What I Pack in My Toddler's Backpack for Stress-Free Airplane Travel (Solo Mom Approved!)
Have you ever thought, "How on earth am I supposed to handle flying with a toddler all by myself without losing my mind?"
You're definitely not alone, mama.
I've been there, navigating airports solo with my little one more times than I can count. After plenty of trial and error (and a few airport meltdowns, mine and hers!), I've finally figured out the secrets to stress-free flying with a toddler.
Today, I'm giving you a peek into how we handle airport travel and the packing strategy that keeps my daughter happy, entertained, and calm from takeoff to landing.
Most of our trips are just me and my daughter, so I've gotten pretty good at strategic packing. Stick around. You're in the right spot if you're ready to make solo travel enjoyable and actually (dare I say it?) enjoyable.
📜 Too busy to read. I uploaded a YouTube video!
Why Smart Packing Makes Solo Travel So Much Easier
It all starts at home, even before you head to the airport.
Traveling solo with a toddler means thinking ahead about boredom, snack cravings, mini meltdowns, and those inevitable "Mom, I'm tired!" moments.
Here's What You'll Want To Think About First:
Are you traveling solo, or will there be an extra pair of hands?
What toys or activities does your child love and are easy to pack?
Once you've figured that out, you're ready to pack like a pro, and I'm about to share exactly what goes into my toddler's backpack when we fly, all tested and mom-approved!
These tricks have kept my little traveler busy, happy, and (mostly) meltdown-free, giving me a few precious moments to breathe.
Sure, her backpack looks packed, but every item has a job.
Whether it's entertaining her at the gate, on the plane, keeping her busy during car rides, or giving her something to do while I sneak in a quick shower at the hotel, it's all about survival with style.
(And speaking of showers, if you're like me and worry about your little one trying to unlock the hotel door mid-shampoo, my hack is simple: push a chair against the door. If I hear it move, I know it's go-time! But that's a story for another blog post. )
Our Simple Airport Strategy
At first, I carried every bag, snack, and stuffed animal. But now? My daughter proudly carries her own backpack for short distances.
It's a little milestone that's made flying with a toddler much easier!
Here's How We Roll Through The Airport These Days:
From check-in to TSA: She carries her backpack herself.
After TSA: The backpack slides neatly under the stroller.
Jet bridge to airplane: She grabs her backpack again, which makes boarding way smoother for both of us.
Want to know my secret for breezing through airport security without feeling like you're in a never-ending line at Disney?
I wrote a blog post on using TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and Global Entry for families. It's packed with tips to save you time (and sanity!).
And if you're curious about which car seat and stroller make airport navigation feel like a walk in the park (hint: our car seat weighs less than eight pounds!), I shared all my favorites here:
Must-have stroller for airport travel( coming Fall 2025)
🧳 Top Toddler Backpack Picks to Keep Them Calm and Busy
The goal? Keep everything lightweight, compact, and easy for little hands to manage
🎧 Toddler Volume-Limited Volume Headphones
🎒 Unicorn Mini Backpack (seriously adorable and just the right size)
📚 Sticker Book for Screen-Free Fun
🎨 No-Mess Coloring Pad
🍎 Healthy Snacks (because hangry toddlers are a no-go)
🧩 Travel Fidget Toys
🎒 Backpack Packing Details
📲Tablet Time = Sanity Saver
Zero shame here; Mama screens are sometimes the superhero you didn't know you needed.
Pre-Flight Screen Time Prep With Apps & Downloads & Headphones
Before we travel, I download some of my daughter's favorites from YouTube, like Happy Feet and Sammy's Adventures. I also grab some educational apps like ABC Mouse and Lingokids.
If you have Prime Video, you can download shows and movies ahead of time for offline viewing. A total lifesaver when you're stuck mid-flight with no Wi-Fi! Prime Video is an excellent option for downloading their favorite cartoon series.
Ours is Blaze and the Monster Machines. Drop an email with what your little one likes to watch on Amazon Prime +.
And don't forget the toddler headphones. They keep the flights peaceful (for you and your fellow passengers!). 🎧
How To Spark Your Toddler's Creativity & Sensory Play (Perfect For Airports Or Hotels)
To balance out screen time, I always pack plenty of hands-on, sensory activities that are easy, low-mess fun, and keep little hands (and minds!) busy.
Here's What We Love Bringing:
1. Grab-and-Go Activity Packs
You can usually find these at Target; they come with stickers, crayons, and coloring pages. Super affordable and easy to toss in your bag.
2. Kinetic Sand or Play-Doh
Compact, great for sensory play, and seriously fun! Bonus points if you grab the citrus-scented Play-Doh; it smells like oranges! 🍊
Our travel-size Play-Doh favorites here!
3. Fidget Toys
These little gadgets are lifesavers during takeoff, landing, and hotel downtime.
To shop our go‑to fidget toys here!
4. Sticker Books
Endless quiet fun, zero setup needed.
Shop our favorite sticker books here!
5. Washable Markers
No mess and no drama, and they wipe clean easily if little artists get too creative.
Snag our favorite toddler-friendly washable markers here!
Mess Free Reusable Coloring Books
6. Barbie Doll
Chelsea is a Barbie doll whose hair always needs brushing. This activity easily entertains my toddler for 15 minutes, which any traveling mom knows is gold.
7. The Yoto Player
Why We're Obsessed with our absolute favorite travel essentials, whether we're flying, driving, or just hanging out in a hotel room, is the Yoto Player. It's screen-free, durable, and super engaging for toddlers (and honestly, pretty relaxing for moms too).
To explore the Yoto Player, here.
We Also Travel With A Few Fun Extras To Keep Things Exciting:
🎵 Bob Marley Songs Card (because chill vibes are a must!)
🐾 Paw Patrol Story Cards
🦖 Dinosaur Adventure Quiz Cards
🧙 Zog and Friends Story Collection
📁 Card Organizer (to keep everything neat and easy to grab)
🎧Toddler headphones to keep your little one entertained without disturbing your seat neighbors!
For our favorite comfy toddler headphones, click here
8. Dollar Tree Dolls - The Budget-Friendly Imaginative Play
Want my best mom hack for affordable toddler airplane activities. Dollar Tree dolls, seriously, they're a game-changer.
For just $1.25 each, you can snag these small dolls with interchangeable outfits, hairpieces, and even tiny backpacks.
My daughter can spend ages styling them, dressing them up, and creating her own little adventures. Plus, they're the perfect size for packing without adding bulk to your carry-on!
9. Please Do Not Forget The Comfort In Familiar Faces Favorite Stuffed Friends
Comfort items are a must when you're traveling with little ones.
My daughter never leaves home without her trusty stuffed animals, Morgan and Mongo. They're like portable hugs, helping her settle down on flights, in hotel rooms, or anywhere that feels a little too new and different.
How To Staying Organized The Easy Way Ziploc Bags
Packing tiny toddler toys could easily turn your bag into a black hole of chaos. Ask me how I know. 😂
I organize toys by category (like all fidget toys in one bag and art supplies in another). It keeps everything neat, easy to find, and super quick to pack up when it's time to go. Trust me, this little trick makes all the difference.
See our favorite size storage bags here!
Our Favorite Toddler Travel Backpack (Toddler & Mom-Approved!)
Finding a backpack that's both kid‑friendly and airport‑tough can be a challenge. The backpack itself matters big time! You want something sturdy, comfy, and sized just right for little shoulders.
After testing a few little kid packs, this one checked every box:
Durable, lightweight build won't slow her down (or break your back!).
Fits perfectly under an airline seat. No gate‑checking is required.
Room for all her essentials yet still small enough for tiny shoulders.
Shop the exact backpack we love Unicorn Mini Backpack on Amazon
Shop This Post Toddler Travel Essentials
Mama, if you're anything like me, you want travel gear that actually works no overpacking, no meltdowns. I rounded up everything we pack when we travel by airplane and use it on flights, car rides, and hotel stays. Here's your cheat sheet to stress-free travel with your little sidekick
Final Thoughts & Encouragement for Solo Traveling Moms
Traveling solo with toddlers isn't about doing everything perfectly. Just spend a few hours preparing, setting your mindset, and a little creative packing magic.
It's ok if you pack everything under the sun the first few times. As time passes, you will learn how to choose a few versatile, comforting, and entertaining items that keep you and your little one happy, calm, and ready for adventure.
Will there be hiccups along the way? Probably.
But you know what? That's part of the story; you're creating incredible lifelong memories with your little traveler at every step of the journey.
If you found this post helpful, please share it with another traveling mama who could use extra support (and a few sanity-saving tips)!
And I'd love to hear your best travel hacks, too.
Drop your favorite tips or must-have items in the comments below, or email me! I seriously read every single one.
Happy travels, mama! You've totally got this!
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