My four-year-old daughter might be one of the most well-traveled kids I know. She has lived in three states – Hawaii, Minnesota, and Maryland – and has been on nearly 20 flights and several long road trips in her short life. For Christmas last year, she asked Santa for purple luggage – seriously (We purchased the Monos carry-on in a limited-edition lavender color, by the way). It's safe to say we're used to traveling with a toddler.

That doesn't mean I wasn't intimidated to embark on our longest travel day yet, though: an eighteen-hour excursion from Baltimore, Maryland, to Seoul, South Korea, for an international move. This was twice as long as the longest flight she'd been on, and I wanted to make sure she had plenty to entertain herself.

I scrutinized my packing list and picked up a few other must-haves for the trip – we needed to have enough to keep her entertained but not too much that her backpack would be too stuffed.

Let's start with her backpack, an Amazon pick we couldn't be more impressed by. Even though I made the purchase solely based on color and pattern – she was desperate for a purple kitty backpack – this simple backpack is the perfect size for a toddler and fits a ton. Be careful, though, it does get heavy when filled.

Electronics

• iPad + Kid-Proof Case: When I upgraded my iPad earlier this year, my daughter received my old one, and we promptly ordered a new kid-friendly case. While I try to limit screen time at home, the limit does not exist during long travel days for my own sanity.
• Headphones: These over-ear headphones have been with us for more than two years of travel and have held up great. They also have Bluetooth capability and a corded option.
• Yoto Mini Player: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go! Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. We have replaced her standard sound machine with the Dreams Collection, and this portable, screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling has been a lifesaver for our carsick-prone kiddo on long road trips.

Toys + Entertainment

• Magnetic Dolls: This compact travel tin with magnetic dress-up dolls was a massive hit with my four-year-old. It's self-contained, easy to store, and comes in a variety of fun designs.
• Portable Puzzle: Our household is puzzle-obsessed, and this portable airplane-themed puzzle, which comes with its own carrying bag, was perfect.
• Pop-It: Airplanes mean nervous energy for kids and adults alike, so a fun fidget toy is crucial.

Pro Tip: Make sure you have a few new toys to share! My daughter had never seen the airplane puzzle or magnetic dolls before the flight began, and having something new undoubtedly extended playtime!

Art Supplies

This section is only relevant if you have a small artist with you. My daughter could color for hours on end, so we made sure to have a few different options for her creative mind.

• Crayons: These heart-shaped ring crayons were an impulse purchase that paid off. Not only were they novel, but the ring shape meant we didn't lose a single crayon – score!
• Coloring Book: Our coloring book of choice on this flight was a Titanic activity book that we had picked up at the Titanic Exhibition in Washington D.C., a few months earlier, but anything will do! We also threw a stack of sticky notes and several sheets of stickers in her bag for writing notes and drawing.
• Coloring Mat: This silicone coloring mat is perfect for use at restaurants and on airplanes. Grab your favorite pattern (we love the transportation one), a pack of markers, and you'll have endless coloring fun. A wet wipe or sink easily removes the color, so you can use the mat again and again.

Other Essentials

Of course, we also packed a variety of non-entertainment toddler essentials. If this seems like a lot to store in a toddler backpack, most of these items (minus the stuffed animals) were stored in my trusty carry-on backpack from Beis.

• Water Wipes: The only wipes I'll buy, Water Wipes work on everything from cleaning up spills to taking off my own makeup. I never travel without them.
• Stuffed Animal + Blanket: Everyone needs a blanket on a long-haul flight, and your toddler is no exception. Add in one (or three!) of their favorite stuffed animals, and they'll be all the more likely to actually sleep. One of our favorites for travel is this small stuffed penguin (named Tango after one of our favorite books, of course).
• Extra Clothes + A Wet Bag: You never know when you'll have an accident or mess, and it's not always easy to get to a bathroom immediately – this wet bag has lasted years!
• All Of The Snacks: We love granola bars, crackers, and fruit snacks. In addition to making sure she's munching on something upon takeoff and landing so her ears pop, snacks solve all problems. Though we had in-flight meals, they weren't always toddler-friendly or served when she was awake.

What other items do you recommend for long-haul travel with little ones? What about yourself? I'll be honest: I neglected myself on this trip. Luckily, I survived just fine with an iPad stocked with Kindle Unlimited books, my AirPods, a travel scarf blanket combo, and my favorite compression socks. Next time, I should probably pay more attention to my own carry-on.

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