Tips / Travel

Toddler Hand Luggage Essentials

I think most parents would agree that the most stressful part of any holiday is the travelling. Before we can stroll into paradise, there is the dreaded travelling part. As much as I want to rest, it is impossible with a toddler who wants to constantly walk everywhere and touch everything. Being stuck in a confined space for 15 minutes is hard enough, let alone a long haul flight. #JasperBean’s attention span is very short, as with any other toddler his age and finding ways to keep him entertained and occupied is hard and stressful. Therefore hand luggage essentials tailored for him is very important.

I have many travelling memories that I consider to be failures but I have learnt from them and this time round, I want to share this with you. I don’t want you to be the unprepared mum that desperately asks crew members for in flight colouring pads or toys. If you want a somewhat calm and relaxing start and/or end to your holiday with a toddler once you’ve boarded. Then read on and find out what we packed in our hand luggage on our latest trip.

Nappy Bag Basics

Change of clothes

You have at least one set of clean clothes for your baby, but have you considered ones for yourself? Accidents happen and it’s no ones fault. You don’t want to sit for hours smelling like spoilt milk or worse… right? Of course if you’re dressed in layers, you can remove them the dirty outer layer, but you know sometimes it doesn’t just sit on top. Also if you’re arriving at a destination that is a completely different climate to where you came from, a fresh change of clothing will get you in the right holiday mood. Check out my post on Travel Outfit Essentials and Ideas.

Plastic bags

Getting rid of soiled nappies generally isn’t too difficult on a plane, but what if you have to hold onto it for a bit longer than expected? It’ll be more hygienic and pleasant for your neighbours if you have a few spare bags to pack these away. Also pack some bigger Ziploc/plastics bags too, so that you can put away any soiled clothes… you wouldn’t want to stuff them in your clean bag or throw them away, right?

Blanket

Ok, this is optional, but unless you want to use the tissue paper thin airline blankets, I suggest you bring a small blanket for your little one too. They don’t take up much space and as #JasperBean often suffers from rashes due to his super sensitive skin, I would rather he use his own blanket than break out in something awful anyday.

Entertainment

Toddler entertainment for a long haul flight

Toys

  • Activity Books full of stickers and pages to colour and don’t forget the crayons!
  • Stickers, yes I’ve said this as well but you really can’t get enough of these. Have a variety of them, such as plain boring paper stickers to shiny and foamy ones. Window gel stickers are a winner if you have a window seat.
  • Playdough. I love playdough because you can literally do anything with them. #JasperBean loves pretend cooking, so the Kitchen Creations Shape N Slice Play Set is an absolute lifesaver for me. He can sit there cutting and chopping for a good 30+ minutes and not get distracted. It’s also inexpensive, so if we lose some, we’re not going to cry over it. Love love love!
  • Building, hand-eye co-ordination and mini activities:
    • Velcro dot craft sticks
    • pipecleaners and beads/pasta tubes for threading
    • pom poms, tweezers, scoopers, bottles
    • mini cars and masking tape to create roads
    • any choice of small toys wrapped up for an extra surprise
  • Books

The most important thing about these activities/toys you take on board is that they are cheap and cheerful and you don’t mind losing them.

car seat travel tray keeps the little bits from rolling off the table

In the photo above, you can also see I have used the Toddler Car Seat Travel Tray by DMoose to make sure that all the little bits and pieces of toys don’t suddenly disappear or roll off the table. This was extremely useful and I’m so thankful I took this along as I avoided many “mummy, it’s gone… mummy pick it up please… mummy, mummy, mummy”. The sides zip off for easy storage too (you can see that I have folded the sides up in the first image – bottom right, next to the Fly Legsup and stored the surface part in my backpack).

Tablet and headphones

Definitely not my first go to option, but definitely an essential. this is great if nothing else works and you just need some peace and quiet. Load up with lots of songs, short age appropriate tv programmes/movies and gaming apps. Particular favourites currently are:

  • Dave and Ava Nursery Rhymes and Songs from Youtube. They also have an app, but I think this is ridiculously expensive, so I utilise Youtubes offline feature.
  • Apps. Bizzy Builds and Bizzy Farm – from the Bizzy bear series.
  • Amazon Prime Video. I have a variety of children’s programme downloaded for offline viewing such as Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Teletubbies etc. Basically, anything that he will want to watch.

no more sharing headphones!

Food and drink

Be prepared, a hungry toddler is never happy! Bring lots of healthy snacks and create familliarity in a strange surrounding. Not everyone wants airline meals on offer and toddlers are notoriously fussy eaters, so having something that they are use to will make the journey feel a lot smoother and calmer. Try to bring snacks that take time to eat and isn’t laden with sugar. We all know what comes after a sugar high! Also, make sure to offer plenty of water. A dehydrated toddler is equally as bad as a hungry one. Food options include:

  • biscuits
  • pouches
  • fruit

Support

Support for when you need to free up a hand or leg…

Sling or easily collapsible stroller

I personally love the traditional mei tai as they are comfortable and flexible. They fold up to almost next to nothing and weigh next to nothing. I have always used a mei tai/sling when boarding and disembarking so that I free up my hands to carry my hand luggage, purchases and stroller. We have the GB Pokit stroller, so it folds down to the size of a backpack, therefore I don’t need to check this in separately and can take it straight on board and store in the overhead compartments. I also use the foldaway Ikea backpack to carry this when not in use.

Fly Legups

There have been many varieties of bed/leg-rest popping up in the last few years, and why not? Everyone wants to be comfortable when flying, but not everyone can afford Business or First Class travel. So, instead of buying another suitcase for that purpose, we decided on the Fly Legsup. This is a hammock that creates a flat platform for children to sleep and play on. Once we’re in the air and the seatbelt sign is off, we hook it up onto the tray table and it stays there for the entire journey. We don’t have to remove it to use the table or if the seat in front decides to recline. It’s safe because it doesn’t restrict the use of seatbelts or block walkways. Most importantly, no more sleeping on mummy’s lap!

#JasperBean, myself or S can use this, it is super adaptable, comfortable and has become our ultimate accessory for airplane travel. We just have to make sure we’re not sitting in bulkhead seats. If you have a smaller baby and require a bassinet seat, then you wouldn’t be able to use the Fly Legsup.

Fly LegUps
Not sure if you can see the Fly LegsUp in action in this photo, but they proved to be a winner.

Note: Some airlines have banned these in-flight travel accessories, and as the hammock is a still a very “new concept”. If you are questioned, let the crew know that the Fly LegsUp has been comprehensively tested by a CASA authorised aviation engineer.

Trunki

We were able to pack most of his entertainment in a Trunki, so we didn’t have to carry any of this whilst at the airport and at the same time, he had fun rolling around. Just make sure you keep an eye or hand on the ‘lead’ so they don’t go charging into people or secured areas. 😛

Toddler Hand Luggage Essentials in a Trunki

Medication

Calpol Sugar Free infant Suspension come in little satchets. Hence it is a easy to carry some in your handbag/nappy bag etc. Make sure you check and bring the correct dosage for your child as this would come in handy to relieve pain in little ears after take off/landing of if they don’t feel well during the flight (teething, headache, cold/flu, fever etc.)  If you need it, you have it. Prepare for the unexpected.

P.s. Sucking on a dummy, chewing and drinking can help prevent ears from popping during take off and landing.

These are some of the essentials I take with me when we go on holiday and I hope it doesn’t look like I’ve taken the kitchen sink! I’m sure there are other essentials that are personal to you and your family, but I hope my recommendations can remove some of the stress from your travels.

Travelling with a toddler is never easy, but I believe if armed with a plan and organised essentials, you can make travel look effortless and a breeze. You may not need everything that you have packed, but at least you know you have it when the time comes.

To all the hard working mummy’s and daddy’s, I hope you have a great adventure wherever you go! I would love to hear what your hand luggage essentials and packing tips are.

Thanks for reading and until next time…

Love, MsMamaBean x

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Comments

17 October 2017 at 11:16 am

Plastic bags are so important, it amazes.how useful and have been used when we go out. Also got to take entertainment to keep everyone’s sanity at bay X #mmbc



17 October 2017 at 11:42 am

I love a lot of it. Haha the thought of the crafts for my little one though. They would be all over the plane and the poor people around us might get decorated. #TwinklyTuesday



17 October 2017 at 5:29 pm

Pipecleaner crafts are genius! I love them



17 October 2017 at 6:12 pm

your little one is so cute! this looks perfect for travelling!



17 October 2017 at 7:41 pm

wow! That’s a lot! I had no idea, as I don’t have kids



17 October 2017 at 8:29 pm

This is such an awesome list! I don’t think you missed anything. The entertainment bag is perfect for the little ones. Love the variety!



17 October 2017 at 9:12 pm

Wow, there is so much you have to carry for such a small human, lol.



Priyadarshini Rajendran
18 October 2017 at 5:31 am

Practical advice. I swear by play dough too, and books 🙂



18 October 2017 at 1:03 pm

Wow. I’m so very impressed with everything you have thought of. We have yet to travel anywhere on a plane with Little Button, so haven’t had such need. But I can see how these could work for long car journeys too. Thanks so much for sharing with the #Dreamteam x



18 October 2017 at 6:50 pm

great tips! I’ll have your list handy when I travel next haha



thatssodarling
19 October 2017 at 3:44 am

Yes! This is great! Ill have to remember all of this for my next trip!

XO-Lisa

http://www.thatssodarling.com



    19 October 2017 at 9:07 am

    Thank you! 😊 Please do bookmark and come back for referencing and don’t forget to share with family and friends if you think this would be useful for them too ☺️



19 October 2017 at 11:59 am

and make sure you have enough of it so your toddler doesn’t start crying – “are we there yet?”



19 October 2017 at 4:04 pm

Looks like he is having a great time flying! I bet my mom wishes all of these products were around when we were growing up!



19 October 2017 at 6:26 pm

As a Mama who has traveled extensively with my baby/toddler/ preschool son, your tips are GREAT!!



19 October 2017 at 7:18 pm

That’s a seriously comprehensive and useful list! Bookmarking for future travels! #dreamteam



Joscelyn
19 October 2017 at 11:59 pm

Such an informative post! I love all of these cute accessories they have out now, especially that travel tray! So fun!!



20 October 2017 at 6:19 pm

Tablet is a lifesaver on the plane! #blostravaganza



21 October 2017 at 12:23 pm

This is a great post for anyone travelling with toddlers, I love your organisation too! Thanks so much for sharing with #Blogstravaganza xx



talkingmums1
21 October 2017 at 7:49 pm

It’s all about trying to find that balance between taking enough to keep them entertained and comfortable but not too much that you feel you are taking everything but the kitchen sink! I think this is a great list and love the idea of the car tray x
Thanks for joining #Blogstravaganza



Nige
22 October 2017 at 9:18 am

My girls love there trunkis great list very helpful Thank you for linking to #ThatFridayLinky Please come back next week



24 October 2017 at 11:42 pm

Great list, I’ll definitely need this in a couple of years.



25 October 2017 at 4:48 am

I love this post. It is so helpful. My friends who have toddlers would love to read this.



25 October 2017 at 10:19 pm

I so love this post! Your little man seems to be behaving pretty good and that’s because you did so well preparing! Thank you so much for sharing these tips, I wish they were around when my kids were little 😉



    25 October 2017 at 10:37 pm

    Thank you! He behaved much better than I had anticipated so saved our neighbours from having an earful! I guess each generation deals and copes with “issues” their own way and you probably did a fantastic job at it too! X



mackenzieglanville
2 November 2017 at 3:38 am

you have it covered! Great tips, we are not going to enjoy our trip unless they are happy! thanks for linking up with us #abloggingggodtime



tararaquelfuller
3 November 2017 at 3:59 pm

oh my gosh he is the CUTEST!! and i loved play dough – i could spend hours with it!



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