The Plane Trip - a few essentials

We find the easiest way to pack for a trip is to keep every list you ever make when you pack (you are making one, right??). I keep an Excel spreadsheet, with a basic packing list - each member of the family gets a column, and a vertical list of things to pack. Each time we go on a new trip, I copy and edit to meet the needs of the specific trip. After a while, I just have to print "RV Trip for one Week Packing List" (or whatever) and go, fine tuning and adding any revisions or notes after the trip! It's a little work to get started, but once you get that first one typed in, I PROMISE, it will save you time, and save you from forgetting things.

Here are a few things on our packing list for a plane trip, thankfully, this one was a non-stop, 2.25 hour trip, so not a ton of stuff we need to pack for the plane trip itself (although, my boys LOVE to pack way too many things in their TRUNKIs!)

The Packing List: a few things we can't do without on a plane carryon (and this is NOT complete, just some top items not to be forgotten, in our opinion)

• recloseable bags: for loose pieces, unfinished LEGO building, unfinished snacks, wet stuff, you get the idea
• extra set of clothes (kids and you): we've gotten away from this lately as our boys are 5 and 8, and tend to have less accidents and spill, so I'm probably jinxing myself by saying this! But totally recommended especially for new parents!
  
• Games: Card Games, Watergames, handheld/self-contained games (try not to use that SMARTPHONE, unless really desperate)
  
• Toys: we always struggle for games that have longevity on trips, we find the Magnetic GoGames really good, along with the Yes & Know Ink Games, basically something that has variety, and can offer a range of entertainment levels Pen/Pencil activities: one can never fail with some paper and pens, markers or crayons, invaluable
• Books: either for the kids to read on their own, or interactive books for younger (nonreading) travel companions
  
• Multi-Use Craft Tray: THE ticket to not losing your things to the floor on the plane or during unexpected turbulence
  
• Hand Sanitizer
  
• Trunki: it's a legal carry-on size, allows kids to pack 'anything that will fit', and offers something to play on/with during those unforeseen delays!
  

Remember, the more you have your kids entertained, the better chance you can read your book or magazine etc.

When "Kids Travel Happy" adults can too!!