9 Travel Health Essentials Every Parent Should Pack for Flights

Greenhouse juice is a staple in our household and their ginger and other wellness shots have become one of my go to travel prep habits.  In the days leading up to a trip, we take Greenhouse Fiery Ginger shots daily as a way to support our immune systems BEFORE the chaos starts (not once we’re already run down). Travel is basically the perfect storm for getting sick, between crowded airports, recycled cabin air, disrupted sleep, and nonstop germs, so I’ve learned that being proactive makes a big difference for us. I like that Ginger Defence uses real, functional ingredients - 100% organic ginger, turmeric, and oregano extract - that light a fire under your immune system. 

And the coolest part is their new partnership with Air Canada! Ginger Defense shots are now available on select Air Canada flights, which I’m kind of obsessed with. Planes aren’t exactly known for healthy options, so having a ginger shot onboard, when you’re surrounded by germs and dry cabin air, is just such a great addition! 

Use the code MINIJETSETTER to get 15% off your entire order in Canada and US!

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.

Organika's adult electrolytes are SO delicious and make me literally chug water. 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 is another one we lean on in the lead up to travel. Organika Instant C, D, Zinc Tablets are easy to take, gentle on the stomach, and simple enough to stick to when routines are already off. I like that it dissolves into water, so it doubles as a hydration reminder, especially when I’m rushing around taking care of everyone and everything. We usually start taking it a few days before a trip and continue through travel days, when sleep is shorter and exposure is higher.

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.

Beekeeper's Naturals Wellness Wands are a newer addition for us, but they’ve quickly become a travel fave. They’re basically a lollipop with propolis and vitamin D, which makes them easy to use with kids, especially on flight days when dry air and long stretches of sitting tend to irritate throats. I like that they feel more like a treat than “medicine,” and they’re simple to hand out during takeoff, landing, or anytime the kids start complaining.

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.

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.

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