THE Amazing Toddler Travel Essentials You Need

These are the toddler travel essentials that you need when traveling with a (sometimes crazy) toddler. We don’t use the “best” or most expensive of any of these items, so these are like the toddler travel essentials for normal families. My husband and I both work, we’re not rich by any means, but we love to travel and take our toddler on a lot of trips with us. I’m going to list the tried and true things that help keep us and our little one sane.

Kids are all different, and you know your toddler well. Some of these items might not apply to your toddler, or you might have suggestions for things I missed – leave them in the comments at the end, please! I’ve included a few things that we haven’t personally used because I know they won’t work for us/our toddler. They come highly recommended by other travel moms, though.

These are just the toddler travel essentials; if you’re on the hunt for a comprehensive toddler travel packing list with a free printable checklist, head here.

If an item on the list has a link, you can click it to see what we use. If you buy something from one of my affiliate links, I do make a little money from it at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog 🙂

Toddler Travel Tips

• The #1 toddler travel essential is really your own chill brain. Patience and calm. Know that it will be ok. Travel with a toddler can be wild and not always fun, but remember that it will be ok. You might have a bad flight, but it is not the end of the world. Your kid might scream through the airport, but it is ok.
• Think through your regular day – what items do you use every single day? Bring those.
• Think through your trip – are you going to the beach? Snowy mountains? Purchase items you might need for these types of trips ahead of time.
• Keep a Toddler Packing Checklist on your phone. I have mind under the Reminders app on my iPhone. Copy and paste it for each trip so you keep the regular items but can modify it depending on where you’re going. Double check it before you leave the house.
• Enjoy it. You don’t have to enjoy it 100% of the time. Toddlerhood is not enjoyable 100% of the time, and sometimes travel can make toddlers even more difficult. Recognize that your trip will have some unpleasant moments, but try to relish the extraordinary ones. And then keep planning trips with your little one despite the hard times 🙂

Toddler Travel Essentials Jump To:

Transportation Toddler Travel Essentials

One of the things that worried me the most when traveling with our kiddo was how to transport her. Do we have to bring a ginormous car seat everywhere we go? Is a stroller necessary? What is safest? Here is what you need:

Car Seat

I recommend buying a designated travel car seat. It’s easier to not have to undo your regular car seat from your car, and our normal car seat is quite heavy. They sell Cosco car seats that are FAA approved, are relatively inexpensive, safe, and only 12 lbs. We’ve been using one for a while now.

Car Seat Bag

If you aren’t planning on bringing your car seat on the plane with you, I recommend gate checking your car seat and keeping it in this padded bag. It’s better to wait and gate check it because there’s less of a chance of damage. The bag keeps it a little safer and cleaner.

CARES Harness

I have never personally used this, but other travel bloggers swear by it. We always bring our car seat on with us or just had Jovie as a lap child in our laps. This would be helpful if you don’t want to bring your car seat on or if your child would be more comfortable in it. It’s basically a harness that keeps your kiddo extra safe on the plane.

Lille Carrier

Our toddler is 2.5 years old, and we’re still going strong with this carrier. We’ve been using it since she was a tiny infant, and she is still cozy in it. It’s the only way she’ll nap at the airport, and it seems to always come in handy. We just love it. If you’re toddler hates being in a carrier, skip this one and lean toward the next one – stroller or wagon.

Stroller or Wagon

Ok, we have never invested in a true travel stroller. They sell expensive, lightweight, compact strollers, but we have always gotten by with our Facebook Marketplace kinda bulky stroller. We even traveled with a massive jogging stroller a couple times. We don’t bring a stroller on every trip. If there isn’t going to be a use for it wherever we’re going, we just use the carrier at the airport and leave the stroller home.

But if you’re kiddo LOVES the stroller, definitely keep this on your essentials list. We do have a wagon now that our 2 year old loves, but we have yet to travel with it. It would be perfect for a beach trip, though.

Sleep Toddler Travel Essentials

Anyone else stress about their child’s sleep all the time? Not meeee 🙂 Ha. Our toddler is what I would call a bad sleeper (all the time), but here are the items that help us get her the most sleep possible while traveling.

Slumber Pod

This would maybe be my #1 thing on this list of toddler travel essentials. It’s a dark, breathable tent that goes over your pack n play or toddler bed. It keeps it dark, muffles sounds, and is a GODSEND. I truly don’t think our toddler would have slept during the Midnight Sun in Iceland without it, and we have used it countless other times. It has a space for a fan and a little clear pocket for a baby monitor. It is the most expensive item on this list but SO worth it.

Travel White Noise Machine

If you use one at home, bring it. Or bring a travel one for the plane/car rides.

Non-WiFi Monitor

We like being able to see our bad sleeper. A non-Wifi monitor can help you to keep an eye on your little one without relying on potentially bad Wifi; it will let you relax knowing they’re sound asleep (hopefully).

Pack n Play

I’d recommend using a pack n play until your kiddo is out of their crib at home. Don’t try to let them be in their own bed, uncaged, while on a trip. It will not go well. Yes, pack n plays are bulky and heavy, but it’s worth bringing along. Or check and see if your accommodations have one available.

Blanket and Loveys

If your little one sleeps with certain things at home, try to bring them with you. And always bring a blanket.

Read Next: The Best Iceland Itinerary with a Toddler or How to Camp with a 1 Year Old.

Bathroom Toddler Travel Essentials

Baby Wipes

Always and forever. Our 2.5 year old has been potty trained for a while, but we still bring baby wipes everywhere. They’re helpful in so many ways.

Travel Potty

Seriously, the things they invent. This travel potty can sit on top of a regular toilet seat to provide a comfy seat for your kiddo’s little bum. It also comes with bag inserts, so if your toddler has to poop in the trunk of your car, the bag catches it, and you can throw it out at your next stop. We actually use this at home… it’s easier for you if your kid poops/pees in the actual toilet. No cleaning out those little toddler potties.

Entertainment Toddler Travel Essentials

Ahhh one of the most important categories. How to keep a crazy toddler entertained? Potentially for hours. Try giving your kiddo little surprises of new toys, new coloring book, etc. when you get on the plane. It will make the items more exciting.

We once survived an 8 hour flight from Iceland with our almost 2 year old as a lap child. She only slept for 10 minutes (not exaggerating). Her favorite form of entertainment? Climbing from one lap to the next.

Bring the following items, but do whatever works for your family. And head here for all our favorite Toddler Plane Activities.

A Tablet or Something to Watch Shows or Movies

We usually use this as a last resort. Once we pull out the tablet, that’s all our toddler wants to do. So we try to exhaust all our other toy/book options before using the tablet for movies/shows.

Toddler Headphones

They sell toddler headphones that fit their little heads and don’t allow the sound to go up too high.

Portable Charger

So your tablet doesn’t die in the middle of Bluey with 4 hours left of your flight.

SNACKS

All. The. Snacks. Yes, these are entertainment. Here are some of our favorites:

• Veggie Straws
• Crackers
• Cheese sticks
• Melties/Yogurt Bites/Puffs
• Pouches
• Muffins (I make them ahead of time)
• Peanut Butter Sandwiches
• Fruit and Veggies – Apple slices, bananas, berries, carrots
• Cheerios

Spill-Proof Munchkin Snack Holders

Another great invention. They come with a “lid” that toddlers can stick their little hands through, but it prevents them from dumping on the floor.

Play Doh

Our little one LOVES Play Doh. So if we break out a couple new containers of play doh on a flight, she’s entertained for quite a while.

Fidget Popping Toy

These are quiet and can weirdly occupy a lot of time.

Miscellaneous Toddler Travel Essentials

A Shade Tent

If you’re heading to the beach or going somewhere where you’re going to spend a lot of time sitting outside, it might be worth bringing a packable shade tent.

A Hiking Carrier

If you’ll be doing hikes that your toddler can’t walk with you, definitely bring a hiking carrier. You can check them as a bag for your toddler. We brought ours to Iceland, and it was helpful.

These can be outrageously expensive, so I recommend checking Facebook Marketplace before buying one new.

Rain Suit

If you’re anticipating that you’ll spend time in the rain or near waterfalls. This thing is my favorite. It’s adorable, keeps them SO dry, and is inexpensive. It covers their whole body and easily fits over their clothes.

Did I miss any toddler travel essentials?

If I missed anything, let me know in the comments below. Please share with your friends who travel with toddlers. Thanks for reading my blog!

For More on Toddler Travel:

• 20 Helpful Toddler Travel Tips
• The Best Iceland Itinerary with a Toddler
• How Travel Changes when You Have a Baby or Toddler

Happy Toddler Travel!