travel essentials for 5 year olds

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:

• 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 .

10 Fantastic Toys for Travelling with 4 & 5 year olds

Wondering what toys to take when travelling with kids? Here are 10 fantastic activities and toys for travelling with 4-5 year olds.

Travelling with kids can be a lot of work! Never mind the actual travelling part, but even just the packing and getting ready can be tricky. In addition to the basics (clothing, toiletries, etc), now you also have to think about what activities and toys would be best to take with you.

You want to make sure your child is entertained while travelling, but you also don’t want to bring excess baggage or take up too much space in the car.

So to help with some suggestions and ideas on what to take when travelling with kids, we’ve rounded up our favourite travel toys for 4-5 year olds.

10 Best Toys for Travelling with 4-5 year olds

As we mentioned above, the best travel toys for 4 and 5 year olds should be small enough to fit in your luggage without taking up too much room, but still provide hours of entertainment.

While we’ve listed our favourite activities and toys to travel with, these are just a suggestion – each child is different and enjoys playing with different things! Stick with what you know your child likes and enjoys doing – there’s not much point in packing a new toy, only to find out that your child isn’t interested in it and it stays in the luggage the entire trip.

1. Magformers

One of our all time favourite toys are Magformers . These magnetic, geometric pieces can be used to build all kinds of things (cars, people, buildings) and then taken apart again just as easily. There are many different sets of Magformers available now, but the ones without wheels or added pieces are best to travel with. Each of the boys have a basic set which packs really flat (we use a pencil case to store them but anything will work).

2. Colouring and Activity Books

Colouring is a great activity for kids. Not only does it help develop their fine motor skills, it’s a quiet activity that can be done almost anywhere. Many colouring books also include some activities like dot-to-dot or mazes, to keep kids busy and provide a bit of variety. Don’t forget to pack the crayons and markers!

3. Colour by Number

Similar to colouring books, these colour by number books are a great activity to take travelling. Kids can practice their fine motor skills while also learning numbers and letters. My guys love the small colour by number books that you can usually find at the dollar store. They come with markers and are easy enough to pull out while waiting in the airport or playing in a hotel room, while still being small enough to fit in their backpacks. You can also find some on Amazon, like this one from Melissa & Doug .

Puzzles are a great way to keep kids entertained, but also help them with their problem-solving skills. If it’s a new puzzle, be sure to bring a Ziploc bag to store the pieces after. If a puzzle that’s already been opened, put the pieces in a bag before packing it, to ensure none of the pieces get lost. This Ravensburger World Map is perfect to bring travelling!

5. Hand held toys like cars or dolls

Kids love to play make believe, so why not pack a few of their favourite small hand held toys like cars or dolls? My boys can easily amuse themselves for hours playing with their hot wheels, whether it’s waiting at the airport or in a hotel. If your child loves playing with dolls, Melissa and Doug also make a portable doll house with carrying handles . Although it’s not small, it IS pretty portable and makes for a great toy to travel with if your child loves playing with doll houses.

6. First Paint

The First Paint art pads only require water, which makes it a perfect art activity to take travelling. The paint comes in solid cubes at the top of the art pad and when water is added, it turns into a liquid paint. There’s no messy paint spills! Paintbrush and paint are included.  

7. Sticker Books

Stickers are always a hit with kids. You can find plenty of educational sticker books, like this one from Scholastic which is great for teaching STEM concepts, or these from National Geographic . Melissa and Doug also make great sticker books , which have reusable stickers that can be used on different scenes, perfect for creating multiple adventures!

8. Wiki Stix

These colourful waxy sticks can be shaped into all kinds of different shapes and figures which is good for developing fine motor skills, as well as encouraging creativity. The wax provides that ‘stickability’ factor so they stick to paper and other smooth surfaces but no glue or paste is required. Best of all, they are easy to peel up and reuse! We’ve used these for a few years on road trips and travels and they are still going strong!

9. Card Games

There are lots of great card games out there designed for young kids and they are a great activity to take travelling! Cards are small and compact, but provides hours of educational fun. Games like Go Fish and Memory are great for young kids, or you can find specific sets of card games like these ones here .

Kids love books, so be sure to pack a few favourites to read while you are away. If you are travelling for a few days, the 5 minute stories books are great – there’s a new bedtime story every day!

And don’t forget to pack a Stuffie!

This might seem like an odd thing to add to the list, but it’s the easiest option of all! If your kids play with stuffed animals at home, bringing one or two (but not a favourite one – just in case!) will help them feel more comfortable and will also give them something to play with while travelling.

Hopefully this post has given you some inspiration and suggestions on what toys to take travelling for 4-5 year olds. If you have any other great suggestions, let us know in the comments below.

Click HERE or the image below to download a printable pdf.

Happy travelling!

For more activities and ideas for travelling with kids, be sure to check out these posts:

• Best Gifts for Kids that Travel
• Awesome Travel Gifts for Mom
• Best Travel Toys for 2-3 year olds
• The Best Road Trip Activities for Young Kids

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

Forgetting the favourite stuffie can result in a disaster even now, long after my kid was 4-5 years old! LOL

Can I just say that I am sooooo glad I am not traveling with little ones anymore. My girls are all late teens and twenties and are great travelers now. Making the effort then was a lot of work but totally worth.

This is a great resource! Those long trips we are about to be taking with our toddlers to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with family. This will help so much on those trips!

Thanks! Glad it will help!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

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

How To Travel With A 5 Year Old?

Traveling with a 5 year old isn’t easy. It can be both daunting and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! So How To Travel With A 5 Year Old?

With the right tips and tricks, you can make traveling with your little one an exciting adventure they won’t soon forget. As parents who’ve traveled around the world with our children since birth, we know how difficult (and rewarding!) this experience can be. We’d like to share what we’ve learned about family travel – specifically when it comes to traveling with a 5-year-old – so that you too can create memories to last a lifetime.

The juxtaposition of exhaustion from planning every detail versus exhilaration from seeing new places through the eyes of a child is something all families should experience. The challenge lies in finding ways to balance these two opposing forces while keeping everyone safe and happy along the way. Being prepared for anything will go far towards ensuring your well-being as well as making sure your kiddo has the best time possible during your travels.

We’ll offer up advice on everything from packing lists and snacks to entertainment options that are sure to keep them busy no matter where you’re going or how long you plan on being gone. Whether you’re taking a short road trip across town or exploring international destinations by plane, train, or boat – there’s lots of information here that will help ease any worries and leave more room for fun! So let’s get started…

Table of Contents

Preparing For The Trip

Traveling with kids can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Planning ahead is key for any successful family vacation and will help ensure that everyone has an enjoyable time. When planning a trip with a five-year-old, there are several important things you should consider to make the experience as stress-free and fun as possible.

Before your departure, research your destination so you know what activities or attractions would best suit your child’s age and interests. This will give you ideas of where to go and what to do while traveling with your little one. You may even want to look into kid-friendly restaurants or other accommodations available at your destination. It’s also wise to pack plenty of snacks and drinks, as well as toys or books they like – this way they won’t get bored during long car rides or plane trips!

Finally, when preparing for the journey, don’t forget about safety – both on land and in water. Make sure all necessary paperwork such as passports or birth certificates is up-to-date before the trip begins! Be sure to bring along appropriate swimwear (for swimming pools/beaches) and life jackets if necessary – especially if visiting oceans or lakes. Taking these precautionary steps will ensure that both parents and children feel comfortable throughout their travels together!

Choosing The Right Destination

When planning a trip with your 5-year-old, choosing the right destination is key. It’s important to consider what activities they’ll enjoy and whether they’re suitable for their age. To ensure everyone has an enjoyable time, think about destinations that have plenty of attractions tailored specifically toward kids. If you choose wisely, it could be one of the most memorable trips ever!

One way to select the perfect location is by looking at travel reviews from families who’ve already been there. They can provide detailed insights into how accommodating different places are for young children. Reading these will help you make more informed decisions on which sites are worth visiting and where to stay. This can save you lots of hassle when traveling with a 5 year old in tow!

It’s also wise to research if any museums or other educational facilities offer special programs for kids. These typically involve interactive stories told through playtime activities such as puppet shows, crafts, and games. Learning about history in this manner can really capture a child’s imagination- and yours too! Allowing them to explore a new place while having fun makes getting away even more worthwhile.

No matter where you decide to go, just remember that creating amazing family memories should always come first! A well-thought-out plan combined with carefree moments spent together will guarantee unforgettable experiences along the way – something both parents and children alike will treasure forever.

Packing Essentials For A 5-Year-Old

Traveling with a 5-year-old can seem like an intimidating task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right packing essentials and planning ahead of time, you can make sure your mini traveler stays happy throughout the journey.

The first thing to consider is comfort — remember that even if you’re only traveling for a short period of time, kids still need their creature comforts from home. Here’s what should always go in your little one’s bag:

• A favorite stuffed animal or blanket
• A change of clothes
• Snacks tailored to their tastes
• Something fun (like books or games) to keep them occupied during long trips

It’s also important not to forget about yourself! Make sure you bring items for your own comfort too so that you won’t be distracted by discomfort while on the road. This will help ensure a smooth trip overall and make sure everyone enjoys themselves. At the end of the day, travel with a 5-year-old requires planning, patience, and understanding – three things that every family needs when hitting the open road together. With these tips in mind and some extra preparation before embarking on your adventure, even the most novice traveler will find success when exploring as a family unit.

Keeping Kids Occupied During Travel

Traveling with a 5-year-old can be an adventure – and it brings its own unique challenges. One of the biggest ones involves how to keep them occupied during travel, whether that’s in a car or on a plane. Thankfully, there are some great strategies you can use to ensure your child stays entertained while they’re en route to their destination.

To start off, coloring books, activity books, stickers, stamps, and crayons or markers provide hours of fun for kids (and parents!) alike. Additionally, storytelling games like playing “I Spy” or creating stories together can be very enjoyable not only for children but also for adults who may find themselves reminiscing about their own childhood days. Even something as simple as word puzzles or quizzes can help pass the time quickly – all you need is a notepad and pencil to write down any answers!

When traveling with small children, it’s important to remember that everyone has different needs when it comes to entertainment. Some may prefer more active activities such as drawing pictures or building block towers while others might enjoy quieter pursuits such as reading books or listening to audiobooks. Regardless of what type of activity works best for your family dynamic, the goal should always be to make sure everyone is having a positive experience overall. Taking into account these tips will make traveling with a 5 year old much smoother and more enjoyable!

Tips For Long Road Trips

Long road trips with a five-year-old can be an adventure, but it also requires some planning. Here are some tips to keep your family’s journey smooth and enjoyable for everyone involved:

• Pack plenty of snacks, drinks, and activities that will keep them entertained during the drive.
• Take frequent breaks along the way – stops at parks or rest areas allow them to stretch their legs and get out all that extra energy.
• Bring books, coloring pages, or other activities they can use in the car if you’re stuck in traffic or waiting times. It’ll help pass the time more quickly!
• Invest in a tablet loaded with movies, TV shows, or educational games they can play while on the go. This helps make long drives much less stressful for both parent and child alike.
• Have fun together – sing songs, tell stories, and create memories as you travel down the highway together!

Remember to take it slow when possible too; there’s no need to rush through any part of this precious experience with your little one. Give yourself permission to savor every moment of quality time spent bonding with each other—you won’t regret it! To ensure a stress-free journey from start to finish, bring everything you need so that those inevitable bumps in the road don’t turn into major detours from your destination.

Staying Healthy And Safe On Vacation

It’s like packing for the ultimate game of survival: you want to make sure your family has everything they need to remain healthy and safe during their travels. Taking a vacation with kids can be an adventure, but it can also bring stress if you don’t plan ahead. Here are some tips on how to keep your little ones in good health while away from home:

Preparation is key! Before leaving, make sure all necessary vaccines or boosters are taken care of – especially if traveling abroad – as well as gather any essential medicines or medical supplies needed. This includes sunscreen and insect repellent – two must-haves when exploring new places! Doing research on what kind of illnesses might be found in certain areas will help inform the kinds of precautions you should take too. Once you arrive at your destination, ensure that everyone washes their hands regularly and uses hand sanitizer often; this is particularly important when visiting unfamiliar places such as museums or amusement parks. It’s also wise to clean surfaces in the hotel room immediately following check-in; many people forget about this step which can lead to bacteria accumulating over time. Lastly, staying hydrated throughout the trip is paramount because dehydration can quickly put a damper on fun activities planned for each day.

When returning from vacation, pay attention to those telltale signs of illness caused by exposure to different environments such as joint pain, fever, rash or stomach issues. Additionally, inspect all luggage carefully upon arriving back home since bed bugs have become increasingly common among travelers these days – yikes! Throw away any items that were used while traveling and wash all clothing pieces thoroughly once inside the house again– no one wants unwanted visitors tagging along post-vacation! Finally, due to possible changes in sleeping patterns experienced while flying between time zones, parents should be mindful of potential side effects associated with jet lag so kids get enough rest until they’re adjusted again.

Staying safe and healthy on vacation doesn’t require much effort considering there are plenty of resources available online plus accredited travel agents who specialize in family trips – use them! Knowing what vigilance steps to take prior to departure pays off because nothing beats having peace of mind knowing that everyone stays comfortable and protected during their journey together.

Dealing With Jet Lag

Traveling with a 5 year old can be an exciting experience, but it’s not without its challenges. Jet lag is one of them! It doesn’t have to ruin your trip though – here are some tips for helping your family cope:

• Start adjusting their sleep schedule in the days leading up to your departure. This will make it easier when you arrive at your destination.
• Once you’re there, let your little one take short naps during the day and keep them active during the daylight hours as much as possible. This can also help adjust their body clock more quickly.
• Avoid sugary snacks or caffeine right before bedtime, which can disrupt their sleep cycle.

By following these simple steps, your kiddo should start feeling better soon after landing in their new time zone. With patience and understanding from everyone involved, jetlag won’t prevent you from having an amazing adventure together!

Making Kids Feel At Home Away From Home

Ah, the joys of traveling with a 5 year old. No matter how much we plan and prepare for our family trip, there’s no denying that it can be quite daunting! But let me tell you: if you put in the effort to make sure they feel at home away from home, your little one will thank you later – and so will you!

First things first: pack some familiar items from their bedroom or playroom. This may include favorite toys, books, and blankets – whatever makes them comfortable and helps them settle into unfamiliar surroundings. We often forget about the mundane but necessary things such as nightlights and sound machines too; these are invaluable when it comes to soothing children who don’t sleep well on holiday. Don’t forget to encourage them to bring along any special souvenirs they’ve collected over the years too; nothing says ‘I’m home’ like being surrounded by cherished keepsakes.

Next up are activities: look into what attractions are available nearby that cater specifically towards young travelers – chances are, they’ll love exploring new places just as much as adults do (maybe even more!). Activities should be age-appropriate yet still fun enough to keep kids entertained throughout the day. Scheduling regular meals together also ensures everyone stays happy during meal times and builds an atmosphere of familiarity within your group dynamic; something which always feels comforting after a long day out sightseeing.

In short? Traveling with a 5 year old doesn’t have to be scary; all it takes is a little bit of planning ahead to ensure that your child knows where they stand in this new place – making sure they feel welcomed, safe, and secure before anything else. With this kind of preparation, your whole family should enjoy a wonderful holiday experience!

Exploring The Local Area With Kids

Once you’ve arrived at your destination and made the kids feel comfortable in their new environment, it’s time to explore! Traveling with a five-year-old can be daunting if you don’t know where to start – but fear not. Here are some great tips for exploring the local area with kids:

First of all, plan ahead. Research kid-friendly attractions nearby such as parks or museums before leaving home so that you have an idea of what activities are available once you arrive. Make sure to check opening times and any restrictions on age limits, entry fees, etc., so that everyone is prepared once they hit the ground running.

Secondly, make it fun! Kids learn best when they’re having fun – so why not turn your exploration into a game? Set small challenges like finding certain landmarks or collecting interesting items along the way; this will help keep them engaged while also teaching them about their surroundings. Finally, take plenty of breaks throughout the day. Letting your five-year-old rest and refuel regularly will ensure that they stay energized for the whole adventure!

Exploring the local area doesn’t have to be stressful; with a little bit of planning and some creative ideas, there’s no limit to how much fun you can have together! So take a deep breath and get ready for an unforgettable experience – one that both parent and child won’t soon forget.

Building Memories Together On Vacation

Taking a trip with your five-year-old is an exciting adventure that can create lasting memories. It’s the perfect time to explore new places and experiences together. To make sure you have a successful vacation, there are some tips for ensuring a great experience for both of you:

First, plan activities ahead of time. Make sure they’re age-appropriate and include something each of you will enjoy doing. Don’t forget to research local attractions — museums, theme parks, zoos, etc. — in advance so your child has plenty of options once you arrive at your destination. Consider booking tickets or making reservations beforehand as well; it’ll save you from long lines later!

Second, involve your child in the planning process. Let them help choose where to go and what sights to see on the way there. This allows them to take ownership of their vacation and also builds excitement leading up to departure day. Plus, when kids know what to expect each day they feel more secure and engaged throughout the trip.

Finally, be flexible during travel days and while out exploring new places together. Leave room in the schedule for spontaneity since anything can happen when traveling with children — especially young ones! And remember that small moments often become treasured memories down the road — like stopping for ice cream after dinner or taking a detour just because it looks interesting — so don’t be afraid to embrace unexpected surprises along the way!

Planning Age-Appropriate Activities

Traveling with a five-year-old can be both rewarding and challenging. Before you go on your family vacation, research age-appropriate activities that will keep your little one engaged while also sparking curiosity in new places. Here are some tips for planning an itinerary full of fun activities for the whole family!

First, plan activities based on what interests your child. For example, if they’re into dinosaurs, search for attractions like museums or parks where they’ll get to learn about them. Or if they love animals, look for zoos or farms nearby. This way you can make sure everyone enjoys themselves without compromising on quality time together as a family.

Second, consider the physical aspect of activities when choosing things to do on vacation. Five-year-olds have boundless energy and need outlets for it – so opt for things like hiking trails, swimming pools, or playgrounds where they can burn off some steam in a safe environment. You could even plan days at amusement parks or waterparks where they’ll explore games and rides tailored specifically to kids their age.

Finally, invest in experiences over material objects during vacations with children this age. That means making memories through interactive exhibits rather than buying souvenirs that may just end up collecting dust at home later on down the road. Your little one will appreciate being able to relive the excitement of these adventures years after the trip has come to an end!

Navigating Different Time Zones

Navigating different time zones within a 5 year old can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to ruin your travel experience. The key is to make sure you understand how the time zone shifts will affect them and plan accordingly. First and foremost, try to stay on the same schedule as much as possible throughout your travels. This means that if you are in an area where daylight savings changes occur frequently during the summer months, you should pass this information on to your child so they know when their body clock needs to adjust for these changes.

Second, keep track of what day it is wherever you are – even if it’s not the same date at home! Keeping track of which days we had traveled through was a great way for my daughter to recognize our progress while away from home; she felt more connected by knowing just exactly where we were. This gave her security that she won’t get lost or left behind somewhere along the journey – especially important since kids tend to feel insecure in unfamiliar surroundings. It also made her curious about all things new and exciting around us!

Finally, try breaking up long flights into smaller segments whenever possible. If there’s no other option than taking a direct flight then break it up mentally by doing activities together like reading books, playing games or watching movies (especially age-appropriate ones!). Explaining the concept of flying across multiple time zones helped her understand why sometimes we arrive at our destination earlier than expected and reassured her that everything else would eventually fall back into place. With a little knowledge and preparation ahead of your trip, navigating different time zones with a 5 year old can be done seamlessly and enhance everyone’s overall experience greatly!

Documenting Your Journey Through Photos And Videos

Preserving precious memories of your travels with a five-year-old is easy. With the right tools and techniques, you can document your journey in photos and videos that will last for years to come.

First off, be sure to pack enough memory cards and extra batteries so you’ll never miss an opportunity to capture special moments throughout your trip. This might seem like an obvious tip, but it’s worth repeating! Making sure you have plenty of space available on your camera or phone ensures that each moment is documented without worrying about running out of storage.

Next up – practice patience while shooting pictures and videos with your child. You won’t get those perfect shots every time, but don’t despair – take lots of different angles and perspectives when capturing images with kids involved; this way you can pick and choose which ones turn out best. Taking the time to place yourself low down at their level often gives the most natural results as well – plus it helps create more meaningful connections between parent and child during photo-taking sessions!

Capture candid memories too – not just posed family portraits! Focus on everyday life experiences along the way: conversations being had around meals, funny faces they make while exploring new places, or even small details like footprints in sand or sunsets reflecting off the water. These small details are what make all the difference when documenting a story from start to finish – these little glimpses into daily life become lasting reminders of how far we’ve traveled together as a family.

Finding Kid-Friendly Accommodations

When traveling with a 5-year-old, finding the right accommodation can make all the difference. You want to be sure that your little one is comfortable and safe during your trip. Fortunately, there are plenty of kid-friendly accommodations available to choose from.

The first option you may consider is a hotel or resort that caters specifically to families with young children. These establishments typically offer larger rooms equipped with cribs and other amenities for kids such as play areas, swimming pools, and game rooms. Many also provide special activities like arts and crafts classes just for kids, making it easy for parents to relax while their children stay entertained.

Another great way to ensure a family-friendly experience is by booking a Vacation rental . With thousands of properties listed across most major cities in the world, you’re likely to find something suitable for your needs. Not only do these rentals usually come fully furnished but many owners will even supply helpful extras like toys, books, games, and more to keep your child engaged throughout your stay. Plus they often have access to communal spaces where you can meet other travelers who share similar interests – perfect if you’re looking for some travel companionship!

Wherever you decide to stay on your next vacation with the kids, remember that having fun together is what matters most! A good night’s rest and quality time spent exploring new places makes memories that last a lifetime – so go ahead and get out there!

Post-Vacation Reflection

Traveling with a five-year-old is both an adventure and a challenge, but the rewards are great. Now that our holiday has come to an end, there’s much to reflect on about our experience.

The first thing we’ve realized is that preparation is key for any successful family vacation. We spent time researching destinations, discussing expectations, and packing everything from books to snacks before departure. This helped us avoid surprises during our trip and gave us peace of mind.

We also learned the importance of planning activities in advance. Knowing what activities were available near where we stayed meant no stressful moments trying to figure out what to do next; all we had to do was find something suitable for everyone, including our 5 year old!

As parents, it was wonderful seeing how excited and engaged our daughter became during this journey. She experienced new places, foods, and cultures alongside us – all while broadening her horizons. It made us realize that travel should be a regular part of family life if possible – so it’s already time to start thinking about our next destination!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to keep my 5 year old entertained during a flight.

Traveling with a five-year-old can be quite a challenge! You want your little one to have an enjoyable experience, but being stuck on a plane for hours isn’t always fun. So how do you ensure that your trip is pleasant and entertaining? The answer lies in finding the best way to keep your five-year-old entertained during a flight.

When it comes to keeping a five-year-old occupied midair, there are lots of great ideas out there! From coloring books and puzzles to podcasts and movies, there’s no shortage of options. One thing I highly recommend is making sure they bring their own backpack full of goodies. This will give them something to explore while also providing them with the opportunity to choose what activities they’d like to participate in throughout the journey.

Another important tip when traveling with children is planning ahead. Try researching different games or activities that might work well during long flights so you’re prepared before take off. If possible, download some shows or games onto your device – this will help avoid any buffering issues due to spotty internet connection. Additionally, break up the time by having snack breaks or walking around if allowed on board – anything that keeps them engaged and stimulated during those long hours of travel!

It’s key to remember that every child is unique and may require different kinds of activities depending on their age group and interests. With proper preparation and creative thinking, though, parents can make flying with their kids as stress-free as possible; allowing everyone involved to truly enjoy the adventure together!

How Can I Keep My 5 Year Old Safe When Visiting A New Destination?

When travelling to a new destination, safety is of utmost importance for any family. For those with young children, this means being extra vigilant and taking steps to ensure their child’s safety in an unfamiliar place. When it comes to five-year-olds, parents must be particularly mindful about the risks associated with visiting a new location – from simple things like crossing roads safely to more complex challenges such as communicating language barriers. But there are ways that families can protect their kids while still enjoying their holiday experience.

One way to make sure your 5 year old is safe during travel is by researching the destination ahead of time. Make sure you know the local customs and laws so you can do all you can to prevent any potential hazards they may encounter at your chosen destination. Talk to your child before leaving home and explain what kind of behaviour is expected when out and about in public, especially if you’re going somewhere where English isn’t widely spoken. It’s also important to stay aware of your surroundings – always keep a close eye on your little one or designate someone else who will look after them whilst you explore other areas.

For added peace of mind, check whether the hotels or accommodation options have age restrictions for each room type that would apply to your child; some places don’t allow unaccompanied minors under certain ages into specific rooms or facilities – not only for legal reasons but for practical ones too (such as pool access). You should also take into consideration how far away attractions are from where you’re staying – long journeys could become tiring very quickly! The last thing anyone wants is an exhausted 5 year old running around in unfamiliar territory! Ultimately, planning ahead and doing research can save stress throughout the journey and help create lasting memories that everyone can treasure forever.

By following these simple tips, families with young children will feel safer venturing off into unknown lands together knowing they have taken every precaution necessary – allowing both adults and kids alike to have fun without worrying about unnecessary danger looming over them like a cloud!

What Are Some Tips For Preventing Jet Lag In A 5 Year Old?

Traveling with young kids can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it comes with its own set of challenges. A big one is dealing with jet lag in a 5 year old. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your family travel adventures:

• Have them adjust their sleep schedule before traveling by going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night for 6-7 days prior to departure.
• During the flight, have them wear loose clothes and encourage naps if possible. Give them snacks throughout the day that are high in protein such as nuts or hummus instead of sugar filled treats like candy bars.
• Try not to plan too many activities when you first arrive at your destination; allow everyone time for rest so they can acclimate more easily to the new environment.

These strategies will help ensure that your little ones – and you! – don’t suffer from jet lag while on vacation. You’ll want your family trip to be fun, memorable, and stress free so follow these tips and make sure your whole crew arrives feeling rested and ready for adventure. Keeping up with these guidelines will also provide parents with peace of mind knowing their children are well taken care of during long trips. With all this in mind, you’re now equipped to tackle jet lag head-on!

What Should I Do If My 5 Year Old Gets Homesick When Traveling?

Traveling with children can be a challenge, and when kids are young it’s especially difficult. For parents that have to travel with a 5 year old, dealing with homesickness may be one of the biggest obstacles they face. Fortunately, there are ways to manage this inevitable emotion so your child has an enjoyable trip!

First off, it’s important to remember that homesickness is normal and expected –everyone experiences it at some point in their lives and it doesn’t mean anything is wrong. To help make sure your little one feels comfortable while on vacation, here are four tips:

• Comfort objects: Pack something from home like a stuffed animal or blanket that will remind them of home and provide comfort during unfamiliar situations.
• Talk about home: Letting your child talk about what they miss back home will often reduce feelings of being overwhelmed by everything new around them.
• Keep routines consistent: If possible try to keep as many familiar routines intact (bedtime stories for example) as these moments of familiarity can go a long way in helping your child feel more secure away from home.
• Show patience and understanding: Homesickness usually passes quickly if you pay attention to how your child is feeling without overreacting or worrying too much yourself; they should sense that you understand their emotional needs before any other concerns come into play.

It’s also helpful to plan activities ahead of time such as museums, parks, playgrounds etc., and involve your 5 year old when planning out the itinerary so they have something exciting to look forward to each day – this will take their mind off missing home for awhile! Be sure not to overwhelm them however; having too many attractions packed into one day could result in exhaustion which won’t do anyone any favors!

At the end of the day though, sometimes all it takes is a hug from mom or dad (or both!) for those feelings of homesickness to disappear completely- no matter where you are in the world! With just a bit of extra preparation, traveling with your five year old should still be full of fun memories rather than ones filled with sadness due to being away from home.

What Are Some Activities I Can Do With My 5 Year Old That Are Both Age-Appropriate And Fun?

Traveling with a 5 year old can be both an exciting and challenging experience. To ensure that the journey is enjoyable for everyone, it’s important to plan activities that are both age-appropriate and fun for your young traveler. So what kind of activities should you do?

Take nature walks – A great way to get outside and explore! Nature walks provide lots of opportunities for learning about the environment, spotting wildlife, and discovering new things. Plus, they’re easy on the budget too. Pack some snacks or even a lunch so you can make a day out of it.

Visit museums – A visit to a museum can be an educational adventure full of discovery and exploration. Many museums offer interactive exhibits tailored specifically towards children which makes them ideal places to spend quality time together while learning something new. You may even find special programs geared toward younger kids like story times or craft classes.

Check out local attractions – Whether it’s going on a ride at an amusement park or exploring a nearby landmark such as a cave or aquarium, there’s no shortage of interesting things to do in most cities around the world. The best part is many attractions offer discounts or free admission days making them more affordable than ever before. And don’t forget all those photo ops along the way!

No matter where life takes you and your little one, there are plenty of ways to keep them entertained while also having meaningful experiences during your travels together. From nature walks to visiting local attractions, these activities will let your child discover their world in an age-appropriate manner without sacrificing any fun!

Traveling with a five year old can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With just a bit of planning and organization, you can make the experience both safe and fun for your little one! From selecting age-appropriate activities to finding ways to prevent jet lag, there are plenty of strategies that will ensure your family vacation is nothing short of amazing – so incredible you’ll think time itself stopped as soon as you stepped off the plane.

The best part about traveling with kids? Seeing their eyes light up when they try something new or discover a place for the first time. It’s truly magical! And if your five year old does get homesick or overwhelmed during your travels, don’t forget: from unexpected detours on the way home to packing extra snacks in case of emergencies, being prepared is key for any parent who wants an unforgettable adventure.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your suitcase and pack those bags – it’s time to show your adventurous little traveler how exciting the world outside can be! After all, life is too short not to explore…so let’s go see what this big beautiful planet has in store!

Related posts:

• Where To Travel With A 12 Year Old ?
• Where To Travel With A 6 Year Old?
• Where To Travel With A 5 Year Old?
• Where To Travel With A 3 Year Old?

August Fairs Festivals for Nj Families

January 12, 2024

Attleboro Spring Carnival

Atlantic City With Kids You Bet

Atlanta Water Lantern Festival

Atlanta Kids Fourth of July Fireworks Families Atlanta

Atlanta Attractions That Offer Free Admission for Kids

Science museums in new york in 2024, best time for europe travel in 2023, leave a comment cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

5 Must Have Travel Essentials For Toddler Travel

Sharing is caring!

Updated 11/12/23

With so many toddler travel products out there, it can be hard to know what items you can do without and what will actually make your life easier. After a few years of traveling with a toddler (and purchasing way more kids travel items than we need) we narrowed down a list of products for traveling with a toddler. Whether you’re flying, cruising or road tripping, these are our must have travel essentials for toddler travel.

Given that toddlers range in age from 1 year old to 5 years old, this includes a few alternatives for traveling with younger toddlers or older toddlers. With that in mind, be sure to check weight minimums and maximums on products before choosing the best option for your child.

Disclaimer: Toddling Traveler participates in Amazon Affiliates and other affiliate programs. That means we may earn a commission for qualifying purchases through our links.

1. Toddler Travel Bed

Depending on your toddlers age and size, you may be using either a toddler travel crib or a travel bed. We personally used a travel crib with our toddler until he was a little over 2.5 years old. After that, he became too tall and had difficulty staying asleep in the crib, so we upgraded him to an inflatable toddler travel bed.

Travel Cribs for Toddlers

There are several different options for travel cribs, and we have used several of them over the years. Below are 4 different options for baby and toddler travel cribs.

• A standard pack ‘n play is great for staying at hotels or with family. It’s inexpensive and you can typically request a pack n play when staying at a hotel. The downside is that they’re often heavy and clunky when traveling if you have to bring one with you.
• If you plan to do a lot of flying with a baby or toddler, this super lightweight travel crib is great. While it can take a few minutes to set up, it fits in a full size suitcase and is great if you plan to fly to destinations where you can’t easily get a travel crib. ( This light travel crib is also a less expensive alternative to the Phil and Teds Travel Crib.)
• With our second child, we received this awesome travel crib. It’s lighter than a standard pack ‘n play and folds into a backpack style carrier that makes it easy to bring with you whether you’re flying or driving. The mattress is also memory foam to make it more comfortable than most travel cribs. It’s definitely the best travel crib that we’ve used to date.
• This travel crib is another great option that we have used as well. While the priciest of the options noted here, we love that it has the bassinet and changing table feature for infants.

Pro Tip: Many hotels and even vacation rentals offer travel cribs, so be sure to ask before your stay if you want to save the space while traveling.

Toddler Travel Beds

As your toddler gets bigger but isn’t yet ready for his own bed, you may want to get a travel toddler bed/ mattress. This blow up travel bed for kids is a breeze to inflate, and it’s perfect for staying in a hotel or home when your toddler wouldn’t otherwise have his own bed. There are always alternatives to having a toddler travel bed, so it may not be a necessity if you’re not going to get a lot of use out of it.

Another alternative is using inflatable bed rails for toddlers. They take up very little packing space and are a great option if your toddler will have his or her own bed at your destination. These inflatable bed bumpers are great since they can also be used as bed rails at home to avoid purchasing multiple products.

Many people opt to go from a travel crib to a full size bed when traveling with toddlers. If you don’t want to travel with the extra items, some alternatives to using a toddler travel bed (for younger toddlers) include:

• Share a bed with siblings or parents (with a pillow barrier if needed.)
• Make a “bed” for your toddler on the floor.
• Have them sleep on a couch (pushed against the wall to prevent rolling, if needed.)

Pro Tip: If your child is still sleeping in a crib at home but too big for a pack n play, consider renting a full size crib. You can find crib rentals at a destination near you by searching here .

2. Travel Car Seat For Toddler

We highly recommend bringing your own car seat when traveling, particularly with younger toddlers. The car seat is always the safest mode of airplane travel, and renting a car seat with a car rental company can be unreliable. The tricky part is that most every day toddler car seats are bulky and heavy, making them difficult to transport when either flying with a toddler or renting a car. While every car seat is technically a “travel car seat,” this is where having a lightweight car seat comes in handy.

This car seat is our absolute favorite travel car seat for babies and toddlers. Not only is it very light and inexpensive, but you can use it both rear facing and forward facing. It meets all the safety standards without having additional “bells and whistles” that you find in most car seats, and it’s also an FAA approved car seat for airplane travel. (We also use this as our second car seat in my husband’s car.)

As your toddler gets older, you may want to consider a lightweight car seat that can adapt to a booster seat. When our second child turned 3, our Cosco car seat expired, so we decided to switch to something that would last her several more years. We ended up purchasing this lightweight car seat and booster seat.

There are also a few options for transporting a car seat when flying. This car seat stroller makes getting through the airport with a toddler a breeze, and it’s one of our absolute favorite products for traveling with a toddler. If you’re checking a car seat to use at your destination, these car seat bags for airplanes are great to have as well.

If you don’t plan to do a ton of air travel with your toddler, you can always get away with using your everyday car seat as long as it’s FAA compliant. Keep in mind that children under 2 need a car seat to have their own seat, but over 2 they can sit on the seat without an FAA approved child restraint device.

Car Seat Alternatives for Toddlers

• If you do not need a car seat at your destination but still want enhanced safety on the airplane, consider an airplane harness. This airplane travel harness is a more lightweight option for flying.
• A lightweight booster seat is also an option if your child meets the age and weight minimums. This foldable, compact travel booster seat is a great option.

3. Travel Stroller for Toddlers

While many people opt to use their daily stroller for travel, a lightweight travel stroller is a must have for us. We’ve tried quite a few strollers for travel over the years between two kids. Based on our experience, we found that these things were the most important when choosing the best travel stroller: 1. Lightweight, 2. One handed push and fold, 3. Ability to fit in an overhead bin, 4. Full recline for naps and 5. Large canopy for shade in the sun.

It can be tough to find a travel stroller that does well with cobblestone streets and also folds up small, but we recently discovered the Zoe Traveler, which meets all of this criteria and then some. If you use this referral link to purchase, you can also get a $15 discount off a Zoe Stroller. We also had the Zoe Twin prior to the single stroller, and it was our favorite double stroller for Disney with a toddler . We also love the Zoe stroller for huge canopy, and it was perfect for rainy weather in Disneyland Paris and Disney World.

While it’s not quite as compact as the GB Pockit+ that we used previously for travel, it does everything else SO much better. The minimum age to use a Zoe stroller is 3 months and it’s approved for use up to 45 lbs. That said, we let our 6 year old use it in Europe a few times to take a break, and he’s 55 lbs.

More of the best travel strollers recommended by traveling families include the Babyzen YoYo stroller, Mountainbuggy Nano stroller and Zoe strollers. You can find each of them below.

• YoYo Babyzen
• Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller

A lower cost travel stroller option that we use is this Summer Infant stroller. It’s a little heavier and less compact than the options mentioned above, but it’s a great option if you’re looking for an affordable and sturdy travel stroller that offers more than a basic umbrella stroller. If you need a travel stroller bag, this inexpensive stroller bag is great as well.

4. Toddler Travel Potty

As you think about potty training on the go, a travel potty will likely be needed to start off. After purchasing several different toddler potty variations for home and away, we discovered this travel potty for toddlers. Not only is it inexpensive, but it doubles as both a travel potty seat for toddlers and a stand alone toddler travel potty. You can also use these travel potty bags, or a standard grocery bag will suffice as well.

If your child is able to use a standard size toilet, this travel toilet seat is also great. It folds up small and fits in a bag that can go wherever you go.

Another option is to bring a regular potty training potty . While this would not work if you’re flying to your destination, it’s always an option if you’re driving or doing a road trip with a toddler .

5. Travel Highchair

A travel high chair may not be a must have for older toddlers, but it’s a toddler travel essential when traveling with younger toddlers. After trying out quite a few, the best portable high chair we’ve used is this clip-on high chair. It’s a super lightweight high chair that makes it easy to travel with whether you’re flying or driving.

If you’re camping or going somewhere that you don’t easily have a table to clip the high chair onto, this travel high chair is another great option. It’s a stand alone high chair that folds up like a camping chair, and it’s great if you’re driving to your destination.

Pro-tip for traveling with toddlers: Many vacation rentals and even hotels offer things like travel cribs and high chairs. Be sure to check before traveling to see if you have those options available.

More Great Toddler Travel Products

In addition to the toddler travel products mentioned above, below are a few additional “nice to have” items for toddler travel.

• A sound machine is great for both baby and toddler travel. We have this portable sound machine for baby, but we typically prefer to use this sound machine for travel and at home. It’s super lightweight, has a USB plug and helps keep a consistent routine when traveling.
• This baby carrier is also great for toddlers up to 45 lbs. We often wore it as a backpack carrier when our son’s little legs got tired from hiking. It especially came in handy on our Northern Ireland road trip .
• This ride on suitcase for kids is fun as your toddler gets older.
• Packing cubes to help organize your things when traveling with a toddler; especially if you’re sharing suitcases.

Pro Tip: If you want to minimize the stuff you take while traveling with a toddler, consider renting items at your destination! Search here for baby gear rentals available in the area you’re traveling to.

Be sure to also check out our list of toddler travel toys for small, noise free toys for the plane, car or at home.

Looking for more toddler travel tips? Check out the relate posts below.

• 6 Tips for a Successful Road Trip With Toddler
• Flying with a Toddler Tips
• 10 Tips for Cruising With a Toddler or Baby

Like this post? Click on an image below to pin for later.

1 thought on “5 Must Have Travel Essentials For Toddler Travel”

• Pingback: 9 Baby Travel Essentials (+ Baby Packing List!) - Toddling Traveler

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Best Kids Travel Gear & Accessories (Family Travelers’ Favorites)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: May 23, 2023

Looking for the best kids’ travel gear or wondering which travel accessories for kids are actually worth it?

The choice of travel gear can make or break any trip, but it’s even more so when traveling with children. If you ever found yourself with an expensive gadget that your kids wouldn’t look at after a week or a stroller that wouldn’t fit into your rental car or break after the first trip, then read on!

I asked some of the most seasoned family travelers to share their all-time favorite travel gear for kids.  I also included some of our personal favorite travel products for children.

You won’t find many latest gadgets in here, this is a time-tested list of the best travel products for babies, toddlers, and young children that will make family travel easier.

There is one thing any seasoned family traveler will tell you and that is that kids need very little travel gear. Pack an absolute minimum, but invest wisely. Buy the best and the most necessary things only. Products that make your trip easier and keep the children busy for a long time – that’s the only kids travel gear you really need.

This may, of course, differ per family, your travel style, and the age of your kids, so don’t rush and buy every single item on this list. Rather use this as an inspiration and a guide to avoid mispurchases. Find out!

READ ALSO: Thule Luggage – the favorite suitcases of the ‘Full Suitcase’ family

This is some of the best family travel gear for kids:

1. Twistable Crayons

We find that drawing is one of the best ways to keep our kids busy when traveling. Whether on the plane or in the car, waiting at the airport or at dinner in a restaurant, drawing can be a real lifesaver !

But it took us quite some time and frustration before we finally found the best and travel-friendly ‘drawing equipment’ for our kids.

Forget crayons, pencils, pens, or markers! They all have so many disadvantages when traveling.

Instead, we always pack twistable crayons for our kids. No broken crayons or pencils that need sharpening and no dirty fingers anymore. This is one of the cheapest and most used of all the kids’ travel accessories we ever bought.

READ ALSO: What to Pack in Kids’ Carry-on

2. Travel Games for Kids

We always take the Usborne Animal Doodle Cards . They are erasable and are perfect for the plane, downtime at restaurants, or for a quiet activity at the hotel. The best part is that all my kids (ages 2-10) enjoy them, says Jessica, a mom of 5, and an avid traveler from Bring The Kids .

In addition to Jessica’s recommendation, I want to add one more travel game that has been in our kids’ carry-on ever since they were toddlers. UNO Junior and now also  UNO is a game that our kids never seem to get tired of. UNO is so small that it fits in a pocket and so we always have it with us. It’s our miracle solution to keep the kids quiet when waiting at the airport, at the restaurant, when packing-unpacking in the hotel room, and pretty much anytime when they get bored and need a quiet distraction.

This short list of the best travel toys wouldn’t be complete without including the  Snake Speed Cube Puzzle . I had one as a kid myself and it kept me busy for hours. My boys have now discovered it as well and have packed it on every trip ever since. 11 hours in the car to Italy , 2 hours on the train to London , hours on the bus, and days in the car when road tripping in Norway… 

I can say with confidence that this toy is one of the best ways to keep your kids busy on the road. We hardly ever pack toys when we travel, but this is one exception to the rule that is now in our kids’ backpacks on every trip.

READ ALSO: Best Travel Gifts for Kids

3. Trunki Ride-on Suitcase

Our favorite piece of gear for family travel is the Trunki ride-on suitcase  says Marta from Learning Escapes . We have one per child and they have been our main travel bag for them for the last 3 years.

The kids love to pull them along and sit on them and like that they fit under the seat on the plane, so they can have all their things handy at all times.

As a mum, I love that the kids are jealous of them and are happy to be in charge (I never had to carry a Trunki!) and that the children always have a place to sit: if we have to wait in line at the gate or station and it’s crowded, they make a huge difference!

READ ALSO: Best Travel Bags for Kids

4. Skip Hop Rolling Luggage

One of our favorite travel accessories is the Skip Hop Rolling Luggage  says Karilyn from No Back Home .

From 3 years old and up, kids can roll it themselves for overnight or weekend trips just like mom and dad! With a small front pocket to store fun goodies and an easily accessible drink holder to the parent strap on back, Skip Hop has thought of everything.

Four years later, and with more than 15 countries and various US states under the hood, our ‘monkey’ suitcase has passed the test of time.

5. Ergobaby Carrier

I love traveling with our kids in a baby carrier says Kate from Mom in Zurich , a mom of two girls and a newborn baby boy. I was obsessed with our Baby Björn when our girls were babies. They love being warm and close to my body and they sleep so well in the carriers.

Furthermore, living in the city, a stroller can be tricky to navigate on the trams, trains, and cobblestones. I feel really mobile with the baby in the carrier. It’s also really easy to get through the airport with a carrier rather than a stroller.

When our baby boy was born, he was too tiny for the structured carrier, so at first, I used a wrap carrier . Now we got the Ergobaby Omni 360 which can be used from 3.2k (7 pounds) and in the end I prefer the Ergobaby as it’s simple to use, feels secure with the baby in it, and feels supportive of my body and posture.

6. Inflatable Leg Rest

We have taken our Inflatable Foot Rest on so many flights with kids, says Maggie from Milanas Travels ! My 5-year-old sleeps for 8+ hours on the plane as a result of having this pillow.

If you fly frequently, this is a must-have, but you might also be able to use it for long car drives with kids . Unlike similar products, an inflatable version folds up super small when not in use and doesn’t require a pump to inflate.

TIP: Check with your airlines if they allow this travel pillow. Some airlines don’t.

READ ALSO: Flying with Kids – Essential Tips

7. Travel Tray

Maggie also recommends a travel tray as one of the best travel accessories for kids. It’s especially useful when road-tripping with younger kids. You can stow crayons/snacks/etc. in the pockets and nothing will spill out.

Travel trays keep all of your child’s things organized and in one place. Some models also fit well on the airplane and can be packed as kids’ handbags. A huge plus of these trays is that the kids don’t have to touch the dirty airplane trays!

8. Quality Travel Stroller

When traveling with young children, a travel stroller is probably one of the most important travel accessories you’ll buy. This is one thing you shouldn’t save on – get a QUALITY stroller so that it actually makes traveling easier!

With three kids including twins and lots of international travel, we have owned and tested quite a few strollers over the years. Before we finally splurged and invested in a Maclaren stroller (these seem to be only available in Europe, however).

In the US, take a look at this gb Pockit stroller – it’s a great and sturdy travel model. Here you can also read a GB Pockit Stroller review by a fellow family travel writer Kristin from Parenthood Adventures.

Quality strollers made our travels so much easier! They are comfortable, easy to use, extremely compact, and light to pack.

It’s important that a stroller folds so small that it fits a regular car trunk together with several big suitcases. On top of that, if you get a sturdy quality stroller, it will last for years and you might even be able to resell it second-hand when you don’t need it anymore.

We got more than half of our money back when we sold our travel strollers second-hand after 3 years of use. So, in the end, it turned out to be cheaper than most of the budget-friendlier alternatives we owned and threw away in the past.

9. Trunki BoostApak

Another kids travel accessory from Trunki, Trunki BoostAPak , is also among our personal all-time best-buy travel products for kids . It’s a backpack and a car booster seat in one.

We bought Trunki BoostAPak when our oldest son was 4, and a year later we bought two more for our twins. Our kids took their Trunki’s on every fly&drive vacation for over 6 years and we used them at home as well – they are perfect car booster seats for short rides to school.

This is by far the best investment when it comes to kids travel gear we ever made.

TIP: For some reason, Trunki BoostAPak is no longer available in the US. You can order Trunki BoostAPak in the UK .

READ ALSO: Best Travel Booster Seats

10. The Travel Snug

The Travel Snug has proven its worth time and time again for us, especially for late flights and long haul, says Carrie from Flying With A Baby.

They are fleece padded cushions that sit on an airplane seat and provide a comfortable cushion around the armrest. The curved bit at the top also provides somewhere for small heads to rest.

They are a bit bulky to carry around, but we are always glad we packed them once we have them on-board.

11. Digital Tablet

Whether we are on a road trip or a long flight overseas, we don’t travel anywhere without our Kindle Fire , says Christina from Adventure Together . They allow our boys the flexibility to do schoolwork, read books, and play games remotely.

We also love that you can set time restrictions (as well as other restrictions) on the Kindles, so they don’t abuse their privileges (like playing games).

And we also carry portable chargers with us in case we don’t have a wall outlet! Also, make sure to also get a cover for your tablet AND comfortable kids’ headphones ! We always purchase covers for all our electronic devices and not just for the kids…

There are of course many other tablets, but Kindle Fire is one of the best price-quality purchases available. For young children, you could consider the cheaper and more robust kids version. We can’t live without our Kindle Fire Kids says Keryn from Walking On Travels . 15,000 games to download makes this mama happy when I have to work on a plane!

12. Portable Charger

I always take a Mophie power station  says Shobha from Just Go Places . These days it’s an absolute must, especially if your kids pack any electronic devices for their trip.

TIP: Be sure to get a charger that has several outlets – that way all your kids can recharge their electronics at the same time. God forbid we are on a delayed flight/stuck in traffic and they don’t have electronics to distract them.

So, this is some of the best travel gear for kids. Do you have any favorites that aren’t listed here? Please tell us – leave a reply below!

READ ALSO: Best Family Travel Destinations

Are you looking for more information about children’s travel gear? In that case, you may like to read these articles as well:

• Road trips: Family road trip packing essentials
• Flying with kids: What to pack for kids on the plane (ages 3 to 8)
• Driving with kids: Tips for surviving long road trips with toddlers
• Books: Best travel books and destination guides for kids
• Shoes: Best travel shoes for kids
• Booster seats: Best travel booster car seats
• Best US National Parks to Visit with Kids
• Lesser-known National Parks for a Family Vacation
• Spring Break Destinations in the USA
• Spring Break Destinations in Europe
• Universal Studios Hollywood
• Warner Bros. Studios Hollywood vs. Universal Studios Hollywood
• LA Itinerary
• San Diego Itinerary

If you found this post useful, bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Save this image!

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

Wednesday 9th of May 2018

I loved that kid's Kindle when my kids were little. They were so rough on electronics.

Monday 14th of May 2018

Yes, indeed it's great to have a robust tablet that can survive the kids :)

Friday 15th of December 2017

Thanks for sharing such important airplane travel accessories for kids. These are essential items for kids to make them even more independent and add more comfort to their journey.

Sunday 4th of October 2020

Glad you found this useful, Lisa. Happy travels!

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Products
• Luggage + Bags
• Backpacks, Totes + Small Bags

The 14 Best Kids Backpacks for Travel, Tested and Reviewed

We tested backpacks with kids aged 3 to 18 years old and picked the best bags for upcoming trips.

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks
• Other Backpacks We Tested

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure

A backpack designed for kids is the best way to store any and all carry-on essentials in one easy-to-access place. From packing snacks to technology, a kids travel backpack can be a game-changer on your next family vacation, ensuring they have what they need on long journeys.

Our expert product-testing parents and their children tried 38 kids backpacks from brands like Nike, Lululemon, Jansport, and more to find the best of the best for durability, comfort, design, and capacity. After carefully reviewing each backpack, we're recommending the most durable, comfortable, and functional bags for all ages ranging from preschoolers to seniors in high school.

Best Overall, Younger Kids

Wildkin jurassic dinosaurs backpack.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Design 4.5 /5
• Durability 5 /5
• Comfort 5 /5

The backpack has comfy padded straps and a material that spot cleans easily.

There aren’t many pockets.

The Wildkin Pack-it-all Backpack is both kid- and parent-approved after impressing us in the durability and comfort testing categories. While the dinosaur print pattern was a big factor in design ratings, the lightweight material and padded straps also won us over. The adjustable straps were easy to tighten and the backpack remained securely fastened, especially for active kiddos. No worries if the backpack gets dirty, as all you have to do is grab a washcloth and the bag can be spot-cleaned in minutes to look good as new.

In addition, we love that the capacity is big enough to fit a laptop, folders, a lunchbox, and a water bottle without feeling bulky or cumbersome to carry. The smooth zippers open up to reveal a spacious main compartment, but we wish there were a few more pockets besides the front slip pocket and side water bottle holder. With no major drawbacks during testing, we think this Wildkin backpack is plenty versatile for your little one to travel from the classroom to the airport in comfort and style.

The Details: 1.25 pounds | 15 x 11 x 4.7 inches | Ages 3 to 10

Travel + Leisure

Best Overall, Older Kids

The north face vault backpack.

The 27-liter capacity is perfect for storing everyday school supplies without feeling too bulky. 

There could be one more zippered pocket for extra organization. 

Middle and high schoolers alike will appreciate the sleek and straightforward design of The North Face Vault Backpack. The 27-liter capacity is just the right size for loading up the bag with necessities for school, including a lunchbox, water bottle, binders, and a laptop or tablet, and would offer great space for plane trips, too. 

There are two separate compartments for dividing contents with a 15-inch laptop sleeve in the back section and several slip and zippered pockets in the front compartment. One more zippered pocket on the inside of either compartment would have been helpful for extra organization but the backpack still offers a solid amount of storage. When it comes to comfort, the back panel has two strips of thick foam padding in addition to the plush padded shoulder straps that are also adjustable. The bag is the perfect size for swinging it on and off the shoulders and the zippered pockets are easy to access with one hand to conveniently grab a snack or water bottle. 

The Details: 27 liters | 1.11 pounds | 18 x 11 x 8.5 inches | 15-inch laptop sleeve 

Best Budget

Abshoo classical travel backpack.

• Capacity 4 /5
• Design 4 /5
• Comfort 4 /5

The generous capacity is perfect for packing everything from clothes to snacks.

It feels a bit bulky to wear.

This cost-effective travel backpack wowed us with an impressive capacity for packing kids' essentials. With two large zippered compartments, the bag can stash a lunch box, water bottle, folders, gloves, and a football for school days — all in just one section — so we're certain in-flight essentials will easily fit, too. Although the backpack feels a bit bulky due to its large capacity, the adjustable and padded straps certainly help with customizing the fit of the backpack for extra comfort. After using the backpack in various weather conditions like rain and snow (and the occasional water bottle leak), it looks good as new without any signs of wear.

The Details: 16.5 x 12.2 x 5.3 inches | Ages 3 and up

Best for Air Travel

State bags kane kids backpack.

The dual compartments make it easy to separate and organize items while flying.

It’s best suited for older kids.

When it comes to traveling by airplane, the State Bags Kane Kids Double Pocket Backpack is the best option for kids. The two spacious compartments make it easy to efficiently pack a carry-on backpack with your child since there are designated spots for air travel essentials plus a luggage sleeve on the reverse. The back compartment has a padded laptop or tablet sleeve, so you’ll know exactly where to grab electronics when you pass through TSA security checkpoints. Since both the back and front sections are similar sizes, there’s plenty of space for a blanket, headphones, snacks, and a change of clothes.

After testing the backpack on sunny and rainy days, we were thrilled that the polyester canvas material holds up perfectly against the elements without any color fading or staining. For long travel days, we’re confident this backpack will provide plenty of comfort, as we found the padded and adjustable straps to be snug and secure without feeling constrictive or rough. One thing to note is that the bag is on the bulkier side so it could be too large for smaller kids.

The Details: 16 liters | 14.95 x 11.22 x 7.5 inches | Ages 7 and up

Nike Elemental Kids Backpack

• Capacity 4.2 /5
• Design 3.9 /5

The design is simple and ideal for versatility.

The capacity is on the smaller side.

The no-frills design of the Nike Elemental Backpack makes it a versatile backpack for a range of activities. Our middle-school-aged tester used the backpack for trips to school, but they noted after the initial tests that they are looking forward to using it for upcoming hikes, as its lightweight feel is perfect for treks. While the polyester material is noticeably lightweight, the backpack doesn’t feel flimsy or any less supportive. In fact, the padded back panel and straps were a hit with our tester for comfort and stability while running or walking. There aren’t any interior pockets, but we were still able to fit books and a jacket, though the capacity could be a bit bigger if the backpack is being used for school. One of the best parts of the bag is that it’s exceptionally easy to clean with a paper towel to wipe away stains from daily wear and tear.

The Details: 20 liters | 18 x 12 x 5 inches

Best Pattern

Lands end kids classmate small backpack.

The fabric design is colorful and sparkly without getting glitter everywhere.

The straps are slightly difficult to adjust.

Lands’ End is known for boasting unique patterns on clothing and accessories, and the Kids ClassMate Small Backpack is no exception. The sparkly green, purple, and blue paint stripe pattern was an instant eye-catcher and there are plenty more unique colors and patterns to choose from. Besides the colorful design, we love the lightweight polyester material of the backpack and our tester was able to wear it without feeling any discomfort. Parents will appreciate the lighter weight of the backpack since they carry the bag half of the time, too. The only issue you may run into is with adjusting the backpack straps, as it might be slightly difficult for little ones. One of the bag's best features is that the material dries very quickly if it gets wet or caught in the rain, so we think this backpack not only looks stylish, but it’s versatile and functional for traveling year-round.

The Details: 16 x 11.5 x 6 inches

Best Customizable

Light + nine kids starter backpack.

• Durability 4 /5
• Value 4.5 /5

The exterior polyester has little holes in it for charms and pins.

The holes in the material could make it difficult to clean.

This customizable backpack makes getting ready for school or traveling a little more fun with the option to buy Light + Nine’s Nimix decor sets for adding removable patches like rainbows, animals, and astronauts. The backpack is designed for adding decorations without damaging the exterior fabric thanks to the small silicone holes surrounding the bag. In addition to the customizable features, we appreciate that the lining is easy to wipe down for cleaning, and the backpack can be unzipped to lay flat to clean and dry easier. The backpack and straps feel a little stiff, but the materials loosen up over time so we don't think that's a deal-breaker by any means.

The Details: 1 pound | 11.5 x 14.5 x 4 inches | Ages 3 to 6

Best Wheeled

J world new york sunrise rolling backpack.

It’s easy for small children to wear the backpack or wheel it when it’s packed full.

We wish there were a few more pockets for organization.

Sometimes a backpack can be a little too heavy for a little one, so we’re big fans of the JWorld Sunrise Rolling Backpack. From wheeling the bag to preschool to packing it with snacks and clothes for trips, it's super easy and intuitive to load up and use the bag. The main compartment is simple to unzip with two hands so you can pack it with clothes, a water bottle, a tablet, books, and snacks. While we love the spacious main compartment, we wish there were a few more interior pockets for storing smaller items. While it's important to not back a bag too full for small kids, the option to roll the backpack if it felt too heavy is helpful for days when the bag is on the heavier side. Whether the backpack was wheeled or carried, it proved to be plenty comfortable while on the go and easy to maneuver, which is perfect for a busy airport .

The Details: 4.5 pounds | 34.50 liters | 18 x 13 x 9 inches | Ages 8 and up

Best for Toddlers

Skip hop spark style backpack rocket.

Skip Hop 

The generous capacity is ideal for travel necessities for little ones like an extra change of clothes.

The straps are lightly padded and a bit stiff at first.

The rocket ship design of the Skip Hop Spark Style Big Kid Backpack offers a creative backpack that toddlers will surely love. Thanks to the wide opening into the main compartment, it was a breeze to pack toddler travel essentials like a change of clothes, snacks, and a water bottle. The durability of the backpack material made it a winner since all it needs is a quick spot clean to get any dirt or other stains out quickly. While this wasn’t the most comfortable backpack we tested due to the stiff straps and less padding, there wasn’t any noticeable discomfort or pain after wearing the backpack over time.

The Details: 10.5 x 5 x 14 inches | Ages 3 and up

Best for Middle Schoolers

High sierra loop backpack.

• Durability 4.2 /5

There are lots of pockets and compartments for organizing school supplies.

The capacity could be a bit bigger.

The High Sierra Loop Daypack Backpack offers an impressive amount of comfort and generous capacity for storing school supplies. The three different-sized compartments make it easy to pack items like folders, binders, lunch boxes, headphones, pencil cases, and water bottles with ease. There is an interior media pocket that is ideal for easy access to headphones or a tablet while traveling. We wish the middle compartment was a little bit bigger for a lunch box, as it was a squeeze to get it in with everything else, but the capacity works well for travel and school necessities. The straps are fully padded and, although there isn’t a chest strap, the weight feels evenly distributed when our tester wore the backpack for long periods of time. After wearing the backpack in the rain, we’re happy to report that it kept all of the contents dry, and with lots of use to and from school, it’s still in excellent condition with minimal stains.

The Details: 2.05 pounds | 33 liters | 19 x 13.5 x 8.5 inches

Best Organization

L.l. bean deluxe book pack.

• Design 4.2 /5

There are plenty of pockets and the capacity is large enough to fit a jacket, books, snacks, and a water bottle.

The chest strap doesn’t get tight enough to fit snugly across the chest. 

The L.L.Bean Deluxe Book Pack will keep the contents of the backpack neatly organized thanks to the variety of pockets and pouches for a variety of items. We were able to fit a jacket, a water bottle, a folder, a binder, and several library books between the two main compartments. For smaller items like little toys or cash, we loved the interior zipper and mesh pockets, as well as the small front pocket for easy access to the packed items. In terms of comfort, the plush padded straps were a hit with our tester and although the chest strap was a little big, the backpack stayed in place while running to catch the bus.

The Details: 1.5 pounds | 32 liters | Nylon | Ages 10 and up

Nordace Aerial Infinity Backpack

The USB charging port, RFID-blocking pockets, and comfortable padded straps make this bag ideal for travel. 

It cannot be machine-washed due to the built-in smart features.

The Aerial Infinity Backpack from Nordace is packed full of handy features to make traveling a breeze, especially for high school and even college students. For charging a laptop, phone, or tablet, the 3-in-1 USB port can accommodate type-C, lightning, and micro-USB cables so that all of your technology can be fully charged on the go (but a power bank is not included). The 20-liter capacity is large enough for basic school supplies or small travel accessories and the high-quality feel of the water-resistant fabric matches the higher price point.

Lined with a breathable soft padding on the back panel and straps, the backpack is exceptionally comfortable for wearing it for long periods of time without getting sweaty or overheating. Additional features include RFID-blocking credit card slots, a variety of slip pockets on the interior, a water bottle holder, and luggage sleeve. One thing to note is that the backpack can’t be machine-washed but dirt and dust easily comes off with the help of a damp washcloth.  

The Details: 20 liters | 2.2 pounds | 18.5 x 11.5 x 6.25  inches | 15-inch laptop sleeve | 3-in-1 USB charging port | RFID-blocking pockets

JanSport Main Campus

The bag lives up the reliable backpack brand’s promise of durability and functionality for all ages.

Some of the pockets and compartments felt excessive. 

One of the most recognizable bag brands out there, you simply can’t go wrong with a durable and affordable JanSport backpack. Come rain or shine, the recycled 600-denier polyester protects the contents packed in the bag thanks to the double-layered and water-resistant fabric. There are two main compartments for packing a sweatshirt, binders, books, notebooks, or a lunchbox, and there are pockets upon pockets for organizing smaller school or travel supplies, too. For peace of mind, the laptop sleeve is fully padded to protect your expensive technology while out and about. 

Some of the pockets seem unnecessary but for those who like to be extra organized, this backpack is your best bet. The fabric does attract some dirt and dust when it’s on the floor but as soon as you shake off the bag, it looks good as new. Plus, there are 25 colors and patterns to choose from to please any age range. 

The Details: 32 liters | 1.55 pounds | 17 x 12.5 x 7 inches | 15-inch laptop sleeve

Best Capacity

Columbia zigzag 30l backpack.

The minimalist design and larger 30-liter capacity makes it easy to pack the bag with a variety of items. 

There could be more pockets for smaller items. 

For packing sweatshirts, lunchboxes, and any smaller supplies in between, the Columbia Zigzag backpack has an impressive 30-liter capacity. The backpack has two main compartments that are super spacious and help separate bigger items to stay naturally organized when traveling or heading to school. There aren’t many interior pockets but the front of the bag has one medium-size zippered pocket and a water bottle holder on the side for some extra storage. For school-aged kids using laptops or tablets, there is a padded laptop sleeve that can fit a device up to 15 inches long. Both the back panel and shoulder straps have generous padding which helps with comfort but it isn’t the most breathable on warmer days which is something to consider for hot or humid climates. The shoulder straps are very easy to adjust to get the best fit and the water-repellent PU-coated polyester fabric is long-lasting so the backpack can easily be reused year after year. 

The Details: 30 liters | 1.3 pounds | 18.1 x 11.8 x 10.6 inches | 15-inch laptop sleeve

Other Kids Backpacks We Tested

There were several backpacks we tested and liked, but didn’t quite make our final list due to a few downsides like slight discomfort, thin materials, and a lack of pockets for organization.

Pottery Barn Kids Glow-in-the-Dark Backpacks : We love the bright patterns and ability to customize the backpack with a monogram, but the fabric feels a little flimsy and less durable than other backpacks we tried.

Simple Modern Disney Kids Backpack : This backpack is comfortable to wear, comes in tons of designs and colors, and spot cleans easily, but we felt that there were other backpacks with more standout features for traveling.

Athleta Girl Limitless Backpack : There are plenty of pockets, padded straps, and a solid capacity, but it wasn’t the most comfortable backpack we tested.

Adidas Prime Backpack : This sporty backpack is made with a durable recycled polyester material that can be spot-cleaned to get rid of dirt or grass marks easily. The capacity is impressive but excessive and there was almost too much room left over, even after the bag was packed with school supplies and sports gear.

lululemon City Adventurer Pack : If you’re looking for a stylish backpack for your teens or tweens, this lululemon bag is a great option but it comes at a higher price point for a fairly simple bag. 

Herschel Pop Quiz Backpack : The no-frills backpack has an intuitive design for packing up all of your essentials in an organized manner thanks to the variety of helpful pockets. The backpack is a little large and bulky so it might be too big for smaller kids.

When it comes to testing travel products for kids, we turn to our expert product-testing parents and their children to help us find the best picks on the market for upcoming trips. For this test, the parents provided us with detailed observations and insights about each backpack after their children (ages 3 to 18 years old) used the bags for school, travel, and extracurricular activities.

Paying close attention to capacity, design, durability, and comfort, we rated 38 backpacks on a scale of one to five in each category. We packed the bags full of everyday essentials like snacks, extra clothing, water bottles, and books, and then the kids used the bag for school or other activities. In the end, the best backpacks we tried had plenty of room without feeling bulky, plus padding and adjustable straps for comfort. We loved the backpacks with a variety of pockets for staying organized while traveling and found the most durable backpacks were easy to spot clean after getting dirty and looked good as new even with prolonged use.

Tips for Buying a Kids Backpack

Look at backpack size and weight.

When it comes to purchasing a comfortable backpack for your youngster, it's helpful to look at the capacity, weight, and materials of the bag to get a better idea of the size. Usually, there will be product specifications that also list the intended age range for the backpack, so you can factor in the most important features of the backpack to select the best one for your child.

Consider wheels versus straps

Traveling with a backpack with just shoulder straps is the most common route to go, but backpacks with wheels can be ideal when the bag gets too heavy to be carried comfortably. However, it can be slightly difficult to maneuver a rolled backpack so you may want to look for a wheeled backpack that also has straps for extra versatility.

Factor in the intended use

Whether you’re looking for a backpack for school, travel, or both, you’ll want to consider the main use of the backpack to choose the best one for your child. For example, a larger backpack might be better for school, because it can accommodate a tablet and a lunch box , for example, but it could be cumbersome to carry around for long trips. Opting for a lightweight backpack with less space or pockets might be better for a little one carrying a bag through an airport.

In general, anyone with a ticket for a flight will be able to have a personal item like a small backpack. Packing travel necessities in your child’s backpack is a great way to utilize the amount of bags you’re allowed to bring onto the plane. However, you’ll want to double-check any airline restrictions if you’ve booked a fare with no allotted carry-on bags .

We always recommend looking at the manufacturer’s guidelines for washing a backpack, but if directions are unavailable, you should be able to spot clean the fabric with soapy water and a towel.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is a Commerce Writer at Travel + Leisure , where she writes and reviews travel products. She has been travel writing since 2018 and product testing since 2021. Anna worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best kids backpacks for travel based on a series of tests completed by parents and their children (ages 3 to 18) in a real-world setting.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Your guide to flying with kids of every age

Your passport to an enjoyable flight with your kids is a little advance planning and packing a bag of travel treats to manage in-flight restlessness. Between cramped seats , questionable food and fees for checked bags , flying can be stressful for families whether taking the first flight with a baby , dealing with cranky toddlers or moody teens. Here's how to survive a flight.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

General tips for flying with kids

Regardless of your child's age, here are some tips to make your family travel adventure a lot less stressful:

Bring the right documentation

Remember to carry identification for your child(ren). You may not always be asked for it when flying domestically ( except when flying with a lap infant ), but with international destinations, you'll need a passport for each family member, regardless of age. If you think you may travel internationally after your baby is born and you have a birth certificate, it's time to get your child a passport . Having a passport is much easier than using other forms of documentation. Children's passports are good for five years.

Related : Getting ready for your child's first flight: A survival guide

Even if your kids don't need identity documentation at your final destination, it's good to have at least a copy of the birth certificate at the ready. TPG reader Anna Flowers shared her experience when Delta refused to issue her a boarding pass without proof that her son was hers. She hadn't brought identification for her son, but luckily, her husband was able to send a scanned copy of her son's birth certificate to show to the Delta agent.

Choose the right airline

The airline you choose can have a significant impact on the quality of your trip, especially when it comes to traveling with kids. For example, some airlines charge more for lap infant tickets , others offer more spacious seating and better schedules and routes out of your home airport. Certain airlines are more family-friendly, so it pays to consider these factors when booking a trip for your crew.

Pack extra necessities but don't go overboard

Don't get stuck without the necessities if your luggage is lost or delayed. Pack a carry-on with a few belongings for the kids and yourself to get you through around 24 hours. Don't overpack because the extra weight will end up being more of a hassle than it's worth, but you do want to make sure you have the basics covered. It's likely you'll be able to find (almost) anything you'd need at your destination.

Get Global Entry

When parents have Global Entry, the whole family also has access to the TSA PreCheck program, since children under 12 can use the PreCheck line when accompanied by an eligible adult. This makes a huge difference when clearing security with your kids. Drop all your gear on the belt of the x-ray machine, walk through the metal detector, grab your kids and go.

Related: Top cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

If you travel internationally at least once a year, it makes sense to sign your kids up as well , because every person must have Global Entry when using the expedited immigration lines.

You could also sign up for CLEAR that offers expedited security checks at airports and public venues like stadiums. The bonus there is that children under 18 can use it with you for free.

Flying with a baby

Babies spend most of their days eating and sleeping, and even when awake, they're not mobile like toddlers. So you have a few things working to your advantage.

But there's a lot you need to know, like how to fly with breast milk in the U.S. and these tips for award travel with a lap child . If you're planning travel with your baby, check out TPG 's guide to flying with a lap infant .

Flying with toddlers

Unlike infants, who want to be held all the time, toddlers want to move. That creates another set of issues for parents. A survey by Emirates found that 70% of travelers say kids under the age of two get antsy during the first two hours of the flight. Here are ways to channel that extra energy and avoid tantrums:

Strategically plan your toys

Don't show the kiddos everything you brought for them all at once. Make sure you have toys planned to keep them busy for the duration of the flight and bring them out one at a time as needed. In addition to tech solutions, it's smart to pack activities such as travel games/cards or a good coloring book to keep them entertained.

Pack snacks galore

Toys are a great distraction but food can be even better. Have different snacks set aside for different points of the flight to ensure your kids stay busy and full. Also, don't be afraid to ask the cabin crew to help warm up food or a bottle, though it may not always be possible.

Go for walks

You don't like sitting in an airplane seat for hours, so why would your rambunctious toddler? A brief stroll down the aisle will help break up the time doing activities in their seats and may ward off a meltdown if your toddler gets restless.

Embrace technology

The same study mentioned above by Emirates found that electronic devices are the most effective way to keep kids occupied during a long flight. For children under 5 years old, 57% of parents said that movies, TV shows or videos are the most helpful in keeping children occupied, followed by devices to play games. Don't forget your charger (and adapter, if needed). But if that isn't for you, take a look at this advice from a mom who keeps her kids busy on long-haul flights without tablets .

Flying with school-aged kids

Luckily, children who are in kindergarten through elementary school have longer attention spans and fewer tantrums. But, it can still be a challenge to keep a young child happy during a flight. Here's what can help:

Make it a special occasion

Whether it's going to a birthday party or getting ice cream after school, kids love when they get to do something out of the ordinary. Use that same approach for a flight by making it a fun event and packing a special bag. Items like crayons, small toys and a few pieces of their favorite candy work wonders. (Think: the blind bag trend all over YouTube.) Extend the idea of a special occasion by letting them choose a movie or TV show they wouldn't usually get to watch or having a snack not allowed at home.

Introduce seat-back games

It can be a lot to pack games that will keep a child entertained for hours, so don't depend solely on what you brought. Let your child explore the seatback-entertainment system if there is one. Many offer games that are meant to keep people distracted for hours. They can even play against other people on the plane, just show them how to start and they'll be set for hours.

Bring a book about the destination

Children in elementary school are all about learning. Use that to your advantage. If you're headed someplace new, bring a book about that destination. Letting them help plan the activities you'll do, once you arrive, will keep them entertained during the flight and get them excited for the vacation.

Flying with teens

The biggest problem parents have on board is staving off restlessness and boredom, both of which lead to children (er, little adults) acting out in a variety of ways. In the case of teenagers , their "angsty" side might come out after a while. Help make it the bonding experience you dream of by trying the tactics below:

Have a meal as a family

A flight is a perfect time for family members to switch seats with each other so everyone has a chance sit next to a different family member. It's a good time to eat and chat with one another without watching TV or checking cell phones.

Start a conversation

Being stuck on a plane together can be a great opportunity to interact with your kids. Imagine their undivided (OK, partially divided) attention for hours on end. Strike up a conversation with questions like what they're most looking forward to during the trip. Don't push -- teens need space, even when sitting right next to you.

Book a flight with Wi-Fi

Of course, we know teenagers need to stay connected with their friends, even at 35,000 feet in the air, so take advantage of onboard Wi-Fi when you can. Choosing the right airline , or the right credit card can even make Wi-Fi a free treat.

Bottom line

No matter the age of your children, keeping them happy, comfortable and entertained while in flight takes some effort. But, it's worth it in order to enjoy a new and exciting experience with those you love. Your demeanor rubs off on your kids. Keeping a positive attitude can go a long way in making the trip more enjoyable for everyone. Plan for what you can but otherwise, just roll with it. It's all about making the time spent getting to and from your destination part of the fun.

What are your tips for flying with children of different ages?

Here are some other resources to help you confidently fly with your family:

• Most family-friendly international air carriers
• How to survive long-haul flights with kids
• Traveling with children who have special needs
• How old should your child be before taking an international vacation?
• 4 things to know about U.S. passports for children

Feature photo by Bonfanti Diego /Getty Images.

Family Vacation Packing List: Kid and Baby Travel Essentials

We haven’t always been experts when it comes to making a family vacation packing list for travel – in fact, Dan and I used to be pretty terrible packers!

A year after we got married, we built in a summer of travel before we had to return to school and jobs. And we took two large checked suitcases. Plus backpacks. For two people. When traveling across multiple continents and using multiple modes of transportation.

I’m horrified just writing it and knew we needed a packing list for vacation with kids.

It took some practice but we’ve really honed in on what to pack for a child when traveling. When packing for kids, it can be so tempting to every thing for every potential situation. I know I’ve been overwhelmed trying to figure out how to pack light with kids and have definitely been tempted to pack kitchen sink when packing for babies.

A family travel packing list for kids and babies has been really helpful in not forgetting essentials and also resisting the temptation to overpack. Plus a kids travel list is easy to put together!

Table of Contents

Packing List for Family Vacation: Baby Travel Essentials

After 11+ years of lots of travel with kids, we’ve managed to get our family packing system down pretty tight. Having a kids packing list for a trip has been so helpful in feeling confident we have all the baby travel essentials.

One summer, we spent 10 weeks in Europe with our family of 6 and took 1 large suitcase & 2 backpacks, plus a lightweight stroller and car seat. Another time, we spent almost 3 weeks in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. We fit our entire family and kids packing list in 2 carry-on suitcases and 2 backpacks plus stroller/car seat/baby cot – largely because we stuck to our family vacation packing checklist.

If you’re wondering what to pack for a family vacation and looking for a family packing list that has every single thing you could possibly need, this is not it. Because honestly, if you really end up needing that Ace bandage or whatever, you’ll probably be able to buy it wherever you are. This baby travel checklist gets us through 95% of situations on trips ranging from 3 days to 3 months.

Kids and Baby Travel Checklist: Minimal Packing List with Kids

A kids travel packing list keeps us organized and focused when packing for family travel. Here’s the minimalist kids packing list we always use to cover our needs but still stay super lightweight and agile. I love knowing that with our kids vacation packing list we have all the baby travel essentials while sticking with minimal packing for babies.

Regarding number of outfits, per our kid packing list, we typically pack 3-5 per person for our family and baby travel essentials. We personally feel comfortable wearing outfits a couple times if they’re not dirty, and sometimes handwash an outfit and air dry if we need something before we can do a full load. That way, we can minimize the number of outfits we pack. Between 3-5 is enough that you have options, especially when mixing and matching, but a small enough number that everything gets plenty of use.

We typically pack the smaller number if going to cold weather destinations (easier to rewear outfits, we often wear base layers under, and have coats on top so they don’t get as dirty), and have more options when traveling to warm destinations.

More detail on what items I chose for her little girl packing list for a summer of travel HERE .

Family Vacation Packing List: Clothing

Here’s our full family travel packing list for kids and families!

Family Packing List: Clothing

• Packing cubes . Absolute must for organization and for fitting everything into a small amount of space. We love these for the kids, and Dan and I sometimes share THIS luggage organizer
• Favorite mom jeans
• Favorite women’s travel pants
• Lightweight skirt with pockets
• Dress (something like this is perfect for travel)
• Super comfortable joggers for men
• Comfortable & lightweight shorts for men
• Tops for men ( button down , long-sleeve , short-sleeve tees )
• These are our very favorite pajamas for kids
• Though they’re pricier, I strongly prefer wool base layers. They’re super comfortable as pajamas, or for layering when it’s cold. And since wool can be reworn several times without washing (just air out in between), they’re perfect for a minimal packing list for kids. My favorites for adults & kids .
• These synthetic base layers are inexpensive and also very warm
• If going somewhere sunny, I like rash guards for my kids ( girls , boys )
• I usually like a 2-piece for myself because they dry faster and take up less room
• I again prefer wool if possible because it doesn’t require as much cleaning ( this one is a favorite)
• Slouchy cardigan
• Kids sweater outfit
• Kids sweatshirt (easy to wash & dry)
• Most comfortable women’s bra
• These are our favorite, super durable wool socks , which can be air dried and reworn without washing as wool is naturally antimicrobial and smell-resistant
• These less expensive wool blend socks are also warm and comfortable, though not as long-lasting as the ones above
• If we’re traveling somewhere not too cold, we love the Uniqlo ones for adults and kids – they smush down well, add barely any weight, and are perfect for layering or wearing alone)
• For colder weather, this is my favorite jacket – super lightweight and packable but also very warm and great for layering. Pricey but worth every penny.
• If we’re going somewhere warm and wet, we love this long and waterproof rain jacket for women , this men’s rain jacket , and this kids rain jacket
• Knit hats /gloves if it’s going to be cold (I also like these mitten clips )

Baby Packing List

Babies do have some unique needs so we follow a slightly different packing list for babies. Namely, we take an extra couple outfits because you never know what will happen!

• 5-6 bodysuits
• 5-6 outfits
• 3 pairs of pajamas (our favorite pajamas for babies)
• 1 pair of base layers
• 2-3 sweaters
• 5-6 pairs of socks (our favorite socks that don’t come off)
• Diapers (If we’re traveling somewhere and staying in one place, we’ll take enough for one day, then buy them there. If we’re going to be moving around a good bit, we take about a week or two worth, since we’d have to make room for them in the luggage at some point, anyway.)
• Swaddle or sleep sack
• 1 jacket (I like the one piece coveralls like this for babies)

Family Packing List: Shoes

We really try to limit shoes as much as possible since they’re bulky and heavy! We don’t usually worry about dress shoes when packing for kids and do our best to limit our family packing to 1-3 pairs of shoes per person, depending on where we’re going. Here’s more about our favorite travel shoes for men & women .

• These are, hands down, the very best walking shoes for women
• One pair of sandals if warm ( these are my very favorites because they can dress up or down, are super comfortable, and very packable)
• If we’re traveling in snow, we have subbed a pair of waterproof shoes or rain boots instead of walking shoes and managed with just one pair before!

Kids Travel Checklist: Toiletries

• Wipes (trust me, you’ll want some even with older kids)
• Toiletries case ( THIS is my very favorite)
• Toothbrush/toothpaste/floss
• Face cleanser (in a mini bottle )
• Shampoo / conditioner (also in a mini bottle )
• Aluminum-free deodorant
• Face moisturizer , night serum , & oil (I pack mini versions; more about my skincare here )
• Hand sanitizer
• Mini hair brush and hair cream
• Mini dry shampoo
• Ziploc bags (a few each of quart size and gallon size)
• Small resealable plastic bag of powdered detergent (for hand washing) or a few laundry pods
• I love this bandana in my hair, around my neck, etc.
• These are the very best hair ties
• I always pack some baby hair ties and some little bows for my girls

Baby Travel Checklist: Medical Items

We don’t go crazy with the medical items when we travel with kids. We’ve found that we’re able to purchase most things in most places, and the likelihood of needing them is slim. Still, we do take along a few things that get more regular use and helpful in emergencies.

• Bandages (the only kind worth buying )
• Anti-bacterial ointment
• Prescription medicines
• Any required vitamins (like prenatals )
• Glasses/contacts/contact solution/contact case
• Pain reliever ( baby , children’s , and adult ) – we often put these in labeled plastic baggies stored safe from children so we don’t have to carry all the bottles
• This kind is the same exact dosage as the children’s specific ones, but is much cheaper and smaller than most kid chewable tablets
• Icy Hot (growing pains come up more when you’re walking a ton)
• Anti-nausea ginger chews or kid’s dramamine if prone to motion sickness
• Insect repellant (we love THIS lotion with Deet when in tropical areas; this also works well)
• Sunscreen (these are my favorites for face & for kids/bodies )
• Lice comb (Trust me, it’s one of those things you hope isn’t one of the baby travel essentials. But it’s small and you’ll be so glad to have it if you need it.)
• Small thermometer

Family Travel Packing List: Electronics

• Photography gear
• Portable charger + charging cord
• Laptop + charger
• Cell phones + charger
• Car vent cell phone mount if you’ll be driving (to view GPS)
• USB car charger (we love our 4-port one )
• Aux cable (in case your rental car doesn’t have Bluetooth, then you can still play audiobooks/music; here’s one that goes Aux to lightning port )
• Travel power adapter

Baby Travel Checklist: Baby & Kid Items

• One stuffed animal for each child
• Baby carrier ( THIS is our very favorite carrier and has been since our oldest was a baby)
• Car seats and/or booster seats (all about our favorite car seats for travel )
• Stroller (our beloved lightweight one apparently no longer exists, but this looks similar)
• Baby cot if needed ( THIS is our favorite super lightweight one)
• Nursing cover if needed ( THIS is my favorite kind that can also cover a car seat, burp cloth, blanket, etc.)
• Bib ( THIS is the only bib that does a thing – we just take one and wipe it down)
• Breast pump if you need it
• White noise app on your phone (one that will run in the background so you can still use your phone if needed)
• Pacifer + clip
• Bottles + formula if needed
• SNACKS. So many snacks. More snacks than you think you could ever consume in a lifetime.
• Reusable water bottles ( THIS is my favorite, and we like THIS and THIS for the kids – leave them empty and fill them up in the airport)
• Each of our older kids carries a foldable backpack that can fold up with their travel necessities – snack, Kindle, stuffed animal, jacket, etc.). It’s also great to have one or two extra of these in case you need to rearrange luggage or carry food or something.
• Dan loves THIS for all it holds
• I usually carry something like this or this as a diaper bag
• Inflatable foot rest (these are so great for kids to sleep on planes…definitely a kids packing list essential)
• Suitcases (more about our favorite luggage for families )
• 1-2 small quick-dry travel towels if visiting the beach or a hot spring

Kids Travel Essentials: Entertainment

• Kids Kindle for each independent reader
• One small bag of Click-a-Bricks or LEGOS
• One small bag of paper and crayons
• Small bag of toy cars
• 2-3 small board books and/or early readers
• If we’re going on a road trip or have extra space, the Cinemood is really small and SO fun

Family Vacation Packing List: Travel Documents

• Driver’s license
• 2 credit cards
• 1 debit card
• Copies of passports stored digitally and in a separate bag
• Copies of birth certificates stored digitally or in a separate bag (airports occasionally ask for proof of baby’s birthdate even when flying domestically so this is good to have on your baby travel checklist)
• Confirmation numbers for airlines, hotels, rental cars, etc.

FREE KIDS PACKING LIST PRINTABLE

I love having a printable kids travel checklist to print for each of my kids. I just fill in the number of items that they need to pack, and cross of anything they don’t need (like gloves if we’re going to a tropical destination, for instance).

Pop in your email below and the free family packing checklist will come right to your inbox!

FREE Family Packing Checklist

Get the Local Passport Family checklist for packing with kids!

We promise not to spam you! Unsubscribe at any time.

IF YOU LIKED THIS PACKING LIST FOR KIDS TRAVEL ESSENTIALS, YOU MIGHT LIKE THESE POSTS, TOO:

• Ten Tips for Getting Over Jet Lag with Kids
• Mom Capsule Wardrobe for Summer Travel
• Ten Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb

Pin this post to save my Family Vacation Packing list!

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

38 responses.

[…] if you’re looking for more tried-and-true family travel products, here is the packing list we use every time we […]

[…] do a fair bit of walking outside if you’d like to enjoy the gardens. (Here’s a full family packing list that we use on trips from 4 days to 4 […]

[…] Ultimate Family Packing List […]

[…] we were still operating on West Coast time!), the laundry facilities (as you may remember we try to pack very light, and having laundry facilities is much more convenient than washing undergarments in the sink ;)), […]

[…] (CLICK HERE FOR A THE ULTIMATE FAMILY PACKING LIST) […]

[…] very spacious with 8 seats including the one for the driver. The trunk had plenty of room for our (fairly minimal) luggage so the interior had plenty of space for our couple backpacks, snacks, etc. We brought a […]

[…] Picnic supplies in tow, catch an Uber over to the Golden Gate Bridge. (If you have a folding packable backpack, this is a perfect time to pull it out. Check out this post on the ultimate packing list with kids!) […]

[…] probably starting to see a theme that we prefer to pack as light as possible (see your FAMILY PACKING LIST HERE!). We like to take whatever is most lightweight and convenient, while still being safe. Booster […]

[…] READ HERE FOR OUR FULL PACKING LIST WITH KIDS: FAMILY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS […]

[…] is probably one of the most important items on this list. When you provide a packing list and show it to your kids, they would understand that these are the important things they need to […]

[…] While there are lots of advantages to taking a Zion National Park winter trip, there are some downsides, and it’s not for everyone. Firstly, while it doesn’t always, it can get very cold. Tons of snow doesn’t happen every year, but it did during our February visit. We didn’t mind it, but if you’re snow-averse (either for being in it or driving in it), then definitely proceed with caution. You’ll need to pack appropriate clothing (this Iceland winter packing list with kids might be helpful, or here is our more general kids packing list). […]

[…] forget warm clothing such as socks, base layers, and a warm jacket. Here’s our general packing essentials with kids, as well as our winter packing list with […]

[…] Kids Packing List: Family Travel Essentials […]

[…] Here’s our full essentials packing list for kids! […]

[…] since we didn’t carry a tripod to shoot our own photos (no room on that trip since we packed so light!), we did learn a few things from regularly asking for help with photos. (We’ve since […]

Thanks for telling me that we have to bring 3-5 pairs of underwear if we were to travel around with our kids. We’ll be staying in Orlando, FL for a whole week and we thought it would be fun to tour ourselves around the area. It might also be a good idea to try some swamp airboat rides with our kids if we can find a place where they offer those.

[…] Kids Packing List […]

[…] mentioned before that we pack pretty minimally when we travel – typically only one large suitcase for our entire family of 7, along with a […]

I like your suggestion to bring two pairs of pants and four tops when packing for Dad. I want to book a cabin getaway for us and our three kids soon since I think we’d all benefit from getting quality time together out of the house. My husband usually asks me to pack for him, so these guidelines will be really helpful for me to follow to keep things simple!

[…] READ FOR A COMPLETE KIDS PACKING LIST […]

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

[…] She doesn’t have a set of wool base layers yet, which we LOVE for cool weather and also when packing for travel, so I picked up a set of those. Finally, I got her her own piggy bank to match the other kids and […]

[…] All-season kids packing list […]

[…] everything you think your family will need while you’re away. However, it’s important to pack only the essentials, as overpacking often creates stress. If you’ll be traveling by airplane, contact the airline in […]

[…] Ultimate Family Packing List (with free printable checklist!) […]

[…] Family Vacation Packing List […]

[…] Family Packing List […]

[…] Minimalist Family Vacation Packing List […]

The best baby thermometer for newborns connection between body temperature & disease makes clinical thermometer the most important aspect of everybody doctoring.

To measure temperature with accuracy, you’ll need a reliable thermometer. For babies and children 3 months to 3 years. https://bstproductlist.com/best-baby-thermometer-for-newborns/

[…] at all possible. Practice packing light and go with carry on if you can. Here’s our standard family travel packing list that helps us pack light with […]

[…] Ultimate Family Vacation Packing List […]

[…] to think about and take! I’m a big fan of packing minimally to limit stress (here’s our packing list) except when it comes to important documents. This is when you want to make sure you have not just […]

[…] Traveling with toddlers can be exciting and nerve-wracking for you. As the parents, you have to make sure they’re comfortable, and their routine doesn’t get messed up. Plus, if you’re taking a flight with them, there’s the added stress of keeping them entertained and busy for the duration of the flight. So here’s what you must carry when traveling with your toddlers:  […]

[…] 5. Family Vacation Packing List: Kid and Baby 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.

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

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

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

What to Pack for Kids – 17 Essentials

1. carry-on luggage.

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

View on Amazon.com ➜

2. Washable Marker Set

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

3. Neck Wallet

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

4. Magnetic Play Set

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

5. Personal Bag

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

6. Crayola Travel Toothbrush

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

7. HERO Packing Cubes

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

8. Travel Towel

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

9. Power Adapter

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

10. Snack Bowls

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

11. Travel Play Set

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

12. Travel Umbrella

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

13. Travel-size Sprayable Hand Sanitizer

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

14. Power Bank

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

15. Lifestraw Water Bottle

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

16. Travel Pillow And Blanket

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

17. Solid Shampoo For Kids

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

Other Kids packing list items not to forget

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

What to Wear for Kids

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

What NOT to Pack for Kids

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

2. Heavy or bulky toys

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

3. Bulky clothing

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

4. Too many snacks or disposable items

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

5. Multiples

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

FAQs about traveling with kids

1. does my child need a passport.

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

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

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

3. What is standard airline policy for children?

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

4. What should my child wear while traveling?

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

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

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

6. How do I keep my child entertained?

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

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

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

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

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

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

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then   View saved stories .

• Backchannel
• Newsletters
• WIRED Insider
• WIRED Consulting

Adrienne So

The Best Gear for Traveling With Kids

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more . Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

Best In-Car Entertainment Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Read more

Best Headphones JLab Audio JBuddies Folding Headphones Read more

Best Travel Car Seat Wayb Pico Car Seat Read more

Best Car Seat Alert System Copilot Alert System Read more

Parenting involves more than a little magical thinking. If I go anywhere that parents gather, sooner or later a desperate mom or dad will ask me for the one thing that will make it easier to travel with a baby or small children. I can't make a 4-year-old avert a meltdown at an airport gate, or change a dirty diaper in a cramped airplane bathroom for you. But I can make a list of travel gear and gadgets I've found to be indispensable for the past four years while taking my kids on planes, trains, and road trips. If you need a tablet, compact stroller, or baby monitor, read on.

Be sure to check out our other guides on the best gift ideas for new parents , best baby monitors , best baby carriers , and our picks for a great travel mug .

Update December 2019: We added a few new picks and new product information.

Best In-Car Entertainment

Amazon's Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is the best children's tablet for the money. Amazon's FreeTime Unlimited platform restricts kid content by age, which means that you won't be constantly looking over their shoulders to see if they've found something unsavory on YouTube. FreeTime also includes Audible books, so a kid who has carsickness can listen and look out the window. It's small size makes it great for portability, and the tablet has a 3.5-mm headphone jack.

If your kid wants a bigger screen, the new Amazon Fire HD 10 is a great alternative, with slightly better performance and it's the first Amazon device with a USB-C charging port, making it convenient to juice up if you're already using a USB-C charger for your phone or laptop. Read our best Amazon Fire tablets guide for more options.

Best Headphones

Senior writer Lauren Goode pointed out that if you want to watch movies on a plane, you'll need headphones with a 3.5-mm headphone jack. And with kids, it might always be best to avoid more complicated wireless options. These corded, affordable JBuddies can easily switch between a tablet and a plane's screen. They have a built-in volume limiter and ear cushions to protect little ears and fit both my 2-year-old and 4-year-old.

Best Travel Car Seat

The best piece of kid travel gear I've tested in the past year is Wayb's Pico Car Seat . Children have to be in car seats until they fit a seatbelt properly , at 4 feet 9 inches or 80 pounds, but the manpower required to drag a 25-pound car seat on a trip is exhausting. The Pico weighs a mere 8 pounds and folds into a backpack. It's easy to carry, not only on planes but also while roaming a city and getting into different Lyfts and rental cars.

In November 2019, I did get an update stating customers that purchased Pico car seats with a model number ending in -001 sometimes reported a cracked head tube. It's not a safety issue, but Wayb is currently voluntarily replacing seats with that model number.

Best Car Seat Alert System

Tragically, parents sometimes accidentally leave their very young children buckled in closed, parked cars . It's hard to see a child in a rear-facing car seat, and it's far more likely to happen when you're tired, stressed, or there's a break in the routine, like traveling. Both car and car seat manufacturers are working on making visual and audio alerts standard practice, but in the meantime, this simple Bluetooth-enabled clip is simple, foolproof, and easy to install. Just replace the chest strap on your infant's car seat and attach the fob to your keychain. If you walk more than 10 feet away from a buckled clip, the fob alerts you.

Juliane Bergmann

Kathy Gilsinan

Julian Chokkattu

Best Stroller

I've tried the Bugaboo Ant and other awesome lightweight folding strollers , but my favorite one is still Ergobaby's Compact Metro. It folds down to a mere 21 inches tall and has a handle to carry it like a suitcase. It has an easy one-handed opening mechanism, a silky, expansive fabric canopy, and it goes into a full recline for toddlers that need to take a relaxing nap while touring a museum. It's also slim enough to walk through the turnstiles at metro stations in cities like Washington, D.C.

Best Baby Monitor

At the end of a long day of traveling, the last thing you want to do is fiddle with a Wi-Fi-enabled baby monitor and figure out how to prop it up on a bedside table. Eufy's SpaceView monitor is compact and can stand independently. It has a ridiculous 330-degree horizontal and 110-degree vertical rotation, so I can put it almost anywhere in a room. It's not Wi-Fi-enabled, so I don't have to spend endless minutes waiting to connect it. Read our baby monitor guide for more options.

Best Streaming Device for Travel

Children must learn to be adaptable and flexible. But not in the 10 minutes before bedtime, when they're tired, cranky, and just want 10 minutes of Paw Patrol to wind down before passing out. Google's Chromecast Ultra lets you "cast" videos from your phone to any TV. It's easy to use, supports 4K resolution, and has an Ethernet port in case the Internet is wonky. It also works with Disney+ (wait, you don't have Disney+ yet? Go get it. We'll wait here).

Best Kid Tracking Device

I have mixed feelings about tracking my kids , but I've never been as terrified as the moment I lost sight of my preschooler at a neighborhood parade. The Jiobit is as small as an Oreo and easy to attach to my kid's clothes with a hair tie. It's rated IPX8 for waterproofing—you can swim with it—and uses a combination of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular data, and GPS satellites to track your kid almost anywhere on earth. Watching my kid run around in its live-tracking mode was like having a real Marauder's Map on my phone.

I've also tried the Monkey Kid sensor and the Relay , but the Jiobit is still my favorite.

Best Cheap Toy

Even if you're fully prepared with familiar toys and snacks, a tiny surprise will often delight and distract smaller children. These adorable, tiny erasers are affordable and are a surprise hit in my house. You can also get food or truck sets . Package them up individually and whip them out when you see that telltale downward mouth turn that signals an impending tantrum.

Best Travel Bag

The Yeti Camino Carryall won't work as a travel bag on a plane. It won't fit under a seat and the top doesn't zip shut. But if you're taking a road trip for the weekend, it easily transitions from diaper bag to beach bag to grocery bag. If your toddler squishes an entire carton of berries at the bottom, just tip it over, rinse it out with a hose, and dry it with a towel. Once, I lost track of it for a few hours. I complained to a friend that it felt like I'd lost my arm.

Best Snack Box

Small children are powerless beings, so when they find a way to exert control, they do so with relish. The specific way that my children have chosen to torment me is by eating only very tiny portions of lots of different things. I could buy lots of prepackaged snacks for traveling, but it's easier to reduce waste by filling this durable, leakproof bento with six blueberries, two graham crackers, and so on. It also comes in a mini version .

Best Water Bottle

I've tried dozens of BPA-free kid water bottles, with different types of lids and drink tops, and this is the only one that can be tossed in a bag without leaking all over. Both of my kids have had the same bottle since they were old enough to drink from a straw. My two-year-old can easily carry it with the top's loop, and he can fold the straw's lid closed himself to prevent spills. It also has double-walled vacuum insulation to keep milk cold during a four-hour flight, and it's steel, so it doesn't break or dent when dropped (or thrown).

Best Clean-Up Kit

Name one parent who doesn't have easy access to five packets of wet wipes at any given second. I'll wait here while you think. My son has eczema, and Water Wipes have been approved by Allergy UK and the French Association for the Prevention of Allergies, as well as the National Eczema Association here in the US. They're moist and durable enough to scrub at car seats and clothes, as well as faces and hands.

A Useful Tool

As a mom, I find light, sturdy carabiners to be almost as useful as hair ties or wet wipes. You can clip a small pouch to the back of your seat pocket so that you're not constantly reaching under the seat for your bag. You can hang your backpack off the floor in a filthy restroom. If your kid is in a travel harness with a leash, you can clip them to your belt! You can clip a tiny Bluetooth speaker to their car seat to listen to story podcasts or a meditation on Insight Timer to put them to sleep! And because climbers carry dozens of these at a time, each one weighs about an ounce. Carry several.

Best Travel Outfit for Mom

My friends have dubbed this, the "momper." Patagonia's insanely comfortable romper is made from stretchy, light, and durable recycled polyester and Spandex. It has also been treated with durable water repellent (DWR) so goopy messes can be wiped right off, and the crossover straps are easy to peel off to use the bathroom. In addition to two capacious front pockets, it also has a concealed zip pocket for keys or lip balm. I've worn it while hiking, biking, and skateboarding, so sprinting after two toddlers is a breeze.

Nena Farrell

Medea Giordano

Martin Cizmar

Scott Gilbertson

WIRED COUPONS

Save up to $58 Off TurboTax Online

20% Off All H&R Block 2024 Tax Software | H&R Block Coupon

Up to $20 off at Instacart in 2024

Dyson Mother's Day Gift Deals!

GoPro Promo Code: 15% off Cameras and Accessories

Up To +30% Off With Your Samsung Student Promo Code

• 100 Day Dream Home
• Bargain Block
• Battle on the Beach
• Battle on the Mountain
• Building Roots
• Celebrity IOU
• Christina on the Coast

Down Home Fab

• Farmhouse Fixer
• Fixer to Fabulous
• Help! I Wrecked My House
• House Hunters
• Lakefront Empire
• Lil Jon Wants to Do What?
• Love It or List It
• Married to Real Estate

My Lottery Dream Home

No demo reno.

• Property Brothers: Forever Home
• Renovation Aloha
• Rico to the Rescue
• Rock the Block
• Small Town Potential
• Tough Love With Hilary Farr

Ugliest House in America

• Unsellable Houses

Why the Heck Did I Buy This House?

• Zillow Gone Wild
• See Full Schedule
• Stream Full Seasons
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Ideas by Room
• Design Styles
• HGTV Magazine
• HGTV Newsletters
• Flowers and Plants
• Landscaping and Hardscaping
• Outdoor Spaces
• Curb Appeal
• Cleaning and Organizing
• Entertaining
• Healthy Home and Garden
• Real Estate
• Home Improvement
• DIY Projects
• HGTV Handmade
• HGTV Smart Home 2024
• Get Outside $5K Giveaway
• Spring Into Cooking $5K Giveaway
• Spring It Forward $5K Giveaway
• HGTV Dream Home 2024
• HGTV Urban Oasis 2023
• Product Reviews
• Gift Guides
• Sales and Deals
• News and Trends
• Newsletters
• TV Schedule

15 Must-Have Items for a Family Road Trip With Kids

Keep kids of all ages happy and entertained while on the road with these gadgets, games and more.

Related To:

Heading out on an adventure with kids is exciting and a test of patience (for both the old and the young!). Watch those long hours speed by with our favorite items for keeping everyone, from preschoolers to tweens, happy and entertained as you hit the open road.

Trunk Organizer

This trunk carryall keeps you organized when running everyday errands and toting kids around to extra-curricular activities. And it takes all that accessible storage with you on the road. To corral all those last-minute additions that kids are throwing at you — beach balls, flippers, frisbees — or to hold all your picnic and quick-stop needs, this tote makes life just a little bit easier.

YETI Hopper Flip 8 Soft Cooler

Food is an absolute necessity when traveling with kids. Fend off those hangry moments with a fully stocked cooler that can be easily stowed between seats. Cheese sticks, squeezable yogurts and fruit are healthier, but also delicious options, to throw in along with dry snacks, like pretzels, crackers and nuts.

Stasher Reusable Silicone Sandwich Bag

Storage bags for all those snacks are a must. For those of us trying to be more mindful about our plastic consumption, invest in a few of these reusable silicone food bags. Available in snack, sandwich and half-gallon sizes, as well as a variety of fun colors and patterns, these bags are a smart addition to your cooler and can be used over and over again on your trip.

Car Trash Can

Instead of stuffing napkins and straw wrappers in doors and cup holders, contain all your trash in this portable garbage bag. Simple to empty when you stop at a rest area or gas station, it'll keep your car neat and tidy as you ride down the highway.

You really can never have enough wipes when traveling with kids. Whether cleaning up spills, washing hands and faces or wiping down picnic tables, you'll never regret having an extra stash or two of them in the car.

Ginger Chews

If anyone gets car sick, having these ginger chews handy is a lifesaver. Not only does ginger help curb nausea, but it also settles an upset stomach if roadside food doesn't agree with your kiddo's tummy.

Go! A Kids' Interactive Travel Diary and Journal

Encourage your kids to remember every moment of the trip with this smartly designed travel journal, which is full of fun graphics, clever prompts to get them writing and playful stickers and badges. They can even share their journeys with friends and grandparents by mailing back the included postcards.

Toddler Backpack

Road trips often include a one-night stay at a hotel on the way to your end destination. Make your life simpler by having each kid pack a small backpack with overnight essentials. When you stop, everyone grabs his or her bag and you (thankfully!) don't have to unload the entire car.

Amazon Fire 7 Kids' Tablet

Let's be honest, very few of us are going to tackle a road trip without a single screen. The Fire Kids Edition Tablet has a kid-proof case and a two-year worry-free guarantee. Let them listen to audiobooks and music and watch their favorite shows to give everyone some peace and quiet during this very enclosed family time moment.

Riwbox Bluetooth Kids' Headphones

When everyone needs a little break from each other and are ready to settle in with their tablets, grab these Bluetooth headphones so that your car is not bombarded with a combination of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse , a Harry Potter audiobook and BTS all at the same time. And you can enjoy a moment of silence … until they're ready for their next snack.

Crayola Twistables Colored Pencils

Make sure your kids have plenty of art supplies to get creative on the open road. We love these twistable colored pencils. No tiny shreds of crayon paper all over your car and no sharpening required. They are truly a parent's dream.

Melissa & Doug Mini-Sketch Pad

These mini sketchpads are easy for even your younger kids to hold in their laps and give everyone space to play and create, including games of tic-tac-toe or hangman, drawings of the sights they see and a place to create their own comic book.

Crayola Color Wonder Activity Set

Mess-free markers are ingenious, allowing kids to color without parents ever worrying about getting markers on seats, clothes or the car. They only show color when used on the matching Color Wonder paper. Tuck this activity set up front with you and around hour five when the kids start getting stir crazy, hand it back for a new lease on your car life.

Briarpatch Travel Scavenger Hunt Card Game

Classic road trip games, like I Spy, 20 Questions and The Alphabet Game, are the perfect way to involve the whole family while you're traveling. This Travel Scavenger Hunt Card Game is a great addition to your arsenal of pass-the-time games, letting players race to search for objects found on the cards.

Sorry! Road Trip Series

Travel-sized versions of family-favorite games, like Sorry!, Battleship and Scrabble, are another fun and inexpensive way for kids to entertain themselves in the backseat. Specifically designed for a moving vehicle, the cases have spots to hold all the pieces while playing so you're less likely to lose anything.

More Road Trip Ideas + Essentials

• 41 Things You Need for Your Next Road Trip

14 Clever Products That Make Road Trips With Your Pet a Breeze

11 Best Camping + Travel Pillows to Help You Rest Easy

• 10 Best Car Games for Kids

These Genius Items Will Keep Your Car Clean on Family Road Trips

Our Top Picks for Keeping Your Pup Comfy + Secure on Car Trips

10 Luxury Road Trip and Travel Essentials to Take With You

The Best Backyard Swing Sets for Kids

21 Buys to Help Kids Celebrate Earth Day Every Day

• 18 Must-Haves to Pack for a Family Beach Trip

The 16 Best Stadium Seats for Comfort and Support

12 Best Outdoor Playsets for Toddlers and Kids

11 Inflatable Sprinklers Kids Will Love This Summer

The Best Beach Umbrellas for Summer 2023

Go shopping.

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

8 Best Tower Fans of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Apr 29, 2024

7 Best Duvet Covers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Apr 29, 2024

Our Honest Review of the AeroGarden 2.0 Apr 26, 2024

6 Best Garden Carts of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Apr 26, 2024

The 10 Best Bug Zappers for Chemical-Free Pest Control Apr 23, 2024

The Best Beach Chairs on Amazon for Summer 2024 Apr 22, 2024

The 15 Best Mosquito Repellents on Amazon Apr 19, 2024

The Best Patio Chairs for Every Style and Budget Apr 21, 2024

The 7 Best Espresso Machines, Tested and Reviewed Apr 18, 2024

40+ Gifts for Teachers That Really Show Your Appreciation Apr 18, 2024

Mermaid + Blobcore = Jellyfish Aesthetic, and We’re Ready Apr 17, 2024

13 Wearable Mosquito Repellents That Aren't Smelly Aerosol Sprays Apr 26, 2024

8 Cool Catios for Every Feline, Style and Budget Apr 15, 2024

The Best Flower and Plant Services That Ship Quickly Apr 15, 2024

13 Best Adirondack Chairs for Every Style and Budget Apr 15, 2024

12 Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergents Apr 15, 2024

The 7 Best Sewing Machines, Tested and Reviewed Apr 12, 2024

Our Honest Review of Caraway’s Best-Selling Cookware Set Apr 12, 2024

105 Best Patio Furniture Buys for Every Style and Budget Apr 12, 2024

20 Dining Room Rugs for Every Style, Size and Budget Apr 12, 2024

Our Top 33 College Graduation Gift Ideas Apr 12, 2024

I Tried the Oura Ring for Four Weeks — Here's How It Changed My Sleep Apr 12, 2024

8 Best Lawn Aerators in 2024 Apr 12, 2024

The Best Indoor Fly Traps Apr 11, 2024

23 Asian American and Pacific Islander-Owned Home Brands We Love Apr 11, 2024

I Own a Lovesac Sofa – Here’s What You Need to Know Before Buying One Apr 15, 2024

The 10 Best Cornhole Boards of 2024 Apr 10, 2024

42 Best Graduation Gift Ideas for the Class of 2024 Apr 9, 2024

Target's Circle Week Sale Is Back and You Don't Want to Miss These Deals Apr 9, 2024

8 Best Clothing Steamers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Apr 23, 2024

Get the hgtv today newsletter.

Subscribe now to get our latest decorating tips, household hacks and more delivered to your inbox daily.

By entering your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy . HGTV and its affiliates may use your email address to provide updates, ads, and offers.

To withdraw your consent or learn more about your rights, see the Privacy Policy .

• HGTV Insider
• HGTV Shopping
• HGTV Makeovers
• HGTV This Week
• HGTV Gardens and Outdoors
• HGTV Daily Sweepstakes Reminder
• HGTV Inspiration
• HGTV Weekend Projects
• Sweepstakes Updates

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.

Related Pages

• How to Make a Fun Backseat Organizer for Kids
• 21 Most Popular Road Trips in the US
• 10 Luxury Road Trip and Travel Essentials to Take...
• These Genius Items Will Keep Your Car Clean on...
• The Best Bags for Traveling With Kids
• 36 Camper Essentials You Need for Your Next Road...

Packing List: Essentials for Travel with Kids

I've been searching for lists like these! Thank you!

My daughter was born in Norway and we traveled internationally back to Maryland when she was 3 mo old. At that age it wasn't hard. I hope to go back to visit this summer and I imagine it will be a lot different traveling with a 2.5 yr old. I have an Ergo and plan to take that and no stroller, especially since we have a wonderful but large Quinny Speedie SX. I am really interested in something like the Baby Sherpa for a travel bag but I'm not sure how that would work out with the Ergo. One on front, one back?? Both have the large straps and sternum/high back strap.

When D was one I traveled with the Ergo on the front and the Baby Sherpa on the back and although I felt a little like a sandwich it worked fine. At 2.5 years, your daughter would be quite a bit heavier... are you still able to carry her comfortably on the front?

Hi, I have the same concern about whether or not to bother with a stroller in Europe. We are going to be in Italy (Venice and Siena) for the majority of our trip but will also be taking a cruise with ports of call in Croatia, Turkey, and Greek Isles. My duaghter is 2.5 years and 30 pounds. Should I get an Ergo (I've never tried one but think a neighbor has one that I can try) or a framed backpack carrier? I've traveled a lot in the US with her umbrella stroller but don't know if it's worth it with exploring old cities and ruins. Thanks you, I love your website!

First of all, have a wonderful trip. Your itinerary sounds fantastic.

This is a tough question. Venice is one of the least stroller friendly cities I can imagine (lots of stairs and bridges) and you would definitely want an alternative carrier there. I don't have first hand experience with the other cities you are visiting. The best way to get an idea of how stroller friendly they are is to check the "wheelchair accessibility" section of a guidebook. If you do bring a stroller, make sure it's sturdy and will hold up to the abuse of cobblestone streets (or Maclaren has been a real workhorse!)

We love our Ergo, but with a 2.5 year old you might be reaching its limit for comfortable long distance walking. Take a walk around the block with your friend's Ergo and see how you feel.

Frame backpacks are great at supporting heavier children comfortably, but they are also bulkier and can't be stowed in a backpack when not in use (though they often include a backpack where you can keep your other items for the day). One advantage to this type of carrier is that you can remove the backpack without taking the child out. This lets you put on a jacket or sit down in a restaurant, without disturbing a sleeping child. This type of backpack can also double nicely as a high-chair.

We are happy with our REI Piggyback carrier and often use it for hiking. It has an optional sun/rain cover: http://www.rei.com/product/705789?vca...

Kelty Kids makes a backpack / stroller combo that could be very useful. I don't have personal experience with it, but it does have good reviews on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UT...

Here is a link to all the child carrier backpacks Amazon sells http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?ie=UT...

Whatever carrier you buy, make sure your child can sleep comfortably in it. Naptime is your time to see quiet museums, enjoy a nicer restaurant, or just relax.

REI stores are a great place to try different carriers in person and they're generally happy to let you wander the store with your child in the carrier so that you can decide which one is most comfortable.

Good luck! Debbie

Hello! This is a great site with so many helpful information. We plan on taking our baby to Seattle in a couple of months and want to leave the carseat at home. How do you suggest we get from the airport to our hotel upon our arrival (and vice versa when departing)? I appreciate any tips!

Regards, Michelle

Until the light rail link to downtown is completed next year, the easiest thing to do is to use a car service that provides a child safety seat. In general, the car service is no more expensive than a taxi (and sometimes less since they charge a flat rate that does not increase if you hit traffic)

We've used Airman Transporation in the past. Their phone number is 206-762-3511. You will need to book in advance and request the car seat at the time of booking. I always call the day before to reconfirm both the car and the carseat.

Good luck! I hope you have a wonderful trip.

Do I need a carseat in Paris if I have a carservice take us to and from the airport? I plan on taking at least one bus tour. I can't seem to find any regulations on the laws in France. Thanks!

I haven't been able to find an English version of the French car seat laws that is detailed enough to tell me whether there is an exemption for rental cars. There may be, but whatever the law is, it is no safer to put our child in a car without a car seat in Paris than it is in the US. The ride from the airport into town is fairly long and much of it is on the highway, and I would not recommend doing it without a car seat.

Here are a couple of other suggestions 1) use the train 2) use the car service recommended in our paris tips - they'll provide a seat. Make sure that you tell them the age and size of your child so that they can provide the right type of seat. http://www.deliciousbaby.com/travel/f... 3) if your child is old enough, you could bring a "ride safer travel vest" for car rides 4) you can use a sit'n'stroll (and then you would have a carseat for taxis too

busses are a different story because many do not have a seatbelt (and therefore you cannot install a safety seat. You would have to check with the tour company for details though...

I hope this helps, Debbie

You could try Babelfish ( http://babelfish.yahoo.com/ ) to translate the French information into English. The translation can be spotty for very technical language, but I've found it better than relying on my high-school french :)

Love this post! I especially love your recommendations for the ERGO baby carrier, which I always bring, along with a Kangaroo Korner Adjustable pouch for getting cuddly and hanging at the airport.

thanx so much i am going to state sports and i am panicked about what to bring

Here is some official govt information on car seats (siege auto) in France: See page 2 http://www2.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/...

Here is another summary (similar) that could be run through an auto-translater: http://www.beauty-frenchtouch.com/mam...

Great site! Thank you! I have a couple of questions for you if you don't mind.

We are going to Europe for 2 weeks with our 4.5 years old and we cannot decide if we should take a large roller bag, or two carry-ons (we tend to travel as light as possible, do laundry, etc., and will have a laptop backpack).

We are also debating to take an umbrella stroller or not. We hardly use a stroller anymore, but given how much we may walk there, it may not be a bad idea...

Any insights? Thank you!!

My husband and I used the backback stroller combo for many, many trips with our little one. She was high enough to see everything and when she fell asleep she had great support. The best part is there was a very large pocket that allowed her baby supplies (couple diapers, wipes and sippy cup and snack) to be thrown in, no extra baby bag! The ease of being able to stroll it was great when there was wide open plazas and it did indeed convert to be used as a "high chair" while we were at cafes.

Love your site!! Super helpful!! Thanks so much!! Just one key thing missing from packing list - bathing suits! :)

You're right! We almost never bring swimsuits, but for many people they are indispensable.

We are off to America next month and we have a 2 and half old and we were wondering if we need to take our car seat. Does anyone know the laws over there.

Hello, This site was exactly what I have been looking for think I have now read every single word in it! I just wanted to double check with you about the baby backpack carrier, My guy and I are taking our son from Minneapolis to my guys Home for 2 weeks, we fly an overnight flight from msp to London, Heathrow, will stay in london a couple days then find a train to paris for couple days, then back to london and off to drive for Wales, I am trying to be a minimalist? I dont want to take anything I don't have to, Our last trip there I was prego and miserable from carrying heavy luggage. as with my first alone trip with my son on a train from Mn into Wi, he was a doll but all the luggage sucked badly! If I opt out for taking a umbrella stroller, or a car seat hoping mother n law will provide still once arrival. Is the simple back back carrier we use for hikes or State Fairs suitable for the airports and trains and site seeing? it's very basic, no pockets nothing just stands alone with him in it for lunches or breaks. This is turning into a book can you see I am very stressed. Not so much on how he will act as he was perfect on the 4 hour train ride, even napped all on his own. so with some of your ideas I am sure he will behave. Please any and all help would be graetly appreciated...should I give him a piece of gum as we get ready to take off? he only chews for a minute before wanting to swallow guess it's to be expected with a 2 year old. we are flying with Iceland air. Thanks so Much Tami

Good luck on your flight! I think that if you are comfortable carrying your son in the backpack, that would be a great choice - especially if it is compact enough to fit in the overhead bin so that you do not have to check it.

During takeoff you could give him gum, or something to drink out of a sippy cup (or with a straw).

Im just taking a small family trip to Chicago... and have a 4 year old. We have a small umbrella stroller that really came in handy with travelling especially with long wait times at airports, but she is getting older and I was wondering if it'd still be good to have. She has her own little carry on that I know shes excited to use.

@Mansi For a 4 year old, you could go either way - it's a pain to bring along the stroller, but Chicago is a big airport! Think about how much walking she does at home, and whether you'd have a good way to carry her (and her carry on) if she gets tired.

Thanks! Great site... most complete site out there at the moment. I've seen a lot of posts about travelling to Europe... my daughter is 11 months old and we will be travelling in Italy for 3 weeks. Wondering if there are any suggestions or concerns re: homogenized milk there? Or have most people just taken formula? Also, were diapers, wipes, food, etc.. easy to come by for babies or is it wise for me to bring all that stuff with me?

In some countries you'll find more ultrapasturized (shelf stable) milk than fresh milk, but I've never heard of a question about quality or safety. With respect to diapers, wipes, etc. If it is very important to you to have a specific brand (for example your child has an allergy) than you should bring that with you, but otherwise the products you need for baby should be easy to find in a pharmacy or department store.

Have a great trip!

Hi Debbie -

God bless you and all your great advise....i've never been so interested in hearing everything you have to say all through out. I've already ordered a gogokids, the baby sherpa, the carseat you recommened, the pipe cleaners.... and so much more!!

We are traveling to Paris, south of France and Barcelona in two weeks with our 14 month old little girl. Worried about the jet lag and how she will be with her cousins that will not be jet lagged as they live there, hopefully it will help her... Anyway, my question here is really about take off. My little girl will not take a bottle to help her ears for take off/landing. I was thinking of finding a lolipop of sort to have her suck on. Do you think that is a good idea or something better. She driks from a straw but not sure that will give her enough sucking time to help her ears....

Thanks so much! Pegah

I'm so glad that the site was helpful! You can try having her drink from a straw and then if that's not working break out the lollypop or anything that she might be willing to chew on.

Thank you for these practical lists. We recently traveled 7 weeks in South Korea with our 1 year old, and were able to pack Mom, Dad, and Baby in one suitcase. We are getting ready for a month long visit to the Midwest, and I am revisiting these lists to get my bearings. SO HELPFUL!

This is really helpful. thanks. Does anyone know if amazon will ship diapers and maybe even formula to spain? We are going there in two weeks and it would help not to have to lug these heavier items around. Last time we were in europe they didn't have the exact same Nestle good start and we'd like to have what our daughter is used to while on the road. thanks a bunch

Here's a link to Amazon's information about international shipping: http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custome...

Hi Debbie, I need your help, inputs, suggestions and recommendations. I will be traveling to West Africa end of November until early january with my son(he'll be 22months then). We'll be driving to NY(5hrs), taking a flight NY to Morocco (6hrs) staying in a hotel in morocco for (15hrs) then Morocco to Sierra Leone (6hrs). A total of 31hrs of traveling.

These are some of my questions/concerns: Should I buy LO his own seat? How would I drag around the carseat?-Because my son won't stay put in just the airplane seat alone. Are their any good carriers for toddlers that age (he's a peanut for his age).

Any other tips/suggestions/product recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot!

Great questions. The safest choice is to always buy a seat for your child. However, in practice, if your child won't sit in his own seat, you're not getting that safety benefit. I think whether to purchase the separate seat or not is a personal decision based on your assessment of the risk and cost.

Even if you don't buy a seat, it's worthwhile to buy the CARES harness (sometimes you can arrange to sit next to an empty seat) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001... That's the best (and lightest weight) way to strap your child in to an airplane seat without having to lug a carseat. I have used CARES for all three of my kids!

WRT carriers - I like the ERGO and used it for both Darya and Eilan until they were just over 2. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001...

We are leaving for Switzerland and France next week. We have 2 kids, 4 & 7 and we are bringing 1 single jogging stroller so the kids can sit tandem if the 7 year old needs to ride. Curious about laundry. We will be there 3 weeks and I have no idea about laundramat accessibility in Montreaux, Switzerland and Paris, France. Any thoughts...appreciated!!!

Hi Debbie, I'm getting ready to go to Italy for five weeks while my husband does a fellowship there. We're taking our two-year old and our four-week old, and I'd like to pack as lightly as possible. I checked out your "Travel Gear" section and am thinking of going with one large roller bag and an Eagle Creek duffel, as you suggest. What size roller bag did you use for that trip? Was is as large as a 28"?

Holley, Many hotels have a laundry room that is available for guest use, but if not they will be able to recommend something nearby. You might want to plan to wash out small things (socks and underwear) or quick drying items in the sink.

Erin, On shorter trips I use my carryon bag with the duffel. On longer trips I use a 27" expandable bag - I find that if my bag is bigger, I tend to go over the weight limit.

Great list! I am also a big fan of the ergo baby carrier and find that much easier to take my kids around than strollers. We also love taking our travel crib with us so we don't have to worry about our baby having a safe place to sleep. We are not fans of co sleeping though.

Travelling for 3 wks with our 4.5 yr old & 1yr old. Trying to decide if we want to go with carry ons & diaper bag or pay for 1 or 2 larger checked bags. We're bringing a umbrella stroller, playpen, 2 car seats. I'll bring my ergo as well. Trying to figure out how to make this as easy as possible.

Tara, you'll want to minimize the number of things you are carrying as much as possible, but make note of the fact that car seats sometimes get damaged in transit, so you might want to carry those on.

I really need this I searched but couldn't find one like this but I still don't know what to pack for my 12 year old daughter who is going away for the weekend for a basketball tordement.

Good morning Debbie, I love the article it has some very good information. I am traveling with my 3 year old son to Scotland in August, but he is a big boy, he's already 40 inches tall and about 37 lbs. With the CARES harness he will be too tall come August to use that according to their safety height guidelines. Is there another alternative or would we be safe using the CARES harness?? He's a very well behaved, well mannered boy so I am unsure if the CARES harness is even necessary but just curious about it. Thank you!

Hi, Loved your site ... I really need help with some traveling tips for America ... Traveling with boys of age 7and5 Thank you

Traveling to Austria and need tips!

Thank you for these practical lists. We recently traveled 7 weeks in South Korea with our 1 year old, and were able to pack Mom, Dad, and Baby in one suitcase.

hi This site was exactly what I have been looking for think I have now read every single word in it!

Hey, nice tips! I'm a professional mover and packing peoples' items and moving their homes has never been a problem, but packing my own stuff, or my family's is a great issue. That's why I'm searching for such lists of tips to solve this problem. Your tips are great and seem to work perfectly for me, thank you for sharing. Greets, Lauren from http://removalcompanieshampstead.co.uk/ :)

It's a nice guide.There are many cribs on the market but the top rated cribs are mentioned here http://thebestbabycribs.com/

Great post.It will help me to care my baby during traveling.

Email address *

If you enter anything in this field your comment will be treated as spam

About Me I'm Debbie, mother of three delicious kids and I write about traveling with little kids. That's my daughter in the backpack and my son in Paris on Halloween.

Most popular articles:

• Ten Tips for Keeping a Toddler Busy on a Plane
• Air Travel with Babies, Toddlers and Kids
• Jet Lag Survival Guide for Parents
• Portland Travel Guide
• Best Travel Toys

I’ve been featured at

Popular articles:

• Flying with Babies, Toddlers and Kids
• Money Saving Tips the Travel Industry Doesn't Want You to Know
• Airport Security with Kids

Niko Douniko

Food.Travel.Photography.Story-telling

• Jan 20, 2023

The Best Travel Packing List for Toddlers and Preschool Kids (2-4 years)

Updated: Feb 3

If you ever wondered (or googled) “What to pack for holiday with a toddler?”, “What are the most essential things to buy for a holiday with small kids?” and “What to pack for a 2-year-old, 3-year-old or 4-year-old for travel?” bookmark this page. Be it a weekend in the countryside, a city break abroad or a long-haul vacation, this all-in-one travel packing list will cover all.

This guide mainly refers to young children like toddlers, and preschoolers between the ages of 2 and 4 years old. and ideally, potty trained. for younger babies check out this post ., the list in a glimpse.

Utterly useful list, as I’ve returned to consult it multiple times, before every trip. So did most of my friends I’ve shared it with:

Travel Buggy

Child id wristband, suitcase for toddlers, safety leash.

Feeding Bowls

Travel Cutlery

Water flask, travel washing system, instant stain remover, baby monitor, mosquito net, mosquito repellent, travel neck pillow, portable potty, travel size toiletry bottles, mini first aid kit, packing cells, little toys.

Swimming Vest

Travel Towel

Something for mummy and daddy!

This post contains affiliate links. By clicking and purchasing through the links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This allows me to keep the site up to date and do more research on food and travel. Thanks for reading!

Take it if... your child still enjoys day naps and you love long walks

Take on-board : YES

I know most parents are looking forward to getting rid of strollers at the pre-school age that children drop day nap. However, if your style of travel involves lots of museums, outdoor sightseeing, markets, and shopping, you might re-think a super lightweight travel buggy. What’s more, along with your exhausted toddler, the buggy will carry shopping bags with no effort. A real lifesaver!

During my research on travel buggies, I found out the most important specs to consider are:

Collapsible : ideally it should be one hand folding as most of the time you will hold something else on the other, if not the child. I like the flat laid folding buggies as they become quite small and flat (imagine like a 17” laptop size).

Portable : also good to have a carry bag (if you are going to store it in the overhead compartment) and a shoulder strap to hang it when boarding a plane or taking stairs down to the underground.

Lightweight : it has to be made of lightweight materials and does not weigh more than 5.5-6 kg. Remember, you are going to carry it everywhere along with much other stuff.

Well equipped with accessories : ideally a rain cover and a sun protection umbrella (parasol) would be nice depending on where you travel. Maybe need to consider a portable, rechargeable fan too!.

So which one?

I’ve tried umbrella-folding style strollers but they felt quite flimsy when in use plus you loose the option to carry onboard. Baby jogger city tour  and Babyzen Yoyo , on the other hand, are good buggies yet on the expensive range (£250-450). We found Joie pact lite  the most economic, lightweight stroller meeting most of the above specs. Its major pro is the weight (5.5kg) with width and price competing for the second place. It’s so narrow that you can stroll it through aeroplane corridors or the narrowest street markets in Asia and still be comfy for the child. It has a reclining seat of around 10% inclination which makes it suitable for all ages (even from birth). Quality-wise, superb: we’ve taken it everywhere we travelled, including our weekend strolls downtown in London, and still in very good condition after 3.5 years of rough use. We have had this since he was a newborn baby and still uses it in his preschool years.

Take it if... you still own a buggy

Essential to hang shopping bags or the baby’s changing bag. Or both. Just be careful when you take baby off, the centre of gravity shift will land your shopping bag with that expensive bottle of wine down on the ground.

Clips vs D-shape Hook (carabiner) : standard clips like Baby Uma  are more discrete and stay put (as they tightly wrap around the handles), but there is a chance you hang something really heavy and the threading will rip apart. Carabiner D-shape  are sturdy and they won't rip apart.

Take it if... your child has declared independence

Take on-board : NO

At this age, kids are mobile and curious. A colourful bracelet like the LittleLife ID that incorporates a waterproof card for contact details and emergency medical information is something you should certainly consider. Your child will want to wear their favourite colour/pattern wristband as a cool accessory while you will get (a little) peace of mind knowing there is a chance someone will bring them back should they get lost.

Take it if... your child is comfortable with riding and pulling things

Two options here: the all-time classic Trunki wheelie for lots of fun, or a more serious Samsonite Kids suitcase with a matching backpack which can be an investment for future endeavours too. I found the Trunki very entertaining, as you can drag your toddler throughout the airport for hours without the slightest complaint. They absolutely love it. Yet the only con with Trunki is space is limited so when they grow up in the age of preschool, their clothes and shoes get a little bigger and you might need to re-arrange stuff around your suitcases too.

Alternatively, you may invest in an upright wheelie suitcase for kids, with a little more space and which they will be using for the years to come. Samsonite has a very nice range for kids, the Happy Sammies with a wide variety of cute animal characters. Combine it with a matching backpack and they are ready for travel, school, sleepovers, and day trips.

Both options are cabin-friendly.

Take it if... your child is often going rogue

Take onboard : NO

In some cultures (like my big fat Greek one), attaching a strap to your kid might look weird let alone upsetting for some strong human rights supporters. Not that I am a human rights opponent, but being a parent looking after an active toddler in crowds and busy roads, it's a different story. A safety leash with a harness can be a lifesaver, literally speaking for hyperactive, reckless kids. LittleLife also offers an integrated backpack and leash in different fancy animal figures, yet might turn a little small after a certain age as it can only fit a small bottle of water and maybe one more thing.

Pro Tip : Get a dual package, safety wrist rein plus the leash for the backpack. Toddlers reject things and you must have an option.

Feeding Bowls and Lunch pods

Take it if... you are planning long days of sightseeing and out and about

Even nowadays in his pre-school days, our son likes eating from this Tommee Tippee bowl with lid and spoon that locks on the lid so you can carry around; It’s so convenient and we’ve been using it since he started solid foods. We found it particularly useful for saving leftovers at home, or store extra food from the hotel buffet for him to munch later when we’re out and about. We also loved the set of Hip nesting bowls, with 3 different sizes nesting into each other saving you heaps of space.

Another great invention is the Sistema capsule pot , with 2 separate compartments for snacks on the go and a little... 'spork' (spoon-fork) that clips on the side so you don't lose it. Not to mention they are BPA free and made of recycled plastic ;-) I use them almost daily for our walks in the park, storing a light on-the-go lunch and some fruits for dessert.

Check also this post  to see usage photos and a delicious and healthy breakfast idea using this bowl.

Take it if... your child enjoys self-feeding

Take on-board : YES (for long haul)

Not all restaurants will offer kid-friendly cutlery to your destination so you better carry a set with you. The TUM TUM travel set is just all you need: small, has a complete spoon-fork-knife set all in a protective case which is about the size of a small sunglasses case. They should be fine from an early age, just when your toddler starts showing interest in grabbing cutlery, and will last until older ages for sure.

What I also found very useful for travel (not only for a toddler but for us grown-ups too) is the Sistema Cutlery to Go . They are plastic (BPA-free and made of recycled plastic) and a little bigger in size but also come in a durable case for convenience and portability. A great toy too, our little one loves sorting and stacking the cutlery in the right order and then into the case. The only downside, they can break with a little clumsy push by these tiny hands. The best long-lasting option is to get the Roxon camping cutlery set , which is metal (which means it weighs a bit more) and will last forever.

Eco-Conscious of plastic?  You can always get a pack of wooden biodegradable cutlery . You will fill up your bags with them and there will still be some left for your next party at home ;-)

Take it if... you are planning long days of sightseeing out and about

An absolute must. At this age, kids are pretty confident drinking from a glass, sipping with a straw or lifting a bottom up. Go for something lightweight rather than fancy, fill it and re-fill it multiple times. And no one does flasks for outdoor use better than thermos. If you don’t already have one for your picnics (travel size would be around 400-500ml) get one of the Thermos brands which will last forever (my parents still use the Thermos they bought and used 20 years ago). Fill it up with hot water for warming up milk or food or cold water when you are out and about for the whole family to hydrate. I like Thermos brand with vacuum insulation as it can maintain the temperature for a good 3-4 hours in hot climates (tested in Thailand and Greece) and the lid can be used as a cup when you're out and about.

The Thermos Super Light flask  or the Super Light Travel tumbler  are both great options, super light (200g) and sleek design, with a handy spout making it easier for our little friends to sip.

Take it if... you are carrying bottles and bowls that you reuse daily

This is one of my greatest finds that I'm so proud of ;-) If you are staying in an apartment you probably won’t need this, but if you’re going for hotel rooms you’ll find this quite handy as it is a 2-in-1 wash liquid dispenser (with a pump) and brush to wash baby’s bowls, cutlery and sippy cups. All you have to do is ask the hotel’s restaurant to fill it in with washing liquid once you check-in at your hotel. Note this one didn’t fit into our milk bottle so if the baby is heavily depended on a bottle you need another solution for washing For bottle-fed, I reckon you should better aim for a travel-size brush for bottles, like this Tomy Boon travel set  which comes with a handy travel size compact drying rack and brush, useful in hotel rooms where no drying racks are available.

Take it if ... just take it. Trust me, it's a winner

Take onboard: No

I can't stress enough how useful this silicone tub stopper  plug has been, not just for our travels but at home too. This little slice of silicon will convert any sink around the world into a washing basin. It's a lifesaver, especially for long trips, as you will now need to carry only a few sets of socks, tees and underwear and wash these essentials over and over in your hotel's sink. You will thank me for the space you've saved in your luggage for other important things.

Take it if... just take some

Check out this post for the best snacks to pack for the journey.

Take it if... your kiddo is a messy eater

This product needs no words to highlight its necessity. The Tide To Go pen  was suggested by a good friend and is exactly what we needed at that time. It is simply magic and comes in a small size of a thin marker pen that you can fit in your handbag (It's less than 100ml so suitable for hand luggage too). Get a multi-pack because it costs less and once you start using it you'd wish you had one pen in every bag of yours :-)

Combine it with a pack of Tide to go wipes  and you are ready for everything comes up your way.

Take it if... you are travelling on a night train OR staying in an apartment without an extra bed/cot OR your hotel does not offer (or overcharge) large cots

If you are staying in a hotel, you better ask beforehand as most hotels usually provide cots so there’s no need to carry this. But be mindful of the size, as most hotel cots are up to 1m long and toddlers after an age (2.5-3 years) may overgrow that.

To be on the safe side, get a LittleLife Arc 2 Lightweight Travel Cot with you. Comes in a small rucksack and weighs only 2.5kg. It can be put up in moments, with its colour-coded poles, for a solid night’s sleep on a comfortable foam mattress of 120x70 cm, which can easily fit a preschool-age kid. Comes also in handy as a beach tent (UV protection) or toddlers den for playtime in the garden.

Take it if... you are planning to enjoy a drink on your balcony or patio while he's sleeping

Can be a bit cumbersome for your luggage but is useful on your vacation for a) relaxing in the balcony or garden with a drink while baby snoozes in the room and b) the build-in thermometer can help you figure out and regulate the room’s temperature. There are quite a few out there, but this relatively inexpensive and quite small HelloBaby Chinese brand has proven quite fit for purpose so far for us not to mention the great customer service when one of our chargers broke. Make sure you also pack the proper mains adapter for the country you’re travelling to.

Another solution that I have recently tested and worked pretty well is the Baby Monitor 3G mobile app (paid app - worth its money). You will need to install it on 2 devices (phones or tablets), one working as a camera (left in the room pointing to your baby) and one as a remote monitor. It will work with Wifi or your mobile 3G/4G/5G connection and vibrate whenever there is a sound or motion in the room. The advantage is that you don't anymore depend on your baby monitor range restriction, but only on the local internet coverage. So I would recommend that as a backup solution. If it works, great; if not, switch back to the classic baby monitor.

Make sure you also pack a universal plug adapter like this .

Take it if... you are travelling to warm climates or camping

Going to hot weather or a tropical island without a travel cot? I would totally recommend squeezing one of these Lifesystems super light and compact nets with you. Comes in two sizes, small (single bed) and large (double bed). An absolute must for hot-weather destinations where mosquitos and flies lurk for children’s tender skins. It can be a bit tricky to hang (sometimes I had to improvise with light fittings and curtain poles or others used self-adhesive hooks which come with the spares package) but will definitely be worth the hassle for that mozzie-free sleep!

Undoubtedly a must-have when traveling to warmer climates and you don't want to end up buying the dodgy brands from a local supermarket. A friend with great experience in kids (raised 3 so far) recommended Incognito , a pharmaceutical product which is supposed to be made of natural ingredients and is famously ethical so one of the best for children. We tested it in Greece and Thailand and worked quite well with our little one, but also with us!

Vie repellent  also is great for babies. Once you add the repellent to your basket, also consider the Vie citronella patches  (we used one patch on his cot and one on our bed every night to minimise risk).

Take it if... your kid is napping in aeroplanes, trains and cars

Take onboard: YES

A must-have pillow for kids who nap during travels. These cuddly furry pillows will support little heads and chins and give all the comfort and joy they need for sleeping. You can go for the practical packable in a pouch Bcozzy or choose between the animal-shaped Trunki brand (which clips with a magnet) and the Gruffalo .

Take it if... your child is potty-trained

Take onboard : not necessarily

We love OXO products. And they do potties too! Actually, they do one of the smartest on the go potties I've seen. The OXO Tot 2-in-1 Go Potty is the perfect companion for travel and one of the smartest gadgets out there as it not only is small, slim and light to fit your daypack but also adapts to normal grownups' toilet seats by simply extending its flaps outwards. We've used it everywhere. You name it: aeroplanes, trains, hiking, walk in the park. Comes with a handy bag that can also fit a set of its own liners, and a small pack of baby wipes.

Take it if... you are eco-conscious and plan to reuse over and over or staying in an apartment without amenities

Useful not only for the little ones but for the whole family. Refill them with baby bath, creams and washing powder/liquid for clothes for baby and yourself. Make sure you seal them with tape before travel, so they don’t spill. I found these from Amazon  quite handy and with a great variety of shapes and sizes to fit all your baby essentials.

Take it if... better always have one with you

You can build your own (read this very informative article), or you can buy one of these I recommend. They are similar in size (13x9x5 cm) and come with pretty much all you need; they are small and lightweight and you can carry them in your daypack. What's more, there is still a little space to squeeze some extras like:

Olbas oil for congested nose, natural product and a really small bottle; great to have with you for a good night's sleep (works also for adults)

Liquid paracetamol sachets , small and compact to fit in this tiny kit

Get a small cheap lightweight digital thermometer or a few Single-use Thermometers , that are thin and light as paper and don't break.

Saline tubes , for eye infections and other general use

Mosquito protection patches and after bite roll on .

A few additional wound cleansing wipes

Pro Tip: make sure you download and install the Baby and Child First Aid app by the British Red Cross on your phone ( Android or iOS ) with important info about emergencies and how to treat child accidents. Good info to keep you calm in any type of accident, give it a go and read through before you travel to get the idea.

Take it if... you are obsessed with organisation and tidiness

I’ve been using cubes/cells for all my travels and have been proven super useful for luggage management. Shirts in one pack, trousers in another, socks and underwear in a smaller one. After all, having everything you need in hand as soon as you open your suitcase is a fantastic feeling. Even if you’re not a Marie Kondo’s fan, just imagine that feeling when you land tired and open your suitcase to this view:

Having a bad jet lag and in need of fresh bodysuits or underwear for him straight away, you will be thanking me later for these. Go for the Ecohub packing cubes  set made from eco-friendly recycled material or check out these compression cubes  in case you are looking for even more space in your luggage.

PRO TIP:    A good idea would be to get a small cube with insulation that can be converted to lunch/snack carry-on essentials along with a couple of toys for your day trips at your destination.

Take it if... just take as many of these as you can fit

Entertainment is very important to keep toddlers busy in a long haul flight but also at a restaurant while you enjoy your meal. At this age, they very much like doing things grown-ups do or things that please grown-ups, like building a jigsaw puzzle. Apart from his favourite toys he will pick and choose from home, save some room for a couple of new toys that you will reveal on the flight or at the destination. They are always excited about new things and will keep them busy for longer. Keep that tablet away or use it as a last resort solution in case nothing else works ;-) Here’s our favourite light and small and easy-to-carry toys and activity books we squeeze in our day pack or when we visit a restaurant. And they all work wonders:

Wooden Vegetables : We cook a lot in our house and chopping is a daily ritual in our kitchen. And kids at this age are very interested in helping and imitating. We bought a few of these small wooden pretend veggies and they are constantly travelling with us to keep him busy nearly everywhere we sit. Bonus: they are wooden, and we absolutely love wooden toys!

Stacking Cups : All time classic and we've been using this since he was 6 months old. Never gets old, never boring. The fisher price stacking cups have been proven a goldmine as you can invent unlimited different gaming combinations, with stacking, nesting and shell game (three shells and a pea) to name a few. Can be also used as serving pots for the wooden vegetables.

Activity Board : Another great invention that kept our restless toddler busy for quite a while on board. An amazing feature-packed toy for toddlers to aid motor skills while settling busy hands and makes a great learning tool too. A must-have for travel.

Jigsaw Puzzle with Flashcards : This is an amazing set of vibrantly coloured wooden shapes that kids will try to craft into shapes and figures. Comes with a big bunch of flashcards so you can pick and choose shapes and figures based on difficulty and age. It will need some parental supervision in the beginning, but very soon your kid will grasp and master it and play independently. They will entertain all kids mostly over 3 and keep them busy on a flight or at the restaurant for hours!.

Memory Game : Although it is generally classified for ages over 3 years, we found out that many kids (including ours) started being interested and getting a grasp even earlier, with fewer cards of course. Ravensburger is my childhood's favourite, and I'm so glad this brand is still around and never got old. If your child is already into books like Gruffalo or cartoons like Peppa Pig you'll be really grateful for the themed memory card boxes which he will certainly enjoy in large amounts. Pick a small pile of 8-10 cards (4-5 pairs) and squeeze it in your purse or day pack.

Take it if... you are planning to spend lots of time out and about on a sunny destination

When it comes to baby creams, look no further than the Greek Frezyderm brand. This company has thrived in Europe and been awarded for its quality herbal-based products. And when it comes to natural herbal products, not because I am Greek, but Greeks do it better ;-))) OK, maybe Italians too! So, leaving aside the branding and origin, we tested and benchmarked all commercial products we could find in the UK high street (like Bepanthen, Aveeno and Sudocream) to find out that when it comes to creams (nappy rash or sun protection) Frezyderm products:

are more effective even using half the quantity you’d normally use.

are less oily, waterproof and easier to spread

contain chamomile oil which works wonders on irritations and rashes

they smell fantastic

Order from Amazon  or straight from Frezyderm official website  (free shipping in the UK for all orders over £50).

If you are looking for a good sunscreen/sun lotion for the whole family check out the Ultrasun Family Sensitive . Comes in a 100ml bottle (which means you can even fit it in your hand luggage) and is especially suitable for children and those with sensitive skin. The hypo-allergenic formulation is free from oils, emulsifiers and perfume and is recommended by Dermatologists for those prone to skin allergies and prickly heat.

PRO TIP: get some reusable empty cosmetic round jars  and fill them up with creams and products for you and your baby. Use a marker (or label printer) to note the content on each lid ;-) 5ml/5g is the ideal size for travel, can hold enough product for 1 week to 10 days usage.

Hat with Neck Flap

I would look for something with a neck flap and 50+ UPF protection for summer destinations like these fantastic Jan & Jul hats  for kids. The adjustable jaw strap is a plus, although a fussy kid (like ours) can always complain about this giggly thing under their jaws.

As a younger infant, our son always rejected sunglasses. He found it more interesting to squeeze and crush them instead. But after the age of 2, they become more aware and love imitating grownups in general, their parents in particular. So that's the best age to invest in a good stylish pair of Babiators . Great variety, stylish and quite durable.

Take it if... you are travelling to a very hot destination and plan to spend time on the beach or hiking

Having grown up by the beach in Greece and spent all last few summers with my son on Greek beaches, I have come down to the conclusion and absolute recommendation of carrying 2 types of sandals for your kids:

Closed-Toe and Quick-Dry Water Sandals (or Shoes). Usually made from neoprene fabric, these are perfect for the beach as he can swim, run and climb without scratching his toes on sharp rocks or other submarine creatures.

Classic all-day play and walking sandals . Just look for a secure fitting and anti-slip sole (inside-out). We are buying this Crocs model every year for him (different sizes) and hundreds of colours to choose from) but we also have a pair of Tevas for more stylish and adventurous walks ;-)

What to AVOID: I definitely NOT recommend slip-on sandals or flip-flops. Kids at this age walk recklessly (accidents lurk to ruin your vacation) or kick them out and get them lost in a moment of joyful play.

Swimming Vest (Life Jacket)

Take it if... you are convinced you are hitting the watersports and there are no organised beaches and activities to where you're heading to

Take on-board : Of course not

Planning to take that island-hop boat trip or just start swimming lessons for your little one on this vacation? Bear in mind some tours or settings might provide swimming vests (life jackets) some not. Just to be on the safe side, squeeze one of these small lightweight ones in your luggage ;-)

Take it if... you are planning to hit the beach or camping

Well, you might think there are always towels available in hotels, but lots do not provide while some others are quite strict in allowing their towels to be carried over to a beach. So squeeze one of these quick-dry, lightweight microfibre travel towels just in case.

And something for Mummy and Daddy...

Well done that you made it to the end of this list!

This is a well-deserved treat for all of you to take this brave decision and travel with your little one. This is a little gadget guide with the top 3 things to have and be well organized for your travels. To be honest, being well organized is imperative for your mental health when travelling with kids, as they tend to be chaotic by nature.

A folding wash bag with a hanger hook to fit all your toiletries and accessories is the Nr.1 thing to own. I have it permanently filled in with my travel stuff and is instantly ready to depart. I have been using this Deuter washbag  for over 10 years now, thanking myself every day for that investment! Sizes vary, below I list 2 different sizes a big one (around 25cm with mirror) and a smaller, without a mirror, more compact one.

I also always carry a very smart flat credit card size swiss army knife  with a small set of scissors and tweezers that comes always in handy when away, it's lightweight and fits your wallet or handbag. Just remember to not put it in your hand luggage, it will be confiscated by airport security ;-)

One other useful thing to have is a power bank that fits your pockets and a cable with multiple ends most devices require their own charger. Being so dependent on batteries and chargers in an era of wearables and handsets, a gadget like the VONMÄHLEN Allroundo  is everything in one. Small, lightweight and stylish, this 6-in-1 cable is all you will need with you. I've been using it for many years and never regretted a penny spent.

• Travel Blog

Related Posts

Travelling with Baby: 5 Golden Rules

Complete Travel Packing List for Babies and Toddlers (0-2 years)

Healthy Travel Snacks for Kids and Toddlers

Comentários

What to Pack When Traveling With Baby

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

Happy travels!

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

Go to Your Baby's Age

Trending on what to expect, the covid-19 vaccine for infants, toddlers and young children, how to create a night shift system when you have a newborn, ⚠️ you can't see this cool content because you have ad block enabled., when do babies start laughing, baby-led weaning, what happens in the ‘4th trimester’ (and is it a real thing).

Money latest: Gameboys, Sindy dolls, designer shoes, 1950s furniture - the items in your attic that could be worth a small fortune

Gumtree's most popular items include rare stamps, Gameboys and Pokemon cards. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news below, plus leave a comment or submit a consumer dispute or money problem in the box.

Monday 29 April 2024 19:46, UK

• Three of UK's biggest lenders up mortgage rates
• Annual mortgage repayments have increased by up to 70% since 2021
• Higher food prices and shortages warning - as new Brexit checks begin this week
• People on disability benefits could receive vouchers rather than cash

Essential reads

• Gameboys, Sindy dolls, designer shoes, 1950s furniture: The items in your attic that could be worth a small fortune
• Money Problem : 'A company isn't abiding by written warranty for dodgy building work - what can I do?'  
• '£2,000 landed in my account' - The people who say they're manifesting riches
• The world of dark tourism - what is it, is it ethical and where can you go?

Ask a question or make a comment

We're looking to answer this question - and would like your thoughts.

Are you a parent - and if so, how much do you give your kids (it'd be helpful to mention their age too)?

We also want to know how you give them the money (cash, bank transfer, app) - and if they have to do anything in return.

Leave your comments in the box above or:

• Email [email protected] with the subject line "Money blog"
• WhatsApp us  here .

Strikes at Heathrow Airport are taking place over the next few weeks, with the first one already under way.

Staff at the UK's biggest airport are set to walk out during the early bank holiday in May, with their union warning planes could be "delayed, disrupted and grounded".

Click here to find out when all the strikes are, what disruption is expected and which airlines are affected...

The average price paid for comprehensive motor insurance rose 1% in the first quarter of the year, according to industry data indicating an easing in the steep rises seen last year.

The latest tracker issued by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) showed a 1% increase on the previous three months to £635.

That was despite the average claim paid rising 8% to reach a record of £4,800, the body said.

The ABI said the disparity showed that its members were "absorbing" additional costs and not passing them on.

Nevertheless, the average policy was still 33%, or £157, higher between January and March compared to the same period last year.

Read the full story here ...

Getir , the grocery delivery app, has abandoned a European expansion that is set to result in the loss of around 1,500 jobs in the UK.

Sky News had previously revealed that the Turkey-based company, which means "to bring" in Turkish, had  successfully raised money from investors to fund its withdrawals  from the UK, Germany and the Netherlands.

It had already departed other countries including Italy and Spain.

The exits were prompted by growing losses linked to the company's rapid expansion.

Waitrose is launching an exclusive range of products with popular chef Yotam Ottolenghi today. 

The Israeli-British chef is famous for his Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired food, and has worked with the supermarket to release products including a pasta sauce, spice blend and shawarma marinade. 

It is the first time Ottolenghi has partnered with a supermarket in such a way. 

The full range will be available in Waitrose shops, Waitrose.com and Ottolenghi.co.uk from today, while a selection of products will be available from the supermarket on Deliveroo and Uber Eats. 

An introductory 20% off offer is being launched until 18 June. 

The range includes: 

• Ottolenghi Miso Pesto 165g (£4)
• Ottolenghi Kalamata Olive & Harissa Sauce  350g (£4.50)
• Ottolenghi Pomegranate, Rose & Preserved Lemon Harissa 170g (£5)
• Ottolenghi Green Harissa 170g (£5)
• Ottolenghi Aleppo & Other Chillies Blend (£3.95)
• Ottolenghi Sweet & Smokey Blend (£3.95)
• Ottolenghi Citrus & Spice Blend (£3.95)
• Ottolenghi Red Chilli Sauce (£4.50)
• Ottolenghi Shawarma Marinade (£4)

Ottolenghi said he had "always been super eager to get our flavours onto people's dinner plates nationwide, not just in London, without having to cook it from scratch every single time". 

He added: "I hate to admit it but the pasta sauce already features heavily in my home kitchen, when no one is looking."

The cost of bread, biscuits and beer could increase this year due to the impact of the unusually wet autumn and winter on UK harvests.

Research suggests that production of wheat, oats, barley and oilseed rape could drop by four million tonnes (17.5%) compared with 2023.

The wet weather has resulted in lower levels of planting, while flooding and storms over winter caused farmers more losses.

The predictions come just as the rate of price increases on many food items begins to slow as inflation falls.

The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) analysed forecasts from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHBD) and government yield data.

It found a "real risk" of beer, biscuits and bread becoming more expensive if the poor harvest increases costs for producers, according to its lead analyst Tom Lancaster.

Beer prices could be affected because the wet weather is still disrupting the planting of spring crops such as barley, the ECIU said.

And potatoes might also see a price hike in the coming months, with growers warning of a major shortage in the autumn due to persistent wet weather.

By Emily Mee , Money team

When I think about the toys of my childhood - my pink Barbie car, my Gameboy Micro, my collection of Pokemon cards - I can't tell you where they went. 

Maybe they were shipped off to a charity shop at some point... Or perhaps they're in the attic? 

While my hot pink Gameboy Micro is lost to the void of time (or a cardboard box somewhere in my mum's house), other versions of it are selling on eBay for £100 or more. 

And there are Pokemon cards selling for anything from a tenner to hundreds or even thousands of pounds. 

It's possible you also have items at home that are a collector's dream. 

Gumtree says its collectables category is already proving to be a "hotbed of activity" this year, with listings up 22% in 2024 so far. 

Its most popular items include rare stamps, coins, war memorabilia and Pokemon cards. 

Spring is often the most popular time for buying and selling collectibles, with demand spiking in March and April. 

We've enlisted the help of TV presenter and collectables expert Tracy Martin to give an idea of what could make you an easy buck. 

Old toys making a 'retro comeback'

Tracy explains that while trends change, vintage toys tend to stand the test of time. 

"Toys are always going to be popular because they tap into nostalgia, our childhood memories," she says, explaining that adults like to buy the toys they used to have. 

Perhaps you were into cars, and you've got some old diecast vehicles from Matchbox, Corgi or Dinky Toys. 

A quick look on toy auction site Vectis.co.uk shows a Corgi Toys "James Bond" Aston Martin estimated to sell for between £600 to £700 - while others are likely to fetch £50 to £60. 

Sindy dolls are also particularly sought after - particularly those from the 1960s - and Barbie dolls from the 1990s too. 

Pokemon cards have seen a "massive surge", Tracy says, with people paying "thousands and thousands of pounds" for good unopened sets. 

She's even seen examples of people paying £16,000 upwards. 

Another up-and-coming market is games consoles, such as Gameboys, vintage consoles and PlayStations, which are making a "retro comeback".

What else could earn you some cash?

Tracy says there's currently a surge in people wanting to buy "mid century" furniture, which is dated to roughly 1945 to 1965 and typically uses clean lines and has a timeless feel. 

Vintage Danish furniture is sought after, particularly tables and chairs with good designer names such as Wegner, Verner Panton and Arne Jacobsen.

Prices range from the low hundreds into the thousands.

People will also look out for vintage framed prints by artists such as Tretchikoff, J.H. Lynch and Shabner - these can range in price from £50 upwards to a few hundred pounds plus. 

Vintage clothes, handbags and shoes can fetch a good price - but you can also invest in modern pieces. 

Tracy suggests looking out for good classic designs with high-end designer names such as Gucci, Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton. 

Modern designers such as Irregular Choice, Vendula and Lulu Guinness are also collected. 

Collaborations with designers and celebrities can do well as they're often limited edition. 

For example, Tracy says the H&M x Paco Rabanne maxi silver sequin dress retailed at £279.99 last year but now sells for in excess of £600. 

When it comes to shoes, "the quirkier the design the better" - so look out for brands such as Irregular Choice and Joe Browns. 

Converse and Dr Martens collaborations also do well, depending on the design and condition, as well as Adidas and Nike limited edition trainers. 

What's the best way to sell?  

Tracy recommends to always research before selling your items, as they might perform better on different platforms and you can also get an idea of how much they sell for. 

For example, Vinted can be a good place to sell clothes and shoes, while other items might be better suited for sale on Gumtree, eBay or Etsy. 

Tracy's favourite way to sell is through auction - especially if there are specialist sales. 

Vectis is one of the biggest and most popular for toy selling. 

Interests in different periods and items can go up and down, but for the time being vintage pieces from the 1980s and 90s are popular. 

How much you'll be able to get from an item often takes into account its rarity, condition, whether it reflects a period in time, and if it's got a good name behind it. 

You never know - you might be sitting on a treasure trove. 

Annual mortgage repayments have increased by up to 70% since 2021, according to new data from Zoopla .

The biggest impact of rising interest rates has been in southern England where house prices are higher.

Across the South West, South East and East of England, the annual mortgage cost for an average home is £5,000 higher than previously. This rises to £7,500 in London.

But the universal uptick in mortgage costs has been less pronounced in other parts of the UK, with the North East seeing a £2,350 increase.

In a bid to tackle inflation, the Bank of England has raised the base rate from 0.1% in December 2021 to a 16-year high of 5.25% now.

The Zoopla research looked at the average home buyer taking out a 70% loan-to-value mortgage.

This week seems to be starting where last week left off - with three major lenders announcing further hikes in mortgage rates.

Amid uncertainty of the timing of interest rate cuts from the Bank of England  this year, swap rates (which dictate how much it costs lenders to lend) have been rising in recent weeks.

Financial markets currently see two rate cuts by the Bank of England this year.

We've reported on a string of rate bumps from the high street over the last 10 days, and this morning NatWest, Santander and Nationwide moved.

In its second hikes announcement in less than a week, NatWest laid out increases across its full range of residential and buy-to-let fixed deals of up to 0.22%.

Santander, meanwhile, announced increases for both fixed and tracker deals across their residential and buy-to-let products - up to 0.25%.

The same hikes are being imposed for a range of Nationwide deals.

All of these will kick in tomorrow.

Amit Patel, adviser at Trinity Finance, told Newspage it was "not a great start to the week". 

"This is not good news for borrowers," he said.

Where will the base rate go this year?

The majority of the bets, according to LSEG data, are on the first cut coming in August (previously this was June) and the second in December.

This would take Bank rate from the current level of 5.25% to 4.75%.

Disabled people could receive vouchers instead of monthly payments under proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The changes could see people being provided with either one-off grants for specific costs such as home adaptation, or being directed to "alternative means of support" rather than financial support.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride is set to announce plans today to overhaul the way disability benefits work.

In a Green Paper due to be published alongside Mr Stride's statement to the Commons, ministers will set out plans to reform Personal Independence Payments (PIP), the main disability benefit, through changes to eligibility criteria and assessments.

The plans also include proposals to "move away from a fixed cash benefit system", meaning people with some conditions, such as depression and anxiety, will no longer receive regular payments but rather get improved access to treatment if their condition does not involve extra costs.

Speaking to Sky News earlier, Mr Stride said: "I want us to have a grown-up, sensible conversation about a benefit called PIP that has not been reviewed in over a decade.

"And I want to ask the question, is it fit for purpose given the world that we're in today, in which mental health issues sadly present more of an issue than they did a decade ago."

By James Sillars , business reporter

A fresh high for the FTSE 100 to start the week.

The index of leading shares in London was 0.5% up at 8,179 in early dealing.

The gains were led by miners and financial stocks.

Dragging on the performance were some consumer-facing brands including JD Sports and Flutter Entertainment.

One other development of note to mention is that stubbornly high oil price.

A barrel of Brent crude is currently trading almost 1% down on the day.

But it remains at $88 a barrel.

The market has been pulled by various forces this month, with hopes of a rebound in demand in China among them.

The latest decline is said to reflect peace talks being held between Israel and Hamas.

A demand for smaller homes has driven growth in UK property prices early in 2024, according to research by Halifax.

Data from the bank's house price index suggests annual property price growth hit 1.9% in February this year - a significant rise from -4.1% just three months prior.

That equates to a rise in prices of £5,318 over the past year.

It follows interest rates stabilising, Halifax says, after a sharp rise over the past two years which squeezed mortgage affordability.

A key driver behind rising prices, Halifax says, has been first-time buyers, who made up 53% of all homes bought with a mortgage in 2023 - the highest proportion since 1995.

And it's smaller homes that have recorded the biggest increases in price growth in the early part of this year - with buyers adjusting their expectations to compensate for higher borrowing costs.

Flats and terraced houses made up 57% of all homes purchased by first-time buyers last year.

This varies by region - for example, in London, flats and terraced homes accounted for 90% of all first-time buyer purchases.

Challenges remain

However, Amanda Bryden, head of Halifax mortgages, said "it's important not to gloss over the challenges" facing the UK housing market, given the "impact of higher interest rates on mortgage affordability" and "continued lack of supply of new homes".

"But scratch beneath the surface and there is a more nuanced story, one which shows that demand for different property types in different parts of the country can vary hugely," she added.

"As interest rates have stabilised and buyers adjust to the new economic reality of owning a home, one way to compensate for higher borrowing costs is to target smaller properties.

"This is especially true among first-time buyers, who have proven to be resilient over recent years, and now account for the largest proportion of homes purchased with a mortgage in almost 30 years."

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Pair of giant pandas set to travel from China to San Diego Zoo under conservation partnership

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A pair of giant pandas will soon make the journey from China to the U.S., where they will be cared for at the San Diego Zoo as part of an ongoing conservation partnership between the two nations, officials said Monday.

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said its caretakers recently visited China to meet the giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, ahead of their planned trip to Southern California. An exact date for the handoff hasn’t been set.

Yun Chuan, a mild-mannered male who’s nearly 5 years old, has “deep connections” to California, the wildlife alliance said. His mother, Zhen Zhen, was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007 to parents Bai Yun and Gao Gao.

Xin Bao is a nearly 4-year-old female described as “a gentle and witty introvert with a sweet round face and big ears.”

“Our conservation partners in China shared photographs and personality traits of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, but meeting them in person was so special,” said Dr. Megan Owen, the alliance’s vice president of conservation science. “It’s inspiring as people from around the world come together to conserve, protect, and care for these special bears, and we can’t wait to welcome them to San Diego.”

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has a nearly 30-year partnership with leading conservation institutions in China focused on protecting and recovering giant pandas and the bamboo forests they depend on.

Related Stories