The exact carry-on kit that survived 22 hours of travel with a 4 & 6-year-old
Every toy that earned its spot in the backpack and what's keeping them busy for hours after we landed
We’ve officially been in San Sebastián for two weeks with Roam Collective, and we’re finally settled into a real routine.
Here’s what three years of living and traveling abroad with my family has taught me, I call it my 3-Day Rule: it takes kids three full days to adjust to a major time change. For those first 72 hours, you lower every expectation, assume you’ll be sleeping in late, take it painfully slow, get in sunlight and a low-effort activity and roll with it. By Day 4 you’ll get your kids and a real routine back.
But before the 3-Day Rule even kicks in, you have to actually get there. For us, that meant a 22-hour travel day from San Francisco, two flights, one layover with my 4 and 6-year-olds.
After years of doing this, I’ve got our carry-on entertainment strategy down to a science. I know exactly which toys keep my kids occupied and quiet in a tight space and which ones are just dead weight in a backpack. Everything below made the cut because it’s earned it, flight after flight.
If you’re planning a long-haul trip with littles this summer, or even just a road trip, this is the exact list of what we packed.
First things first, toy storage
The system matters as much as the toys. If your kid can’t see their options and put things back, everything ends up on the floor.
Mesh Zipper Pouches If there are pieces, its one activity per pouch, so nothing disappears. I use these across my carry-on and checked bags.
Hanging Toiletry Bag THE Activity Kit that holds all the things
Toys for the plane
Twistable Colored Pencils the only coloring tool we travel with. No sharpener, no melted crayons, no marker on the seat
Play Putty both kids love digging out the hidden gems. Quiet and weirdly meditative.
Character Puffy Sticker Playset lots of different character options
Wax Craft Sticks a Wikki Stix dupe at a fraction of the price
Mess-Free Watercolor Painting Book great for travel days or during downtime on your trip
Magnetic Men my kids play with these for a wild amount of time
Mini Animal Figurines tiny, packable for imaginative play
Mini Magnatiles We love these so much I bought a second set for the car before we left SF
Kids Lacing Cards a good focused activity
Bluetooth Headphones and iPad Mini because screen time rules don’t exist on travel days
Bonus: toys for the rental apartment
These are the “rental-friendly” activities. Everything here keeps kids entertained during downtime with zero risk of property damage. AKA no crayons or markers anywhere near someone else’s walls.
Gem Sticker Kit sparkly, contained, mess-free
Foil Art Craft do NOT open this on the plane. DO open it when you land and need to unpack in peace. Mine spent hours on this while we got settled in San Sebastián.
Dough Sensory Kit contained sensory play that stays on the table
Mega Sticker Stamper Activity Melissa & Doug dupe
Melissa & Doug Seek & Find Sticker Pad stickers = no permanent damage
Roadway Tape this leaves no residue and is great paired with Hot Wheels (put them in those mesh bags)
And I have even more I pack that you should add to cart for your upcoming trip!
💬 What’s the one toy your kid can’t travel without?
📤 Know a mom staring down a long-haul flight this summer? Send her this one.
Thanks for joining me on this journey,
Barbara
P.S. We almost got kicked out of an airport lounge in Paris on this trip. The full story, and how we handled it, is coming in the next issue. 👀
P.P.S. I’ve spent months researching European summer camps, and all of that research lives in the paid subscriber archive, along with my deeper thoughts on tools, systems & mindset for working moms. It’s $8/month, less than the play putty.
