AIRPLANE KIT FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS
This airplane kit for babies and toddlers will help you stay sane during your family’s flight. Use this list to pack the right toys, gear, feeding items, and changing supplies. This toddler and baby airplane kit will help ensure a happy flight for you, your child, and your fellow passengers. The kit works for car or train travel, too. Print one out and check off items as you pack them before your next flight. We also provide tips for keeping young children content on airplanes on share our recommendations for the best gear and toys to pack for a smooth flight with babies and toddlers.
Baby and Toddler Airplane Kit
□ Car seat (Even if not booking a seat for baby – it can be gate checked) and/or CARES Restraint by Kids Fly Safe for children who weigh 22 – 44 pounds
□ Stroller (It can be gate-checked too)
□ Diapers (Enough to make it through the flight, plus 3 – 6 extra)
□ Diaper Cream (Tube must be smaller than 3.4 ounces due to airline regulations)
□ Diaper Wipes
□ Changing Pad (Disposable pads are great!)
□ Change of Clothes for Baby (And maybe one for you)
□ Plastic Bags for Soiled Diapers (Air sickness bags can be used for this as well)
□ Bottles (Enough to make it through the flight, plus 2 – 3 extra)
□ Nursing Cover-Up
□ Pacifiers (Plenty of ‘em stuffed in more than one bag to make retrieval easy)
□ Powdered Formula (Pre-measured into a plastic container with serving dividers)
□ Healthy Snacks
□ “Forbidden” Snacks
□ No-Spill Snack Container
□ A Sippy-Cup
□ Bib (Plastic-coated so it is easily wiped clean)
□ Baby Spoon
□ Baby Fork
□ Baby Food (In plastic containers – twice as much as you think you will need)
□ Baby Medications (Ibuprofen for sore ears and anything else baby may need)
□ Nose Aspirator (The blue booger-bulb for infants)
□ Digital Thermometer
□ Smart Phone and Plenty of Kid Movies (And a couple “grown-up” movies for you in case the baby actually sleeps!)
□ 3 – 9 Favorite Books (Depending on the length of the flight)
□ 1 – 2 New Books
□ 1 – 2 Favorite Small Toys
□ Cuddle Object (Favorite blankie or stuffed toy)
□ 2 – 6 New Small Toys (You can gift wrap these for older toddlers to buy some time)
□ Pack of Fat, Triangular Crayons or Washable Markers and a Coloring Book
□ Stickers
□ Flash Cards, Lacing Cards or Other Compact Activity (For older toddlers)
Toddler Harness for Airplanes
The safest way to fly with babies and toddlers is to purchase their own airplane seats. Then you can safely buckle your precious cargo into an infant or toddler car seat. With older babies (22 – 44 pounds), we highly recommend the one-pound CARES safety restraint. It makes air travel so much easier with toddlers. Read why we love CARES for air travel with toddlers now.
Feeding and Diapering Babies and Toddlers on Airplanes
If you only follow one piece of advice about flying with babies and toddlers, then let it be this: pack twice as much food, formula, diapers, and wipes as you think you’ll need! Flights are often delayed and the last thing you want is to be stuck on the tarmac or at 30,000 feet with a wet, hungry, wailing baby. (It’s the last thing other airplane passengers want, too!)
Entertaining Babies and Toddlers on Flights
The common-sense key to a successful flight with a baby or toddler is to pack the right stuff and stay focused on your little one throughout the entire flight.
For additional ideas about how to entertain your child while traveling, check out our recommended travel toys for kids, from babies to teens. You may also want to take a peek at the best travel books for kids and our tips for flying with babies and toddlers.
If you like these tips, then you’ll love The Travel Mamas’ Guide, a fun and helpful book by TravelMamas.com Founder Colleen Lanin all about how to travel with babies and young children…and stay sane!
