Chelsea Gentry The Best Items to Pack When Flying with a Toddler might vary based on your child, their age and preferences. However, we have found these 12 suggestions below to be tried and true. Our daughter is almost two and a half and has flown a handful of times, so I tried to narrow it down to what I found works best. As always, feel free to share what works for you!
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1. Coloring Books and Crayons
You can find coloring books almost anywhere, but Dollar Tree usually has some cute ones. It’s fun to theme your coloring book to whatever type of trip you might be taking.
2. No-Mess Markers
The same goes for no-mess marker pads. They have so many options, you can easily find one that coordinates. Oh, and the best part of course is no mess! These markers only color on the book. It’s genius.
3. Sticker Books
Sticker books are an excellent choice to bring on any flight or road trip. Reusable sticker books are even better, because they last longer.
4. Fidgets
My 6-year-old nephews shared a fidget toy with my toddler on an hour road trip once. It entertained all three of them the entire drive!
5. Busy Book
Another fun item to pack when flying with a toddler is a busy book. We found ours on Amazon and it has a little wear and tear, but is holding up well. You can also find some cute ones on Etsy.
6. LCD Tablet
One of our newest finds is the LCD tablet from Amazon. You can color using the pen or even your finger, but when you are ready to start again you just click the button and it erases! It’s paper-thin and was such a hit with our toddler. Do keep in mind is has a small battery, so you might also pack a spare.
7. Matching Game
I found this sweet little Winnie the Pooh matching game for Ronia this last Christmas, and it’s perfect to pack in our travel bag. The pieces can get lost if your little one is being squirrelly, but it is a fun activity to do together!
8. Small Characters
Another small item you could pack when traveling with a toddler are these small characters or figurines. They have a Mickey and Minnie set, Toy Story, Monsters Inc and much more. My daughter LOVES these little figurines, so they are a must have for our flights.
9. Flash Cards
Flash cards are also an excellent way to entertain your toddler. That is, if they enjoy flash cards. My daughter goes through phases when she’s all about them and when shes definitely not. I like to find a new set at Dollar Tree or Target to take with us as a surprise.
10. Snacks
I’ve said it before and I will say it again, you can never have too many snacks when traveling with a toddler. I’ve learned to pack more than I think I will need. You never know if you will have a delay or need a distraction. It also saves money buying snacks at the airport.
11. Water Bottle
One of the most important things to pack for your toddler is water. I usually fill Ronia’s personal water bottle before we board the plane and encourage her to take some sips at take off and landing.
12. Suckers
The next of our The Best Items to Pack When Flying with a Toddler is suckers. My daughter never struggled with her ears popping until our most recent trip. There’s nothing more sad than a baby in pain. Suckers are the only thing that helped her during our takeoff and landing. I highly recommend taking some along for that purpose alone.
13. Books
If your toddler loves to read, it might be a good idea to pack a few thin books in your bag. Paperback books like Little Critter or Fancy Nancy are light enough.
14. Water Wow
Water wows are so much fun for me and my toddler. All you need is a little water in the special pen! It’s reusable and they have many different styles from which to choose.
15. Amazon Fire Tablet
Last, but certainly not least is the Amazon Fire Tablet. Remember to download a few shows, movies, or activities on your tablet before the day of travel. Charge it well and have an extra charger pack for the tablet and your phones. Again, you never know when there will be a delay. I also recommend saving the tablet for a last resort. If you utilize the “most fun” item early, your toddler might not be entertained by the rest of the activities you packed.
Bonus: Comfort Object
Okay I thought I was done, but I realized some toddlers might have a lovey or comfort object that they need in difficult moments. If your kiddo needs something like this, don’t forget to pack it and keep it close!
Thank you for reading the The Best Items to Pack When Flying with a Toddler. I hope they will help you on your next vacation. For more travel content, please see the blog posts below:
My Best Advice for Disney with a Toddler
The Truth About Flying Alone with a Toddler
5 Reasons to Prioritize a Family Vacation this Year
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Safe Travels,
