When packing a travel first-aid kit, most people think of the basics: Band-Aids, pain relievers, and antiseptic cream.
But after years of traveling, often with kids, I've learned that the best kits go beyond the obvious.
Some of the most useful items I keep in my carry-on are the ones that solve unexpected problems. A tiny tube of glue can rescue a broken sandal, tweezers can fix more than just splinters, and nail clippers handle everything from loose threads to emergency gear repairs.
Whether you're traveling with kids, exploring the outdoors, or simply trying to make a long travel day more comfortable, these surprising additions can help you handle the little mishaps that come with every adventure, and won’t take up much room at all.
In this article
Super Glue
Ever since I started carrying a small tube of Super Glue in my first-aid bag, I've been surprised by how much I've used it.
When waiting in the Miami airport for a flight to the Dominican Republic, I changed out of my sneakers into my Birkenstocks, only to find the rubber sole detaching. Super Glue to the rescue!
I've also done a quick repair of my sunglasses and sealed off a spot in my overstuffed backpack that was fraying.
And when my youngest kid got a "terrible, terrible paper cut" (his words, not mine) that kept him from swimming in the ocean without pain, I used Super Glue to seal it up and keep the saltwater from getting in (if you have room, Liquid Bandage is another great option for skin-specific needs). They come in multipacks of tiny-sized glue, so you never end up with a dried-out dispenser.
Beurer Insect Bite Healer
As someone who is well-loved by mosquitoes and biting insects of all types, I know how much bug bites can put a damper on travel activities.
For that reason, my first-aid kit always includes the Beurer Insect Bite Healer, which uses concentrated heat on your bug bite to break down the proteins in the insect's saliva that cause the bite to itch. And it works surprisingly well.
However, for little kids or those who can't tolerate the burning feeling from the Beurer device, I recommend After Bite as another great option. Two of my kids inherited my proclivity for bug bites, and I send them off to camp with both of these each summer.
Antiseptic Wipes
Many of us started bringing antiseptic wipes everywhere during the pandemic to sanitize surfaces, but I still keep them in my carry-on for a few other helpful reasons.
They’ll come in handy if you have a cut or scrape that needs cleaning, but my favorite use is for combating smells on stinky airplanes.
As someone prone to nausea, I've been known to open an antiseptic wipe and inhale the clean scent when there's a particularly bad odor on a plane. This helps to overpower the bad smell and keep the nausea at bay. And using them to clean the tray table or armrests doesn’t hurt, either.
Moleskin and Hydrocolloid Bandages
Band-Aids are a common first-aid kit item, but I find them less than helpful for preventing or treating blisters. Often, they’re more likely to shift and make the situation worse.
So instead, my first-aid kit also contains a small strip of Moleskin, which is an adhesive fabric that's especially great at reducing friction.
You can cut a piece of the strip to put on top of hot spots caused by new shoes and all that walking you are doing on cobblestone streets.
And if you do get a blister, I recommend hydrocolloid bandages instead of Band-Aids. They seal open wounds, stay on through showers, and create a cushion to protect the area (bonus: you can also use them as DIY pimple patches).
Keep Band-Aids on hand, but save them for cuts and scrapes on areas that don't get so much friction.
Nail Clippers
Yes, nail clippers are more of a toiletry than a first-aid item, but I keep one in my travel kit to cut Moleskin when scissors aren't available.
They also help to get rid of other little travel annoyances, such as poky tags on new clothing and loose threads. I also needed them recently for busting into difficult-to-open plastic electronics packaging.
Tweezers
Take the tweezers from your toiletry kit and add them to your first-aid bag. You’ll be surprised at how often they prove useful.
I rely on mine for removing splinters, ticks, and tiny bits of glass. They are also helpful when repairing eyeglasses and replacing watch batteries.
The Shortcut
Super Glue can fix more than just your gear; it can also be used to seal painful skin cuts or torn fingernails.
Moleskin and hydrocolloid bandages beat Band-Aids for blisters. They stay on through showers and actually reduce friction instead of shifting.
Other tiny tools, like tweezers and nail clippers, can solve big travel problems, from removing splinters to opening packaging.
