16 Travel Essentials For Toddlers
We’re already aware it’s a lot traveling with kids especially toddlers…. especially when you have TWO. But I literally get off on organization so there was no way I was about to be in these streets scrambling while traveling with kids. I’ve found some products over the years that have made our travels with the kiddos more streamline. I’m not going to say these make traveling easy with a toddler because traveling with a toddler is not easy and I tell no lies but it will definitely make your trips easier, more organized, and less stressful (hopefully lol).
How Much Do I Actually NEED?
Well that depends on the age of your children and if they have any particular or special needs. But these products have served us so well on various trips and I think they will be very helpful for anyone traveling with small children.
We have this car seat and it’s so amazing because it’s not a traditional car seat, its more like a harness but still has a very high safety rating. It fits in a little pouch and is so easy to transport and can also be used on an airplane.
But you want something that feels more like a car seat/booster the WayB Pico Forward Facing Car Seat is also a good option it’s not as light weight but it’s only 8 pounds and easier to transport than a traditional car seat.
We used the Doona Car Seat for our first child and I love this car seat because it’s a stroller in one so you don’t have to pack both. The only issue is it’s always in a sort of reclined state when it’s in the stroller mode which I personally think only work for babies under 1. But if you have an infant, the Doona is a must and will make your life so much easier when traveling.
3. Travel Stroller
We have the Lejoux 365 Baby Stroller Pushchair Pram and we absolutely love it. It wasn’t until we went to London I realized the importance of a travel stroller when you are navigating new places. This stroller is so lightweight, folds up small and you can even roll it like a carry on. The coolest part is that is fits in the overhead compartment in the airplane!
Having a sound machine/white noise maker is a MUST for us. It’s a part of their routine at home so it also brings that familiar element with them wherever they go which makes it easier for them to fall asleep in foreign places. Plus it has a little nightlight. We use the red light setting. We love the Hatch for home but this one is cheap enough that if you forget it on a trip you wont cry about it.
5. Water Bottle
Water bottle for the kids are a must must must. The tiny bit of water they give you on the airplane is not cutting it. Most aiports now have areas with filtered water where you can fill up your water bottles so after we pass security we always fill up all our bottles for the plane ride. It’s also helpful for when they do serve water on the airplane because you can put in directly into your kiddos bottle and not worry about spills.
We have this exact backpack for the girls and it’s small but mighty. It’s not very fancy but it is so functional and fits so much in it. We usually pack their easy grab snacks in there as well as their iPads, headphones, and cleaning wipes/sanitizer.
7. Bento Box
I always pack a lunch for the girls when were flying and these bento boxes are so cute and functional. I love that they are stainless steel on the inside with silicone outer so no plastic! Every time we get on the airplane the girls are always so excited for whatever they are going to have for lunch lol.
This is the best thing I have ever bought. This potty seat folds up small and comes with a little bag to store. Its super lightweight and has been one of our most valuable items. We’ve use it in on the airplane, public restrooms, hotel bathrooms etc. I hate navigating public bathrooms with my daughter so this makes it a little less gross because we absolutely will not be sitting on anyones public toilet seat. It also makes the seat small so they don’t fall in lol. If you get anything on this get this for your potty trained toddler! It’s also just great for in the house when you’re potty training your child. We have 2. One we keep in the house and one we travel with.
9. Headphones
These headphones are perfect for the kiddos. They fold up fairly small and are comfy on their heads. They have a cord so they are easily plugged into the airplane TV. These are probably the biggest life savers for us because once we put on a movie on the plane, the girls are golden.
10. Tote Bag aka “Snack Bag” + Snacks
I always make sure to bring a snack bag for all of us which is usually a small tote bag. I mix in the adult snacks with extra kid snacks so we’re covered in case we can’t grab food right away or if there are any delays. It also prevents you from buying the super expensive airport snacks.
11. Tablet
I’m not a no screen parent (don’t judge) but I do limit what my kids are able to watch which is why I like having an iPad for them where I can control the apps that are on there. They only have the PBS kids app, ABC Mouse, and Rose Mosie which are all educational apps.
12. Travel Blanket
I don’t always travel with a pillow and blanket but if the flight is going to be long it really comes in handy especially for our little one who still takes naps. Also comes in clutch for a red eye flight (which I do not recommend if you can avoid it)
13. Drawing Pad
We’ve been on flights before where the TV’s don’t work and there is no WIFI and the poor kiddos were so bored and we were all going a little stir crazy. I love these drawing pads because they don’t need to be plugged in, create no mess, and the kids can get creative and draw whatever they want.
Airplanes are really dirty and I don’t know if it’s just me but I feel like they don’t thoroughly clean them especially when they have back to back flights. The things I have found in the seat back tray have made me gag at times (I’m gagging just thinking about it). So I always bring along sanitizing wipes to wipe down all the surfaces me and my kids will touch on the flight. I love The Honest Company Sanitizing Alcohol Wipes . I also bring CleanSmart Skin & Hand Cleanser wherever I go. I love it because it' dries as saline so you can even use it to clean utensils (you know like the ones your kid drops from their bento box). I use the CleanSmart Daily Surface Cleaner all over my home too. I also bring along Boogie Wipes to wipe and sanitize my kiddos hands because sometimes you need more then a spray to clean the mess. IYKYK.
We always travel with some sort of first aid kid. A travel size one is best. Really you just need some band-aids and Neosporin but it never hurts to have a little more in case you’re in a pinch.
16. Medicine
We ALWAYS travel with medicine for the kids. I’m especially particular about what medicines I give my children so I rather not be in a position where I have to just use anything. We always travel with fever medicine. Our favorite fever medicine is Genexa Kids’ Pain and Fever Reducer because it not only works really well, but it’s also a chewable so you don’t have to worry bout a liquid limit. For any potential allergy flare ups we pack Genexa Kids' Allergy Medicine Liquid. For cold relief we love Genexa Kids' Cold Crush. We also bring along Little Remedies Sterile Saline Nasal Mist and Dramamine Kids Chewable, Motion Sickness Relief because are kiddos tend to get car sick. I always give it to them before we get on a flight or have a long car ride.
I also always pack ibuprofin for myself and Boiron Oscillococcinum it works amazing and also can be used for children 2 and up.
That’s pretty much the jist of the things we always bring for our kids when we travel. These are the non-negotiables and have made traveling with them so much easier.