Top 5 Essentials After an International Flight with Toddlers

Surviving an international flight with toddlers is only half the battle the hours after you land can sometimes feel even harder. Between jet lag, cranky kids, and trying to navigate a brand-new place, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Over the years (and plenty of trial and error), I’ve found a handful of items that make those post-flight hours so much smoother. These aren’t just “nice-to-haves” they’ve saved my sanity more than once, and now they are essential and I won’t travel without them!

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1. Liquid IV

Liquid IV is something I never travel without. I actually buy it in bulk and always keep several packets in my backpack for the whole family. As soon as we get off the plane, I make sure everyone’s water bottle is filled with fresh water and a Liquid IV packet. For the kids, I usually do half a packet each right away, and then another half once we’re settled into the Airbnb. It’s the quickest way I’ve found to rehydrate after a long flight, and it makes such a difference in helping us all bounce back from jet lag faster.

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2. Bubble Bum Travel Booster Seat

If you’ve read about our very first international flight with a baby, you know what a nightmare it was lugging a full car seat through airports and taxis. I swore I’d never do that again if there was another option. The Bubble Bum has been that option for us. It’s inflatable, folds down small enough to fit in my backpack, and still meets U.S. federal safety standards for booster seats. After a long flight, when everyone is cranky and exhausted, the last thing I want to stress over is transportation safety. Having the Bubble Bum gives me peace of mind that we can hop in a taxi or rental car without hauling around a giant seat, and everyone is still safe and comfortable.

Below is a picture of our daughter (admittedly not the best picture) using the Bubble Bum in a rental car during one of our trips to Mexico a perfect example of how it makes travel days so much easier

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3. KidCo Peapod Travel Bed

I will recommend the Peapod to anyone and everyone—it’s that good. We first started using it when Skyler was little, and it’s been with us all over the world, from Airbnbs in Eastern Europe to layovers in airports where we desperately needed a safe spot for her to rest. When Parker came along, it was just as much of a lifesaver for him too. After a long international flight, when the kids are tired and everything feels new and overwhelming, the Peapod gives them a cozy, familiar space to settle into. It pops up in seconds, packs down small, and gives me such peace of mind knowing they always have a safe and familiar place to sleep no matter where we are. Honestly, it feels like our family’s little travel security blanket.

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4. Extra Phone (Unlocked & Loaded with Apps)

One of the smartest travel hacks we’ve figured out is bringing along an extra phone—and making sure it’s fully unlocked. We use ours specifically for an international SIM card so that we always have data wherever we go. Our choice has been my old Moto G. It’s durable, has a long battery life, and didn’t cost much, so I don’t stress if something happens to it. Once we pop in a local SIM, we use it as a hotspot to connect our U.S. phones, which means we’re never scrambling for Wi-Fi. On top of that, I also preload it with toddler apps and audiobooks as backup entertainment. It’s been a lifesaver more than once—both for keeping us connected and for keeping the kids happy after long flights.

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5. Luggage Connecting Straps

Since we don’t check bags, we’re often moving through airports with multiple carry-ons, backpacks, and kid gear in tow. Luggage connecting straps have been a game-changer for us. We use them to strap all of our bags together so we can move everything as one unit instead of juggling ten different pieces through crowded terminals. It makes navigating airports (especially after a long international flight with overtired toddlers) so much less stressful. Being able to roll everything in one go frees up my hands for the kids—and that alone makes them worth it.

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Bonus: Fidgets for the Win

I never thought something as simple as a fidget toy could make such a difference, but they’ve saved us so many times after international flights. When we’re waiting in long customs lines, sitting around for baggage inspections, or just trying to keep the kids occupied while we get settled at our Airbnb, fidgets keep little hands busy and minds calm.

We started with this set, and since it comes with so many little toys, I just grab a handful, toss them in a ziplock bag, and take them with us wherever we go. Having extras has saved us during long taxi rides when the kids are overtired and restless. Recently, someone recommended this set, and it’s already been a huge hit too. They’re small, quiet, and easy to pack—which makes them perfect for travel. Honestly, having a couple of these on hand has saved our sanity more than once when everyone was running out of patience.

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Final Thought
Traveling internationally with toddlers is never simple, but it doesn’t have to be chaotic either. With a few key essentials—like hydration packets, a safe travel bed, and even something as simple as luggage connecting straps—we’ve learned how to make those first few hours after landing a little more manageable. Every family’s needs are different, but these are the things that have consistently made a big difference for us. Hopefully, they’ll do the same for you.

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