The ultimate long-haul carry-on packing list for toddlers (and their parents!) - everything we take onboard when flying with our 2 year old
- teamthomastravels
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Now that Jamie is 2, flying as a family looks a little different. While he finally has his own seat (a relief for our laps, even if our wallets feel the pinch!), it also means we lose those "infant" perks, like free checked car seats, pushchairs, or cots.
To avoid mounting costs, we’ve mastered the art of maximizing our luggage allowance. By booking three seats, we get three checked bags and three carry-ons. We typically share two large cases between the three of us and check in Jamie’s backpack carrier as our third hold item.
Pro-Tip: If you aren’t travelling with a backpack carrier, you could always check your pushchair as your third item and gain an additional carry-on bag for the grown-ups. However, we personally prefer to keep our buggy with us throughout the airport. It’s a total lifesaver for navigating security and passport control without having to wrangle a grumpy or tired toddler, plus you'll have somewhere to put them for naps should you be delayed!
Because we use up two of our onboard pieces with our carry-on sized travel cot and cabin-approved pushchair, we consolidate everything else into just one shared cabin bag. This frees up space in our checked suitcase allowance for nappies, extra clothes and other bulky items (more on that here).
Here is exactly what we pack into our carry-on to survive a long-haul journey with a toddler:
The on-board care kit:
Since a long-haul flight can be unpredictable, we keep our "just in case" kit organized and easily accessible for quick changes and those inevitable mid-air nappy emergencies. Here is exactly what we pack to stay clean, healthy, and prepared:
10 x Nappies: Enough for the airport, flight, and emergencies. (Note: For flights over 8 hours, we up this to 12).
Wipes: One fresh, full pack.
Nappy bags: For easy disposal.
Travel-sized changing mat: Essential for hygiene in tiny airplane bathrooms.
The "Medicine Cabinet": Calpol and Nurofen (both max size 100ml) plus their dosing syringes.
Travel-size Sudocrem
Spare clothes for Jamie: Two pairs of trousers and one top.
Spare clothes for Adults: One spare top for each of us (because spills and sick children happen to parents, too!).
Antibacterial wipes: For giving the tray table and changing table a quick once-over before use.
Sleepy essentials:
On a long-haul flight, the goal is simple: get the toddler to sleep so you can, too. We usually book our big flights to coincide with Jamie’s bedtime for this very reason. (You can read more about this strategy in our 11 Sanity-Saving Toddler Travel Tips here).
To increase our chances of a successful mid-air snooze, we bring a few "home comforts" to make the cabin feel as familiar as possible:
To up our chances, we take a few things to make sleepy time feel as familiar as possible:
Thin sleeping bag (if your toddler will only sleep in one) or light blanket. It signals that it’s time for "real" sleep, not just a nap.
Bedtime milk: Two Tetrapaks of UHT toddler milk, along with the specific sippy cup or bottle they use at home. (Note: Liquid milk is generally exempt from the 100ml rule, but be prepared to have it screened at security).
Favourite cuddly toy: The ultimate comfort item. Pro-tip: Do a "cuddly count" before you leave the plane and ensure you have eyes on - leaving "old faithful" behind in the seat pocket is a holiday disaster you want to avoid!
Snacks and food:
Airline food is notoriously hit-or-miss for adults, but for a toddler, it can be a deal-breaker. We never rely solely on the plane meal; instead, we pack a safety net of familiar favourites to keep Jamie happy and full. Remember, most airports allow you to take toddler pouches and milk through security, but they will likely need to be screened separately, so keep them in an easy-to-reach spot!
Favourite straw cup or sippy cup: Keep this empty through security and fill it up with water before boarding so they have their preferred cup for takeoff.
The "Snack Surplus": We usually take a little Tupperware of Shreddies and three packets of toddler snacks (Jamie love sweetcorn rings and tomato wheels). This might feel like overkill, but if you’re stuck on the tarmac or facing a lengthy delay, you’ll be glad you have them!
Fresh fruit: Our go-to is a banana and a little Tupperware of cut grapes.
Emergency meals: We pack two 12+ months pasta dinner pouches. If Jamie goes "full toddler" and refuses the airplane meal, we know he’s still getting a proper dinner.
The bib duo: A cloth bib plus a plastic overall bib for the messy stuff.
Low-mess entertainment:
Keeping a two-year-old occupied in a confined space for 10 hours is no small feat. Our strategy is to pack "high-value" activities that are lightweight, reusable, and, most importantly, don't involve tiny pieces that will get lost under the seat.
3 x Reusable sticker books: These are a lifesaver. Jamie can peel and restick them for ages and they don’t leave a sticky residue on the tray tables.
Magic water colouring book: All the fun of painting with zero mess. Just fill the pen with a little water after you pass security, and the "ink" disappears as it dries so it can be used over and over.
Toddler wipe cleanable doodle pad & pens: A simple, lightweight classic for when inspiration strikes.
3 x lightweight books: We stick to paperbacks to keep the weight down. These are perfect for some quiet "wind-down" time before we try for a nap.
Wireless headphones & pre-loaded tech: Jamie doesn't like the over ear headphones that airlines supply for the inflight entertainment, so he uses a soft earband wireless headphone set for watching films and music on David's phone. Pro-Tip: Download your toddler's favourite playlists and plenty of episodes from Netflix or Disney+ onto your phone or tablet before you leave the house.
Jamie loves his soft headphones earband for listening to music or watching a few episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine on Daddy's phone.
The "Grown-Up" Essentials
While Jamie’s gear definitely takes up the lion’s share of our carry-on, we’ve learned that we’re better parents when we’ve taken care of our own basic needs too. We keep our personal stash small but effective:
Phone chargers: A long flight is a battery killer, especially if you're letting your toddler watch downloaded shows. We keep our cables (and a power bank) within easy reach.
Refillable water bottle: We bring one large one to share. Plane air is incredibly dehydrating, and waiting for the cabin crew to bring those tiny plastic cups of water is never enough.
A Kindle or book each: For those golden moments when Jamie actually sleeps! It’s our little slice of "me-time" at 30,000 feet, when we're not watching films or catching a nap ourselves.
Hand sanitiser: From sticky snack hands to post nappy changes, we use this constantly. No one wants to start their holiday with a cold!
It might seem like a lot to coordinate, but having these essentials within arm's reach makes the difference between a stressful flight and a smooth adventure. Happy travels!
You can save this handy printable, or pin it for later!
