Travel tips: what to pack in your child’s hand luggage?

Kids are terrible at packing their own bags. They want to take all kinds of junk with them.

We recently left the house with over a dozen essential stuffed toys, a cardboard box to sit in, plus a collection of rocks collected from a flower pot. It may seem like unnecessary things to take with you on vacation, but when there’s the risk of a massive delay, it’s really no problem to take those damn rocks with you.

There are a few things you can do as a parent to make packing and traveling a stress-free experience for everyone. Having your child help pack their own bag can be a fun activity — about five minutes. So once you’ve traded the Lego collection for crucial pieces of clothing, it pays off not to let your kid even touch the suitcase.

If you’re flying with kids, you’ll need a good arsenal of gear to get through the experience, from essential medicines to diapers, clothing, and food. Here are some safe items to carry in your child’s carry-on.

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* Unfailing strategies to get you through a flight with a baby

Things to do

It’s a good idea to bring activities and toys that your child has never seen before, so there is an element of surprise and interest in the plane, beyond fiddling with the tray.

It could be a new coloring or sticker book, an activity block, travel card games, or a new toy car, all depending on your child’s age, interests, and attention span. Wrap them individually as presents to waste more time and then make a big deal on each new item. Then sit back and relax before you have to answer the next question.

Avoid glitter and messy activities at all costs, as well as items with too many small parts, or you’ll spend the flight fumbling under the seat to pick them up. Always have a backup plan if something goes wrong.

Things to eat

Don’t count on in-flight snacks like beet chips and livelihood cookies. Growing bodies need food and lots of it.

Variation is the keyword. Bento lunch boxes are a great way to make food look appealing and showcase individual items in one convenient container. Aim for something healthy, something tasty, and something substantial. Snacks in prepackaged bags or boxes will also make your life on board easier.

Packaged fruit and yogurt are a brilliant option for younger children. Keep in mind that the build-up of cabin pressure can cause the fluid to burst like a fountain of dairy over your child’s lap — or over the stranger’s neighbor.

The same goes for opening baby bottles and water bottles in the air. Find a good lightweight, leak-proof bottle and make sure you fill it before boarding. If you bottle feed your baby, purchase a portable powder dispenser so you have pre-measured measuring spoons for easy use.

Not every airline hands out lollipops like Air New Zealand does, but hard-boiled candies and lollipops are a brilliant way to prevent and relieve pressure buildup in your child’s ears. Or just let your child drink water during takeoff and landing.

Also be prepared for unexpected delays. You don’t want to run out of essentials during the flight, so as a last resort, pack extra things to eat and maybe a special treat in your bag.

Thing to clean

Taking the above with you, you’ll need some wipes. Bring extra.

Things to wear

Unfortunately, children, food and clothing do not mix.

You’ll want to carry at least one spare piece of clothing in your carry-on bag in case of an accident at the airport, on the plane, or on your way to your next destination. It also pays to bring your own clothes on board.

Also, be prepared for temperature fluctuations, from dry and hot in the airport terminal to cold and damp in the cabin. If it’s a long-haul flight, or if you’ve planned the trip with a nap, consider bringing something familiar, such as a small blanket or stuffed animal.

It is a legal requirement for passengers aged 12 years and older to wear face coverings on domestic flights. Make sure to test the masks before you go to make sure your child is comfortable.

Things to watch

The great thing about streaming services is that you can download your favorite series for later.

Load up your phone or tablet with plenty of kid-friendly options to play with once the novelty of air travel and the new activities wear off. If you’re concerned about too much screen time, how about a learning app on your tablet?

Kid-friendly headphones are made to fit around small heads and usually come with built-in limiters to reduce the volume. They can also help drown out loud engine noise, which some children may find scary.

If you also have time to watch something and you’re left to share one device with two, consider getting a cheap headphone splitter so you can listen through a set of cans each – instead of one measly earbud. .

Bonus tip

Don’t talk about the suitcase.

You’ve probably seen kids walking through airports with their own multicolored bag. So cute. Leading up to the trip, the key is to not even mention the word “suitcase” until you’re at the airport so that the novelty is still alive and kicking when you walk through the doors.

They will love dragging their bag to the check-in counter and watching it disappear down the conveyor belt. Ride-on bags are another great option to save you the hassle of carrying around one more piece of carry-on luggage.

Do you have any tips for traveling with children? Let us know in the comments.