Happy Friday, friends!
Anyone else just really glad we’re here together on the internet looking at happiness?
Heavy is my heart but grateful to have a minute of respite here with you.
I’m thankful for these minutes together with you.
Always so very thankful.
Today, I decided at the last minute to go a different direction based on blog reader emails, DMs and comments and in lieu of my normal batch of Faves, I’m sharing…
…over the years, this has been a very common question, and today, for a little light and fluffy and hopefully HELPFUL, we’re spilling the beans.
It’s no secret that the Shull kiddos are well traveled. I honestly couldn’t count the number of times this bunch has been on an airplane, so needless to say, they have each developed a strong carry on bag game. In fact, I stopped several years ago even assisting them with packing it as now, all I have to say is “get your carry on bag packed” and even the littlest love knows exactly what she should and shouldn’t bring.
Many of you though have kiddos traveling for the first time and need some tips, tricks and ideas for their bags, so hopefully, you’ll find this helpful. Right now, my kids are old enough that their bags are very streamlined and simple, but that hasn’t always been the case over the years. I thought it might be easier if I broke this post down by age.
First up:
BIRTH TO YOUNG TODDLER AGE
You guys, we took a one year old and five month old to Europe…in two economy class seats. Yes. We held them all the way there in our laps and all the way home as it was uber affordable to take four people to Europe and only have to buy two airline tickets. Affordable…not exactly comfortable 😉 .
Here’s what I remember having for any and all flying we did when they were this age:
1: Diapers and wipes…more than you think you’ll need.
2: Gallon sized baggies for dirty diapers and wipes. Zipping them up really helps with containing any smells way more than tying plastic bags.
3: Bottles, formula, milk…whatever they’re drinking. Again, bring more than you think you’ll need. I used to always travel with bottles that had the disposable liners as it was easier to discard, clean and reuse than an entire bottle.
4: A change of clothes for you and the baby (in case there is some sort of explosive diaper/spit up situation, you both need fresh clothes handy).
5: A light blanket in case the flight is cold.
6: Any snacks that they love that aren’t super messy (cereals, bars, etc).
7: Little board books.
8: Soft dolls, plush toys
9: Pacifiers (bring extra!)
10: Stickers/sticker books are great for small toddler hands
11: Little cars/little people they can play with on the tray in front of them. Nothing too small because they’ll drop it and you’ll want to easily spot it and scoop it back up.
I’m sure I brought other random things, but you get the idea.
Next up…
OLDER TODDLER AGE TO PRESCHOOL KIDDOS
Heading to Disney World in this picture. Clearly, they didn’t get the “smile” memo. Ha!
Here’s what I remember having for any and all flying we did when they were this age:
1: Books!
2: Coloring books with crayons. I never brought markers because markers seem too valuable. If you drop a crayon and can’t locate it, that’s not a big deal…if you drop a marker, I feel like the whole plane has to start looking for it. I also think markers “mark” on everything in confined spaces (skin, clothing, the airplane seats) where crayons do not.
3: Sticker books! I can’t tell you how long a sticker book has occupied my kids.
4: Suckers. They are way better than candy as it takes much longer for kids to eat them…buying everyone time before said kid gets bored again.
5: Snacks, snacks and more snacks. In my opinion, this isn’t the time to keep them on their “healthy diet”. This is the time to keep them calm humans who aren’t bothering an entire plane full of people and quite frankly, sometimes, only a Dorito can do that.
6: Any toys/small objects they love but aren’t super valuable. Smith loved bringing little matchbox cars, Kensington would bring a random Barbie…things like that.
7: Small blankets for cuddling.
8: iPads and headphones with shows downloaded. I suggest shows they know and love…but also shows that are new to them too. Variety is the key.
And up next:
ELEMENTARY AGED KIDDOS
Here we are heading to Nantucket! Geez, I miss those baby cheeks.
Here’s what I remember having for any and all flying we did when they were this age (and yes, some of this is redundant, but really how much can it change?!):
1: Books, coloring books, word finds, Sudoku…all of these things are great to have and my kids have brought it all.
2: Snacks, snacks, more snacks, and even more snacks.
3: Still bring blankets! Blankets can be the difference between a good airplane nap and freezing/complaining children.
4: iPads and headphones with shows downloaded.
5: Chargers for said iPads and headphones. At this age, my kids also became responsible for packing their chargers too.
6: Any toys they love. Polly Pockets, My Little Pony and things like that are very popular at my house.
7: If they wear reading glasses, bring those too! If they wear contacts, bring anything they need to go along with their contacts as well.
And finally…
‘TWEENS AND TEENS
Here we are in Salt Lake City! Do we bring the luggage with us to ski or what?! Geez, Louise!
Here’s what I remember having for any and all flying we did when they were this age:
1: Homework, pens, pencils, anything they might need to be doing that’s school related.
2: Books and/or their Kindle (bring that charger!)
3: My kids STILL all bring their own blankets. We stopped bringing neck pillows a few years ago because they just kept getting lost, gross and super filthy while traveling, but my kids love to have their own blankets for the flight.
4: iPads and/or their phones and headphones with shows downloaded.
5: Chargers for said iPads/phones and headphones.
6: Sweatshirts. My kids love to put on a sweatshirt on airplanes.
7: We still bring snacks! Kensington brings quite a lot of food on longer flights as she typically cannot eat the airplane meal, so we’ll pack her sandwiches, wraps, salads…a lot of food.
8: Reading glasses, contacts, etc.
And that’s what we bring in their carry on bags!
Nothing fancy…just enough to keep them entertained/cozy/happy as we fly.
I’m sure I’ve left off some things, so please let me know what I’m missing and/or if your family has new ideas. I would love to read about them in the comment section.
I know many of you like to “shop the post”, so I rounded up as many of these items as I could…
…I PUT THEM ALL HERE for you to check out.
I will do an updated WHAT I BRING IN MY CARRY ON BAG post soon too! In the meantime though, you can check out my post from a few years ago with a list for me.
Yesterday, I posted PART ONE FROM OUR TRIP TO LONDON earlier this week! Make sure you pop over to check it out!
Happy Friday, friends. Sending you so much love.
I will see you TOMORROW for our Saturday post! xx
Beth Knecht says
We love the Melissa and Doug reusable sticker packs for flights and the water markers for toddlers. Just add water and it becomes a marker on the Melissa and Doug books. So much easier than cleaning up actual marker off of everything! I also carry seven thousand ziploc bags and wipes because they basically fix everything!
Erika Slaughter says
It gets SO much easier when they get older! I remember suckers being game changers on flights when my kids were little.
Elspeth says
I’m always curious to see what people bring in their carry ons! Great post! Happy Friday!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Christine says
This is so helpful! I’d add one thing… It sounds random, but for the toddler age, post-it notes were surprisingly entertaining! Fun for doodling or just sticking on the tray table. Cheap and easy disposable entertainment. 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
BRILLIANT!!!!
Sheaffer says
The pic with the neck pillows on their heads is my favorite!
Kristin says
Thank you for acknowledging that you are paying attention to and are moved by the terrible things that are happening in the world and then moving on to your usual content. I would hate to have to navigate those issues on social media because I am afraid I would put my foot in it while expressing my concerns for all of the innocent people on all sides who are suffering so greatly. But I am glad that you found a graceful way to mention it, because completely avoiding it just seems wrong. Thank you for being a place to relax and be happy for a while. Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!
Mix and Match Mama says
I need my own safe place on the internet for a few minutes each day too…because everything else is terrifying. xx
Lisa D says
Such great tips for travel, thanks! I am now traveling with baby, toddler, elementary age, and tween grandchildren! It feels “full circle” and so, so sweet.
Look at Smith getting so tall! You are probably purchasing a new closet of clothes for him every few months 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
And shoes too 😉
Laura M says
We live overseas and have traveled tons of times with our 3 kiddos. When they were little I would buy super random, cheap toys, a lollipop, rubber bath toys, small books etc. BUT I would wrap them all! Especially on a long 14 hour flight- I would have them open something every 30-60 minutes. The time it takes them to unwrap helps the time pass. Also- no screen restrictions on those long flights- survival is the goal.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes!!! Yes, yes and yes!
Krista S. Steenbergen says
The neck pillow picture made my day! They all are having so much fun!❤️
Therese says
Married to a commercial airline pilot so our kids have been flying regularly since birth; often with just me as Daddy is meeting us there. I co-sign everything you listed. I would add when my kids were pre-school and young elementary I would buy lots of little things at the Target Dollar shop. Think mini play doh, figurines, coloring book/crayons….. Those were packed in our carry-ons and if they broke, got lost, whatever it didn’t matter. They were only $1 and no emotional connection. I also used a headphone connector so two kids could watch one device when needed. that was life changing on a number of occasions. Like you said, their own blankets (still at ages 12 and 14) are always wanted!
Holly says
Great post, Shay! Not a carry-on specific tip, but definitely helpful in an airport trip situation. Up until the last year or so (they’re six and nine now), I had my girls wear matching outfits when we fly. It helped a ton to have them dressed in the same, as a quick glance would confirm we hadn’t gotten separated. Now, if I could just find my husband an outfit to match them ;)…………
Kristin Lyngaas says
Thank you for giving great tips! We traveled a ton with our kids too, and you hit it on the head. Car trips aren’t any different 🤣😁 I hope you had a fantastic time in England. Have a beautiful day!
Emily says
We always try to bring something new or novel on trips (flights and road trips) for my 2.5 year old. The target dollar section has great things – coloring book kits, stickers, fidget toys, small play doh, etc.
K.K. says
Okay – the neck pillow picture is absolutely one of my ALL-TIME favorites you’ve posted!! Ah ha ha… So fun!
Andrea says
Yes to skipping the normal healthy diet. Vacation starts when you get on the plane! I will never forget the smile on our son’s face when he was little and asking the flight attendant for a Coke on early morning flights!
Nancy says
I love reading your posts especially about family and travel. I have one question. Do your teens carry backpacks, totes or rolling carry ons? Just curious we always do backpacks because they don’t want to keep up with a rolling bag.
Mix and Match Mama says
*Sometimes* K will take a bag that rolls, but for the most part, they both take backpacks.
Natasha says
We always bring an empty water bottle we can fill when we get past security. You never get enough water in those small plastic glasses the airline offers you, especially on long flights. And we also always have their favourite stuffed animals in carry on — even at 12 and 14! Additionally, we always each have a full change of clothes and pjs in carry on. That’s saved us a few times when our luggage gets lost for a few days.
Kasey Powers says
My kids are tweens and pack their own bags now too. But when they were younger we had a large ziplock of what we lovingly called “trash toys” – all things that it’s fine if they don’t make it home.
This is where every happy meal toy and goody bag trinket and the occasional beat up hotwheel or figure went. For a flight I’d let them each pick a few things for their bag. The rest went in my bag and would be swapped out or replaced throughout the trip.
Joan Walton says
Change of underwear and socks in case the luggage doesn’t arrive.
Julianna says
Yeti makes a tumbler with a lid that screws on and closes. We would always bring this in the plane with warm water to make bottles for our babies. (My babies did not like cold formula!)
P Phillips says
We’ve lived overseas for 17 years & all our kids have lived their entire lives there – so LOTS of international traveling for us on a wide variety of airlines (kids now ages 6-15). I agree with everything you’ve said, especially the SNACKS & blankets. We were recently delayed at an airport for ELEVEN hours & it was an international airport in a third world country with very limited food options. Those snacks saved us! For entertainment, they really only care about watching movies on the plane but a deck of cards makes a world of difference during long layovers. I would add that we still add a pack of wipes to someone’s carry-on because it’s just handy to have for accidents (along with all basic toiletries). My kids also still pack a change of clothes in their carryons (sometimes 2) because we’ve had luggage lost or we’re exhausted by the time we get to where we’re going & they just don’t want to deal with unpacking a large suitcase – it’s so easy to have their PJs & one outfit ready to go in their carry-on for first night/day arrival. And gum is always an essential in their carry-ons for “airplane ears” : )
Jaime says
Hi! How do you guys handle souvenirs for your kids? Do you set a Number each Kids Can Get? Or a price limit?
Mix and Match Mama says
It has really varied over the years. When they were little, little, they could get one item a day but those were small things (a big lollipop for example, a fan that sprays water at Disney World…you know, small little keychains, stuff like that). Now that they’re older, it’s more about the dollar amount. Maybe Kensington wants a really nice pair of sunglasses, well that would be her one thing for the entire trip…where Mades wants a $10 ring, she can get the jacket and a stuffed animal too.
Michelle says
We live overseas and I have taken more flights with children than I can count. When my children were toddlers I would go to the Dollar Store and buy a few random things for them to play with. The very best thing I ever grabbed was a small lipstick case that lit up when you opened it. My son played with it for hours – Who new?