I've Flown 34,863 Miles with Kids on My Lap—Here Are the 11 Items That Saved Me
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As far as parenting philosophies go, I'm typically a 'less is more' kind of mom. Experience has taught me that kids don't really need a ton of stuff. But the moment we step onto a plane? That philosophy gets shoved in the overhead bin.
My husband and I both have family abroad, which means we've logged more than 34,000 miles with our babies, toddlers and, yes, lap children (we take full advantage of the fact that kids under 2 fly free as long as you don't book them a seat!). And if there's one thing I've learned from all those hours in the sky with my family of five, it's this: Flying with kids is not parenting—it's survival. It's a peculiar place where time makes no sense and rules don't apply. Screen time? Unlimited. Snacks? Whatever they want. Sanity? Left it somewhere back in Terminal C.
So how do you survive it? For me, it comes down to a very specific set of gear. With that in mind, here are the 11 products that have actually saved me mid-flight—and might just save you too.
Here's Everything I Pack for a Family of 4 in a Single Carry-On & Backpack (Without Losing My Mind)
1. Babyzen YoYo Connect Stroller
The YoYo is the best travel stroller, IMO. It's super lightweight, has a shoulder strap for easy carrying and folds up small enough to qualify as a carry-on. That said, here's my pro tip: Use it through the airport, then gate check it right before you board. That way, you're not fighting for overhead bin space and you don't have to wrangle it onto the plane. When you land and finally make it off the plane, it'll be waiting for you ready to roll. And once you're at your destination, it's just as clutch. The stroller has a sun canopy, reclines for naps on-the-go and includes a small but functional storage basket and back pocket.
$449 $336 at Amazon
$399 at Pottery Barn Kids
2. RideSafer Portable Car Seat
Amazon
If you're traveling with kids, you're probably lugging a car seat—aka the bulkiest, most annoying piece of gear known to parents. That's why anything that cuts down on the hassle is worth it in my book. Enter this travel vest. It comes in multiple sizes for kids ages 3 and up (and weighing at least 30 pounds) and has been a total lifesaver for my now-6-year-old. It's certified for use in motor vehicles in all 50 states and folds into a lightweight pouch that fits easily in a carry-on or backpack. While I wouldn't rely on it for a big road trip, we've used it with my son for years for airport transfers, rental cars or hopping in an Uber in a new city. And according to him, it's also 'comfier than the big seat,' which is high praise coming from a kindergartener.
$179 at Amazon
3. Travel Wet Wipes
Amazon
Whether you're traveling with a newborn or a teenager, you are going to need wipes. And a lot of 'em. I always put a full-size pack in my carry-on, but I also like to stash travel-size ones in every pocket, purse and side pouch I can find. They're ideal for spit-up, snack explosions, sticky hands, mystery gunk…you name it. I truly can't stress this enough: when you're flying with kids, there is no such thing as too many wipes.
$3 at Amazon
4. Packing Cubes
Amazon
When your baby has a blow out or your toddler has a tantrum 30,000 feet in the air, you want to be able to act quickly. Packing cubes can help you do exactly that. I use one for diaper supplies, another for toys and a third for snacks—so when chaos strikes (and it will), I can grab exactly what I need ASAP. I like these ones because they come in multiple sizes and have mesh paneling so I can quickly see what's inside, but honestly any good packing cube set will make your life easier in the air.
$28 $18 at Amazon
5. Baby Carrier
Amazon
One of the perks of flying with a baby is that the airplane engine doubles as a built-in sound machine. Unfortunately, the harsh overhead lights, constant foot traffic and freezing AC don't exactly scream nap time. That's where a baby carrier comes in. It's a game-changer for the airport, the flight and everything in between. I've logged more hours than I can count pacing airplane aisles with a baby strapped to my chest in both the LILLEbaby and the ErgoBaby. Is it fun? Not exactly. But as long as the baby sleeps and no one's crying, I'll count that as a win.
$219 at Amazon
$100 at Lillebaby
6. A Swaddle Blanket
Amazon
A large swaddle blanket folds up easily into your carry-on and can be used for a multitude of things—a clean spot for baby to sit at the gate, a warm layer for a chilly kid mid-flight or a makeshift cover for a sleeping infant (why do they always turn on the overheard lights so early?). I've even used one as an impromptu dress for a toddler when I ran out of spare clothes (more on that below). I especially like muslin ones because they're lightweight and versatile.
$19 at Amazon
7. Some New (Budget-Friendly) Toys
I wish I could tell you there's one magical toy that will keep your toddler entertained for the entire flight. After flying dozens of times with three kids, I can confirm: there isn't. What does work is a rotation of 'new-to-them' playthings you can introduce at regular intervals to keep things fresh. And no, they don't have to be expensive. One of my kids once spent a solid hour sticking and unsticking Post-its to the seat in front of us. Another was obsessed with those suction-cup spinners. Mess-free coloring books, puffy stickers that won't leave any residue on the window and Guess in 10 games are all great options that'll cost you less than $10.
$10 at Amazon
8. Hand Sanitizer and Wipes
Amazon
You'll feel gross when you get off that plane no matter what, but a quick wipe-down of the tray table and seat before takeoff, plus some hand sanitizer at the ready, will help. And while I just advised you to pack a bunch of cute new toys, just know that your baby will likely be most fascinated by the germ-riddled safety card in the seat-back pocket. So…you'll want to wipe that down too.
$22 from Amazon
$14 at Amazon
9. All the Snacks
Amazon
Pack what you think your kid will need and then double it. Triple it even. Snacks will save you on your flight. And remember what I said up top? At home you may only dish out homemade veggie bites and fresh fruit, but up here, do what you gotta do. Here are some parent-recommended travel snacks, but I personally love applesauce pouches, raisins, popcorn and M&Ms (anything that will take them a while to eat is particularly helpful). For babies, I like some type of puff that'll keep them busy for a bit and won't make a mess.
$7 at Amazon
10. Amazon Fire 7 Kids' Tablet
Amazon
True story: I was recently flying back from Europe with all three of my kids and about 90 minutes into the flight we had to turn around because there was a problem with the bathrooms, tacking on an extra three hours to our already eight-hour journey. This tablet saved me. Was I mildly concerned that my son was glued to a screen all day? Sure. But mostly, I was just grateful he was quiet, happy and not kicking the seat in front of him. This tablet is easy for little hands to navigate, has parental controls I actually trust and offers tons of kid-friendly content that can be downloaded for offline use (crucial when Wi-Fi is spotty up in the air).
$110 at Amazon
11. Thermos Water Bottle with Straw
Amazon
Out of all the water bottles I've tried over the years, this one is by far my favorite. Why? Because it's actually leak-proof—a feature that is much appreciated when you're wedged between your 3-year-old and a stranger in row 28. I also like that it's stainless steel, easy-to-clean and comes with a straw. I always fill it up before boarding—it's one less thing to worry about once you're in the air, and way better than relying on those tiny plastic cups of airplane water.
$18 at Amazon
A few more travel tips:
Pack a plastic or paper bag. You will inevitably make a lot of garbage and need someplace to put it that isn't the back of the seat in front of you.
Don't board first. If you're traveling with more than one adult then one of you boards first while the other stays by the gate with the kids to let them crawl/run around, move their bodies and get the wiggles out before sitting still for however many hours.
Bring a couple of changes of clothes for the kids and, if space allows, for you. There will be spills, there will be spit up. Having a spare T-shirt will make you feel just a little more human when you step off the plane.
Most importantly—lower your expectations. Repeat after me: 'It's going to suck. And then it'll be over.' This mantra has been my guide through dozens of flights and it never fails.
21 Travel Games for Kids to Keep the Whole Family Sane
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Build quality: Many cheap options on the market aren't very sturdy. I know from experience that it's not a good idea to buy these, and you'll end up buying another set after a few uses. 'Packing cubes are meant to be stuffed over and over again,' Zoellner said, 'so the quality of the fabric, zippers and stitching are really important. You'll want a sturdy nylon fabric that is easy to clean, and seams and a zipper that won't bust open.' To check zipper quality, Tang recommended 'drag[ing] them back and forth quickly to see if they are likely to catch or stick when you are frantically packing before checkout.' Breathability: 'If you don't need waterproofing,' Tang said, 'avoid thick plastic packing cubes — you might end up with smelly clothes. Clothes need to breathe.' When choosing a mesh option, however, make sure that it's durable enough. 'The first thing to fail is the netting, so tug at the mesh to see if it can take it,' he said. 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'Avoid making an impulse purchase without thinking about your unique needs and travel style,' she said. 'Someone who only travels with a small clamshell suitcase will likely benefit from different packing cubes, say a traditional zip-top rectangular style, than someone who backpacks, who may want something with more compression and a handle to pull it out from a densely packed sack.' Price: A high price doesn't always mean the best quality and vice versa. Know that even though there are packing cubes that will cost you over $100, you can find top-quality ones that are under $100 and even under $25. I enlisted the help of Lonely Planet travel writer and luggage geek Phillip Tang to answer these frequently asked questions about packing cubes. How do packing cubes work? How do packing cubes work? Packing cubes are zippered fabric compartments that let you neatly organize, pack and even compress your folded clothes in your luggage. Usually available in packs, they're very easy to use: Simply unzip a cube, pack it with as many clothes as you can without overstuffing it, zip and put it in your travel bag. How do you use packing cubes like an expert? How do you use packing cubes like an expert? Tang said that if you are packing a deep, soft-sided suitcase, pack cubes like books on a shelf to see everything at a glance without having to dig. You can even label them. Another pro move is to use varied colors. 'It's tempting to go for a matching set of packing cubes,' said Tang, 'but varied colours and styles make it easier to spot what you're looking for without unzipping. I choose blue for cold-weather clothes, red for short-sleeved T-shirts and a neon green for valuables so I won't leave them behind. Other colors match what's inside.' Do packing cubes wrinkle clothing? Do packing cubes wrinkle clothing? They can. Unlike garment bags, which are specifically designed to avoid wrinkles, packing cubes are not designed for that purpose. However, there are things you can do to minimize wrinkles, such as not overstuffing a cube, folding your clothes neatly before packing them, and ensuring that there's not a lot of room for movement in the cube and in your luggage. Can you use a packing cube in a carry-on? Can you use a packing cube in a carry-on? Absolutely! In fact, some packing cube sets are designed to fit one side of a carry-on compartment perfectly. However, you can also use packing cubes in a weekender bag, a travel backpack or a checked luggage. For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights. Andrea Zoellner, co-founder of Keiko Furoshiki, and a travel and packing blogger at The Capsule Suitcase. Phillip Tang, luggage geek and Lonely Planet travel writer, passionate about his two loves: Latin America and Asia. CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors with many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products who ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we test each product accurately and only recommend the best products while considering the pros and cons of each item. Testing writer Michelle Rae Uy has years of experience covering travel and travel product reviews as a former travel writer. She wrote some of our best-tested travel guides, including the best weekender bags, the best personal items bags and the best travel pillows. She also wrote about accessible travel gear and solo travel essentials.
