Travel Packing Tips to Survive the Flight

Your carry on bag is not just for tickets and a paperback. When you are travelling with kids, the carry on bag can make or break a trip.

Any thing you can’t afford to lose should be in that handbag. This means jewellery (limit when travelling), medications, essential items and all documents for the trip – not just the airplane. You may want to review the car rental reservation before you land, and don’t want to risk a bag being lost with all your hotel vouchers in it.

If you are travelling during potentially stormy weather, or have connecting flights, you may want to add a few items to that carry on. For one, there is a greater chance of flight delays, cancellations or missed connections. You may want to put a toothbrush, tiny toothpaste, hair brush, disposable wash cloths-pads, and a clean pair of underwear. You may also want to pack a bathing suit for hotel layovers or delayed baggage in hot weather destinations.

When you travel on airplanes with children, the carry on bag can contain additional essentials like medications or a thermometer for your child, a change of clothes if they get wet or soiled, and extra diapers if they are really small. It is best to dress your child in layers, so you can remove a layer if the plane or airport is warm, and add a sweater if it gets too cool. Comfortable, loose, easy drape fabrics are the best for travel. Avoid itchy fabrics like wool, tight fitting clothes or ones with lots of buttons, zippers that can get stuck, belts, etc.