10 Items to Pack in a Carry-On for Flights With Kids

Traveling with kids may not be easy, but it’s certainly doable (and even fun!). After taking multiple flights with a child in tow, I believe that the key to making your flight a smooth one is a well-stocked carry-on bag. Having the right items within reach will help keep your child safe, comfortable, and entertained while giving you the freedom to relax and enjoy yourself throughout the flight.  

My must-have items for any flight with my kids include Amazon’s popular Fire 7 kids’ tablet, a collection of mini puzzles, and, of course, hand-sanitizing wipes. You’ll also find a cozy neck pillow, a mess-free craft, and an airline-approved infant car seat on my list, all of which will help keep your child’s turbulence at a manageable level (though, let’s be honest, kids will be kids, no matter how prepared you are).

The Honest Company Sanitizing Alcohol Wipes

One of the first (and last) things I do on a flight with my kids is clean their hands. These alcohol-based wipes from the Honest Company are my go-to for keeping the germs at bay, and I even use them to wipe down airplane armrests and fold-down trays. I love that they contain aloe (since the air on planes is notoriously dry) and are made without parabens and synthetic fragrances. This pack fits right inside my purse for easy access and comes with 50 wipes, which is more than enough to keep my family healthy and clean on a round-trip flight.

Crayola Light Up Tracing Pad

My 7-year-old son enjoys drawing, which is why this tracing pad is a great flight activity for him. Its slim frame slips right into my carry-on luggage, and it comes with plenty of paper, colored pencils, and more than 100 traceable images. Because of the detailed images, one drawing keeps my son occupied for at least an hour, and he loves how the frame lights up to illuminate his masterpiece. Just remember to install three AA batteries prior to your flight to keep this tracing pad shining bright.  

Amazon Fire 7 Kids Tablet

I will never board a plane without my kids’ Amazon Fire tablet. It comes with one year of Amazon Kids content, which includes thousands of ad-free books, games, videos, apps, and Alexa skills from Disney, Nickelodeon, PBS Kids, and more. The parent dashboard is easy to use and allows me to set my kids’ age (which determines their content) and screen time limits for each day. This tablet has a 10-hour battery life, but I always fully charge it before a flight. Also, be sure to download plenty of your child’s favorite games, shows, and books before your flight so you can access them in airplane mode. 

iClever Kids Bluetooth Headphones

If you plan to give your child screen time during a flight, headphones for kids are a must. After testing several models, one shopper raved that these are “the best” because they provide “excellent sound while protecting a child’s hearing.” You set them to limit the maximum volume to 74 or 85 decibels. They can be used both wired and wirelessly and have up to 85 hours of play time when fully charged. They’re available in 10 different colors—all of which light up on the sides—and have nearly 8,000 5-star ratings on Amazon. 

Melissa & Doug Scissor Skills Activity Book

This little activity book is an easy and inexpensive way to keep a young child busy on a flight. Using the included plastic child-safe scissors (which are TSA compliant), kids can cut out colorful shapes and play fun games, including puzzles, mazes, animal art, and sequencing activities. After a six-hour flight, one parent shared that their son “loved” this set and that it was a “great” purchase. They also noted that he was able to use the scissors “without help,” making this fun activity an educational one, too.   

Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat and Base

If you’re traveling with a baby, you’ll want an infant car seat like the Chicco KeyFit30. It’s certified for airline travel by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is easy to install on an airplane seat—just be sure to detach it from the base before you do. Prior to using this car seat on a flight, you’ll also want to check that it has a label or marking that states, “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” 

I purchased this infant car seat right before my daughter was born and found that it was comfortable, durable, and a breeze to clean. One parent calls it the “best car seat on the market” because it’s “sturdy” and “well made.” Plus, it has been a Parents favorite for more than a decade.  

LiKee Shapes Puzzle

This puzzle was a stocking stuffer for my 5-year-old daughter, and it’s become a favorite travel activity of ours. It comes with 60 double-sided pattern cards for kids to mimic with the included puzzle pieces. My daughter also enjoys creating her own designs as well. I love that this activity can be done with a parent or independently and that all the pieces fit into a small tin that slips right inside my purse for easy access on a flight.

Syahro Toddler Busy Board  

As the name implies, this wooden activity board is designed to keep a toddler busy. Lindsey Haugen, a friend of mine who is a mom of three, was quick to recommend this for plane rides because it keeps her kids focused and entertained. “I love that it helps them learn colors and numbers while improving their concentration and fine motor skills,” Haugen said. “They’re motivated to complete the mazes and challenges, so it keeps them occupied during a long flight.” This board has two sides, and none of the pieces can come out, which also makes it easy to pack. 

BCOZZY Kids Travel Neck Pillow

Depending on your child’s age, it’s likely that they may want to nap during a flight. Airplane seats aren’t the most comfortable, which is why this neck pillow has come in handy for so many families. With more than 17,500 five-star ratings on Amazon, its patented design is “soft, adjustable, and the perfect height to support little necks,” according to one shopper who calls this pillow a “lifesaver.” This travel pillow is available in four sizes and 15 colors, two of which are made using organic cotton. 

Skillmatics Dot It Sticker Art Activity

Hayley Kraakevik, another friend of mine, is a mom of two kids who love to do arts and crafts. Since there’s limited room on an airplane, she always brings along a pack of these Skillmatics Dot It activity books so her kids can be creative without making a mess. “I always look for entertainment items that have minimal pieces and keep my kids occupied,” Kraakevik said. 

Choose from Disney Princesses, dinosaurs, animals, outer space, and more themes to appeal to your kid. Each set comes with 12 canvases and more than 750 colorful dot stickers that will inspire kids to play independently and use their imagination.