The key to the carry-on is organization.  If the baby falls asleep on take-off, you want to be able to easily locate your headphones or snack without digging through the whole bag. We take one tote for the whole family.  I know, that seems crazy!  I just don’t want to lug a bunch of stuff around the airport, and I need free hands for the kids.

Full Disclosure:  Now that I’m doing this blogging/vlogging thing, I do take another backpack with all of my camera gear.  But I never traveled with it before, so most people won’t need anything more than a camera.

Umbrella stroller  Our cheap giveaway from Babies R Us has held up on cobblestones for years.
Yoga strap  Wrap it around the top and bottom of your stroller to carry it like a bag.
Baby Bjorn  The only way to get a baby or toddler through the airport.

Ipads with Kidproof case  One each for Matthew and Benjamin (Kristin shares with Benjamin)
Headphones  We love these for the kids, but I recently saw these, and want to give them a try
Camera
Quarter Cube with:
     Headphone splitter so we can watch shows together
     Chargers
     Adapters

Two water bottles  Taking four just seems silly, and we are all usually sharing anyway.
Baggie with snacks  This is where it’s easy to overdo things.  The kids won’t eat 10 Clif bars, 8 fruit pouches, a massive bag of trail mix, a whole box of graham crackers, and fruit snacks, so just leave it at home.  The snacks and food on the plane will probably be enough, but bring a Clif bar each and a couple of fruit pouches. That should be more than sufficient.  

Gallon baggie of toys
     2 “big kid” books
     1 board book
     1 Water Wow book  We love these reusable coloring books.
     2-3 small baby/toddler toys  (I usually find things at Dollar Tree)
     1 puzzle  (also from Dollar Tree – get something in a box about the size of a pack of cards)
     2-3 cars
     2 trains

Baggie of baby supplies
     10 diapers
     Wipes
     Changing pad

Half cube of kids’ misc
     1 change of clothes each
     Pacifiers  Lots, like four or five!  Don’t forget the clip to attach it to something.
     Benjamin’s little blankie  He sleeps with it every night, so it must come along.
     Kids’ sunglasses
     Kids’ sun hats

Wrap  Use it as a blanket, sarong, head scarf, or shoulder cover (in many churches, temples, and mosques, you will be required to cover shoulders, knees, and sometime head)
Slipper socks  Usually on top so I can slip them on at security to avoid walking around barefoot
Small cross-body purse with essentials Sunglasses, small wallet, passports, Burt’s Bees colored lip balm (LOVE this), hair clips

Andrew has a small cinch sack full of his stuff that fits into my larger tote. 

Contact lens solution/contact case
Glasses and case
Ipad
Headphones
Jacket
Neck pillow

Kristin

     Black camisole
     Lululemon leggings
     Long lightweight sweater
     Crocs Adrina flats (the perfect travel shoe)

Andrew

     Jeans
     T-shirt
     Long-sleeve shirt
     Tennis shoes/running shoes

The boys

     Short-sleeve shirt
     Long pants
     Socks
     Tennis shoes

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a small commission if you make a purchase.  Everything listed is what we use and love.