toddler travel essentials uk

• About the Blogger
• About the Globetrotters
• Community Groups
• Privacy Policy
• PR & Media Inquiries
• Guest Opportunities
• Giveaways & Offers

• Best Destinations
• Explore My City
• Australia & Oceania
• Middle East
• Pregnancy Travel
• Baby Travel
• Toddler Travel
• Tween & Teen Travel
• Theme Park Travel
• Travel Health
• Travel Photography
• Flying with Kids
• Beach Vacation
• Camping, Hiking & Outdoor Adventures
• Travel Toys
• Baby Travel Gear
• Toddler Travel Gear
• Outdoor Gear
• Airline Reviews
• Accommodation Reviews
• Attraction Reviews
• Book Reviews
• Travel Gifts
• Packing Lists
• Expat Life Blog
• Expat Money Matters
• Global Parenting Interviews
• Expat Entrepreneurs
• Family Life in Abu Dhabi
• Booking Tools

Packing Lists , Travel Advice

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

Items that helped us through the challenging toddler travel years

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

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

Essential Gear for Moving Around With Toddlers

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

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

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

Toddler harness / reins

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

Accmor Toddler Harness Leash

3 in 1 Toddler Harness Leash

Accmor Toddler Backpack Leash

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

Collapsible Stroller

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

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

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

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

Evenflo GOLD Otto Self-Folding Stroller

Mountain Buggy Nano V3 Stroller

gb Pockit+ All-Terrain

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

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

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

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

Toddler Carrier

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

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

Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier

Beco Toddler Carrier with Extra Wide Seat

Infantino Carry On Multi-Pocket Carrier

You can find our comprehensive toddler carrier comparison guide here. 

Hiking Toddler Carrier

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

Deuter Kid Comfort Pro Child Carrier

ClevrPlus Deluxe Adjustable Baby Carrier Outdoor

Luvdbaby Premium Baby Backpack Carrier

See our complete comparison of hiking carrier backpacks here

Car Seats for Toddlers

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

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

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

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

Evenflo Chase Harnessed Booster

Britax Emblem 3 Stage Convertible Car Seat

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

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

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

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

Toddler Neck Pillow

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

Unicorn Toddler Neck Pillow for Kids

BCOZZY Kids Travel Neck Pillows for Toddlers

INFANZIA Kids Chin Supporting Travel Neck Pillow

You can see our extensive head toddler cushion review here .

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

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

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

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

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

Tommee Tippee Groclock Sleep Trainer Clock

Kids Ok to Wake Clock for Kids  

Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine

Black Out Curtains

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

Most portable blackouts stick up with suction cups.

Gro Company Gro-Anywhere Blind

RUseeN Portable Blackout Shades 

Amazon Basics Portable Travel Window Blackout Curtain

Portable Toddler Cot

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

Phil & Teds Traveller Travel Crib

Milliard Folding Floor Sleeper Cot

Regalo My Cot Pals Portable Toddler Bed

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

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

Portable high chair

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

Summer Pop ‘n Dine SE Highchair

Baby Delight Go with Me Uplift Deluxe Portable High Chair

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

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

Spill-proof sippy

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

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

Contigo Kids Spill-Proof 14oz Tumbler

First Years Dinosaur Kids Insulated Sippy Cups

Elk and Friends Kids & Toddler Cups

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

Easy clean bibs

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

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

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

Nuby 2 Pack Adjustable Easy Clean Soft Silicone Bibs

Snap and Go Easy-wear Bibs for Baby & Toddler

No-spill snack cups

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

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

Silicone Toddler Snack Cups No Spill

Ubbi Tweat No Spill Snack Container for Kids

Collapsible Silicone Snack Container

Reusable food clips

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

Silicone Food Storage Bags

Otylzto 4 Size Assorted 40 PCS Food Bag Clips

8 Pack Stainless Steel Chip Clips

Snacks, snacks, and more snacks

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

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

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars

Unsweetened Fruit Snacks for Kids

Quaker Large Rice Cakes

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

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

Leg cushions for the plane

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

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

BleuWhisk Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

Inflatable Travel Pillow Airplane Footrest Flight Pillow Toddler

Portable Foot Pillow for Toddler Kids & Adults

So, are these really toddler flight essentials?

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

CARES Restraint

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

Cares Airplane Harness for Kids

Airplane Kid Travel Accessories Cares Safety Restraint System

Child Airplane Safety Travel Harness, Safety Restraint

Toddler Plane Bags

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

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

Wildkin Kids Insulated Lunch Bag

Solar System Planets Kids Backpack Toddler

YUPING Toddler kids Dinosaur Backpack

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

Small tablet

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

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

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

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

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

Amazon Fire 7 tablet

IWEGGO Tablet 8 inch Tablet with Case

Tibuta Android Tablet

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

Other favourite portable toddler toys:

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

Jungle Animals Thick Gel Clings Winter Safari Window Gel

Triangular Crayons

My Busy Book Baby Soft Toy

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

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

Germ-X Original Hand Sanitizer

ALVABABY 2pcs Cloth Diaper Wet Dry Bags Waterproof

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

Potty training stage?

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

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

Wet Ones Travel Wipes

Toddler Pull Ups

Piddle Pad Car Seat Protector

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

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

Further reading on the toddler years:

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

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

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

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

© Our Globetrotters | Feature images CanvaPro

Like it? Share it!

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 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

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

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

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 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

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

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.

Further Reading:

• Click here to grab more information on how to travel with a toddler .

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.

2024 - Wanderlust Storytellers. All Rights Reserved.

About Us  |  Contact Us  | Work with Us  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer

* Disclaimer: Wanderluststorytellers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and other Amazon sites.

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 .

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

Medications

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

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

• Thermometer

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

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

Hand sanitizer/sanitizing wipes

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

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

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

Toddler travel essential basics

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

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

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

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

Diapers and wipes

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

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

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

• Travel potty

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Toddler travel packing list

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

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

• Car seat travel bag

Food/snacks

• Snack catcher

Sleep items

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

Warm weather gear

• Swim diapers
• Floatie/life jacket

Cold weather gear

Final Thoughts

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

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

Other posts you might be interested in:

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

The Best Airplane Snacks for Toddlers

How to Have a Successful Road Trip with a Toddler

How to Fight Jet Lag in Babies and Toddlers

11 Helpful Tips for Hiking with a Toddler

Related Posts:

The Traveling Twin Mama

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

Planning a family trip, but unsure what you need in terms of toddler travel essentials? Keep reading for my traveling with a toddler checklist (from a mama of twin boys).

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

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

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

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

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

Day of Travel: Toddler Travel Essentials

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

Toddler Travel Essentials: Transport Checklist

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

Travel Strollers

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

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

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

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

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

Lightweight or Travel Car Seat

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

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

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

Ride Safer Travel Vest

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

CARES Kid’s Fly Safe Harness

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

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

Toddler Luggage and Travel Backpack Essentials

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

Toddler Luggage

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

Toddler Travel Backpack and Harness Backpack with Leash

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

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

Toddler Luggage Accessories Checklist

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

Luggage Strap

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

Cincha Travel Belt

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

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

Toddler Travel Essential: Feeding Checklist

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

Snack Catcher OR Snack Spinner

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

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

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

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

Spill-proof Water Bottle

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

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

Personally, I think it’s worth it!

Easy Clean Bibs

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

Foldable Placemats

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

Portable High Chair

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

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

Toddler Utensils

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

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

Toddler Travel Checklists: Diapering Essentials

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

Changing Pad Liner

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

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

Toddler Travel Potty

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

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

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

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

Diapers, Training Pants, and Wipes

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

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

Toddler Plane Sleep Essentials

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

JetKids BedBox or Inflatable Travel Bed

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

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

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

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

Portable Sound Machine

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

Toddler Travel Essential: Entertainment

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

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

Below are some of our favorite toddler entertainment travel essentials:

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

Other Toddler Travel Day Essentials

Extra Set of Clothing

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

Teething Toys

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

Hand Sanitizer and Disinfectant Wipes

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

Toddler Travel Essentials: Required Documentation

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

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

✔️ Get This Checklist as an Interactive PDF ✔️

Toddler carry-on/checked luggage packing lis.

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

Toddler Travel Packing List: Clothing

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

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

Toddler Travel Packing List: Toiletries

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

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

Toddler Travel Checklist: Sleeping Essentials

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

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

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

Portable Black-out Curtains

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

Portable White Noise Machine

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

Smartphone Baby Monitor  

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

Toddler Travel Essentials: Packing Light

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

Yes and no.

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

Compression Packing Cubes

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

Vacuum Storage Bags

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

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

Other Toddler Travel Essentials

Babyproofing.

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

Toddler Travel Checklist Essentials

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

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

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

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

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

29 Best Things to Do in New Orleans in July 2024

Things to Do with Kids in Waco, Texas

9 Tips to Feeling Safer When Traveling Alone

Blue Ridge, GA Mountain Family Vacation (2024)- The Ultimate Kid-Friendly Travel Guide

Sandals: Rust

£ Regular price £ 20 £ 14

Organic Ribbed Tee: Sea Blue

£ Regular price £ 15 £ 6

Recycled Swim Shorts: Sea Creatures Print

£ Regular price £ 16 £ 14

Classic Sustainable Sunglasses: Navy

£ Regular price £ 15 £ 12

Mesh Beach Shoes: Kiwi

£ Regular price £ 16 £ 12

Long Sleeve Sunsuit: Apricot Shell

£ Regular price £ 24 £ 18

Did you know? We offer Free 365 Day Returns 🚚

★★★★★ 4.9/5 from over 22,000 Reviews ✍️

Got questions? Live chat's open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri 💬

Travel Essentials

Nursery caddy to go: blocks taupe.

£ Regular price £ 29 £ 21

Allan Backpack: Golden Caramel Mix

£ Regular price £ 47 £ 38

Lunchbox Stainless Steel: Happy Prints Caramel

£ Regular price £ 22 £ 18

Stainless Steel Snack Box Set of 3: Smile Green

£ Regular price £ 25 £ 20

Allan Backpack: All together / Sandy

Neil cup: sea creature / sandy.

£ Regular price £ 18 £ 15

Food Jar Medium: Happy Prints Caramel

Changing pouch: beige/camel, neil cup: shell / pale tuscany, hollie hardcase suitcase: peach / sea shell.

£ Regular price £ 87 £ 70

Nursery Caddy To Go: Beige/Camel

Food jar medium: happy prints midnight blue, hollie hardcase suitcase: leopard / sandy, mini washbag: happy prints caramel.

£ Regular price £ 34 £ 31

Checkout using your account

This form is protected by reCAPTCHA - the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Checkout as a new customer

Creating an account has many benefits:

• See order and shipping status
• Track order history
• Check out faster

Baby, Toddler & Child Travel Essentials

Out of stock

Baby, Toddler & Child Travel Essentials

One thing's for sure, travelling with a baby or toddler requires being a lot more organised! Check out our essential baby travel items so you’ll be ready for any trip, whether you're popping to the shop, going out for the day or making a longer journey with your child.

Read our guide on how to travel with children and avoid airport meltdowns .

Baby & Toddler Car Mirrors

From newborns to toddlers, using car mirrors can give you peace of mind on car journeys and can keep little ones entertained, too. Our shatterproof mirrors have clear, distortion-free reflection and we have options for rear-facing or forward-facing baby car seats.

Baby & Toddler Car Sun Shades

Our White Hot™ Sun Safety Shades block the glare and not the view with premium fabric mesh, with an indicator that changes colour when the car is too hot. The one-push retract button makes rollup easy.

Mealtimes out and about

Make meals or picnics out a little easier with our bento lunch boxes and our booster seat with storage.

Cleaning on the go

Keep bottle teats, soothers and teethers sterile & clean when you're out and about with Munchkin's UV steriliser, removing 99.99% of germs in as little as 59 seconds.

Our Ultimate List of Toddler Essentials

[Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, plus references to gifted items, which are flagged with an asterisk*]

When you’re brand new parents, there’s no shortage of information on there on the so-called ‘ essential’ baby products you absolutely need to buy: and, yes, I totally wrote one of those articles too, when Max was tiny – you can find it here , if you’re particularly interested.

There isn’t quite so much advice for parents of toddlers, though, so today I’ve taken it upon myself to provide you with some. Because everyone loves unsolicited parenting advice, right? Here, then, are some of the products we couldn’t live without right now, as Max rapidly approaches the 16-month mark: some of these are items we’ve had right from the very start (So apologies for the crossover with some of my earlier posts on this subject), while others are more toddler-specific. Enjoy!

Toddler essentials for the nursery:

BLACK-OUT BLINDS

We’ve used black-out blinds ever since we moved Max to his own room at around 6 months old, but they’ve been particularly necessary since the clocks changed this year: here in Scotland it can still be light outside at 11pm at the height of summer, which would make it really tricky to get Max to sleep at a decent hour. Like many children his age, he’s super-curious about everything around him, and if it his room isn’t dark enough, he’ll just lie there babbling to himself and looking around at everything – in fact, a few days ago I caught him examining the star-print sheet on his cot, and delightedly saying, “Star! Star!” to himself. So, yes, as much as I love the long daylight hours at this time of year, they are NOT our friend when it comes to getting Max to sleep!

WHITE NOISE

When Max was a newborn, I really didn’t get the fuss people made about white noise: it honestly didn’t seem to make any difference to his sleep, and it drove me insane having to listen to it when he was still sleeping in our room, so we soon gave up on it. Once again, though, this was another one that really only became useful to us when he was a bit older, and sleeping in his own room, and now I’d go so far as to say it’s completely indispensable. We have a Whisbear * which we generally use for travel (And which we love because it has a ‘cry sensor’ which means it kicks in whenever the baby wakes up and makes a noise), but at home we normally just ask Alexa to play white noise in Max’s room.

When we went on holiday last year, meanwhile, we forgot to bring Whisbear with us, and ended up just searching You Tube for a white noise track (We managed to find one that was 12 hours long or something, so it lasted all night!), and playing it from Terry’s laptop, which we placed next to the travel cot: any port in a storm!

SLEEPING BAGS

Baby sleeping bags are one of the best inventions ever, as far as I’m concerned, because Max moves around so much in his sleep that there’s just no way we’d be able to keep sheets or a blanket on him. Seriously, on any given night, Max will make full use of his cot, and will cover pretty much every single inch of it, normally waking up at the opposite end he started, so being able to put him in a sleep sack means we can go to bed knowing he’s going to be safe and warm all night.

We have a selection of these now, and I pick them up anywhere and everywhere, but I think the ones we’re using most often at the moment came from Tu at Sainsbury’s and good old ALDI. I like them so much that I’m honestly quite worried about how on earth we’re going to transition him out of them when the time comes: I have visions of him being, like, 14 or something, and still going to bed inside a giant sleep sack. That’s a thing, right? RIGHT?

VIDEO MONITOR

We’ve gone through at least three different video monitors since Max moved to his own room, finally settling on the SriCam security monitor, which links to our phones. We like this because it’s motorized, so, if Max moves to an area of the cot where we can’t see him clearly (Or stands up and yanks the camera almost off its bracket, which ALSO happens from time to time…), we can adjust the angle remotely, without having to go into his room and wake him up. It has other features too, obviously: there’s a two-way microphone, for instance, which allows you to talk to the baby if you so desire, but we’re mostly just interested in being able to check on him when he’s in bed and, well, make sure he’s still breathing, basically.

(I say “we”: Terry would be totally happy to do without a video monitor at this point, so this is really just for my benefit. While I’m much, MUCH better than I used to be, though (For the first few days of Max’s life, I was so paranoid about SIDS that I literally tried to stay awake 24/7 to watch over him, and, even once we moved him to his own room, I’d still wake up multiple times per night to watch him on the monitor…), I still have a degree of anxiety about him being in a different room from me, so I like the reassurance this gives me. Oh, and even if you’re NOT anxious, it’s handy to be able to check what the baby’s doing: for instance, Max sometimes wakes up and just lies there babbling to himself for a few minutes, before drifting back to sleep. Without the monitor, I’d probably hear that he was awake and go in to check on him – which would wake him up even more. At least this way I can have a quick look at the monitor, and know it’s safe to just leave him to go back to sleep: and yes, I’ve learned this the hard way…)

Toddler essentials for travel:

In the car, we’re still using the Maxi-Cosi 2Way Pearl car seat *, which we were gifted last year. To be honest, I never really know what to say about car seats, because I’m obviously not the one sitting in them, and thankfully we’ve never been in an accident, so the safety remains untested – and long may it remain that way. We did a lot of research before picking this particular seat, though, and Max seems to be happy in it, so we’ve no complaints!

PUSHCHAIR(S)

We actually have two different pushchairs in use at the moment: we use the Joolz Day3 travel system * for longer trips, when we know Max will be spending a lot of time in the pushchair, and also for the infrequent occasions when I take him out for a quick jog. (It’s not a running stroller, but it’s super-smooth, and the path I generally run on is totally flat, so it works pretty well…)

For day-to-day life, though, we generally use the Maxi-Cosi Laika , which is very lightweight, and easier to fold-up, as it folds in one piece, rather than having to be dismantled into two, like the Joolz stroller. Because it folds up small, this is also the pushchair we use when we’re travelling: it got a little bit beat-up on the flight back from Tenerife in December, but it somehow survived, so fingers crossed it also makes it through it’s first long-haul trip to the States next month!

BABY BAG(S)

Again, I have two of these, for the simple reason that I’m vain, and I like my bag to match my outfit. Yes. So I have the Baby Beau Sophia bag in tan* (Reviewed here ), and then I also have a black nylon Kate Spade bag which doesn’t seem to be available online any more. As it turns out, switching between the two is actually really easy because the Baby Beau bag came with an inner compartment which you can pull out and use elsewhere, so I just keep all of my changing kit in that, and can swop it into different bags whenever I want. Both bags come with portable changing mats, and while, to be totally honest, neither of them is quite large enough for all of the stuff I seem to cart around with me every day, but, on the other hand, if they were any bigger, I’d have problems carting them round at all (And would probably just put even more stuff in them…), so I guess that one’s on me, really.

Toddler essentials for dinner time:

HIGH CHAIR:

We still have the IKEA Antilop high chair, which we’ve been using ever since we started weaning. We’ve had to replace the tray at least once in that time, because it does tend to get pretty scratched up after a while, but the replacement trays are only £5, and we got the chair itself for £9 in the sale section, so I really can’t complain – even although I not-so-secretly wanted a super-expensive egg-shaped high chair, which would’ve totally matched the kitchen.

We went through tons of different styles of trainer cups, before finally settling on these ones by Munchkin , which I think we now have in every available colour. We like these because the spoutless design is better for the baby’s teeth, apparently, and it’s also almost impossible to spill them. I mean, liquid WILL leak from them if you hold them up and down and shake them, say, or hurl them across the room (Let’s just say it wasn’t me who put this to the test…), but Max can run around carrying one without spilling anything, and they’re also dishwasher friendly, so everyone’s happy.

SUCTION BOWLS

Also by Munchkin are the three suction bowls shown in the image above: I don’t have a whole lot to say about these, really, because, well, they’re bowls that stick to the table, end of story, but if your toddler occasionally decides it would be absolutely hilarious to empty his morning porridge onto the kitchen floor, say, they definitely come in handy.

BABY BJORN BIBS

I’ve mentioned these Baby Bjorn bibs quite a few times in my posts now, so, suffice it to say that we’ve had these for almost a year now and they’re still going strong, despite being used at every single meal time, so we’ve definitely had our money’s worth. We have tried a few of the bibs-with-sleeves, too, but we keep coming back to these old faithfuls, which Max very much enjoys rooting around in at the end of each meal to find all of the food scraps he’s dropped: so they’re the bibs that just keep giving, basically!

BLUEBERRIES AND TANGERINES

When it comes to actual food, meanwhile, we’re really lucky in that Max is not remotely fussy (Or not so far, anyway: we’re well aware that this could change!), and will eat anything we give him, but he particularly likes fruit – especially blueberries, tangerines, and bananas. (In fact, “banana” – or ‘BUH’ rather – was his very first word, after ‘mama’ and ‘dada’, which shows you just HOW much he likes them…) We always have fruit in the house anyway, but we find small fruits like blueberries and tangerines particularly useful to have on hand, purely to keep him occupied while we’re cooking dinner, say, or in a restaurant waiting to served.

Toddler essentials for bath time:

Max is old enough now to be able to go into the regular bath tub, but we’re still currently still using a baby bath, purely because the “real” tub takes such a long time to fill that it makes sense to use something smaller for as long as we can get away with it. We bought the LÄTTSAM bath from IKEA : it cost all of £7, and honestly, I can’t think of anything it could have but doesn’t (I mean, it’s a plastic tub that holds water – it’s not like you’d be expecting it to be packed with design features, is it?), so we’re very happy with it. We just keep this inside the tub in our main bathroom (We don’t actually use this bath much ourselves, both preferring the shower in the en suite, so it’s not really in the way…), so it’s easy to fill and empty it every night.

BATH TOY ORGANISER

One of the things I was absolutely definite about when I was pregnant was that we would NOT end up with a bathtub filled with plastic bath toys. So, yeah, Amber-of-the-Past: how’s that working out for you?

Ah, not AT ALL, I see! Excellent!

So, yeah, obviously we ended up with a ton of bath toys, and, equally obviously, Max’s very favourite thing is the empty plastic bottle at the far left of the photo, which we can’t throw out without destroying his life forever, apparently. Yes. I might have bowed to the pressure of the bath toys, however, but I absolutely refuse to allow them to huddle around the sides of the bath, so I bought this plastic bath caddy from Amazon, to try to keep them all in one place. This is basically a plastic version of the nice wooden ones people are always posting photos of on Instagram , complete with a glass of wine, a book, and caption about how they’re living their best lives or something. This is… NOT like that, obviously, but it IS significantly better than the crappy string bag thing I bought first of all, and which kept falling into the bath and spilling all the toys, and Max is pretty keen on it, too, because it allows him to reach everything really easily.

One day I’ll get my grown-up bathroom back. One day. When he leaves home, maybe.

Toddler essentials for playtime

Finally, I feel I should include a section on play, because it’s such a huge part of any toddler’s life, but, honestly, I’m drawing a bit of a blank here: not because Max doesn’t play , obviously, but because, like many children his age, he much prefers to play with the things that aren’t toys than the things that are . So, he has tons of toys, but while he does play with them all frequently, I’d be struggling to name an all-time favourite, or a toy he really couldn’t live without. Because nothing compares to a Really Good Stick, or a decent hoover , does it?

As proof of this, when we went to Loch Lomond recently, I packed a selection of books for his night-time routine (You’ll find a post on our current favourite toddler books here ), but didn’t bring many toys, guessing correctly that he’d be so engrossed in exploring his new surroundings that he wouldn’t miss them. Sure enough, with a beach full of sticks and a cupboard full of cleaning utensils at his disposal, the single toy I brought with us was completely ignored – lesson learned!

I’m not going to bother listing specific toys, then, because I think it really does depend on your child, but right now, Max is most interested in:

• Things that can be opened and closed – so, doors, windows, boxes, drawers, bags, you name it. He can spend a LOT of time opening and closing the aforementioned items, and, in the case of things like boxes and drawers, filling and re-filling them. Endlessly. He loves his toy kitchen (Which my parents bought from ALDI online: it’s no longer available, unfortunately, but there are tons like it, and we find Gumtree or Facebook marketplace a good source of larger/more expensive items like this – there’s always someone selling one!)

• Things that move . He’s finally mastered the art of riding the tricycle gran & grandad got him for Christmas, and he also enjoys playing with toy cars – particularly the little remote control one we got him for Christmas, and which I’m still not totally convinced Terry didn’t just buy for himself, tbh.
• Things that can be stacked. His wooden stacking tower from IKEA is one toy that’s stood the test of time, and he also likes building blocks and anything that can be placed on top of something else, basically.
• Things that make a noise. Max absolutely loves his Uncle John’s piano, which he’s been allowed to “play” a few times, so when my friend turned up one day with a little toy keyboard which her own little boy had grown out of, he was beyond delighted. He also still occasionally plays with the activity tables we bought him months ago: I actually thought he’d outgrown these, and had put them into the hall cupboard, ready for Gumtree, but we rediscovered them a couple of weeks ago, and were surprised to see him playing with them again, so it looks like they’re sticking around for now. He doesn’t spend a huge amount of time on these, but he does go to them from time to time, so I think they’re worth keeping – for now.
• Things he can climb inside. Max will try to get into any box that comes into the house, and I’ve even caught him trying to get into the drawers in his toy kitchen a few times. He was overjoyed when his grandparents bought him a sandpit recently (And I was overjoyed to hear it would be staying at their house rather than ours…), and my parents also bought a couple of huge sacks of ball-pool balls, which they filled a cardboard box with – much cheaper than buying a ball pool, but just as much fun.
• BUBBLES . OMG THE BUBBLES. Actually, this is probably the one thing I’d class as a “favourite” right now – he LOVES bubbles, which means we now regularly have to add bubble solution to our online shop (Yes, I know you can make it yourself, but the bubbles never seem to be a good when we do!) to fill the bubble machine i n the bathroom, and the ‘ Bubbliser ‘ which he frequently brings over to us, yelling, “BUBBLE! BUBBLE!”

So! For someone who wasn’t going to talk about toys, I certainly seem to have talked quite a lot about toys here, so I’m going to wind this up here, so I can get this post published, and then immediately remember all of the things I forgot to add to it. If there’s anything you’d add to a list of toddler essentials, meanwhile, please feel free to drop me a comment: I’d love to hear from you!

What are your top toddler essentials?

P.S. I write a weekly diary which goes out every Friday to my subscribers. Sign up below to get on the list...

RELATED POSTS

My baby starts school at the end of the summer, and I’m not ready

Holidays before kids Vs. Holidays after kids

7 Things I’ve Learned The Hard Way About Parenting a Three-Year-Old

What happens with the sleeping bag when he gets up and walks? Does it not trip him up? We used to use these too but since my daughter has been able to walk I worry it will just make her fall over. (So instead she kicks all the blankets off and refuses to wear pyjamas…… but she seems to feel ok!).

No, he can walk in it fine! (Just inside the cot, obviously – we always take it off as soon as he gets out, but it doesn’t restrict his movement while he’s in there)

Good advice, as ever. I would add don’t get rid of any toys, as you’ve already discovered, if you put things away for a while, they will rediscover them and play with them again. Same with books and soft toys.

So many tips! It’s been a few years since I had a toddler, but my must have item was always their favourite book. I never left home without it. (I can still recite Superworm without looking at the pages)!

POST A COMMENT cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

20 Toddler Travel Essentials for an Easy Life on the Road

Traveling with a toddler can through up some unexpected challenges that have the potential to completely ruin large chunks of your travels. However, the wise parent will be ready to rise to any obstacle with the simple method of being prepared.

As I consider myself neither wise nor prepared when it comes to the parenting stakes, I decided to turn to my fellow family travel bloggers who also have toddlers to pack for. I asked them if they would be happy to share their key toddler travel essentials to keep trips with little ones as smooth as possible.

While I am almost certainly putting this post together for you, having recently celebrated the arrival of a new baby daughter to complement the little toddler already in my life, I’m hoping it will help me too!

I’m lucky enough that some of the best travel bloggers around agreed to contribute to this post so I truly hope that you not only find some really useful travel tips , but also some new travel blogs to follow and enjoy. 

I’ve split the post into two sections, travel essentials and packing essentials .

Travel will be focussed on items that make the planes, trains, and automobiles a breeze. Packing will then focus on great things that you should take with you on day trips and just every time you head out really.

So let’s get going.

You may also like: How To Store Breast Milk While Traveling

Coming your way in this post - click to expand ->

Toddler Travel Essentials

1. inflatable airplane bed.

Recommended by Celine from Baby Can Travel

As parents, we always appreciate anything that can make traveling with kids a little easier. Like most parents, the idea of flying with a toddler can cause some anxiety. Thankfully, we have found just the thing to make it a little easier. We never fly a long haul flight with a toddler without our inflatable airplane bed. These inflatable cushions fill the space between your child’s seat and the seat in front of them, creating a bed that your toddler or child can lie down on. 

We used one of these flying devices for the first time on a 10 hour flight from Canada to Japan. We loved how it gave our little one an area to play and sleep. The even bigger benefit was not having a child sleep across my lap for the duration of the flight. With plenty of space to spread out, our kids have successfully slept on almost every flight we’ve brought them on.

Without hesitation, we recommend bringing one of these for any overnight flights, just make sure your airline hasn’t banned them. Many airlines have either approved certain devices or leave it up to the discretion of the flight crew.

You may also like: Best travel crib for a toddler

2. A Lightweight Collapsible Stroller

Recommended by keri from our globetrotters.

A real game-changing piece of baby travel gear we invested in was a collapsible stroller.  We went with the Mountain Buggy Nano, but there are plenty of similar products these days including the ever-popular Yoyo (pricey) and the GB Pockit – the smallest of its type.  The beauty of these strollers is not only are they super lightweight compared to clunkier travel systems, they can fold up small enough they are permitted to be taken onboard a plane and stowed in the overhead locker – as well as any other form of transport.

There are a few compromises to be had with a collapsible stroller, the primary one being the size of your wheels as this is where the width of your product comes from, even when collapsed. We’ve found the ultra-micro products giveaway too much in wheel size making it hard to navigate on bumpy surfaces, and you also want the product to have a decent recline so nap times are still possible, which again can add a little necessary weight and cost. These are a few small sacrifices though to make your overall travel journey with your under 4’s much easier.

I have found the collapsible stroller of most use when flying solo with my three kids . It’s simply impossible for me to carry that many children, so even if I was using a sling or barrier for my youngest, I could still throw at least one tot (and on occasion two!) into the collapsible stroller from as soon as I got of the plane, not needing to wait for my baby gear to be returned from oversized baggage to easily navigate through the airport.

3. Inflatable Booster Seat

Recommended by Jo from Where Jo Goes

One of the challenges of travelling with young kids is how to take the booster seats. Taking a booster per child overseas soon becomes cumbersome and yet another thing to carry. If getting a taxi to the beach or through the city you don’t want to be carrying booster seats around all day, right? 

Bubble bums are inflatable booster seats that roll up when not in use. You blow into them to inflate them and then you deflate them, roll them up and stick them in your backpack. We’ve used these on buses, taxis and hire cars all over the world and on planes so the kids can sit higher up, or theatres or cinemas at home for a seat boost. We used these for years until our kids no longer needed booster seats and they were a real travel game-changer. Bubble bums are award-winning and much safer for your child than a seat belt alone.  My top travel tip for getting out and about with young kids, take a bubble bum!

4. Ride Safer Travel Vest

Recommended by Melissa from Travel Car Seat Mom

Our most essential travel gear for 3 and 4 year olds is the Ride Safer Travel Vest. It’s a fully tested and approved car seat alternative for American families. Unlike typical car seats that weigh at least 10 pounds and are a pain to lug around, the Ride Safer Travel Vest only weighs 2 pounds and rolls up to about the size of a soda bottle. It easily fits in the bottom of your daypack for unexpected taxi rides when you’re exploring a city and it’s also a great choice if you’re traveling by plane and then renting a car at your destination.

For our family, the vest was most helpful for our family gap year trip around the world. We used the vest in 16 countries on 6 continents, and I don’t know how we would have survived without it! Even when we traveled in remote areas where car seats aren’t regularly used, as long as a car had a lap-shoulder seat belt we were able to keep our daughter safe on the go. It is a child safety device, so it’s extremely important to use it only within the manufacturer’s guidelines (since that’s how it’s been tested). You can learn more about the pros and cons of the Ride Safer Travel Vest here .

5. Toddler Pillow

Recommended by diana from travels in poland.

Traveling with kids is a fascinating journey .  Many first time parents aren’t too sure what they need to bring when traveling with children under the age of 4. Many times, they overpack and usually forget an essential item. One item we have found that we never thought to be essential but that has been a lifesaver is a toddler pillow.

Typically, we are very light packers, usually traveling with kids with only carry-ons. However, our firstborn and now our second toddler, have found the toddler pillow to be very comforting.  On planes, they can snuggle upright on top of it and feel safe. In cars, it is always being used as an additional way for them to get comfortable in their car seats, whether they use it to support their head or use it to just hold like a stuffed animal.  

A 12-hour car ride with frequent stops was saved by the toddler pillow.  It was a comforting item to our toddler particularly as she was getting grouching around naptime. After having a snack, she was wound up but very tired, and we reached over and got her pillow for her and she instantly started hugging it and fell asleep with her head resting on it. Sometimes bringing a pillow may not be the best way in terms of space, and we don’t always bring it.  But when we do, it’s always been a winner and a great item for our travels.

6. Portable Blackout Blinds

Recommended by marta from learning escapes.

One of our favorite family travel items and one we always pack when traveling with our two kids are portable blackout blinds.

We learned how useful they were at home, where they helped up block out the light for afternoon naps but we never thought they would come handy while away, until we found ourselves in a bright hotel room with two overly tired toddlers and no proper curtains!

When you are new to traveling with kids, it is easy to overlook things like the type of curtain a hotel has however, this is just the type of detail that can make or break your vacation, especially in countries with very long daylight hours or if you have to overcome jet lag. 

Blackout curtains are an easy and inexpensive solution: they fold small, fit easily into carry on luggage or even your baby bag and they use sucking cups to attach to windows, which means they leave no marks and can be used anywhere.

They are also easy to clean so you don’t need to worry too much if they get a little ruined and battered while moving around.

Now we travel with them regularly and I always also recommend them to overseas travellers asking me about advice on what to pack to come to visit Ireland with kids.

7. Trunki Suitcases

Recommended by Ania from The Travelling Twins

When we were living as expats in Oman with kids , trips home could be tough.

These involved ten-hour flight times plus transfers and changes – all with two four-year-olds in tow.  They were too big for a pushchair but not big enough to walk the length of airports.  Our saviour came in the form of Trunki – a suitcase designed for kids to use as a ride. 

Trunki is a small plastic hard case with wheels.  You can use the strap to tow it behind with kids sitting on it, or they can ride on it by pushing with their own legs. It’s great fun for kids, even to the level that when we were getting ready for a trip, the girls would be making suitcase-races around the house to practice. And they were handy too.  I remember running late for a connection in Istanbul. They were zooming through the corridors on the Trunki faster than I was running. 

The only minus of the Trunki is when you are boarding from a bus rather than across the airbridge. So now it can be a struggle on the aircraft steps, managing your own carry-on plus two little suitcases and perhaps carrying a tired child too. But on balance the benefits far outweighed the downsides. The girls have outgrown them now but our Trunkis remain with us as very happy memories. 

8. Travel Kettle

Recommended by martina from placesofjuma.

One of our favorite items for a perfect road trip with kids is our car travel kettle. This travel gadget is particularly handy for long journeys and exhausting trips by car or camper . And we love the fact, that we don’t have to look for gas stations when driving somewhere.

Connected to the cigarette lighter, it boils water while driving in only 10-16 minutes. Perfect if you want to make yourself and your little ones some tea, some milk or cocoa on the go. But also instant noodles, soups and even boiled eggs can be cooked with a good travel kettle. That can be a live safer, especially when your kids need get something warm. It really made going on road trips with the little ones so much easier! 

We recommend the kettle by SPARDAR. Amazing is here the digital temperature display and the high-quality, scratch-resistant stainless steel that is used as the material for the inner and exterior walls.

9. Hydro Flask

Recommended by marcie from marcie and the mouse.

Both of my young boys prefer drinking milk over water. But, that can be hard to find everywhere we travel. So, we fill up Hydro Flasks with milk in the morning and it stays super cold all day long. Our trick is to keep the Hydro Flasks in the fridge overnight so that the metal bottle is super cold before we put the milk in. But, you can also put ice in it, if your kids don’t mind. 

The Hydro Flask is especially useful for family vacations in warm climates like Disneyland with toddlers . Our 3-year-old gets really cranky just waiting in line for some of the Disneyland rides. Most of the time, he’s just hungry or thirsty. So, we bring our Hydro Flask with us in line to keep him fueled up and mellowed out. Plus, we save a lot of money not having to buy milk at restaurants all day long. In fact, we usually buy the largest size milk container that will fit in our fridge.

10. Pop-up Highchair

Recommended by victoria from tori leigh.

Lightweight, compact, and easily washable, a pop-up highchair is one of the most versatile items for families traveling with young children. Often overlooked, this inexpensive item will make any trip with toddlers easier and more convenient. Meals, snacks, and playtime can be enjoyed safely and conveniently with this family travel essential.

We’ve used our pop up high chair when visiting family who didn’t have a safe toddler seat, during camping trips, and when staying in hotels. Easily set the high chair up on a tent or hotel room floor to make meal times seamless when traveling. Stop at any restaurant without worrying about highchairs and booster seats – a pop-up highchair easily affixes to a typical dining chair. Pop up high chairs pack up easy, as well, making them perfect for road trips with toddlers , especially if you’re planning multiple stops.

11. Electrical Outlet Covers

Recommended by catherine from to & fro fam.

Family vacations are all about having fun and making memories with your kiddos. You’ll be much more able to let loose and enjoy yourself if you know your young children are as safe in your hotel room or vacation rental as they are at home!

To that end, I always packed a handful of electrical outlet covers when vacationing with my young kids. 

When your baby begins to crawl, you meticulously plug every outlet throughout your home in order to prevent tiny fingers from getting shocked. But most parents never think to do the same when they’re in a hotel room or vacation home. 

The good news: Electrical outlet covers are cheap, light and small. That means they’re super-easy to pack in your luggage. What’s more, since they’re inexpensive, it’s easy to buy an extra set and stash them with your suitcase. That way you don’t have to pull the covers from outlets at home, and you never forget to pack these baby safety supplies. 

Then, when you arrive at your destination, spend 10 minutes ensuring that all outlets within your child’s reach are safely covered. You can even enlist a toddler’s help in finding them all!

If you’re looking for more travel tips for families with young children, check out Catherine’s post on successfully sleeping in a hotel room with kids .

12. Growbag Baby Sleep Bags

Recommended by cath from passports and adventures.

One essential item we always took with us when travelling with our son when be was a baby and toddler was his Grobag Baby Sleep Bag . Grobag Baby Sleeping Bags changed the way babies sleep and were something we were never without after a friend gifted one to us. There are no need for blankets or sheets with these and by using the right tog rating, your baby is kept safe and at the right temperature.

The reason these were essential when travelling with our son was, because it was a firm part of our bedtime routine, our son never had any problems sleeping in new and strange environments. By keeping to our routine and placing him in his Grobag right before putting him down, he knew exactly what was coming and what was expected of him. Plus, it also had the comforting smells of home on it. Along with his white noise machine, this baby item meant we never had a baby who didn’t sleep when we were away from home.

13. White Noise

Recommended by nicolette from semi-budget travel.

When I consider the most essential items to pack when traveling with kids under 4 , I think of two words: white noise. From a one-hour road trip to visit the grandparents, to jetlag adjustments in Malaysia, white noise can be the difference in kids (& parents) getting to sleep and staying asleep or…not.

While there are white noise machines you can purchase (Amazon alone has a ton), we found that a $0.99 track on iTunes entitled “Waterfall” works perfectly. Installed on all our devices, the waterfall track is always available when we need it. Just play the almost-10-minute track on repeat.

We’ve been using it to help our kids get to sleep since birth. It’s also helped in the car, when an overtired child needed a nap. And, halfway around the world, it’s helped our whole family get to sleep, covering over a multitude of things, including street noise, a too-quiet room, and jetlag wakefulness. 

Packing for Toddlers

So we have covered some awesome ideas fo things to make travelling with toddlers a bit easier. I love the idea of a pop-up high chair and electrical outlet covers, i’ll be honest and say I had not thought about that. I hope you have found a few good ideas so far too.

Now I want to shift a little to packing ideas. So ideas for what to pack for toddlers when you actually head out for the day, so keep on reading for some more excellent nuggets of advice.

14. Children’s Eating Utensils & Collapsible Water Bottles

Recommended by Nick from Spiritual Travels

On our recent trip to Prague with kids , one of the items we found the most useful was the set of eating utensils we brought for our 4- and 5-year old. This saved us in multiple situations. When dining out, restaurants often didn’t provide children’s sized cutlery. Having our own avoided the awkwardness (and possible dangers) of the kids trying to use adult-sized ones. What’s more, our kids were born and raised in Taiwan, so they are accustomed to eating pasta with children’s chopsticks, not a fork.      

As anyone who has traveled in Europe knows, dining out for every meal on a trip can add up to a lot of money, so we also enjoyed meals on-the-go from supermarkets, both in public and in our hotel rooms. This is when having little bowls and utensils for the kids became especially useful, saving us not only money but also a big mess. 

Last but not least, we highly recommend collapsible water bottles. We had one for each member of our family. Ours were the pouch type that can be rolled up when empty and takes up almost no space when packed in luggage. For full days outside, we would fill all four with drinking water at the hotel, but for shorter ventures outside we might only share one. They easily fit into our day packs and helped us to minimize our family’s footprint while traveling.

15. Spare Set of Clothes

Recommended by melissa from queensland camping.

When we took our daughter on her very first overseas trip at the age of around 18 months, we learnt that one of the most essential items to pack is a spare set of clothes for baby!

We had flown halfway around the world without any dramas whatsoever and yet upon the plane landing; our daughter decided to vomit absolutely everywhere!  And not only all over herself but also all over my husband too.  While we had some wipes etc to clean them both up and a spare set of clothes for her, we did not have spare clothes for my husband.  It was dreadful having to be on that plane waiting to get off and I’m sure all the passengers around us couldn’t wait to get off either.

To make things even worse, this was not our final destination.  We had a few hours to wait for our flight and then another short flight to our destination.  It was also late in the evening and while we looked around for a store that sold shirts, nothing was opened.  My husband had to make to with washing his shirt out in the bathroom.

We were so grateful though that we had spare clothes for our daughter to change into, that was an absolute lifesaver for us.  However, we realised that we should also pack spare clothes for ourselves too, as you never know when your child is going to vomit all over you.

16. Ergobaby carrier

Recommended by Emily from Kids & Compass

The Ergobaby carrier is without a doubt my go-to piece of travel equipment when travelling with babies and toddlers.  It’s a flexible sling which allows you to carry your child either on your back or on your front (very handy if you’re breastfeeding your baby).  

Using a carrier means that you never have to take a pushchair away with you and it leaves both your arms free so you’re able to deal with any older children, or bags, which makes travelling much easier.  You can also take your kids on long days out hiking where a pushchair isn’t suitable.

The Ergobaby carrier was especially useful on our family trip to Jordan, where I was able to hike up to the Monastery with my 15 month old son in it – something I’d have missed out on if he had been in a pushchair.  When we visited Iceland with our small kids a year later we were able able to visit all sorts of natural sights where a pushchair wouldn’t have been practical, such as the lava flows at Lake Myvatn.    

Plus, keeping young kids close to mum usually keeps them happy (and quiet!), so it’s a win-win.  You can use the Ergobaby from around the age of 4 months, until your child weighs 20 kilos.

17. Hand sanitiser

Recommended by clara from petite capsule.

Hand sanitiser is one of the most essential items I pack when travelling with my little one . It is particularly important when your little one is on the move – crawling or walking.

Babies and toddlers are full of energy, love to explore, and touch everything . They will touch the escalators in the airport, sit on the ground, crawl under seats, play on equipment, press the lift buttons, hang off rails, hide under tables, roll on the ground, pick up ‘interesting’ items off the ground, play with dirt, play with sand, play with the wheels on your suitcase, touch the soles of their shoes.

The list goes on. Their hands get so grubby from touching everything. Then, your little one wants to put their hands in their mouth, or use their hands to eat something. Of course, washing their little hands with clean water and soap is the best way to remove germs. But when you are travelling, you don’t always have ready access to clean water and soap. The next best thing is hand sanitiser. Hand sanitiser kills germs and viruses, helping your family to stay well when travelling.

18. Baby Wipes

Recommended by priyadarshini from glorious sunshine.

Baby wipes come in super handy for keeping things clean for your young kids especially when you are traveling. There are plenty of situations you face like the little ones puking in the air, or in need of bottom-cleaning. 

The one time I forgot to pack my wipes and was feeling that I could just wing it because my baby bag had so many extra towels, I got into a serious inconvenience. I was traveling with my two young kids under five and the 9-month-old continuously threw up. I ran out of towels pretty quick and the baby was still gooey. A pack of baby wipes would have lasted me the whole trip to clean the baby.  After this trip, I always make a point of packing at least one new pack of baby wipes in my diaper bag and it saved me getting into sticky situations many times.

Wipes also help you quickly clean up the kids’ toys which inevitably land on the plane floor at some point of time. Cleaning the food tray, seat handles and the diaper change table in the bathroom all can be done with your baby wipes and keep it clean for the kids.

19. Swaddle Wrap

Recommended by sharee from inspire family travel.

Travelling with children is an exciting time, but not everyone loves the packing stage, as it can be an overwhelming process to know what essential travel items to pack for kids. One of the biggest tips I can offer is to take what you always use at home, and for us, that item was a muslin swaddle wrap or blanket.

A muslin wrap is a handy accessory, as it can be used for a variety of reasons when you are travelling. We have used our baby wraps as a shade cover for the pram and car seat when exploring. It has been rolled out as a rug or playmat for when we wanted to relax on the grass. It is a brilliant shawl or cover-up when nursing or if the weather turns cold. Made from lightweight material that can be easily folded into a compact size, a muslin wrap is easy to store in carry-on luggage or a tote bag.

While on a flight, our swaddle has been useful as a comforter and even a change mat. Once the adventures are over, a muslin wrap can be thrown into a washing machine for the next time it is needed. Travelling with children is an exciting time, but not everyone loves the packing stage, as it can be an overwhelming process to know what essential travel items to pack for kids. One of the biggest tips I can offer is to take what you always use at home, and for us, that item was a muslin swaddle wrap or blanket. A muslin wrap is a handy accessory, as it can be used for a variety of reasons when you are travelling. 

We have used our baby wraps as a shade cover for the pram and car seat when exploring. It has been rolled out as a rug or playmat for when we wanted to relax on the grass . It is a brilliant shawl or cover-up when nursing or if the weather turns cold. Made from lightweight material that can be easily folded into a compact size, a muslin wrap is easy to store in carry-on luggage or a tote bag. While on a flight, our swaddle has been useful as a comforter and even a change mat. Once the adventures are over, a muslin wrap can be thrown into a washing machine for the next time it is needed.

20. Flashcards

Recommended by marissa from postcards to seattle.

The item that has saved me on family trips with my 18-month-old is flashcards. We have a brand of Seasame Street flashcards, so he gets excited to recognize the characters as we go through each card. He also gets to practice simple words and numbers that he’s learning, and he often wants to go through the entire batch multiple times.

These have been great to pass the time on the airplane and in the car during road trips , as he forgets his boredom and is quickly entertained. There is nothing better than being able to pass even 30 minutes when you’re stuck on a plane! They’re small enough to put in his diaper bag or my purse so I can pull them out anytime I need them. We have several different ones stored in different places for emergencies.

Wrapping it all up

I hope you have found some inspiration and some helpful bits of advice in my roundup of 20 toddler travel essentials, I now know of a few cool things I want to buy for my little man now.

Travelling with a toddler is daunting, even though it doesn’t need to be. With a few of these items and a bit of helpful advice from any of the top family travel bloggers that have made this piece possible, you’ll have no problems at all.

If you have anything else you’d love to recommend, please let me know in the comments, why stop at 20, let’s keep this list growing!

Until next time, happy travels to you and your littlies.

1 thought on “20 Toddler Travel Essentials for an Easy Life on the Road”

Great list – toddlers can seem to need so much when you travel. The good thing is, every year they need less and less. Hang in their Matt!

Leave a comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Airline Reviews
• Baby Travel Tips
• Packing Lists + Hacks
• Toddler Travel Tips
• Baby Essentials
• Toddler Essentials
• Travel Essentials
• Destinations

• Mom Confessions

The 50 Best Toddler Travel Toys — All Mom-Tested and Approved!

When we set out for family adventures with our two toddlers, toys are always a priority on our packing list. Although we’ve been known to travel with large toys like our daughter’s Fisher-Price Piano and our son’s Strider Balance Bike , it’s important to find options that are compact, lightweight, and engaging for little ones away from home.

We’ve rounded up the 50 best toddler toys for travel, all tested from our personal experience with two young children. 

Table of Contents

The Best Toddler Toys for Travel Day 

From noisy musical toys to educational activities, here are our favorite toddler travel toys for the car, plane, or train ride (and they double as excellent entertainment once you reach your destination!):

Travel activities 

1. coloring books.

Coloring books are battery-free and budget-friendly. Bring a few along when traveling by plane, like these Mickey Mouse or Frozen themed choices that include sticker pages. 

2. Non-rolling crayons

If your toddler is coloring on a plane or train, crayons that don’t roll down the aisle are a must. Try this triangular pack from Crayola, or these princess or truck sets from Melissa & Doug.

3. Sticker books

Sticker books , sticker sets , and activity books are great ways to keep toddlers entertained on road trips, airplane rides, and restaurant nights . 

4. Doodle board

An LCD writing tablet or a doodle board is the perfect way to let youngsters create and erase over and over, without the mess. Just make sure you have fresh batteries loaded up for your trip!

5. Etch-a-Sketch

Try a full-sized Etch-a-Sketch to maximize space for creativity, or opt for a pocket-sized version to keep in your diaper bag or purse.

Slinkies and other fidget toys are ideal to have on hand for travel. Just be sure to pick age-appropriate products that are safe for your child.

7. Busy board 

Our son loves to undo the latches and buckles on his busy board . He even carries it through the airport like a briefcase. 

8. Dry-erase cards 

Help your toddler practice the alphabet in flight with these miniature dry-erase cards , or invest in a dry-erase activity book and markers . 

9. Melissa & Doug Poke-a-Dot Cards

I almost always include Melissa & Doug’s Poke-a-Dot cards and books on my lists of favorites for toddlers and babies. They’re simple and educational, and the novelty of their satisfying popping sound doesn’t wear off for young tots.

10. Melissa & Doug Water Wow Books

Another winner from Melissa & Doug is its collection of Water Wow Activity Books . Each book comes with a refillable water pen that toddlers use to reveal hidden colors and objects on each page. Once the page dries, they get to do it all over again. The brand makes Wow Water books in a range of themes, including animals , sports , and children’s shows like Blue’s Clues and Paw Patrol .

Sound-making toys

11. fisher-price smart purse.

Although sound-making toys aren’t the best for trains or airplanes, they’re lifesavers on road trips. This interactive purse comes with a set of small toys inside and talks to toddlers when opened and closed. 

12. Learning Journey Wheels on the Bus Toy

If your toddler can’t get enough of the “Wheels on the Bus” song, they’re going to love this button-activated singing toy from Learning Journey. Just make sure you’re ready to hear the same lyrics on repeat in the car! 

13. Melissa & Doug Vroom & Zoom Steering Wheel

Help your young one feel like they’re behind the wheel with this creative pick from Melissa & Doug. The interactive steering wheel toy has music stations, classic car controls like turn signals and flashers, and a steering game all incorporated into its design.

14. Phone toy

Let’s be honest — your toddler sees you holding your phone constantly. Offer them their own cellular or corded telephone with buttons, lights, and music. 

15. Fisher-Price Counting Koala Linkimal 

Fisher-Price’s Linkimals are musical toys that sing in sync when placed close to each other. This adorable Counting Koala Linkimal is an excellent road-trip choice for toddlers learning their numbers.

16. Board books

If you’re looking for quiet activities for air travel, you can’t go wrong with board books . Opt for favorites your child already knows by heart, or invest in a boxed set . Toddlers will love going through each book in the group and placing them back in the box when reading time is finished. We love Richard Scarry’s Busy Busy Boxed Set and these cute Books of Kindness .

17. Lift-the-flap books 

To add an interactive dimension to story time on the plane or train, try a few lift-the-flap books, like Dear Zoo , Where’s Spot? , and Spot Goes to the Farm .

18. Ready-to-Read Books

As your son or daughter starts to crave independence, the Ready-to-Read book series is a road-trip gem. Each page has a corresponding button that children can press to hear the text read aloud. These books feature characters from favorite movies and shows, like Mickey Mouse , Frozen , Moana , and Spiderman .

Toys to snuggle

If you’ve planned to have your toddler sleep on travel day, it’s helpful to bring a few well-loved toys from home for them to snuggle. A classic babydoll and bottle helps encourage pretend play on the road and at your destination, and softer dolls make for great companions at naptime.

20. Stuffed animals

Plan to bring your kids’ favorite stuffed animals and blankets along for the trip, especially if they love to sleep snuggled up with them. Jellycat is a beloved brand for stuffed animal friends, like this adorable bunny , pig , and chick .

The Best Toddler Travel Toys to Bring for Your Destination

Having a variety of toys on hand can help keep toddlers entertained and happy when outside their familiar home environment. From puzzles and blocks to cars and games, we’ve rounded up our favorite toys to pack in the suitcase and bring along for playtime away from home:

21. Wood puzzles

Whenever we go on trips by plane or car, we always bring a few puzzles. They engage toddlers for extended periods of time without taking up too much space in the suitcase. For a few classic wood options, try these alphabet , numbers , and shapes and animals puzzles.

22. EeBoo puzzle pairs

Toy brand EeBoo makes lightweight puzzles with chunky pieces and simple pairings. Try these colors , numbers , and opposites puzzle pairs for some educational playtime.

23. Wee Gallery puzzles

We love the sturdy paired pieces in Wee Gallery’s animal-themed and dinosaur-themed puzzle sets. 

24. Kidoozie Peek ‘N Peep Eggs

The Peek ‘N Peep Eggs from Kidoozie have been a winner in our household for years. Each egg sports a different face expression and pops open to reveal a colored inside. The snap-shut egg carton doubles as a shape-sorter and offers almost as much entertainment as the eggs themselves. 

25. Clock puzzle 

Our son is at that curious age when he always wants to know what time it is. Help your child build on their interest in the time of day with a shape-sorting clock puzzle from Melissa & Doug or Fat Brain Toys .

26. Gear toys and puzzles 

Every toddler seems to love objects that spin. Try a simple gear toy like this colorful caterpillar , or add an engaging dimension with Melissa & Doug’s interchangeable gear toy or Fat Brain Toys’ wooden gear puzzle .

27. Block puzzles

Each cube face in Melissa & Doug’s block puzzles sports the missing piece of a different puzzle, adding an extra challenge to traditional wood puzzles. These sets come with six kid-friendly puzzles in one package, which helps to save space when traveling. Parents can choose from pet-themed , farm-themed , or Blue’s Clues sets, each of which comes with its own carrying tray.

28. Kidoozie Lights ‘N Sounds Shape Sorter

There’s something about Kidoozie’s noisy Lights ‘N Sounds Shape Sorter that keeps youngsters coming back again and again. This compact toy has catchy jingles, rattling puzzle pieces, and multiple modes of play.

Toys on wheels 

29. friction-powered trucks.

Toy cars and trucks pack a ton of fun into a compact package. These friction-powered monster trucks do hilarious stunts and spins when pushed across the floor, and they’ve been long-standing favorites in our family. We also love these sets of friction-powered trucks and construction vehicles .

30. Hot Wheels cars

Hot Wheels cars add up in weight in a suitcase, but at just over $1 each , they’re affordable and space-saving. Use household items to make creative jumps and ramps when you arrive at your destination. 

31. Cars with music and lights

If your child is more entertained by lights and sounds, try this set of music-making Hot Wheels cars with multiple buttons, sounds, and glowing colors.

32. Motorized Hot Wheels Car

Skip the bag of small cars and invest in one big one that’s sure to make your child smile. This battery-powered Hot Wheels car changes color and zooms across the floor with impressive speed.

33. Pull-back cars

If you’d rather not worry about keeping batteries on hand, classic pull-back cars make for great games between parent and child when away from home. 

34. Mega Bloks ABC Musical Train

For under $10, this Mega Bloks ABC Musical Train includes 46 blocks in a lightweight set. Just be sure not to leave any of the pieces behind when you pack up to head home. 

35. Lego Duplo Train

Lego’s Duplo Number Train combines your toddler’s passion for trains with their love for building, with chunky pieces and smiling characters. Check out the brand’s fire engine , tractor , and other building sets for more Lego fun.

36. Shape stacker train

Shape-stacker trains, like these from Melissa & Doug and Fat Brain Toys , offer an educational fine-motor activity for younger and older toddlers alike.

37. Remote-control cars

If you’re like our family and willing to travel with any toys to keep kids entertained away from home, throw these remote-control cartoon cars or construction vehicles in the toy bag. For older kids, try this smaller remote-control Hot Wheels car.

Building toys 

38. magnetic tiles.

Magna-Tiles and Picasso Tiles are on the heavier side, but they’re compact and offer endless building opportunities for growing minds.

39. SmartMax magnetic toys

SmartMax offers a whole suite of animal and vehicle sets that encourage creative play.

40. Learning Resources Preschool MathLink Cubes

Our son loves to play with his small, lightweight MathLink Cubes . Toddlers can build freely or follow the educational activity cards with an adult’s help. Also try the brand’s kindergarten math activity set and additional building cubes .

41. Bath blocks

If you’re traveling with young kids, be sure to remember some bath toys . These ultra-lightweight bath blocks (with mesh travel bag included!) let your toddler build something entirely new each time they sit in the tub.

42. Balancing toys

This clever toy set encourages children to balance the colorful animal pairs on the curved wooden ark without tipping it over.

Other toddler toys we love

43. window crayons.

Crayola’s window crayons and markers let families play games together or draw creatively on any glass surface when away from home. 

44. Fat Brain Toys RollAgain Ball Sorter

Our son received this unique game by Fat Brain Toys as a gift almost a year ago, and it’s been a mesmerizing toy for him and his sister to play with since. Place the colorful, rattling balls into the gradually widening track, and watch as they drop into their perfectly matched landing spots.

45. Melissa & Doug Bean Bag Toss

This foldable bean bag toss game is compact and lightweight for travel. 

46. Memory matching games 

If you’re traveling to visit family, Fat Brain Toys’ Ladybug Memory Game and Fisher-Price’s Make-a-Match Card Game are perfect ways for your toddler to play back and forth with loved ones.

47. Bead maze

If we’re traveling by car, we often bring our bead maze toy along. It’s lightweight and doesn’t include any loose parts that could be lost in transit or during packing.

48. Play-Doh

Play-Doh tubs are small and compact, and packing a Play-Doh set provides us with a nice family playtime activity when we have some downtime during vacation. 

49. Learning Resources Preschool Letters 

This Learning Resources Preschool Letters set comes with 91 pieces, including tiny letter beads, sturdy letter cards, strings for lacing, a color spinner for games, and multiple activity sheets to complete together with your toddler. If you’re worried about traveling with too many tiny pieces, opt for a simple lacing card activity instead. 

50. Popping tubes 

A set of popping tubes is one of our favorite simple toys for traveling with babies and toddlers. The tubes make silly noises when stretched and squashed, and children can connect them together to create various shapes and loops.

The Upshot: Choosing the Best Toddler Travel Toys

We hope our comprehensive list of favorites helped you find some winning toddler toys to add to your packing list for your next family trip. No matter which you decide to bring with you, sitting down on your toddler’s level, giving them your full attention, and using your imagination for dedicated, interactive playtime makes all the difference.

If you’re looking for travel toys geared towards younger toddlers and infants, check out our list of the 50 Best Travel Toys for Babies .

With a background in medicine as a licensed physician assistant, Christy is a freelance writer and mom of two young kids. As someone who loves to ski, run, and hike, she most cherishes introducing her son and daughter to the beautiful outdoors and spending time with her precious family.

Similar Posts

What I’m Glad I Had on My Baby Registry (+ What we NEVER Used)

My Honest Milk x Whiskey Diaper Bag Review

The Veer Cruiser XL Wagon: Full Review from a Mom of Two

Should You Use a CARES Harness on Flights?

Why I Love the Beaba Babycook

An Honest Ergobaby Omni 360 Review (From both Mom and Dad)

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Helping moms find the joy in motherhood

47 Essential Items for Your Travel with Toddler Checklist

Share With Your Friends

What should you not forget when traveling with a toddler?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Travel with Toddler Checklist Essentials

Basic items.

1. Travel Information

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

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

2. Diaper bag

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

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

3. Child’s suitcase

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

4. Diapers and wipes

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

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

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

5. Diaper cream

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

6. Changing pad

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nighttime Essentials

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

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

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

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

9. Blanket and pillow

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

10. Pajamas

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

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

11. Bedtime toys or books

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

12. Sound machine

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

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

Related:  Best Sound Machines for Toddlers

13. Monitor

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

Mealtime Essentials

14. Highchair or booster seat

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

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

15. Dinnerware

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

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

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

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

19. Disposable placemats

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

Hygiene Essentials

20. Shampoo and body wash

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

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

21. Towels and washcloths

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

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

23. Bath toys

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

24. Hairbrush

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

25. Toothbrush and toothpaste

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

26. Nail care

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

27. Potty seat

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

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

28. Toilet seat covers

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

Playtime Essentials

29. Favorite toys or animals

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

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

Related: Best Summer Books for Toddlers

31. Coloring items

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

32. Flash cards

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

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

Safety Items

34. Baby Proofing Items

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

35. Baby gates or play space

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

36. Thermometer

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

37. Medicines

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

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

38. Sunscreen

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

Miscellaneous Items

39. Pacifier or teethers

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

40. Window covers

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

41. Stroller

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

42. Car seat

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

43. Laundry detergent or Tide packs

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

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

44. Clothes bag for dirty laundry

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

45. Empty bags

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

So, what bags should you take?

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

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

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

47. Anything essential for your child

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

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

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

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

Related Articles for Travel with Toddler Checklist:

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

Table of Contents

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Baby Travel Essentials: Preparing for a UK Staycation

By: Author Jennifer Howze

Whether you’re off on a family holiday with a baby, organising your baby’s first holiday, going away for a weekend or just enjoying a family day out, packing smart for your little one is essential. Our baby travel essentials checklist will help!

As all parents know, leaving the house with a newborn requires a little thinking ahead. When you’re travelling with a baby further afield, it’s even more important.

Naturally you’ll probably remember your wardrobe and your baby’s. We’ve put together this handy list of baby travel essentials– created with the support of Mamas & Papas –  to help as you juggle childcare, laundry and getting your own suitcase ready. You can find all your essentials at Mamas & Papas .

(This post was created with support from Mamas & Papas.)

This baby travel essentials packing list will make travelling with a baby quicker and easier than ever – scroll down to get it as a PDF to print out. Armed with these tips, you can be sure that your UK family break won’t end up being one long stressful last-minute shopping trip.

Getting around

A good pushchair, with the emphasis on good.

What makes a good pushchair? One that’s easy to use, versatile and packs without much effort. Some things you’ll thank yourself for:

• a lie-back option, so baby can sleep comfortably and naturally
• cushioned seat that provides support
• reflective trim for visibility at night
• easy to store
• folds with one hand

We love the Strada pushchair – it has a lightweight frame, is easy to steer with small wheels but with tough tread for a variety of terrain, folds with one hand and has a lie-back seat as well as multi-recline positions.

Warm, lightweight travel blanket

Take along your favourite cellular blanket (if it’s folded over, it counts as 2 blankets), fleece, knitted or other blanket . Great for warmth and for spreading out to play.

A baby carrier , backpack or papoose

A good alternative to your pushchair from time to time and it allows baby to take in the scenery at your eye level.

If you’re not driving your own car, you’ll need to bring one even for short rides in a taxi or longer rides on a bus or train. (Get advice on choosing the perfect car seat for your baby.)

Window sunshade

The kind that sticks onto the glass with a little sucker. So easy.

Changing bag checklist

Nappy changing essentials

Nappies, nappy cream, wipes, nappy bags – pack these in abundance. Your baby’s particular brand and size of nappy may be difficult to find on the road. Some say to pack 2 extra days’ worth. We put in as many as we can. One benefit of having a lot of what you need – as well as peace of mind – is that your bag gets lighter the longer you’re away.

Quality changing mat

Make sure this is big enough that no part of your baby has to touch the table or surface you’re changing on.

They don’t take up much room but can work for just about anything, from burp cloths to mess-stoppers to emergency bibs and sunshades. You can also use them for bath time, so no need to pack flannels as well. Wash them in the sink and hang them up to dry in the evening and they’re ready to go again in the morning.

Plenty of hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes

These are even more important as we cope with Covid-19. We keep a small bottle and pack of wipes in our bag, and full-sized versions in the car.

Choose one lotion that works for baby as well as your own hands, shoulders, knees and toes.

Change of clothes for you and baby

We used to only pack one change of clothes for our child, until what we call ‘The Incident’ occurred on a train. Put in a couple for baby and at least a fresh top for yourself and your partner.

Reusable waterproof bags

Great for storing dirty clothes, wet socks, used muslins and just about anything else that’s damp or dirty.

Baby travel essentials for bedtime

Universal bath plug.

Turns any sink into a tiny tub or makes it easy for you to have a bath with baby in the big one.

Baby sleeping bags

Whoever invented these things was a genius – baby sleeps comfortably and parents don’t have to keep getting up to reposition kicked-off blankets. If you’re unsure of how warm the room will be, pack one (perhaps a 2.5 tog) and adjust the clothes baby wears underneath.

Scratch mittens

Easy to forget but so essential if your child tends to wake up with grazes on their face.

Travel cot with cot sheet

It’s not only a comfortable bed, it’s also a safe space to put them for a little play while you take your shower, use the kettle or get organised.

Portable blackout blind

Guards not only against sun but lighted signs, exterior lamps and streetlights.

Baby monitor (optional)

These are great to let you keep checking without opening the creaky door between the TV room and bedroom in your holiday accommodation.

This is more for you but can be invaluable when going someplace new. We stayed at one rental apartment that was blissfully dark at night, but found ourselves stumbling around bumping into things and feeling for the cot in an unfamiliar room. Save your shins and pack one.

Feeding baby while travelling

At least two. These are even more vital if your baby is teething and dribbling.

Bottles and microwave sterilising bags

Sterilising bags make this process so much easier and work in a few minutes. We also like to throw in a small bottle brush to make cleaning before sterilising quick.

We measure this out beforehand and put it in little tubs or sealed baggies, ready to quickly dump it into a bottle and mix – especially important if baby gets hungry in the car or on a train. Just in case, we throw in a couple of Tetra packs of premade formula. 

The best kind don’t crumble, leave a residue or roll.

Portable high chair for older babies

A baby booster seat with detachable tray is great in this regard. https://www.mamasandpapas.com/products/baby-bud-booster-seat-with-detachable-tray-grey-412468001

Baby travel essentials for the beach

Sunguard shirts for yourself and baby

Newborns should use physical barriers like sun protection shirts rather than sunscreen. For grownups, they just make it easier while playing together – no need to continually reapply.  

For babies 6 months and older, use sunscreen that provides UVA and UVB protection, with an SPF of at least 30, experts say. < https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/>

UV pop-up tent

Perfect for naptime.

Sunhat and sunglasses

They’re not just cool. Experts recommend all children, especially those under age 10, should wear hat and sunglasses to protect their eyes. Ideally sunglasses should be rated UV400, which offers virtually 100% UVA protection.

Swim nappies

These can sometimes be hard to find sometimes so better safe than sorry!

Pool toys and flotation devices

Lilo with cup holder optional.

Talcum powder

Good for getting sand off feet at the end of the day.

Beach towel

If not available at your hotel, B&B or rental.

More baby travel essentials

A first aid kit.

In addition to the standard items, it’s also good to put in a list of your baby’s immunisations (or take a picture) and have the number of your doctor to hand. It should include:

• sachets of baby paracetamol
• sachets of rehydration salts
• insect repellent
• Cortisone cream
• allergy medication
• non-alcohol wipes
• burn ointment

We use one wash intended for both hair and skin, decanted into a little travel container, of course.

Baby toothbrush and toothpaste

If they have teeth that you’d like them to keep for a while.

Infant nail clippers

If you’re going to be away more than a week, it’s a good idea to toss these in your toiletry bag.

A small bottle of hand-wash detergent

Works not only on muslins, but vests and babygrows, your tops and anything else that you thought for sure wouldn’t get *that* dirty.

See anything we’ve left off? Tell us what you can’t live without on your UK staycation with baby !

More advice on baby travel essentials, packing and holiday advice

• Top 10 essential things to pack for camping with a baby
• Top 10 UK summer staycation destinations
• What a summer of family staycations taught me (& how to do it better next time)
• Tips for glamping and camping with kids
• Travel Round-up: Family travel checklists

About Jennifer Howze

Jennifer Howze is the Creative Director and co-founder of BritMums. She blogs about family travel at Jenography.net , tweets at @JHowze and Instagrams at @JHowze . Previously, she wrote the Alpha Mummy blog at The Times and as a journalist has contributed to The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, CNN.com, Allure, SELF and Premiere, among others. She won The Maggie Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America for a health article in Seventeen magazine.

• More Posts(343)

20 Helpful Family Travel Products (From A Mom of 6)

This post was updated March 2024

Daniel and I used to be wildly poor packers. And things got even more complicated when we have to think about travel with kids. All kinds of what-ifs would go through my mind, and I’d stress about not being able to find travel essentials for kids while on the move.

The thing about traveling with kids is that you just CAN’T take as much stuff per person unless you want to drive yourself mad. With more people, especially small people who aren’t always capable of schlepping all their own kids travel gear, we learned to pare things down to just the travel necessities. Fast.

We’ve now traveled with kids for over a decade to over 60 countries and all over the US. We’ve found some really excellent travel essentials for kids that are worth the weight and effort to take along. These baby travel essentials have saved us time and again.

How To Choose the Best Travel Gear for Kids

All of our personal kids travel essentials must check 3 boxes – they must be lightweight, durable, and preferably multi-functional. Every item must be relatively easy to carry and hold up for the duration of the trip (hopefully many trips!).

Here’s a complete kids packing list with everything from gear to clothing to medical supplies – true baby travel essentials. We use it every time we travel! And if your kids are packing for themselves, try this visual packing list for kids .

This list of the best travel essentials for kids doesn’t include basics like medicine or clothing, or needs like diapers and wipes. Instead, I’ve focused on more unique kid travel accessories that are worth their weight in gold. They’re things we’ve returned to time and again. Hopefully these travel tips will give you a few ideas of the best travel accessories for kids!

6 Kids, 50 Countries, 20 Best Travel Essentials for Kids

1. sound machine or white noise app.

Not travel specific, but it’s especially helpful for travel and is definitely one of our favorite kids travel accessories. All our kids sleep with some sort of white noise, and it’s really useful in helping kiddos (and adults!) adjust to new time zones, sleeping locations, etc.

We often use a white noise app when traveling, and also like to carry a tiny little portable sound machine for a 2nd room.

2. Kidco Peapod

I think this is the very best baby travel bed for babies and toddlers. It’s a little pop up baby tent that zips so baby can’t get out. The baby cot part only weighs about a pound or so – way better than carrying around a 20+ pound pack n play.

The best part about this baby travel essential is that it’s lightweight and small enough to fit inside our checked luggage. That means one fewer piece to remember to grab and carry around – a lifesaver when you have limited hands! It’s also great for things like the beach when you need a bit of shade and privacy for baby.

3. Car Seat Suitcase Strap

This luggage strap is kind of the silliest and simplest of all these travel accessories for kids. You could undoubtedly make it for cheaper than the $15 you have to pay, but that’s probably more annoyance than it’s worth. This silly little strap totally works to strap a big, bulky convertible carseat onto a suitcase (either a carry on size or full size). Plus, your kid can even sit and ride in it. Genius.

4. Carseats and Boosters for Travel

If we’ll be driving at all while traveling, we always pack travel child restraints. We use a few different options depending on the age of our child. Here’s what we personally use by age:

• Babies: Infant car seat
• Toddlers: Cosco Scenera NEXT convertible car seat
• Ages 3-5: Ride Safer booster vest (you can use the code PASSPORT for $10 any new vests)
• Ages 6+: Inflatable booster

More about which car seats we take and when we travel with them in this post !

5. Lightweight Outerwear

Outerwear is some of the trickiest clothing to figure out as far as baby travel essentials go, in my opinion. We often want something warm but not too warm, and that can be layered if needed. Some amount of rain protection is a plus, and packing down small is a necessity. Bright colors for keeping track of kids are a bonus.

We used these lightweight puffy coats for several years and they were great for layering and packing. They pack small and work as a pillow, and you can wash them easily and they’re water-resistant (though not waterproof). Sometimes we need to take warmer parkas if we’re really heading somewhere wet and frigid, but these work great most of the time.

This is my very favorite packable warm jacket for women . It’s pricey but absolutely fantastic – so warm, so lightweight, zippers, weather resistant, so many things. I love it. (Also available HERE and currently on big sale!) I also love this lightweight packable long coat that stuffs into it’s own pocket. It’s warm, great for layering, and packs so small – great for mixed weather travel.

6. Lightweight Luggage

We’re pretty darn good at packing light with kids in terms of space constraints, but weight is still sometimes an issue. So we like to use lightweight but durable luggage so we’re not giving up too much weight to the luggage itself. This is our very favorite lightweight checked luggage – we’ve dragged this suitcase all around the globe and it’s held up incredibly well. It’s spacious to fit most of what we need for our family (we usually take an extra carry on suitcase or backpacks) and has room for our baby travel bed .

When we don’t want to check a suitcase, we typically take three lightweight carry on suitcases for our family of 8. We can’t fit the baby bed inside in this case so that adds a couple of pieces in terms of sheer numbers, but it’s sometimes worthwhile to not have one big suitcases and to have everything with us instead of in the hold of the airplane.

Here’s all our favorite luggage for families .

7. Kids’ Melatonin

This is one kids travel essential where you should for sure check with your doctor in advance, but it’s been very helpful for us. We much prefer using melatonin to an actual drug like Benadryl as our bodies do produce it naturally. We typically use it on a long plane ride and the first night or two in a very different time zone as a way to help our kids get over jet lag.

There are lots of different kinds, but we think this is the best kids melatonin . It’s not a child-specific one, but is the exact same dosage as the kids’ melatonin, and we prefer it to the kids’ melatonin gummies. The gummies usually have a bit of added sugar, while this kind does not. It’s also fast-acting and the tablets are smaller than carrying the gummy kind.

8.  Portable Door Lock

We once had a kiddo manage to get out of our hotel room very early one morning. He thought he was opening the door to the bathroom, but it turns out it was the door to the hall, which, of course, closed and locked behind him.

We are SO GRATEFUL he was okay and all was well, but one of these  portable locks  immediately became a kid travel essential for us. It’s great if there’s no deadbolt or if you have a little escape artist. This portable door lock is lightweight, strong, and easy to install.

9.  Packing Cubes

I can’t overstate how much I love this  kids travel accessory . They’re magic for keeping everyone organized and each kid has his or her own color. Especially when traveling with multiple people (and not wanting to have 6 different pieces of luggage), this travel essential for kids is perfect for containing and keeping track of all the stuff. I also really like this expandable set .

10. Kid Travel Backpacks

Our kids love these amazing travel backpacks that we absolutely adore. They’re durable, spacious, and have lots of pockets. We definitely use them for way more than hiking – they’ve been all around the world with us. They’re WAY more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time or through an airport than a standard school backpack!

Our 3 year old tends to use the smaller 12L version when we travel, and our older kids (and I!) often use the 40L backpacking version if we’re doing a longer trip and aren’t checking luggage. All the sizes are durable, functional, and comfortable.

11. Folding Travel Backpack

We always pack along at least one of these  lightweight folding backpacks every time we travel. They’re lightweight, sturdy, and really helpful if we have items we’ve purchased, leftover food/snacks, etc. It’s also great to carry rain gear if we don’t want to wear it all day, or to reshuffle luggage weight. We often attach them to the outside of another backpack with a carabiner so that we have it handy and so it’s not an extra piece to track.

12.  Carabiners

Speaking of  carabiners , it sounds so random, but they are totally a kids travel essential for our family. You can get a set of about a million of these for dirt cheap. Get the kind that screw for extra security, and get them in a bunch of colors. We always pack several – they’re great for strapping on water bottles, keys, or even stuffed animals. This is such a useful and unexpected travel accessory for children.

13.  Soft-sided baby carrier

I can’t imagine traveling with a child under the age of 2 without a baby carrier. They are just so darn convenient, especially if you’re traveling to a place that’s not very stroller-friendly. We have both the regular  Boba  and the  Boba Air  (which folds up into a small pouch and fits easily in a bag). Both are amazing baby carriers for travel.

The regular Boba is more supportive if you’ll be wearing a child for a longer period of time, so it’s usually our go-to for longer trips. But if we’re going somewhere hot and/or wet, or if we won’t be using the carrier a ton, the Boba Air is for sure the one we use. It dries really fast and packs so small!

I personally prefer the  Boba  to the  Ergo  as it fits better on my narrower shoulders. Whichever you choose, a good, ergonomic carrier is one of my most vital baby travel essentials, especially when on an airplane.

We ALWAYS have one of  these bibs  on hand when we travel. Honestly, they’re the only ones we use at home, as well. I love that they have  sleeves  so they actually keep clothes clean (especially useful when rewearing clothing while traveling with kids). They roll up super small and lightweight, and are easy to wipe down or wash and dry quickly. Not just a kids travel essential, these are an everyday baby essential for us.

15.  Lightweight umbrella stroller

These days, we don’t often travel with a stroller unless we’ll be doing a lot of walking around cities. When we do take one, we only ever take a single lightweight umbrella stroller for travel (a double just hasn’t been helpful for us).

The lightweight single umbrella stroller we used and loved for over a decade isn’t being made anymore, but this one is similar and very inexpensive with great reviews, both online and from the LPF community. The things I love about ours are that it weighs hardly anything and has a very slim profile, but still handles bumps and curbs well. It has a good-sized basket underneath, has a rain cover and sun shade, and reclines. This one seems like it checks those boxes, too, and also makes a great everyday stroller.

When we moved to London, we purchased an inexpensive dupe of this stroller and we’ve loved it!

16. Kids’ Kindle for Travel

It’s maybe a little humorous that this item is so far down in this list because for my age 5+ kiddos, this is an absolute travel non-negotiable, including for any local car rides. We love downloading books for the kids to read on their own or for us to read together, and it’s great being able to carry tons with us without taking lots of weight or space. Plus, it’s super durable and has a great battery life. We love them!!

17.  Hanging Toiletry Bag +  Toothbrush Covers

Perhaps your children are perfect angels and always neatly line up their toothbrushes so you’re never frantically searching for them while packing up. And maybe they always put the comb back in the right spot. If this is the case, you probably don’t need this.

But if your children, like ours, are… children , then this  travel toiletry case  will be a lifesaver. It keeps everything organized and in its home. It has room for our medical bag and personal hygiene items and even my makeup. And my toothbrush isn’t at risk of being knocked in the toilet in a tiny European bathroom.

We also use these  toothbrush covers  for each of our toothbrushes. It helps when everyone has a color and keeps them clean while traveling and in the  toiletry case .

We leave a few travel essentials for kids always ready to go in a drawer in one of our closets, and this is one of them. It’s so convenient to know it has what we need (we just make sure nothing needs refilling) and to not need to rethink it every time!

18.  Kids travel water bottle

We’ve tried about 8 gazillion different kid water bottles. This is my current favorite for toddlers and younger kiddos because the straw stays completely covered when closed so it keeps it clean. Plus, it keeps drinks cold and doesn’t leak, and the loop allows you to attach it to a backpack with a carabiner so it doesn’t fall out of the pocket. The older kids and adults in our family all love this water bottle . 27k+ 5-star reviews are not for naught.

We fill these water bottles in the airport before boarding so we don’t have to worry about asking for (and spilling!) a million cups of water when traveling with kids on an airplane. They’re great as a travel essential for kids for long car rides, or for hotel rooms to have a drink by the bedside.

19.  Simple Building Toy

We take very little in terms of kids’ entertainment while traveling. It’s usually just more to schlep, and they’re typically most entertained by random items along the way. But we always have a small baggie of some sort of lightweight building toy. Sometimes it’s a ziplock of LEGOs, while other times we take  these  along. They’re great for a huge variety of ages. We’ve used this kids travel toy on both airplanes and road trips with great success. We also love these .

20. Kids Travel Headphones

We love these soft headphones – they are by far the best headphones for toddlers and young children. I also love that they pack down really small for travel and stay on easily in an airplane seat.

21.  External Charger

I can’t count the number of times I’ve thanked the stars above for our  external charger . It’s a lifesaver when you desperately need an audiobook to calm shrieking kids in the car, or when you need white noise from your dying phone to calm the baby. We absolutely never travel without one.

I also ADORE this tiny one that plugs right into my phone – I love that it’s cordless and so convenient. I use it most days even at home. A true travel essential for families. Finally, I love this magnetic portable charger that attaches right to the back of my phone.

IF YOU LIKED THIS POST ABOUT KIDS AND BABY TRAVEL MUST HAVES, YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE POSTS, TOO:

• Kids Packing List: Family Travel Essentials
• How to Check a Carseat: Tips & Tricks
• 10 Tips for Getting Over Jet Lag with Kids

NOT READY TO PACK UP YOUR BABY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS QUITE YET? PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!

Recent Posts

The Best Road Trip Novels: 75+ Diverse Audiobooks for Family Road Trips

Ultimate Guide to Olympic National Park: Best Things to Do in Olympic National Park with Kids

Plane Activities for Toddlers: 60+ Screen-Free Airplane Activities for Toddlers

5 Favorite Things March 2024

Help Me Pack For Egypt!

50+ Travel-Themed Easter Basket Ideas Under $5

Romania With Kids: Can’t Miss Things To Do in Transylvania with Kids

4 Spring Break Outfits for Moms: Europe Edition

45 responses.

I love talking travel accessories! We are loyal to the Phil and Ted's portable crib–lightweight, fits in a suitcase, all three kids can potentially curl up and sleep in it because it's long and skinny. Our Ergo carrier was basically Sage's second home for her first two years of life. And I love Indestructibles books for traveling with babies. Ours have been stepped on, chomped on, waded up, and spilled on but are still going strong.

(P.S. Lots of the links seem to not be working 🙁 And I really want to know what your favorite stroller is since people have such strong opinions!)

I’ve considered the Phil & ted’s crib many times so I’m glad to know you love it as you are the travel queen! It’s heavier than the pea pod but it might be worth it to have an actual crib for two months…hmm. Maybe I need to check yours out!

I’ve never seen the Indestructibles books but I need to check them out!

And thank you for the head’s up on the links – should all be working now! 😘

I love this post! We're heading to Denmark for much of the summer, and I'm going to get two of the Mifolds for our rental car. Where are you guys going for two months this summer?

Thank you!! Denmark is actually one of our stops – do you have family there if you'll be there much of the summer? I'd love any tips! We're headed all over Western Europe this summer. 🙂

Hope the mifolds work out for you!

My husband is a professor and is teaching in Denmark. We'll be in Aarhus — the 2nd-largest city in Denmark, but far less known than Copenhagen!

We love the Baby Bjorn Travel Lite and the Brica travel bassinet for younger babies. Both fit in a suitcase and are so lightweight!

Awesome, thanks for the rec! I'll check it out!

The only thing I can think of is we have a few of the cheapo rainslickers in our travel bags. It is cheaper than buying them at a tourist attraction if it happens to rain.

[…] 15 Best Travel Accessories for Kids […]

[…] 15 BEST TRAVEL ACCESSORIES FOR KIDS […]

Packing cubes are our #1 travel go-to! The Ergo has always been another travel must! We used it with our kids until they were 4! We also use delicates mesh laundry bags for dirty laundry. They pack up small when not in use, zipper so nothing falls out when full And come in all different sizes for different types of trips. Some travel games we like are spot it, slamwich, and now tenza. All are small and easily packable and good for lots of ages. We have also used the scrubba for washing laundry when we didn’t have access to a machine for awhile. It’s only for a small amount of things but definitely does the trick

THat’s a great idea to use mesh laundry bags! We also love spot it, or we just use the head’s up app (or whatever it’s called where others have to help you guess the word, haha). We usually take a few travel laundry pods just in case but I haven’t tried the scrubba – I’ll have to look it up!

[…] Related: 4 Kids, 43 Countries, 20 Travel Essentials for Kids […]

[…] 4 Kids, 43 Countries, 20 Travel Essentials for Kids […]

[…] 20 Travel Essentials for Kids […]

[…] Best Travel Essentials for Kids […]

[…] 4 Kids, 43 Countries, 20 Must Have Travel Essentials […]

[…] Related: 20+ Travel Essentials for Kids […]

[…] 20 Travel Essentials with Kids […]

I think it is pretty easy to lose track of yourself after having a baby. What is important to note is that if you don’t take care of yourself, the harder it becomes to take care of your baby. I really like how you related that above!

Thanks for reading!!

[…] 20 Must Have Travel Essentials with Kids […]

[…] Cannot miss family travel essentials […]

[…] Here’s the full KIDS PACKING LIST we always use, and also our favorite 20 ESSENTIALS FOR TRAVELING WITH KIDS. […]

[…] 20 Must Have Family Travel Essentials […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Don't subscribe All Replies to my comments Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

2023 MONTHLY GLOBAL CHILDREN'S BOOK CLUB

• Privacy Policy
• Recommended Destinations
• North America
• South America
• Middle East
• Accommodations
• Photography
• Travel with Infants & Toddlers
• 2023 Global Children’s Book Club
• 2022 Global Children’s Book Club
• A-Z Global Children’s Book Club
• 2021 Global Children’s Book Club
• Global Service Advent
• Virtual Travel
• Holidays Around the World
• Home Education
• Curious Kids Email Course
• Travel Products
• Gift Guides
• Gifts We Gave
• Favorite Things
• Weekly Deals
• Holidays at Home
• Home With Kids
• Weekly Menus
• Summer with Kids
• Work With Us
• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Read more about our Privacy Policy .

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer
• John Lewis Brands
• Customer services
• Our services
• Track order
• My John Lewis
• Partnership Credit Card

Baby Travel Essentials

Babyzen YOYO² Chassis & Colour Pack Bundle, Black

Save £40 (Bundle price includes saving)

Babyzen YOYO² Chassis & Colour Pack Bundle, Black/Taupe

Babyzen YOYO Storage Backpack, Black

Receive the BABYZEN YOYO Storage Backpack, Black at no extra cost when you buy it with any Babyzen YOYO² Chassis & Colour Pack Bundle (via promo code, see product page for details)

Babyzen YOYO² Chassis, Newborn Kit & Colour Pack Bundle, Taupe/ Black

Save £59 (Bundle price includes saving)

John Lewis Anyday Pushchair Cup Holder, Black

Vital Baby Nourish Store and Wean Pots, Pack of 6, 60ml

£5.99 £5.39

John Lewis Anyday Car Sun Blind, Pack of 2

MAM Milk Powder Box

Babyzen YOYO² Chassis & Colour Pack Bundle, Black/Ginger

John Lewis Anyday Universal Pushchair Raincover, Clear

Silver Cross Pop Pushchair

£245.00 £175.00 £150.00

Reduced To Clear

Stokke Flexi Bath Flexistand, Grey

Babyzen YOYO 6+ Colour Pack

£60.00 – £80.00

John Lewis Anyday Car Sun Shade, Pack of 2

John Lewis Anyday Universal Pushchair Parasol, Black

John Lewis Toddler Harness Backpack

Ingenuity SmartClean Toddler Baby Booster Feeding Seat, Slate

Bugaboo Butterfly Pushchair

Ingenuity Baby Booster Feeding Seat

John Lewis Anyday Universal Karabiner-Style Pushchair Clip with Combination Lock

DockATot Deluxe+ Pristine White Baby Pod, 0-8 months

John Lewis Anyday Baby Footmuff, Black/Charcoal

Tommee Tippee Penguin 2 in 1 Portable Night Light

Stokke Flexi Bath Baby Bath and Flexi Bath Newborn Support Bundle

Fri 26 Apr 2024

2024 newspaper of the year

@ Contact us

Your newsletters

May 2024 strikes: Full list of walkout dates, from trains and Tube to flights

Strikes on the uk's rail network and at heathrow airport are set to disrupt travel in may.

With two bank holidays the month of May is often seen as the perfect time to get away but this year that could be hampered by a series of strikes which will cause travel chaos.

Rail services, the London Underground and Heathrow Airpor t will all be hit by industrial action this month, some of it coinciding with the first May bank holiday.

Train drivers union Aslef, Tube workers who are members of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) and around 800 members of the union Unite based at Heathrow are all to stage walkouts or overtime bans during the month.

It means travel disruption will be inevitable for some this month.

When are the train strikes?

Train drivers union Aslef has announced its members will walk out in another series of one-day strikes, coupled with a six-day overtime ban.

This will affect 16 train companies with which the union is still in dispute. over pay for drivers.

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “Drivers would not vote to strike if they thought an offer was acceptable.

“They don’t. And that offer – now a year old – is dead in the water.”

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents rail companies, said: “This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the ASLEF leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses once again, while further damaging the railway at a time when taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54 million a week just to keep services running.

“We continue to seek a fair agreement with the ASLEF leadership which both rewards our people, gives our customers more reliable services and makes sure the railway isn’t taking more than its fair share from taxpayers.”

The industrial action will be on:

Tuesday 7 May – affecting c2c, Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia (which includes Stansted Express), Great Northern, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway (which includes Island Line) and Thameslink.

Wednesday 8 May – Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, Heathrow Express, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway.

Thursday 9 May – LNER, Northern and TransPennine Express.

There will also be an overtime ban from Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May which may alter the timetable of trains that will be running.

Passengers are advised to check before they travel, as the action is likely to lead to delays and cancellations.

When are the Tube strikes?

Members of TSSA rail union working as customer service manager on the London Underground are already going on strike on Friday 26 April .

TSSA Customer Service Managers at London Underground will also take part in an overtime ban from Monday 29 April to Friday 5 May , which will include the May bank holiday.

This overtime ban is expected to lead to station closures at very short notice.

TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “We will continue to take sustained action until London Underground is prepared to negotiate with us in good faith.”

Transport for London, which runs London Underground, has said it is “disappointed” by the planned action and has urged TSSA urge TSSA to “continue to work with us to help find a resolution.”

A planned strike by Aslef members on the London Underground for Saturday 4 May has now been called off.

When are the Heathrow Airport strikes?

Heathrow, the UK’s largest airport, is facing major disruption in May with a series of strikes across different departments.

Unite union has said almost 800 members will be taking part in a week of strike action beginning at 12.01am on Tuesday 7 May and ending at 11.50pm on Monday 13 May in a dispute over the outsourcing of jobs.

Jobs in passenger services (assisting travellers to catch connecting flights), trolley operations and campus security (security guards responsible for workers at Heathrow and vehicles being checked entering Heathrow) are expected to be outsourced by 1 June.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Heathrow Airport’s actions are deplorable, it is raking in massive profits for the bosses while trying to squeeze every last penny out of its workforce.”

Unite members from passenger services, trolley operations, campus security, firefighters and airside operations will strike from 7 May up to and including 13 May.

In a separate dispute, Unite members at AFS Ltd, an airline refuelling company, are also taking part in industrial action at Heathrow Airport on Saturday 4 May , Sunday 5 May and Monday 6 May (bank holiday) over pay and conditions.

Unite said the action will “inevitably cause widespread disruption across the airport leading to delays and disruption.”

A Heathrow Airport spokesperson said: “We are reorganising our operations to deliver better results for our customers.

“There are no job losses as a result of these changes, and we continue to discuss with Unite the implementation of these changes for the small number of colleagues impacted.

Unite’s threats of potential industrial action are unnecessary, and customers can be reassured that we will keep the airport operating smoothly just like we have in the past.”

Border Force staff, who are members of the PCS union, and responsible for immigration controls and passport checks are due to go on strike for four days between Monday 29 April and Thursday 2 May in the run-up to the bank holiday.

Most Read By Subscribers

Money latest: We eat six billion packets a year - here are the healthiest crisps

We dig into the nation's favourite snack to see where you can make healthier choices. Elsewhere, the boss of Sainsbury's has insisted customers like self-checkouts - do you agree? Leave your thoughts in the box below.

Friday 26 April 2024 08:49, UK

• Sainsbury's boss insists customers like self-checkouts
• Halifax hikes mortgage rates - as entire market moves upwards
• Morrisons rolls out bureau de change and trolley adverts

Essential reads

• Do smart meters actually save you money?
• How to buy the healthiest crisps  
• The world of dark tourism - what is it, is it ethical and where can you go?
• Money Problem : I have a mortgage offer - will it change now rates are rising?
• Savings Guide : Why locking into fixed-rate bond could be wise move
• Cheap Eats : Michelin chef's secret lasagne tip - and expensive ingredient you shouldn't use

Ask a question or make a comment

Self-checkouts - they're like marmite, people seem to either love them or hate them.

But the boss of Sainsbury's has claimed that his customers do  enjoy using self-checkouts, despite criticism that that machines don't always provide the convenience promised.

Simon Roberts told The Telegraph that there are more of them in Sainsbury's stores "than a number of years ago" as shoppers like the "speedy checkout".

But despite this, he said there won't be a time when they'll replace cashiers completely.

"Over the last year, where we've put more self-checkouts in, we're always making sure that the traditional kind of belted checkout is there," he said.

His comments come after northern supermarket Booths ditch self-checkouts at all but two of its sites after customer feedback. 

Walmart and Costco in the US have also scaled back on the systems.

Do you agree with his comments? Share your thoughts in the form at the top of the page.

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team will get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week it is...

'Smart meters save you money'

For this one, we've enlisted the help of Dr Steve Buckley, also known as the Energy Doctor and head of data science at Loop...

So do smart meters help you save? 

"The short answer is both yes and no," Steve says.

"Installing a smart meter by itself won't magically reduce your energy consumption. But, by giving you easy access to your energy usage data, smart meters pave the way for savings that you couldn't achieve otherwise."

Before smart meters, most households only found out how much energy they had used when the bill arrived. 

By that stage it's too late to address wasteful usage, leading to what's known as "bill shock". 

"With a smart meter, you can see your usage and costs in real-time through an in-home display or an app provided by your supplier," Steve says. 

"This immediate feedback encourages you to use less energy. If you measure it, you can control it."

In 2022, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero found that homes with smart meters used about 3.4% less electricity and 3% less gas. 

"This might not seem like a lot, but it adds up to a saving of over £50 per household annually," Steve says.  

If all homes in the UK made similar cuts, that would amount to savings of around £1.5bn and a potential reduction in CO2 emissions by about 2.7m tonnes each year. 

"Good for individual households but also great for the planet," Steve says. 

Smart meters are often installed at no extra cost to the consumer - it's effectively free data for households. 

Limitations

Smart meters are more or less what you make of them - a simple, free tool that allows you to see headline figures. 

However, "without detailed analysis, it's tough to identify and eliminate" where you could be wasting money, Steve says. 

Apps like Utrack, Loop and Hugo Energy can help you work out where you might be losing money by offering a more detailed breakdown if connected to your smart meter. 

Those tools are often free, but you may need to register your card details as proof of address. 

The tools give a number of useful insights, including looking at consumption in other households of similar size or monitoring where chunks of your money are going, such as to a faulty boiler or the "phantom load" (energy wasted by devices left on unnecessarily).

Myth or must?

Although smart meters alone don't reduce energy bills, they are a vital tool to help energy efficiency and cost savings. 

By Ollie Cooper, Money team

It can be hard to balance getting nutritious foods that make you feel good without spending a lot.

In this series every Friday, we try to find the healthiest options  in the supermarket for the best value.

We've asked  Sunna Van Kampen,  founder of  Tonic Health ,  who went viral on social media for reviewing food in the search of healthier choices, for his input. 

The series does not aim to identify the outright healthiest option, but to help you get better nutritional value for as little money as possible.

This week, we're looking at crisps.

In the UK we eat six billion packets of crisps a year.

Sunna has three easy tips for finding the tastiest options that are kinder to your body...

1. Understand the fat facts

"Typical crisps can be oil sponges and contain over 30% fat from low-quality vegetable oils that have been fried," Sunna says. 

"What we are on the lookout for those that buck the trend and stay away from the fat." 

So, he says, aim for crisps that contain less than 15% total fat.

2. Fibre up your snack time

"While crisps aren't exactly salad, some can offer more nutritional value than others," Sunna says.

"Check the labels for options that have more fibre or protein."

These help you feel fuller for longer and also keep your digestive system happy.

3. Portion control

"It's easy to demolish an entire bag in one sitting - however, many brands offer multipack bags that are portion-controlled, usually around 25g a bag," Sunna says.

Sticking to these helps to manage calorie intake and stops overindulging.

The big picture

"Small changes might not immediately seem like a lot but if you eat a bag a day with your lunch, we are talking about up to a whopping two litres of oil cut from your diet over the course of the year," Sunna says,

"This is not permission to eat crisps every day (enjoy as an occasional treat) but rather an indication of how small changes add up quickly overtime."

The good news is Sunna's recommendations are all similar in price to their popular, fattier rivals - so you don't need to make a bigger investment to reap some health benefits. 

We've included the prices for the brands' standard multipacks at Tesco - correct as of time of writing. 

Walkers Oven Baked - £1.95 for six-pack

"Around £1.95 for a pack of six, these crisps are baked, not fried, slashing the fat content to 13%, so a great option."

Popchips - £2.25 for five-pack

"These have just 13% fat content as they're popped rather than fried so are a great way to go reducing fat without compromising on the crunch."

And for some non-crisp options...

ProperCorn Popcorn - £2 for six-pack

Often described as "the healthier, lighter option", Sunna says ProperCorn "isn't actually the best option on the market for fat content at 17.4%".

That being said, you do get "double the fibre of standard crisps at 10.9g per 100g". 

At only £2 for a pack of six, it's well-priced, too.

Snack A Jacks - £2.20 for five-pack

"At only 8.3% fat per 100g, it's a great option at £2.20 for a pack of five."

Penn State Baked Pretzels - £1.50 for 175g bag

Now for Sunna's winner.

"The German classic is a great option at only 4.6% fat per 100g," he says.

One downfall is that they are not available in portioned bags, so be careful with the whole 175g bag for £1.50.

Want another option altogether?

"If you want to be even healthier, consider the switch to nuts, seeds or even dried cheese snacks," Sunna says.

"Higher in calories yes, but higher in good healthy fats too and are more satiating which will limit the chance of overeating."

The nutritionist's view -  from  Dr Laura Brown , senior lecturer in nutrition, food and health sciences at Teesside University...

"Baked instead of fried crisps is definitely a way forward as well as the popcorn suggestion," she says.

"We should also be aiming to look at the amount of protein and fibre found in products. For example, lentil and pea snacks are growing in popularity due to their higher protein and fibre values, so the focus should be more on looking for ingredients other than potatoes, oil and salt. 

"I also feel 'crisp' based snacks made in an air fryer are becoming more popular. These can include a wholemeal wrap with a small amount of oil added, and placed in the air fryer with paprika and other seasoning added for flavour. 

"Also, chickpeas in the air fryer make for a super delicious protein and fibre rich snack. They are cheaper than crisps and lower in fat since no oil has to be added."

Read more from this series... 

Halifax has become the latest major lender to up mortgage rates.

They are putting up a range of deals by 0.2%.

BM Solutions also announced increases today.

It follows similar moves by TSB, NatWest, Virgin, Barclays, Accord, Leeds Building Society, HSBC and Coventry last week.

Lenders are responding to swap rates - which dictate how much it costs to lend money - rising on the back of higher than expected US inflation data, and concerns this could delay interest rate cuts there. 

US trends often materialise elsewhere - though many economists are still expecting a base rate cut from 5.25% to 5% in the UK in June.

This is what average mortgage rates look like as of today...

Justin Moy, managing director of EHF Mortgages, told Newspage: "Yet more bad news for mortgage borrowers, as two of the biggest lenders announce increases to their fixed-rate products. 

"As mortgage rates creep up and past 5% even for those with the largest deposits, we seem to be lacking a clear strategy of the government or the Bank of England on how rates will eventually fall. 

"Even 2% inflation may not be enough to reverse the recent trends in rates."

Morrisons has launched two major changes for shoppers – with stores now offering travel money and trolleys featuring advertisements.

Announcing their bureau de change service, Morrisons said customers could exchange currencies in select stores or could place their money orders online at Morrisonstravelmoney.com.

Using the online service means customers can either click and collect their cash in certain Morrisons stores or at any of Eurochange's 240 branches. Alternatively, they can go for home delivery.

Services director at Morrisons, Jamie Winter, said the service "will provide our customers with easy access to a wide range of currencies at competitive exchange rates".

So far, stores in the following areas have travel money kiosks:

• Basingstoke

In other news, the supermarket chain rolled out a new trolley advertising across 300 stores in a partnership with Retail Media Group.

A sweetener used in drinks, sauces, savoury and sweet foods and chewing gum can cause serious damage to people's health, according to a new study.

Neotame, a "relatively new" sweetener, could damage the intestine by causing damage to healthy bacteria in the gut, according to the study, leading it to become diseased and attack the gut wall.

The study by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, found the negative effect of neotame "has the potential to influence a range of gut functions resulting in poor gut health", potentially impacting metabolic and inflammatory diseases, neuropathic pain, and neurological conditions.

The illnesses this could lead to include irritable bowel disease or insulin resistance.

Read the full story here ...

As we reported yesterday, a pilot programme is coming into force in Venice today that means visitors have to pay a €5 (£4.28) charge to enter the city.

Authorities say the pilot programme is designed to discourage tourists and thin the crowds that throng the canals during peak holiday season, making the city more liveable for residents.

Pictures have been emerging this morning of people queueing to register for a QR code that will allow them to enter after they have paid the charge - and officials carrying out checks on people inside the city.

People found to be contravening the rules can be fined up to €300 (£257).

As detailed in our story , the move has been met with anger among some in the city.

Venice is the first city in the world to introduce a payment system for tourists - but comments from its most senior tourist official suggested it may become a more common practice for major tourist hotspots in Europe.

Simone Venturini revealed the pilot programme was being closely watched by other places suffering from mass tourism - including other Italian art cities and hugely popular weekend-break destinations Barcelona and Amsterdam.

More than 160,000 people switched to Nationwide from other providers at the end of 2023, when the building society was offering a huge cash switching incentive.

According to figures from the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), Nationwide had a net gain of 163,363 account switchers between October and December, after leavers were taken into account.

It was the highest quarterly gain since the same period in 2022, when 111,941 switched to Nationwide.

The building society launched a £200 switching bonus for new joiners in September last year - the biggest giveaway on offer at the time. It withdrew the offer just before Christmas.

The latest CASS figures, which show Nationwide had 196,260 total gains before accounting for leavers, suggesting it could have spent up to £39m on nabbing customers from other providers in the last three months of the year.

Barclays and Lloyds Bank saw more modest net gains of 12,823 and 5,800 respectively, while the rest of the UK's big banks reported net losses.

NatWest and Halifax fared worst, losing over 40,000 more switchers each than they gained.

This week saw the last remaining switching offer on the market withdrawn.

Sainsbury's is having technical issues again - with shoppers taking to social media to say their deliveries have been delayed or cancelled.

The supermarket has been replying to customers saying: "I'm really sorry about the tech issues this morning. 

"We're aware of the situation and are working to sort it as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we'd advise you place a new order for a future date."

Customer Andrew Savage wrote: "Order has not been delivered and no confirmation email this morning."

Another, John B Sheffield, said: "So angry! Just got through to your customer line after 40 min WAIT. 

"Tells me NO DELIVERIES TODAY! tech problem? I've NO FOOD IN! ANGRY!"

In a statement to Sky News, a Sainsbury's spokesperson says: "A small technical issue affected some groceries online orders this morning. 

"We have contacted these customers directly to apologise for the inconvenience." 

In another update at 10am, the supermarket said that the issue has been resolved. 

Responding to customers on X, Sainsbury's also offered those affected e-vouchers and details on how to rebook their orders.

It comes a month after the supermarket had to cancel almost all deliveries on a Saturday in mid-March due to another technical issue.

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

A potential $38.8bn (£31bn) takeover of UK-based mining company  Anglo American  has sent its shares soaring - and helped the FTSE 100 hit yet another record high this morning.

The attempted mega-merger, by larger Australian rival BHP, is currently being reviewed by Anglo American's board.

The deal, if it goes through, would create the world's biggest copper mining company - and comes as the price of the metal continues to climb amid soaring demand.

Anglo American's shares have surged as high as 13% this morning as news of the negotiations emerged.

The announcement also helped spur the FTSE 100 to a new intraday (during the day) high of 8,098 points.

The index, of the London Stock Exchange's 100 most valuable companies, has hit a string of records this week, including  an all-time closing high of 8,044 points  on Tuesday.

The score is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

Also moving the markets are a string of company results which were published earlier on Thursday.

Among those issuing updates to investors was drugsmaker AstraZeneca. Its stock is up more than 5% after the firm reported quarterly profit and revenue above market estimates.

Unilever is also up 5% following similar better-than-expected quarterly figures.

Another good performer is  Barclays  - despite reporting a 12% fall in profits for the first three months of 2024. Its shares are up more than 4%.

That's because its quarterly figures are slightly better than expected, and the bank has said it expects its fortunes to improve later this year.

Meanwhile, as tensions in the Middle East continue, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil continues to hover at a price of around $88 (£70).

This morning £1 buys $1.25 US or €1.16, similar to yesterday.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free