WHAT TO PUT IN A KID’S TRAVEL BAG: EASY ESSENTIALS
If you’ve ever been packing for a trip, staring at a floor full of “essentials,” and wondering “what do I put in my kid’s travel bag?”, you’re NOT alone! It’s no secret that traveling with children is a little more tedious. Even when we account for things like boredom, hunger, unexpected messes, and delays, it still feels like we’re missing something.
But having 3 kids, here’s something I learned along the way: making a “travel essentials” packing list is non-negotiable. I’ll break everything down into categories, pack similar items together, and check things off as I go. I do have a Family Travel Favorites category on the blog, but today, I’m making it a little easier to scroll through your options.
In this post, I’m sharing exactly what to put in a kid’s travel bag. I’ll talk about what’s allowed (no matter if you’re traveling via plane or car), which essentials matter, and how to pack neatly and concisely. This way, you can save space, protect your sanity, and avoid any meltdowns from accidentally forgetting your kid’s favorite sensory toy at home. Let’s get packing!
What to Put in a Kid’s Travel Bag: Easy Essentials
A well-packed kid’s travel bag isn’t about bringing more. Instead, it’s about bringing the right mix of essentials to keep kids comfortable, engaged, and prepared. That’s what makes the journey enjoyable—for everyone involved! So, if you’ve ever Googled “How to Travel with Kids,” you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Before we get into the ideas, remember: how you pack is equally as important as what you pack. A thoughtful approach to organization and item selection is the secret trick to making traveling with kids more manageable! No shuffling through bags, forgetting where you stored things, or dealing with spilling suitcases.
Yes, I promise it can be this easy. Just stick around, and I’ll prove it!
Are Kids Allowed a Bag When Traveling?
Yes, kids ARE allowed a bag when traveling! But the size and items inside differ depending on how you travel. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind:
Traveling by Plane:
When traveling with kids on a plane, it’s important to know what’s allowed—and what actually needs to be FAA-approved for use during the flight. Keep in mind:
If your child has their own ticket, they’re generally required to follow the same carry-on rules as adults. This means one cabin bag and one personal item. However, make sure to double-check with your specific airline!
Babies and toddlers under 2 years old sitting on your lap do not receive the full baggage allowance. For the most part, airlines allow the essentials: diaper bags, strollers, and car seats. You can always squeeze in a few must-have essentials for long flights, like a couple of sensory toys and snacks!
Not a rule, just a recommendation: opt for storing all of your children’s travel essentials in a child-sized backpack. It’s easier for them to carry and has just enough space for any must-have personal items.
Traveling by Car:
You have a bit more leeway when traveling by car, but you should still be prepared! Here are a few things I recommend packing and planning for a road trip:
Store snacks, sensory toys, or crafts in this Large Kids Travel Organizer! It’s the perfect size to accommodate a Kid’s Snack Box Container, dot markers, crayons, and Printable Activity Packs. Kids can keep it right next to them and access whatever they need whenever they need it.
Accidents happen! Especially in the car. Keep a “just-in-case” kit nearby with wipes, plastic bags, and hand sanitizer. (And a few more things, but we’ll get to that below!)
Travel Essentials for Kids
Snacks and Drink Options
Travel snack ideas for kids can feel like the hardest part of traveling, right? Not only do you want to bring things they like, but you also want to keep it car-safe—especially for littles. However, I’ve created a specific system for my family’s road trips: pre-planning snacks.
Before leaving, grab your snack box set and pre-portion snacks. With 18 adjustable compartments, you can add so many versatile, kid-friendly treats for the entire trip—from sweet treats to fruits and veggies. Think: animal crackers, cherry tomatoes, cheese cubes, granola bites, peanut butter pretzels—your options are endless. And don’t forget to fill their leakproof water bottle up!
When you plan snacks ahead of time, you don’t have to rely on overly-processed (or overly-expensive!) convenience store trips. Everything is nutrient-dense, tailored to your child’s preferences, and easily accessible.
Activities and Entertainment
Activities and entertainment make the trip for children. Sure, they may enjoy the sights and sounds, but they’ll appreciate having things to pass the time with! I like to bring an assortment of car-friendly activities to rotate throughout the trip. For example, my children absolutely love these Under the Sea Window Clings—so simple, yet excellent for imagination!
Once they’re tired of that, they can reach into their bag and pull out other exciting activities, like their color sorting sensory toy. Or one of my personal favorites: this mess-free Crayola Magic Light Brush that’s basically made for the car.
Needless to say, there are so many car- and kid-friendly activities you can pack in a children’s travel bag. You just need to know what they like—and what will keep them engaged!
Comfort Items
Even if your kiddos arecomfortable with traveling, bringing a few comfort items never hurts. They’re excellent for keeping kids calm, regulated, and cozy throughout different, unfamiliar environments. Naturally, you’ll want to pack things they know and love, like their stuffed animal, pillow, or blanket. These items will probably smell like home, and research shows that familiar fragrances inspire positive moods and relaxation!
Another good idea? Pack Bluetooth headphones so they can listen to music or a kid-friendly audiobook while on the plane or in the car. This helps keep them engaged while also regulating their nervous system. And, of course, no travel bag is complete without this Hatch Sound Machine. The calm light and soothing music put them to sleep instantly—perfect for unfamiliar hotel rooms.
Hygiene Essentials
Another thing you won’t want to buy while traveling: hygiene essentials! Convenience and grocery stores notoriously have higher prices on the road—especially in busier areas. With this in mind, here are a few things you won’t want to forget:
Hygiene Essentials:
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Disinfecting wipes (for hands and random sticky situations)
Tissues
Shampoo
Disposable bags (for trash, wet clothes, or messes)
Personal Care Essentials:
Mothercould Sunscreen Brush Setand sunscreen
Hair ties, clips, and headbands
Detangling spray (a lifesaver for beach trips!)
Deodorant
Travel-size lotion
Cooling wipes or portable fans (great for hot travel days)
Having these packed and ready to go doesn’t just save you money! It also saves you from those “How could I have forgotten to pack that?!” moments mid-trip.
Extra Clothes
Accidents and messes happen; it’s inevitable with children! Whether it’s from snack spills, sticky hands, or unexpected bathroom emergencies, having a change of clothes can save you in a pinch. Fortunately, I have an entire Baby/Kids Clothes, Shoes, and Accessories list for you to access whenever you need it!
I also have a Swimwear list and a Winter Favorites list—both of which can come in handy depending on when you’re traveling. And even if you’re not dealing with last-minute messes? Having extra clothes on the go can help with things like temperature changes or shifting between indoor and outdoor environments!
Safety Essentials
I don’t have to tell you this, but you can never be too careful as a mom. We’re always thinking ten steps ahead—especially when it comes to keeping our kids safe! Technically, you’d put these in YOUR travel bag. But they’re essential for kids during travel:
Any emergency medications
Vehicle documents
Small flashlight
Honestly, these items will probably (and hopefully!) remain in your safety essentials bag. However, they’re so good to have—and I never travel without them.
How to Pack a Travel Bag for Kids
Place Frequently Used Items at the Top or Front
Here’s the best, most practical advice: pack the most-used items at the top or front of your travel bag. If you know your kids will probably forget about their 3D art kit, you can safely (and sneakily) store it at the bottom. But when they’re reminding you over and over again that they’re hungry? You’ll be glad you placed that Snack Box Container right on top for easy access!
Separate Snacks, Activities, and Hygiene Items
Kids aren’t the gentlest little scavengers, which means when they want something, they’ll search until they find it. Save yourself the stress by separating items just like I did above! Keep snacks, activities, and hygiene items separately. This way, when your kid begins looking for their squishy silicone fidget toy, they won’t accidentally pull out their toilet seat covers instead.
Use Small Pouches or Compartments for Organization
Those small pouches and compartments in a kid’s travel bag are there for a reason—and they come in handy! Keep smaller, easier-to-lose items in those compartments so they don’t toss and tumble around the bag. This also makes it much easier for kids to grab what they need quickly without, again, tearing their bag apart.
Want to see how the Kids Travel Organizer works in action? Check out this video on my Instagram!
Rotate Items During Travel to Maintain Interest
If you’re the one managing your child’s travel bag, that means you’re also the toy dispenser! They won’t fail to remind you when they’re ready to move on to the next activity, and having things neatly packed away will make it easier to find each item. Instead of giving them everything at once, rotate items throughout the trip to keep things feeling new and exciting for longer.
And, actually, this is exactly what I talk about in my book, Playful by Design! Toy rotation systems aren’t about limiting children. Instead, they’re about encouraging independent, creative, and enriching play with the activities and toys they already have. You can learn all about it in this conversation I had with Hila Bahari, the face of Mamaguide!
Avoid Overpacking By Focusing on Essentials
I said this earlier, and I’ll say it again: it’s hard not to overpack when you have children! Even when you have everything, you still feel like you could bring more. I get it! That’s why I LOVE handy helpers like vacuum storage bags and packing cubes. They’re lifesavers for keeping things neat, organized, and easily accessible. And, of course, this car organizer is a non-negotiable for me. I can store snacks, drinks, toys, and games, and know exactly where they are: right where they belong.
Packing a kid’s travel bag doesn’t have to be difficult—you just need these tips to help you out!
Traveling with your family is fun, exciting, and full of adventure. And while packing may be the most stressful and chaotic part, there are plenty of ways to make it easier on yourself. Focus on the essentials, categorize items, and keep a check-off list. When you know what to pack—and how to pack it—you can focus on making the car ride or flight part of the exciting journey!
Looking for something to do while traveling? Treat yourself to my book, Playful by Design! It’s a step-by-step resource for transforming your home into a place of creativity and connection. Full of tips and tricks, you can ignite your child’s imagination and nurture their growing independence—all while you finally get a chance to catch your breath.
Head to the Mothercould blog, where I’m always posting helpful tips, tricks, and hacks you’ll wish you had known sooner. Think: kid-friendly recipes, sensory play activities, travel guides, and cleaning hacks. And, of course, don’t forget to join the Mothercould In Your Pocket resource, where you can find guided tutorials, printed recipes, and my all-time favorite parenting hacks.
