travel essentials for 3 month old

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:.

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!

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).

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.

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

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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The Complete Baby Packing List: What to Pack for Babies When You Travel

Packing for any family vacation is stressful enough, and once you throw a baby into the mix, forget it. Between bottles, clothes, toys, and accessories—so many accessories!—there’s a lot to remember. And forgetting anything from your baby packing list could lead to what feels like a vacation disaster.

The Essential Baby Packing List

Before you panic about forgetting something important for the plane , beach , or hotel , take a deep breath and relax. Our complete baby travel packing list outlines all the must-have items for traveling with a baby. From diaper-bag necessities to in-flight essential items, we’ve thought through everything you’ll need on your next family vacation . Read on for packing tips, a printable packing list you can customize for each trip, and details about our favorite picks for each category.

Jump to a Section:

Packing Tips for Traveling with a Baby
Downloadable Baby Packing List

Baby Gear Recommendations

Packing tips: traveling with a baby.

Traveling with a baby is no easy feat. You need a baby packing list, of course, but it’s also important to know the best strategies. Here are five important tips for taking your baby on vacation.

1. Embrace being prepared

This is the only time in your life when overpacking might actually be the right thing to do. While you don’t want to go too overboard—you’re likely also traveling with bulky items like a car seat and a stroller after all—there’s something to be said for simply having the items you know you’re going to be using. You still have to haul them, but then you get to focus on just being at your destination rather than turning vacation into errand-running time

2. Consider shipping or delivery

The age of delivery translates well to vacationing with a baby. Yes, you could pack a box of diapers (if that’s your approach, see the tip on vacuum compression bags below), but depending on your destination you might also be able to schedule a delivery of necessities to show up at the hotel or vacation rental at the same time you do. Want your own stuff? Consider shipping items ahead so you have everything you need without carrying it with you.

3. Use compression bags

Traveling with a stock of diapers? Don’t want to leave the favorite blanket or snuggly sleep sack at home? The best way to increase packing density is by using vacuum compression bags for those bulky items.

4. Practice in advance

All those items, they’re all so little, right? But when you put them all together, they can take up more space than you’d expect. Do a quick dry run before you’re packing against the clock so that you can make any adjustments when you have time to creatively problem-solve. But first? Make a packing list. You’ll likely save both some sanity and money with this approach.

5. If it increases your chance of vacation success, bring it

This is an especially difficult approach to embrace if you’re used to traveling light, but sometimes it’s worth hauling extra gear if it means you and your family will be able to settle in and enjoy themselves more. Debating whether or not to bring the baby monitor, or the playmat, or a third set of jammies in case of middle-of-the-night leakages? If it could make the difference between 10 minutes more leisure time for you, and a happier baby to boot, it’s likely worth it.

Downloadable Baby Packing Checklist

Start by downloading our baby packing list, then keep scrolling to get the scoop on our favorite items.

Diaper Bag Necessities

☐ Diaper Bag ☐ Diapers ☐ Changing Pad ☐ Wipes ☐ Diaper Cream ☐ Wet Bag ☐ Hand Sanitizer ☐ Plastic Bags ☐ Change of Clothes ☐ Light Blanket ☐ Jacket/Warm Layer ☐ Sun Hat / Warm Hat ☐ Pacifier or Teething Toy ☐ Small Cooler Bag ☐ Bib and Burp Cloth ☐ Bottles ☐ Formula and/or Breast Milk ☐ Water Bottle

Overnight Bag

☐ Clothing ☐ Jacket/Warm Layer ☐ Pajamas ☐ Sleep Sack / Swaddle ☐ Socks ☐ Shoes or Booties ☐ Sun Hat / Warm Hat ☐ Sunscreen ☐ Thermometer ☐ Medicines ☐ Lotion / Moisturizer ☐ Bathing Suit ☐ Swim Diaper ☐ Gentle Baby Cleanser ☐ Laundry Soap ☐ Laundry Line / Clothespins ☐ Laundry Bag

☐ Bibs ☐ Burp Cloths ☐ Bottles ☐ Breast Pump and Parts ☐ Storage Bottles / Storage Bags ☐ Formula ☐ Bottle Warmer ☐ Bottle Sanitizer ☐ Bottle Brush ☐ Baby Food ☐ Baby Dishes/Utensils

Gear & Toys ☐ Baby Carrier / Sling / Wrap ☐ Travel Stroller ☐ Car Seat ☐ Play Mat / Pillow ☐ Travel Crib / Crib Sheets ☐ Foldable Highchair / Baby Seat ☐ Toys ☐ White Noise Machine ☐ Baby Monitor / Tablet

In the world of baby travel necessities, the gear you choose really has to earn its keep. Here are my favorite road-tested baby items, from a sturdy, comfortable, and roomy diaper bag to a portable tub that packs down smaller than your next beach read.

A well-stocked diaper bag will take you far. When you’ve got the right diaper bag necessities, you’re ready for everything on-the-go. Hit the beach , take a drive , or see the sights. Just make sure you’ve checked these diaper-bag musts off your baby packing list.

The Perfect Travel Diaper Bag

When traveling with a baby, you’re going to want a diaper bag that holds everything you need for a day of sightseeing: one that has enough pockets and compartments to hold your needs, plus the baby’s must-haves, too. Look for a diaper bag with at least one insulated pocket for the bottles and food.

My pick: HapTim Multi-function Baby Diaper Bag

Cloth Diapers, Disposable Diapers, and Swim Diapers

Whether you use cloth diapers or disposable diapers, you won’t want to leave them off your baby packing list. At home I use cloth diapers, but when traveling I treat myself and pack disposable. (Let’s be honest: Is it really a vacation if you’re washing cloth diapers every night?) There are plenty of environmentally friendly disposable diaper options out there. Also, If you’re going on a beach vacation or somewhere with a pool , remember to bring a swim diaper, too! No one wants to deal with poop in the pool.

My picks: Bum Genius (cloth diapers), Bambo Nature (disposable diapers), and i. play (swim diapers)

Diaper Cream

Let’s be honest, when you’re traveling you may get a little lax on diaper changing. Of course, a diaper rash is the last thing you want to get out of hand. Add some diaper cream to your baby packing list so you won’t have to spend precious vacation time figuring out where to buy some.

My Pick: Burts Bees Baby Diaper Rash ointment

Cloth Diaper Wet Bag

If you’re going with cloth diapers, a wet bag is an absolute must for your baby packing list for vacation. It’s also important to have in case of an accident, or to stash wet swimming gear.

My pick: Planet Wise Wet/Dry bag

The best part about baby wipes is they are oh-so-multi-functional. Not only will they clean up baby’s behind, you can use them for after-meal clean up, to wipe your hands, or wipe a spill. They are the secret weapon of must-have items for traveling with a baby.

My pick: WaterWipes Unscented Baby Wipes, Sensitive and Newborn Skin

Changing Pad

Most diaper bags come with a changing pad , but always make sure you have one on your baby travel checklist. The last thing you want is to have to change your baby and discover that there’s no soft, clean spot to do it. You can whip out a changing pad on the train , at a restaurant, on the floor — anywhere, really!—and you’ve automatically got a clean, sanitary spot to change your baby.

My pick: Comfy Cubs Changing Pad

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer should be at least 60% alcohol , so always check the back before you buy. For grab-and-go convenience in a diaper bag, consider individual packets of hand sanitizer or travel-size hand sanitizer bottles that can be attached to the outside of the diaper bag.

My pick: Purell Flip-Top Travel-Size Hand Sanitizer with Jelly Wrap Carrier

How to Pack for Baby : Clothes

Babies on vacation, like babies not on vacation, tend to get messy. Sometimes it’s from eating, other times an ill-fitting diaper, and fittingly for vacation, sometimes it’s because they’re sandy or dirty from having so much vacation fun. Here’s what to pack for little vacationers and how to choose the right baby clothes for travel.

Extra Clothes

While adults get trapped into the whole “I’ll need extra outfits in case something happens” routine, we often forget the need for extra clothes when considering what to pack for a baby. When you’re packing for baby, make sure to add extra clothes (for baby and maybe yourself, since babies tend to share) to both your diaper bag and your checked bag if you’re flying.

My pick: Carter’s

Jacket, Sweater, and/or Sweatshirt

Even if you’re going somewhere tropical, such as a Caribbean cruise , it’s a good idea to pack extra layers for your baby. If it’s summer, or you’re heading to a tropical destination , bring something lightweight. But definitely include at least one jacket or other warm layer on your baby packing list.

My pick: Carter’s

Hat for Sun Protection or Warmth

Even if no one in your family has ever had a sunburn, your baby needs a sun hat . In cooler weather, be sure to put him or her in a warm hat that covers those tiny ears.

My picks: i. play (sun hat) and this adorable Alepo Winter Beanie Hat for Baby (winter hat)

Bathing Suit

Whether you’re taking a beach vacation or traveling in the winter and staying in a hotel with a pool, a swimsuit is an important item to have on your baby travel checklist. Look for a baby bathing suit that’s slightly big to accommodate diapers, and so the baby will get the most use out of it.

My pick: Hanna Anderson Baby Rash Guard Suit

We all know baby’s socks never stay on. You won’t want your baby to have bare feet wherever you go, so add baby shoes to your list of must-have items for traveling with a baby. Moccasins are great, as are Velcro booties.

My pick: Hudson Baby Unisex Cozy Fleece Booties

Baby Feeding Items to Pack

Unlike with slightly older kids who can eat a variation on what tweens, teens, and grownups eat, babies and very young toddlers require a BYO approach to eating on vacation. Here are common baby feeding items to pack for vacation. Adapt your own baby travel checklist depending on age and whether you rely on breast milk, formula, or a combination of both.

Pack as many baby bottles as you will need for one day. Yes, you are going to have to wash them every day, but this is one of those instances where luggage space is important.

My pick: The Medela Breastfeeding Gift Set (non-BPA; comes with bottles, nipples, travel caps, breastmilk storage bags and more)

Portable Breast Pump

If you’re breastfeeding , you may not need to bring a pump since you’ll be with your baby while traveling. However, it might be nice to still have a break every once in a while (or you may be an exclusive pumper). Bring a portable breast pump , or, better yet, a hands-free breast pump !

My pick: Bellababy Double Electric Breastfeeding Pumps with Touch-Panel High-Definition Display

Bottle Warmer

You can always just use a bowl and warm water if you need to save space, but if you want to bring a bottle warmer , there are loads of travel-friendly options worth adding to our baby travel checklist.

My pick: Chicco Digital Bottle Warmer

Bottle Sanitizer

If you’re like me, you’re paranoid and sanitize your baby bottles daily. Luckily, there are portable bottle sanitizers out there that clean quickly and are effective against 99.9 percent of germs.

My pick: Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags for Bottles & Breast Pump Parts

When making your baby packing list for vacation, set aside the amount of formula you’re going to need for the trip (plus a little extra), then measure it out and put it in a Ziplock bag so you aren’t carting around a giant container of formula. (Or, have it shipped to your hotel ahead of time, along with your other must-have items for traveling with a baby.)

My pick: Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Formula

Depending on how old your baby is, packing baby food for vacation may or may not be a concern. However, if he/she is eating solids, you can’t forget to pack the food! Pouches are easiest because you can throw them in a bag and they don’t take up too much space. A bag of baby oatmeal won’t take up too much room, for example, and all you need is water to mix it up. Make sure to have plenty of snacks on hand, too. Cheerios and teething cookies are good, easy-to-pack options.

My pick: Happy Baby Organic Superfood Puffs

Familiar Dishes and Utensils

Bringing the dishes and utensils that your baby is used to is key when on a trip. All you need is one of each, and it won’t take up too much room. It’s a case where a small addition to your packing list goes a long way toward your baby’s adjustment to vacation life.

My pick: Avanchy Bamboo Dishes

Easy-to-Clean Bibs

For several months, I kept my son in a bib at all times because he was drooling so much. Bibs are a must-have item for traveling with a baby. Pack bibs that are easy to fold up and wipe down easily (try to avoid cloth bibs for vacation).

My pick: Bumkins Sleeved Bib

Breast Milk Storage Containers

If you plan to pump while traveling with your baby, make sure to bring proper storage containers. Breast milk storage bags are your best bet because they take up less space and are easier to transport. Don’t forget to bring a small cooler so it will keep on your way back to your hotel or vacation rental .

My pick: Medela Breast Milk Storage Bags

Baby Travel Gear

Good news: As kids get bigger, the amount of stuff you will need to pack will shrink. For now, though, having the gear and items to keep baby comfortable and happy increases the chance that you’ll also be comfortable and happy. Here are more must-have items for your baby travel checklist.

Some Favorite (Small) Toys

Wondering how to travel with a baby? With toys . Try not to go overboard with this, but toys are important, not just at your destination but for your baby packing list for the plane or car ride, too. A few things to keep your baby entertained (such as a favorite stuffed animal, a few books to read aloud, something you can hang off of the stroller) will go a long way. Keep ’em small, though!

My pick: Playgro My First Bead Buddies Giraffe

Baby Blanket

Even on vacation, you’re going to need a baby blanket in case it gets chilly. Bring a blanket the baby is familiar with, so it gives them some comfort away from home.

My pick: LeerKing Ultra Soft Baby Blankets

Baby Carrier/Sling/Wrap

Babies don’t want to be in a stroller all day, so some sort of baby carrier is a must for vacation (ideally one that both parents can wear comfortably). Opt for a baby carrier / sling / wrap so that if your baby wants to be held, you’ll still have your hands free.

My pick: Bable Baby Carrier

Foldable Stroller

If you plan on having your baby nap while you’re out and about, you probably can’t get away without a stroller on vacation. For packing purposes, a foldable stroller should be your priority. It will remain useful right through the toddler years.

My pick: GB Pockit Stroller

If you’re on a road trip with a baby , you’re already using your favorite car seat . If you’re flying somewhere, you can use the car seat on the plane and when you arrive. The downside of flying with a car seat is lugging it with you, but there are all sorts of ingenious ways to roll a car seat through the airport.

My pick: Doona Car Seat/Stroller

Foldable Play Mat

A friend of mine gave me a play mat after I had my baby. I hadn’t registered for it, and I had no idea how useful it would be. (We use it all the time .) It lives in my car, so we have it whenever we need it. It’s great for outside and inside. Pro tip: Get a play mat that folds up into its own bag. It’s as great for daily life as it is when you need to turn a hotel room into a baby playground.

My pick: mloong Baby Play Mat

Travel Crib

Your hotel, resort, or vacation rental (or grandma’s house) may provide a travel crib , but if not, you’ll need to add one to your baby travel checklist. I was worried my son wouldn’t sleep as well in a travel crib, but he had no problems adjusting.

My pick: Graco Pack n’ Play Playard

Crib Sheets

Whether you’re bringing your own travel crib or using a crib provided by your hotel or resort, don’t forget to pack your own crib sheets . My pick: Cuddly Cubs Pack ‘n Play Sheets

Foldable Baby Chair/High Chair

If your baby is old enough to sit up, you’ll need a foldable baby chair or high chair on your baby packing list. It may seem like a lot to bring, but you’ll be glad you did (and sorry if you don’t). Not every restaurant or vacation rental property offers booster seats for babies. And trust me, you don’t want to get stuck having your baby on your lap throughout your whole trip.

My pick: Summer Infant Pop ‘N Sit Portable Infant Booster Seat

White Noise Machine

No matter where you go when you travel with a baby, it won’t sound like home. Bring along a portable white noise machine to drown out any unfamiliar sounds that may interrupt sleep. You can also download white noise apps to a tablet or an old cell phone, or even bring along a small smart device like an Echo Dot that can also provide white noise.

My pick: MyBaby SoundSpa

Speaking of a tablet or an old cell phone, bring one. Not only is it useful for the white noise, there are also several monitor apps you can use, so if you’re not staying in the same room you can have a baby monitor without having to bring one separately. Plus, you can use it to play videos for older babies.

My pick: iPad or Fire Tablet

Burp Cloths

My son is a year old now and we still use flannel or muslin cloth burp cloths for everything. Pack a bunch so you have one for every bag, and plenty to spare if one gets, ahem, ruined.

My pick: Gerber Flannel Burp Cloth

Medicine and a Thermometer

You don’t want to get stuck without medications on vacation when your baby is not feeling well. Add the basics to your vacation packing list, like Infant Tylenol, as well as any prescriptions your baby may need. A thermometer is also a good idea to have on hand so you don’t have to scramble to find one.

My pick: iProven Medical Digital Ear Thermometer with Temporal Forehead Function

Portable Bath Tub

Sure, you can always use a sink, but you never know how big the sink will be. Luckily, there are several portable baby tub options that pack well and aren’t too expensive.

My Favorite: Mommy’s Helper Inflatable Tub

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30 Baby Travel Essentials in 2023 (and Affordable Alternatives)

03/12/2023 by Kristin Addis 2 Comments

As someone who traveled to over 60 countries before giving birth, I knew that I didn’t want my adventures to end just because I had a baby. Before traveling with him, I almost gave into the persistent belief that traveling with a baby has to be difficult and that it has to involve tons of checked baggage.

Neither has to be the case. Over 10 trips — two of them international — and 24 flights with my now 8-month-old, these are the essentials I bring when we travel with our baby.

Table of Contents

1) LOTS of Diapers

This one will seem obvious, but don’t underestimate how many diapers you will need! We were once on what was supposed to be a one-hour flight that got rerouted mid-air and turned into three flights and most of the day. Airports don’t always have diapers to purchase. We always WAY overpack the amount of diapers we’ll need in our carry on, and I’m glad we do for moments like this.

I’ve tried many brands, but one stands out for being the most absorbent. I have had leaks with all the others – Pampers, Dyper, Honest, but never with Coterie . They truly are worth it.

On our most recent trip to Japan, we packed enough diapers for a week and bought the remainder in Japan. They weren’t as good as what we brought from home, but it helped save much-needed space.

2) A Comfortable Baby Carrier

Although a travel stroller can be a great idea, we rarely travel with one, especially if we need to pack light.

Garrett and I almost always babywear instead – through the airport, on the flight, walking around, on public transportation, and just about everywhere we need to go. Our baby sleeps well like this, and it’s just so much easier for any terrain we might encounter.

In the early days, I loved the soft Solly Baby Wrap , then we graduated to the Artipoppe and Ergobaby carriers, and as he gets bigger, it’s been more important to go for something that wears more like a hiking backpack .

3) Portable Changing Pad

With all of the changing tables that our portable pad has seen, I’m glad that we had it along to act as a barrier between Felix and the, sometimes nasty, tables we’ve had to change him on.

Or benches, forest floors, beds, and so on. This is the portable pad we use . It’s easy to wash and fold up.

4) Comfortable Diaper Bag Backpack

First Name:

I initially thought that I was going to want a cute diaper bag, and while that would have been nice, when it came down to it, functionality mattered more than anything else. Go for the biggest one within your budget that also has stroller clips.

Trust me, you want it to be large if it’s traveling with you in order to fit the loads of diapers, extra bottles (if using), washing station, extra wipes, extra onesies, and travel toys.

5) Portable bottle washing station and soap

I always joke this is the best $17 I’ve spent, but honestly, this bottle washing station has come in SO handy. From airport bathrooms to airplane bathrooms, Airbnbs, hotels, and friend’s houses, this has given us a clean surface, dedicated bottle brushes, and a drying rack anywhere we go. We even use this as his dedicated bottle washing station at home!

I also recommend bringing your own unscented soap in a travel size container. I almost always end up only finding antibacterial (not great for ingesting) or heavily scented soaps when we travel and have been very glad to have our own unscented, plant-based dish soap.

6) Sanitizing Bags

I’m in love with these steam sanitizing bags too. They’re cheap, multi-use, pack down tiny, and steam clean pump parts, bottles, binkies, and silicone teethers. One of my Instagram followers told me they even use these in the NICU for sanitizing! As long as you have a microwave available, which we have in 90% of the places we’ve stayed, you just pour in 60ml of water, seal, microwave for 90 seconds, and dump onto a clean surface. Voila! It’s all sanitized in just a few minutes.

7) Portable breast pumps

These saved my pumping journey. Although I never planned to exclusive pump, that’s how things ended up, and I’m so glad to have been able to maintain on the road with these! Whether in a moving car (sometimes while driving), airplane, lounge, or train, I’ve pumped on the go with ease with my pumps. I tried both the Elvie and Willow Go and like them both. Even if you’re not an exclusive pumper, if you pump at all, these are so much easier for travel!

8) Portable Bassinet

We want to create a safe sleep environment on the road. Sometimes the places we stay have cribs available, but most of the time we have needed to bring our own.

At first, we loved this foldable bassinet . It packed down small and we could pack diapers and clothes inside. Now that he’s too big for it, I use the Guava Lotus bassinet . It’s considerably bigger, but it has worked great on road trips along with the Slumberpod .

9) White Noise

Our baby sleeps better with white noise, and we do too! Having our white noise machine has saved us when we got put in a room with a bar downstairs, when there were lawn guys outside in the early morning, and from general hotel noises.

I learned from experience that the fancy ones that connect to Wifi are better kept at home. We have the most basic Hatch Mini sound machine and it works great. Alternatively, you can play Spotify 10-hour white noise podcasts from your phone.

10) Portable Baby Monitor

I should have known when our friend gifted us his Owlet due to the constant connectivity issues that we might have the same problem. Especially on the road with hotel WiFi or anything that isn’t 2.5ghz (WHY are all baby items like this?!) For the price, I really like the analog one we bought for $35 for trips.

It works up to 1000 feet, has night vision, and allows us to put Felix in his own room, or for us to let him sleep downstairs while we enjoy the pool, hot tub, etc. It’s honestly just as good as the Owlet and costs a fraction of the price.

11) Portable Highchair

If your baby is eating solids, take it from me, it’s much easier to have them in a high chair than feeding on your lap, although sometimes we do the bathtub and just hose him off after.

I like the Ingesina Fast Table chair , though this one is a great alternative.

12) Nail File

Do not forget the nail file! I swear I’m filing F’s nails every other day, both at home and on the road.

13) Bottles or spoons appropriate for age

If your baby is on solids, be sure to bring the spoons and bibs you use at home. Since we do baby-led weaning, we use these spoons that he can self-feed with, along with this full-body bib.

Since BLW can be very messy, I usually order a side of avocado or fruit for him when we’re in a restaurant and hand feed him pieces of it, then do a full meal when we’re back at the room. It’s worked great so far!

14) Baby food, formula, or cooking supplies

Depending on where you go, you may or may not need to bring the enough baby food and/or formula with you for the entire trip.

I have seen baby purée in small towns in Mexico as well as drug stores in Japan, albeit more limited than I might find at home. Since we do BLW, we usually buy fruit and veggies at grocery stores to share with Felix. For our most recent road trip, we had space in the car for me to bring his Beaba babycook , which allowed me to steam veggies for him in the hotel room. I was glad to have it with us, though it’s less practical for flying.

15) Medications, nasal aspirator, and thermometer

It sucks when little ones get sick on the road, but it happens. We always have his thermometer, nasal aspirator, and infant Genexa with us when we travel. It’s so much easier than having to look for these things on the road.

16) Portable toys

Some people think babies don’t need toys, but I disagree! Having a toy along has saved dinnertime for us parents more than once, and they keep him stimulated and entertained. 90% of the toys that we have for Felix are from the Lovevery Montessori-inspired play kits and that’s what we bring with us when we travel. We’re big fans. Read my Lovevery review here.

17) Baby-safe sunscreen

Once your baby is 6 months or older, baby-safe sunscreen is great to have on-hand. I like this mineral one.

18) Baby-safe insect repellant

I honestly hate bug repellant, but I hate mosquito bites more! When possible, I try to keep Felix in rooms with screens to keep insects out, and keep a mosquito net over his crib, but when we can’t avoid exposure, these wipes come in handy.

19) More baby clothes than you think you’ll need!

Garrett and I joke that we end up wearing the same outfit a bunch of times, but babies tend to need to change more often whether it’s drool, spit up, blow-outs, you get the idea. I usually have more than one per day for him, which is easy to do since they pack up small.

Our baby has extremely sensitive skin and basically lives in Kyte Baby . We use a North Face onesie for cold weather with the Kyte baby underneath. It helps him regulate body temperature better and keeps his skin from reacting. I also zip him up in Seraphine babywearing jackets . I love them so much I have three!

20) Umbrella for shade or rain/snow

When we arrived in Japan, Osaka airport happened to have free umbrellas outside the arrivals hall. I grabbed one and we were so glad to have it for all of the snow we encountered. It was a clear plastic one, so it wouldn’t be great for sun, but I would definitely bring along a small umbrella to block out sun on warmer trips.

21) Pacifiers

I don’t know about you, but for us to have a good night of sleep we tend to throw a good eight pacifiers into the crib. If your little one is as into them as ours is, definitely bring them with you when you travel, too! Don’t forget the binkie clip.

22) Car Seat

You may or may not need to bring a carseat on your trips. We needed one to get from the airport to the Airbnb when we went to San Pancho, Mexico , but didn’t need one in Japan where we exclusively took public transport. That said, you will need to get a ride from someone with a car seat installed to the airport since Ubers do not have infant car seats.

You can check, gate check, or use the car seat on board if you buy your baby a seat (more baby travel tips here ). It’s really up to your comfort level. We always zip it into a travel case and check ours, though it’s a back-up ‘travel’ car seat from a friend. Our main one stays in the car.

23) Lots of bibs and burp cloths

We bring at least four burp cloths with us when we travel.

24) Hat (for sun or cold)

We always bring his hats along, whether it’s a cold-weather beanie or sun hat. Felix rocks this UV-blocking Patagonia hat in sunny environments. Consider baby sunglasses as well.

25) Consider bringing your own detergent

As I mentioned before, our baby has extremely sensitive skin. We have some Dreft samples the pediatrician gave us so that if we do laundry on the road, he’s not getting exposed to scented or harsh detergents that’ll make him break out.

26) Swim gear (life jacket, bathing suit, bathing diapers)

Depending on where you’re going, you may want to have swim gear with you. Consider an infant life jacket, baby floatie, and definitely some bathing diapers!

27) Portable baby activity center

We don’t own one of these (yet) but I could see how MANY times it would have been great to have. You can’t bring absolutely everything when you travel, but this one folds down and gives you somewhere to stash the baby if you have a crawler, which we now do!

28) Portable baby bath

For bath time on the road, we almost always just bring Felix into the shower with us. It’s how we do it at home, too. But as he gets bigger, bath time in the real bath makes more and more sense. This blow-up bath tub creates a safer environment and is workable if your hotel doesn’t have an actual bath tub.

29) Travel Stroller

There are hundreds — maybe thousands? — of strollers out there. Part of the reason why we don’t travel with a stroller is the difficulty of gate checking or luggage checking it, though we’re in the process of testing out the world’s smallest stroller, the Qbit+ all-city . It’s small enough to go into an overhead bin on a plane, and we’re excited to see if we like it!

30) Book(s)

We always bring at least one book with us when we travel. Some of my earliest childhood memories were of nightly reading with my mom before bedtime, and that’s a habit I want to repeat with Felix. We bring one of this smaller and lighter board books with us on the flight (we’re not doing screen time yet) and on the road.

I realize that this list is full of products that can add up fast. Although I have bought some of these things new, I’m a big fan of buying and selling baby products on the secondhand market . More than half of what I listed here has been purchased and resold this way, essentially giving me a cheap or free rental.

Speaking of rentals, you can also rent baby gear at your destination using BabyQuip . Though I haven’t personally used it, I’ve heard good things.

I hope this helps you to have a seamless journey. While we don’t bring everything on this list every time we travel, each of these items has come in handy on various trips we’ve had in Felix’s 8 months Earthside.

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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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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 Bundle- 2 Travel Neck Pillows for Toddlers- Super Soft Head, Neck, and Chin Support, for Comfortable Sleep in Car Seat Booster and Plane- Washable, Pink, Navy

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 7" Android Tablet, Android 11.0 Tablet, 2GB RAM 32GB ROM, Quad Core Processor, IPS HD Display, 2MP Front + 5MP Rear Camera, 2023-T100 Tablet with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

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 Hand Wipes, Sensitive Skin Wipes | Travel Wipes Case, Hand and Face Wipes | 20 ct. Travel Size Wipes (10 pack)

Wet Ones Travel Wipes

Pull-Ups New Leaf Girls' Disney Frozen Potty Training Pants, 2T-3T (16-34 lbs), 18 Ct

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.

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

Over 20 essential items you will want to pack when travelling with your toddler from planes to snack time and sleeping, what will make your life on the move easier.

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 🙂

38 Best Toddler Travel Essentials (More Fun & Less Stress in 2024)

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. FIND MORE INFO IN MY DISCLAIMER.

Home » 38 Best Toddler Travel Essentials (More Fun & Less Stress in 2024)

Our process involves independent research, testing (by using it whilst we travel), and recommending the best products. Click here to learn more.

Looking for the best toddler travel essentials to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible? Look no further!

Traveling with young children can be stressful, but the rewards far outweigh the difficulties.

To keep your trip as easy as possible, we highly recommend bringing along a range of toddler travel gear.

The best travel items for toddlers will be the ones that keep them safe, comfortable, and happy (as much as possible while still being realistic that tantrums will most likely happen regardless).

Don’t have time to read? Here are the most popular items from our list.

The Best Toddler Car Seat for Travel: Safety 1st Jive (Convertible, slim enough for plane seats and lightweight)
The Best Toddler Stroller for Travel: Gb Pocket Air (Foldable & Lightweight – For kids up to 4 years of age)
Airplane Foot Pillow: Make a little flat bed section for your toddler to sleep on the plane. See it here .

But how do you find the best toddler travel essentials? Without having to spend a fortune and without feeling like a packhorse as you struggle to take everything from home with you on this trip.

One way is to use the tried and tested products from those who regularly travel with their little ones. We started traveling overseas with our youngest when she was only 2.5 months old.

She has been to Bali, Lombok, Australia, Japan, France, Switzerland, Germany, South Africa, Namibia, and many other beautiful destinations.

Travel has been a big part of her life since she was born, and we have tried so many different products to find the ones that are the easiest to travel with, the lightest, the most comfortable, and the easier to get from point A to point B.

There are so many toddler travel accessories out there, that it can get overwhelming.

So before we start, think about what items you already have at home, that you could take with you. And then scan through our list of the best travel accessories for toddlers.

To make it easier, click on the category mentioned next to hop straight to that section of the article.

Toddler Gear to Get Around Easily (Strollers, Car Seats & More)
Toddler Plane Travel Essentials
Toddler Packing Essentials
Sleep-Time Essentials (Blockout Curtains, Crib/Bed & More)
Travel Items to Keep Your Toddler Safe
Toddler Travel Items for Car Trips
Other Must-Have Toddler Gear (Toys, Toilet training, High Chairs, Beach/Pool Items & More)

Quick Guide: 5 Best-Selling Toddler Travel Gear

After a quick list of our best-selling toddler travel must haves? Here are the best items to purchase.

GB Pockit Air Lightweight Stroller

Perfect for toddlers
Lightweight (only 4.6 kg)
Folds up so small that you can pop it in the overhead locker on a plane

Best Toddler Car Seat

For younger toddlers (aged 1-3) we highly recommend the Safety 1st Jive car seat.
Convertible, slim enough for plane seats, and lightweight

Best Toddler Travel Harness

For older toddlers (aged 3 years+) we personally loved using a travel harness as it is just so much easier to pack and carry.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids

Safe (with parental controls) tablet for kids aged 3 – 7 to use.
Includes 1 year of Amazon Kids+ – a digital subscription designed for kids to safely learn, grow and explore.
12-Hour Battery

Inflatable Travel Foot Rest Pillow

We used these on so many planes to make a flat area for our youngest to sleep.
Our trick (for using it on planes that don’t allow it) is to only blow it up when the lights go dark (and the flight attendants stop walking around so much). And then pop down the tray table (we pop our little one’s feet on the inflatable) over the inflatable to hide it.

Fun N’ Fly Foldable Travel Tray

Such a clever way to prevent all your kid’s toys from rolling off the tray table on the plane.
Fits most standard airline tray tables
Mesh pockets for crayons and pens, a cup holder, and a folding front panel for comfort.

Best Travel Gear for Toddlers to Get Around Easily

Let’s look at travel equipment for 1-5 year-olds that makes moving from point A to B easier.

Here is a list of our favorite toddler travel essentials that you should not leave your home without.

1. A Lightweight Travel Stroller (GP Pockit) with a Gate Check Bag

You will definitely need a lightweight stroller. We all know that toddlers love their freedom and independence but also get tired quickly from running around.

One of the best travel strollers is the Gb Pockit Air .

This stroller is lightweight (it weighs only 10.4 lbs) and foldable (yes, it can fit in the overhead compartments on trains and planes). It is one of the smallest folded strollers that I’ve seen.

It is perfect for kids up to 4 years of age (or 55 lbs. in weight).

Not only do I love the price of this stroller (plus how small it folds up), but it also has a mesh back which is brilliant for hotter countries. It is breathable and helps to keep your little one comfy.

The stroller is easy to push (even with older kids in it). It’s a smooth ride (it has great rubber wheels) and turning the corner is easy.

And best of all, it is pretty affordable compared to competitor travel strollers such as the Babyzen YoYo .

I do think that the canopy is a bit smaller than what I personally like. And I really wish it had a stroller strap to make it easier to carry whilst folded.

But otherwise, this is such a great stroller and at a fantastic price.

It really is worth the investment!

Protect your Stroller With A Stroller Bag

The one negative of the GP Pockit stroller is that it doesn’t have an easy way to carry it whilst folded. So this carry bag is essential as it has straps so you can pop it on your back.

Too often these days do they take you out of the airport and make you climb up the stairs from the runway up to the plane.

So having the stroller on your back so you can carry your toddler is essential.

It is also handy if you might prefer to gate-check it.

That way, you don’t have to try to carry the stroller and your toddler together with your carry-on bags onto a plane (especially a hassle when you have to leave the airport and climb stairs to get into the plane).

We prefer to gate-check our stroller (when possible – check with your airline).

That means you can use the stroller throughout the airport and then check it at the ticket desk a little prior to boarding the plane.

Some airlines will have large clear bags that you can pop your stroller in, but they are thin plastic bags that don’t offer any protection.

We much prefer to buy decent bags, and this specific bag is so convenient as it has backpack straps so you can pop it on your back and have your hands free for your toddler.

This specific bag is compatible with the Gb Pockit strollers; it is airline certified and is available in black.

TIP: Not planning many trips in the future and don’t want to invest in a stroller specifically for travel? You can also rent a stroller in the destination you are visiting! BabyQuip is a baby rental company and they have all your baby travel needs sorted. Perfect if you are visiting Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean and Costa Rica. Rent your baby gear by clicking here.

2. Tula Ergonomic Toddler Carrier

A toddler or baby carrier is a must for people who want to travel with a toddler.

While I’m not a big fan of having my toddler in a carrier (they are just so heavy, and of course, they want to be up and then down and back up again), a carrier is essential if you visit a destination that has many stairs.

Tula is one of the few brands that manufacture special carriers, especially for toddlers aged from 2- 6 years (rather than babies), so this carrier is brilliant.

Tula’s Ergonomic Newborn Carrier is available in 38 colors and style options. There are multiple material options available, but my favorite is the 100% cotton ones, they are soft, comfortable and machine-washable.

Incredible I have a (huge) 16 month old and a 3 year old who both fit into this perfectly. It is so confortable and i can easily manage a hike with the 3 year old with this carrier. We also have a hiking backpack carrier which was quite expensive and the tula is so much more comfortable than that. I now feel that we can go anywhere and do anything without fear of my 3 year old asking to be carried. Alison B. (Read More Reviews on Baby Tula ) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We especially liked how you can use this carrier as a back carry and front carrier. Your toddler’s body development will not be impacted, thanks to its thoughtful, m-position seat.

It is the best toddler carrier on the market!

3. Clevr Premium Backpack Hiking Child Carrier

The Premium Backpack Hiking Child Carrier from Clevr is made for those who love hiking.

It features a hip belt and padded straps to ensure safety without compromising comfort.

We especially like the thoughtful inclusion of a sunshade visor and stand.

You get multiple pockets for convenient storage, including an extra-large pocket for diapers.

Toddler Travel Gear for Plane Trips

Next up is the all-dreaded plane trip. Talk about anxiety and nervous feelings! Fortunately, the older your child gets, the easier this bit gets.

Our little one just turned 3, and life is already getting easier when we get on that plane.

Tip: You might also be interested in checking out the best toddler toys for airplanes here.

Here is a list of some fabulous airplane accessories for toddlers.

4. Travel Car Seat or Child Airplane Travel Harness

Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

It is so vital for your toddler to be in a travel car seat on the plane. According to News.com , it is not just to protect your child from plane crashes, but it is so important for turbulence.

Not only will the car seat protect your child in the case of an emergency, but it will also help keep your toddler sitting still as much as possible (which is great for your sanity).

The best travel car seat we love is the Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat ( find a different portable car seat on our best travel convertible car seat guide here ) when traveling with a toddler on a car or a plane.

This car seat is lightweight (14.25 lb) and slim enough (18″) to fit on plane seats .

It can be used in rear-facing mode for toddlers weighing less than 40 pounds and front-facing mode for toddlers weighing up to 65 pounds.

Would Highly Recommend! I’m very impressed with this carseat. You can’t beat the price, and it’s the same quality as some of the more expensive carseats out there! My kiddo loves how comfy and soft it is. It isn’t bulky at all, and comfortably fits both cup holders on each side… Love it Alison B. (Read More Reviews on Walmart ) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

For older toddlers aged 4 years+, you could also consider taking along a travel booster seat (although these can’t be used on planes).

An alternative to a car seat is the airplane toddler harness mentioned below. I would only recommend the travel harness for kids aged 3 years+.

Also, if it is an overnight flight I highly recommend the car seat as our toddler found the safety harness a bit uncomfortable to sleep with.

Tip: You may also be interested in checking out this foldable travel car seat for 2 year old and/or this car seat for a 3 year old .

Protect Your Car Seat With A Travel Bag

If you are buying the convertible seat, we recommend getting the Volkgo Travel Bag with it.

It is an effective and easy way to travel with your convertible seat. This bag will ensure that your travel seat stays clean (plus it is a great way to sneak in some extra toddler items like a blanket or diapers or clothes).

Also, it is made from nylon, making it water-resistant.

For Older Toddlers – Airplane Harness

If you are taking a flight with your toddler, aged two years or older , you could get a safety harness instead of having to drag a car seat onto the plane.

It takes less than a minute to install and can fit into small bags.

My only negative with the harness is that your toddler will need to sleep upright in their seat. We’ve tried this harness with our young year old, and it was uncomfortable for her, it was much better when she was over 2 years.

You can read our full CARES harness review here.

5. Travel Foot Rest Pillow for Kids

Maliton Travel Foot Rest Pillow for Kids

Here is a product we just can’t live without! It might just be one of the handiest flight accessories for toddlers.

We recommend you get the inflatable foot travel pillow if your toddler is going to be on the plane overnight or during nap times.

This inflatable airplane pillow can be placed in the leg rest area to offer a relaxing flat position for your kid to sleep.

Whilst you won’t be able to use the pillow on take-off and landing (and sometimes the air hostesses might ask you to pop it away), it can help your child sleep much better on a long-haul flight.

Note: Not all airlines will allow you to use this product, but we have managed to use it more often than not in planes and it has been a lifesaver.

6. Fun N’ Fly Foldable Travel Tray

The next recommendation for toddler flight essentials is a multi-purpose play space that fits perfectly on nearly all standard airplane tray tables.

It can fold and unfold in mere seconds.

The fabulous thing about this table is that it has side barriers, so it is great for toys and crayons, etc. And you can wash it and reuse it as many times as you want.

I got so sick of playing pick-up in the planes, so this truly is fabulous to make life easier.

7. ‘Tux’ Kids Travel Pillow and Travel Blanket Set

Roamwild offers a three-in-one accessory that functions as a blanket, a comfortable pillow, and a penguin toy .

This is so brilliant because the Tux can be used to transform any armrest into a pillow for your toddler, making it ideal for plane, coach & train travel.

We love to travel with our own blankets. If you want to find a blanket for yourself, then you might also enjoy our list of adult travel blankets for airplanes here.

8. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition Tablet

The next product on our list is not just a travel accessory, but rather a full-fledged tablet.

The Fire HD 10 Kids Tablet serves as the perfect tool for young minds to indulge in more than 20,000 famous games, apps, books, videos, and other educational content.

A 2-year worry-free guarantee backs it. You also get a kid-proof case , which comes in three colors – yellow, pink, and blue.

The tablet is really helpful to kill time waiting in airports or to give you some downtime on the plane to catch a few breaths.

9. Anble Kids Headphones

For toddlers who are fond of listening to music, there can be no better travel accessory than the Anble Kids Headphones.

It features a standard 3.5mm jack, which is compatible with nearly all popular smartphones.

We especially liked its 93-decibel volume restrictor to ensure hearing protection for toddlers.

And did we mention that it has a sharing interface on the right side?

Best Travel Accessories for Toddlers To Keep Everything Organized

Here is our list of some of the best kids’ luggage, bags, and organizers to make life a touch easier.

10. JetKids by Stokke BedBox (Best Air Travel Gear for Toddlers)

Stokke is a well-known baby and toddler brand, so their JetKids Ride On Suitcase is one of our favorite toddler travel accessories.

What makes this travel suitcase so great is the built-in flight bed . The suitcase transforms in 5 quick and easy steps once the seatbelt is switched off on the plane.

The suitcase also has space for your toddler’s essentials, so you can pack them away for easy access when not used as a ride-on through the airport.

The suitcase has front swivel wheels, making it super easy to pull along and steer.

Trunki ride on hard case luggage for kids

Trunki is one of the most reputed brands when it comes to products for toddlers.

Trunki is a durable and lightweight suitcase for kids. It is available in two color options – Terrance (Blue) and Trixie (Pink).

Your toddlers can use it as a riding toy or for storing luggage, and it can hold up to 75 lbs (which should be more than enough to store your toddler’s belongings for a trip).

We only r ecommend this one for older toddlers , as a one-year-old might still be too little for it.

So if you are not sure this is the right pick for your toddler, then we have other fabulous ideas for kids’ luggage on wheels here.

12. Travel Organizers with Laundry Bag

Shacke Travel Organizers with Laundry Bag

Have you ever found packing your luggage to be stressful? We’ve used packing trips for most of our trips. We use these in our luggage as well as our carry-on bags.

Shacke offers a pack of four space-saving packing cubes that allow you to organize and pack all your essentials systematically. You will no longer have to wrestle with your suitcase to fit in everything you need!

Each of these travel organizers is made from high-quality nylon. The pack is available in nine colors and comes with a laundry bag.

We typically pack all our clothes and items for all three (Andrzej, myself, and our toddler) of us into one suitcase, so I really LOVE to use a specific color for each person, that way I can pull out the right cube of clothes for any of us quickly.

We always popped three of these in our backpack diaper bag.

One was to store toddler travel toys (here is our list of the best travel toys for toddlers ) and the second was for snacks organized for the plane trip.

And when she was in diapers, we also used a third cube as our diaper caddy – it is so much easier to take a cube into the small plane toilet cubicles rather than a big bulky diaper backpack.

You can read through all our packing cubes reviews here.

It is one of those travel things for toddlers that no one naturally would think about, but that comes in handy in so many different ways.

13. Mancro Backpack Diaper Bag

One of those travel must-haves for toddlers – whether your toddler is toilet-trained or not.

We absolutely love the Mancro Backpack Diaper Bag for travel purposes.

Featuring 114 easy-access compartments, this backpack will let you keep all your toddler essentials in an organized manner. We use it on the plane and while exploring.

We especially liked its included changing pad, stroller straps, and padded straps, making it excellent for traveling. You need not worry about any quality-related red flags, as it comes with a lifetime warranty .

After something a bit more girlie? We have a list of other fabulous traveling diaper bags here.

Best Toddler Travel Gear for Sleep-Time

Next up are some fabulous nifty toddler travel items to help with sleep and nap time.

14. BabyBjörn Travel Crib Light or The Shrunks Toddler Travel Bed

Depending on your toddler’s age, you can choose to buy either a suitable toddler travel crib or an inflatable toddler bed (see info on that below).

One of the best portable travel cribs is the BabyBjörn Travel Crib. This crib is perfect for children up to three years of age. It is a lightweight crib (13 lbs) and comes with a carry bag.

It can be set up very quickly and folds back conveniently , making it ideal for travel.

You can also find our guide on the best travel cribs for your research here.

If your child is older than 2 , you can opt for the Toddler Travel Bed by The Shrunks.

It comes with a powerful electric pump so you can inflate it quickly. We especially liked the guard rails on the sides of this bed to prevent toddlers from rolling out.

15. Portable Window Blackout Blind Shades

The worst thing is when you arrive at a hotel or Airbnb and they only have sheer curtains.

You already know that your toddler will be awake at the first sign of light.

Fortunately, you can take this fabulous product along with you.

AmazonBasics offers the Window Blackout Blind Shades to block out sunlight and UV rays, thereby ensuring that your kid sleeps quietly during the day.

It is made from 100% polyester and features Velcro edges, which allow it to fit several window sizes.

It adheres with suction cups , so you can stick it onto any window YEAH!

Toddler Travel Accessories for Car Trips

For those who will be spending loads of time in the car on a road trip. Here are some fabulous items to help keep peace in the backseat.

16. Kinder Fluff Car Sun Shade

Kinder Fluff’s pack of four-car sun shades is a must-have if you plan to embark on a road trip with your toddler. It consists of two transparent and two semi-transparent sun shades for your car windows.

You also get a free storage pouch.

We especially liked the fact that you can install it quickly and easily without any adhesives or suction cups.

They are so easy to pack, take up little room, and honestly will help your little one to sleep better during the car trip.

17. Car Seat Tray

Keeping kids occupied with toys, activity books, or food more oft than not is an arduous task.

EcoZen Lifestyle offers a multi-purpose travel tray that can be used in cars and planes.

Your child will be busy with his toys, books, and food with the help of this exceptional tray.

Its side and front pockets allow for convenient storage of various things.

18. Shynerk Baby Car Mirror

Shynerk offers the Baby Car Mirror, which is an effective way of keeping your toddler under surveillance.

It pivots a full 360 degrees to ensure that you have the best viewing angle.

I’m sure you all have one in your car at home, but this one is fabulous to pack and take along.

We especially liked how easy it was to attach it to the headrest of the backseat of our car.

You need not worry about your toddler getting harmed by it in case of a mishap because it is crash-tested and safety certified.

19. Lusso Gear Car Seat Organizer

Nobody wants to clean a mess of toys, books, and spilled food on vacation.

Traveling with a toddler in a car can be a messy affair, especially when they have a complete arsenal of things to throw around.

Lusso Gear offers the Car Seat Organizer, which prevents this most efficiently.

It consists of nine storage compartments for various toddler-favorite products.

We especially liked the ergonomic handles that make it easy to carry.

Best Travel Items for Toddlers to Keep Them Safe

We all know that toddlers are super busy little people. And boy do they love to have their own way. So it can be really tricky to move through crowded areas when your toddler wants to run this way or that

These products will help give your child a touch of freedom, whilst still keeping them within a safe distance.

20. The Stair Barrier Portable Baby Gate

Not only can stairs be a safety concern for toddler parents, but it can also mean that you will have to take your toddler up and down the stairs all day long (our toddler just loved new stairs and kept asking to go up and down).

If you know that the hotel or Airbnb you will be staying in has stairs, it would be worthwhile to take this Stair Barrier Portable Fabric Gate with you.

It weighs only 6 lbs. It ties up with 3 dual-sided release buckles, which won’t leave marks on the staircase.

It is available in two size options and 11 different colors.

21. Jolik Child Motorcycle Safety Harness

Jolik offers the Child Motorcycle Safety Harness for parents who want to take their toddlers along when they go for a ride.

Its belt length can be adjusted to fit most motorcycles, snowmobiles, and ATVs.

It can be used for kids aged 2 to 12 years.

Helpful when you visit scooter-heavy countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and Bali.

I hate seeing little kids on motorcycles with no protection, this is worth every dollar (and don’t forget to take a bike helmet along as well!).

We liked the thoughtful inclusion of a reflective patch to ensure your child’s safety in darkness.

22. Blisstime Anti Lost Wrist Link or Skip Hop Toddler Leash and Harness Backpack

Blisstime Anti Lost Wrist Link Safety Wrist Link

If your toddler has a knack for running around and getting lost, you can use the Anti-Lost Wrist Link from Blisstime to prevent that from happening when you are traveling. It comes in three color options – rose red, orange, and blue.

Instead, you may choose to opt for the Toddler Leash and Harness Backpack from Yisibo. It allows you to ensure that your child does not get lost in a crowded place.

You can detach the leash from the backpack when it is not required. It is available in five different and fun styles.

Other Must-Have Toddler Travel Essentials

And if you thought we were out of items, you were wrong. There is even more. Some nifty ideas for making mealtime more enjoyable and just some fabulous products to have on have.

23. Munchkin Brica Travel Booster Seat or Zicac Portable Booster Seat Cushion

Anybody who has traveled with toddlers will agree that one of the most common issues they face is the low height of chairs in public places.

Not all restaurants have high chairs, and things get too complicated when you try to keep them on your lap while eating.

Depending on your toddler’s age, you can choose from these two seat boosters. You can also find some other fabulous recommendations for a travel high chair .

Munchkin’s Booster Seat works best for toddlers aged 1 to 3 years. We especially liked its built-in storage space for diapers and bottles.

Zicac’s Booster Seat is better suited for toddlers aged three years or above.

It features a high-density sponge and two straps to ensure that it stays securely in place on chairs.

24. BabyBjörn Smart Travel Potty or Gimars Portable Reusable Potty Training

One of the recurring tasks that a toddler’s parents must do is changing diapers. It may not be convenient to do that while traveling, so you should use these two products.

We recommend the Smart Potty for car journeys and the Reusable Potty Training for planes and trains.

The Smart Potty takes up negligible space and is very easy to clean. Its splash guard eliminates the chance of spills.

The Reusable Potty Trainer has six silicone pads that are non-slip, easily foldable, and washable.

It can be used to help your toddlers learn how to use lavatories.

25. Papablic Portable Baby Bottle Warmer

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your toddler could get warm milk on the go?

Papablic’s Portable Bottle Warmer does just that! It features a waterproof seal and vacuum insulation, which keeps water or milk hot for an entire day.

It has a 100% money-back guarantee and can easily fit in most standard diaper bags.

26. OXO Tot Drying Rack with Bottle Brush

Cleaning up a toddler’s essential products like bottles, nipples, or breast pump parts can be tiring, especially while traveling.

OXO provides a compact cleaning solution consisting of a firm, soft-bristled brush, and a detail cleaner.

It opens up to form a drying rack with flexible tines and ventilation holes to enable quick drying.

27. ChooMee SoftSip Food Pouch Top

When traveling with toddlers sometimes you have to do meals on the go.

With the ChooMee SoftSip Food Pouch tops, your little one will have a mess-free meal from any food pouch.

Simply screw off the food pouch plastic top and place the soft tops over the top to make mealtime comfortable for your little one.

The ChooMee SoftSip tops are made from silicone and are 100% BPA-free. They are also dishwasher safe which makes it easy to clean after use.

28. Munchkin Snack Catcher & a Sippy Travel Cup

Why are toddlers always so hungry!? Traveling with toddlers becomes much easier if you get this pack of 2 snack containers from Munchkin.

You can choose from two color combinations – blue and green or pink and purple. These containers fit most of the standard cup holders in cars and strollers.

We especially liked these spill-proof containers because they are made from BPA-free, dishwasher-safe materials.

Also, don’t forget to pack your sippy cups. You can just use what you have at home, but if you want something new, we love these sippy cups for young kids here.

29. ALVABABY Waterproof Wet Bag

With our next recommendation, we are adhering to optimal waste disposal standards. You cannot throw away a used diaper on the move and storing it for future disposal can be a hassle.

ALVABABY offers a waterproof wet bag that is a much better alternative than plastic bags. You can conveniently keep wet waste or wet clothes in this bag.

30. Speedo Kids’ Classic Swim Vest

Toddlers typically can’t swim well yet and often they aren’t always aware of how dangerous water can be, so best to ensure that they are safe when surrounded by water.

Speedo offers the Classic Swim Vest for small children in two sizes – medium for ages 2 to 4, and large for ages 4 to 6.

You can choose from seven different color options. It features an adjustable buckle strap and a full front zipper.

Your toddler will not be harmed by the sun’s harmful UV rays, thanks to its UPF 50+ protection.

>>> YES! My toddler would love this – Buy it Now

31. Bigib Toddler Kids Swim Water Shoes

One of the significant concerns that parents have after their toddlers go swimming is the risk of slipping down and getting hurt.

Bigib offers swim water shoes that are non-slip and dry quickly to ensure that your toddlers do not face that predicament.

Just recently on our trip to Malta, we watched a little child run around the pool and in no time at all he was face-planting on the floor.

Even though we told our little one to walk slowly as a result, she still managed to slip as well.

These shoes are just so fabulous for little ones who love to run.

They are also great when you are visiting beaches that have lots of shells, coral, or rocks on them.

You can choose from 13 fun and exciting style options for these unisex shoes. You can also find a list of other toddler water shoes here.

32. Cocosand Baby Sunglasses with Strap

Protecting your toddler’s eyes from the harsh sun rays when at the beach or pool is just as important as protecting your own.

We love the Cososand Baby Sunglasses that offer UV400 protection. The sunglasses come with a strap to help keep them on your little one when out and about.

The sunglasses come in a variety of colors for you to choose from.

They are made from a soft and comfortable material that is lightweight and won’t squeeze the ears or the nose of your little one when they are wearing them.

33. Monobeach Pop-Up Baby Beach Tent

This pop-up beach tent is not only a great sun shade but can also double up as a small splash pool to keep your little one cool when at the beach.

It comes with its own carry bag and folds up small and compact making it easy to store and carry when out and about.

You also get 4 pegs to ensure that you can secure the tent in the sand or ground when using it at the beach or even in the park when having a picnic.

The pop-up tent has a sun protection rating of 50+ UPF ensuring that your little one will have extra protection when sitting inside this great pop-up beach tent.

34. Sesame Street Elmo’s On The Go Letters

The Sesame Street On the Go Letters has a carry case with 26 letters helping your toddler not only have fun but learn the alphabet.

By playing with the On the Go Letters your toddler will learn letter recognition as they snap each letter back in place in the carry case.

If you want to start spelling words you can use the space at the bottom of the case to place and spell words.

35. Buckle Toys Blu Whale

The Blu Whale Soft toy from Buckle toy offers comfort, development, and educational aspects.

The Blue Whale helps your toddler develop fine motor skills, color recognition, problem-solving skills, and hand-eye coordination.

The whale has a zipper pocket, embroidered numbers & shapes, and six colorful buckles with different clasps.

36. Story Time Finger Puppets

Story Time Finger Puppets are a great toy that helps develop creative play and imagination.

With 20 different puppets, 14 animals, and 6 people family members, there are endless stories that can be created to pass the time when traveling.

The puppets are made from soft cloth felt and fit securely on your toddler’s fingers but are also suitable to fit on adult-sized fingers so you can create stories with your little one as well.

37. Montessori deMoca Quiet Book Toy

The Montessori deMoca Cloth Book is a soft cloth book created to help develop your toddler’s fine motor skills.

With 9 different activities, your toddler will learn colors, shapes, and even how to use snaps and buckles.

Made from cloth materials you can wash this book whenever it needs a cleaning and it even comes with its own zippered washing machine bag to ensure the book keeps its shape during washing.

38. Suction Cup Pop Up Fidget Spinner Toys

Fidget spinner toys are such great toys that all kids love to play with and keep them occupied for hours!

These suction cup pop-up fidget spinner toys are great as they can suction onto the table on the plane when seated to keep your little one entertained during a flight.

They stick on any flat surface so even if you are not flying you can still use them if there is a flat surface.

The suction cup fidget spinners are also small and compact enough to slip into your carry-on bag and take up very little space so are great as a travel toy for toddlers.

To read more about great toys for traveling browse our tried and tested best airplane toys post.

Summary Of The Best T ravel Essentials For Toddlers

Toddlers can get extremely cranky while traveling; the best travel gear for toddlers can make or break the trip.

We have incorporated various toddler travel must-haves in our recommendations to ensure that there is something worthwhile for everyone’s needs.

Did you know that we also have other helpful guides? Browse our best travel accessories for kids ‘ guide, our best baby travel gear , or general travel gear guide here.

Till next time, travel safely! I hope you found our guide to the best toddler travel items helpful.

Jolene Ejmont

5 thoughts on “38 best toddler travel essentials (more fun & less stress in 2024)”.

I love it! i was just planning a trip with my family and i will take my one year old baby, many people point out that it’s not very good to travel with kids as they get stressed on the flight and may make a lot of sense to some extent, however i think it’s great that you wrote this because you don’t know how much help you’re going to do with this!

Allisson, don’t listen to other people and just follow what works for you. You know what, our little one LOVES to fly and out of 50 flights she was only unsettled on maybe 3. Kids are all different though, some personality types handle things better than other. But I’m sure your little one will LOVE all the quality time that they will get to spend with you once they are there. If you are on facebook, come and join us in our little family travel support group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/wsfamilytravelsupportgroup . You will find it is a great place to come and talk to other parents who can give you some insight into what it is like 😉

I read your tips for travelling with kids. This is one of the best ways to travel with kids and very easy and useful gadgets to carry. I am planning a trip with my family and now I’ll also carry these things with me.

This was possibly one of the most brilliant lists I have seen. Planning a major trip soon, and I’ve added so many of these to my must have list! Thank you!

Thank you very much for your kind words, and sorry for the much-delayed response.

Comments are closed.

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My ultimate baby and toddler holiday packing list

By: Author Monica

Categories The Mama Hack , Travel Tips

My ultimate baby and toddler holiday packing list

*This baby holiday packing list has been created in collaboration with The Gro Company.

I’m not going to lie, it took me a long time to get the hang of packing for a holiday with a baby and a toddler! On our first holiday we took way too much, on our second holiday we took way too little, on some trips we forgot vitally important things and on other holidays I genuinely have no idea what we were thinking!

Over the years, we’ve managed to refine what we pack for a holiday with babies and toddlers and we’ve gradually perfected our baby holiday essentials.

Luggage allowances can control how much we pack but we’ll usually take two large suitcases between the four of us. We try to not take more than this because it’s so difficult to juggle suitcases, hand luggage, the travel stroller , car seats and two children!

Here’s my ultimate baby and toddler holiday packing list.

Some of these items are for any holiday and there’s a section for summer holidays with items specifically for the beach, swimming pool and hot weather. We’ve always found that our kids cope surprisingly well with the heat and it doesn’t bother them nearly as much as it bothers us, so don’t worry about packing too many fancy gadgets to keep them cool!

Before you begin, I highly recommend writing your own ‘baby holiday checklist’ so you can tick items off as you pack them. This makes packing so much faster, means you won’t forget anything and you’re not tempted to overpack because you know you have everything you need on your checklist.

Getting around while you’re on holiday

Even if you have an older toddler who rarely uses a pushchair at home, I still recommend taking one. Holidays can often mean long days, late nights and (if you’re lucky) afternoon naps in the shade, so a comfortable, reclining pushchair often comes in handy.

A simple umbrella stroller will do the job, just make sure it has a large hood/canopy to keep your little one in the shade. We also like to have one that fully reclines and has a large shopping basket for all our beach things!

If you’re travelling with two little ones then I highly recommend the Mountain Buggy Duet. It is heavy to lift and bulky when folded but it’s a doddle to push, the seats are spacious and the pushchair isn’t too wide. You can get through a normal doorway and it also folds down in one so it only counts as one piece of baby equipment for the flight! Despite the extra bulk of this pushchair, we still take it on holiday with us because we know both the boys will nap in it and it can deal with sandy beaches, cobbled streets and tight spaces in restaurants.

Another pushchair I like for a single child is the YOYO+ by Babyzen . It’s the only lightweight pushchair I’ve tried that will also comfortably carry a 4 year old (yes, I have a very lazy 4 year old and a 2 year old who insists on walking!) It also folds down small enough to be taken onboard the plane as cabin baggage or easily slipped into the footwell of a car, which is great when you have a tiny hire car filled with suitcases! We also have the Silvercross Jet which is great for travelling but I do find the Babyzen to be better as it’s much sturdier, easier to fold and has a bigger storage basket.

Read more: What’s the best travel stroller?

You can hire car seats when you arrive but they’re often expensive, the quality can be dubious and they’re often just a bit grubby! We prefer to take our own seats as we know how to safely install them.

It is a bit awkward to juggle bulky car seats at the airport but we usually just struggle and take our normal ones from home.

If you want to avoid the struggle then take a look at the Trunki BoostApak . It’s only suitable from 15kg (which is usually around 3 years old) small enough for a child to carry it as a backpack, it can go on the plane as hand luggage and can also be used on the plane and as a booster seat in restaurants too.

Trunki BoostApak | Kid's Travel Backpack and Portable Child Car Booster Seat | Group 2-3 | Ages 4...

Quickly Transforms - Kid's backpack to portable car seat in seconds, can also be used as a booster seat dining chair at home or eating out and as a cinema / stadium booster
Lift Share - Always have a portable booster seat to hand for the school pickup or sports club no matter who is doing the taxi run! (removable hand wash only rucksack cover)
Hand Luggage - 8-litre capacity bag for packing toys/games/stationery keeping children entertained on the airplane or travelling, helps avoid car seat hire charges on fly drive holidays

For babies, I really like the Doona car seat/pushchair as it’s a carseat with wheels. It can’t replace a pushchair as it doesn’t fully recline so you shouldn’t keep a baby in it for more than two hours, but it’s very handy for quick outings and whizzing around the airport. We had one and used it while all three of ours were babies and we loved it and travelled with it lots! (It’s also worth noting that we used it for 3 children, loaned it to 3 friends for their babies and then sold it for £150, so it really does keep it’s value!)

Doona+ Baby Car Seat & Travel Stroller Blush Pink - Convertible 0+ Car Seat and Pram with 5 Point...

CONVERTIBLE BABY PUSHCHAIR – One simple motion operation, from Car Seat to Stroller in seconds. Perfect for the modern family on the move.
A TRAVEL MUST-HAVE – Going on holiday? Just take a Doona Baby Stroller with wheels - TUV and FAA Aircraft Approved for travel.
ANTI-REBOUND CRASH TECHNOLOGY – The adjustable handlebar on the Doona car seat stroller also acts as an anti-rebound bar inside the car.

Baby carrier

Baby carriers are really handy for airports and planes so you can have both of your hands free when you have lots of things to carry! You can usually keep your baby in a carrier when you go through security so it makes that stressful part of the airport a little easier!

I like the Izmi carrier because it folds away into a little pouch so is easy to pop into your changing bag.

Izmi Essential Baby Carrier | Award Winning Adjustable Soft Structured Sling with 3 Different...

⚙️ Simple Ergonomic Design: Two easy buckles to secure, the supportive, wrap-like design distributes your baby’s weight to reduce pressure on your back
👶 Suitable From Birth: Cleverly designed to adjust, fit, and modify comfortably around your growing baby from 3.2kg-15kg. Tested to Safety Standard EN13209-2:2015 and CEN/TR 16512:2015.
✨ Three Carrying Positions: Carry securely in three comfortable positions including parent-facing front carry, forward-facing front carry and side carry

Black out blind

A black out blind like the Gro Anywhere Black Out Blind is particularly handy if you’re travelling long haul and your kids might be suffering from jetlag.

Pop up a blackout blind and cross your fingers that they’ll sleep for a few extra hours without the sunshine pouring in through their window!

They’re handy even if you’re not dealing with jetlag. The curtains at our apartment in Menorca weren’t great and a dark room definitely makes bedtime routines a little easier and you’ve got more chance of a lie-in!

Tommee Tippee Sleeptight Portable Blackout Blind with Suction Cups, Adjustable and Lightweight,...

Total blackout: With the Tommee Tippee Portable Blackout Blind you can create a completely dark sleeping environment and help maintain baby’s sleep routine, anywhere you go
Strong suction cups: The blind is attached to a window using the long-lasting suction cups which are fitted all the way round the blackout blind to quickly and easily block out all light from a room
Easy to adjust: The fastenings allow you to adjust the size of the blind to fit any window up to a maximum of 130 x 198cm (51x78in). The blind can be reduced to around a third of its maximum size

I would definitely recommend getting the large one over the small one. We have both and find the small one is usually too small.

Sunshade for pushchair

It’s also worth getting a ventilated sunshade that goes over a pushchair, not just an umbrella one but an elasticated cover to go over the whole pushchair. Something like a SnoozeShade is brilliant!

It keeps the pushchair cool, dark and shaded and we’ve always found them to be great when we’re going out for dinner with babies as they’re less likely to wake up just as your steak arrives! Just make sure you get one that’s well ventilated.

Universal Sun Shade for Pram, Pushchair and Buggy | Blocks 99% Sunlight | One Size Fits All | Helps...

🌞 SUN PROTECTION FOR EVERY PRAM & BUGGY: Shield your little one from the harsh sun rays with our universal pram sun shade. It's specially designed to fit any single pram, pushchair, or carrycot,...
🔆 USE IT IN FOUR WAYS: Our versatile sun shade offers multiple configurations to suit your needs. Attach it as an overhead canopy to create a cozy shade for your child. Extend it as an additional...
🛡️ SHIELD BABIES & TODDLERS FROM UV RAYS: Your child's delicate skin deserves the best care. Our pram sun shade provides exceptional sun protection, blocking out 99% of harmful UV rays (UPF50+)....

Sleeping bag

We’ve always used GroBag sleeping bags so having this cosy familiarity on holiday really helps get the boys to sleep. The travel Grobags are great for holidays as they’re nice and cool and come with really cute holiday designs.

They also have space to use a 5-way harness so you can put little ones into their Grobag and then safely strap them into their pushchair or car seat – making it very easy to later transfer them to bed while they’re sleeping and generally avoid the faff of blankets.

For older children you might prefer to use the Grorompers (which are absolutely adorable!) as these have legs in them, making it easier for your little ones to walk around in them.

It’s worth double checking but accommodation providers rarely give you bedding for cots. Just don’t forget to take them home, I always end up leaving them!

Sasma Home - 2 x Cot Fitted Sheets 120x60cm - 100% Cotton, Soft breathable baby cot sheets (White)

Pair of Cot Fitted Sheets 120x60cm - Our Sheets are made of 100% Natural Cotton.No polyester or bamboo fibre used.
Suitable for any cot mattress - Length 120 cm - Width 60 cm and Pocket Depth 15cm. Please Check Mattress Manufacturer Size Guide before purchase.
Baby cot sheets are made of soft jersey fabric, that is highly absorbant to keep baby's body dry and fresh.

I’ve had a lot of people ask if you should take your own travel cot? We never do and I’ve never stayed anywhere that doesn’t have a cot. It’s personal choice but I find a travel cot is a large and bulky thing to travel with so we avoid taking it whenever possible.

Eating and Drinking

Opt for a silicone wipe-clean bib so you can use the same one for your whole holiday – and not come home with a suitcase full of soggy, soiled bibs!

Rightwell Silicone Bib 3 pcs Silicone Bibs for Babies and Toddlers Unisex - Waterproof Silicone Baby...

💚 Premium Quality Bibs – RIGHTWELL slicone baby Bbibs make sure 100% food grade silicone material, safe for babies and toddlers that are teething. Eco-friendly, safe and soft material ,Stain...
💚 Bibs with Leak-proof Pocket – Wide food crumb catcher pocket can easily pocket the food due to the angled tray at the bottom of the bib, avoid getting dirty baby clothes while eating. Roll them...
💚 Lovely Design Bibs – The cute pattern of our bibs can easy to catch babies' eyes, which make babies have a willing to use this bib to do a eatting. It effectively help children wean and fall in...

We use no-spill sippy cups such as the Munchkin 360 cups for ease while we’re travelling. These save the hassle of spilt drinks on planes, in restaurants and hotel rooms!

Munchkin Miracle 360 6+ Month 7oz Baby Sippy Cups (2-Pack). Free Flow Beaker for Toddlers. Trainer...

MUNCHKIN 360 CUP SET: 2x 7oz/207ml toddler sippy cups with handles, in blue and green colours. Each baby cup with magic no-spill valve is the ideal size for little hands, for drinking on any side
360 EDGE NON SPILL CUP: Each leak-free Munchkin sippy cup, for toddlers and babies over 6 months, has a one-way valve with 360° edge for no spills. An ideal baby sippy cup or baby weaning cup for...
FIRST CUP WITH HANDLES: The Munchkin cup set features our popular anti spill Miracle design. With easy to hold handles they're a great toddler training cup with dentist-recommended open cup-style edge

Microwavable steriliser bags

If you’re bottle feeding then I highly recommend taking some microwavable steriliser bags to sterilise your bottles, dummies and maybe plastic spoons too. It’s quick and easy and I’ve always found hotels are happy to do this in the hotel kitchen.

Munchkin Cool Touch Microwave Steriliser Bags, Baby Bottle Teat & Dummy Steriliser, 6 Reusable Cold...

MUNCHKIN BABY MICROWAVE STERILISER BAGS: Pack of six large reusable baby bottle sterilising bags with 30 uses for each bag. Lightweight, portable steriliser bags can be marked after each use.
QUICK BABY STERILISING BAGS FOR BOTTLES AND ACCESSORIES: Cleans teats, soothers, teethers, bottles, breast pump parts and small toys in as little as 3 minutes. For 500-1000W microwave ovens
SAFE HANDLING: Cool-Touch grip enables burn-free handling, and the sliding closure makes sealing a cinch. Features an easy close pull tab with safety steam vent and pouring spout

Plastic tupperware

Little lunch boxes are especially handy if you’re self catering to make it easier to take sandwiches and snacks out with you for the day.

Even if you’re not self catering, they’re great if you sneak a few things away from the breakfast buffet!

Sistema Knick Knack Pack TO GO Small Food Containers | Stackable Storage Containers with Lids | 62...

Containers for organising knick knacks and snacks
Multi-purpose stackable containers
Featuring distinctive Sistema KLIP IT easy locking clips

Beach Time & Swimming Pool

Silicone buckets and spades.

These are a new find and I think they’re amazing. I’ve been trying to reduce the amount of plastic we waste so I’ve got some silicone buckets and spades from Scrunch . We seem to buy new buckets and spades every holiday but these ones are great because they won’t crack and they can also be squashed/rolled/folded into your suitcase so they’re not awkward to travel with.

Buckets and spades are holiday essentials for toddlers but you can always pick some up when you arrive and then pass them along to other kids when you’re leaving!

We find full swimsuits easiest so you’ve got less skin to worry about burning and less chance of a nappy full of sand!

I usually buy them from the supermarket but Harry Bear have a great selection on Amazon.

Harry Bear Girls Surfsuit Unicorn Pink 6-7 Years

Harry Bear loves making a big splash for fun in the sun!
Premium quality kids Unicorn Surfsuit
Super comfy stretchy unicorn print swimsuit

Kid’s wetsuits

If you’re going somewhere where the water won’t be warm then I highly recommend getting little wetsuits for toddlers. My kids always feel the cold and wetsuits help them to play in the sea for a little longer.

I bought the ones pictured below from Aldi but they’re a similar price online.

TWF KIDS SHORTY WETSUIT SHORTIE CHILDS CHILDRENS BOYS GIRLS UV SWIM SUN WET SUIT PIRATE SEAHORSE...

UPF 50+ Maximum UV Protection
Zip With Plastic Slider & Velcro Zip Lock
New Density Neoprene For Maximum Wear

Sun hats and sunglasses

If you’ve tried to get your baby to wear hats and glasses at home and they pull them straight off, don’t worry! We had the same but both our boys would keep them on when it was actually hot and sunny and the glasses made it easier for them. Make sure you get bendy ones for babies to avoid them being snapped. Our kids have all had Babiators and they’ve been great!

And let’s be honest, these little heart shaped Babiators might just be the cutest little things ever! Babiators comes with a headstrap to keep them on but when Alba was a baby we found it easiest to keep them on with a hat. She wore these little turbans when she was a baby.

Babiators Original Keyhole Sunglasses - Ballerina Pink (Ages 0-2)

Safe - UV400 lenses that offer 100% UVA + UVB protection. Our sunglasses are also BPA-free + undergo rigorous testing to ensure they’re safe for your little one to wear, touch, + even chew
Stylish - With gentle materials for all-day comfort + an array of frames & styles to choose from
Durable - Impact + shatter-resistant lenses + flexible, rubber frames, our sunnies won’t break when you bend, twist, or step on them

CANSHOW 6 Pcs Baby Hat for Girls Toddler Soft Cotton Turban Headwrap Newborn Accessory Cap for 3-12...

★Super Soft Caps - The baby's skin is very tender, we adopt soft material, can effectively prevent trench and scratch.
★Material - Baby hats for girls made with 100% Cotton.
★Aged - Approx 7.1"*5.6" head circumference:14.5"-17.3" perfect for 3 to 12 months old Baby and girls!!! Hat baby package includes 6 pieces Each Set. Please choose it according to the size !!!

I was always a firm believer that the cheapest sunscreen would do but since having children I’ve changed my mind – I’ll buy anything if it means I can avoid chasing them around trying to apply it!

We opt for greaseproof sprays that absorb immediately. If you’re looking for SPF 50 then I recommend the Ambre Solaire Aerosol. This stuff needs to be on every toddler holiday essentials list! It’s so easy to apply and the sand-free formula makes it easy to top up on the beach.

I tend to slather my kids in cream in the morning and then touch up with an aerosol through the day.

Ambre Solaire Kids Sensitive Anti-Sand Sun Cream Spray SPF50+ 200ml

VERY HIGH PROTECTION: Ambre Solaire Kids Sensitive Advanced Anti-Sand Spray SPF 50+ is perfect for children's sensitive skin and provides immediate protection against UVB and UVA
SAND REPELLING: Unique spray has a sand repelling action - say no to an itchy sand feeling on skin!
WATER RESISTANT: The formula is non-sticky and water resistant

Garnier Ambre Solaire SPF 50+ Sensitive Advanced Kids Sun Cream, High Protection Against UVA & UVB,...

VERY HIGH PROTECTION: Ambre Solaire Kids Sensitive Advanced Sun Protection Lotion SPF50+ is perfect for children's sensitive skin and offers a maximum 5* star UVA protection.
VERY WATER RESISTANT: This non-sticky and very water resistant formula is perfect for children's sensitive skin.
RESISTANT TO SALT, CHLORINE, SAND & SWEAT: The moisturising formula does not stick to sand and is resistant to salt, chlorine and sweat.

Joseph likes to have a sensitive cream for his face after a traumatic incident where he sprayed himself directly in the eye and he’s been a bit nervous about sunscreen on his face ever since!

Travel Hack Tip: Make it a morning routine where the whole family will apply sunscreen from head to toe before getting dressed.

Simple sandals that toddlers can get in and out of themselves will be ideal. My kids really like Crocs and Home Bargains usually have fake Crocs with their favourite TV characters on them. They do like the cute little Havaianas too but they’re quite expensive considering they’ll grow out of them so quickly.

Crocs Unisex Kids Classic Clog K, Navy, 11 UK Child

SIZING: Crocs use US sizing worldwide on all footwear, with the US size displayed on the sole, for UK sizes and further info, take a look at the size chart, UK and EU sizes are also located in the tag
WHAT SIZE SHOULD I BUY: If your child is between sizes, round up, kid's Junior size 3 and up can also shop our adult size
CROCS FOR EVERYONE: Just like the adult Classic Crocs, the baby version offers the same great shoe for youngstersEasy on and easy off makes these the pair of Crocs kids need

Pop-up beach tent

OK, this can be a bulky item to travel with (although smaller than I thought it would be!) but it can make a day at the beach so much easier. A pop-up beach tent is much better than an umbrella as it provides you with some shade, a place to store your things, an escape from the sand and a little den to keep little ones happy.

Travel Hack Tip: You can make a ‘beach cot’ by digging a hole in the sand, placing a towel over the hole and placing your beach tent over the hole. Then you’ve got a snug, sand-free and cool spot for a baby to sleep.

Swimming aids

This is going to be parental preference about whether you want to use any inflatables or floats in the water. It also comes down to the kids too.

George won’t even look at the swimming pool without his armbands on, a rubber ring, a life vest, goggles and about 15 layers of sunscreen! Joseph on the other hand can strip his clothes off and dive into a pool in seconds.

My preference is a float vest (we like the ones from Splash About ) and the kids seem to like wearing them too. We paid about £20 for ours and all of our kids have used it and I’m sure we’ll pass it along to another family when we’re done with it.

Splash About Go Splash Float Jacket, Went to Sea, 1-3 Years

LEARN TO SWIM – The Go Splash Float Jacket is a learn to swim aid that holds children in the correct position for learning to swim, naturally tipping the child forward with their shoulders towards...
8 PIECE FLOAT SYSTEM – The Go Splash Float Jacket contains 8 float bars, that are secured in pockets inside the jacket. The full 8 floats give the maximum buoyancy, which helps children starting...
COMFORTABLE – The Go Splash Float Jacket is made from high quality neoprene, with soft binding to prevent chafing under the arms when wet. The robust zip is covered with a soft tab to stop any...

Paddling pool

This might sound like a weird one if you’ll have access to a swimming pool and the sea! But a little paddling pool is great if you’re travelling with babies and toddlers – especially if you have more than one and they can’t swim. Our boys can’t swim so it’s quite stressful being in the pool alone with them both!

You can place a paddling pool in the shade, sit nearby and let them play.

It’s also handy for the beach so babies can have a splash around and sit in the shade. It’s also handy to have some clean water to wash sandy babies!

Travel Hack Tip: Don’t forget to add a rock into your paddling pool when your child isn’t in it. If it doesn’t have much water in it then it can blow away in the wind so easily!

Intex 59416NP Crystal Blue Three Ring Inflatable Paddling Pool 1.14m x 25cm

45" diameter inflatable paddling pool
Three ring pool
Intex crystal blue

Simple outfits

I always try and keep holiday clothing as simple as possible. I’ll pack a handful of cotton shorts and a huge stack of colourful t-shirts (I like the multipacks from Next) then loads of pants and a hoodie and that’s pretty much it. As you can see, your suitcase will be so full of other things that there isn’t a lot of space for clothes!

During our first few holidays I took little shorts and t-shirts for bedtimes but I’d forgotten than we’d had the air conditioning on at night time so it’s not actually that warm in a hotel or apartment. Now I just take their normal long sleeve and long legged PJs.

Travel Hack Tip: Don’t forget that many hotels and apartments in hot countries will have tile floors so if you’re little one is walking avoid onsies with slippy feet in them – unless they’re the type with sticky bits on the soles.

Other extras

Hand wash detergent for clothes.

If you’re short on suitcase space then leave all the extra ‘just in case clothes’ at home. Some days my youngest will get through 5 T-shirts in a day, but you can’t pack 35 T-shirts for a 1 week holiday! Instead, take some detergent so you can hand wash a few items in the hotel sink. It’s unlikely you’ll need it but it saves you panic-packing every item of clothing they own.

If you’re staying in a villa or apartment then you’ll probably have a washing machine there so pack some of your normal detergent (pods are easiest to travel with) to avoid having to buy a big box of detergent when you arrive. I also feel very smug if I arrive home with a suitcase full of clean clothes!

Dr Beckmann Non Bio Travel Wash Gel (100ml)

Dr Beckmann Non Bio Travel Wash Gel
Brand : Dr. Beckmann
Product Type : Laundry Detergent

iPad or tablet with a bumper case

It’s time to let your screen-time standards slip on holiday!

A tablet makes flights so much easier and they’re also great for evening meals with toddlers. I’m sure we’d all love our kids to sit nicely for every meal but it doesn’t always happen – especially if you’re in an all-inclusive hotel and don’t have any option but to have a later dinner than normal.

Travel Hack Tip: We’ve recently discovered audiobooks for our boys and their tablet is full of Julia Donaldson books on Audible. If we go for a walk in the evening, they’ll both sit in the double pushchair with the hoods down and their seats reclined and they’ll listen to audiobooks until they fall asleep. I’m often very jealous of their setup because it looks so cosy! It means we can then enjoy a quick sunset drink (in peace!) before taking them back to the hotel to bed.

Audible Audiobook
Julia Donaldson (Author) - Imelda Staunton, Jim Carter, Steven Pacey (Narrators)
English (Publication Language)

A fun alternative to audiobooks is a Toniebox, a great kid’s gadget and it’s something my kids love! You can read my Toniebox review here.

Comfortable, unisex changing bag

I usually opt for a backpack changing bag that we’re both happy to carry. OK, what I really mean by this is ‘a bag Sam will carry because it ends up really heavy!’

I always use The Travel Hack Backpack

Cabin Max Travel Hack Travel Bags for Women | Ryanair Cabin Bags 40x20x25 | Laptop Backpack - Black

A fashionable and space-saving womens Travel Backpack cabin size which fits under the seat. It can hold laptops up to 13", serving as a convenient option for weekend trips too.
Features an easy access top pocket for purses, sun glasses, phones and travel documents.
Fits the Ryanair 40x20x25cm' free' underseat hand luggage rules. Flies for free on all other known airlines. Lightweight design weighs just 0.6kg.

I also really like to have a buggy organiser when we’re travelling. It’s a pocket/bag that Velcro’s onto the pushchair handles for things like our phones and wallets, snacks, water bottles and wet wipes. It’s really handy and I highly recommend getting one!

Baby Uma Pram Bag with Cup Holder for Pram - Universal Pram Accessories, Stroller Bag with Pram Cup...

SPACE FOR ALL YOUR ESSENTIALS: Attach this buggy organiser bag with pushchair cup holder and pushchair phone holder to your handlebar and fill it with emergency wipes, nappies, dummies, sippy cups,...
COMPACT YET ROOMY: This pram organiser bag with cup holder has a compartment for everything: Front pockets for your mobile phone, keys, and cards. A main compartment with enough room for favourite...
UNIVERSAL & EASY TO INSTALL: The pram caddy features an adjustable strap on either side, making it quick and easy to attach it to your pushchair's handle or straight to the frame.

Baby toiletries and prescription creams in miniatures

Babies and toddlers use such tiny amounts of their toiletries that you definitely won’t need to take full size bottles, so decant your favourites into travel-sized bottles. You can buy travel-sized bottles from all high-street beauty stores and they have them in Primark too.

If you’re going to get a lot of use out of them then I recommend buying some good quality silicone ones because the cheap ones do crack after 2-3 years.

Opret 100ml Silicone Travel Bottle, 4 Pack Leak Proof Refillable Squeezable Containers with Lable...

◆ Portable Travel Bottles – These travel bottles are designed with wide opening, convenient for refilling and cleaning. With 4 different colours bottles and label, you can identify different...
◆ TSA Carry-on Approved - The 100ml/3.4oz travel tubes meet TSA 3-1-1 policy, ideal for travelling and trip, easy to carry and save space. You will surly check-in fast and stress-free with them
◆ Leak Proof Design – With upgraded assembly-free and anti-leak design, these travel bottles will only dispense bottle contents when its silicone body is pressed. Never have to worry about the...

If you have any prescription creams then they’ll usually come in enormous bottles so decant these. My boys both have eczema and their cream comes in the biggest, heaviest tubs imaginable! I always take some with me, even though their eczema always clears up within a day or two of being on holiday.

It’s also worth noting that I’ve struggled to find Sudocrem (or anything similar) on holidays to Spain and Portugal so I always take some just in case.

Sudocrem My Little Skin Care Cream Cosmetic 22g

My little sudocrem is a versatile skin care cream that helps to soothe dry skin & calm redness
Its clinically-proven formulation soothes & protects delicate skin, forming a barrier which protects against irritants, allowing the skin to maintain its natural and healthy condition
The portable & compact 22g pot makes it convenient and easy to carry around wherever you go

Inflatable duck

This inflatable duck has come on so many holidays with us and it quickly became one of our holiday essentials for baby!

I originally bought it as a fun inflatable for the swimming pool but it works as a baby bath too. It’s great for hotels that don’t have showers or just enormous baths that can be tricky with little babies. It also has a temperature gauge on it so you’ll know if the water is too hot and it has a non-slip surface.

It’s worth noting that you absolutely can’t leave a baby or toddler alone with the duck because it can tip over.

COMFORTABLE: Padded, interactive inflatable bath makes big baths comfortable for babies, toddlers and newborns to splash around in. This bath tub also features a contoured headrest, making washing...
NON-SLIP: Textured soft base helps prevent slipping.
WHITE HOT TECHNOLOGY: White Hot Safety Disc reveals the word 'HOT' when water is too hot.

Baby monitors + plug adaptors

If you’re staying in an apartment or have a balcony/veranda at your hotel then don’t forget your baby monitors.

I know most parents wouldn’t sit too far away anyway but it means you can relax without hearing phantom crying and constantly saying, ‘Shhh, it’s that the baby crying!?’ every time you hear a nearby child (which can happen a lot if you’re in a family-friendly area!)

Don’t forget plug adaptors if they need to be plugged in at the wall! I like these ones with USBs so you can plug your phone and other devices in with the baby monitor.

UK to European Adapter Plug with 3 USB Ports, EU Schuko Travel Euro Europe Grounded Charger for...

UK to European Plug Adaptor: UK to EU plug adapter has 3 USB ports, a total output of 5V/3.1A and standard UK plug with maximum capacity of 2500W. Schuko Type E/F plug has grounded round pins and does...
4 in 1 European Plug Adapter: UK to EU Plug Adapter compatible with most of Europe countries such as Spain, France, Iceland, Germany, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Croatia, Norway, Austria, Netherlands,...
Portable and Reliable: UK to Europe travel plug with built-in multi-protection features, including over-heating control, short-circuiting control , over-current regulation and over-voltage regulation....

If your baby has specific formula then I’d recommend taking that formula with you. If you’re going to a holiday resort then you probably will be able to find it when you arrive but there is a risk you’ll only find local brands and it could be more expensive.

Travel Hack Tip: Take a small roll of sellotape with you (or plasters would work if you’re taking them anyway) to tape down the lid if you’ll be coming home with leftover formula. We once had a formula explosion in our suitcase and it was everywhere!

Insect repellant for children

I always pack some kid’s insect repellent but I really just try and avoid being anywhere with lots of mosquitoes at dusk.

Jungle Formula for Kids Lotion Insect Repellent, 125 ml

Jungle formula's DEET free lotion for kids helps your young ones enjoy the outdoors whilst being protected from small biting insects and mosquitoes
An insect repellent factor of 2 helps provide up to 6 hours of protection from mosquitoes, midges and other biting insects, while still being sensitive for multiple applications if needed
The insect repellent lotion is for children 12 months of age or older and is also alcohol-free, with a non-greasy feel

If you’ve got a toilet-trained toddler who has the odd accident then consider taking some pull ups. It can be easier for the plane and especially handy for nighttimes when you won’t have access to clean sheets. If you’ve got an older child who refuses to wear pull ups then consider getting some washable training pants. They’re not particularly absorbent but they’re perfect for little accidents.

Don’t forget that despite having so much to do on holiday, your kids will probably get bored at some point or will just need a few hours of quiet time in doors. We always pack a bag filled with little cars, lego men, plastic animals, duplo etc. and we take it with us everywhere we go!

What to buy when you arrive

Despite this baby and toddler packing list getting very, very long, there are a few things you can leave at home and pick up when you get there.

If you’re travelling on a package holiday then you’ll probably have a really generous luggage allowance so you might want to pack these things anyway but these are all really easy to pick up when you arrive.

Cow’s milk (I wouldn’t fancy travelling with cow’s milk!)

Things to leave at home

There are a few extra things you might have seen on other baby packing lists for holidays. I’ve tried some of them and these are the ones I don’t rate.

Portable high chairs – it’s easier to feed them in their pushchair if there is no where else
Headphones for babies and young toddlers – George would wear these from around age 3 but we’ve found babies and young toddlers won’t keep them on
A potty – They learn to use the toilet pretty quickly when they realise it’s their only option.
Stair gates – A very bulky item and it’s easier to just keep a close eye on your kids
Changing mat – Personal preference but we just use a towel when we travel
Trunki suitcase – They’re quite small and they just get in the way
Plastic cutlery – We use this at home but the kids are happy to use metal teaspoons while we’re away
Breast pump – I’ve always packed mine and never used it as I’m with the kids 24/7 anyways so it’s easier just to breastfeed them. Breastfeeding on a plane sounds a bit daunting but it’s actually the best!
Universal sink plug – I’ve seen a lot of holiday packing lists include a universal sink plug so you can bath a baby in the sink or use it to wash clothes. But I can honestly say I’ve never stayed anywhere where the washbasin doesn’t already have a plug!

Since writing this blog post we’ve had another baby! I’ve written about what it’s like to have 3 kids here.

You can read about my recommendations for what to pack in your carry on (the adult version!) and suggestions for a toddler carry on packing list!

My ultimate guide to travelling with a newborn.

If you’re really short on space in your luggage then you might want to check out the VAGO Luggage Compressor to squeeze the air out of your clothes and make more space.

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The Ultimate List of Toddler Travel Essentials (+Toddler Packing List!)

This page may contain affiliate links, which means that we may earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

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 .

Toddler smelling flowers- toddler travel essentials

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

Toddler playing with truck toys on the plane

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!

18 Toddler Road Trip Essentials

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Table of Contents

ROAD TRIP ESSENTIAL FOR A TODDLER

If you are thinking of going on a family road trip, I say go for it. Traveling with a toddler isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare.

We have driven to or through 12 states, recording more than 8,000 miles with our toddler.

Most of that time has been pleasant, but a few hours of our trips have been downright miserable. Although it isn’t fun while it is happening, we’ve learned from our mistakes.

You have to keep in mind, it’s all about the experience. Ultimately, “it doesn’t matter where you’re going, it’s who you have beside you.” That is one of our favorite road trip quotes .

Here are the toddler road trip essentials you need to make your next road trip more manageable and stress-free.

Disclosure: “Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. Click here for the full disclosure statement.”

TODDLER ROAD TRIP GEAR

If you are planning to take a long road trip with a toddler, having the right toddler road trip gear is essential.

Although some of these things are no-brainers, a few of them fall through the cracks.

Here is our list of toddler road trip essentials that you’ll need before hitting the road.

Car Seat Travel Tray

I don’t know why these haven’t been around for decades; they are so awesome. Car seat travel trays will keep your little one entertained while on your road trip.

The different pockets make it easy to organize everything you need. There is a place for everything, and most importantly, nothing will end up on the floor.

Comfortable Car Seat

A comfortable car seat is essential when traveling with a toddler. Imagine being strapped into a 5-point harness for hours at a time. Wouldn’t you want to be in a comfortable seat? If so, that’s how your toddler feels.

Before we started traveling full-time we used the Symphony Elite car seat because it could grow with our toddler and was very comfortable. He would sit in that car seat for hours without crying.

So, if you plan on taking a road trip with your toddler, check if their car seat is comfortable for this.

Note: If you have a lightweight car seat (with less cushion), consider stopping more frequently to give your toddler a break.

Symphony Elite All-in-One Car Seat Price

Car Sunshade

Until recently, I’ve never had to think about a car sunshade because I had tinted windows. After seeling our car, I realized a car sunshade is essential when traveling with kids .

There is nothing fun about the sun beating down on you. If your car does not have tinted windows, you should invest in a car sunshade for your little one(s).

Car Sun Shade Price

Insulated Cooler Bag

Insulated cooler bags have been a part of our lives since our son was born. We needed to keep his breastmilk cold after I pumped while traveling.

Now that our baby is no longer a baby, we use the cooler for his snacks. He LOVES to eat, so we like to have food packed and ready before starting a road trip with our toddler.

This cooler bag is leakproof and can hold up to 50 pounds, that’s more than enough to hold our toddler while on a road trip. The cooler is also collapsible so, it doesn’t take up much space in your trunk.

Insulated Cooler Bag Price

First Aid Kit

No products found.

A first aid kit is one of those things that you know you need, but somehow always forget to buy.

I know my wife has been telling me for over six months to get a first aid kit, and I say okay, but somehow I always forget to buy it.

If anyone is interested, I purchased this first aid kit for our move to Mexico. I am sure we’ll have this kit for years, which is perfect because that’ll be the next time I will remember to buy another one.

Laundry Bag (For Dirty Clothes)

When traveling on a road trip with a toddler, you will have a lot of dirty clothes.

Our son goes through at least two shirts a day, almost every day because he loves to take dirt baths outside. Since we know, he will likely be dirty before his first nap we always pack a laundry bag .

Packing a laundry bag allows us to keep dirty clothes separated from clean clothes. Trust me, getting dressed will be a lot easier if you separate; your clothes.

When you return home, you can throw the clothes from the laundry bag into the washer without having to unpack other items.

This tip is for all of my procrastinators because I love packing for vacation, but hate unpacking when returning from vacation.

Travel Laundry Bag Price

Portable Diaper Changing Pad

I used to think portable diaper changing pads weren’t needed and were a ploy to get you to buy more baby stuff you don’t need, I was wrong.

Our portable changing pad has been a lifesaver ever since our toddler has decided he no longer likes getting his diaper changed.

Not only is it cleaner than using the changing table in the restroom, but it is also less risky.

The surface is waterproof, so it is easy to clean with wipes. The large pockets give you enough storage; for extra diapers and wipes. There is a padded cushion; to keep your little one comfortable.

Related Post: Best Travel Potty for Toddlers

Portable Diaper Changing Pad Price

Diaper Changing Story

While at the airport, I was changing our son in the restroom. I turned around for less than ten seconds to grab more wipes because there was a lot more poop than expected, and by the time I turned back, he was about to jump off the changing table.

It felt like everything was in slow motion because I caught him mid-jump, and he thought it was hilarious.

From that moment on, we have been using a portable diaper pad, closer to the ground.

Related Post: Best Travel Backpacks for Toddlers & Older Kids

Toddler Road Trip Snack Essentials

There is nothing our kid loves more than eating. Our lives revolve around making sure he has snacks, and that he eats on time. If his food isn’t ready, we know an epic tantrum is coming.

His temper tantrums are the reason snacks are number one on our road trip packing list.

Stainless Steel Insulated No-Spill Sippy Cup

We love our son’s no-spill sippy cup. We do not go anywhere without his cup.

It has made our lives so much easier because he can no longer pour out his water. The latest improvement is the stainless steel insulated sippy cup .

This cup can keep drinks cooler, compared to other cups for up to 15 hours. It is a win/win scenario for everyone, cold drinks with no mess.

Stainless Steel Insulated No-Spill Sippy Cup Price

Snack Catcher with Lid

If you haven’t noticed, we love Munchkin brand products. They are the only brand that our son hasn’t conquered in terms of making a mess.

The snack catcher with a lid is our go-to for snack time. This cup is designed to keep snacks inside the bowl and requires them to take out a few at a time.

The lid helps keep the snacks fresh, so they are exposed to air and become stale.

Snack Catcher with Lid Price

Toddler Snack Bowls

BraveJusticeKidsCo | Snack Attack Snack Cup | Collapsible Silicone Snack Container | Toddler and Baby Snack Catcher Lid (Maroon)

Last update on 2024-09-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Reusable Food Pouch

If you aren’t using reusable snack pouches , you are missing out on savings. We buy jars of yogurt, apple sauce, puree, and sometimes ice cream to fill these pouches.

It is a lot cheaper to buy the larger containers and fill the pouches than it is to buy them individually.

Not only are you saving money, but you are helping the environment by producing less waste.

All you have to do is fill them, clean them, and store them for next time. We’ve been using these since our son was nine months and do not plan on stopping anytime soon.

Note: You can prefill the pouches and put them in the freezer for a few days. Take them out the night before your road trip, and give them to your toddler. They will love them.

Tip: This is also how we get him to eat veggies if he’s being too picky. We blend apple sauce with some veggies and he doesn’t taste the difference.

Reusable Food Pouch Price

Flipping Holder

We recently discovered the flipping holder , and it has been a game-changer. Our son loves making a mess, so we needed something to hold his pouches, so he’d stop making a mess.

The flipping holder lets him hold his pouches without spilling them everywhere. They not only work on snack pouches but they can also be used for juice boxes or Capri Sun.

Flipping Holder Price

Related Post: 50 Road Trip Activities for Toddlers

Reusable Storage Bags

We are making an effort to use more eco-friendly, sustainable products. To cut down on our waste as a family on the move, we switched to reusable storage bags.

As we all know, traveling with a toddler means you always need to be prepared with snacks . Whatever snacks we need to pack for the little one, we use these storage bags.

Related Post: 20 Toddler Travel Essentials

Reusable Storage Bags Price

TODDLER ROAD TRIP ENTERTAINMENT

Our #1 tip when traveling with a toddler is, have a lot of road trip entertainment or activities. Toddlers are little balls of energy, so sitting in a car seat or booster seat for several hours isn’t appealing.

To keep them from getting frustrated, you must have a lot of different activities to keep them entertained.

Car rides aren’t fun for them, so creating road trip games , packing toys, and having different entertainment is an easy way to keep the tantrums, frustration, and boredom at bay.

Related Post: 20 Screen-Free & Fun Toys for Toddlers for Long Road Trips

Kids Fire HD Tablet

Before tablets came about, I remember our van having a tv with VHS for us to watch movies during long road trips. Thanks to advancements in technology, tablets for kids have made traveling with a toddler easier.

We download learning sing-along shows, movies, and music for our toddler to watch and listen to throughout the road trip.

To keep his screen time at a minimum, we only allow him to watch his tablet in one-hour increments.

If he watches a show for one hour, he then has to play with toys, draw, or color for at least an hour. This way, we keep him engaged, and he is not spending hours on his tablet.

A single charge can last up to 12 hours, so the tablet can be used for a few days before needing to be charged.

Amazon Fire Tablet Price

Toddler Headphones

Headphones keep me from going insane as a parent.

I can only listen to the same song so many times before I feel like my ears are going to start bleeding.

Toddler’s headphones will keep you sane you need them if you plan on taking a road trip with a toddler.

The headphones we use are Bluetooth but have a wire included, just in case the battery dies.

We purchased these headphones because they are more durable compared to other brands.

Our baby Hulk has broken three pairs of headphones (snapped by the earphone), and so far, these have held up.

Related Post: Best Headphones for Toddlers

iClever BTH02 Toddler Headphones Price

LeapFrog Builders

Toddler Travel Essential Toys LeapFrog Blocks

We do not go anywhere without toys. Recently, our son has gotten into blocks. Since he has been excited about stacking, we purchased the LeapFrog Builders , and they are amazing.

The blocks are large enough for a toddler and easy to connect and pull apart. The best thing is, the blocks help him learn.

There is an interactive cube that helps them learn numbers, fruits, shapes, animals, and people.

These blocks aren’t just for boys; these blocks are for toddlers of any age to help them learn and grow. I just purchased two sets for our big move to Mexico next week.

Related Posts: Toys to Keep Toddlers Busy on a Road Trip

LeapFrog Blocks Price

Coolplay Alphabet Water Cards

One of our favorite mess-free activities for our son is the coolplay alphabet water cards.

I like that these cards are attached, so it’s less likely they’ll get lost. Plus, he can’t draw on the walls, doors, or floor.

They don’t use ink, just water, so they are safer than other markers. Each card is double-sided with letters on the front and words on the back, to help your toddler learn the alphabet, then transition to reading.

Coolplay Alphabet Water Cards Price

Related Post: The 25 Best Travel Toys for Toddlers

Double-Sided Busy Boards

Busy boards are one of my favorite toys for toddlers. They help them learn hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, fine motor skills, and getting dressed.

This double-sided busy board is perfect for toddlers learning how to tie their shoes, button their shirts, and zip up their jackets.

This learning toy also comes with a travel bag for your little one to carry.

Double-Sided Busy Boards Price

toddler beach gear sunglasses water shoes beach bucket

Best Beach Gear for Toddlers

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17 Top Kids Packing List Items for 2024 + What to Wear & NOT to Bring

Traveling with children is exciting and rewarding; you get to experience new places through their eyes and create memories that you’ll refer back to for years. Although traveling almost always has its ups and downs, we’ve been all over the world with our children—and how to pack for them is no longer one of our hiccups.

If there’s a universal truth about travel, it’s this: being ill-prepared is stressful. The chaos of trying to get organized is only compounded when you have little ones along for the adventure. We hope to help you avoid these pitfalls with our top Kids Packing List items! Below, you’ll also find sections on what to wear, what NOT to bring, and FAQs about traveling with young ones.

What to Pack for Kids – 17 Essentials

1. carry-on luggage.

This carry-on set fun—which will hopefully entice your kiddo to lend a helping hand—as well as functional. The handle comes with three adjustment levels, the interior includes zippered pockets, mesh, and straps to secure your items, and a matching backpack makes for the perfect personal bag. With 360-rotating wheels, your independent child should have no problem toting this on their own, leaving you one less bag to carry. Unicorn lovers, Car lovers, Dinosaur lovers

View on Amazon.com ➜

2. Washable Marker Set

Whether you’re heading to your destination by car or plane, there’s going to be some time to pass; a washable marker set is a mess-free solution for draw-happy kids to pass the time. These markers come in their own case with a slot for paper, making for easy organization, which also unfolds into a drawing surface.

3. Neck Wallet

If you have some important documentation or information to keep on hand, like your child’s passport, this neck wallet is an easily-accessible solution. The wallet offers secure RFID protection, features multiple zippered pockets to optimize organization, and the adjustable strap is kid-friendly. Our four-year-old loves to wear this around to play grown-up!

4. Magnetic Play Set

If drawing loses its novelty, you can easily swap your child’s markers for this magnetic set. The illustrated pieces feature the familiar characters of Eric Carle, so your child will have fun acting out favorite scenes and dreaming up their own. The playset is convenient to pack and makes for easy cleanup, with all the pieces fitting seamlessly inside its accompanying case.

5. Personal Bag

This cross-body travel tote is more for parents than children, especially when those parents have a long list of items they need to keep within reach. The nylon bag includes multiple mesh and zippered pockets for effortless organization and slides over the handle of your carry-on. You won’t have to worry about lugging this around, leaving your arms free for your child—or a coffee to keep up your energy.

6. Crayola Travel Toothbrush

Dental hygiene just became a lot more enticing with this Crayola-themed travel toothbrush. As a bonus, it comes with a built-in case, twisting into the base for easy packing. You’ll simplify the accessories you have to bring while also making brushing fun for your kids—a win-win, in our books!

7. HERO Packing Cubes

For anyone who likes to keep packing easy, these are a no-brainer! The set includes five assorted packing cubes and two laundry bags, eliminating the headache of separating dirty clothes. The cubes fit and stack seamlessly into any suitcase, adult- and child-size alike. Your kids will have fun organizing their things, and you’ll have fun doing whatever you want with all the time you’ll save.

8. Travel Towel

Towels pose a bit of a packing conundrum: they take up a lot of room, but you can’t always ensure that you’ll have them at your destination—much less know if you’ll need one along the way. This quick-dry towel is the perfect solution; optimized for travel, it fits easily in your luggage, ensuring you’ll always have a clean, reliable way to dry off.

9. Power Adapter

If you’re planning international travel, this universal adapter is a necessity that will cover most of your bases. Compatible with outlets in 100 countries, the adapter also includes USB plugins and can accommodate input devices from the US, UK, AU, and EU. In our experience, you’ll probably want more than one.

10. Snack Bowls

In any travel scenario, “I’m hungry,” is almost as common a refrain as, “Are we there yet?” These BPA-free, single-serving containers allow you to pass snacks directly to your child without having to dole them out. With snap-on lids, the colorful bowls also minimize leaks!

11. Travel Play Set

This Wikki Stix travel play set is a perfect alternative to waxy crayons—which we all know break too easily, after picking fragments out of carpet and the crevices of cars. Wikki Stix are non-toxic and offer a tactile alternative to drawing; this set comes with 144 brightly-colored pieces that can be molded into whatever shape your child dreams up. All the pieces fit right back in the case for effortless cleanup.

12. Travel Umbrella

An umbrella is a must-have on any trip, and this one is optimized for travel. It compresses, comes with its own case for easy packing, and is lightweight and portable. When rain strikes, it opens easily with the press of a button, and the wind-resistant top provides extra coverage. We always rely on this umbrella and imagine it’ll become a staple for you, too—both while traveling and at home.

13. Travel-size Sprayable Hand Sanitizer

Whether traveling by plane or car, you’re guaranteed to come across a number of scenarios where you’ll want to give your child’s hands a quick sanitize. This organic sprayable hand sanitizer is naturally fragranced with essential oils and comes in a 2 o.z. travel bottle, which is well under the TSA limit for carry-on liquids.

14. Power Bank

A power bank is a must-have for tech-happy kids (or parents). The slim design of this model makes it easy to pack, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg: it features two USB ports, a micro USB port, and LED lights that indicate the charging power left.

15. Lifestraw Water Bottle

You can practice sustainable travel for yourself and your children when you add this filtered water bottle to your luggage. This bottle is one of our favorites; the carbon filter removes most bacteria, parasites, and microplastics while reducing the presence of chlorine, herbicides, and pesticides, lessening any concerns you have about the quality of your drinking water!

16. Travel Pillow And Blanket

If your kids get cranky without their sleep (or just like to snuggle), this pillow-blanket combination makes traveling in comfort a breeze. The stuffed animal pillow is attached to the blanket, which folds up inside for easy packing. Even better, it comes in 7 fun animal types so your child can pick a design they’re excited about.

17. Solid Shampoo For Kids

Adhering to the TSA liquid guidelines can be a little overwhelming, but this solid shampoo has quickly become our go-to brand for simple travel. The soap is vegan, plant-based, sustainable, and this particular type has been specially formulated for kids and babies. They also offer conditioner and body-wash, as well as plenty of adult options!

Other Kids packing list items not to forget

Kindle Fire 7 – Kids Edition
Organic fruit snacks
Organic grahams and goldfish snacks
Kid-friendly headphones
Stain removing wipes
TSA-approved toiletry bag
Travel-size kids sunscreen
Travel-size fluoride-free toothpaste
Travel-size toiletry containers
Nail clippers
First-Aid kit
Kids sun protection hat
Motion sickness tablets for kids
Inflatable booster seat
Packable paper towels
Kids tylenol
Kid insect repellant
Coloring book
Sanitizing wipes
Tech organizer
Kids water shoes

What to Wear for Kids

Choosing comfortable clothing that your child can play in is a must, as are options with utility—slip-on sneakers with a formal design, for example, can double up for a day of sightseeing and a family dinner at a nice local restaurant.

What NOT to Pack for Kids

Books add unnecessary weight to your carry-on, and they’re easy to misplace or leave behind. Instead, opt for a Kindle and load your child’s favorite stories on the device; you’ll save a ton of room, and it provides space for as many books as your reader wants.

2. Heavy or bulky toys

When packing your child’s toys, make sure you stick to compressible, lightweight options. Not only will it take up less space in your luggage, but you’ll also find it far easier to lug around. If you’re able to stick to items that pack easily, like the activity kits linked in this list, you’ll also have an easy cleanup.

3. Bulky clothing

Much like toys, bulky clothing isn’t ideal. Instead, opt for lighter items that can be layered to accommodate the weather. If you’re flying where you’ll need a coat, you can have your child wear it onto the plane and store it in the overhead bins, rather than stuff it into your suitcase—you’ll need it when you land, anyway!

4. Too many snacks or disposable items

Although it’s important to have enough snacks to keep your child satisfied, it’s not necessary to bring the whole grocery store with you—pick a few favorites that are easy to take on the road. You also don’t need to stock up on lots of disposable items, like certain toiletries, paper products, or non-essential medicines; many of these can be picked up once you’ve arrived at your destination.

5. Multiples

Overpacking might be worse than underpacking! It’s rarely useful to double or triple-up on the items you’re taking along. Avoid loading up on blankets (you only need one), jackets, or shoes; instead, simplify and pinpoint one or two items that offer multi-functionality. The one-piece pillow blanket we linked above is a great example!

FAQs about traveling with kids

1. does my child need a passport.

From infant to adult, every U.S. citizen is required to have a passport for international travel. Children under 16 must apply for a passport with two guardians, as well as proof of guardianship. Moreover, child passports cannot be renewed and will expire every 5 years. For the specific requirements and more information, you can visit travel.state.gov .

2. How do I navigate the airport with a child?

Before your flight, make sure you talk your child through all the steps in the airport: checking luggage, security check, and waiting to board. On the day of your flight, arrive early to leave your family plenty of time to make it to your gate. Depending on their age, you may allow your child to be responsible for their own luggage. Have your items prepped for security, including electronics accessible so you can remove them with ease, and liquids in see-through, TSA-approved bags. Finally, be aware that many airlines offer early boarding for families, saving you time in line; do your research, and see if it makes sense to book with an airline that offers this benefit.

3. What is standard airline policy for children?

Unfortunately, there is no universal policy for flying with children, and all airlines differ. If your tickets haven’t yet been purchased, you can compare airlines to see which offers the most appealing policies. If you’ve already purchased your tickets, you’ll need to look into your airline’s policy so you know what to expect.

4. What should my child wear while traveling?

Dress your child in comfortable clothing and layers that are easy to remove. This will make bathroom breaks a lot easier—especially in airplanes—and ensure your child can easily adjust their outfit if they grow hot or cold.

5. What if my child needs a booster seat when I arrive?

If you’re flying somewhere and anticipate your child will need a booster seat upon arrival, you have a couple of options. First, most major airlines will check a booster seat free of charge, so you can bring your own. Alternately, you can purchase an inflatable, easy-pack booster seat, which we linked in our essentials list above; this saves you the hassle of checking an item.

6. How do I keep my child entertained?

Keeping children engaged while traveling can be quite a feat. Have a set of diverse activities ready to rotate that have replayability. A game that can only be played once or twice, for example, isn’t going to offer much fun or engage a lot of time. Choose games and toys that are portable, encourage creativity, can be played in a variety of ways, and are appropriate for use in multiple settings.

7. What does my child need to know before traveling?

Regardless of your destination, it’s great to offer age-appropriate information about where you’re traveling. If you’re vacationing internationally, take some time to learn a little bit about the place you’re visiting, including its history, culture, and common phrases, if the native language is different from yours. Watch a fun documentary or read a book; get your child excited to explore!

When it comes to methods of travel, it’s helpful to debrief so your child knows exactly what to expect. Establishing your own set of airplane, train, bus, or car rules will help things run smoothly.

8. What are some child-friendly activities to do once we reach our destination?

If you’re heading somewhere and aren’t sure what to plan for your child, there are limitless resources online to do some digging—including our own site! When in doubt, museums, parks, beaches, and specialty shops are always a good bet. Do your research beforehand, and check out if any area festivals or events are going on while you’re visiting.

IMAGES

0-3 Month Old Baby Travel Essentials
How to Travel with an Infant: The Essentials
20 "Must Pack" Essentials When Traveling with Kids
Baby Travel Checklist Free Printable for What to Pack for Babies
Ultimate Packing List for Travelling Abroad with Your Baby or Toddler
The best baby travel packing list for 2023 free printable included

VIDEO

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COMMENTS

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