep some of these items dedicated for travel. This will keep the toys exciting!
If you’re gearing up for a big trip, check out our full list of toddler airplane essentials for ideas from entertainment, potty/diapering, and TSA-approved snacks (the most important).
And if you found this list helpful, please share it with other families!
Plan your trip
Find your perfect hotel or apartment on Booking.com. Then make sure you’ve got your skip-the-line tickets from GetYourGuide! And always protect your family vacation with a comprehensive insurance policy from RoamRight!
Check out all our recommendations for travel companies and travel gear on our Travel Resource Page.
Pin it for later!
