This post contains Amazon Affiliate links, at no extra cost to you, I earn commission if you use my link to purchase!
In preparation to travel, I am writing this post from home, as I get packed to head south to the warmth & away from the freezing cold winter (how strange the weather has been this year in Buffalo! – we just had a thunderstorm… in February!)
I, by no means, am an expert in all things travel, however I’ve taken a few flights in my lifetime so far.
Something I’ve always found interesting is whether or not people have flown before. And where their first flight took them. For instance, my parents have never flown, & neither have my maternal grandparents (even though grandma wanted to be a flight attendant! – but that’s her story to tell!)
My first flight was when I was 12. From Buffalo to Newark, and then to Amsterdam. Without my parents or any family member, with complete strangers. It sounds terrible when I put it like that, I know. I was an ambassador for People to People Sports. It was a 10 day trip, and I remember the majority of it. I was and am grateful, but I didn’t truly understand the magnitude of getting the chance to travel the world at what was still such a young age! It’s on my bucket list to go back, to truly soak in all of what I may have missed.
Anyways, back on track. Here’s what I pack & use as a mom now to keep my little one occupied and happy on our plane trips!
1. Luggage
It all starts with the luggage. I had my suitcase since 2006, when I went to Holland. I’ve used it in college, and a few family road trips here and there. It was well loved and I needed an upgrade for my family’s new adventures!
I chose a hard case rolling luggage set of 3. A large & medium checked luggage as well as a carryon rolling bag as well. I went for durable & easy to roll. And these do just that!
They also have zipper locks & expanding sides, in case you bought too much on your trip & have to stow it away on your return flight – lol.
Click here for the set.
For my dear daughter, she asked Santa in 2022 for an “Elsa suitcase”. She thought it was the cutest thing since sliced bread. What she was referring to was this roller luggage from Target. However, the blue/purple (“Elsa”) ombré has since been discontinued. (At least at Target!) I did find real Elsa if your little one MUST HAVE IT!
Being the “frugal” mom I am, I didn’t want to spend $60 on a kids suitcase. It just isn’t my cup of tea. So the search continued during Black Friday. I ended up on Belk’s website (a store I’m sure some of you are familiar with – I only found out what Belk was when I went to grad school in Virginia! Such a great store!) Anyways. I found the exact bag she wanted, but also a pink ombré. Plus it came with a matching neck pillow! & it was on sale for $39.99, score!
But the savings weren’t done! I also was able to stack a “new email subscription” coupon as well as the coupon they were promoting, and free shipping (once I added a few more cute Christmas decor & gifts to my cart!).
So what did I end up paying for the pink ombré colorway? $15.55 and free shipping. CRAZY! That was my best purchase that Christmas, & I still talk about it! You can find the set here
Sure, it’s a mini carryon. But it’s big enough for her clothes. And it makes her feel like she’s a big girl. However, she did end up having her daddy push it around the airport last year.
2. Luggage Accessories
During my search for my luggage last year, I came across the most perfect organizer that also holds water bottles/coffee cups!
As you can see in the above picture, my daughter needed her water bottle and juice available for easy access. It fit both hers as well as the regular carryon. They slide right over the handle. It’s easy to grab once you are on the flight and need to get it in the overhead bins
Here is a similar organizer.
What’s another important thing in airports? Luggage identification. So many people traveling, you never know if another traveler will have the exact same luggage as you.
For my trip to Holland, I had a beautiful purple suitcase. While I know it was a unique color, I know I wanted to be sure no one else would mistake it as theirs. So I tied a neon green handkerchief to the handle! They are less than $2 at Walmart. IDEA – Use your cutting machine and add a monogram or family name to the scarf to be extra sure it’s yours!
I wanted some fun tags for our trip, so I bought these!
A fun design and a spot to put the family name! No need for a handkerchief.
3. Water Bottles
It’s always smart to bring your own water bottle in an airport. For starters, I don’t know anyone who is happy about paying $5 for a dinky ass bottle of disgusting Dasani water. I’m not saying the fountain water is better, but I’ve never tasted worse water than Dasani.
Second, it keeps you hydrated before, during, and after the flight. I can go on about the benefits of drinking water, but simply, you need it to live. lol.
For the Stanley fans … this is my favorite colorway right now of the new H2.0
My personal favorite water bottle for a year now has been my Owala. Love it. I can’t get enough of it. Something about the dual spout and straw that just works for me. I actually love it more than my Stanley.
For my daughter, we’ve always liked the Contigo kids water bottle. They haven’t let us down yet!
4. Medicine
If you are a woozy traveler, or are unsure if your kids will get sick in the plane. Here is what I bought for my daughter, even though she didn’t end up needing it.
She traveled with us to Hawaii last year, and we didn’t know how she would handle take off, landing, and just the difference in pressure while flying. She did so well!
I did buy the travel pack of Dramamine kids just to have on hand!
The other things I would consider to pack is any prescription medication you are on (inside original pharmacy vial with label), and a pain reliever of your choice. Definitely consider keeping your prescriptions with you just in case the airport loses your baggage.
5. Toys & Fidgets
Now, to my daughter. Anything and everything to keep this little girl happy and occupied during layovers and long flights.
We will start with her tablet. Gramma got her a Fire Kids tablet for Christmas. So we will be bringing that.
I also grabbed a princess playing card set & will play the classic Go Fish. Here is a princess UNO game!
I bought her this affordable mini camera, so she can take her own pictures of the airport and trip! The quality is as expected with the price, and honestly so cute! It was easy for her to use and she’s very excited to bring it to Florida with her!
She loves pop it’s to keep her entertained as well!
She’s pretty easy going, and we recognize that! I hope this helps get some ideas going with what may help with your kiddos!
Happy Travels Everyone!
Wreaths of Life 
Leave a comment