Hand Luggage Essentials for Flying with Children
Your hold luggage can wait at the carousel, but your hand luggage has to get you through check-in, security, delays, the flight and the drive at the other end. Packing it well makes a real difference to how the day goes. Use this checklist as a starting point and adjust it for your children's ages and the length of the flight.
Before you pack: check the rules
Each airline sets its own cabin bag allowance, and many differ for infants, children and adults. Security rules on liquids are also changing at UK airports as new scanners are introduced, so what's allowed can vary from one airport to another. Check your departure airport's current guidance and the GOV.UK hand luggage restrictions before you pack, and check the rules for your return airport too.
Baby food, baby milk (including formula and breast milk) and sterilised water are generally allowed through UK airport security in reasonable quantities for the journey, even above the usual liquid limits. You may be asked to taste or open them, or they may be screened separately. Rules vary by airport and country, so check the airport before you travel.
Feeding
- Enough milk, formula or baby food for the journey plus a generous allowance for delays.
- Bottles, a sippy cup or an empty water bottle to refill after security.
- Spoons, bibs and a few wipes in an easy-to-reach pocket.
- Plenty of familiar snacks. Food on board may be limited, unsuitable or sold out.
- Something to suck or drink during take-off and landing, which many families find helps with ear pressure.
Changing and spare clothes
- More nappies than you think you need, plus a changing mat, wipes and nappy bags.
- A full change of clothes for each young child, and a spare top for each adult.
- A sealable bag for wet or dirty clothes.
- Hand sanitiser and tissues.
Comfort and sleep
- A comforter, favourite toy or small blanket from home.
- A light layer: aircraft cabins can be chilly.
- A travel pillow for older children on longer or overnight flights. Look for one that's sized for children; adult pillows often push a small child's head forward.
- For babies, a sleeping bag or muslin that smells of home.
Children's travel pillow on Amazon
A soft neck pillow helps children sleep upright on night flights.
Entertainment
Pack a mix of new and familiar things, and bring them out one at a time rather than all at once.
- Screen time. A tablet loaded with downloaded films, programmes and games, since in-flight Wi-Fi and seatback screens can't be relied on. Charge everything the night before and bring a charging cable.
- Children's headphones. Look for volume-limited headphones designed for children, a comfortable fit and, ideally, a wired option, since some aircraft systems need a cable. Wireless headphones also need charging.
- Screen-free options. Sticker books, colouring, magnetic or travel versions of board games, card games and small puzzles with few loose pieces.
- A small surprise. A new, inexpensive toy or book revealed halfway through a long flight can buy a surprising amount of calm.
Children's headphones on Amazon
Choose a volume limit of 85 dB and a comfortable over-ear fit for flights.
For more ideas, see our guide to entertaining children at the airport.
Health and documents
- Any prescription medicines in their original packaging, with a copy of the prescription if relevant.
- Basic first aid items: plasters, a thermometer and any children's medicines you normally use, following the dosing instructions on the pack.
- Passports, boarding passes, travel insurance details and your GHIC if travelling in Europe, kept together in one place.
- Sun cream and hats if you'll land somewhere hot, within your airport's liquid rules.
Our family travel health packing guide goes into more detail.
Travel games on Amazon
Magnetic or compact games keep pieces together on planes and trains.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Packing everything in one big bag. Use pouches or a separate bag for liquids and electronics, which often have to come out at security.
- Not allowing for delays. Pack food, nappies and entertainment for several extra hours.
- Relying on onboard screens. Download content in advance.
- Forgetting the return journey. Rules, allowances and shops can differ at the other end; leave space for anything bought on holiday.
Ready for take-off
Good hand luggage is about having what you need within reach: food, a change of clothes, comfort items and enough to keep children busy, with the rules checked in advance. Pack it the night before, keep it light enough to carry with a child on your hip, and you'll start the holiday calmer. For more, read our tips for flying with young children.