travel packing list for toddler

The Ultimate Toddler Packing List With Free Printable

Traveling with a toddler can be both exciting and overwhelming. It’s crucial to ensure your toddler is comfortable and happy during your trip, but you don’t want to pack too much stuff. Creating a toddler packing list that includes all their necessary items is essential for a successful trip.

We recently took our toddler on our first road trip of the year, and I was amazed at how quickly our suitcase filled up. I didn’t want to forget anything important, but I didn’t want to overpack for our short trip.

When preparing a packing list for your toddler, it’s important to consider the length of your trip. If it’s a long journey, you may need to bring extra supplies to ensure you have enough for the entire duration. 

Additionally, the mode of transportation is another necessary factor to consider. Traveling by car means you’ll have more space to bring more than when flying. However, if you’re flying, you’ll need to be mindful of the airline’s baggage restrictions and pack accordingly.

Let’s get started!

Note: Remember to grab the free printable toddler packing list at the end of this post! 🙂

This post contains affiliate links to products I have used and enjoyed. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To find out more, you can read my disclaimer here .

Toddler Travel Packing List: Clothing

Daytime Outfits: Toddlers are known for getting into a mess in the blink of an eye. Plan on packing one outfit for each day of your trip and then a couple of extras because you never know when they might accidentally spill something on themselves.

One thing to consider is if you can do laundry while on vacation. If so, you can get away with packing a little less and washing your toddler’s clothes after a few days.

Pajamas: When packing pajamas for your toddler, you’ll want to bring one pair for every night you’ll be away, plus a couple of extras, just in case. Again, if you can do laundry, you can skip the extras and wash what you bring if need be.

Underwear: If your toddler is potty trained, you’ll want to pack a pair for each day, plus a few extras for backup in the event of an accident.

Socks and Shoes: Remember to grab one pair of socks for each day of your trip to your toddler packing list. Then, you’ll want to bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes and/or sandals.

Swimsuit: If you are going to a beach, waterpark, or staying near a pool, don’t forget a swimsuit for your kiddo!

Weather Appropriate Jacket/Coat: Remember to bring a suitable jacket for your toddler. If you are traveling to a warmer climate, a light hoodie or sweater would be appropriate, but if it’s cold, you should pack a thicker jacket. It’s just as important as packing an appropriate hat.

Weather Appropriate Hat: When traveling with your toddler, pack a hat suitable for the season and your destination. For instance, if it’s winter, bring a warm hat, while a UV-protecting sun hat would be ideal for a warmer beach vacation.

Planning a trip with your family? Check out these articles:

• The Ultimate Packing List for Baby

Toddler Travel Packing List: Sleep

Sound Machine: Keeping your child’s sleep routine as close to normal as possible is crucial. Well-rested kids equal a more fun vacation! One thing both of my kids love having is their sound machines. 

Both of my children love this sound machine , and it’s been so helpful in creating good sleep habits. It’s undoubtedly one of the things I would hate to forget when packing for a trip!

Cozy Blanket: Bringing your toddler’s coziest blanket will help them feel comfortable and familiar. Also, having a cozy blanket for your toddler to cuddle up with when going on a road trip can be nice.

Pillow: Bring your toddler’s pillow to ensure they can get the best rest possible while away. My son has this toddler pillow , and he loves it! It’s the perfect size, and it doesn’t flatten out.

Travel Blackout Blinds: Blackout blinds are crucial for maintaining a consistent bedtime for your toddler. Consider bringing travel blackout blinds like these ones, which will keep your baby’s bedtime routine as close to normal as possible. 

These blinds are easy to set up as they have suction cups to attach to the window. They are also affordable, with the option of purchasing a pack of one or two, and available in a variety of colors and patterns to choose from.

Baby Monitor: If your toddler will be sleeping in a separate room from you, be sure to pack your baby monitor.

Toddler Travel Packing List: Gear

Car Seat: Clearly, you’ll need a car seat when taking a road trip. But you also must remember to bring it when flying so your toddler has a safe seat when you reach your destination.

Backpack/Diaper Bag: Bringing a diaper bag or backpack is a very beneficial thing to do. It allows you to have some essentials with you wherever you go! 

When we travel, I tend to pack an extra outfit and some things we often need, like snacks and small toys. Also, if your toddler isn’t potty trained yet, you’ll want to bring diapers and wipes in your bag.

Travel Cot With Sheets: If you’ve moved your toddler out of their crib and into a big kid bed, bringing a travel cot can be a lifesaver! Not only will you have your bed to yourself, but a travel cot is much lower to the ground, making it easier for little kids to use it safely and independently.

We got our toddler this travel cot , and he absolutely loves it! It comes with a soft sheet to protect the cot and has plenty of room for him to grow into. 

Stroller: Depending on where you’ll be going and how much waking you’ll do, you’ll want to consider if you need to bring a stroller. 

Toddler Travel Packing List: Play

A Camera: One of my toddler’s favorite items is this camera we got him for his third birthday. He loves taking pictures any chance he gets, and he can get some surprisingly good ones!

Giving your toddler a camera while on vacation is a fun way to get some pictures you might not have necessarily taken. 

Security Item: If your toddler has a security item like a lovey or blanket, you won’t want to forget it at home. 

3-5 Favorite Toys: Toddlers don’t always have the longest attention spans, so it’s ideal to bring a few toys you know will hold their attention. 

A Couple Books: Books are always a great option to have when traveling. Reading books together can help pass the time when waiting in the car or on a flight. And if you read bedtime stories, you won’t want to stop that routine! Check out this list of some of our favorite board books !

Toddler Travel Packing List: Mealtime

Bibs: If your kiddo still uses bibs, you’ll want to pack a few to prevent clothing stains while you’re away.  These ones are a great option that can be easily washed.

Utensils: Some might think bringing kid-sized utensils is unnecessary. But if you have enough room, small utensils can help your child eat more efficiently. 

Sippy Cups/Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is vital while traveling. Ensure you add sippy cups or water bottles to your toddler packing list. 

Snacks: Besides water, snacks are another essential thing to bring while traveling. Nobody wants a hangry toddler!

When packing snacks, you’ll want to bring easy options. Foods like bananas, crackers, and granola bars are a great place to start!

Toddler Travel Packing List: Bathing and Health

Diapers and Wipes/Pull-Ups (if needed): If your toddler hasn’t started potty training or is in pull-ups, you’ll want to ensure you bring enough for at least your travel days. 

To save space in your suitcase, you can always buy a small pack of what you need when you get to your destination. 

Portable Potty Seat: If your kiddo is potty trained (or is working on it), you need this portable potty seat ! This little seat folds up quickly to fit in a diaper bag or backpack and secures most toilet seats.

Plastic Bags: Plastic bags are handy for many things when traveling, especially with a toddler. I carry these ones with us so we can easily use them for garbage, wet/dirty clothes, or dirty diapers. 

Toiletries: You’ll need to add your kiddo’s toiletries to your toddler packing list. Remember things like soap/shampoo, lotion, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. 

Nail Clippers: I’ve found that it’s better to have nail clippers with you and not need them rather than need them and not have them. So throw some nail clippers in your purse or toiletries bag!

Hairbrush/Comb: Hairbrushes and combs are easily forgotten; I can speak from experience! Be sure to add them to your list so they aren’t overlooked. 

Also, ensure you pack any hair bows, headbands, or hair ties if your child uses them. 

Hand Sanitizer: Adding hand sanitizer to a bag that’s easily accessible is recommended. Hand sanitizer can be very helpful when you need to quickly clean your hands when there isn’t a bathroom nearby.

First Aid Kit: A first aid kit is important because you never know when you’ll need it. This one is a great option, especially if you are taking a road trip and can easily slide it under a car seat.

Free Printable Packing Checklist

Click here to download!

And there you have it, the ultimate toddler packing list. Overall, packing for your toddler is all about being prepared and anticipating their needs while you’re away. 

By bringing the proper necessities, you’ll be able to enjoy your trip with ease, knowing that your child is comfortable and their needs are met. So, take the time to plan and pack accordingly, and you’ll be ready for a stress-free journey with your kiddo!

Before you go, check out these related articles:

• Easy and Fun Hobbies for Busy Moms
• The Best Birthday Traditions To Start With Your Kids
• Simple Ways You Can Be a Fun Mom

What’s something you might have forgotten without a toddler packing list? I’d love to know in the comments below!

Love this article? Spread the word!

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Jettsetters Travel

Family Adventure Made Easy

Last Updated on 07/11/2024 by Regan P.

Toddler Travel Packing Checklist (Free Download)

Complete toddler packing list – everything you will need when traveling with your tot!

This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Please see my full  disclosure policy   for details.

We have two toddlers and a baby, and we travel often. Every time we get ready to leave on a trip, I find myself scrambling to remember everything we need and usually end up forgetting something

So I decided to make a comprehensive toddler packing list that I can use each time we need to pack for a trip. I also have a baby packing checklist if that applies to you.

This packing checklist can be used anytime you stay away from home, whether you are visiting family , going on vacation , on a road trip , flying , or traveling for another reason .

Click here to skip straight to the free printable version of this toddler packing checklist !!

Toddler Travel Packing Checklist

Clothing – toddler packing list.

I recommend packing by outfit. I usually pack 4-5 outfits per child for a 1-2 week trip, as long as we will have access to laundry. Bonus if you can choose outfits that can be mixed & matched so you can switch things up without overpacking. If you wo n’t have access to laundry, I would pack one outfit per day + 2-3 extra.

I usually pack all of my kids’ clothes in one bag or suitcase and separate everyone’s clothes with clear packing cubes . These vacuum-storage bags can save a lot of space if you need to pack bulky coats or diapers.

• Tops – long sleeve, short sleeve, tank tops
• Girls – dresses/rompers
• Bottoms – pants and/or shorts
• Pajamas – I usually only pack 2-3 per kid because they can wear them multiple nights
• Underwear – pack extra if you have a newly potty-trained toddler
• Jackets/Sweatshirts – amount depends on destination/weather
• Shoes – I typically only bring their favorite everyday pair and possibly rain/snow boots or sandals depending on destination/weather
• Hair Accessories

Weather/Destination Dependent Items

• Swimwear – swimsuits, rashguards, water shoes
• Swim diapers – I like to save space by bringing these reusable swim diapers , but we use disposal ones sometimes too
• Puddle Jumper/Floaties
• Portable Fan/Stroller Fan
• Cold Weather Gear – hats, gloves, winter coat/bunting, snow pants, boots

Toiletries – Toddler Packing List

We use this cute little bag for my toddlers’ travel toiletries.

• Shampoo/Soap
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Toddler Flossers – we use these
• Hairbrush/Comb
• Hair Products – gel, detangler, etc.
• Insect Repellent
• Nail Clippers
• Children’s Tylenol/other medications
• Thermometer
• Travel First Aid Kit – we bring this one
• Face/Hand Wipes
• Laundry Detergent/Pods – if you plan to do laundry and these aren’t provided

Diapers/Potty – Toddler Packing List

• Diapers – I bring 5 regular diapers and 1 night diaper x each day of vacation – you can buy more when you get to your destination if you don’t want to pack that many
• Wipes – I bring 2-3 packs for a week trip because we use them for diaper changes, cleaning up messes on the go, wiping hands/faces, etc.
• Diaper Cream
• Portable Changing Pad – we keep this one in our car and use it when we travel
• Diaper Smell Sacks – these sacks come in very handy when you don’t want a dirty diaper smelling up the place in hotel rooms, in the car, staying at someone’s house, etc.
• This fold-out potty seat is great if your toddler is used to using a smaller toilet seat at home.
• Pull-Ups – My potty-trained toddler wears a pull-up at night and on long road trips. He usually stays dry, but it’s nice not to have to mess with changing sheets in a hotel/rental or dealing with an accident in the car seat if we aren’t able to pull over in time.

My favorite diapers! We have a Hello Bello subscription box, and I have so much fun choosing from adorable pattern options each time it ships. You can pause, delay, or cancel your subscription at any time. Click here to check it out. Use the code REGANP for $15 off your first box.

Sleep – Toddler Packing List

• If we are packing light or going on a short trip, I usually just have my older toddlers sleep in a regular bed (with or without us) if there is one available.
• Check and see if your accommodations offer a pack ‘n play or crib so you don’t have to bring one
• Pack n’ Play sheets – good to bring a set of your own even if you plan to use a provided crib/pack n’ play
• Portable Sound Machine – we use this one at home and for travel
• Monitor – grab all the parts (camera, monitor screen, chargers, etc.)
• Blackout Options – travel blackout curtains , blackout crib cover , or blackout tent (we don’t use these very often, but many people swear by them)
• Lovey/stuffed animal/pacifier (if your toddler has one)
• Blanket or Sleepsack
• Night light – a nightlight can make toddlers feel more at ease sleeping in a new location and can also be useful for middle of the night bathroom trips.

Eating – Toddler Packing List

• Toddler Utensils – we use this travel set
• Bibs – if you use them at home
• Snack cups – we use these collapsible silicone snack cups
• Snackle Box – a snack spinner or snackle box is a fun way to pack a variety of snacks/food for flights, long car trips, or outings

• Water bottle – this is our favorite toddler water bottle
• Travel High Chair – we love this little eating chair for travel and for eating outside at home
• Cup/Water Bottle Toppers – I’m obsessed with both of these genius products – these cup toppers can turn almost any cup into a sippy cup, and these water bottle toppers prevent your toddler from dumping an entire bottle of water down the front of their shirt when they try to drink out of it 😉

Entertainment – Toddler Packing List

I usually let my toddlers pack a mini backpack with a few of their favorite toys when we travel.

• Current favorite toys
• Coloring books/sticker books / activity books
• Magnetic toys
• Electronics/chargers/headphones

37 Terrific Travel Toys for Toddlers: Entertainment on the Go

Diaper Bag – Toddler Packing List

These are things you’ll want to have easy access to whether you’re traveling by plane or car or out and about.

• Diapers/Pull-ups (if using) – enough to get you through the day
• Travel potty (if using)
• Change of clothes
• Snacks – I always have our travel snack bag fully stocked when we are on the go
• Water bottle
• Entertainment
• Toddler Headphones
• Sanitizing wipes
• Face/hand wet wipes and/or hand sanitizer
• Pacifier (if using)
• Wet bag ( wet bags come in handy for many reasons) – or you can use a grocery sack or Ziplock bag
• Birth Certificate or Passport (if needed for travel)

Large Items – Toddler Packing List

• Car seat – we use this one for travel because it’s lightweight and compact – we can fit 3 across in a car even in our small SUV
• Car seat bag – a padded car seat bag is great for carrying, protecting your car seat, and keeping it clean if you are checking it for a flight
• Stroller bag – nice to use for airplane travel if your stroller will be underneath the plane or gate-checked
• We use an Ergobaby carrier for our babies/toddlers when they are younger
• A hip-seat carrier is nice for older toddlers who want to be down and walking but like to be carried too
• Bring a hiking carrier if you plan to hit the trails with a bigger toddler.

Free Printable Toddler Travel Checklist

I hope this toddler packing list makes preparing for your trip easy & stress-free! Happy travels!

More Packing Lists:

• Family Beach Vacation Packing List
• Lake Trip Packing List
• Baby Packing List
• Mountain Family Vacation Packing List (coming soon)

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Your guide to packing for toddlers

Many travelers consider packing for a trip to be the most stressful part of the adventure, especially when little kids are involved and you have to decide what is truly essential and what isn't. There's no exact science to knowing what and how much to bring, especially if you're going on a longer trip. Weather can be unpredictable and, depending on your itinerary, you might need comfortable clothes and shoes one day and a more formal outfit the next. Adding a toddler or two to the mix certainly doesn't make things any easier.

Every kid and every trip is a little different, so preparation is key. It's also important to avoid overpacking as the extra weight is sure to cause more trouble than it's worth, especially if you're paying for checked bag fees . But being underprepared and going without crucial items isn't good either.

Related: Best luggage for kids who travel

Take the time to review (and then double check) what you plan to bring and whether it's a nice-to-have or a must-have item. Consider taking items that can be used for various purposes. For example, a fleece jacket can be used as a blanket on a flight. Or, a light receiving blanket can double as a towel in case of "emergency." Packing cubes are also a great option, especially if you and your child(ren) are using the same suitcase. Give each family member a different-colored set of cubes and you'll find that packing and unpacking becomes a lot less of a hassle.

Now, let's take a look at our best tips for packing with little kiddos in tow.

More than one outfit per day

When my kids were really little, I'd pack two comfy outfits per day, and I still follow that rule of thumb, to a certain extent with packing some extra items. I also bring items that can be mixed and matched. That way, if a shirt or pair of pants or shorts get dirty, I don't have to change the entire outfit.

You can get away with fewer clothes over the course of a multiday trip if you have access to a washing machine. But it's smart to pack extra and be realistic about how easily accessible a washing machine might actually be. Also, don't bring anything that you are going to freak out over if it gets stained and you can't wash it right away.

Pro tip: Bring an extra change of clothes for you, too, since the parents are the ones who are usually hit with collateral damage when toddlers implode into a ball of mess.

Again, bring extra, especially if you don't have easy access to a washing machine. Much like with the daytime outfits, you just never know when there will be a diaper malfunction or drink explosion and you need to switch into the backup jammies ASAP.

Toddler's feet grow crazy fast, so make sure the shoes you are bringing for a trip actually fit. Just because they did last week, doesn't mean they will this week. Double-check, and then bring an extra pair just in case. (Here are some of our favorite kid shoes for travel .) If you are using a seasonal shoe (such as a snow boot) that your kiddo hasn't worn since last year, it's almost certain that you'll need a new pair, so plan ahead.

Pack way more diapers than you think you'll need if your toddler is still in that phase of life. On one of our first plane trips years ago with my now nine-year-old, I packed what I thought to be enough diapers for the trip. It wasn't. We weren't able to get the diapers she was used to where we were, and while it wasn't the end of the world, it just wasn't ideal.

So, my advice is to bring more than you think you need, even if you are going to buy some (or ship some) to your final destination. They pack pretty easily and are just about the last thing you want to run out of. Also, remember some plastic sacks to hold diapers in case you have to change one where there isn't an immediately accessible trash can.

If your toddler is potty-training, bring more pull-ups than normal and use them more than normal as accidents on the road (or in the sky) just aren't pretty.

Related: Best credit cards for families

Lots of them. See above. And don't forget, wipes can be multipurpose. They can be used to clean messy hands, faces, tray tables or to get some food off of clothes in a pinch.

Hair accessories

Be sure to not only pack a brush or comb that will work for your kiddo, but for toddlers with long hair — rubber bands or barrettes, too.

If your child has longer hair, these hair accessories will keep the hair out of his or her face. Whatever you use at home, bring extra. Rubber bands break and barrettes magically disappear, so having backups is never a bad thing.

Pack your kids' shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, washcloth, diaper cream, comb, etc. Babies and toddlers don't typically use adult toiletries, so hotels won't always offer a good substitute if you forget your baby or toddler bath items. Make sure to throw them in the bag (contained in a plastic bag in case they leak).

When they were toddlers and babies, my daughters would both have upset skin if we tried to use adult soap and a rough washcloth for several days in a row. In the toddler years, we also didn't want to be caught without the miracle of all miracles, Boudreaux's Butt Paste . Seriously, we had to make a 3 a.m. run once while on vacation to try and find some of that magical stuff as our daughter woke up screaming in the middle of the night with a horrible diaper rash. It wasn't funny at the time to us, but I am sure it was humorous to those working in the drugstore at 3 a.m. when my husband made a mad dash there to frantically search for the Butt Paste. Essentials you need at home, need to come with you.

Favorite blankie

Lord, help us all if my oldest daughter's "pink blankie" didn't make a trip. If your kiddo has a favorite stuffed animal or blanket, bring it and guard it with your life. (And pro tip: Have a backup hidden at home, just in case.)

Toys and entertainment

Even though there may be tons to do at your destination, toddlers will often spend time chilling in the room around naps and such. Additionally, whether you are going by plane, train or automobile, toddlers need pretty much constant entertainment -- especially when strapped in.

If your toddler uses a tablet, then don't forget that, a charger and headphones. If they don't, here are some electronics-free entertainment suggestions .

Sippy cups, drinks and snacks

Thankfully, toddlers are often past the days of pumped milk, baby water, bottles, formula and baby food. However, assuming whatever food is around will work for a toddler's palate is a dangerous move. Empty sippy cups, crackers, packaged fruit, juice boxes or whatever your toddler snacks on at home are good to have on hand. If your kiddo is a milk drinker, plan to bring that along, too, as it isn't as readily available on planes and such as you might imagine.

Location-specific gear

Depending on where you are going, you may need certain types of gear. This could include items like a swimsuit, swim diaper, swim hat, goggles, floaties, jogging stroller, snowsuit, baby-sized parachute... whatever. If you're headed to a wintry climate, check out our packing tips for toddlers on a cold-weather trip .

Sleeping arrangements

This may not be something you pack so much as something you plan for since toddlers can be particular with routine. Some options to consider include:

• BYO pack-and-play or travel crib
• Request a crib from the hotel or Airbnb
• Bunk up together

All of these options have pluses and minuses, but think through where you believe your toddler will really sleep on the road and plan accordingly. (And don't just expect the hotel to have a crib without making prior arrangements.) Here are some other tips for keeping your sanity while sharing a hotel room with a little one .

Obviously, if your child is on medication, make sure to pack that and keep it handy at all times. But even if they aren't on any regular medications, it is a good idea to bring some common baby meds and Band-Aids just in case they spike a fever, start teething or get a boo-boo. Again, you never know.

Bottom line

If you're traveling with kids, be deliberate when deciding what to pack. Too much "stuff" in your suitcase could drive you crazy. But if you find yourself in the middle of a long flight with a toddler who's just spilled an entire drink on themselves and you forgot to bring an extra change of clothes, you'll be sorry. In the end, bringing what you can to keep your kiddos comfortable will help everyone have a more enjoyable trip.

Are you planning a trip with little ones? Here are some more resources:

• Getting ready for your child's first flight: A survival guide
• How to survive flights with kids of any age
• How to survive long-haul flights with kids
• Most family-friendly international air carriers
• How old should your child be before taking an international vacation?
• 4 things to know about U.S. passports for children

The Traveling Twin Mama

25+ Toddler Travel Essentials: Traveling with a Toddler Checklist (2024)

Planning a family trip, but unsure what you need in terms of toddler travel essentials? Subscribe and receive an interactive PDF checklist for Free.

From ensuring you’ve packed the essentials, to anticipating toddler needs on the go, the mere thought of organizing a trip with toddlers in tow can be overwhelming.

As a mom of twin boys who started traveling at four months and have now been on over 50+ trips, I understand the joys and challenges that come with traveling alongside your little ones. But rest assured mama, you got this!

My all-inclusive toddler travel essentials list draws from my personal experiences and takeaways from traveling with my twin boys. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a long-haul international trip, these toddler travel essentials will help alleviate the stress that often accompanies toddler travel prep.

You’ll find, not only the toddler travel essentials that have worked best for my kids but also items that my fellow traveling moms swear by. Please remember that every kid is different – so what works for one may not work for the other (even with twins!) It’s likely that you won’t need all the items listed (that’s where your mama intuition will come in). Also please be aware that toddler travel needs change as your little one grows from 12 months to three years and so on.

Think of this blog post as your roadmap to smoother, more enjoyable travel with your toddler! The focus will shift from worrying about forgotten items to creating cherished memories with your little adventurer. It’s broken down into two simple sections: the day of travel (i.e. what needs to be in your diaper bag or toddler’s backpack) and carry-on/checked luggage (i.e. what you may need at the hotel/vacation rental or during the trip).

Day of Travel: Toddler Travel Essentials

When flying with a toddler, what you include in your diaper bag travel checklist can make a significant impact on your flying experience. Simply because most airports don’t offer items that cater to kids. The toddler travel essentials listed below will help you fly with your little one with ease.

Toddler Travel Essentials: Transport Checklist

As a mom of twins, my biggest concern before traveling with my infant twins was how I would transport them during the trip, especially at the airport. As they got older and more accustomed to traveling to different regions and climates, I realized that what’s required for one trip may not be required for the next. As you prepare the toddler travel essentials you will need to take into consideration where you are traveling to and what activities you’ll be participating in.

Travel Strollers

For my boys’ first and second trips to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Puerto Rico (respectively), we used this double stroller travel system which easily connected both car seats. To be fair, however, it was a bit cumbersome gate-checking a double stroller. You have to, not only detach the car seats, but also remove a seat and fold the stroller. All the while somehow holding or containing two kids.

After our travels in Europe and taking the train from Amsterdam to Paris, I realized a double stroller was not conducive to travel. I noticed European parents using small travel strollers – some of which folded compactly and could fit in the overhead rack. That’s the exact moment that I became obsessed with the GB Pockit Stroller . I absolutely love how I can roll the stroller on the plane with the baby in tow. Once the baby is settled, I simply fold it up and place it overhead.

There are several good options for compact travel strollers and many of those can fit overhead on a plane. Depending on the climate you’re traveling to, you may want to consider getting a mosquito net cover , rain cover , and/or fan for the stroller. Another great stroller accessory when carrying a lot of things is a stroller organizer . Being able to keep your hands as free as possible when traveling with kids makes the journey a lot easier and less stressful.

As my boys got older, they became more resistant to using a stroller. That’s when our handy beach wagon came to the rescue. It was perfect for fitting both kids or their luggage. Our personal rules to the kids were “either pull the wagon or ride in it.”

If you prefer a wagon specifically designed for kids, there are several options including Wonderfold , Evenflo , and Gladly Family . These wagons come with seat belts and seats specifically designed for kiddos.

Lightweight or Travel Car Seat

Another toddler travel essential that I stressed about when first traveling with my twins was car seats. I couldn’t imagine carrying two standard-sized car seats along with all of the other kid travel needs. Luckily, some genius out there with kids designed lightweight and portable travel car seats for parents on the go.

We started with the Cosco Car Seats which are relatively lightweight at about 12 pounds. We didn’t have any issues with it. However, when we discovered the WAYB Pico was foldable, only 8 pounds, and could be used with kids up to 50 lbs (we were nearing the weight limit of our Cosco Car Seats), we knew it was time to switch.

It’s extremely easy to travel with the WAYB Pico Car Seat. I personally love how spacious the car seat bag is. It’s roomy enough to fit additional items, like life jackets.

Ride Safer Travel Vest

Another great option is the Ride Safe Travel Vest for car travel only. It is available in three sizes and fits kids from 22 to 110 pounds. The best part is that the travel vest only weighs a bit over two pounds.

CARES Kid’s Fly Safe Harness

Due to the amount of stuff you have to bring, traveling with twin babies and toddlers is no easy feat. Once I started buying my kiddos their own seats on the plane, I was happy to find the CARES Kid’s Fly Safe Harness to use on the plane instead of a car seat. It quickly became one of our toddler travel essentials.

This harness is designed for kids that weigh 22–44 pounds and is very compact. So compact, that each boy would carry theirs in their backpack! Plus, the setup was super easy and only took a minute or so.

Toddler Luggage and Travel Backpack Essentials

As your little one gets older, they’re going to want more independence. A great way to satiate that need is to add toddler luggage and/or a toddler backpack to your toddler travel checklist. Keep reading for my favorites.

Toddler Luggage

At two years old, my boys were over the moon when they got their own toddler-sized luggage . We found it was best to give them two-wheel luggage since it seemed easier for them to know which direction to roll it. Initially, they carried just lightly packed luggage or backpacks to limit the weight. As they got older, they started to carry both, which has made traveling with kids so much easier.

Toddler Travel Backpack and Harness Backpack with Leash

Once your little one gets old enough and is a relatively good walker, a toddler travel backpack is a must-have. These backpacks can be relatively light and easy for your little one to carry. As they grow, they can begin to carry some of their needs, like entertainment, snacks, and/or diapers.

If you have a kid who likes to wander or have multiples (like myself), consider investing in a harness backpack with a leash .

Toddler Luggage Accessories Checklist

Packing for yourself can be a challenge. Throw in packing for a toddler, and you may end up with more things than you can physically carry. Luggage straps, compression packing cubes, and vacuum storage bags have been the key for my family to travel as lightly as possible and have even allowed us to fly with only carry-ons.

Luggage Strap

Believe it or not, I have traveled with my twin toddlers solo several times. One of the biggest hurdles I initially faced was how to carry everything by myself. A luggage strap is a quick and effective solution. Simply attach your kids’ luggage to yours, and pull all of it together.

Cincha Travel Belt

The Cincha Travel Belt is a great way to ensure that any bag set on the handles of your luggage stays put. The worst thing is walking through the airport and having your bag slip or fall off the handles. You won’t have to worry about that with this travel belt.

It especially comes in handy as a toddler travel essential, since you can easily attach the diaper bag or even a car seat bag onto the handles of your luggage. Honestly, it’s been a game-changer! The fewer things I have to carry in my hand or back, the better.

Toddler Travel Essential: Feeding Checklist

Feeding toddlers can be a challenge all on its own. Add in travel and an airport full of germs, and no wonder people are intimidated by traveling with their kids. This “feeding toddlers while traveling” checklist will make the feeding on-the-go process easier and less of a headache.

Snack Catcher OR Snack Spinner

If your toddlers are anything like my twins, snacks are a travel must-have . Unfortunately, that normally equates to a mess. That’s where the snack catcher and snack spinner come in handy.

The snack catcher is a great option if you’re packing a single snack. It’s very small and can easily fit into your toddler’s backpack. On the other hand, the snack spin ner is a travel essential for those toddlers who require a variety of snacks. They come with five snack compartments and an interactive button. It’s a bit larger, around 6.5 inches, so it may or may not fit in your toddler’s backpack, depending on its size.

Of course, if you have a snack catcher or spinner, you must have snacks. Honestly, they count as a form of entertainment. Below are some of my kids’ favorite travel snacks:

• Applesauce or other pouches
• Graham crackers
• Veggie straws
• Dried fruit
• Cheese crackers

Spill-proof Water Bottle

A spill-proof water bottle is hands-down one of the most important toddler travel essentials since, for some unknown reason, toddlers are always thirsty. I recommend getting a bottle that can easily fit in your toddler’s backpack because they seem to be the easiest things to lose and/or forget when traveling.

Additionally, don’t fret about carrying your own drink pass airport security in a kid’s water bottle. It’s allowed, but it has to be screened . This simply means the officer will ask you to remove the top of the water bottle so they can place a paper above the opening. This ensures there are no foreign or illegal substances.

Personally, I think it’s worth it!

Easy Clean Bibs

Toddlers are notorious for smearing food all over the table and themselves while they eat. Using a long-sleeved, easy-to-clean, waterproof bib will minimize the amount of clothing you have to change after mealtime. You’ll love them so much that they’ll become a part of your everyday diaper bag essentials.

Foldable Placemats

As toddlers, my boys LOVED to eat. I couldn’t expect us to go anywhere to eat without them wanting to share in the meal. These foldable placemats ensured my boys had something clean to eat on, that they couldn’t pick up and throw on the floor. They became so handy that they quickly became a diaper bag essential, even when we weren’t traveling. Plus, they are simple to clean. (I would use bottle and pacifier wipes. )

Portable High Chair

The portable high chair is another toddler travel essential that quickly became an everyday diaper bag essential. How many times have you been out to a restaurant and either there wasn’t a high chair available (especially with twins, this happens more than you would think) or the high chair was dirty?

This is also important when trying to feed your kiddo at a vacation rental or a family member’s house. Where does your kid sit? Portable high chairs ensure you have a clean place for your little one to safely sit around the table. The high chairs that we used easily adapted to almost any type of chair and folded small enough to fit two inside of our diaper bag.

Toddler Utensils

Toddler utensils are more of perk than a toddler traveling essential. Can your toddler use regular or plastic silverware? Most likely – yes. But since toddler utensils are made for your little one’s little hands, and help them master their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, why not add them to your toddler packing list?

As a bonus, they can easily fit in your diaper bag.

Toddler Travel Checklists: Diapering Essentials

On the first few flights with my twins, at least one of them had a blowout. If there’s one area I want to be over-prepared for when traveling with kids, it’s diapering essentials.

Changing Pad Liner

Believe it or not, some airplanes don’t have changing tables. Most have at least one bathroom with a changing table, but when there’s an emergency (because toddlers love to wait until the last minute to tell you they have to go), how would you know which one to go to?

A changing pad liner ensures you have a clean and ample space to change your toddler while traveling. It also has space for you to store diapers, wipes, and other diapering essentials. Sometimes I would bring a dog training pad so that I wouldn’t have to worry about soiling my liner. I could easily wrap all the soiled items in it and dispose.

Toddler Travel Potty

Once my twins started potty training, I wanted to ensure they were comfortable going to the potty while traveling. Therefore, I purchased a toddler travel potty before our travels so they could get comfortable using it (hopefully eliminating the possibility of them not wanting to use it while traveling).

For reference, there are (3) different toddler travel potty options : 1) Toddler travel potty that includes a bowl 2) Toddler travel potty that does NOT include a bowl 3) Toddler potty seat

There is no wrong or right option – just whatever works best for you and your toddler. We personally liked the style that included the bowl.

Adding a wet bag to your toddler travel checklist will ensure you have a place to store any potentially soiled clothing. The last thing you want to do is put soiled clothes into your clean diaper bag!

Diapers, Training Pants, and Wipes

I’d be remiss if I didn’t add the basic necessities when it comes to diapering a toddler.

A quick suggestion to the potty training mama- don’t be afraid to use training pants while traveling, even for the kiddos who are pretty advanced. It takes the pressure off of everyone. I can’t tell you how many times my kids “suddenly” had to go potty during landing.

Toddler Plane Sleep Essentials

The best thing that could happen when flying with kids is they fall asleep during the flight. Making your toddler as comfortable as possible will help them sleep on the plane , especially on long-haul flights.

JetKids BedBox or Inflatable Travel Bed

One item that’s guaranteed to make my toddler travel checklist when I want my kiddos to sleep on the plane is a comfortable toddler travel bed .

We love the JetKids BedBox . It turns their seat into a lay-flat bed. Each time we use it, it basically guarantees they’ll get comfy enough to drift asleep. Plus, the compartment is large enough to use as a carry-on to fit your kiddo’s clothing and belongings. Another more affordable, option is the inflatable travel bed , which wedges between your child’s seat and the seat in front of them. This way, they can stretch their legs out and fall asleep.

Planes are notorious for being cold. Be sure your toddler is as comfy as possible by adding a blanket or jacket to the travel packing list. A blanket that folds into the bag easily fits in most toddler backpacks and attaches to luggage.

Also consider adding a hat to your toddler travel checklist, especially if your kid tends to get cold easily. This could even become a diaper bag essential, as many restaurants and stores tend to be chilly.

Portable Sound Machine

Some children have a hard time falling asleep without a sound machine. If this is your kid, be sure to add a portable sound machine to your toddler travel packing list. It’s lightweight and small enough to easily fit in your diaper bag.

Toddler Travel Essential: Entertainment

When preparing for a flight, it’s common to bring some type of entertainment to pass the time in the air. Toddlers aren’t any different.

Most toddlers need multiple forms of entertainment on their travel checklist. I recommended bringing at least one new or rarely used toy/entertainment so that they are excited about playing with it, and hopefully play with it longer.

Below are some of our favorite toddler entertainment travel essentials:

• Window Clings
• Felt Friends Craft Activity
• Mess-Free Coloring
• Suction Toys
• Magnetic Tiles
• Busy Board Backpack or busy board
• Small Construction Vehicles or dolls
• Fidget Toys
• Reusable Sticker Pads
• Squishy Toys
• Foldable headphones

Other Toddler Travel Day Essentials

Extra Set of Clothing

An extra set of clothing is a must for both toddlers and babies, especially when checking luggage. Just remember when you’re on the plane and somehow you and/or your little one get dirty (it happens more than you can imagine), you only have what’s in your diaper bag.

Teething Toys

If your toddler is teething, it’s important to have teething toys on the travel checklist. While on the plane, your little one’s ears may pop, which may magnify their gum irritation. The sucking and chewing motion will help minimize the irritability of both the gums and ears.

Hand Sanitizer and Disinfectant Wipes

It seems as if one of toddlers’ favorite activities is to drop something on the floor and put said item in their mouth. It’s one thing when they do it at home, but it’s an entirely different game when done at the germy airport. Keeping hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes in your diaper bag will allow your baby to play happily while giving you peace of mind.

Toddler Travel Essentials: Required Documentation

What a bummer would it be to pack all of your toddler travel essentials, only to forget the correct documentation?

• Copy of birth certificate OR 
• Letter from the hospital indicating age
• A signed and notarized letter stating permission for travel to X destination
• Passports and/or visas (if required)

​ ​ ​ ​ Traveling with toddlers checklist

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Toddler Carry-on/Checked Luggage Packing Lis

The toddler travel essentials listed below can vary depending on the age of your toddler, their propensity to get dirty or soil their clothes, and the type of destination you’re traveling to. For example, beach vacations require their own set of travel essentials.

Toddler Travel Packing List: Clothing

These are the general packing guidelines that I use when traveling with my kids. If possible, stay at a vacation rental or hotel with a washing machine. Or come prepared with sink laundry detergent .

• Underwear: 1 per day, plus 2 additional
• 1 outfit per child, per day
• 1+ additional outfits per child (especially more tops if your toddler drools a lot)
• Socks: 1 pair per day, plus 1 additional pair because socks disappear
• Shoes: 1-2 pairs, depending on activities
• Pajamas: 1 per every 2 days (you may need to increase if the toddler soaks through overnight training pants)
• Weather-specific clothes: i.e. coats, hats, or beach clothing

Toddler Travel Packing List: Toiletries

Packing as light as possible is key for traveling with kids. It’s recommended to get travel-size toiletries or use leak-proof pouches or travel containers .

• Tear-free bath soap and shampoo
• Baby lotion
• Hairbrush/supplies (headbands/hair barrettes/products)
• First aid kit , including Infant medicine (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), bandaids, thermometer, etc.
• Sink laundry detergent
• Baby Sunscreen
• Natural mosquito repellent 
• Inflatable travel bath  
• Kid flossers

Toddler Travel Checklist: Sleeping Essentials

It can be a challenge for some people to fall asleep in a new place, and toddlers aren’t any different. Therefore, recreating their home environment as closely as possible increases the chances of your little one sleeping through the night. Be sure to add these toddler travel sleeping essentials to your checklist!

Pack and Play , Portable Baby Travel Crib , or Baby Travel Tent

There are a variety of toddler travel bed options . There is no right or wrong option, it’s more what works best for your family’s needs and price point. Whichever one you decide to go with, try it out at home for a few nights just to make sure your little one enjoys sleeping in it.

Portable Black-out Curtains

In order to get some children to sleep, the room needs to be pitch black. If this is your toddler, be sure to add portable black-out curtains to the essential packing list. They are relatively small to carry and the setup is pretty simple since the attached suction cups stick to the window. It’s worth bringing them if a good night’s sleep is on the line.

Portable White Noise Machine

Similar to black-out curtains, some kids have a hard time falling asleep without a white noise machine. If this is your toddler, a portable white noise machine is indeed a travel essential. This one is compact and can attach to most things. It offers three different sounds to help your little one drown out any disruption and drift off to sleep.

Smartphone Baby Monitor  

If you’re planning to stay in a vacation rental or somewhere where your toddler will be sleeping in a different room, you may want to add a smartphone baby monitor to your packing list. The camera itself is relatively small and you use your phone as the monitor. It’s a great way to check in on your toddler without having to physically go into the room or take up a lot of space in your luggage.

Toddler Travel Essentials: Packing Light

Packing light is key when traveling with kids, especially if you’re like me and get overwhelmed when you have a lot to carry. Now you may be saying, “traveling with toddlers and packing light, that’s an oxymoron!”

Yes and no.

Yes, toddlers have more things to bring than the average person. But no, it doesn’t have to mean you overpack or bring more than you can carry. Try the tips below out for size!

Compression Packing Cubes

Compression packing cubes , which are different from regular packing cubes, help clear out extra air – allowing you to pack more in a small space. In fact, when using compression cubes, we’re able to pack all of the boys’ belongings either in their toddler luggage or JetKids BedBox .

Vacuum Storage Bags

Another great option for fitting your toddler’s travel essentials into a carry-on or toddler luggage is vacuum storage bags . They normally come in two options: foldable and vacuum. I personally like the vacuum storage version since they get the most air out. They’re also the easiest to use, in my opinion. Be aware that you have to carry the manual pump to get the air out of the bag while traveling. Luckily, the pump doesn’t take up much space.

Similar to the compression packing cubes, we’ve used vacuum storage bags with JetKids BedBox and toddler luggage .

Other Toddler Travel Essentials

Babyproofing.

If you know your toddler will be spending a significant amount of time at your vacation rental, you may want to add babyproofing items like outlet covers or corner protectors to your packing list. This isn’t necessarily a travel essential, but they’re nice to have to keep your toddler safe while exploring the new space.

Toddler Travel Checklist Essentials

Having a detailed toddler travel packing list can give you the confidence you need to travel with your little one with ease. It gives you a great feeling of preparedness and leaves you ready to conquer whatever may come.

In addition to having a checklist of items you need to pack, I would recommend also having a checklist that mentally walks you through each step of the flying with kids process . Think about how you can most effectively get the kids and luggage to the check-in counter. What if there’s a delay? Is there any special toy or treat you can use to pass the time? This gives you a plan and helps you feel prepared for your trip.

Of course, these are lists you can create yourself. But if you’re a parent, I’m sure your time is limited. That’s why I’ve created detailed, interactive checklists that include all of the above toddler travel essentials and allow you to track what you’ve packed, add your personal items, and browse links to my favorite products.

Using these checklists will not only save you time and energy, but they’re also reusable – eliminating the need to recreate the packing list for each trip.

There are three checklists available including a traveling with babies checklist, a traveling with toddlers checklist, and a traveling with kids mental preparation checklist.

✔️ Get This Checklist as an Interactive PDF ✔️

About Author

Hi! I'm Marquita, The Traveling Twin Mama 👋🏽

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As a family and solo travel expert, I’ve explored over 40 countries, including all 7 New World Wonders. I've taken more than 50 trips and visited 10 countries with my twins, who embarked on their first flight at just 4 months old. Through my experiences, I empower women to travel the world confidently, whether they're with their family, friends, or on their own.

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Traveling with a toddler is not the easiest of feats, but it can be made a lot easier by bringing a few toddler travel essentials. These are items that make traveling with a toddler go much more smoothly for everyone in your travel group.

On our many trips with our toddlers, we’ve come to learn that there are some items that we just can’t do without when traveling with young kids. And others that we can ditch to save the luggage space…

In this article, we’ve included detailed descriptions of the toddler travel essentials that you won’t want to forget on your trip. We’ve also provided a toddler travel packing list to make packing for your child that much easier! Read on for everything you need to bring for a successful trip with a toddler.

If you’re planning on visiting the beach, check out our article on the beach essential for toddlers .

Toddler Travel Essentials

Getting around

These are a few essential items that make getting around with your toddler a lot easier during travel.

• Toddler carrier

When traveling with a toddler, a carrier is at the top of my list of toddler travel essentials. 

Toddler carriers can make life so much easier when traveling. They allow you to easily take your child places that are less stroller friendly and provide a perfect place for nursing (if your child is breastfeeding) and napping on the go. They’re also great for containing toddlers in places that might not be safe for them to roam free (say at the top of a bell tower or the edge of the grand canyon).

We’ve carried our toddlers in carriers all over the world and find it to be one of the easiest ways to travel with a toddler.

To find the best carrier for your child, see this article on the best toddler carriers for travel .

A stroller may or may not be a necessity for your trip, depending on what kind of trip you’re taking. We’ve taken trips with just a toddler carrier and others with both a carrier and a stroller (I always bring a carrier, even if I’m bringing a stroller). 

Strollers can be very useful for navigating the airport with a toddler and for trips where you’ll be visiting stroller-accessible locations. They’re nice to have along to give you a break from having to carry your child all the time (or chase them down constantly).

We love our gb Pockit for travel. It’s the most compact strollers out there and folds down small enough to fit into the overhead bit or under your seat on the airplane. Be sure to see our full gb Pockit stroller review .

Travel car seat

A car seat is typically going to be one of your toddler travel essentials, barring a few locations where you can get by just using public transportation. But if you’re planning on getting around by car, you’ll want a car seat to keep your little one safe. Strapped in their car seat is also the safest way for toddlers to fly on a plane. 

Younger toddlers might still fit within the safety requirements for an infant car seat, which are great for travel. Infant car seats are lightweight and easy to transport. 

If your child has outgrown their infant seat, it’s worth it to invest in a lightweight travel car seat. Trust me, after you’ve spent your whole trip hauling that thing around you’ll be glad to have left your heavy, bulky regular seat at home. Our favorite travel car seat for toddlers is the Cosco Scenera next.

Car seat bag

If you’re bringing a car seat, you’ll want to bring a car seat travel bag. These bags make transporting your car seat much easier and more manageable. 

There are a lot of different options out there so check out our review of the best car seat travel bags to find the best one for your trip.

Food/Snacks

These food relate toddler travel essentials will make mealtimes and snacks with your toddler go a lot more smoothly while on your trip. 

A bib is a helpful way to keep your child cleaner while eating. As an added bonus, it keeps their clothes clean as well, which makes it more likely that you can pack light and reuse outfits. 

These waterproof bibs are lightweight and pack down to practically nothing. We also love these silicone bibs which take a bit more space but are easier to clean and dry more quickly.

Snack catcher 

Snacks are a great way to entertain a toddler while traveling. And a snack catcher allows them to feed themselves independently without making a huge mess. This can be a helpful tool for distracting and redirecting a child who is getting bored or on the verge of a meltdown.

Our favorite snack catcher for travel folds down compactly, making it easy to store when not in use. The material it’s made out of does tend to collect lint and crumbs, so I recommend bringing a baggie to store it in when you’re not using it.

• Travel high chair

A travel high chair can be a useful item for traveling with a toddler. It ensures that your child always has their own seat at the table and helps keep them contained so that they’re not climbing all over you or running around. This can make for a much more relaxing meal for yourself and your toddler. 

Travel high chairs are not always necessary if you’re going someplace where you know high chairs will be available. However if there aren’t high chairs, or if you’re not sure if there will be, bringing your own can be a nice way to ensure that mealtimes go smoothly.

• Water bottle

You’ll want to make sure your child is drinking a lot while traveling, so be sure to bring a water bottle and offer it to them frequently throughout the day.

We prefer the straw kind because they are easier for our toddler to use and less likely to spill.

• Disposable place mats

Feeding a toddler when you’re eating out can be tricky. The places you eat might not have toddler-safe dishes andd it can be a pain to have to feed your toddler bite by bite (plus in my experience toddlers often insist on feeding themselves!). 

That’s where these disposable place mats come in so handy. They have adhesive on all four sides to secure it to the table, providing a clean and stable surface for your toddler to eat on. Once they’re done eating, you can easily pull the place mat off of the table and throw it away. This helps to minimize mess and allows your child to have an independent eating experience without you having to stress about them breaking the dishes. 

Sleep Items

Some of the most important toddler travel essentials are those related to sleep. Whether or not your toddler sleeps well can make a huge difference to the success of your trip. A tired and grumpy toddler makes for a very long day while traveling. 

These sleep items are ones that can be hugely helpful in getting your toddler the sleep that they need. For everyone’s sake!

• White noise

We always bring white noise for our children while traveling. It helps block any ambient sounds that they might not be used to and also means that we don’t have to be quite so quiet as we’re moving around our hotel room or Airbnb. 

Oftentimes we’ll just use a white noise app on our phone, but if you want to be able to use your phone for other things, you can bring a travel white noise machine . 

While you’re away from home, you’ll want to make sure your toddler has a cozy and comfortable place to sleep. There are a couple of different ways you can do this. 

First, if your child sleeps in a crib you can see if your accommodations have a crib or pack ‘n play available for you to use while you’re there.

If you have a bed for your toddler, consider getting portable bed rails to keep your child from rolling off the bed in the night. These bed rails are placed underneath the bottom sheet to form a barrier at the edge of the bed. They provide a lot of peace of mind for when your toddler is sleeping in a full-sized bed. We’ve compiled a list of the best portable bed rails for travel with a toddlers to help you out. 

You can also choose to bring a portable toddler bed for your child so you can set up a cozy spot for them to sleep wherever you are. These can come in several different forms, from toddler cots to inflatable beds to pop-up tents. You can see our reviews of the best options for portable toddler beds if you need help picking a good one.

Whichever option you pick, make sure that your child knows what to expect and do your best to make sure it feels as safe and familiar as possible. 

Favorite stuffed animal

If your child has a special stuffed animal or blanket, make sure to bring it along to help them feel comfortable and safe during their sleep time. 

You could also bring along a favorite story or two as part of their bedtime routine. The key is to help it feel as much like the environment they’re used to as possible. 

A monitor may or may not be necessary, depending on your accommodations. If you’re all sleeping in the same room this may not be helpful as you’ll be able to easily hear if your child needs you. 

However, if you have a suite, an apartment, or a balcony, a monitor can give you a lot of peace of mind knowing that you can keep a close eye on your baby while in an unfamiliar place. 

You can see our recommendations for the best portable baby monitors to help your decision.

Blackout options

For many young children, keeping a dark sleep environment is necessary for a good night’s sleep. This can be especially true if you’re changing time zones and trying to adjust their sleep schedule. 

Many hotels will have blackout curtains in their rooms, however rentals or Airbnb’s often do not. We had a couple of really bad experiences with our children waking up extremely early in a new place due to light and since then I always bring a black out option for our toddlers. 

One way to create a dark environment is to bring travel blackout curtains . These curtains have suction cups that you can use to attach them to the window, darkening the whole room for sleep. 

Another great sleep aid is a SlumberPod (see our full SlumberPod review ) or SlumberPod alternative to create a dark sleep environment for your child. These products go around your child’s bed to block out light to help them sleep better and longer. The nice thing about this option is that it creates a private sleep area for you child, meaning you don’t have to be quite so quiet and careful about light if you’re sharing a room with your child. 

• Toddler airplane bed

If you’re flying with your toddler, another helpful sleep tool is a toddler airplane bed. These are products that can be used to extend the length of the seat and provide a comfortable place for your toddler to sleep on the plane. These can make a huge difference for international or long-haul flights where you’re traveling through your child’s normal bedtime.

There are few different kinds of airplane beds, and you can learn about the best options in our article on the best airplane beds for toddlers .

When you’re traveling with a toddler, there are a few health items that you want to make sure to always have on hand. 

Medications

If your child has any medications, be sure to bring enough for your trip plus a bit extra to account for unexpected delays. 

Also remember to pack your child’s medication in your carryon luggage so that you aren’t caught without it in case anything happens to your checked luggage.

• Thermometer

Traveling with a thermometer ensures that you can monitor a fever if your child happens to get sick. I never travel without one and have actually had to use it a surprising number of times while on trips. It provides a little extra peace of mind knowing that you have a way to assess the severity of a sickness.

You never know when a child might get sick and bringing along some pain medication can make any unexpected sickness a lot less miserable for your child. This is another one I’ve had to use several times when traveling and I’m always so glad that I have it on hand. 

Hand sanitizer/sanitizing wipes

Traveling with kids means exposing them to lots of germs, which can often lead to them getting sick. And toddlers are the worst at this, as they tend to touch everything and then stick their hands in their mouths. Bring along hand sanitizer so that you can sanitize their hands frequently, especially before they eat. 

Sanitizing wipes are also very helpful for wiping down surfaces such as the tray tables and arm rests on the airplane and tables at restaurants. 

No one wants a sick kid, especially when you’re far from home. While you can’t always prevent sickness, sanitizing often definitely increases your chances of keeping everyone healthy.

Toddler travel essential basics

Having awesome travel activities is an absolute necessity when traveling with a toddler. That doesn’t mean that you need a lot of activities, but you do want a few great options that can capture your child’s attention and that they will return to over and over. 

Over our years of traveling with toddlers we’ve found some great activities that our toddlers always love. You can get some ideas from our list of our favorite toddler activities for planes and our favorite toddler activities for road trips . 

Consider not only activities for the flight or drive, but also for your hotel room and when you’re out and about. 

When you’re traveling with a toddler, you’ll want a great diaper bag to carry all of your essential items. I highly recommend a backpack diaper bag for travel. They are typically much more comfortable, secure against theft, and easier to carry over long periods of time. 

Diapers and wipes

If your toddler isn’t potty trained, don’t forget to bring along diapers and wipes. You can choose to bring along enough for your whole trip or, if you want to pack lighter, you can pack enough for the first few days and plan on picking some up at your destination (make sure it’s a place where they’re easy to find).

When possible, I try to just bring along all the diapers and wipes I will need for my trip to save myself the hassle of needing to pick some up during the trip. However, I know people who would prefer to pack less up front, so do what makes the most sense to you. 

Be sure to bring more diapers than you think you will need in your diaper bag if you’re traveling by plane. The middle of a long flight is not the place where you want to realize that your child is going through more diapers than you anticipated. 

• Travel potty

For toddlers who are potty trained or in the process of potty training, a portable potty can be a lifesaver when traveling. 

There are a few different kinds, but one of the most useful for travel is a foldable seat that can be placed over a larger toilet to make a secure and smaller seat for your toddler. This allows toddlers to feel safer on a toilet and helps to prevent any potty training regressions while traveling. They’re also compact and can easily be folded up and carried in your diaper bag.

See our list of the best travel potties for toddlers for the best options out there. 

Clothes are obviously going to be a travel essential. We’ll highlight a few items in this section and you can find a more detailed list of clothes down in the packing list.

If you’re trying to pack light, bring outfits that can be mixed and matched.

Make sure that you’re packing weather appropriate clothes for your toddler (eg. sun hat, swimsuit, sunglasses vs winter coat, gloves, warm hat). 

Plan on bringing an extra pair of pajamas or two in case of nighttime accidents. It’s also a good idea to bring an extra pair of shoes in case you lose one or they get wet. 

Toddler travel packing list

This is our tried and tested toddler packing list that I use for every trip. I love being able to pack for a trip and know I’m not missing anything important as long as I double check my trusty list!

Packing tip: Spend a few minutes thinking about your toddler to determine if there are any toddler travel essentials that you should include that are specific to your child. For example, our oldest went through a phase where he couldn’t handle the smell of the toilet, so there was a period where we always carried a travel sized Poo-Pourri around with us. Our other two never had the same issue, so that wasn’t included in their packing lists. There might be items that your child needs that other people wouldn’t think to include.

• Car seat travel bag

Food/snacks

• Snack catcher

Sleep items

• Stuffed animal
• Monitor 
• Blackout option
• Hand sanitizer/wipes
• Travel activities
• Diapers/wipes or undies
• Toothbrush/paste
• Pants/shorts
• Jacket/Coat

Warm weather gear

• Swim diapers
• Floatie/life jacket

Cold weather gear

Final Thoughts

With a little preparation, traveling with a toddler can actually be a lot of fun. We’ve had great experiences traveling with our toddlers over the years (along with the occasional meltdown of course).

These toddler travel essentials will help your trip go a lot more smoothly. And you can rest assured knowing that you’ve done everything you can to set yourself up for success!

Other posts you might be interested in:

How to Get a Toddler to Sleep on the Plane (Tips that work!)

The Best Airplane Snacks for Toddlers

How to Have a Successful Road Trip with a Toddler

How to Fight Jet Lag in Babies and Toddlers

11 Helpful Tips for Hiking with a Toddler

Related Posts:

Helping moms find the joy in motherhood

47 Essential Items for Your Travel with Toddler Checklist

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What should you not forget when traveling with a toddler?

The first time I traveled with my toddler was a weeklong trip to visit family over Thanksgiving. I have never hauled around so much stuff in all my life.

I wrote myself a travel with toddler checklist to make sure I didn’t forget anything. And I decided why should I keep this information to myself? You can get my actual travel with toddler checklist for free below, so you don’t even have to worry about writing down all the essentials.

When I traveled, I had the luxury of taking my car and not going terribly far, so some things on my checklist may not be feasible if you are flying with your toddler. However, everything on the checklist is something you should consider. If you can’t take, find a way to rent it or find something that will work in your situation.

Once you have an organized suitcase, all you have to worry about is making memories with your little one. Happy travels!

“This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. Please see my disclosure for more details.”

“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Travel with Toddler Checklist Essentials

Basic items.

1. Travel Information

If you are traveling internationally, your child will need passport (and this holder will keep it safe). You should also have their birth certificate (or a copy). Double check with the airline before leaving.

And if it will just be you and your toddler, be sure to add a parent’s consent letter (from the other parent) to your travel with toddler checklist. (It may not be required or ever seen, but it’s better to have it, if you should need it.)

2. Diaper bag

When creating your travel with toddler checklist, your diaper bag should be at the top of the list. Use this diaper bag checklist to be sure you have everything you need in there. And use any additional space to pack whatever else will fit.

Related: Non-Traditional Diaper Bags That Are Perfect for Travel

3. Child’s suitcase

I used a child-size suitcase for my toddler when we traveled. Between the suitcase and his diaper bag, I was able to fit everything he needed except some of his toys. And to be honest, that was probably my own fault, as we weren’t traveling far and had the luxury of space, so we weren’t worried about packing light.

4. Diapers and wipes

If you have a toddler who is yet to be potty-trained, make sure you add diapers (or pull-ups) and wipes to your travel with toddler checklist. I think I packed 5 diapers for each day of our trip (and maybe an additional 5, to be on the safe side).

Pay attention to how many diapers your child is wearing a day in the weeks prior to your trip to determine the best number for you. And 3 to 4 packs of wipes should get you through. Although that may seem like a lot, they come in handy for cleanups of all kinds (as you’re well aware).

Parenting tip: If you are flying and checking a car seat, store the extra diapers and wipes in the car seat to save room in your luggage.

5. Diaper cream

Even if your child has never had diaper rash a day in his life, you do not want to miss adding this to your travel with toddler checklist. Long car rides, busy schedules, and heat can all play a part in needing to use some diaper cream , so you don’t want to be stuck without it. And get a travel applicator to keep the cream (and other unspeakables) off your hands.

6. Changing pad

A changing pad is an essential item for a long car trip. And I would suggest taking two. We have a simple one that came with our diaper bag. It’s just a flat, wipeable pad that is perfect for changes in the car or hotel. But I would get another that is fully loaded , so you don’t need to haul your stuffed-to-the-brim diaper bag into restrooms.

Ah! This is always the hardest thing to pack for me. But it can be so easy when you’re packing such small clothes. First, let’s figure out what you need to pack and then we’ll discuss the best ways to pack it.

• Outfits. At least one outfit for each day of your trip (don’t forget travel days as well). Two additional “just in case” outfits.
• Socks and undies (if you’re potty-trained). A pair for each day. And two extra pair.
• Shoes. Two pair, as they get lost easily or may get wet. Also, any special shoes – sandals or boots, depending on your location.
• Coat or sweatshirt. In case it rains or gets chilly.
• Hat. For those sunny days.

Now that you’ve got it all laid out, what do you do with it?

• Large Ziploc bags. Put each day’s outfit in a bag, and you can label the bag with the day, so you don’t even have to think about what you kid will wear each day you’re away. Put the extras in their own bag and label them “just in case.” And keep those bags until the end of your trip cause you never know when you may need a bag along the way.
• Packing cubes. These keep your suitcase in order, so things don’t shift and get misplaced. Use one for your clothes, nighttime items, meal items, hygienic items, toys, and safety items so you know right where everything is. They’re also great when you’re packing up to come back home because you can easily see where things go and what’s missing. And they’re perfect if you’re packing your toddler’s items in your own suitcase instead of a separate one.

This also works when you are traveling with more than one kid and want to cut down on the number of suitcases you’re hauling but don’t want the clothes to be a mess. Simply, label the bags with each child’s name and no added stress for you!

Nighttime Essentials

This is always a top priority on my travel with toddler checklist when we go anywhere. Because my kiddo only likes to sleep in his room, in his bed, as dark as can be and his sound machine running. The first time we did a week away from home we actually bought a second crib and took his mattress and sheets, so it felt as much like home as possible.

I’m not saying you need to go to that extreme when traveling with your toddler. But definitely keep your child’s preference in mind. And maybe practice sleeping other places ahead of time.

So, what do you need for toddler bedding essentials? And how do you get it to your destination?

• Full size crib, portable crib, or pack and play . You can purchase and travel with either of these items (if you’re driving) or connect with a baby rental company in the area ahead of time to rent those items.
• Mattress. If you’re using a crib, make sure a mattress is provided or you have the correct size mattress (as portable cribs fit smaller mattresses).
• Sheets. For a crib or pack and play, pack sheets as they may not be provided from a rental company (be sure to check the size).
• Bed rail. If you’re little one is sleeping in a bed, this will give you some peace of mind while you’re away and may be available at your hotel or from a rental company.
• Nap mat . If all else fails and you don’t want to run the risk of your little one falling out of bed, these are great for travel.

9. Blanket and pillow

Depending on the weather and your child’s preference, take along an appropriate blanket and pillow, if your child is using one. These can be great soothing items when in the car or new places.

10. Pajamas

Two sets of pajamas should be enough when traveling with your toddler. On the off chance they have an accident, you have a spare set. And you can launder the other set, if needed.

If you don’t have access to a washer/dryer or laundromat, you can hand wash your items in a sink using these Tide packs (don’t forget to add them to your travel with toddler checklist).

11. Bedtime toys or books

You know what bedtime toys your kiddo can’t sleep without, so be sure to add them to your travel with toddler checklist. And if reading a book is part of your bedtime routine, don’t forget to pack a favorite nighttime book.

12. Sound machine

Like I said, my little guy uses his sound machine for naps and an hour at bedtime, so you don’t want to forget to pack yours. If you don’t already use a sound machine, this might be the time to try a portable one .

Between long car rides, new sleeping areas, and unfamiliar noises, your little one might need that constant hum to drown out the rest of the world. (Don’t forget to replace the batteries before you leave.)

Related:  Best Sound Machines for Toddlers

13. Monitor

Unless you will be sharing a hotel room and have eyes on your kiddo, you’ll want to pack your monitor. I use this one because it’s easy to set up and it’s a hack free system. (Don’t forget to pack the charge cord.)

Mealtime Essentials

14. Highchair or booster seat

This one applies more if you’ve rented a home or are staying with family. I don’t recommend hauling your highchair, if you don’t have the room. You may be able to rent a highchair for the home for the length of your stay or try a portable one .

And at restaurants, you can certainly ask for special seating. And if nothing else, throw down a blanket and have picnics on the floor. Whatever you’re planning, be sure to add it to you travel with toddler checklist, so you don’t forget to pack it.

15. Dinnerware

You certainly want to include toddler plates , bowls, cups and utensils to your travel with toddler checklist especially if you’re staying in a place where you will be cooking your own meals. However, bowls with lids are great for eating on the go. And sippy cups are great in the car or even at restaurants.

Again, if you’re traveling somewhere that you can cook your own meals, don’t forget to pack your kiddo’s favorite foods. Whether it’s toddler meals or pouches for tots , you’ll want to bring something you know think your child may eat.

Snacks are great for on the road, while waiting at a restaurant or to keep your little one occupied while you are checking in. Use a snack catcher for little hands or a bento box to carry a variety of snacks.

Be sure to pack enough bibs to keep those outfits clean. The less laundry you have to do (and stains you have to treat), the better.

19. Disposable placemats

These placemats are perfect to put down when at a restaurant and you don’t want your little one eating off the table. (Sometimes they are questionable.)

Hygiene Essentials

20. Shampoo and body wash

You know which shampoo and body wash works best for your kiddo. So go ahead a pack your favorites, just in case they are not available where you are staying.

And if you’re strapped for space, skip those large bottles and squeeze some in these . (They’re just the right size for air travel.)

21. Towels and washcloths

If you are traveling to a rental home or by RV, you’ll want to include toddler towels and washcloths on your travel with toddler checklist. However, if you are staying in a hotel, you can leave this item at home. (Unless your kiddo has a favorite item.)

Any special items you use to bath your kiddo should be included. A shampoo rinser or splash guard may be an essential item for your child. We still use the squeeze bottle that came with our baby tub (it works perfectly, and I can’t find another one like it).

23. Bath toys

One or two bath toys should be added to your travel with toddler checklist. This is an especially important item if your kiddo isn’t a fan of bath time. Anything that can make your trip feel more like home is likely to ease some fears.

24. Hairbrush

Vacation is the time to be carefree, but you may have a night you want to look your best, so don’t forget to pack your little one’s hairbrush. Otherwise, just let their hair do its thing!

25. Toothbrush and toothpaste

Be sure to pack a toddler toothbrush and toothpaste (no matter how much your little one fights you). It’s important to keep those teeth cleaned.

26. Nail care

Toddler nails can grow pretty quick, so be sure to pack nail clippers (or these scissors ) so you don’t have to worry about your little one scratching his face (or yours). Add a nail file to your travel with toddler packing list so you can keep their nails trimmed and neat while you’re away. I also use a nail brush at bath time to clean under my son’s nails.

27. Potty seat

If you have a potty-training toddler, be sure to pack a potty seat that fits over the adult toilet seats. If you’re traveling by car, you could just go ahead and pack their potty chair for easy access anywhere.

Parenting tip: Place a diaper in the bottom of the potty chair for easy cleanup. Just roll up the diaper and go. (Be sure to pack some odor eliminating bags to keep those diapers until you can dispose of them.)

28. Toilet seat covers

These covers are perfect for your potty-trained toddler. They completely cover public toilet seats, so you don’t have to worry about what their legs or hands are touching.

Playtime Essentials

29. Favorite toys or animals

Can’t go anywhere without those favorite toys or plush animals? Make sure you add them to your travel with toddler checklist. And keep an eye on them while you’re away (they love to go on their own adventures once they leave the house).

If you have a toddler who loves to read, pack a few of their favorite books. These make good distractions on long car rides.

Related: Best Summer Books for Toddlers

31. Coloring items

A coloring book and these washable crayons are a great item for travel (whether your flight is delayed or on a rainy day). I also love these Water Wow! books . They’re perfect for in the car: no mess and no lost crayons.

32. Flash cards

Anything that keeps your toddler busy while traveling is a necessity. And these flash cards are a perfect way to keep your toddler engaged and learning while on the go.

You know your kiddo best, so if a tablet with some kid-friendly apps or their favorite shows is what will keep them entertained best, pack it! Travel days are the hardest for kids with short attention spans (and even adults). Do what you need to do to make your vacation enjoyable.

Safety Items

34. Baby Proofing Items

You’re going to know what works best in your house: outlet plugs , cabinet locks , drawer locks , toilet locks . If you know where you’ll be staying and can plan for this ahead of time, it will add peace of mind.

35. Baby gates or play space

Other items you may be able to rent while you are away are baby gates or a play space . However, if you will be staying with family or friends that may not be an option. So, add it to your travel with toddler checklist, even if that means to inquire about it when booking your trip.

36. Thermometer

Add a thermometer to your travel with toddler checklist in case of illness while you’re away.

37. Medicines

And to combat that illness, I recommend taking some baby Tylenol on your trip (at a minimum). It seems that sickness follows travelers, so you’ll want to be prepared. And you never know when a tooth could be trying to make its way through.

You’ll also want to include any medication specific to your child. Check your bottles for expiration dates and that your refills are full.

38. Sunscreen

Wherever you may be taking your vacation, you’ll want to pack some sunscreen for any time you’ll be spending outside.

Miscellaneous Items

39. Pacifier or teethers

If your little one is still using a pacifier or if they’re teething, be sure to add these very important items to your travel with toddler checklist.

40. Window covers

This is if you have a toddler who does not take naps unless they are in a completely dark room. You may not be lucky enough to have black out curtains or blinds available in the room where your little one will be sleeping. So, be sure he gets to sleep easy with this window film .

41. Stroller

Whether you have a massive stroller or a simple umbrella stroller, you’ll want to pack something for when your little one no longer wants to walk and you’re too tired to carry them (and all their stuff).

42. Car seat

While you’re busy loading your car, don’t forget to leave room for that car seat. And if you plan on flying, it’s a good idea to take your own car seat along with you. You might not always be able to get a rental car or a taxi/rideshare with a car seat.

43. Laundry detergent or Tide packs

If you have access to laundry facilities while you’re away, be sure to pack some of your own laundry detergent, so you’re little one doesn’t develop a rash from a different product.

And if you don’t have access to laundry, use these Tide packs to do laundry in a sink or tub and air dry your clothes. (These are a great item when traveling with a toddler, who may need an extra set of clothes.)

44. Clothes bag for dirty laundry

I always throw a mesh laundry bag in my toddler’s suitcase so I can corral all the dirty clothes. This makes it so much easier if you’re headed to a laundry facility or to just keep the clothes separated until you can wash them at home.

45. Empty bags

I always add empty bags to my travel with toddler checklist (mostly because I will definitely forget them otherwise).

So, what bags should you take?

• Wet/dry bags. For wet items you want to keep separate from other items (I’m thinking swimsuit, rain-soaked clothes, soiled clothes).
• Odor eliminating bags. Mostly for diaper or potty-training toddlers but even great if you just have something stinky that you need rid of.
• Large Ziploc bags. For any miscellaneous items. They’re even good for going on water rides at a theme park to keep your items dry.
• Light drawstring bag. To carry anything while you’re out on your adventures: a jacket, drinks, things your little one wants to bring but doesn’t want to carry himself.

46. Beach towel, swimsuit, diapers, hat, beach toys

This one is kind of beach specific, but if you have a little one that loves the water, you’ll want to be prepared for that hotel pool. While you may be able to rent a beach towel or toys, be prepared by adding a swimsuit and swim diapers to your travel with toddler checklist. (That way you know they fit before you leave home, and you’re not wasting vacation time searching for something.)

47. Anything essential for your child

I think I gave you a pretty exhaustive list of items to add to your travel with toddler checklist. However, each kid is different and if there is something you know your child can’t live without, be sure to add it to your own list.

And as a word of advice, keep a close eye on any favorite stuffed animals, blankets, pacifiers, or toys you take with you. When those things go on vacation, they sometimes have a way of not coming back. And I would hate for your whole trip to be ruined because Mr. Squishy is lost somewhere in Ohio.

There you have it: the ultimate packing list for traveling with a toddler. A travel with toddler checklist is a great tool to keep you sane but only if you use it. I also pack the checklist and double check I have everything before returning home. Don’t forget to grab yours below!

Good luck on your journey! And let us know how it went in the comments.

Related Articles for Travel with Toddler Checklist:

• How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Vacation
• What You Need in Your Toddler Diaper Bag
• Summer Ideas for Fun with Your Toddler

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The Organized Mom Life

An organized approach to pregnancy, baby, and beyond

Travel Packing List for Mom, Baby, and Toddler

Need a travel packing list? I’ve got a whole set for you- including a list for mom (or dad!) one for a baby, and one for a toddler:

Why do babies need so much stuff??? And you know you’ll be sorry if you forget something. Like the time we were hours away from home and couldn’t get my 2 year old to stop crying because I forgot to pack her favorite blanket and she refused to go to sleep without it….. ah, good times, good times.

So what’s the solution? Stay at home all summer? Never leave the house again?

OR you could use my handy, dandy packing lists below to make packing a breeze! (OK, maybe it won’t be a breeze, but it will at least be easier, and you won’t forget anything truly essential.)   

My lists are broken down into  Mom’s Packing List  (that’s for you!)  Baby Packing List,  and  Toddler Packing List.  (If you have a baby  and  a toddler, like me, you’ll need all three lists.)

Take a look at the lists below,  or just click here to download the printable versions of the packing checklists.  Happy packing, and have fun on your trip!

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Mom’s Travel Packing List

• Outfits- I usually pack about 1 per day or event, plus 1 or 2 extra.
• Sweatshirt or jacket
• Swimsuit and swim cover
• Conditioner
• Body wash or soap
• Loofah or washcloth
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Shaving cream
• Hairbrush or comb
• Hair ties or clips
• Hair products
• Tampons or pads
• Face and skin care products
• Make up- I keep an empty make up bag handy, and the morning before we leave for a trip, I add items to the bag as I do my make up, so I’m sure I don’t forget anything.
• Glasses and contact care

In First Aid Bag

I have a first aid bag that lives, already packed, in my bathroom closet. ( We use the bag that came with this kit , but any little bag will work!) I always toss it into my suitcase when I’m packing to go somewhere. Here’s what I suggest adding to the bag for yourself: 

• Daily vitamins and medications
• Adult Tylenol or Advil
• Insect repellent
• Phone charger
• Water bottle
• Adult snacks
• Hand sanitizer

Large Items

These are the bigger items that will probably get packed by themselves, rather than in your suitcase. 

• Camera-  I pack this separate in it’s own camera bag – which I LOVE, by the way. So cute, not bulky at all, and fairly inexpensive!
• Pillow (if needed)
• Bedding (if needed)
• Electronics with chargers (laptop, iPad, etc.)
• Hair dryer, straightener, or curling iron
• Books or magazines
• Trash bag for laundry
• Beach or bath towels (if needed)

Baby Travel Packing List

• Outfits- 2 per day
• Jacket or sweatshirt
• Pajamas- at least 2 pairs
• Swaddle or sleep sack 
• Swim diapers
• Bibs or burp cloths
• Diaper cream
• Baby toothpaste

In First Aid Bag:

• Thermometer
• If okayed by your doctor: Tylenol, sunscreen, and insect repellant

In Diaper Bag:

• Changing pad
• An extra set of clothes
• Empty plastic bag
• Bottles and formula
• Nursing cover
• Baby blanket-  I use these for EVERYTHING – nursing cover, carseat cover, swaddle, to lay baby on the ground, burp cloth, etc.  
• Toys or books
• Extra pacifiers
• Car seat and base
• Pack-n-Play – If you don’t have a portable baby bed, I would highly recommend buying a used one, because they can be pricey, and most people have only used theirs a handful of times before their baby is too big for it, so you can find them in like-new condition.
• Pack-n-Play sheet (I also use a mattress protector .)
• Stroller-  If you’re flying, you can actually keep your stroller and car seat with you until right before you board the plane. Ask your airline about “checking these items at the gate.”
• Baby carrier
• Portable high chair
• Baby bath seat
• Trash bags for diapers and laundry
• Beach or bath towels
• Feeding items- W hatever you need in order to feed your baby: bottles, baby food, utensils, etc. We love silicone placemats for going out to eat so your baby isn’t eating off the table!
• Bottle brush
• Baby monitor-  We have a travel bag and extra cords for ours so we just disconnect the camera, and put it all in the bag. We have used this during our travels so many times- like at the beach, when we could lounge beside the pool while our baby napped inside the house.

Toddler Travel Packing List

• Outfits- 1 per day
• Diapers or Pull-Ups
• Pajamas- At least 2 pairs
• Toddler toothpaste
• Hair ties or bows
• Infant/Children’s Tylenol
• Insect repellant

In Diaper Bag

• Diaper changing pad
• Sippy cup or water bottle-  We’re big fans of the Miracle 360 Sippy Cups!
• Booster seat for meals
• Pillow or bedding (if needed)
• Portable toddler bed (if needed)
• Special bedtime items (stuffed animals, blanket, etc.)
• Small backpack- We let Emma pack her own little backpack- the beloved “Monkey Backpack!” with anything she wants to. She usually brings her baby doll and some of her special toys and books.
• A camera! (Read why here)

Printable Checklists

Download the Printable Travel Packing Checklists here!

What do you think? Did I get most of the essentials, or is there anything else that you would add to these lists? Let me know in the comments, and happy packing!

Other posts I think you might like:

Picture packing list for kids

Beach packing list- Baby and toddler [printable checklist]

A step by step guide to packing for a trip with a baby or toddler [printable checklist]

Save Travel Packing List for Babies & Toddlers:

Reader Interactions

Charlie says

June 27, 2018 at 4:09 am

I love this! We are actually just about to go on a trip with my 4 yr old and 1 yr old and this will definitely come in handy! Thank you! And I am a lister, so the list is awesome! Now, I don’t have to worry about making mine! Will Pin!

June 27, 2018 at 5:45 pm

Awesome! I’m so glad to help. Have a wonderful trip!

November 20, 2022 at 3:47 pm

I lost my own master list for vacation packing and didn’t have the head space to put together a full list. I found yours and it’s been wonderfully helpful. Thank you!

November 22, 2022 at 1:32 pm

I’m glad to hear it! 🙂

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Best Holiday Packing List for Toddlers (67 Items!)

Looking for the best holiday packing list for a toddler? Here’s everything you need to take when you’re taking your little one away for a weekend / week / longer – just add the amount of outfits to suit the length of your trip!

My son (now 19 months) and I have been on many trips abroad together now. He’s a proper little traveller! Of course all he has to do is turn up, while there’s me having been plotting and planning for months, wanting to be ready for every eventuality. Starting, with holiday packing list for a toddler.

This travel with toddler checklist covers everything you need to consider when you’re packing for your little one. You probably won’t need to take it all , but I can guarantee you’ll want to pack a good chunk of it. It’s amazing how much stuff such a small person requires.

These traveling essentials for toddlers will help make your trip go smoother, for everyone. So, pen and paper, or phones notes at hand, and let’s go through everything you should pack when you’re travelling with a toddler.

Packing List for Toddlers

Follow this toddler packing list for everything you need to take on your next adventure.

Packing essentials for toddlers

1. Passport

First up on your toddler packing list, the most important thing – your toddler’s passport. If you haven’t got one yet, you better get applying! Ours took about two months to come, when my son was a few months old. We got the photos done at Max Spielman and set them off to the Home Office. Your toddler will need their own passport to travel abroad.

Sleep packing list for toddlers

Wondering what to pack when travelling with a toddler for the best sleep possible, for all? Here are my tips…

2. Bedsheets

Some hotels will offer bedsheets for cots, but I read somewhere that taking you own – for a familiar smell of home – is a better idea. I’ve stuck by this and it’s worked for me. Some of the best sleeps my 19-month old son has ever had were when we stayed at the Hotel Gran Castillo Tagoro in Lanzarote . I took his sheets with us then, and will continue to forever more!

Well, sure I’ll stop at some point.

3. Sleeping bags 

Depending on the temperature of your holiday destination you’ll want to take a sleeping bag or two for your little one. I’d always take a spare, in case of illness. We’ve got these Mosebears sleeping bags for the summer, although if it’s too hot, we obviously don’t bother.

4. Dummies 

Pack more than you think you need – they get lost / dropped / vanish into thin air.

5. Snooze shade

Snooze shades are always good for naps on the go.

It’s a good idea to take a blanket in your hand luggage on the plane, you just never know what temperature they’re going to set it at on the day you travel. It can also double up as a pillow, or light shade.

7. Travel cot

Many flight operators will allow a travel cot for free if you’re travelling with an under 2. This can be a good way to travel with a cot your toddler is more familiar with, or you might just see it as extra bulk to carry. But either way, the option is there to consider!

8. Nightlight

We use this nightlight every night with our toddler. It gives a familiar glow, and is also USB powered for easy charging. It seems to last for ages!

9. PuroQuiet-PLUS Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

The PuroQuiet-PLUS Active Noise Cancelling headphones can help your little one relax by cancelling out all the sounds around them. They’re specially designed to keep music at a suitable volume level for kids, helped by the plush noise-isolating ear-pads.

As well as being able to hear their favourite music and TV programmes, the headphones can calm children down in loud and unfamiliar environments. Puro Sound Labs is the first ever company to be Certified Sensory Inclusive.

There’s a lot of tech that’s gone into creating these, for a superior listening experience. They block out daily noise and background sounds up to 22 dB. They also have a USB-C connector and come in 6 colours, including purple and teal. The battery lasts up to 23 hours and uses the latest Bluetooth v4.0 technology.

These headphones stay wirelessly connected up to 30 feet, so you can control from afar. They fold flat for travel, and have a super soft protein leather wrapped headband for comfort. Perfect for travelling toddlers!

Packing footwear for toddlers

Any toddler packing list needs to feature some great footwear to suit the conditions of your destination.

10. Trainers

I bought Reggie these toddler adidas trainers for his next trip. This one time, when I went to Lanzarote , we lost one of his shoes on the flight and only realised when we were at the luggage carousel. Cue me going on an emergency trip to the local sports shop for some trainers the next day (which was a Sunday, so it was closed). In short, I wouldn’t travel with only one pair of footwear again!

You could even get matching women’s trainers , if you’re that way inclined.

I am, and I did.

11. Breathable water shoes

My toddler packing list will always feature some breathable water shoes , because, we’re always around water. That’s a holiday for me!

These make for a great second pair of shoes for a trip, as they’re so multifunctional. These shoes will do for pebbly beaches, sandy shores and sea paddling too. They’re easy to put on, and they stay on too.

READ MORE: My Baby Essentials Packing List

You NEED really good travel insurance . HeyMondo offer 24/7 worldwide assistance with travel cancellation and interruption cover. They have tailor made policies, cover medical expenses up to $10 million and are the only insurance company that pay medical bills upfront for you .

Get 5% off your  travel insurance with HeyMondo.com HERE .

Packing clothes for toddlers

Right, next up on the checklist for travelling with toddler: clothes.

I’d recommend taking twice as many outfits as you have days, at least. My son gets filthy . I don’t know how but between dirt, snot, food and drink, I change him at least once a day.

• Hoody / Jumpers
• Wet weather clothes

Packing for cleanliness

If you’re wondering what to bring when traveling with a toddler, thinking ‘cleanliness’ is a good place to start.

• Shampoo and conditioner or 2 in 1
• Towel – you can use a towel as a bath mat, if you need. I’ve got Reggie one of those hoody towels for the beach.
• Bath toys 
• Bath bubbles
• Wipes – save space and buy these when you’re there, depending on where you’re going.
• Nappies – again, buy when you’re there if it’s a typical tourist spot.
• Tissues – have these easy to hand.
• Nappy cream
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Nail clippers
• Swim nappies
• Inflatable bath – if your child hates showers as much as mine does, these can be a great idea. We took one to Sardinia as he was only a few months old and their bath was massive.
• Washing tablets – if you have a washing machine at your destination, washing tablets can help you to cut down on your packing list for toddlers. Doing a wash halfway through your trip is a necessity if your toddler gets as dirty as mine!

Sun protection for toddlers

Any traveling with toddlers checklist needs to think about the sun. Toddler skin is so delicate and vulnerable, we need to look after it as best we can.

• Hat – I take a few to see if he’ll keep any on his head longer than a few seconds.
• Sun cream – Factor 50 is suggested for little kids. Choose a kids one for sensitive skin.
• Sunglasses – same as the hat, fun game to see if he’ll keep them on longer than 10 seconds!
• Swimsuits – if you’re packing for a family for a beachy holiday take at least two so your toddler has one to wear and one to dry.
• Inflatable or PFD – at a minimum I have an inflatable ring for my son to swim with. If it’s a beachy holiday I like to have a toddler lifejacket too, so I know he’ll keep it on at all times. Just helps us both to relax a bit around water!
• Beach tent – you can get beach tents that fold up into very small circles, enabling you to sit out on the beach for longer, knowing that they’re protected.

Toddler packing list for transport

One of the top essentials for traveling with a toddler is to consider how they’re getting from A to B. Whether A is the airport and B is the beach, is up to you.

40. Car seat 

I travelled with a car seat when Reggie was very young, but I’ve recently bought one of these Urban Kanga foldable portable car seats (the low reviews are for the bag it comes in, the seat is fine) so that he can be safe and secure on the go. I just worry that the car seats abroad won’t be up to standard and although he’s tall, he’s still young, so I want him to have the proper head support for sleeping on long journeys.

41. Buggy 

Unfortunately the haphazard streets of Thessaloniki were no match for the pram we’d had from birth and the handle broke while we were there. As Reggie was older we decided to get an ‘umbrella’ stroller, to take up less space. There are lots of travel prams to choose from though – and quite honestly, it’s a minefield!

42. Sling / backpack carrier

I’ve just bought this hip wrap belt from eBay for walking round the souks and streets of Jordan – I’ll let you know how it goes!

43. Car sun visors

If your trip includes a car journey or two, I’d definitely recommend packing the visors to keep the sun off them for their skin, and for the quality of their sleep too.

Feeding packing list for toddlers

Your traveling with a toddler checklist needs to consider your little ones feeding, and how they’re going to do it. Obviously this will vary greatly depending on where they are on their feeding journey. This is what I’ll be packing for my next trip to Jordan with my son.

44. SMA Milk 

My son is on cow’s milk but I’m going to go back to the SMA just because I know his tummy is used to it, and I can carry the cartons in the heat without worrying about it spoiling. He’ll be fine if he skips a feed or two, but I just need to know I have it on me in case!

45. Milk bottles

Yep, he still drinks it out of a bottle for comfort. You might want to change this up for a sippy cup.

46. Water bottles 

My son loves to drink out of these dinosaur gulp water bottles , so that’s what we’ll be taking. He does like a cup too, but these are better for on the go.

47. Muzzies 

Always good for mopping up messes!

Try and protect those clothes!

There is absolutely no way I would travel without an excess of snacks for my 19-month old. Oat bars, veggie straws, those banana biscotti things…

50. Cutlery and plates / bowls

Plastic bowls and cutlery can help your child feel more at home. I’d recommend getting one of those bowls with a lid on , so you can take food for later if they’re taking too long or prefer to graze.

51. Packing toys for toddlers

Make sure to pack a few golden oldies for your toy packing list for toddler, as well as some new surprises. My toddler usually takes a few plays to warm up to new toys, so I’ve packed a few old toys, as well as some new toys for our trip.

Electronics packing list for toddlers

• Powerbank – you do NOT want to be running out of power. Here are some of the best portable chargers on the market.
• Plug adaptor – I also like to take a plug bar so I know I have enough plugs for all my equipment, and it’s all in one place rather than being strewn around the different plugs of the room.
• Pushchair fan – essential to keep toddlers cool in their prams and car seats.
• Thermometer – so you can keep an eye on the temperature of their room.
• Baby cam – so you can enjoy a glass of wine on the balcony / verandah / terrace!
• Extra phone / baby screen / kindle FIRE – we have an extra phone for YouTube.
• Headphones – both for you and the toddler!

READ MORE: How to Get to Heathrow via RailAir with a Toddler

More things to pack for toddlers

Here are a few more things I don’t want you to miss from your traveling with a toddler checklist.

• First Aid Kit
• Books – for both of you
• Day bag – for packing for day trips while you’re away.

How to pack for toddlers

If you’re travelling from place to place you’ll want to pack efficiently, so you can grab whatever you need on the go without messing up the whole system. Even if you’re not, it’s best to be organised from the start when you’re packing, so you don’t get frustrated trying to find things.

Here are a few things you could add to your toddler packing list to help make life easier.

65. Packing cubes

I have some packing cubes for me, but I’ve also recently bought these clear packing cubes for Reggie’s things. It makes it so much easier to see what I’ve bought for him, and to stay organised. Some people say to pack in outfits, but I like to pack in clothes type, and by using these bags I can see it all laid out.

66. Drop down shelving

These might make your packing list for toddlers a bit easier to access. These drop down shelves mean that you can hang up a mini wardrobe and see what you have. It can help with organisation in small spaces like little hotel rooms, and campervans.

TOP TIP: Make sure to leave space for all your souvenirs !

Your toddler packing list printable

I hope this travel with toddler checklist has helped. It will work as a flying with a toddler checklist and a road trip with toddlers checklist too. In fact, bookmark it for any time you plan on travelling with a toddler!

Enjoy your trip!

Related Posts:

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• My Packing List for Baby for a Weekend Away
• 28 Unique Packing Travel Hacks You Need to Know…
• 17 Essentials for Your Winter Holiday Packing List +…
• Ultimate Beach Packing List for Family Adventures:…
• What to Wear in Jordan: Your Ultimate Jordan Packing List

Hi, I'm Vicky! I wrote this. You can find me on all the social media @VickyFlipFlop. I love a bit of adventure, will try anything once, and have a strong passion for the local food and drink, whatever it may be. I'm here to help inspire you to travel to places a little out of your comfort zone, or at least to explore the usual destinations in a different way. Stay, have a look around, and if you have any questions – let me know below.

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Posted on Last updated: April 18, 2024 Categories Kids Travel Gear

By: Author Kate

The Ultimate Printable Family Vacation Packing Checklist

This post may contain affiliate links.

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All you need on your family vacation packing checklist!

Looking for the ultimate family packing list? We’ve got you covered with this super comprehensive family travel checklist. We cover what you need for travel with babies, toddlers, and older kids.

We’ve thought of everything with this family packing checklist that I’ve also made it available as a free pdf packing list. I typically print out this packing list pdf template right before my trip and use it to make sure I’ve got everything on the list.

I’m a little organization obsessed when it comes to packing for my family and I could not live without my list!! I’ve been using this list since our first trip with kids and I just love that I know I won’t forget anything when I use it!  

This packing list sample pdf is a compilation of my list of toddler travel essentials , baby travel essentials , my travel first aid kit checklist , AND I’ve also list of packing essentials for moms and dads!

If you’re headed on vacation with your family I hope you enjoy this free printable vacation packing list!

Ultimate Family Vacation Packing List

Baby travel checklist.

In this section, we’ll be going through all the items you need for travel with a baby. This baby travel packing list comes in a handy pdf below. If you’re not traveling with a baby, skip down the to toddler section for exactly what you need!

Here’s our ultimate traveling with a baby checklist:

Baby Clothes

Obviously, clothes are one of the most important must-have items for traveling with baby. We always pack more outfits than there are days because of many baby messes and spills!

This is one of the reasons we love staying in an Airbnb with young kids , it usually means we will have laundry so we can pack less! I tend to pack about two outfits per day.

I always bring one fancy outfit for taking pictures of the family on vacation. Check the weather in advance to decide whether to bring t-shirts/shorts or long sleeve items.

Baby Sleep Essentials

We were blessed with some terrible sleepers, so we do everything we can to get our kids to sleep on vacation! We like to make the room as much like home as possible, so we bring blackout curtains and a noise machine . We love using sleep sacks both at home and while traveling and for babies, I am a huge fan of the Merlin’s sleep suit , it was magic for our second!

When it comes to feeding, there is a lot of gear to bring a long with baby! Feeding baby on the go is easy when you remember all the right stuff!

We used baby food pouches as snacks and these were great for feeding baby on the plane. I also brought along my electric breast pump so that I could have a chance to have dinner with hubby while the kids were with a babysitter (another great reason to bring grandma on vacation !)

Baby Diaper Bag Checklist

I would recommend a backpack style diaper bag for travel with baby. These diaper bag essentials made it easier to take care of our baby on the plane.

We packed a few diapers in our diaper bag and in general, brought 10 diapers per day of travel. Baby wipes are one of the best travel items with a baby as they are good for almost all messes!

Bringing disposable diaper bags is key as many hotel rooms have open garbages and your room can quickly become quite stinky!

Since we are often traveling in hot and humid weather, we’ve run into problems with diaper rashes on a few occasions. I recommend a spray diaper cream and some yeast treatment in case of a severe rash.

There is lots of baby travel gear to bring on vacation. We have an entire article on the best portable car seats for travel and why you might not need a travel stroller on vacation.

We also cover all the best baby carriers for travel in this article. If your hotel or resort does not come with a baby crib, check out our article on the best portable cribs for baby.

For the Pool

Hanging out by the pool is absolutely the highlight of most of my vacation with young kids! Our kids have loved splashing in the water from an early age.

We have got a great guide to the best baby floaties here . These baby floats make it easier to enjoy time in the water with your little one. Don’t forget to pack a mineral sunscreen that is safe for babies!

Baby Toiletries

Babie’s don’t need a lot when it comes to the toiletry department. A good all over body wash can work for hair and body. We don’t go anywhere without our Frida nasal aspirator . This thing is amazing for little babies when they have a cold!

A few packable baby toys for travel can be helpful, especially on when trying to keep baby entertained on the plane. Here’s my entire list of the best travel toys for vacation.

Toddler Packing List

Our toddler travel packing list has some of the favorites from our baby essentials as well as some specific items that are essential for traveling with toddlers. You can find the checklist for traveling with a toddler in pdf at the bottom of this article.

Our packing list for toddlers:

Toddler Clothes

Of course, number one on our travel checklist for toddlers is some clothing. Just like with babies, I like to pack more outfits than there are days since my toddlers have always been quite messy!

We always put these waterproof toddler shoes on our toddler travel list, as they are super convenient for hanging out at the pool or the beach.

Toddler Sleep Essentials

Having our kids sleep well is the number one key to a great vacation with kids! We have lots of tips for getting our kids to sleep in this article .

We now bring a noise machine on vacation even when its just adults, I love how it drowns out any extra street noise or hallway noise when I am staying in a hotel.

Toddler Feeding Essentials

The key to a successful vacation with a toddler is UNLIMITED snacks! We love our yumbox for storing a variety of snacks whenever we are on the go.

We even bring it with us when we are at an all-inclusive resort for kids and fill it up in the buffet before we check out the beach or the pool! Definitely add a snack container to your kids travel list!

Toddler Diaper Bag Checklist

Toddler gear.

For the plane, we LOVE our Kooshy Kids inflatable footrest that turns your airplane seat into a toddler travel bed for the plane . Our son was able to sleep really well on this thing until he was 4 years old!

We also usually bring our Cosco Scenera Next car seat , which is hands-down the best toddler travel car seat , as it’s super lightweight and helps keep our toddlers contained on the plane.

If you don’t already own a puddle jumper , you have got to get one as it is absolutely the best toddler floatie . For a while, it was literally the most important item on our family vacation packing checklist.

We also like to pack some wet bags for swimsuits and it’s nice to be able to keep your wet clothes away from everything else when you are hanging out by the pool or beach.

Toddler travel toiletries include some body wash and toddler toothbrush and toothpaste. Don’t forget some natural sunscreen that is safe for kids!

Our kids still need some downtime to play with their toys when on vacation. We bring some of our favorite toddler travel toys on vacation and our kids like to bring their toys out to restaurants.

For the plane, keeping toddlers entertained can be tough! I tried out all the tricks, and these are the best toddler toys for the airplane!

Mom and Dad Packing List

Don’t forget mom and dad! Here’s our family vacation packing list template for the adults. For our free printable vacation checklist, check out the packing list template pdf at the bottom of this post!

I usually bring 1-2 outfits per day, including some casual rompers and sundresses for the beach or pool and a few nice outfits for dinner.

If you want to keep your clothes smelling fresh on vacation, pack a few dryer sheets into your luggage!

We pack using packing cubes , its awesome to have a different color for each member of the family and makes it so easy to unpack when we arrive at our destination!

Electronic Gear

Don’t forget a travel adapter and your charging cords for your electronics! We use an iPad to help keep our kids entertained on the plane and love this super durable kidproof case .

You can read about our favorite educational iPad apps for kids here.

We usually bring our own inflatable floaties on vacation as well like to be able to lounge in the pool.

I am obsessed with this portable travel safe that allows you to lock up your personal belongings by attaching it to a beach or pool chair. This is so convenient on a family vacation where I want to be focusing my energy on my kids and not worrying about someone stealing my wallet!

For the Plane

You’ll feel like your flying first class with all these plane travel essentials. I especially love the foot hammock on long red eye flights.

Bringing chewing gum helps me a lot with the pressure on the plane, I also usually bring lolllipops for my kids.

Important! Don’t forget!

Before we leave for a trip we always say ‘Wallet, Keys, Passports, Phone?’ to make sure we have everything that we 1000% need on our trip. Now with kids we’ve changed it to ‘Wallet, Keys, Passports, Phone, iPad, Puddle Jumper’ because without those two items our vacation would be ruined!

First Aid Kit Checklist

Looking for the family vacation packing list pdf.

Ultimate Family Packing List (CLICK HERE FOR PDF File)

When you’re done with my list head on over my post on how to rock packing with kids .

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Ultimate Packing Checklist for Babies and Toddlers

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*This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.

I don’t know about you but I find packing for my toddler extremely overwhelming, stressful, and downright daunting.  I travel with my son 4-5 times per year and the only thing that makes packing palatable is having a list!  And I mean a detailed list.  When I wing it, I end up packing last minute, I’m stressed and I inevitably forget something. I promise that if you use a detailed packing list the process goes a lot smoother and more quickly.

In this article, I am going to give you a rundown of the items that you’ll find in my suitcase, along with some additional items that you might want to bring.  In my experience, there are two different types of packers: the minimalist packer and the pack everything packer. This list can be used for either type of packer.  I hope that you find this packing checklist for babies and toddlers helpful in planning your next vacation!

This list is meant to be pretty comprehensive so don’t feel like you need to bring everything that I mention.  Just cross off what is not applicable to you and add in missing items in the blanks that I have provided. My predicament is that I don’t want to be caught on a plane or in a car without many of these items. Sure, if you are in a car you might be able to stop and buy what you need.  But maybe not.  I also prefer to bring as much as I can so that I don’t have to buy stuff along the way. That helps with the budget!  My point is to take or leave whatever you do not find relevant to you.

I’ll discuss the different categories and explain why I have included the various items. I’ll also discuss how much of each item I would bring.

Sign-up below to download a  pdf version of the packing list!

Table Of Contents:

• What Gear Should I Bring on Vacation for Transporting my Baby or Toddler?
• Potty Trained Toddlers
• Items for Baby or Toddler
• Items for Parent or Caregiver
• Food (And a Brief Review of the TSA Rules)
• Entertainment

Baby Toddler Clothing

Adult clothing.

• Diapering/Potty: To Bring or Pack your Diapers?

Toiletries/Bath

• A General Note on Packing Food & Beverage Items

Medicine/First Aid

• Would Be Nice, But May Not Be Necessary

What is the Best Way to Pack Clothing in a Suitcase?

Should i bring anything particular on a road trip with a baby or a toddler.

• What Should I Pack for a Baby or a Toddler for a Beach Vacation?
• If I Arrive at the Airport and my Checked Bags are Over the Weight Limit What Should I Do?

What Gear Should I Bring on Vacation For Transporting my Baby or Toddler?

I always bring three modes of transport when flying/driving with the kiddo.  I bring a stroller, a car seat, and a baby carrier.  I cannot understate the importance of wearing that baby or toddler, especially if you are flying !!  I bring a stroller and a car seat because I’ll need them at my destination.

If I am flying I always gate-check the stroller and the car seat (or bring the car seat on board) – as opposed to checking them at check-in. There is a lower risk of your stroller and car seat being damaged if you gate-check them.  I also like to have my stroller in the airport because I can put the kid or my bags into the stroller instead of carrying everything.

Transporting the Baby/Toddler • Stroller • Car Seat • Baby Carrier (e.g. Lillebaby/Baby Bjorn) • Bag for carrying stroller and/or car seat (optional) • Cart for Carrying Car Seat (optional)

When you gate-check (or regular check) your car seat or stroller you have the option to insert them into a bag.  This can be handy for a few reasons. One, many bags are bright red which makes your items easily identifiable. Second, many bags have backpack straps , so you could actually carry your car seat on your back.  Third, some bags come with some sort of padding .   The padded bags are unlikely to save your car seat or stroller from being crushed or damaged; however, they do provide a little protection.  In any event, you want to inspect your car seat and stroller upon your arrival to check for any damage.

What’s in my Diaper Bag While Flying with a Baby or Toddler?

This section pertains to airplane travel.  There are a few things that I take on the plane not because I’ll need them on the plane, but because I cannot afford to lose them. A few examples are important documents, electronics, and prescriptions.  I typically bring my laptop on the plane, but I have packed it in my checked bag without a problem.  If you are going to pack it in your checked bag, I’d recommend making a backup prior to traveling.

Important Documents/Items • Passports/ID’s • Birth Certificate or Passport for Children Under Two (If flying as a lap infant) • Itineraries • Reservations • Cash & Credit Cards • Insurance Card

Electronics • Computer, Charger, and Accessories • Phone & Charger • Kindle & Charger • Fitbit & Charger • Camera, Charger, and Accessories • Breast Pump & Charger (Optional)

In developing this packing checklist for babies and toddlers I had to address the carry-on/diaper bag.  If you are flying, this may be the single most important bag that you bring on vacation.  If this is an overnight/long-haul flight, you will obviously need more items than if it’s a shorter 2-4 hour flight.

Here are the basics of what you’ll need on the flight:

Bring diapers, pull-ups and/or underwear on the plane.  My son is potty trained but when I diapered I used cloth diapers.  If we were going on a short flight I’d cloth diaper on the plane and I’d bring one diaper for every two-three hours of traveling.  For travel time, be sure to calculate from the time that you leave your house until the time you believe you will arrive at your FINAL destination (not the airport, but wherever it is that you are going).  For long-haul flights, I used disposables on the plane and brought a diaper for every two-three hours of travel time. This is an item that it is OK to over pack. You do not want to run out of diapers!

On the Plane: Diaper Bag/Personal Bag • Diapers, Pull-Ups and/or Underwear • Water Wipes & Disinfecting Wipes  & Pacifier Wipes • Hand Sanitizer • Kleenex • Change of Clothes for Baby/Toddler • Sweater for Baby • Bib • Burp Cloth • Changing Pad • Extra Shirt for Parent/Caretaker • Hat for Baby/Toddler • Toys, Books, Games • Muslin Blanket (for nursing or sleeping) • Food/Snacks • Sippy Cup • Formula (for baby) & Accessories • Ziploc baggies • Teething ring or Pacifier (if necessary) • Children’s Ibuprofen or Tylenol • Book/Magazine for Adult

Potty-Trained Toddlers:

My son is now potty trained (30 months).  But on a plane, I put him in pull-ups.  I bring 4-8 pull-ups in my diaper bag, approximately a pull-up for every two-three hours of travel.  Depending on how newly potty trained your toddler is, you will bring more or fewer pull-ups. If your child is in underwear, I’d bring 2-3 extra pairs in case of accidents. This is no place to be a hero.  When toddlers have to go, they have to go.  If your kid has to go and you are stuck in line boarding, you can’t run to the bathroom. Or if you are on the plane and there is a queue for the toilet, it could be 5-10 minutes before you can get into the bathroom. You do not want your child piddling in the aisle waiting for the bathroom.

Along with diapers, I also bring some sort of wipes; I personally use Water Wipes , but any wipes will do. Wipes are also good for wiping hands, etc.  In that same vein, I bring some sort of baking soda/anti-bacterial wipes , for wiping down nasty surfaces.  I also bring a small pack of Kleenex.  Lastly, I bring an empty plastic grocery bag and/or a wet bag for soiled or wet clothes.

Items for Baby/Toddler:

For the baby, I would pack 2-3 changes of clothes, depending on how young the baby is. In my experience, younger babies tend to have more blowouts and spit-ups than older babies; pack according to your baby’s bodily functions.  I also bring a sweater and a muslin blanket. The sweater is self-explanatory but the blanket can be used as a nursing blanket or as a blanket for the bassinette. Planes can get hot and then cold and I have found that muslin breathes very well but is also warm.  For overnight flights, I pack pajamas but pajamas are not a must; you could also just dress them in a long sleeved shirt and some sweat pants.

Items for Parent or Caregiver:

I always bring an extra shirt for myself- spit ups happen, body odor happens, etc. However, recently a long-time friend recommended that I bring a full change of clothes on long-haul flights. Her 8-month-old daughter vomited all over her on their way back from Poland and her entire outfit was soiled. This is also not a bad piece of advice in case your checked bag gets lost.

I also bring a book, magazine, etc. whatever you like ‘to do’ on the plane!

You definitely want to bring food/snacks.  Ask your airline if they have a baby meal and if they say ‘no’ ask someone else just to be sure.  You want to pack enough food for the duration of your flight.  Some things that I bring are pouches, chopped fruit, goldfish, hummus and pretzels, (soy) yogurt, Lara Bars (those fruit and greens ones)  or the  Kind pressed bars , applesauce, PB&J, cheese slices, Pediasure- anything that your child will eat and that will hold for a few hours.

The Transportation Security Administration

Check out the Transportation Security Administration’s website for what food and drink you can bring on a plane.  

The general rule is that each passenger can bring a quart sized bag of ‘liquids’ on the plane, no one of which may exceed 3.4 ounces.

The most important thing to know here is that this rule does not apply to liquids for an infant or toddler; however, you must bring these items through security “in reasonable quantities” so don’t go overboard.

According to the TSA website, “an infant is defined as a child who must be physically carried by an adult throughout the screening process. A toddler is defined as a child who receives assistance in walking by an adult throughout the screening process.”

The website specifically mentions formula, breast milk and juice as being exempt from the ounce limitations, however, I have also brought pouches and other ‘liquids’ that were larger than 3.4 ounces and not had a problem. You can also bring your sippy-cup with liquid through Security. They will test these items for explosives.

You should inform the TSA officer of what items you have and have them all in one bag.   You can also tell the TSA officer if you do not want your formula, breast milk or juice x-rayed or opened.

Entertainment:

I always bring my Kindle and a few toys on the plane.  Even if the flight has in-flight-entertainment I bring the Kindle.  I also bring a new toy, book or sticker pack—whatever— just something new and novel. The $1 bin at Target is great for this!  If it’s an overnight flight I bring a stuffed animal or something from baby’s crib.

Additionally, many items on a plane can be used for play; a few ideas are magazines, the throw-up bag, and plastic cups—you just have to get creative!

What Should I Pack for When I Arrive at my Destination?

What you pack for your destination will be largely dependent upon your destination’s climate, type of accommodation, duration of the trip, mode of transportation, access to a grocery store or corner store and whether or not you will have access to a washer and dryer. (Side Note: many places around the world have washers but no dryers). So check these things out prior to departure and pack accordingly.

If you are flying know your bag weight allowance and also check your baby’s bag allowance. Even if your child is flying as a lap-infant, chances are they have a bag allowance.

My advice is to pack early and only pack the bare necessities; buy the rest when you get there.  If you want to save money by bringing items with you so that you don’t have to buy them when you arrive then get very specific about the quantities that you’ll need and pack accordingly.

Another way to cut down on overpacking is to do laundry at your destination. So if you are traveling for 10 days then pack for 5 days and do laundry once, or if you are you traveling for 15 days then do laundry twice (or pack for 8 days and do laundry once).

Baby/toddler clothing is pretty easy-don’t over think it. For my two-year-old, I pack 2 outfits for every day of travel. When he was younger I packed 3 outfits for every day of travel.  But if you find that you rarely have to change your child’s clothes then pack less.  If your baby has blow-out after blow-out then pack more. You could also do something like 2-3 outfits per day- so for seven days of traveling, you’d pack 18 outfits (unless you were going to do laundry while there).

Baby/Toddler Clothing • Underwear (potty-trained toddler) • Socks • Onsies (baby) • Shirts • Pants/Shorts • Sweater/Sweatshirt/Jumper • Pajamas • Swimsuit & Rash Guard • Swim Diaper (washable or disposable) • Sunhat • Shoes • Winter/Outerwear (coat, gloves, hat, scarf, etc…)

This will be dependent upon the criteria listed above. To reduce the number of clothes that you pack try to pack/wear layers.  That way you will have to do less laundry and the clothes you bring are likely to be more versatile. Another tip is to try and pack outfits that you can dress up or down so that you don’t have to pack two outfits per day (for example, if you like to go out at night).

Adult Clothes/Items • Underwear • Socks • Bras/Nursing Tanks • Shirts • Slacks/Pants/Shorts • Dresses/Skirts • Pajamas • Cardigan/Sweatshirt • Jacket/Outerwear • Swimsuit & Cover • Shoes (walking, sandals, dressier, flops) • Sunglasses • Hat • Cold Weather Items (gloves, scarf, etc.)

Diapering/Potty: To bring or pack your diapers?

Traveling while diapering a baby or toddler.

I used to pack my diapers because I cloth diapered, but even if you use ‘sposies you may need to pack your diapers depending on the type of destination.  Towards the end of when my son was in diapers, I would pack 6 diapers per day. One for nap, one for nighttime and other than that I would change him four times per day. The smaller the baby the more times you’ll likely be changing it during the day.  For those who are cloth diapering, I would also bring a small and medium-sized wet-bag (one for the diaper bag and one for the accommodation).

Traveling with a Potty Trained Toddler

If your kid is potty training or newly trained traveling can be dicey.  I personally want to put my kid in pull-ups as infrequently as possible, but I also don’t want him pee’ing everywhere while traveling.  Know your child’s limitations and how long s/he can hold it.  Also, be cognizant that while traveling you may have a lot less control over where/when/how you can use the bathroom.

On the topic of potty training, initially, my son was freaked out by public potties.  He still uses a toddler potty at home but now he’ll sit on the adult potty while we are out.    I purchased a travel potty seat  to bridge the gap between the toddler potty and the adult potty.

If you are taking a road trip you can bring a potty in the car with you.  This is a pro-tip from my dear friend Kaleina-she put me onto the potty-in-the-car tip! I keep this potty in my car at all times for when kiddo has to go!  You can also buy collapsible ones if you’d like to pack one in your suitcase and bring it with you.

If you are traveling outside of the United States run a quick Google search to familiarize yourself with your destination’s toilet system. Many countries around the world do it differently than the United States.  You do not want to be caught off guard with a little one who is iffy on our way of doing things let alone some hole in the ground.

Here I have included what I pack, generally. You will probably add a number of personal items to this section of the list; I have included extra lines for that purpose.  I’m a minimalist when it comes to toiletries.  Toiletries are heavy and when weight limits are an issue they are typically the first items to go for me.  If you are staying in a hotel (or even some home shares) then the venue should provide you with shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap (at a minimum).

Eating/Feeding

My son is 30 months old and I still bring a bib and burp cloth for each day of travel.  He’s messy when he eats so a bib cuts down on the number of wardrobe changes and burp cloths are good for wiping up messes. I usually pack two sippy cups- one to be in use and one that will be getting washed. I also pack a toddler fork and spoon.  Spoons are generally not an issue, toddlers can work with the typical adult spoon but adult sized forks can be scary.

When we arrive at our destination we usually do a grocery shop. Depending on your type of accommodation that will dictate what food items you can buy (quantity and perishable vs. non-perishable).  I pack Ziploc baggies and plastic grocery bags to parse out snacks and lunch on a daily basis. The plastic grocery bags are also good for wet or soiled clothing.

I also bring a snack container for my toddler (in the carry-on) and empty water bottles so that we can fill up the bottles and not have to pay for bottled water upon arrival!

If you are packing for a baby then what you’ll bring will depend on whether you are breastfeeding, formula feeding and/or whether you’ll be pumping on vacation. Bring any equipment that you’ll need from home so that you are not scrambling upon arrival.

Another note, if you are packing your breast pump and traveling overseas then bring a voltage converter.  I made this mistake in Ireland and blew my pump motor and had to get a hand pump (eye roll) because I wasn’t about to drop €200 on a new pump.

A  General Note on packing food/beverage items

If you are traveling internationally, there are places throughout the world that heavily restrict what food products you can bring into their country. In my experience, many of these places are island nations.  So although you can bring these items on the plane you cannot bring them into the country.  One example is New Zealand.  New Zealand is very remote and they do not allow certain fruits, vegetables, or seeds into the country.  I almost got into real trouble bringing an undeclared orange into New Zealand.  Check with the Customs section of your destination to see if there are any country-specific restrictions on food or other items.

For me, this is one of the most important categories. Prior to booking an accommodation, I think about where my son is going to sleep.  If you are staying in a hotel then I’d call in advance and reserve a crib or pack n play so that they do not run out (I’ve had this happen to me and they had to get a PnP from another hotel). When I contact the hotel I also ask whether we are getting a crib or PnP and I bring the appropriate sheet. In my experience, it’s a crapshoot as to whether they’ll provide a sheet for the baby bed.

If you are staying in a home share (AirBnB or HomeAway) ask the host if they have a crib or PnP prior to booking.  Many hosts do not have items for children (bed or highchair) and they will not acquire one for you.

For nighttime, I bring most of the items from my son’s crib so as to re-create his home bed as much as possible.  This may be unnecessary, but it’s just a habit that I have developed.  I pack his toddler pillow , his baby blanket, sound machine , stuffed animal and the baby monitor and camera.

This is another area where I try not to go overboard. Typically, I bring basic medicines (Ibuprofen or Tylenol), children’s sunscreen,   children’s bug spray , and a basic first-aid kit. I bring the sunscreen and bug spray because I like to use natural products and they’re not always available at the destination. You can put together a basic 1 st aid kit with a thermometer, some alcohol swabs, gauze pads, Band-Aids and maybe some Neosporin. I usually only bring this if we are going camping or will be somewhere remote.  Lastly, I would also recommend packing your prescription medications in your carry-on in case your checked bag is lost/delayed.

Would Be Nice, but May Not be Necessary

I’ve listed off a few items that may be nice to have but also may not be necessary.  Where you are going, for how long and the mode of transport will dictate what extras you can or will want to bring. For instance, if you are embarking on a road trip you’ll be able to bring a lot more stuff than on a domestic flight where the luggage weight restriction is 40lbs. If you are doing a week-long beach vacation then you might want to bring additional books, toys, puzzles and games for your child.

The few ‘extras’ that I travel with are a mini cooler (it’s really just an insulated Igloo lunch bag) and occasionally we travel with a portable highchair .   The mini cooler that we have is pretty small and collapses down pretty flat; I believe it was $6 bucks. The portable high chair that we have is really more of a harness that you strap over the back of a chair.  It’s very useful for meal times if your child is likely to fall out of a chair, but it’s also good for containment purposes!

Additional Questions That I’ve Been Asked That Deserve Honorable Mentions:

I roll my clothes. But another good way to pack is to use packing cubes !!

A road trip is very similar to airplane travel except that you have more flexibility in what you can bring.  The caveat is that just because you can bring more does not mean that you should!

For a road trip, I’d definitely bring the toddler potty, a few more activities for the children to do in the car and I’d buy the majority of our food at home and bring it with us.  You can control what you buy and how much you spend so much more when you are familiar with the grocery store.  If you are not into packing out a bunch of food then familiarize yourself with where the grocery stores are at your destination.   We’ve been to places where the largest ‘grocery store’ is really a corner store and the selection can be limited. My son eats like 5 things so I need to know that I can either bring or buy these items when I get to where I am going.

What Should I Pack for a Baby or Toddler for a B each vacation?

You will still pack many of the items mentioned above and in the packing list. The biggest concern for a beach vacation is the sun.

In the sun you have three lines of defense. The first line of defense is going to be your child’s clothing. I like to get a swimsuit and/or a rash guard where the fabric/weave provides some sort of SPF.  You also want to have a wide-brimmed hat (again preferably with SPF).

The second line of defense is a good sunscreen; I prefer a natural sunscreen.

And then third, I like to have a sun canopy; you can nap your child in the canopy or get some much-needed respite from the sun. We bought one from Aldi on the cheap, but you can also find a good one on Amazon. 

Lastly, I like to have some good water shoes for my son.  These provide a little protection from the sun, but also provide a little protection from rocks or other sharp objects on the beach.

If  I Arrive at the Airport and my Checked Bags are Over the Weight Limit What Should I Do?

• The best thing to do is to buy a luggage hand scale (they’re like $10 bucks) and weigh your bags before you even leave your house.
• If you have multiple checked bags the simplest thing is to re-distribute if one bag is over but one bag is not.
• Next option is to load up your personal or carry-on bag with the overage as these bags are not weighed.
• Pro Tip: I cannot take credit for this tip. I got this tip from my good friend Mrs. Gagos.  If you are flying and you check your car seat, throw it in a car seat bag. There is no weight limit on the car seat bag which means that you can throw miscellaneous items into the bag and it will not count against your baggage weight limit.

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My wife and I are trying to take a long vacation to our parent’s houses this holiday season and we need to pack for our baby too. We have never traveled with our son before so this is a pretty big deal and we don’t want to mess it up. I like your tips to pack everything he might need for a few hours while we wait for travel times and other delays.

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Packing Lists , Travel Advice

20+ toddler travel essentials for 2024 – with packing list.

Items that helped us through the challenging toddler travel years

We’ve never denied that one of the most difficult phases we went through with our children was the toddler years. At home and travelling. The memories are still very fresh!

It never stopped us from travelling, but it certainly added to the amount of gear we needed to lug around the world with us (it’s kind of the same as babies, only it feels bigger and heavier, AND you’re chasing a little one around too!)

Essential Gear for Moving Around With Toddlers

Sleeping away from home, toddler meals on the move  , toddler essentials for flying, toddler entertainment on the move, other essential toddler items not to forget, this post is part of our best toddler travel advice series.

I bet if you’ve picked up this article, you already know toddlers have a mind of their own!  Not all tactics for keeping toddlers nearby when you’re in busy places will work the same. 

We’re going to suggest a few travel accessories for toddlers here that have variously worked with our three children – but we know they won’t suit all!

Toddler harness / reins

Some will love ’em, some will despise them!  Having a cute little character will definitely help your kids grow an attachment to this essential piece of toddler kit for a family trip. Perfect for crowded places, we haven’t left home without one of these for years.

Accmor Toddler Harness Leash

3 in 1 Toddler Harness Leash

Accmor Toddler Backpack Leash

You can see our complete guide to buying toddler reins and harnesses here

Collapsible Stroller

Once you have outgrown a full-sized baby buggy that carries basically your whole life in, it’s time to downgrade to something more sensible, practical, and lightweight for your family vacation.

We love the brands that collapse small enough we can take them right up the plane door and onto the plane with us, fitting into the overhead bin with your carry-on bag.

The Babyzen Yoyo was the first brand to achieve this and is still a great option, but there are many brands that have now followed suit.

We have used our trusty Mountian Buggy Nano for years, but you can also try brands such as the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 or the immensely popular microsized GB Pockit that comes in several variations.

Evenflo GOLD Otto Self-Folding Stroller

Mountain Buggy Nano V3 Stroller

gb Pockit+ All-Terrain

You can see our full guide on how to select the best plane stroller here.

Just be conscious of your child’s height and weight;  hopefully, this investment can last you all the way through to the preschool years. Try not to compromise too much when it comes to your tot still being able to comfortably recline and having a decent-sized shade covering and storage basket, features we would still look for even in a travel stroller. 

We also review the best lightweight double strollers for twins and baby/toddler combinations here.

TIP : If you are still looking to travel with a larger stroller, we suggest you protect your gear when flying or stowing on transport by placing it inside a stroller gate check bag – our full review of your different stroller travel bag options here . 

Toddler Carrier

By now, I am guessing most of you freuent travelers have discovered the joys that a baby carrier brings.  Many brands now see a child all the way through to their toddler years. 

We have used our Ergo across the continents for many years – but with our youngest now 4 (and, to be fair, a happy walker/runner – unlike the first two!!) we are finally ready to say goodbye – one of our best pricier bits of toddler kit we’ve never regretted investing in.

Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier

Beco Toddler Carrier with Extra Wide Seat

Infantino Carry On Multi-Pocket Carrier

You can find our comprehensive toddler carrier comparison guide here. 

Hiking Toddler Carrier

For those who do more heavy-duty walking and hiking, you can’t look past the Deuter Kid Comfort Pro . It is one of the most expensive on the market, so you could also look at the Deuter Kid Comfort II which is slightly lighter, but doesn’t include the built-in sunshade.

Deuter Kid Comfort Pro Child Carrier

ClevrPlus Deluxe Adjustable Baby Carrier Outdoor

Luvdbaby Premium Baby Backpack Carrier

See our complete comparison of hiking carrier backpacks here

Car Seats for Toddlers

Outgrown their baby capsule that conveniently fits with their travel system but not ready yet for a simple collapsible booster ?  Yep, this is one phase of travelling with kids that I’m afraid will be with you for a long time, even well beyond the toddler years!

Depending on your child’s age and stage, there are a few options, but inevitably, accept it’s a continual upgrade process (and one of the bulkiest and most inconvenient parts of toddler travel – sorry!)

Where possible, we try to arrange for pick-up services that include a seat or hire cars at a destination – but we know all too well, that travelling home to Australia (where car seat laws are IMMENSELY STRICT) hiring is not financially viable after more than a few days x 3 children, so for years, we’ve kept a complete set of extra toddler seats at the grandparents.  

Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat

Evenflo Chase Harnessed Booster

Britax Emblem 3 Stage Convertible Car Seat

Tip: If you have any intention of travelling with your car seat on the plane, too (you need to buy a separate seat for the infant) then the car seat must be compliant for whichever airline you are flying with. FAA rules are a pretty good for international guidance – but note they apply specifically to US-based carriers, you need to check the rules for the country your carrier falls under.

Find our complete guide on how to travel with car seats on planes here

Don’t forget if you are checking your car seats rather than using them on the plane, you will need to make sure they are adequately protected to prevent handling damage in the hold.

This is our detailed review of the best car seat travel bags .

Toddler Neck Pillow

Another thing we noticed once our kids were out of their snug little capsules and into proper car seats is how much their heads seemed to wobble around when they were drowsy! We’ve researched and tried many a brand of head cushion to get the right fit:

Unicorn Toddler Neck Pillow for Kids

BCOZZY Kids Travel Neck Pillows for Toddlers

INFANZIA Kids Chin Supporting Travel Neck Pillow

You can see our extensive head toddler cushion review here .

Do note, if you want to use them in their car seat, as supposed to say on a train or plane, many of the cute toddler brand ones are too bulky. Microbead products like the BCozzyKids Travel Pillow we have found to be the most adaptable to different positions and modes of transport, even if they look thinner they still do the job well.

Just when you thought you had your nice little routine – then you up sticks and change time zone….. I won’t deny that some of the worst jet lag we have experienced actually happened during the toddler years. 

We have a full guide to jet lag survival with kids you can read here , but the primary things I would worry about packing to conquer this are:

This has been my go-to bedtime tool for years (still IS!). OK, it works a charm for 2/3 kids at least!  No matter where we are in the world, once you have a strict bedtime routine happening, the clock is a great first indicator to them whether they should be getting out of bed or not

Just be conscious of wattage if you are taking any electronic devices with you.  We have lugged many an item halfway around the world to discover it doesn’t work at our destination.  Particularly if you are flying US to a lot of other countries and vice versa, you will need to take not only international plugs but a wattage adaptor, like one of these:

Tommee Tippee Groclock Sleep Trainer Clock

Kids Ok to Wake Clock for Kids  

Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine

Black Out Curtains

Another thing that helps with sleep patterns and time zone adjustment is having a dark room.  If there’s no guarantee the hotel room at your destination will have blackouts, so this is a great BYO solution if you can afford the space in your luggage, as they are a little bit bulky.

Most portable blackouts stick up with suction cups.

Gro Company Gro-Anywhere Blind

RUseeN Portable Blackout Shades 

Amazon Basics Portable Travel Window Blackout Curtain

Portable Toddler Cot

There’s also no guarantee your destination will have the best sleeping arrangements for your child either.  During these toddler years, we did intentionally look for hotels or apartments that COULD provide us with a cot, but many times especially staying with friends and family this wasn’t an option. We invested early on in a good, lightweight, portable cot (don’t get confused into thinking a bulky pack-n-play pen is the same thing!). 

Phil & Teds Traveller Travel Crib

Milliard Folding Floor Sleeper Cot

Regalo My Cot Pals Portable Toddler Bed

You can see our full range of toddler bed options reviewed here.

We tested the Phil & Teds Traveller a while ago and haven’t looked back since. We still think its one of the lightest and best-priced models on the market, but does take little construction skills.

Portable high chair

You can’t always rely upon every restaurant or hotel having a high chair, so it’s great if you can BYO an easily portable option.  They come in all sorts of designs, from clamp-ons to boosters or cloth wraparounds for restaurant chairs – each with its pros and cons.

Summer Pop ‘n Dine SE Highchair

Baby Delight Go with Me Uplift Deluxe Portable High Chair

Regalo My Chair 2-in-1 Portable Travel Booster Seat

You can see our full review of travelling high chairs (and whether we think they’re worth the luggage space) here.

Spill-proof sippy

You’ve no doubt moved on from purely boob and bottle to a sippy by the toddler stage.  It’s perhaps not until you’re on the move you realise that these things leak so darn much! Or that your toddler terror will do anything to deliberately make them spill! 

We have been through many different brands of leaf-proof sippy cups – just accept no matter which you try, they’re not fail-proof!

Contigo Kids Spill-Proof 14oz Tumbler

First Years Dinosaur Kids Insulated Sippy Cups

Elk and Friends Kids & Toddler Cups

(Note if you are taking any sort of water bottle on a plane, they can pressurise. We have had many a bottle explode water everywhere over the plane when opened… you have been warned!)

Easy clean bibs

Neoprene-style bibs were by far one of our greatest baby-to toddler year discoveries! (Sorry to all our family and friends who received these as gifts from us!) But we truly love them!

They dry so quickly and can be strapped high on your toddler’s neck without choking them so there’s no seep through.  We normally get several wears before they need to go in the wash, and they don’t take up much space, both of which are a good idea for travel.

PandaEar Set of 3 Cute Silicone Baby Bibs for Babies & Toddlers

Nuby 2 Pack Adjustable Easy Clean Soft Silicone Bibs

Snap and Go Easy-wear Bibs for Baby & Toddler

No-spill snack cups

These spill-proof cups might seem like one of the easiest to pack, logical items, but seriously took us years to discover! Do yourself a favour and get one of these for your diaper bag as soon as your kids are onto finger foods. 

They don’t necessarily stop all the crumbs but prevent major spillages and should come everywhere with you, ready to tackle those hangry moments.

Silicone Toddler Snack Cups No Spill

Ubbi Tweat No Spill Snack Container for Kids

Collapsible Silicone Snack Container

Reusable food clips

For when they’re claiming they’re dying of hunger, take two mouthfuls then leave the rest.  Yep, a handful of these cheap but essential clips are a lifesaver in your backpack diaper bag too.

Silicone Food Storage Bags

Otylzto 4 Size Assorted 40 PCS Food Bag Clips

8 Pack Stainless Steel Chip Clips

Snacks, snacks, and more snacks

This is my overriding toddler years memory! OK, there were some classic meltdowns too… But the constant, I’m hungry, minutes after they just declared they were to full for lunch. 

Keeping a good supply of things like rice cakes, carrot sticks, sultanas, cereal bars, and food pouches kept us going on countless day outings and long-haul flights – we have a great list of healthy toddler snack suggestions here.   

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars

Unsweetened Fruit Snacks for Kids

Quaker Large Rice Cakes

Got a little one on the fussy end of the spectrum (aren’t they all?) You’ll want to check out our tips for travelling with picky eaters

Before you read any further, make sure you’ve checked out flying with a toddler section!

Leg cushions for the plane

Guessing you’ve heard these are the latest craze, right? But are they even allowed on planes?  Are they worth the investment? Will my kids actually sleep better on a long flight? What age are they designed for? 

We have tested many of these products on behalf of the manufacturers and have a detailed review, including which airlines allow them here.

BleuWhisk Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

Inflatable Travel Pillow Airplane Footrest Flight Pillow Toddler

Portable Foot Pillow for Toddler Kids & Adults

So, are these really toddler flight essentials?

My verdict : With one child, set up in the correct position, on a plane that will allow them, yes, they make for a more comfortable flight. But I recommend you read the above article with all the factors to consider before deciding if it’s the right thing for you.  There might be other ways you can get your toddler comfortable without the need for yet more gear (I can see your eyes boggling already how much you have to pack!)

CARES Restraint

As an alternative to taking a full car seat on a plane, but once your tot is simply too big and heavy to take as a lap child, try the FAA-approved CARES Harness.  Ideal for 22-44lbs children – note you do need to have booked the seat to use this.

Cares Airplane Harness for Kids

Airplane Kid Travel Accessories Cares Safety Restraint System

Child Airplane Safety Travel Harness, Safety Restraint

Toddler Plane Bags

You can also see what items we are packing in our toddlers plane bag  here, and read below about toddler entertainment throughout your travels.

Just remember, don’t go over the top when it comes to packing toys for young kids – here are 5 things we definitely recommend do NOT make it into your toddlers plane bag ! 

Wildkin Kids Insulated Lunch Bag

Solar System Planets Kids Backpack Toddler

YUPING Toddler kids Dinosaur Backpack

Tip: Until they are old enough to carry their own bag for the entire journey, do your self a favour and skip the cute novelty rolling bag until they are really ready or you are simply making additional luggage for yourself.  Fine with one kid, but when you have multiple children to consider ….  

Small tablet

We recommend these only for your older toddlers verging on preschool age.  I don’t recommend them for younger toddlers because I know how frustrated mine got when they couldn’t raise the sound, and I’m a strict headphones-only mamma when it comes to electronic devices being used in public places. 

And you reckon you can make a small toddler keep headphones on?

We have snapped our way through too many pairs (yes, even those claiming to be best ‘unbreakable’ on the market) through to your cheapest Walmart ones. NOTHING works on a wiggly toddler, so tablets are a no-go until they can sit still or survive on mute. 

When your toddler is ready to try, here are the best toddler headphone brands we recommend you start with.

For years we gave our kids our hand-me-down ipads but as they are starting to get outdated, we have discovered Amazon Kindle Fire , with its super sturdy case and ability to connect via Google Play and the Android system, as well as subscribe to FreeTime Unlimited for kids. 

Amazon Fire 7 tablet

IWEGGO Tablet 8 inch Tablet with Case

Tibuta Android Tablet

We talk more about Amazon Prime and why it can be a traveller’s best friend here.

Other favourite portable toddler toys:

• WaterWow books by Melissa & Doug
• Quiet Books
• Gel Stickers
• Triangle crayons

Jungle Animals Thick Gel Clings Winter Safari Window Gel

Triangular Crayons

My Busy Book Baby Soft Toy

For more travel toy ideas, pop on over to these detailed buying guides:

• Best travel toys for one-year-olds
• Best travel toys for two-year-olds
• Terrific toys to pack for a 3-year-old
• More toddler plane bag ideas
• Engaging road trip toys for toddlers
• Is it worth getting a travel tray for your toddler to play?
• A spare change of clothes
• Beach and water safety wear
• Wet bags for spares or dirty items
• Hand sanitiser
• Small detergent bottle for washing bottles and cups at your accommodation – don’t forget to check out our complete guide to travelling with bottles & sterilising here.
• A good first aid kit/medicine bag – you can see our complete family first aid packing guide here.

Germ-X Original Hand Sanitizer

ALVABABY 2pcs Cloth Diaper Wet Dry Bags Waterproof

First Aid Only 298 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Emergency Kit

Potty training stage?

We talk about potty training on the move in a lot more detail here , but for anything around toileting don’t forget:

• Wet Wipes! Not just for clean bums, you’ll want these little gems with you for YEARS! 
• Pull-ups, even if they are relatively newly trained, you will want to consider this fall back for long journeys
• Piddle pads for the seat , a great back up to prevent leakage

Wet Ones Travel Wipes

Toddler Pull Ups

Piddle Pad Car Seat Protector

Never forget a thing next time you’re packing by downloading our Family Travel Checklist   

Now we never said travelling with toddlers was light, right?  But it is still rewarding. With the right gear and right frame of mind, it really is a magical age to start opening children up to the world around them and creating wonderful happy memories.  

Further reading on the toddler years:

• That time we took 3 under 5 on a 16-hour flight
• Taking your toddler hiking; how to make it fun!
• Surviving a road trip with a toddler
• 5 travelling lessons my 3-year-old has taught me
• Our Best Toddler Travel Advice Home Page

Bookmark this page, share it with your friends or save it to Pinterest for later

Are your kids a little older?  See what gadgets we recommended for older families on the go , or pop back here if you’re still at the baby age and need our Ultimate Baby Travel Checklist

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links.  Purchasing any items listed on this page through an affiliate link will not affect how much you pay for the item but may earn us a small commission. Our  full disclosure policy  can be found here.

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2 thoughts on “ 20+ Toddler Travel Essentials for 2024 – With Packing List ”

Based on this guide, I need to carry the entire house with me on the plane or train. We travel a lot and each of us has only one backpack. Our toddler’s backpack goes in the stroller and has a bag of nappies, wipes, baby food, baby water, a toy or two, his clothes, home shoes, and essential meds and swimming gear if we plan to. That’s all and never had any trouble. Most taxis and car hires have toddler seats. Sometimes we take baby carrier. That said, our kid is a bit of adventurer. He wont use anything special if we don’t use it

That’s great you’ve learnt to travel light with your tot. It really depends on your style of travel and destination. Certainly, our needs have changed between kidsand we hope that by presenting a number of options, we can prepare first-time travelling parents with the information they need for different travel scenarios with toddlers – all these items we’ve needed at some point in our travels. Thanks for taking the time to stop by the blog and comment, happy travels 🙂

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The Ultimate Packing List for Flying With Kids

From activity books and tablets to wipes and snacks, here’s everything you need for flying with littles.

• Our Top Picks
• Entertainment

Food and Drink

Sleep and quiet time, wellness and hygiene, tips for packing.

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski

Traveling with children can add an extra layer of complexity to a trip, but planning ahead will help things go as smoothly as possible. With limited space and hours to fill, flying can be particularly tricky. That's why I (a mother of two little ones) always make sure to pack something fun to do, watch, and eat. I'll also bring options to optimize naps, which doesn't always happen, but a mom can dream.

After gathering pointers from a parenting expert and a seasoned flight attendant, I rounded up all the essentials and nice-to-haves when flying with kids. From screen time, snack time, and sit-still activities to just-in-case items and products to make parents' lives easier, here's what to pack for the flight.

Entertainment 

"Airplanes have very little for kids' entertainment," says Jessica Hoffman, a flight attendant of 18 years. For the sake of convenience, she recommends at least some screen time and other activities that'll capture children's attention. Here's what we recommend for portable tech, games, and other things to keep them busy, still, and (mostly) quiet.

Best Tablet

Amazon fire hd 10 kids pro tablet.

"Downloading movies and shows to be watched on a screen with headphones is usually the easiest," says Hoffman. "Flying is a treat, and screen time falls into that." If you don't already have a designated tablet for your child, we suggest the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro. It's got a 13-hour battery life, 32 gigs of storage space, and comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which includes digital books, games, and videos.

Best Media Stand

Honsky thumbs-up phone stand.

You'll want to have some headphones at the ready. This lightweight, cordless set from JBL is fit for a child's head, with plush ear cushions and a soft headband. It's easy to pair with a phone or tablet through Bluetooth, too. "Plan ahead — practice with headphones if your kids aren't used to wearing them," Hoffman recommends.

Travofun Magnetic Checkers & Tic-Tac-Toe

I like small magnetic board games because they take up minimal space and can be played anywhere, even without a flat surface, since the pieces stick to the board. This one is two games in one. You'll get tic-tac-toe, which younger kiddos can get the hang of pretty quickly, and checkers, which is great for slightly older kids and parents who want to play, too.

Best Coloring Books

Melissa & doug on the go water wow reusable color with water pad.

Parenting expert Megan Winokur is a fan of coloring books when flying with kids. I suggest this one from the tried-and-true toy brand Melissa & Doug. Each mini pad has four reusable pages and a refillable water pen. When the wet brush swipes onto the pages, colors appear. When it dries, the colors "erase" so the pictures can be "painted" again. Most importantly, it's a totally mess-free activity.

Best Activity Book

Skillmatics dot it animals art activity.

Winokur says sticker books are always a hit when flying with her kids. "Dot It sticker art is one of our favorites," she says. "It comes with over 500 easy-peel stickers and eight pictures to create." There are different themes, too, like space, dinosaurs, princesses, and dress-up.

Boxgear LED Telescopic Suction Cup Giraffe Toy

The best toys to bring on an airplane are small and simple yet entertaining and interactive. For instance, these bendy giraffes are under six inches tall, and the set of four weighs less than half a pound. They itch the sensory scratch and fidget urge with telescopic arms, stretchable necks, and suction feet that attach to any flat surface.

Aside from small bags of peanuts, pretzels, and sometimes cookies, airlines don't usually have kid-friendly snacks. You'll definitely want to pack something for your children to eat and drink (or drink out of) on the plane while keeping mess prevention in mind. "​​Less mess is always best!" says Hoffman.

Best Water Bottle

Simple modern summit kids water bottle with straw lid.

For flights, Winokur recommends bringing a reusable water bottle like this one from Simple Modern. The kid-size design holds 12 to 14 ounces of liquid and fits in most cup holders. It's also lightweight, durable, dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and (crucially) leakproof when the straw-nozzle is in the closed position.

Best Snack Holder

Gobe kids large snack spinner.

"There are tons of fun 'snackle box' or snack spinner options out there that you can fill with your favorite snacks," offers Winokur. "This will keep [kids] entertained and stocked up for the flight while also saving some space in your bag." The GoBe Kids Original Snack Spinner comes in two sizes, each with five little compartments that can hold mini portions of things like nuts, Goldfish crackers, cheese cubes, or apple slices. After suctioning it to a tray table, your child can press the middle button to spin the wheel and choose a new snack.

Annie's Homegrown Organic Snack Variety Pack

The best kids' snacks for plane rides depend on the child. But to keep children happy, full, and satisfied, snacks might be a cross between health food and junk food — or “healthy junk food,” if you will. For example, these little bags of crackers and grahams from Annie’s are organic, free of corn syrup, and made with (some) whole grains. And besides the inevitable crumbs, they're not terribly messy.

YumEarth Organic Lollipops

You're wise to also bring a treat to prevent meltdowns and reward good behavior — sitting still for multiple hours is a challenge for many children. I often go with lollipops because they last longer than most other candy and take up negligible space. YumEarth Organic Pops are naturally flavored and colored, and they're flat, so you can stash them in any pocket.

Every parent knows that when kids don't get the rest they need, family outings can quickly go off the rails. Long flights and changing time zones can throw a wrench in things, but with some planning — and, let's be honest, a bit of luck — you might manage to get a nap or at least quiet time in.

"I also let my kids each bring a small stuffed animal to help them feel more at home," adds Winokur.

Best Blanket and Pillow Set

Giapow travel blanket and pillow.

Airplanes can be chilly and generally don't have a soft space to lay one's head. You might consider bringing a travel pillow and blanket to make your child's seat as plush, cozy, and warm as possible. This set comes with a kid-size throw that stuffs into the pillow, which is just 16 x 14 inches. It can fit in a carry-on or be a kid's personal item .

Best Kids' Neck Pillow

Infanzia kids travel neck pillow.

Another option is to get your child a neck pillow (which may or may not count as a personal item, depending on the airline ). This highly rated option has lots of support around the sides and chin to prevent kids' necks from falling forward and keep them comfy if they doze off while sitting upright. The removable cover is also conveniently machine-washable.

Best Sound Machine

Snooz go travel white noise sound machine.

"We never leave home without our white noise machine," says Winokur. "It helps everyone sleep better, especially when you may be sharing a hotel room as a family." The cordless, rechargeable Snooz Go is great for flights. It's less than four inches in diameter and can connect to headphones via Bluetooth.

There are also a few wellness and hygiene products you'll want to add to your carry-on packing list. These will help keep surfaces, hands, and faces clean while covering you in the event of owies and popping ears from cabin pressure.

Best Sanitizing Wipes

The honest company sanitizing alcohol wipes.

These sanitizing wipes can be used to disinfect tray tables, clean armrests, and de-germ kids' hands when a proper sink and soap aren't available. But since they're made with alcohol, they shouldn't be used to clean faces or for diaper changes.

Best Wet Wipes

Nolla flushable wipes travel packs.

These skin-friendly wet wipes are fragrance free and super gentle, so you can use them not only to clean kids' hands but also their faces in a pinch. They're made from biodegradable materials, meaning you can flush them without worrying about polluting the water or clogging the drain.

Best Disposable Storage Bags

Hefty slider storage bags.

From used wet wipes to paper napkins and snack wrappers, you're bound to have many little bits of trash when flying with kids. I like to bring at least a couple of gallon-sized food storage bags on flights so I have somewhere other than my backpack or the plane seat pocket to shove garbage until I reach a trash receptacle at the airport.

Best First Aid Kit

Preparakit small compact first aid kit for kids.

This mini, TSA-approved first aid kit has everything you may need to tend to knicks, cuts, or splinters. (As is often the case with my kids, Band-Aids aren't just small wound dressings but also placebos for various blood-free boo-boos.) It's roughly the size of a wallet and contains 50 items, including adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, medical tape, and thermometer strips — to name just a few.

Best Ear Pressure Relief

Cirrus earplanes for kids.

EarPlanes are clever earplugs that help alleviate the discomfort of cabin pressure, especially during takeoff and landing. The kids' version are small and designed to fit children's ears. They also reduce noise by 20 decibels, which might help sleepy kiddos get some in-flight shut-eye.

Wrigley Chewing Gum Variety Pack of 10

If your kids are old enough to chew gum, it might help prevent their ears from popping during takeoff and landing. And, like lollipops, it's a long-lasting treat that might feel special on a flight. This classic variety pack has flavors both chewing gum-aged children and adults will enjoy.

Depending on your kids' ages and travel experience, they might be able to (or want to) carry their own cargo, like a backpack or carry-on suitcase. Other options include ride-on luggage and parents' personal item bags to tote all the must-haves mentioned above.

Best Kids' Suitcase

Rockland jr. kids' my first hardside spinner.

After testing some of the best kids' luggage on the market, the Rockland Jr. Hardside Spinner is our favorite for younger children. Even those ages 7 or younger should be able to push and pull the compact, lightweight suitcase. And the cute designs will get your mini traveler in training excited about the trip ahead.

Best Kids' Backpack

State kane kid's backpack.

Of all the kids' backpacks we tested, the State Kane Backpack is arguably the best for air travel. It has one spacious compartment with plenty of room for a small blanket, travel pillow, or change of clothes, plus a padded tablet sleeve, an easy-access front pocket for snacks or a charger, and side slots for water bottles. The designs cater to kids ages 4 through 8 and are versatile enough to grow with your child.

Best Diaper Bag

Bugaboo changing backpack.

We don't need to tell you to bring a diaper bag when flying with a baby . But even if you have slightly older kids, a diaper backpack that stashes the essentials while keeping your hands free isn't a bad idea. This one from Bugaboo is sophisticated enough for any adult to carry. We tested it firsthand and loved the light, comfy design, intuitive pockets, and handy laptop sleeve.

Best Ride-on Suitcase

​​stokke jetkids bedbox.

The JetKids BedBox is a ride-on suitcase , which, if you're not familiar, allows a small child to sit on top and be tugged around through an airport. It boasts a spacious main compartment and reliable rotating wheels that make it easy to maneuver over carpet and hard floors. Parents can also reattach the pull strap and carry it over their shoulder.

Prioritize entertainment

Some flights may have age-appropriate movies, but generally speaking, airplanes don't offer much in terms of kids' entertainment. Hoffman recommends bringing a tablet with downloaded shows or movies. "[I] hate to suggest more screen time, but tray tables are not toys," she notes. "I see this too often and just experienced a 10-hour flight where the tray table was the only entertainment."

It's good to have other portable activities in your bag of tricks, too, such as mini travel games , books, or fidget toys. "Stickers and coloring books are always a hit with my two kids (ages four and seven)," says Winokur. Something your child has never seen or used before might pique their interest best. "The magic of a new set of sparkle crayons or gel pens can really make the activity even more exciting," the parenting expert adds.

Hoffman also recommends asking to see the flight deck when deplaning, which can give children something to look forward to. "Pilots love to show kids buttons and a few fun things up there that can be interactive for kids."

Have everything charged and ready to go

Yes, airports and airplanes have outlets, USB ports, and WiFi — but they're not always reliable or accessible. With that in mind, make sure all electronics (both kids' and parents') are fully charged and ready to go, including tablets, phones, headphones, noise machines, etc.

Download shows or movies ahead of time so they can be streamed offline. (Most streaming services, like Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, allow you to do this.) "I use a splitter for the headphones so both my kids can watch or listen to music together on the same tablet or phone," says Winokur. A portable power bank might be a good idea, too, just in case.

Consolidate your kids' most-needed items

This is easier said than done when flying with kids, but it's smart to try to pack light. Consider what your child needs on the plane, what they'll actually use, and what will make your life easier. Make a list of these items, then consolidate them into one carry-on bag so everything is easily accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on a few factors, like your kids' ages, how many nights you'll be away, and whether you're checking bags. For some children, having their own luggage might get them excited about a family trip . In other cases, it may just be easiest for parents to consolidate everything into one suitcase.

"Anything goes as long as it's not a liquid or over 3.4 ounces," says Hoffman. She notes that there's an exception for larger containers of breastmilk, and warm water is always available for powdered formula, but it's best to stick with smaller portions whenever possible. "Yogurt packs and veggie purees seem to be the most popular and fall under TSA's 3.4-ounce rule," she notes. "I see a lot of cheese and crackers, mixed nuts, and PB&Js, too."

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and mother of two children under age six. With multiple family trips each year, including many flights, she's learned a few tricks to keep the littles happy when flying while also making parents' lives easier. As a travel writer and shopping expert, she knows how to find the best luggage, consumer tech, and accessories that make trips go as smoothly as possible. For this story, Theresa consulted lifestyle and parenting expert Megan Winokur and Jessica Hoffman, a flight attendant of 18 years.

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Checklist: Packing list for traveling with a toddler

• Traveling with your toddler : What you need to know
• Fawn Design Premium Vegan Leather Diaper Bag : A luxe place to store your stuff
• Hello Bello Diaper Variety Pack : Enough to carry you through your journey
• Hello Bello Wipes : Cleans more than diapered bums
• Skip Hop Pronto Signature Portable Changing Mat : Change your toddler anywhere
• Hudson Baby Sherpa Plush Blanket : Cuddly, cozy, and useful
• Bumkins Waterproof Wet Bag : Neatly holds dirty diapers and other messes
• KINIA Kids Hand Sanitizer Keychain Carriers : Keep sanitizer close at hand
• LiquiSnugs Silicone Travel Bottles : Don't leave your toddler shampoo behind
• Kleenex On-the-Go Facial Tissue : Ready when you need one
• Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Reusable Water-Reveal Activity Pads : Keeps kids busy during travel delays
• Carter's Snug Fit Cotton Footie PJs : A backup outfit for emergencies
• Babyganics Mineral-Based Baby Sunscreen Lotion : Portable sun protection
• Thermos FUNtainer Water Bottle : Keep kids hydrated on the road
• Chicco Caddy Hook-on Chair : A secure highchair for almost any table
• AUVON Plug-in LED Motion Sensor Nightlight : Make nighttime parenting easier
• ScotchBlue Multi-Surface Painter's Tape : Cover up sockets in a sec
• The Guava Lotus Portable Crib : A safe place to sleep, anywhere
• Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat : Light enough to bring on the plane
• Mountain Buggy Nano : Teeny-tiny travel stroller
• Yogasleep Rohm Portable White Noise Sound Machine : Help kids sleep well away from home
• Packing tips : Getting ready to travel with a toddler

It's wonderful to show your toddler the world. But toddlers have a whole new set of needs and safety considerations, so here's a checklist and other tips for what you'll need to travel smoothly with yours. And for more information, see our article on secrets to traveling with a toddler .

Why trust us?

Traveling with your toddler, what you need to know.

It's amazing to take your toddler to beautiful places and watch him or her make new discoveries, splash in a pool, play in the sand, or spend special time with family members.

But traveling with toddlers can also be difficult and exhausting. Toddlers crave routine. They get bored sightseeing . Interrupted naptimes can cause chaos on flights or outings. And meltdowns can happen anytime, anywhere.

Luckily, there are many strategies you can use to make traveling with your toddler easier , like starting and ending your day early. Toddlers are old enough to "help" pack for your trip together, and can carry some of their own stuff. (Which is good, because toddlers need a lot of gear to keep them safe and happy on the road!)

Here's a roundup of the things you're likely to need.

Fawn Design Premium Vegan Leather Diaper Bag

A luxe place to store your stuff, hello bello diaper variety pack, enough to carry you through your journey, hello bello wipes, cleans more than diapered bums, skip hop pronto signature portable changing mat, change your toddler anywhere, hudson baby sherpa plush blanket, cuddly, cozy, and useful, bumkins waterproof wet bag, neatly holds dirty diapers and other messes, kinia kids hand sanitizer keychain carriers, keep sanitizer close at hand, liquisnugs silicone travel bottles, don't leave your toddler shampoo behind, kleenex on-the-go facial tissue, ready when you need one, melissa & doug on the go water wow reusable water-reveal activity pads, keeps kids busy during travel delays, carter's snug fit cotton footie pjs, a backup outfit for emergencies, babyganics mineral-based baby sunscreen lotion, portable sun protection, thermos funtainer water bottle, keep kids hydrated on the road, chicco caddy hook-on chair, a secure highchair for almost any table, auvon plug-in led motion sensor nightlight, make nighttime parenting easier, scotchblue multi-surface painter's tape, cover up sockets in a sec, the guava lotus portable crib, a safe place to sleep, anywhere, cosco scenera next convertible car seat, light enough to bring on the plane.

It's tempting to skip the car seat for your toddler when you're on the plane , but it's safer for your little one to be strapped in, just like in a car. Plus you'll likely need a car seat when you arrive. The classic traveling parent go-to seat is the Cosco Scenera Next. It's lightweight, affordable, and easy to install on a plane or in a car at your destination.

Mountain Buggy Nano

Teeny-tiny travel stroller, yogasleep rohm portable white noise sound machine, help kids sleep well away from home, packing tips, getting ready to travel with a toddler.

• Start preparing to pack a few days before you travel. Keep a running list of things to bring or set out items on a table or dresser as you think of them.
• Pack an extra outfit for your child in your diaper bag and one in your carry-on for yourself, too – just in case.
• Prevent leaks by packing medicines and toiletries in resealable plastic bags.
• Don't forget chargers and cords for your phone and other devices.
• Watch our video on childproofing for your toddler when you're away from home.

Was this article helpful?

Our research

AAP. 2011a. Family-friendly flying. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Family-Friendly-Flying.aspx

AAP. 2011b. Heading out with baby. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Heading-Out-With-Baby.aspx

AAP. 2011c. Travel safety tips. American Academy of Pediatrics. http://www.healthychildren.org/English/news/Pages/Travel-Safety-Tips.aspx

Consumer Reports. 2011. Roadside emergency kit: What to carry with you. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/tires-auto-parts/auto-parts/roadside-emergency-kit-what-to-carry-with-you-1105/overview/index.htm

Consumer Reports. 2009a. Travel tip: Hotel cribs and play yards. http://news.consumerreports.org/baby/2009/11/travel-tip-for-parents-take-your-own-play-yard-hotel-crib-safety-problem.html

Consumer Reports. 2009b. Travel tip: Take your own play yard. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/baby-toddler/play-and-activity/play-yards/play-yards/play-yard-travel-tips/play-yard-travel-tips.htm

FEMA. 2011. Are you ready? Assemble a disaster supplies kit. Federal Emergency Management Agency. http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/assemble_disaster_supplies_kit.shtm

Nemours Foundation. 2009. Staying healthy while you travel. http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/family_travel.html

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Where to go next

Ultimate Family Travel Packing List

This ultimate family travel packing list will help keep you organized and ensure you don’t forget anything before you leave on your next trip.

There are so many things to think about when travelling with kids.

To make the process easier, it’s always best to have a packing list handy.

It can be hard to remember everything you need for an overnight trip or long flight, let alone all of the little details that will keep your family happy and comfortable!

That’s why we’ve created this blog post – packed full of useful tips and items that will help you pack like a pro next time you’re travelling with kids.

This family travel packing list covers everything from your clothes and travel gear to all the little things that will keep your kids happy while you are travelling.

To make it easy to read, we’ve included links in each section so you can easily find what you’re looking for.

We’ve also included links to Amazon, in case you want to learn more about certain products. (We only recommend products that we personally use and love!)

Before You Go

Before you even start packing, there are some preparations to be made. In addition to the obvious ones like booking travel tickets and accommodation and ensuring passports are up to date, there are a few other things to do before you leave.

• Book travel tickets
• Check if visas are needed
• Ensure passports are up to date and valid for 6 months past your return date
•  Check if vaccinations are up to date, or needed for travel
• Purchase travel insurance
• Organize documents and photocopy an extra set
• Book accommodations , at least for the first few nights
• If you own a home, turn down the heat, close and lock all windows and doors, arrange for mail to be picked up, empty the garbage and arrange for someone to check on your house

Read more | 16 Things to Do Before Leaving for Vacation

How long of a trip is this family travel packing list good for?

This family travel packing list is perfect to use for any length of travel, whether you are going away for one week or a few months.

We’ve noted where things may be added or not necessary, depending on how long you are travelling for.

For instance, if you are travelling for a week you won’t need to bring laundry soap, but if you are travelling for a few months, laundry soap will come in handy!

Family Travel Packing List at a Glance

Documents: Passport, ID, Driver’s License, tickets, flight/train/hotel reservations, visas, International Drivers license, health insurance, travel insurance, credit card, emergency contact info

Carry-on Essentials: phone, book/magazine, gum, pen, snacks, water bottle, lip chap, sunglasses, tissues, activities for kids

Luggage: backpack or suitcase, carry on or personal bag, packing cubes, travel organizers

Clothing: tanks, tees, sweater, pants, skirt, dress, shorts, bathing suit, hat, scarf, undies, bras, socks

Shoes: walking shoes, hiking boots, shower shoes or flip flops

Accesories: coat, hat, mitts, warm scarf

Toiletries: shampoo, soap, toothpaste & brush, hairbrush, elastics, face moisturizer, makeup, deodorant, quick dry towel

First Aid Kit: – bandaids, gauze, ointment, scissors, tweezers, thermometer, pain relievers

Electronics: camera, lens, memory card, battery charger, USB Flashdrive, portable speaker & cord, laptop & charger, phone & charger, external hard drive, headphones/ear buds, tablet

Other travel accessories: door stop, water purifier, travel clothesline, clothespins, laundry soap, laundry bag, Ziploc bags, umbrella, sunscreen, aloe vera gel (for after sun!)

Apps: booking.com, airbnb, google maps, google translate, maps.me, XE currency, whatsapp, skype

Read more | 15 Great FREE Travel Apps for Families

Types of Luggage

You will also need to decide what kind of luggage you are using.

This may depend on how long you are travelling for – if you are heading away for a week, you may only need a carry-on bag but if you are travelling for a few months, you may want a larger suitcase or backpack.

Read more | How to Travel with Carry On Only: 11 Tips to Pack Light

Other things to consider are the ages of your kids. Can they carry their own things or you need to pack their clothes as well?

Depending on the answer, you may need a bigger suitcase or if your kids are carrying their own suitcases, you may only need a smaller one.

We travel with either a 55L Osprey backpack (that holds all the clothes as well as the extra travel stuff), or a small carry-on size backpack, two small carryon suitcases (for the boys’ books and toys), two small backpacks (boys’ carryon bags) and a larger carryon (mom) with the camera and carry-on things.

Travel Gear for Family Travel

Adult Luggage : Backpack versus suitcase is a great debate and it really just comes down to personal preference. I’ve used both and prefer having a backpack, especially with young kids, so that my hands are free.

The Osprey Fairview is what I use now.

I love that it opens up similar to a suitcase so you can access everything inside, not just what’s at the top. It also has a handy day pack that zips off when needed. 

I have both the 40L and the 55L and use the larger one when we travel for more than a month.

Kids luggage: Kid luggage is a bit trickier. Depending on the age (and size) of your child, traditional carry-on luggage may be too heavy and awkward for them to use.

There are plenty of suitcases designed for kids, but some aren’t practical for travelling.

We’ve found that wheeled suitcases are good, but two wheels work better than the 4 wheeled suitcases.

The boys use these lightweight fabric suitcases , which are a touch smaller and lighter than a regular carry-on size suitcase. They’ve been carrying their own suitcases since they were 4 and these were perfect size for them to manage.

Read more | The Best Carry-On Luggage for Family Travel in 2022

Daypacks: We all have a carry-on backpack that doubles as a daypack. Mom carries a Neewer Camera Bag that holds the cameras, while the boys carry their own daypack with the things they need (activities, change of clothes, water and some snacks).

I also take this carry-on bag that holds the camera bag, plus anything else we need to keep handy. It’s pretty large and can also double as a day bag on our travels, if we aren’t taking the camera bag.

Packing Cubes: We love compression packing cubes and everyone has a different coloured set, which makes it easier for us to stay organized. 

If you’re not using packing cubes yet, here’s a whole post on why you should use them .

Cord Organizer: This Bagsmart cord organizer has been a lifesaver for me! It holds all the cords, chargers, USB sticks, SIM cards and earphones and it zips closed, keeping everything neatly in one spot.

Passport and Document Organizer: This travel wallet is handy to keep everything together, all the passports, tickets, boarding passes etc. We also carry a few other documents, including a reference card and emergency contact card. You can find a list of essential documents here.

Other Gear You May Want to Pack

Laundry Bag:   We just use an extra pillow case to hold the dirty laundry but you can find specific laundry bags to use. Really, anything that will keep the clean and dirty clothes separate works!

Wet Bag: If you’re planning on spending some time at the beach or a pool, a wet bag may come in handy! We use ours to put wet bathing suits in, whether to come back from a day at the beach, or if we are leaving the hotel before our bathing suits are fully dry.

Clothespins: Clothespins are handy for a few different things! Many places won’t have a dryer, so you might need to hang laundry to dry. Clothespins are also great for clipping curtains together to keep out the light!

Travel Towel: If you’re staying at a hotel, you may not need a travel towel, but if you’re staying at a hostel or other type of accommodation, you may need one!

There are so many different options, from a small, compact travel towel to larger, but AMAZING, Turkish towels.

Decide which works best for you, depending on how much room you have in your luggage!

Dishes: We travel with two small bowls, two plastic plates and two plastic cups.

If you’re staying in apartments or airbnb’s on your travels, they probably have dishes, but they may not have kid-size dishes.

I always feel better taking our own non-breakable ones for the boys to use.

They also come in handy if you are eating a meal in a hotel room!

Laundry Soap: While we don’t always carry this, if you’re planning on being away for more than a few weeks and need to do laundry, you can always bring a bit of your own laundry soap.

We used to carry a small Ziploc bag of laundry powder, measured out to do a few loads while we are away, but recently I’ve switched to using these amazing laundry sheets !

Reusable Bag: Many places are not providing plastic bags anymore, so having your own reusable bag is a good idea!

There are many small bags that fold up into a small pouch and easily fit in your purse or daypack.

They’re great for getting groceries or to use as an extra bag when your kids decide they don’t want to wear their sweater/hat/sunglasses anymore!

Door Stop Alarm: As a solo parent travelling with kids, I feel much safer bringing this door stop alarm along! We’ve used it in hotels as well as apartments and it just makes me feel a touch safer!

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Clothing to pack for family travel.

Much of this list will depend WHERE you are travelling to and the climate there.

Use this family travel packing list as a basic list, omitting what you don’t need.

Keep in mind that you will inevitably overpack and you won’t need everything you pack!

You can always do laundry or rinse clothes out in the bathroom sink.

Tops: Aim for 7 tops, a mix of t-shirts, long sleeve and tank tops, depending on the climate

Bottoms: 4 or 5 bottoms, a mix of shorts and pants (jeans, dress pants, comfy pants)

Sweater: one zip up sweater (if you’re flying, wear this on the plane!) and one fleece (depending on climate)

Coat: Chances are you will need at least one type of jacket, whether it’s a rain jacket or thicker winter jacket. I like the puffer style winter jackets, as they pack really well.

Scarf: I always bring a scarf with me. It’s great for those chilly airplane drafts and can be worn over the hair/head if needed in certain places.

Underwear: 7 to 10 underwear – This is where we overpack a bit, but it saves me doing as much laundry and underwear is small enough that I think it’s ok to bring a bit extra! 

Socks: 2-5 pairs of socks. Depending on the climate that you are travelling to, you may not need socks at all, but I always pack at least one pair to wear with my running shoes.

Shoes: Everyone will have different ideas about how many shoes are needed! We travel with at least 2 pairs, wear one and pack the other. We usually try to bring a pair of sandals and a shoe or boot. The boys take a pair of keen sandals and a pair of crocs (lined in the winter, unlined for the summer). I love my Birkenstocks and will wear them unless it’s snowing! A pair of flip flops or water shoes are also a good idea if you are heading to the beach or a pool.

Hat: sun hat or baseball cap for warmer weather and a winter hat for colder temperatures.

Sunglasses: Winter or summer, sunglasses are a good idea to pack!

Bathing Suits: If you are heading somewhere with a pool, be sure to pack a bathing suit! Googles are also a good idea for kids, and a travel towel. My guys have this microfiber towel from Dock & Bay that’s great to travel with!

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo/Conditioner – many hotels will provide shampoo (but not all!) and if you are staying at an apartment or airbnb, you will need to bring your own.
• Soap – again, most hotels will provide some, but you will need to provide your own at some other accommodations.
• Other daily care items – deodorant, brush, moisturizer, qtips, hairdryer, etc.
• Travel Towel – most places WILL have towels, but I still carry one, just in case!

Optional: You may also want to bring sunscreen or bugspray, depending on where you are travelling to.

**Keep in mind that any liquids, shampoos, etc that are larger than 100ml (3.4oz) will need to be packed in checked luggage. If you are travelling with only carry-on, make sure to have travel size containers and have them readily available in a Ziploc bag to pass through security.

First Aid Kit:

If you don’t have a first aid kit for travelling yet, head over to this post to see what you should have in a travel first aid kit. You can also find some premade on amazon .

• Charger for everything!!  Laptop, phone, camera, tablet, whatever device you bring, make sure to bring the charger too!
• Camera and charger
• Laptop and/or tablet and charger(s)
• Phone and charger
• Universal Travel Adaptor
• Optional: USB Flash Drive, extra memory card, earphones

**We use this electronics organizer to keep all the cords, memory cards, SIM cards and USB cards together in one place.

Extras Items to Pack when Travelling with Kids:

Blanket: It’s great for the plane and to provide a bit of comfort away from home Books: yes, you can get books online, but we still enjoy paper books as well! Colouring or activity book – and crayons! A few small toys if your kids are young

Read more | What to Pack in a Carry-on When Travelling with Kids

Snacks: I always pack a few snacks in the carry-on bag for the beginning of the trip, but also bring a few extra in my bag. While you can buy snacks wherever you are travelling to, it’s nice to have a few ‘from-home’ snacks that you know your kids will like, and it will save you from having to go shopping the first day or two or your trip!

Car Seats: Depending on the ages of your kids, you may or may not need car seats. If you are planning to rent a car while you are travelling, you may want to bring your own car seat! Here are some of the best car seats for travel , including booster seats and alternatives to car seats. We love the mi-fold – it’s really compact and lightweight, easy to install and safe for kids 4+ who are over 40lbs.

Documents to Pack:

• Credit Cards, debit cards
• Travel Insurance – take the pocket size card with the details and contact info
• Visas – check ahead to see if a visa is needed
• Drivers License
• Birth Certificates for kids – **Bring a photocopy and leave the original at home!
• Emergency Contact Info

*Both of the boys carry a photo copy of their birth certificates and a copy of all the passports, as well as an emergency contact card with several phone numbers, just in case….

After having my purse stolen once, including my wallet with the photocopy of their birth certificates which meant we had a hard time re-entering Canada, I now keep an extra copy of birth certificates, passport numbers and health card/travel insurance in each of the boys backpack, as well as a copy in my backpack. 

Read more | Essential Documents to Travel

Other Useful Packing Tips:

• Less is more!  Plan what you think you need to pack, then cut it in half. You can always pick up things along your travels.
• Practice before you go. And I don’t mean the hour or two before you leave. Pack a few days ahead of time, make sure it all fits AND that you can carry it!
• We’ve used this list for everything from one week vacations to 3 month trips in several climates.
• Be sure to pack any liquids larger than 100ml/3.4oz in checked luggage. If you are taking a corkscrew or pocketknife, that needs to go in checked luggage as well!

I hope this family travel packing list was helpful!

If you’d like to know more about any of these items or if there’s something missing, be sure to reach out and let us know! We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Have a great trip with your family!

Get the Family Travel Packing List

Erin Martin is the founder and sole writer for Wanderlust with Kids. Together with her twin boys, they have travelled to over 20 countries and five provinces within Canada. Erin is responsible for planning and facilitating all of her family's travel itineraries and adventures, whether locally or internationally. An explorer at heart, Erin aims to make any travel adventure kid-friendly and shares all her favourite family-friendly things to do, both in Canada and abroad.

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The Housewife Modern

Inspiration & Resources for the modern homemaker

Free Printable Travel Packing List for Toddlers

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I’ve learned one thing from all my traveling…always try the local food. Okay, that has nothing to do with this post. But another important thing I’ve learned is that it’s better to have a master packing list you re-use than trying to remember each trip what to bring. I have my own master packing list and have used it over and over again. But I got a reader request pointing out that I don’t have any lists for kids! I started to put a list together and then realized each age group has very different needs. Hence this free printable travel packing list for toddlers!

If you’re looking to pack for others in the family, check out these other amazing travel packing lists: •  Free Printable Vacation Clothing Planner & Travel Packing List • Free Printable Travel Packing List for Babies • Free Printable Travel Packing List for School Age Children

Instructions: • Print options: regular paper works just fine. • All of the files are in pdf below. Or click on the image. It will open in a new window and you can either print directly or save to computer. The pdf will be of higher quality if that is a concern. • The default size of these is full-page. However, if you want smaller, simply reduce the print size! If you’re looking on how to resize printables, check out my post: “ How to Resize Printables to Fit Your Planner. “

~~~~~This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission which helps keep my blog up and running but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Click here to read my full disclosure policy .~~~~~

Packing List_Toddlers_pdf   <<<Click there to download pdf

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What to Pack When Traveling With Baby

Fact-checking standards, when can you travel with your baby, read this next, what to pack for your baby in a carry-on bag, what to pack in your baby's suitcase.

Happy travels!

What to Expect the First Year , 3rd edition, Heidi Murkoff. WhatToExpect.com, Flying With a Baby? Here's What to Know Before You Go , September 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Do Babies Need Passports? , October 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Best Travel Toys for Babies , February 2021. WhatToExpect.com, Baby Products You Can Take on a Plane , September 2020. American Academy of Pediatrics, Flying with Baby: Parent FAQs , November 2019. American Academy of Pediatrics, Is It Safe for Families to Travel Now? , August 2021. American Academy of Pediatrics, Travel Safety Tips , August 2018.  American Academy of Pediatrics, Is It Safe for My Baby to Travel in a Car Seat a Few Hours at a Time? , August 2021. Transportation Security Administration, Traveling with Children . Federal Aviation Administration, Flying with Children , March 2021. Mayo Clinic, Is Air Travel Safe for an Infant? , October 2019.

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The Ultimate Packing List for Baby Travel (+printable checklist!)

Over the years, i’ve written a lot about how to travel with a baby..

Between leaping head first into baby travel when Evelyn was 5 weeks old, to taking our special needs baby Sophie on several trips around the country, we’ve become pretty well-acquainted with the world of travel with a baby by now.

Truthfully, traveling with a baby is not all that bad. But it does require a ton of preparation for  all the things  that you might possibly need.

We’ve covered  what to pack in your carry on  before, along with  everything you need to know before flying with a baby . I’ve even shared our favorite baby travel gear and travel-friendly toys .

But one thing I haven’t covered? A comprehensive, everything-you-must-pack guide to make the whole trip with baby go extra smoothly!

We were reminded of just how much stuff one little human can require as we prepared for our month-long adventure around Southern California . Our packing list felt endless . And I can say pretty confidently that we left nothing behind.

So let me spare you the stress of wondering “what am I forgetting” ?

Read on for our ultimate baby packing list of EVERYTHING you might ever need when traveling with a baby!  (+a free printable checklist at the bottom of this post!)

Pin it for later:.

BabyBjorn Travel Crib | Brica Travel Bassinet | BabyZen Yoyo Stroller | BabyZen Bassinet | MiaMily Carrier | MiaMily Infant Insert | Babyzen Yoyo Adapter Clips | Doona Car Seat Stroller | MaxiCosi Car Sea t | Car Seat Travel Bag

Baby Packing List | Travel Gear

First things first, the big stuff !

You may not need all of these items for every trip, but for the most part, we bring this same travel-friendly baby gear just about everywhere we go:

• Baby Carrier | A baby carrier is a must, even if it’s nothing more than an efficient way to move through the airport. I know not all kiddos love the carrier, but we find that having both a carrier and stroller available when we travel with Sophie is essential. You just never know when you’ll run into a place with lots of stairs or uneven sidwalks, so it’s good to have a back up that will keep you moving freely. We started out with the  ErgoBaby , but made the switch to the more lightweight and compact  MiaMily toddler carrier with Infant Insert and absolutely love it. Still on the fence? Read up and compare  all of our favorite carriers for babies and toddlers here .
• Stroller  | Even though our carrier is indispensable, we like to have options. For newborns, I adore the Doona Car Seat & Stroller 2-in-1 . I only wish this had been around when our girls were babies because it takes so much hassle out of traveling with a baby! For us personally, we love and recommend the lightweight and carry-on compliant  Babyzen YOYO+ , which is great for older babies who can sit up on their own (don’t forget the puchase a compatible backpack carry bag – so worth it)! For newborns you can add on the bassinet pack onto the YOYO+, just keep in mind you will have to gate check the stroller with this add-on.
• Car Seat  | Depending on where you’re going, you may or may not want to bring the car seat. If you will need one, the Maxi Cosi and  Nuna Pipa  are two that can adapt to a YOYO+ without the bassinet add-on (just get some  adapters like these , and you’re good to go!). For older babies, a popular choice is the  Cosco Scenera Next , which is super lightweight at just 10 pounds. I recommend getting a car seat bag to keep it clean while flying, and if you’re worried about it getting banged up by luggage handlers, you can upgrade to a padded car seat bag .
• Travel Crib | We’ve always brought our own travel crib, mostly because I want our kids to feel the comfort of a familiar sleeping environment, no matter where we are. We’ve been especially happy with our  Baby Bjorn Travel Crib , which has held up with our travels all over the country these past 6 years. For infants, you can get away with a more compact option, like this Travel Pod Bassinet . And if you’re in a pinch, most family-friendly hotels will offer cribs for free, or you can rent one from a baby gear rental company, like BabyQuip . Read up on all  our favorite baby travel cribs here .

Pro Tip: Don’t want the stress of traveling with all your gear? Use BabyQuip and get bulky items like cribs, strollers, high chairs, car seats and so much more delivered straight to your hotel or rental!

Packing Cubes | Sun Hat | Baby Socks | Moccasins | Pajamas | Boys Swimsuit | Girls Swimsuit

Baby Packing List | Clothes

Sure, babies require a lot of stuff to pack, but the one area where they don’t take up much space in the suitcase: clothes!

I use these packing cubes for everyone in the family and almost everything for baby can fit into just one:

• Pants & Leggings  | Usually 2-3 pairs. In colder months I’ll skip the rompers and dresses, and add more leggings, pants and sweaters.
• Shirts & Onesies | Usually 2-3 tops, adding 2-3 more in winter months.
• Dresses or Rompers | Usually 2-3 for warmer destinations, because they’re so easy to pack and don’t require mixing and matching tops and bottoms.
• Socks | 2-3 pairs , even in the summer months in case we end up somewhere chilly.
• Booties or Shoes | I’ve recently become obsessed with little baby shoes, but I try to stick to one simple pair of baby moccasins that match everything for travel, like these from BirdRock Baby .
• Hat | A must, no matter where you’re traveling, whether a sun hat for the spring and winter, or a fuzzy hat for the fall and winter.
• Swimsuit | Only if necessary, of course. These boy and girl options from Rufflebutts are our favorites.
• Pajamas | I stick to just 2 pairs of footie pajamas  (plus a 3rd pair worn on our travel day).

This might not seem like a lot of clothes, but if we’re traveling for more than 5 days, we’ll wash and rewear items to keep our packing light. This means making sure we have access to laundry facilities while we travel (whether it be an Airbnb with a washing machine, hotel with a laundry room, or a wash and fold laundry service nearby).

Tommee Tippee Bottles | Formula Dispenser | Travel Mug | Slim Ice Packs | Pumping Backpack | Breast Pump Battery Pack | Bottle Cooler | Nursing/Car Seat Cover | Muslin Swaddle Blankets | Dr. Brown’s Bottle Wipes | Travel Dish Soap | Travel Bottle Drying Rac k ( similar one here ) | Stackable Snack Container | Silicone Snack Cup | Wipe-Clean Bibs | Spoon with Case | Folding Spoons | Squeeze Pouch Baby Food | Sippy Cup with Weighted Straw | Travel High Chair

Baby Packing List | Nursing & Feeding

Things change quickly with a baby, and depending on their age and feeding habits, you may need any of the following:

• Bottles | We’ve always traveled with just two bottles and been fine. Tommee Tippee and Dr. Brown’s are our favorites.
• Drying Rack | I love our OXO travel drying rack ( similar option here ); it’s come in handy more times than I can count! We also have a larger version of this Boon travel drying rack at home, and would highly recommend either. It’s truly one of the items you don’t think you need until you’re balancing wet bottles around a hotel sink.
• Dish Soap | Never fails, I always forget dish soap! If you’re staying in an Airbnb, there’s no need to bring your own (unless you’re particular about what you use). But if you’re staying in a hotel, for sure pack this little travel-size one  for washing bottles!
• Nursing Cover | There’s a good chance you’ll have little privacy for nursing during travels, and at the very least a nursing cover can help with getting little ones to fall asleep in busy places. Or for a lighter solution, a muslin swaddle is great and doubles as a blankie.
• Breast Pump & Supplies  | It’s a pain to lug around for sure, but if you’re going to need it, consider investing in a few pieces to make pumping on-the-go easier: a special  backpack and battery pack . (and good news, the airline won’t count this against your carry on luggage allowance)
• Cooler Bag | We love a little cooler bag with ultra-thin ice packs , or if you need room for more bottles, this Medela cooler bag is a great option too.
• Formula Dispenser | For babies on a formula-fed diet, this little guy makes mixing bottles on the go so much easier .
• Tall Insulated Mug  | This simple, yet useful item is a must for an on-the-go bottle warmer. Just ask your airport coffee shop to fill it with piping hot water after you get through security, and then dip your bottle in to warm milk up in no time!
• Wipe-Clean Bib | Once baby is into solids, a wipe-and-reuse bib is awesome for on-the-go feedings.
• Travel Spoon | Our favorite is still this one that comes with a little case for easy storage, or try these squeeze pouch food adapter spoons .
• Snack Catcher | This travel container is perfect for little cereals you don’t want spilled all over.
• Squeeze Pouch Baby Food | If you’re feeding while traveling, skip the mess and squeeze it from  pouch form onto the spoon!
• Sippy Cup | We’ve tried many of the years, and these classic sippy cups from Munchkin or these sippy cups with weighted straws are both at the top of our list of favorites.
• Bottles Wipes | It’s tough to clean bottles, pacifiers, and spoons on-the-go, but  these bottle wipes are a safe and easy way to do it when you don’t have a sink handy.
• Travel High Chair | If you have the space for it, I can’t recommend this travel high chair enough, which folds down flat for packing. You could also opt for a cloth seat harness for an even lighter, more compact option.

Refillable Wipes Case | Dirty Diaper Baggies | Hand Sanitizer | Hand Sanitizing Wipes | Natural Bug Spray | Sunscreen Stick | Brush & Comb Set | GoToob+ Container | 2-in-1 Shampoo and Body Wash | First Aid Kit | Inflatable Bath Tub | Travel Size Pain Reliever | Travel Size Diaper Rash Cream | Travel Size Lotion | Travel Thermometer | Nail Clipper

Baby Packing List | Health & Bath

• Diapers | My rule of thumb is to pack a maximum of 8 diapers in the baby backpack and then buy more as soon as we arrive.
• Travel Wipes Case | These no-frills travel wipes cases have become my favorite over the years. Like diapers, I load one up with as many as I can fit and then buy more once we’ve arrived in our destination.
• Dirty Diaper Baggies | These dirty diaper baggies have also come in handy more times than I can count.
• Baby First Aid Kit | We keep a super simple kit that includes only the basics, like travel-size diaper rash cream , infant pain reliever , a few bandages , a small  thermometer , nail clipper , skin cream , etc. For all those other ‘what if’s’, we’ll buy it at our destination if needed.
• Prescription Medicines | Keep liquids in their original containers to avoid any issues with TSA, and for anything needing kept cold, we use our bottle cooler bag with ultra-thin ice packs .
• Sunscreen | These pocket sunscreen sticks are my absolute favorite because they’re easy to apply and take up so much less space.
• Mosquito Repellent | This natural one is our favorite. No chemicals or stink!
• Sanitizing Wipes | Especially good for wiping down a dirty airplane seat. I always keep a small travel-size pack in the diaper backpack.
• Hand Sanitizer | For obvious reasons, I always keep a travel-size hand sanitize r clipped to the backpack.
• Baby Shampoo & Body Wash | This 2-in-1 combo is our favorite, filled in a small GoToob+ travel container .
• Brush or Comb | Of course.
• Inflatable Travel Tub | Finally, this handy inflatable bath tub is an absolute favorite of ours and has gotten way more use than I ever thought it would. It’s definitely worth the purchase if you don’t have access to a tub or your baby is not sitting up on their own yet.

Read Next: Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling with a Baby

Portable Baby Gym (similar travel-friendly option here ) | Muslin Swaddle Blankets | Minkie Blanket | Baby Shusher | Clip-On Sound Machine | Pacifier Clips | Pacifiers | Peek-A-Boo Book | Stacking Cups | Musical Toy | Travel Crib Sheet

Baby Packing List | Play & Sleep

• Play Mat | We’ve stayed in lots of Airbnbs with hardwood floors and little comfortable space for baby to play. I so wish this fold-and-go baby gym was around when my kids were little (or this similar travel-friendly option ).
• Small Toys | I try to keep toys to a minimum, mostly because when you’re traveling, you’re out and about a lot anyway. Sassy brand makes a ton of my favorite simple baby toys, and I keep a little collection in one of these  mesh storage bags for easy packing.
• Pacifiers & Pacifier Clips | We find these pacifiers with these clips  to work great!
• Swaddle Blankets | Another must-pack item, Aden & Anais makes our favorite muslin swaddle blankets that double as a nursing cover or burp rag too.
• Crib Sheet | Whether you bring your own travel crib or use the hotels, we like to have our own crib sheet. This crib sheet that’s designed specifically for portable cribs has traveled with us again and again.
• White Noise Machine | We love our  Shusher and I swear it has made all the difference in helping our babies fall asleep in new places. This portable sound machine is another favorite among traveling moms.
• Favorite Blankie | Even though it can be a bit of a pain to travel with, having a soft baby blanket sure is nice for wrapping baby up on a cold airplane or having a familiar comfort from home.

FreshlyPicked Diaper Backpack | Passport Cover | Reusable Storage Bags | Dropper Stopper Tether (similar options here and here )

Baby Packing List |  Miscellaneous Must-Haves

• Diaper Backpack | A good diaper bag is essential, and I can’t recommend going with a backpack style enough! Having your hands free, especially in airports, is a necessity, and this FreshlyPicked diaper backpack has travelled with us all over the world!
• Birth Certificate or Passport | Did you know some airlines require you to show a birth certificate for your lap baby? To be safe, I always carry a copy in my wallet. And if you’re planning on traveling internationally, be sure to start the process for your baby’s passport as soon as possible.
• Dropper Stopper Baby Tether | From toys, to bottles, to snack cups, this is our favorite item for keeping all of our baby essentials from hitting the dirty airplane floor (similar options here and here )
• Plastic Storage Bags | Whether one-time use, or an  eco-friendly reusable , we’re always finding a need for the modest plastic storage bag. Whether for dirty clothes from a blow out incident, saving leftover snacks, keeping trinkets and keepsakes together, we’re always finding a new use for these.

Free Printable Checklist: Baby Travel Packing List!

It doesn’t matter how many times we’ve traveled with a baby, I’m always bound to forget something!

After many missed essentials, I finally created our own baby travel packing list ! We use it for every trip, and now you can use for yourself!

get it here!

Thanks for being a subscriber!

PS. You can also find this and all of our  printable family travel planning tools exclusively for subscribers in our free resource library .

What are your must-have packing list items when traveling with baby?

Wife and mom to two sassy little girls, Laura has been sharing her family's travels here on Our Next Adventure since 2016! Though lots has changed in both our family and the world of travel over the years, one thing remains: we love exploring new places together!

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6 travel organization tips for a pain-free PCS with a toddler

By Jaimi Erickson

Posted on Sep 13, 2024 2:33 PM PDT

Planning a PCS road trip with a toddler presents quite a few challenges, but with the right approach, it can be manageable. Avoiding toddler meltdowns on a PCS road trip is a parent’s primary focus. PCS time comes with its own challenges and making that trek with toddlers adds an extra element of adventure. 

Key points for making the travel successful include packing smart, planning frequent stops to let your toddler stretch and play, and organizing snacks and activities to keep them entertained. Proactively planning for the essentials makes a PCS road trip with toddlers more comfortable for everyone in the vehicle. These six tips for getting organized will calm stress and make the journey memorable.

6 Tips for PCSing With A Toddler

Keep toddlers content in the car.

Create a fun grab-bag of play items to keep toddlers busy while driving long distances. Think of this as a Mary Poppins bag of fun. 

Prepare a backpack or diaper bag with special travel games , toddler-friendly books and toys that are road trip friendly. These should be durable and washable items. Include a selection of kid-friendly music as a distraction until the next pit stop is available. When toddlers can hold comfort items in their hands and hear familiar music the journey is more enjoyable for everyone.

Bring all the snacks, and then add extra

Special road trip snacks are a great way to buy yourself more time on the road in between meal stops. Have a bag of toddler-friendly snacks. When they get antsy, offer them a snack if the toys and music are not keeping them content. Always pack more snacks than you think you will need, just in case.

Plan for stops near parks, or playgrounds 

When traveling with a toddler, maximize every stop. Plan your trip so stops occur around the location of parks, playgrounds or restaurants with play places. Spend a good hour at each stop. Toddlers need to burn energy after long stretches in the car. Allowing time for them to climb, run and play out of their carseat may help your toddler last in the car for longer stretches of time. 

State rest stops often have green space. This is a prime location to let toddlers run with supervision. Encourage toddlers to move out the wiggles at rest stops before heading back out on the road. If an overnight stay is in the plan, burning energy at rest stops will be essential to everyone getting better sleep in the hotel.

Plan for shorter travel days

On a PCS move with small children, accommodation needs to be made for shorter travel days. Planning a total daily travel time of six hours each day may be a good goal. Traveling with a toddler will make the journey feel longer. Include your longer stops into any daily mileage plan. 

Choose hotels with pools and spend time in the evening

Make kid-friendly hotel choices. Spend time at hotel stops, in the pool or at a playground, to help everyone avoid road trip overwhelm. That is the theme of the trip: finding ways to burn that little kid energy! Choose hotels that have a pool, are located near a playground, or have restaurants or a mall nearby with a play area. Including these in your trip can make the travel more fun for everyone. 

You will have a diversion in the evening. Your toddler will be less likely to bounce off the walls of your hotel room. And, you will know you have done your best to meet your child’s needs amidst all the challenges of a military PCS move.

Form lasting memories along the journey

Military families can navigate PCS road trips with toddlers in tow and make lasting memories along the way. Create a PCS plan with smart stops and pack toddler-friendly essentials. Include a snack bag, travel toys and books, and park locations with space to run so everyone gets time to stretch their legs and burn energy. 

Think of a PCS with a toddler as a family adventure. With some key planning and time management, a PCS road trip with small children can be successful. Making family memories is worth the effort of the journey.