10 Surprising Items I Always Have in My Carry-on 'Just in Case' While Traveling With My Kids-From $6

"The secret (according to me) is to anticipate the unexpected, which is why a "just in case" bag is a must-have. From dead phone batteries to cranky kids who refuse to sleep, I've curated 10 carry-on "just in case" items that have proven their worth on countless trips. Whether facing a delayed flight, a forgotten essential, or the general chaos that comes with traveling as a family, these picks will help make traveling with kids easier-not perfect, but easier."

"My kids constantly lose their charging cables. I don't know where they vanish to, but when we're traveling and lose the ability to plug in phones or iPads because of a missing cable, it's chaos. I always pack one (or three) versatile and low-cost charging cables that feature lightning, USB-C, and micro-USB connectors all in one compact design. One shopper raved about having just one cable "that works for different phones in the family.""

Anticipating the unexpected makes family travel smoother, so a compact 'just in case' carry-on bag is essential. The bag should include versatile, low-cost charging cables with lightning, USB-C, and micro-USB connectors to avoid device downtime and family charging chaos. A soft, packable travel blanket provides warmth, compresses into a tiny carrying case, and can double as an extra hotel layer while offering a trolley sleeve for luggage. Including items that address delayed flights, forgotten essentials, dead batteries, and tired or cranky kids reduces stress and transforms many travel disruptions into manageable inconveniences.

Read at Travel + Leisure