Tell me what you pack in your child's hand luggage

[Zigzag99]

Taking our 7 year old ds to Spain for the first time and was just wondering what others pack in their hand luggage.
He will definitely need something to keep him occupied so, tablet, magazines etc.
Anything else?

Thanks in advance.

At that age, DS’s hand luggage was one of those backpacks that converts to a booster seat for use in hire car the other end. We put in a small new Lego kit for assembling (usually actually happened other end) plus empty takeaway container to put it in. Spare shorts and t shirt. Magazine. Dobble or other card game. Snacks.

We only put a change of clothes in there if there is a huge difference in the temperature between home and destination. But only if we have a hold luggage without easy access.

I take a change of clothes in case of travel sickness, spillage, or our hold luggage not arriving with us. Ditto our medicines - i never pack them in the hold , they re too precious!

@greenlynx this time we have a bed’s worth of soft toys, blue and pink hair spray, a telescopic fishing net, some squashed sweets that they’d hidden somewhere, 5 zillion football cards and some books. So really useful stuff...

If we’re only travelling with hand luggage then I just pack their clothes and other things they need into their bags.

We take the Calpol sachets. Have had to use them before (and DDs very rarely have it) and also given to others on flights with unwell little ones unexpectedly. As I say, we fly often and it’s what works for us.

Last time, 6yo DD decided to pack her craft scissors. Slightly embarrassing at security...

ThomasRichards, of course you need plenty of soft toys for successful holiday! I thought for a minute that it’s something boring like spare clothes and wipes.

Things that are interesting for them, a jumper, socks if wearing sandals (it is always cold in the plane), change of clothes just in case (for you too, spillages are common in cramped spaces). Some savouries and water. My rule for long haul trips was always “no sweets, no juice, not fizzy drinks and absolutely not bloody ribenna” as the children get all sugar hyped and annoying between them, to you and mostly, to other passengers around them.

Thanks everyone. Lots of things I hadn't thought of, especially the Calpol melts, although hopefully I won't need them!