Travel with Rachael

One question I get asked quite a lot is what I pack in my children’s hand luggage.

1. A calculator

Over the years, I’ve learnt that you don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy travel toys. Sometimes, the simplest things are the biggest hit! Here are a few of my tried-and-tested essentials that come with us on every trip.

This might sound like a strange one, but trust me!
Sometimes it’s a calculator, sometimes an old remote control, sometimes a phone… children just love pressing buttons. It’s simple, but it’s often enough to keep little hands busy for quite a while.

2. Blu Tack

Blu Tack is always a winner in our house.
It can be squashed, rolled, stretched and used for all sorts of imaginative games. It’s lightweight, inexpensive and takes up hardly any room. It can also be used to secure pens for activity books.

3. Magnetic toys

Magnetic dress-up dolls, magnetic vehicles or any magnetic activity set is brilliant for travelling.
The pieces stay together much better than traditional toys, meaning less time spent crawling around the aeroplane floor looking for missing pieces!

4. No-mess colouring

Mess-free colouring books are perfect for travelling.
Children still get the fun of colouring without parents having to worry about pen marks ending up somewhere it shouldn’t.

5. Puzzle books

For my eight-year-old, a puzzle book and a pen are always packed.
Word searches, crosswords, mazes and sudoku are great for keeping older children entertained for longer. This is where the blue tack gets used to hold her pen.

6. A spare outfit in a zip-lock bag

I always pack a complete change of clothes in a three-litre zip-lock bag.
It keeps everything together, makes it easy to grab if it’s needed quickly, and once you’ve changed them, the same bag can be used for any wet or soiled clothes.

7. Snacks… and lots of them!

You can never have too many snacks when travelling with children!

Having a variety of familiar snacks can help keep everyone happy between meals and during any unexpected delays.

8. Wipes

Probably the hardest-working item in my bag!
Sticky hands, tray tables, spills… wipes seem to solve almost everything.

9. A reusable water bottle

I always take an empty water bottle through security and fill it up before boarding.
It’s one less thing to buy at the airport and helps keep everyone hydrated throughout the journey.

10. A lollipop

A simple lollipop can really help little ears during take-off and landing.
The sucking action can help relieve some of the pressure changes, making the flight a little more comfortable.

11. Devices and headphones

Sometimes screen time is absolutely the right choice!
Whether it’s a favourite film, games or downloaded programmes, having devices charged and ready can make a long journey much more enjoyable. Remember to download games or programmes beforehand.

12. Toothbrush and toothpaste

I always pack each child a toothbrush and a travel-sized toothpaste in a zip-lock bag.

Ensures we have one if luggage was to go missing, and it also means they’re ready for our airport hotel stay without needing to open the main suitcases. I will do a separate post on what I pack in our over night bags for the airport hotel.

Every family is different, so what works for us might not work for everyone. But these are the items that have earned a permanent place in our hand luggage over the years, and I hope they give you a few ideas for your next family adventure.

Do you have a travel essential that never leaves your hand luggage? I’d love to hear about it!

✈️ Rachael’s Little Travel Tip

If you’re travelling with a little one still in nappies, pack a separate toiletries bag containing a few nappies, wipes, nappy bags and a small tube of barrier cream (under 100ml).
Keep it in their hand luggage so when it’s time for a nappy change, you can simply grab the bag and head to the toilet instead of taking their whole carry-on with you.

It’s one of those little things that makes life so much easier!

Ready to plan your next family holiday?

As a mum of two and someone who travels regularly with my own family, I know the little things that can make a big difference to your holiday. From choosing the right destination to recommending family-friendly hotels, airport hotels, transfers and those practical extras that make travelling easier, I’m here to help every step of the way.

If you’re thinking about your next family adventure, I’d love to help you find the perfect holiday and take the stress out of planning, so you can focus on making memories together.

“Helping families spend less time worrying and more time making memories.”

Happy travels

Rachael