Put These 9 Things in Your Carry-On to Make Flying With Kids Less Stressful

By Kate Stahl

Published on 12/19/2016 at 3:20 PM

Flying with small children is a little like 4:30 dinner at your grandparents' favorite cafeteria: you don't know what you're going to get, but you're pretty sure it's not going to be good. I've taken dozens of flights with my kids, ages 5 and almost 3, and there hasn't been a single one that wasn't somewhere on the spectrum of mildly stressful to downright horrific (that was the one where my husband was asked to give up his aisle seat next to us for an elderly woman, leaving me on solo parent duty with our then-4-year-old daughter and 20-month-old son, who was so awful that I'm surprised he didn't earn a permanent place on the No Fly List).

All of my experiences with the not-so-kid-friendly skies have taught me that preparation is key. Flying in general can be unpredictable and annoying, so add a toddler or two to the mix, and ample supplies are absolutely necessary.

Here's what you should pack in your easily accessible carry-on to make sure you arrive at your destination safely and (sort of) sanely.

  1. An iPad or tablet. This is the single most important item you will pack for your flight if you don't enjoy finding a new way to entertain your kid every 30 to 45 seconds. Consider hiding your child's iPad for a few days before your trip to really ensure he'll be glued to it, and add a few new apps and shows for additional incentive. Now is not the time to worry about whether your kid is getting too much screen time.
  2. Headphones. Really want to piss off your fellow fliers? Give your kid that iPad without headphones, and watch them recoil at the volume level your little darling will insist upon. If your children don't usually wear headphones, introduce them in advance of your trip to let them get used to them.
  3. Ample snacks. Healthy snacks, unhealthy snacks, hearty snacks, more unhealthy snacks . . . you need them all. If they don't eat all the sugar- and salt-laden prepackaged foods you bring, be sure to hide them once you arrive to your destination so you have them for the return flight.
  4. A bag of suckers. Suckers just might save your life. Use them as rewards or just to kill time. Bring as many as you can. Trust me.
  5. Plane-friendly toys and activities. Let your kids pick a favorite stuffed animal or toy to bring along, but also surprise them with new coloring books and a couple of plane-friendly activities, like a new Magna Doodle, travel-friendly Guess Who game, Etch-a-Sketch, or Water Wow book.
  6. More diapers and wipes than you think you'll need. I still have nightmares about a friend who landed in Chicago with her two toddlers and was stuck on the Tarmac for six hours, and it didn't even happen to me. Throw a few more diapers and an extra pack of wipes in your bag. You won't be sorry.
  7. An extra set of clothing for your kid. Spills and diaper explosions should be expected, so come prepared with at least an extra t-shirt and pair of pants.
  8. Drink vouchers. Those free drinks your husband scored when he was delayed on his last business trip? Now's the time to use them, mama. Ignore the judgy looks you'll get balancing a Bloody Mary on your baby's head.
  9. That book you've been dying to read. Just kidding; you might be able to stare longingly at the cover if your kid decides to nap, but even then, you'll never get to actually read it. (Ever try to juggle a book and a sleeping baby? Impossible.) Grab a gossip mag instead. Maybe your kid will be entertained for a minute or two by ripping out the pages.