Summer Travel Starts Now

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, which means the summer travel season has officially begun. A little preparation can make travel days feel much smoother, especially when flying with children. These helpful carry-on tips can keep both parents and kids more comfortable, organized, and ready for the journey ahead.

Carry-On Travel Essentials for Adults & Children

In addition to packing what you need during the flight, pack the right items for children within easy reach so that flying with them does not have to feel overwhelming. From snacks and comfort items to activities and backup clothes, a well-packed carry-on can help keep kids entertained, comfortable, and calm throughout the flight.

Carry-On Travel Essentials for Adults

Flying with kids — or even flying solo — is much easier when your carry-on is packed with the right essentials. A little preparation can make the difference between a stressful flight and a much smoother travel day.

Here are a few smart items to keep within reach before you board:

1. Bluetooth Headphones
   Great for movies, music, podcasts, or keeping kids entertained during the flight.
2. Travel Pillow, Sleep Mask & Earplugs
   A must for longer flights, red-eyes, or helping little ones rest in a busy cabin.
3. Travel Wallet
   Keep passports, IDs, boarding passes, credit cards, and important documents in one easy-to-find place.
4. Toiletry Bag
   Pack travel-size basics within easy reach so you are not digging through your bag mid-flight.
5. Collapsible Water Bottle
   Fill it after security and stay hydrated without taking up too much space.
6. Compression Socks
   Especially useful for longer flights to help with circulation and comfort.
7. Portable Phone Charger
   A lifesaver when outlets are unavailable or devices are running low.
8. Disposable Toothbrushes — No Water Needed
   Perfect for freshening up during or after a long flight.
9. Feminine Wipes & Personal Care Wipes
   Small, discreet, and helpful for feeling refreshed while traveling.
10. Kindle or iPad
    Download books, movies, games, and shows before boarding.
11. Extra Socks
    Keep feet warm and comfortable, especially on chilly flights.
12. Hand Sanitizer & Sanitizing Wipes
    Use wipes for tray tables, armrests, seatbelt buckles, and little hands.
13. Face Mister & Lip Balm
    Airplane air can be very drying, so these little comforts go a long way.
14. Change of Clothes & Underwear
    Essential for kids — and smart for adults — in case of spills, delays, or lost luggage.
15. Roll-On Deodorant
    Travel-friendly and helpful after a long travel day.
16. Aspirin or Pain Reliever
    Keep a small supply handy for headaches, sore muscles, or unexpected discomfort.
17. Breath Freshener, Tic Tacs, or Mints
    A small but appreciated item after snacks, coffee, or a long flight.
18. Warm Sweater or Wrap
    Airplanes can get cold, even when your destination is warm.
19. A Pen
    Still surprisingly useful for customs forms, notes, luggage tags, or keeping kids busy in a pinch.

Enjoy your flight — and remember, the easier your carry-on is to navigate, the easier your travel day will feel.

Carry-On Travel Essentials for Children

Flying with children is easier when you pack a carry-on filled with comfort, entertainment, snacks, and just-in-case items. A well-packed bag can help keep kids happy, busy, and comfortable from takeoff to landing.

1. Child-Sized Headphones
   Perfect for movies, games, music, and tablets. Bluetooth or wired headphones are both helpful depending on the airline setup.
2. iPad, Tablet, or Kindle
   Download movies, games, books, and shows before you leave home so you are not relying on airport or airplane Wi-Fi.
3. Small Travel Toys
   Pack lightweight toys like mini cars, figurines, magnetic games, sticker books, or small activity kits. A surpirse toy is a good ideas as well.
4. Coloring Book, Crayons, or Washable Markers
   A simple way to keep little hands busy without taking up much space.
5. Reusable Sticker Books
   Great for toddlers and preschoolers because they can be used again and again.
6. Snacks, Snacks, and More Snacks
   Pack easy, low-mess snacks like crackers, granola bars, fruit pouches, pretzels, cereal, or dried fruit.
7. Empty Water Bottle or Sippy Cup
   Bring it through security empty and fill it before boarding.
8. Comfort Item
   A small blanket, stuffed animal, lovey, or favorite soft toy can help children feel safe and calm.
9. Travel Pillow or Small Blanket
   Helpful for naps, red-eye flights, or chilly airplane cabins.
10. Change of Clothes
    Pack one full outfit, including underwear and socks, in case of spills, accidents, or delays.
11. Pull-Ups, Diapers, and Wipes
    Even if your child is newly potty trained, extra wipes and backup supplies are always helpful.
12. Plastic Bags or Wet Bags
    Great for dirty clothes, wet items, trash, or unexpected accidents.
13. Hand Sanitizer and Sanitizing Wipes
    Use them for tray tables, armrests, seatbelt buckles, toys, and little hands.
14. Children’s Medicine or Pain Reliever
    Pack age-appropriate medicine, allergy medication, motion sickness items, or anything your child may need during travel.
15. Tissues and Booger Wipes
    Helpful for runny noses, sticky fingers, and quick cleanups.
16. Lollipops, Chewy Snacks, or Pacifiers
    These can help little ears during takeoff and landing.
17. Books or Small Board Books
    A few favorite stories can help with quiet time or bedtime routines on longer flights.
18. Surprise Activity Bag
    Pack a few small “new” items your child has not seen before. Pull them out one at a time during the flight.
19. Warm Socks or Slip-in Shoes
    Keep feet comfortable and make bathroom trips or security checks easier.
20. Child ID Information
    Keep a card in your child’s bag with your name, phone number, hotel, and travel destination.
21. Extra Pacifier, Bottle, or Teether
    For babies and toddlers, always pack extras in case one drops or gets lost.
22. Lightweight Hoodie or Sweater
    Airplanes can get cold, even when you are flying somewhere warm.
23. Small Travel Games
    Card games, memory games, magnetic puzzles, or quiet games are great for older kids.
24. Favorite Snacks for In-Flight and Landing
    Save one special snack for the final stretch of the flight, when kids are tired, restless, and ready to get off the plane. Be sure to pack TSA-approved drinks and snack-sized containers so you are not waiting for the flight attendants when hunger hits. Once children get “snicker-hungry,” it can be very hard to turn things around as a parent, so having a quick favorite snack within reach can make landing much smoother.
25. Patience and a Sense of Humor The most important thing parents can bring. Travel days are not always perfect, but a little preparation goes a long way.

Parent Tip: Pack your child’s carry-on in small zipper bags by category — snacks, toys, clothes, wipes, medicine, and comfort items. It makes it much easier to find what you need quickly during the flight.

Before heading to the airport, parents should take a few minutes to set clear expectations with their children about travel behavior. Children should understand the importance of staying close, using good manners such as “please,” “thank you,” “yes ma’am,” and “no ma’am,” and being respectful to airport staff, flight crews, and other travelers. Airports and airplanes are shared spaces, and while traveling with children can be challenging, parents are responsible for helping their children behave appropriately. Loud games, running through terminals, kicking seats, or extended disruptions on the plane can affect the experience of other paying passengers. Setting expectations before boarding a plane and gently reminding children once on the plane helps create a smoother, more respectful flight for everyone.

Once You Arrive, Remember to Recharge

Once you arrive at your travel destination, remember that parents need vacation time too. Whether it is a date night, a round of golf, a spa appointment, a quiet hike, or simply reading a book by the pool, taking a little “me time” can make the entire trip more enjoyable. Traveling with children is wonderful, but it can also be exhausting, and parents deserve time to relax, reconnect, and recharge. Hiring Destination Sitters for four hours — or even four days — gives parents peace of mind and gives children a fun, safe experience of their own. Sometimes the best travel tip for parents’ sanity is knowing when to take a break.

Our mailing address is:
Destination Sitters, LLC
PO Box 505
Laguna Beach, CA 92652, US
888-SIT-KIDz

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