What to take on the plane.
It’s a question that I have been asked rather a lot lately, I mean, I may have mentioned once or twice that I’m going to Disney World in a few weeks (oh you missed it?) so it’s right there in the forefront of my mind. As such, I kind of wanted to write about what I take on the plane in my carry on luggage for everyone – I see a lot of posts about “what to take on the plane for a baby” or ‘What to take on a plane for kids” but not really many “what to take on the plane for everyone in the family, and every eventuality and every possible happening.” Maybe that’s because it’s a long title, but it’s where the planner in me starts to shine. I NEED to plan for everyone and everything… seriously, one a journey where I can’t “just buy it” I have a whole host of plans – hit me up if you see me in an airport, I probably have that shit you need… not in a drug smuggling way, obvs.
Short of valium there are a few things that I think can save my sanity and that I always carry on the plane with me and this is what makes it into my hand luggage on a plane:
Johnson’s top to toe washcloths – these little beauties are ingenious. You get 15 in a pack and clearly they were thought up by a festival goer because they are like wet towels for your whole bod. If you’re stranded in the airport for hours, you can have a wash, if you’re sticky and horrible on the plane, you can have a wash… baby’s bum, toddler’s face, child’s spillage… everything. I love em. They totally top trump wet wipes for a plane journey, though I would still chuck a packet of them in too.
Vaseline lip balm – dry, cracked lips are NOT fun when you are on holiday, but your skin is naturally dried out on a plane, so lip balm is a good thing to have on a long journey. Not only that, but if you have a scratch or scrape, it can help too – like layman’s germoline.
A power bank charger – yep, we will be travelling with 4 of these bad boys. I need my phone for work, the kids need their tablets for entertainment and Adam needs his for… the sports app. Anyhoo, we’ve come to accept that we are a techy family and as such, we need power (booming over voice moment there) so we carry power banks.
A miniature bottle of suncream – I have a bucket load of PR samples, so I tend to just grab one of those but you can buy the little bottles from the local supermarket – they make life so much easier. If you step off the plane in the middle of the day in a heatwave you really ought to have something but you can’t carry big bottles through security and you sure don’t want to buy it in there airport where it will cost you an arm and leg. It also doubles as a facial moisturiser if you are delayed.
Water – yeah, I know you can’t take it through the security but BUY IT in the duty free zone and keep it with you. Ask the staff on the plane to help you out and fill it up before you get off, nothing is worse than being thirsty. Actually, that is a lie – nothing is worse than thirsty kids.
Snacks – You can buy them on the plane, but I’d probably be tempted to get some before hand too – pretty much any meltdown in our family can be solved by a snack or chocolate – though go easy on the sugary or high energy stuff, no one (especially you) wants hyper kids on the plane.
Changes of bottoms for the kids – Just in case, I will be taking a very small/thin pair of shorts for the boys to change into if they need to. If there is a queue at the toilets and they “HAVE to go” then we may have an accident. I also tend to have “travelling clothes” that I really don’t mind lobbing in the bin in the eventuality of an accident.
Paracetamol – for every one. Calpol for the tiddlers (sachets are best I find), full out tablets for us. Headaches are a bitch, and at 30,000ft they suck even more.
Headphones – the boys have their own, and so do we.
A kindle or tablet filled with kids books – we have fire for kids, I never used to think there was a need for it, but I’ve found it to be SO much better than anything else. Toby has an iPad but I have things on my kindle for him via Reuben’s account. I thick having the kindle instead of physical books actually helps cut down on the “stuff” in the bag. Just be sure to load em up.
Beloved teddies – please don’t put them in luggage. Ever. If your luggage gets lost you won’t get them back, also if your luggage gets delayed, how will you get the kids to sleep? Nah, keep em with you.
Entertainment for the children – I will write a post about this because I think it warrant’s it’s own but sticker books, mini gifts to unwrap, tablets, colour books, drawing… there is so much to think of hear!
Sunglasses – for everyone, because squinting sucks and it gives you the holiday vibe.
Dry shampoo & roll on deodorant – I am LOVING dry shampoo, but especially my new Hairydust from Max & Nancy, which is a bloody fabulous dry shampoo for kids with all natural ingredients. I also rather love Green People’s organic roll on quinoa deodorant – it smells LUSH and I can take it on the plane, so no pongy me!
Prescription tablets – from pills to meds you have to take daily to “just in case I have the shits” meds, I am like a walking pharmacy.
Not so much in my bag but I always make every take a cardigan and I take a pashmina – doubles as a blanket, scarf and everything else. You can’t beat it.
What’s in your holiday on flight bag?
H x
WOW you are super organised!! I am off to Budapest for 5 days soon so will be definitely printing this off for reference! Thank you x
Love being nosy on what’s in people’s bags. I’d probably have a few of the same things as you in my holiday hand luggage but also mixed with a few of the girls things too haha
I haven’t travelled in quite a while but I remember when I went last time any medication they tossed from my hand luggage, I was quite annoyed. Prescription and not…gone. Ugh. x
I always struggle with packing my hand luggage. I don’t want to take too much and I don’t want to forget something either.
All useful things to take! Your luggage bag is so cute!
Such a great hand luggage list – I agree with the vaseline. I also love your handbag.
When you have kids you have to think of so much extra to take. Your list is useful and concise.
I tend to keep lots of things with me and I can’t even imagine what it would be with a toddler 🙂
I love john sons top to toe wipes. I’ve just used the last one from my packet while at a picnic where the little one covered himself in ice-cream! eeeeeek! Need to buy myself some more for sure!
I really enjoyed reading this post and love the idea of the pashmina. Will you fit everything it your bag? I need a bigger one!
Dry shampoo is definitely a must in hand luggage 🙂
I travel with a cashmere throw (blanket, scarf, pillow), handcream and a good book.
Dry shampoo is life! I love the sound of the Johnsons Top to Toe Washcloths, planes can be really sticky and sometimes you get off feeling a bit grim, desperate to get to the hotel but these sort you out in a second.
Snacks are an essential for me – I’m always hungry haha
I tend to pack light when travelling but I will always have my kindle, headphones, water, and some toiletries to freshen up with before landing! 😛
Lets hope everything fits in! I always have to have power banks, water, snacks, a book and most important, my lip balm. couldn’t live without that
It’s so stressful trying to pack hand luggage for everyone isn’t it! Hope you have a wonderful time at Disney World.
Wet wipes and snacks are always essentials in my hand luggage. Oh, and lots of water too.
Very helpful post, I’m just packing for a trip on Monday and double checking I’ve got everything! It’s so hard not to bring everything including the kitchen sink. I’m definitly an over packer! xo
This is such a great list of stuff to take in your hand luggage – especially if you have kids!
Totally agree with this list! We’re big fans of sunnies in hand luggage especially covering up eye-bags after a long flight….and no sleep!
Brilliant selection of hand luggage stuff. Have fun in Disney world. xx
That’s one organised flight bag – and I must admit that you’ve pretty much nailed the contents of mine right there
I did cackle at the lack of valium but I do love finding out what other people carry in their bags x
Fab tips here. I like the teddies in the hand luggage tip just incase.
I love the bag it’s a great design. I always keep lip balm and baby wipes in mine.
I don’t need quite as much as you do with the kids but I always have face mist, sunglasses (you never know), hand sanitizer, a book, my travel pillow and my ipod. This is usually enough to get me through x
How funny – I’m working on a similar post for next month ahead of our big holiday! Lots of hydrating options for me, and books, of course!
Oh I love the idea of Johnsons wash cloths – I’ve not heard of them before x
Great list!! I’m always so precise by what ai pack in my hand luggage, forget one thing for the kids, the trip starts to become stressful. And my sanity goes with it! Haha
I always take my iPod and iPad along with my adult coloring too. Plus all of your really important things like money x