What to Pack for the Plane: Flying with a Toddler and Baby
We're finally back home in Austin after a whirlwind 10-day trip to Pennsylvania during the 4th of July holiday. We make it a point to visit PA a few times a year to spend time with family, and summer is our favorite season there because it offers a break from the scorching Texas heat.
This year's trip was particularly special because it was our daughter's first time traveling. She's just 5 months old. That meant my husband and I had the pleasure of flying with both a baby and a toddler (our son is 2.5 years old).
We spent countless hours brainstorming and strategizing on how to make the trip as smooth as possible. We even reached out to friends for advice on managing two kids, car seats, strollers, and luggage at the airport.
Now that we're on the other side, I can confidently say that our trip was a success! The kids were incredibly well-behaved during the long plane ride. (My son had his own seat, while my daughter sat on our laps.) So, for this week, I thought I'd share my Plane Packing list with you—the list of everything I packed for the plane ride with my toddler and baby. My hope is that you can save time by using my list instead of brainstorming your own.
Whenever possible, I've included links to the items I brought along. As an Amazon Associate, I do receive a small commission when you use my links, and I greatly appreciate your support.
My Plane Pack List (for a 5-month-old and 2.5-year-old)
Change of Clothes for Both Kids
It's always a good idea to pack spare clothes for your little ones when traveling. With kids, you can expect blowouts or messy accidents, so having extras on hand is essential. When we traveled to PA, we actually flew at night and brought pajamas to change the kids into during our layover. That way, they were all ready for bed when we landed.
Extra Bibs and Burp Cloths
When it comes to essential items, having extras is a must!
Carrier
I packed my Artipoppe carrier to babywear my daughter through the airport. It made it much easier to carry all our bags and keep track of our toddler. Plus, it freed up the stroller for us to use as a convenient spot to store things.
This is a must for wiping down all the surfaces on the plane (our seat, the tray table, etc.) We really took over our section of the plane and my toddler touched everything, so ensuring it was cleanish gave me peace of mind.
iPad & Headphones
My toddler is at that age where he's obsessed with Paw Patrol and can be easily entertained by it for quite a while. We saved up all our "screentime" for the plane and downloaded several episodes on one of our old iPads. To make it even better, we got him these Bluetooth headphones. Realistically, this was the main thing my toddler wanted during the flight.
The temperature on an airplane can be unpredictable, especially when you have a baby on your lap. To combat the heat, we brought along a portable fan. It was a lifesaver in keeping both my baby and myself cool during the flight.
Blanket
With the same theme of the temperature being unpredictable, we also packed a blanket in case the airplane got too cold.
Diapers & Wipes
This is probably self-explanatory, but a must not forget! Always pack more than you think you will need to prepare for any delays or unexpected situations.
As I'm still nursing, having a nursing cover allowed me to breastfeed on the go and offer feedings whenever my baby needed them. Even though we had the entire row to ourselves, I used a nursing cover for a bit more privacy.
Snacks for Toddler
Apart from the iPad, snacks were a major source of entertainment for my toddler. We packed a big bag filled with his favorite snacks like peanut butter crackers, pouches, goldfish, and applesauce. Of course, his ultimate favorite was still the Biscoff cookies they handed out on the plane.
To make it easy for my toddler to stay hydrated without creating a mess, we packed both a sippy cup and a water bottle. This way, we could give him water or any special drink without worrying about spills.
With all the snacks and meals at the airport, we made sure to bring a rubber bib to minimize messes and save us from having to change my toddler’s outfit constantly. Additionally, we love using disposable placemats, especially in airports and restaurants, to keep things clean and hygienic.
The sound of airplane’s engine really helped my baby to fall asleep, but we also packed her sound machine to try to make the environment as conducive to sleep as possible and mimic her setup at home.
Last but not least, we packed my daughter's pacifier and extras. The sucking motion of the pacifier helped her with ear pressure during takeoff and landing. She particularly loves the Philips AVENT pacifiers, both at home and on the go.
Toys & Entertainment
Our packed toys and entertainment (besides the iPad and snacks) deserve their own section and own carry-on bag! Keeping a toddler and baby entertained is hard work! Over time and through many trips, we've gathered quite a collection of items. One of my pro tips is to keep these toys hidden away at home until it's time to travel. Many of these things my son hadn’t seen since our last flight, so they were exciting and new!
Here is a list of everything that I brought that actually kept my kids engaged:
Hopefully, this pack list will save you the time and hassle of creating your own for your next trip. It includes everything you need for smooth travels. That's all for now. Happy travels! XXX McKenzie