Flying with kids packing list
- Long flights with kids are won in the carry-on — entertainment, snacks, and sleep gear stay in the child's backpack, not checked luggage.
- Pack a sleep kit they control: comfort item, neck pillow, spare outfit, and anything they need to fall asleep on the plane.
- Checked bag holds daily outfits, backup socks and shoes, and a foldable duffle for souvenirs on the way home.
What you’ll likely need
A quick peek at must-bring and strongly suggested items for this trip. Your full checklist with checkboxes appears in a moment.
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Kids sun hat with strap
- Light jacket / layer
- Packable rain jacket
- Pants / shorts
- Socks
- T-shirts / tops
- Underwear
- Credit / debit cards
- Driver's license / ID
- Flight / booking confirmations
- Health insurance card
- Passport
- Visa / entry documents
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Travel power adapter
- Prescription medications
- Child's own carry-on backpack
- Children's pain/fever medicine (proper dose)
- Comfort item (stuffed animal or small blanket)
- Spare outfit for each child
- Tablet or phone with offline shows & games
- Wired headphones (plane & car)
- Ziplock bag of snacks your child picked
- Extra socks & underwear per child
- Kids rain jacket or packable shell
- Deodorant
- Kids sunscreen SPF 50+
- Sunscreen SPF 30+
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste (travel size)
- TSA liquids bag (100ml)
- Day backpack
- Packing cubes
- Sunglasses
- Sleepwear
- Warm jacket / coat
- Emergency contact list
- Local currency / cash
- Travel insurance documents
- Headphones / earbuds
- Portable charger
- Backup snacks in parent bag
- Kids entertainment (books/games)
- Reusable water bottle
- Band-aids / plasters
- Pain reliever (ibuprofen)
- Activity book (stickers, puzzles, or coloring)
- Comfy clothes to change into before boarding
- Digital thermometer
Tips for this trip
- Change kids into comfy clothes before boarding on overnight flights — set expectations about sleep vs screen time early.
- Pack a quart ziplock of snacks your child chose, plus backup snacks in your bag — plane meals are hit or miss.
- A USB night light helps in unfamiliar hotel bathrooms after a long travel day.
More packing lists for kids & family trips guides on our packing lists for kids & family trips hub , or use the full packing tool
Common questions
What should kids pack in their own carry-on? +
Headphones, tablet with offline shows, activity book, comfort item, neck pillow, snacks, spare outfit, and meds. Keep the bag light enough that they can still carry it when tired.
What goes in checked luggage for kids? +
Daily outfits, two pajamas, extra socks and underwear, a second pair of shoes, rain jacket, and optional swimsuit if your hotel has a pool.
What about an 8-year-old on a first international flight? +
School-age kids can pack their own bag from this list — you check weight and weather. Wired headphones work better on older plane screens than Bluetooth alone.
International trip with kids — what do parents forget? +
Thermometer, children's medicine in carry-on, emergency info card, plane headphone adapter, and a foldable bag for souvenirs. Enable laundry if you are away more than a week.