9 Travel Health Essentials Every Parent Should Pack for Flights

I always pack these for flights. Airplane air is dehydrating, and kids don’t always drink enough water when we’re on the go. These mix into water easily and taste like fruit punch, without any sugar, dyes, or artificial stuff. I mix a packet into their water bottles the day before we fly and again on the morning of our travel day. This is one of the easiest and most effective things I pack to help keep the kids well on flight day.

Each Organika packet is filled with essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C to support hydration, immune health, and energy levels. It also includes prebiotic fibre, which helps keep digestion on track when routines are off. Organika is a Canadian brand, but Kinderlyte is another good one in the US (created by Jessica Biel).

Same goes for adults ... I am so bad at drinking water on planes! Between wrangling kids, airport logistics, and just forgetting, I always end up dehydrated. And when that happens, I really feel it. Headaches, bloating, irritability, jet lag that hits harder - it all gets worse when I’m not hydrated properly.

My fave are the Liquid IV travel packets. I usually drink one packet the day before we fly, another the morning of, and sometimes one more mid-flight. It helps your body absorb more water with added electrolytes and vitamins, which makes a big difference on long travel days. Especially if we have broken sleep or we’re flying overnight, staying ahead of dehydration REALLY helps energy levels stay more stable and makes it easier to adjust to the new time zone once we land (and parent through that first challenging day). 

This one’s personal. My mom and grandfather were both beekeepers, so I grew up using honey and propolis for everything from coughs, colds and sore throats. It's just always been part of our home medicine cabinet.

Propolis is a natural substance bees make to protect their hives. It’s packed with antioxidants and known for its immune-supporting and antimicrobial properties. This propolis throat spray is made just for kids (although there's also an adult version that I also always have on hand at home), and it’s one of the first things I pull out during travel week.

We start using it everyday leading up to the trip and always on the flight itself. It helps coat and soothe dry throats from all the recycled plane air and gives their immune systems a little boost when they’re most exposed to germs. My kids love the taste, and the bottle is small enough to toss in any bag.

This is another one of my go-to immune boosters for travel! These single-serve immune support pouches are made with liposomal vitamin C and propolis. They’re designed to be easy to pack, quick to take, and actually effective, which is perfect for busy travel days when you want to stay ahead of germs.

The adult version contains 1000 mg of highly absorbable vitamin C, plus bee propolis for added immune support. There’s also a kids version with 500 mg of vitamin C, plus vitamin D and elderberry, in a mixed berry flavor that my kids actually like. Both versions deliver a strong dose of antioxidants and propolis-powered defense in a small, no-refrigeration-needed pouch that’s ideal for flights.

Probiotics are part of our daily routine leading up to and during travel. Travel throws a lot kids' little bodies - different foods, new environments, and interrupted schedules, all of which can disrupt the balance of good bacteria in their gut.

Probiotics help maintain that balance, supporting both digestion and immune function when everything else feels a little off. I like Culturelle’s kids chewables because they combine a well-studied probiotic strain with elderberry and key nutrients like vitamins C, D, and zinc for extra immune support during busy travel days. t’s an easy all-in-one option that covers both gut health and immune support. 

They also taste like berry candy, so there’s no struggle to get the kids to take them, and I’ve found that staying consistent helps avoid the typical post-flight colds or mid-trip crashes.

A good multivitamin is one of those simple things that really helps when we’re traveling. Between time zone changes, limited food options, and the general chaos of being on the go, it’s not always easy to get balanced meals in ... especially if your kids are picky like mine and mostly eat bread and fries when you're out at restaurants. 

We use these SUKU Kids Multivitamin Gummies daily at home and just stick with it on the road. They’re sugar-free, don’t melt, and taste great, which makes them perfect for picky eaters. I just pack a small container for our carry-on. 

There are lots of other great multivitamin options out there for kids. Renzo’s (especially good if you’re looking for one that includes iron), OLLY (which adds probiotics), and SmartyPants Kids are all solid choices depending on what your child needs. The key is just finding one that works and making it part of your travel routine.

One of my favourite new prep rituals. I recently discovered this Canadian company, and their wellness shots have quickly become a staple before we travel. They’re made with real, functional ingredients like ginger, turmeric, echinacea, and lemon. They’re also shelf-stable, so you can easily pack them in your carry-on or travel pouch without needing a fridge.

My favourite is the Get Well shot, but all three flavours are solid. If you’re not sure which one to try, they also sell a variety pack so you can test them all. Great to have on hand when your body needs a little extra support before, during, or after travel.

This one feels obvious, but it’s essential for staying healthy on travel days. My kids touch everything they’re not supposed to - the floor, the wheels of the suitcase, the dirty napkins in the seatback pocket (and somehow it’s always right before they ask for a snack). Hand-washing isn't always an option, so sanitizer is non-negotiable.

I like this Touchland Hand Sanitizer because it’s a fine mist that dries quickly, smells good, and doesn’t leave their hands sticky. I have one for each kid in their bag and they actually like using it, which makes it so much easier when I’m asking them to sanitize for the tenth time in an hour.

And last but not least, public restrooms with kids... we all know the drill: don’t touch ANYTHING! That’s why I always carry a few of these disposable toilet seat covers with me. These covers are small, individually wrapped, and easy to store in my bag. The adhesive strips keep them securely in place, and the XL coverage ensures my kid’s hands (and clothes!) stay far away from the toilet seat. They’re a total lifesaver when you’re out and about and need to make a bathroom stop with little ones.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. I only recommend products that I absolutely love and use myself. Your support helps me continue to create helpful content for families on the go!