Airplane Essentials for Traveling Internationally with Kids (By Age Group)

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Kayla

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Airplane Travel With Kids: What You Really Need

International flights can feel overwhelming for families, especially when children of different ages all have different needs. The key to smooth long-haul travel is packing airplane essentials by age group and using smart hacks to reduce stress.

In this guide, you’ll find:

  • A breakdown of what to pack for kids ages 0–3, 4–7, 8–12, 13+, and adults.
  • Airplane travel hacks for traveling internationally with kids (like meal pre-booking and seating rules).
  • A link to a printable international airplane travel checklist to make packing easier.
airplane seats

Ages 0–3: Infants & Toddlers

Young children require the most planning, but the right essentials can make flights far easier.

What to Pack:

Travel Hacks:

  • Reserve bulkhead seats with bassinets (must call airline ahead).
  • Pre-order baby or toddler meals (many airlines allow this).
  • Be realistic about sleep — expect short naps and plan for recovery time after arrival.
happy travel kids

Ages 4–7: Early Elementary Kids

At this age, kids crave entertainment but also benefit from routines and comfort.

What to Pack:

  • Entertainment kit (coloring books, stickers, activity pages)
  • Tablet loaded with movies/shows- many kids tablets won’t connect to the free airplane apps, but the built in TV screens have great kid friendly movies, games, and TV shows.
  • Volume-limiting headphones → Kids Volume-Limiting Headphones (Amazon)
  • Small pillow & blanket → 2-in-1 Stuffed Animal Travel Pillow
  • Snacks they can access on their own (and maybe a special treat or two).

Travel Hacks:

  • Confirm the airline’s child seating policy — some guarantee kids under 12 sit with a parent, others don’t.
  • Create a “quiet time” instead of expecting full sleep.
  • Pack an extra change of clothes in carry-on for you and them. Trust me, our first overnight flight and my 3-year-old threw up due to turbulence and my 4-year-old spilled my coffee on my lap. sick on a plane

Ages 8–12: Tweens

Tweens are more independent but still need structure to stay comfortable and are often less entertained by simple color sheets and tabletop activities.

What to Pack:

  • Backpack with their own gear (snacks, book, journal)
  • Downloaded audiobooks or podcasts → Audible Free Trial
  • Travel pillow → Kids travel pillow
  • Favorite hoodie & socks
  • Compact travel games

Travel Hacks:

  • Let them manage boarding passes or a small part of travel.
  • Encourage a “get comfortable” routine (change into comfy clothes, set up pillow).
  • Give them responsibility for their entertainment pack.
happy on a plane

Ages 13+: Teens

Teens can handle long flights well with the right tech and comfort items.

What to Pack:

Travel Hacks:

  • Encourage walking/stretching every few hours.
  • Let them help manage documents or flight check-ins.
  • Set realistic expectations: jet lag is easier to handle with movement + hydration.

Adults: Parents & Caregivers

Parents need to prepare not just for themselves, but to support kids across all ages.

What to Pack:

  • Compression socks
  • Travel blanket & eye mask
  • Collapsible water bottle → Collapsible Water Bottle (Amazon)
  • Reusable travel toiletries kit
  • Portable charger & universal adapter

Travel Hacks:

  • Use Google Flights tracker to monitor prices, find flexible travel dates, and explore flight prices to/from nearby cities.
  • Pre-order meals to guarantee your preference (vegetarian, child-friendly, allergy-safe). My personal favorite is always the Indian Vegan dish. It is flavorful, light, and never disappoints. The traditional meal served is typically a chicken or pasta dish. Airline food is never gourmet, but some lines are better than others. Delta dispenses ice cream cups and yummy treats for kids on lunch and dinner flights. United has good kid meal choices like chicken nuggets and spaghetti. My son is picky and dairy free, so we usually bring our own food and let him just pick at what he wants on the tray. Ordering a special meal also typically allows you to get your meal sooner because they pass those out first.
  • Don’t count on much sleep — schedule downtime for your arrival day. I recommend making it a slower day with light sightseeing, lots of patience, and low expectations. Finding a park to let the kids run wild after a long flight is always a hit. If possible, try not to nap when you arrive even though you are tired. Get an earlier meal, head to bed a little early, and start your trip on a good foot day two. This has been a full proof way for us to beat jetlag on any trip.
view out of the window

Printable Family Travel Resource

To make this easier, I created a Printable International Airplane Travel Essentials Checklist, organized by age group with space for your own notes.

👉 Get it in my Etsy Shop

This checklist ensures nothing is forgotten — from toddler snacks to teen tech gear.

Conclusion

International flights with kids don’t have to feel overwhelming. By planning essentials by age group and using a few proven hacks, your family can arrive prepared and ready to explore. Download the printable checklist to simplify your next trip and make flying internationally with kids less stressful. – Happy Travels!