Our Hand Luggage System (And the Stuff That Saved Us)

Flying with kids is an adventure. Flying with four kids is… a lifestyle choice. 😅

We travelled when our kids were 1, 2, 5 and 6, so we needed a system that works when someone is hungry, tired, needs the toilet, and you’re holding passports with one hand and snacks with the other.

This is what actually helped us.

1) Our favourite hand luggage item: the kids ride-on suitcase

We use kids ride-on suitcases as hand luggage:
a small 4-wheeled cabin bag that they can sit on and ride (or you can pull them when their legs stop working in the middle of the airport).

They’re practical, they keep the kids moving, and they also reduce the amount of “carry me” requests by approximately 97%.

And for airport waiting time: instant seats. For airport walking time: tiny race cars on four wheels… occasionally a little too fast for crowded terminals.

2) What we pack in hand luggage (aka the ride-ons)

Yes: snacks, toys, and distractions. Always.

But these are our non-negotiables:

Swimwear + one full set of clothes (in case of… life)

In each ride-on we pack:

  • Little new gifts to play 
  • Tiny food like raisins, and then play games hiding and eating them

  • swimwear 

  • one full set of clothes per child

Because the mess always happens at the least convenient moment.

Real-life example:
While waiting for our flight from Thailand to Malaysia, Evelyn was too late for the toilet (you know the moment…). There was a LOT of paper involved, but I was so glad she was actually wearing swim pants. We could rinse it off in the toilet and move on. Not glamorous — but it saved the day.

3) Emergency diapers for flights (yes, even for potty-trained kids)

On flights we used emergency diapers for all the kids. And yes — even if they’re potty trained.

It came in handy big time when:

  • there was turbulence

  • the line was to long

  • and there was no way to reach the toilet because of take off or landing

We forgot it one time and Evelyn cried for 30 minutes because she needed to go so badly. She had fallen asleep, and of course the second she woke up… she needed the toilet immediately. That day we learned: never board without the emergency diaper plan. Or at least have them near by to put in on quickly.

4) Our “hands free” airport setup (first big trip)

For our first trip we wanted our hands free — because four kids + airport lines = chaos.

This was our setup:

  • 1 big Nomad backpack (main luggage)

  • 3 ride-on strollers for the kids

  • 1 normal backpack (mostly filled with food… because priorities)

  • Baby carrier (absolute lifesaver)

 

5) Quick hand luggage checklist (copy/paste)

In the kids ride-ons (4-wheel cabin bags)

  • Toys / drawing stuff

  • Tissues / wipes (optional but helpful)

  • Swimwear

  • One full set of clothes per child

  • Emergency diapers (even if potty trained)

For moving through airports

  • Baby carrier (gold with a 1-year-old)

  • Stroller(s) / ride-on stroller(s) depending on your setup

  • One backpack with food (no shame)

 

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