HAVE A “ZERO-STRESS” FLIGHT WITH A TODDLER: PACKING A TODDLER CARRY-ON
Let’s paint a picture: you’re in seat 31B, your toddler is screaming for a snack, you’re digging in the bottom of your backpack for a plastic bag of crackers, and you can’t wait for this flight to be over. Traveling with toddlers can feel scary or like a nightmare waiting to happen.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! Traveling with a toddler isn’t about just getting to the destination, it’s about having a system that works. And you know what just doesn’t work? A disorganized backpack stuffed under your seat. When traveling with toddlers, an organized toddler carry-on is the difference between a stressful experience and a parenting win. Enter… the hanging travel bag.
I’m sure we’ve all traveled with a “bottomless backpack” before. Things get lost, snacks get crushed, you end up dumping out the whole bag just to find a diaper. Packing your toddler’s carry-on in a way that makes things easy to find, organized, and including all of the necessities is the best way to set yourself up for success. We travel a ton with our kids and we have found that a hanging organizer is the best way to check all of these boxes - it’s the ultimate game-changer for airplanes!
Meet the Hanging Travel Organizer
We love packing with hanging organizers so much that we made our own that is designed to fit everything your kids may need when traveling. Packing for a flight with a toddler should be simple, not overwhelming! That’s why each pocket is made with families and toddlers in mind. Here’s why they work:
No More Digging: Open it up and everything is visible at eye level. Mesh pockets and transparent sections make it easy to keep track of everything.
“Hanging” Out: The 360 swivel hook makes it simple to hook on a seat back pocket or tray table latch, keeping the floor clear and providing easy access.
Compact Packing: The hanging organizers are small enough to keep everything close together, but large enough to hold “the big three” - snacks, activities, and a change of clothes!
Zero-Stress Packing List - “The Big Three”
We’re all about zero-stress travel tips for parents. Let’s talk about packing the bag with the toddler travel essentials - let’s call them “the big three!”
“In Case Of Emergency” Change of Clothes
Use one section of the Mothercould Hanging Travel Bag for a change of clothes for your toddler. You never know what could happen with checked bags or if apple juice spills mid-flight.
The Snack Station
Did you know you can take a full snack box on a flight? Grab a Mothercould Snack Box and fill it with a variety of snacks that’ll keep your kids fed and happy. The best part? There’s a section of the Mothercould Hanging Travel Bag that fits a snack box perfectly.
The Fun Zone
Finding travel toys that suit a lot of different interests is one of my passions! Think compact, not a lot of tiny pieces, open ended play, and mess-free. (Check out my full list of travel toys here!) The hanging organizer has pockets and pouches that fit a wide variety of toys.
Best Travel Toys
We have tried so many different travel activities and here are some of our favorites. There’s something out there for every interest, so make sure you check out my full list of recommendations!
The Artsy Creative:
Watercolor Set - The best travel watercolor kit! Compact, vibrant colors… one of my kids favorites!
Foil Fun - These are so cool - use shiny foil pieces to make beautiful art creations.
Crayola Magic Light Brush - I have no idea how this works but it’s like magic. Zero mess painting! Just touch the color you want and paint!
The Builder:
Magnetic Blocks - Small blocks that have great magnetic strength! These are compact to travel with and are great for kids who love to build.
Sticky Cubes - I love playing with these as much as my kids! Super sticky blocks that are small and squishy make for a unique travel toy.
Wikki Stix - These are from my childhood, and my kids love them! They are wax covered sticks that can be shaped into any creative shape you can think of.
The Sensory Seeker:
Lite Brite Mini - This is an amazing light-up toy that is small, perfect for on the go. It has little games included too, as well as being so pretty to play with!
Silicone Fidget Toy - These are meditative to play with! Push the silicone lines into the grooves in all sorts of patterns.
Jelly Blox - Building blocks combined with squishy toys! These blocks are unique and so fun to build with.
Color Sorting Squishy - Compact, no small pieces, and fun to squish! Kids can sort the colors or just play with it as a stress-reliever.
How to Use Your Hanging Bag on a Flight
Step 1: Packing at Home
Involve your kids in the packing process, but keep some things a surprise! This way you can make sure that some of their favorite things are packed, but including a couple surprises makes the flight even more exciting when they get to open their hanging organizer
Step 2: Slide the Organizer in your Personal Item
The hanging organizers are compact, so it makes it easy to store in your personal item until you’re on the plane. The handles make it easy for kids to carry too! It also fits easily in the bottom of a stroller or tucked into a diaper bag.
Step 3: Hanging it Up
Once you’re in your seat, let’s hang it up! It can hang on the seat pocket or on the tray table latch. It easily unzips and folds out to showcase all of the activities and snacks so your kids can access all of their items.
Step 4: Fly With Ease!
Everything your toddler may need is now right at your fingertips, from snacks to activities! Encourage them to explore the bag, play with their toys in creative ways, and enjoy your flight. You might even get a chance to read your book!
Why Mothercould Travel Bags?
Have you ever had to shove your bag packed with your travel essentials under the seat in front of you? Less legroom, more difficult to get out what you need. Many travel bags are just too bulky to be practical.
This is exactly why we designed the Mothercould Hanging Travel Organizer.It’s made with functionality for kids in mind, all in a compact, easy-to-carry package. (Yes, even easy for kids to carry!) The fabric is easily wipeable, the zippers are large and easy for small hands, and everything is easy to see once packed. Keep all of the essentials within reach, without sacrificing legroom, or your sanity.
There’s a lot we can’t control when traveling - delays, turbulence, long wait times. You CAN control the chaos in your kid’s carry-on. With the right set up, efficient packing, and some great snacks, you’re setting yourself up for a successful travel day. Grab your Mothercould Hanging Travel Organizer and make your next flight the best one yet!