Traveling with a toddler? Here’s a list of toddler travel essentials, affordable items that keep us sane. We’re not rich, but love to travel with our little one.
Kids are all different, and you know your toddler well. Some of these items might not apply to your toddler, or you might have suggestions for things I missed—leave them in the comments at the end, please! I’ve included some things we haven’t personally used because I know they won’t work for us or our toddlers. They come highly recommended by other travel moms, though.
Table of Contents
toddler travel essentials Tips
- The #1 toddler travel essential is your chill brain. Be patient and calm. Know that it will be okay. Going with a little child can be wild and not generally fun, yet recall, it will be OK. You could have a terrible flight, however it isn’t the apocalypse. Your kid might scream through the airport, but it is okay.
- Think through your regular day – what items do you use daily? Bring those.
- Think through your trip—are you going to the beach or the snowy mountains? Purchase items you might need for these types of trips ahead of time.
- Keep a Toddler Packing Checklist on your phone. I have mine under the Reminders app on my iPhone. Please copy and paste it for each trip to keep the regular items, but modify them depending on where you’re going. Double-check it before you leave the house.
Transportation Toddler Travel Essentials
One of the things that worried me the most when traveling with our kiddo was how to transport her. Do we have to bring a ginormous car seat everywhere we go? Is a stroller necessary? What is safest? Here is what you need:
Car Seat
I recommend buying a designated travel car seat. It’s easier not to have to undo your regular car seat from your car, and our standard car seat is quite heavy. They sell Cosco car seats that are FAA-approved, relatively inexpensive, safe, and only 12 lbs. We’ve been using one for a while now.
Car Seat Bag
If you aren’t planning on bringing your car seat to the plane, I recommend gate-checking it and keeping it in this padded bag. It’s better to wait and gate-check it because there’s less of a chance of damage. The bag keeps it a little safer and cleaner.
CARES Harness
I have never used this, but other travel bloggers swear by it. We always bring our car seat or have Jovie as a lap child in our laps. This would be helpful if you want to avoid getting your car seat on or if your child would be more comfortable in it. It’s a harness that keeps your kiddo extra safe on the plane.
Stroller or Wagon
Ok, we have never invested in a proper travel stroller. They sell expensive, lightweight, compact strollers, but we have always gotten by with our Facebook Marketplace quite bulky stroller. We even traveled with a massive jogging stroller a couple of times. We only bring a stroller on some trips. If there isn’t a use for it wherever we go, we use the carrier at the airport and leave the stroller at home.
But if your kiddo loves you’re the stroller, keep this on your essentials list. We do have a wagon now that our 2-year-old loves, but we have yet to travel with it. It would be perfect for a beach trip, though.
Sleep Toddler Travel Essentials
Is anyone else stressed about their child’s sleep all the time? Not meeee 🙂 Ha. Our toddler is what I would call a bad sleeper (all the time), but here are the items that help us get her the most sleep possible while traveling.
Slumber Pod
This is my #1 thing on this list of toddler travel essentials. It’s a dark, breathable tent that covers your pack-n-play or toddler bed. It keeps it dark, muffles sound, and is a GODSEND. I don’t think our toddler would have slept during the Midnight Sun in Iceland without it, and we have used it countless times. It has a space for a fan and a little clear pocket for a baby monitor. It is the most expensive item on this list, but it is SO worth it.
Travel White Noise Machine
If you use one at home, bring it. You can also get a travel one for plane or car rides.
Non-WiFi Monitor
We like being able to see our lousy sleeper. A non-WiFi monitor can help you keep an eye on your little one without relying on potentially harmful Wi-Fi; it will also let you relax knowing they’re sound asleep (hopefully).
Pack n Play
I’d recommend using a pack-n-play until your kiddo is out of their crib at home. Don’t try to let them be in their bed, uncaged, while on a trip. It will not go well. Yes, pack n plays are bulky and heavy, but it’s worth bringing along. Or check and see if your accommodations have one available.
Blanket and Loveys
If your little one sleeps with certain things at home, try to bring them with you. And always bring a blanket.
Bathroom Toddler Travel Essentials
Baby Wipes
Until the end of time. In spite of the fact that our 2.5-year-old has been potty prepared for some time, we actually bring child wipes all over the place. They’re useful in such countless ways.
Travel Potty
Seriously, the things they invent. This travel potty can sit on a regular toilet seat, providing a comfy chair for your kiddo’s little bum. It also comes with bag inserts, so if your toddler has to poop in the trunk of your car, the bag catches it, and you can throw it out at your next stop. We use this at home… it’s easier for you if your kid poops/pees in the actual toilet. No cleaning out those little toddler potties.
Entertainment Toddler Travel Essentials
Ahhh, one of the most important categories. How do you keep a crazy toddler entertained? Potentially for hours. When you get on the plane, try giving your kiddo little surprises with toys, a new coloring book, etc. It will make the items more exciting.
We once survived an 8-hour flight from Iceland with our almost two-year-old as a lap child. She only slept for 10 minutes (I’m not exaggerating). Her favorite form of entertainment? Climbing from one lap to the next.
Bring the following items, but do whatever works for your family. Head here for all our favorite toddler plane activities.
A Tablet or Something to Watch Shows or Movies
We usually use this as a last resort. Once we pull out the tablet, our toddler wants to do that. We try to exhaust all our other toy/book options before using the tablet for movies/shows.
Toddler Headphones
They sell toddler headphones that fit their little heads and don’t allow the sound to go up too high.
Portable Charger
So your tablet stays in the middle of Bluey with 4 hours left of your flight.
SNACKS
All. The. Snacks. Yes, these are entertainment. Here are some of our favorites:
- Veggie Straws
- Crackers
- Cheese sticks
- Melties/Yogurt Bites/Puffs
- Pouches
- Muffins (I make them ahead of time)
- Peanut Butter Sandwiches
- Fruit and Veggies – Apple slices, bananas, berries, carrots
- Cheerios
Spill-Proof Munchkin Snack Holders
Another great invention. They come with a “lid” that toddlers can stick their little hands through, but it prevents them from dumping on the floor.
Play-Doh
Our little one LOVES Play-Doh. So if we break out a couple of new containers on a flight, she’s entertained for quite a while.
Fidget Popping Toy
These are quiet and can occupy a lot of time.
Miscellaneous Toddler Travel Essentials
A Hiking Carrier
Bring a hiking carrier if you’ll be doing hikes that your toddler can’t walk with you. You can check them as a bag for your toddler. We got ours to Iceland, and it was helpful.
These can be outrageously expensive, so I recommend checking Facebook Marketplace before buying one new.
Rain Suit
Suppose you anticipate spending time in the rain or near waterfalls; this is my favorite. It’s adorable, keeps them SO dry, and is inexpensive. It covers their whole body and easily fits over their clothes.
Did I miss any toddler travel essentials?
If I missed anything, let me know in the comments below. Please share with your friends who travel with toddlers. Thanks for reading my blog!
