Long Haul Flight with Kids: Travel Tips, Packing Hacks & Prime Day Must-Haves

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Hi friends! Stacy here from Stevo Vacations!

We’re prepping for a family adventure to London (yay!) and as I’m an planning on what to packing for our 10-hour flight out of LAX with a 4.5-year-old and a 1.5-year-old in tow, I thought—what better time to share my go-to survival tips for flying long-haul with little ones? Especially while Amazon Prime Day is in full swing and some of my favorite travel essentials are on major sale.

Whether you're jetting off across the globe or planning ahead for holiday travel, here's everything I’m doing (and bringing) to make this journey smoother—for them and for me.

🧳 1. Pack Light—but Smart

Trust me: You do not want to be juggling three suitcases, and a cranky toddler at the airport.

My approach? Strollers to the rescue. Each kid gets one backpack with their essentials, Evo brings the diaper bag (backpack) with the little one's essentials and I bring one roomy carry-on tote packed like a Mary Poppins bag. We decided it's necessary to bring 2 compact strollers to help with navigating the airport. Tired kids can lead into meltdowns and their tiny legs definitely will get too tired without stroller at LAX, so we definitely need to bring the strollers this time. I've been looking for the perfect compact one fold stroller for a while and I think finally decided on the Joolz Aer+ – I love this one because it folds down to fit in the overhead bin and handles like a dream. 20% off during Prime Day sale just sealed the deal for me.

Here’s what’s inside my Mary Poppins bag:

• Packing cubes – GAME CHANGER. I use one for extra clothes, one for snacks, and one for diapers/wipes/etc. So much easier to grab what I need fast. This one looks pretty, has good review and nice discounts too.

• Headphones for iPad / Plane Entertainment – Essential for in-flight entertainment powered by our iPad. I'm hoping the kids will sleep most of the flight, but in case they need some distractions, we'll be prepared!

• Wet Bags – Accidents will happen. Be ready. We'll also bring some change of clothes, jackets since the plane usually gets chilly. Pro tip: Roll clothes instead of folding. Saves space and keeps things visible!

✈️ 2. Conquer LAX Like a Pro

LAX can be chaotic, but with toddlers, efficiency is survival. Here’s how I breeze through:

• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry: Worth every penny. I signed up for both using (Venture X that covers the fees.

• Get there early—but not too early: 2.5 hours ahead is my sweet spot. Gives you time for check-in, diaper changes, and one last toddler meltdown before boarding.

• Airport playground: Terminal 4 has a little play area. Let them burn some energy before they’re stuck in a seat for 10 hours.

And don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle—empty through security, then fill up at the gate!

🧸 3. Toddler Entertainment Kit (Survival Depends on It)

A bored toddler on a plane = turbulence of the worst kind. Here’s what’s in my “entertainment survival kit”:

• Kids Tablet – Load up their favorite shows before you leave home. Don’t rely on in-flight Wi-Fi!

• Busy books or reusable sticker books – Lightweight and mess-free.

• Water Wow coloring pads – No markers. No mess.

• Mini snack tackle box – I fill a pill organizer with small snacks (puffs, mini crackers, fruit snacks, etc.) for the novelty. It can even be used as a memory game! Works like magic and kept my little E busy for quite some time when we used it on our last trip, so hoping the same for this next trip too!

• New small toys – Hide them until the flight. Surprise factor helps hold attention longer.

Bonus: Rotate toys every hour. Keeps things fresh.

🛌 4. Sleep Strategy: Embrace the Nap Ninja

I try to align our flight with nap or bedtime. On the plane, I create a cozy sleep setup with:

• Easy set up toddler travel bed– Fills the gap between the seat and the next one, making a flat surface for sleeping.

• Cozy travel blanket and pillow set – Familiar textures help them sleep better.

• Their lovey or favorite plush – Don’t leave home without it! But if it's their favorite..... make sure to keep an eye on it so not to lose it! Put Airtag on it if you must!!

If one kid falls asleep, celebrate quietly and don’t make eye contact with the other. 😅

🍎 5. Snack Like You Mean It

Airplane food is unpredictable—and rarely toddler-approved.

I pack:

• This snack memory game board with easy finger foods

• Spill-proof straw cups for water and milk

• Travel size disinfecting wipes is a MUST for us.... we wipe everything down as soon as we get to our seat!

• Disposable placemats so we can eat on the tray table without stress

And yes, I bring treats I don’t usually allow at home. Desperate times. No shame.

🧘‍♀️ 6. Mindset Is Everything

There will be crying. Maybe from you. Maybe from them. Probably both.

Remind yourself:

• You’re making lifelong memories.

• Most people on the plane have headphones and empathy.

• You will land eventually.

And if all else fails, just focus on surviving one hour at a time.

🛍️ Prime Day Picks for Travel Families

So many of the items I mentioned above are on sale right now for Amazon Prime Day—which is the best time to stock up for your next trip. I’ll be updating this post throughout the week with my favorite finds and link them all in the post. Be sure to check back in!

These are all products I personally use and love—and every time you shop through one of my links, you help support this travel mama and my dream business. 💛

Final Thoughts

Traveling with toddlers isn’t easy—but it is possible. And honestly? Once you arrive and see the world through their curious little eyes, it’s all worth it.

Let me know if you’re heading somewhere soon—I’d love to help you plan a trip that’s magical and manageable.

With love from the clouds,
Stacy