Toddler Packing List: How To Easily Travel With A Toddler.

This post (Toddler Packing List: How To Easily Travel With A Toddler was originally titled – How to easily travel with a Toddler: Toddler Travel Checklist) was originally published in 2018 and has been completely updated in May 2023.

Do you wish you had someone to hand over a toddler packing list that will make your next family trip easier?

Traveling with a toddler soon?

Anxious about all that will be involved with the trip?

Ah, and there are so many things needed when you’re traveling with a toddler. Am I right?

And we’re not even talking about diapers or a sippy cup. Although we all know how important those are!!!

Or, have you decided you don’t want to travel until your kids get older?

It’ll just be too much of a hassle.

I hear you, and it can be daunting at first.

But let me reassure you that a trip, (short or long, nearby or international) will be so worth it!!!

So whether you’ll be flying, driving, or cruising, let’s talk.

Let’s talk about how easy traveling with your toddler can be, especially if you have a FREE toddler packing list!

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Let’s start with your Toddler Packing List:

Clothes

Since my son has been born we’ve been blessed to have been able to travel several times and a few times overseas.

It feels like each time I’ve always packed double for him (which is not usually my first suggestion!).

Partially because his clothes take up less space than mine but mostly because we all know as parents, that the last thing you need is to have a mess/dirty child and not have extra clothes!

So, if you’re not sure whether you’ll have access to a washer/dryer or want to be worrying about that, once you know how long your trip will be you will know and be able to start putting together their clothes.

Really, the only things I don’t double are socks and shoes.

And don’t forget those extras like swimsuits and pajamas 🙂

Related Post: How to Pack

Toiletries:

Basically, I go through an ‘average’ day to remember what to bring.

For example, we don’t typically use powder on a regular basis but we do sometimes use it at night times so I always like to have some available.

Make sure you remember any medicines for your little one too!

We really only take a pain reliever with us. On two of our longest trips, we’ve needed it so it’s always best to have some with you.

Snacks ∼ Never leave home without them! Especially when traveling with a toddler.

Toys:

Now here you’ll want to consider your mode of transportation. Will you be driving, flying, cruising, or taking a train/bus?

If you’ll be flying or taking a bus or train (and won’t have your own ‘cabin’) I would suggest making sure you have some toys in your carry-on. Not only that but try to make sure that they are quiet toys. The last thing you want is to bother your fellow travelers, or yourself 😉

Our favorites are books or simply letting your child play with what’s available.

If you’ll be driving and won’t be annoyed by the toys 🙂 or cruising you may not need to worry about it.

I feel like I’ve done a lot of research on toys to bring on a plane and I’ve seen so many that suggest small toys.

You’re right, you don’t want to bring huge toys that take up a lot of space or are heavy but consider this too.

There are lots of nooks and crannies on planes. The last thing I wanted to worry about was misplacing a toy, especially one that might be a favorite like a tractor.

My compromise is to buy/get/bring toys you don’t care about losing. For example post-it notes (yup, you heard that right 🙂 ) Or better yet, find things on the plane or in the airport that will keep your toddler interested.

Related Post: Cruising with a Toddler

Food:

Have you ever seen your child hungry…. ha, how about yourself?!

That’s right, the last thing you want is someone to be hungry. And if you don’t want to spend a fortune take your own food/snacks.

I always make sure I have plenty of snacks for my little guy, and myself! for the whole trip!

I’ll be honest, I go overboard. We always have snacks leftover when we get home but I never have to worry about any of us being hungry 🙂

You know your child best but for us our snacks consisted of veggie crisps, peanut butter crackers, goldfish, breakfast bars, and pouches.

For me, it’s baggies filled with a mixture of dried cranberries and almonds – a little bit of protein and a little bit of healthy sugar go a long way!

Miscellaneous Items to be Included with your Toddler Packing List:

Of course, there will always be those miscellaneous items that are specific for your family and little one(s), but I want to share a few that have been so helpful for us.

If you’re flying and will be taking a stroller and/or your car seat with you to the gate make sure you get a stroller cover and a car seat cover!

They are two of the best investments we’ve made.

And on our last trip, I actually had a gate agent tell me how happy she was I had these.

Not only will they protect your items when they get gate checked (you won’t have to worry about oil, grease, dirt, or grime getting on your little one’s things or them getting ripped or torn) but you’ll be able to pick yours out quickly too.

And if your toddler is into their electronics and you plan on bringing them make sure, if you don’t use them already, to practice using a set of headphones.

This will allow them to still play their games, and watch their favorite videos, movies, and tv shows without disturbing anyone else.

So, there you go.

Hope this helps ease your fears a bit!

Now, go out there and travel with your family!

Will you be traveling with your child(ren) soon? What did I miss that you’d make sure to take? Please share with us in the comments below! Thanks 🙂