The biggest travel parenting mistake I've witnessed is parents simply being unprepared for traveling with their tots. If you are traveling with an active toddler on an airplane, you need lots to entertain your little one packed in your carry on bag. And of course you'll need the essentials to keep a toddler fed, clean, and healthy too!
I first wrote this packing list way back in 2012 when my daughter was a 3 year old preschooler. Now I've refined it after traveling with my son during his toddler years. And of course I've witnessed the successes -and occasional failures - of other parents flying with their toddlers over the years on hundreds of flights.
So if you are preparing to hop aboard an airplane with a toddler, here are the most useful tried and true items to add to a carry on bag packing list.

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Toddler Packing List for Carry on Bags
1. Crayons & coloring/activity books
An easy way to pass the time on a plane is with coloring and activity books. I've found triangular crayons work best for airplanes, as they won't roll off the tray table. My daughter also loves the inexpensive Play Pack coloring books that come packaged with a small set of crayons included.
Related: Tech-Free Entertainment Ideas for Kids on Planes
2. Wet Wipes
These days it's totally acceptable to be a germaphobe on planes. But even before a global pandemic, I discovered that airplanes could be pretty nasty places. Once I started traveling with kids, I always wiped down the tray tables as soon as we board. I know that my kids always touch the tray tables a lot and (gasp!) even sometimes place food directly on them no matter how hard I try to keep things in containers and bags. It's also a good idea to wipe down other high touch points like armrests and seat belts for good measure.
These alcohol-based WetOnes Plus are my new go-to that work for both hands and surfaces, but if you are just using them for surfaces, travel-sized packs of Lysol wipes are great too.
Related: COVID-19 Packing List: Extras to Bring for Travel
3. Diapers or Pullups

Depending on what stage of potty training your child is in, you'll need plenty of diapers or pullups for your travels with a toddler, as well as any other related supplies like wipes or diaper cream. Remember to pack extras for flight delays or cancellations - diapers and pullups are still very hard to find in most US airports, although a few larger airports have gotten with the times more recently to stock family-friendly products.
Related: Tips for Successful Potty Training During Travel
4. Tablet or Smartphone
Parents on planes have it so much easier than a decade or so ago with the invention of tablets and smartphones to keep everyone in the family entertained - many of which are as affordable as ever.
While toddlers aren't likely to watch electronics as long as older kids, load a device up with a few of your child's favorite movies or TV shows. Many streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ now allow subscribers to download local copies of shows and movies for use when you might not have WiFi. Also be sure to download some apps that your little one will like - lots of them are both fun and educational!
5. Toddler Headphones

There is nothing that drives me crazier as a passenger than hearing other passengers' movies or video game sounds. Don't bother your seatmates and give traveling parents a bad name... get your child some earphones to block the noise. Kidz Gear is a brand that has held up well for our family. Ear buds almost never fit kids, so save those for the adults in your travel party.
Important tip - if you are going to buy wired headphones instead of Bluetooth, make sure your headphones match your tablet or smartphone jack. Newer iPhones, for example, only have a lightning connector, so you'll need this adapter if you want to use old fashioned wired headphones.
6. New small toys

New toys are often more engaging than ones your toddler has seen before, so stop by the Target dollar section or the Dollar Tree the week before your trip to load up on a few small and inexpensive novel distractions. Whenever possible, I like to try to get a toy related to the destination we are visiting so we can also pass the time talking about where we are going (for example, something Mickey or Minnie related when we take a Disneyland trip).
7. Snacks
A hungry kiddo is a recipe for airplane meltdowns. I recommend bringing double the snacks you will think you will need in case of delays or just an exceptionally hungry day. Kids can be picky and may not like the offerings on the plane or in the airport. Or you may just not have time to stop and buy food if you have a tight connection or a flight delay.
Don't worry so much about perfect nutrition but rather what will keep your child quiet and occupied. My rules on treats are definitely relaxed when we travel - I regularly bring candy and cookies for tough moments.
Need snack ideas? Check out my post on 50 snack ideas for kids on airplanes.
8. Drinks
The TSA liquid restrictions make travel with milk and juice a bit challenging, but you should know that if you are traveling with an "infant or small child," you can bring some liquids aboard above the three ounce limit. I like to travel with ultra-pasteurized milk boxes from Organic Valley or Horizon and sometimes with a juice box or two (see my tips for air travel with toddlers and milk).
You can always also bring an empty water bottle or sippy cup and fill it after you pass through security. We swear by the Thermos Funtainer straw water bottles which are better for leaks than many water bottles on planes.
9. Stuffed Animal, Lovey and/or Blanket
If your child is going to be traveling at nap time or on a redeye flight, bring the items that he or she would use at home for sleeping. Loveys, favorite stuffed animals, or a blanket can really help a toddler feel more at home. Plus, planes can be cold and a blanket might come in handy even if your child doesn't nap.
10. Extra Clothes
Toddlers get messy in even the best of circumstances, so I always travel with extra clothes for my child. There's always a chance of a diaper leak or explosion for younger toddlers or a potty training accident for the older ones. You may also want to consider extra clothes for yourself if your child is prone to collateral damage. I've used those more than once!
11. Ziploc Bags
Zippered plastic bags have a multitude of uses on airplanes, and i never travel without a few bags of a variety of sizes in my carry on bag. They are great for holding and containing food wrappers as well as containing smells and messes like on soiled clothing or diapers.
12. Small Towel
This is one item that I have used way more over the years on flights that I thought I might. A small hand towel to have at the ready for spills can be really essential. Those airplane napkins don't cut it when something really disastrous happens.
13. First Aid Kit
Last but certainly not least, always pack a few essential first aid items when traveling with toddlers. You'll never know when you might need the power of a band-aid for a boo boo or some kid-safe dosing of pain reliever. This pre-packed first aid kit has most of the essentials and is compact enough to throw in a purse or a small bag your toddler might be carrying.
Don't forget to check out my MASTER packing list for all ages and stages of travel.
Traveling with a Toddler and Need More Toddler Travel Tips?
Check out these related articles:
- Where Should My Baby or Toddler Sleep On Our Travels?
- Air Travel with Toddlers and Milk
- The Lap Child Debate: Should You Buy an Airline Seat for Your Infant or Toddler?
- Car Seats on Airplanes: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know
- Hotel Room Hacks for Travel with Babies and Toddlers

Anonymous says
What a great idea about the towel!
Anonymous says
Very helpful! Ive never been on a plane and ill be traveling to the childrens hospital in Totonto with my 21 month old and a 2 1/2 year old . Big relief that we will arrive with happy kids 🙂 thank you!
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Laura J says
Oh great ideas! I love the idea of the triangular crayons so they wont roll off! Brilliant!
Jenny says
Love these ideas, especially the triangular crayons! Thank you! We are flying 8 hrs in a plane with 3 kids soon.
Barbara says
Very good advices! I've recently wrote an article about the same topic
Anonymous says
This is a very good advice ! Atleast , packing is easy
Jessica says
Awesome tips as always. I've never thought of triangle crayons!
Anonymous says
would not have thought to bring ziplock bags/a towel. Genius! Thank you!
Helena says
What a useful read! The idea with the towel is very smart, I'll be making my first long trip with my little boy, so thanks for sharing these ideas!
natalietanner says
Great tips! I'll be sharing this with my readers. You can never be too prepared when you travel with the kids!
Sarah says
I've tried to bring horizon milk boxes on the plane before and they made me throw them away. It may depend on the particular TSA officer (one time they let me bring a full bottle, but made me pour it out on the return flight). I wouldn't risk trying to bring them, though, they're too expensive to risk having to throw them out.
tripswithtykes says
I'd love to know what airport! I've taken them through TSA at at least a dozen different airports upwards of 25 times and have never had to toss them. On some occasions, I've had to agree to the enhanced patdown to keep them unopened, but never had to throw them away. TSA rules permit milk (and juice and formula) for babies and toddlers, so I think you had an errant officer.
Briana says
Thanks for this list of ideas! I took my toddler on a cross-country flight, and I referenced this many times while packing. Worked great!
Dianna says
We will be flying with my 14 month old during meal times. We love the pouch meals like Plum Organics Mighty 4," for example when we are "on the go," but it occurred to me that these may count as liquids rather than food for TSA purposes. Have you had any experiences carrying these through security? Thanks so much! You're website has been very helpful!!
Keri|flipflopweekend.com says
Excellent list! We got stuck at security, because I thought I could bring an unopened bottle of water for the kids. They let one bottle through, but gave me a bit of a hard time. The empty water bottle is a great idea!
Stay With Me Mom says
You arrive to my life in the rigth moment !! We aré going to travel next month 8 hours in airplane ?
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Ivette says
Thank you so much for your post. This and the debate of brining a car seat definitely allowed me to come to a solid conclusion.