If you’re flying with kids anytime soon, I’m here to tell you: it does not have to feel like survival mode.

Will someone suddenly be starving even though you bought them food at the airport 20 minutes ago? Probably. Will you hear “I’m bored” before the plane has even left the gate? There’s a decent chance. And will the one thing you desperately need somehow be packed safely away in the suitcase you checked? Only if you let it.

Flying with kids is one of those situations where a little preparation goes a long way. I’m not suggesting you drag an enormous carry-on through the airport filled with everything you could possibly need. Actually, it’s the opposite.

Pack smarter, not heavier. Here are five things I always recommend having within reach when you’re flying with kids.

1. A Change of Clothes — and Maybe One for You, Too

This one isn't just for babies and toddlers.

Spilled drinks happen. Bathroom mishaps happen. Kids get sweaty, uncomfortable, airsick, or somehow manage to get covered in something five minutes into a travel day. Pack a simple change of clothes in your carry-on for each child. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. In fact, comfy is best. Pajamas? Absolutely. Leggings, a T-shirt, shorts, whatever is easy to roll up and doesn't take up much space.

And if you have room, throw an extra shirt in there for yourself. Because if your child spills an entire drink in their lap, that's unfortunate. If your child spills an entire drink in your lap at the beginning of a six-hour travel day? That's a whole different problem.

(A large zip-top bag is helpful too. Clean clothes go in on the way there; wet or dirty clothes go in after disaster strikes.)

2. More Snacks Than You Think You Need

You've packed enough snacks. Now add two more.

Airport food can be expensive, lines can be long, flights get delayed, and kids have an incredible ability to become desperately hungry at the least convenient possible moment.

I like a mix of familiar favorites and things that take a little while to eat. Think crackers, granola bars, pretzels, fruit snacks, dry cereal, or other easy-to-pack options your kids already like. This is not the day to introduce an adventurous new snack.

And don't forget something for yourself. Parents are notoriously good at packing for everyone else and realizing somewhere around hour four that we've survived on iced coffee and three Goldfish crackers. No amount of hangry should be considered impossible on a travel day! Plan accordingly.

3. Headphones + Pre-Downloaded Entertainment

Repeat after me: airport Wi-Fi is not a travel plan.

Before you leave home, download movies, shows, games, audiobooks, podcasts, or whatever keeps your child entertained. Then actually open them and make sure they work without Wi-Fi. Ask me how many parents have learned that lesson the hard way.

Also, make sure each child has headphones that work with the device they're bringing. Depending on what they're using, you may need an adapter too.

And as for screen-time rules? Those do not apply at 35,000 feet. Trust me. I double-checked.

Travel days are not normal days. If a downloaded movie gets everyone through a long flight happily, I consider that a win.

4. Wipes. So Many Wipes.

Even if your kids haven't needed baby wipes in years, bring wipes.

Sticky hands. Crumbs. Spilled snacks. Questionable tray tables. Mystery substances that you absolutely do not want to investigate further.

Wipes.

I also keep hand sanitizer easy to reach instead of buried at the bottom of the bag. You'll want it after bathrooms, before snacks, and probably several other times you haven't anticipated yet. The key here is easy to reach. Don't pack the things you'll need most underneath three sweatshirts, a tablet and someone's stuffed animal.

Your future self, standing in an airport trying to clean melted chocolate off a child's hands, will thank you.

5. One Surprise They've Never Seen Before

This is one of my favorite tricks.

Pack one small activity your child doesn't know about and don't pull it out immediately. Save it.

Let the coloring book, tablet, snacks and staring dramatically out the airplane window do their jobs first. Then, when you've reached the point where nothing else is working, out comes the surprise.

It doesn't need to be expensive. A new activity book, sticker set, small travel game, drawing pad, puzzle book, or tiny toy can work. The magic isn't really in what you bring. It's that it's new. And when you've been sitting in the same airplane seat for hours, "new" can buy you a surprisingly lovely stretch of peace.

The Goal Isn't to Pack More

When you're traveling with kids, it's tempting to prepare for every possible scenario. But you don't need everything—you just need the right things where you can actually reach them.

Because no mom or dad wants to be standing in a crowded airport, digging through an overstuffed bag while one child announces that they are STARVING and another suddenly needs the bathroom.

Pack smart, keep the essentials close, and remember: travel days don't have to follow all the normal rules!