Could we possibly pack one more thing? With a toddler, yes!
This is my master list of all of the essentials you could need for toddler travel.
It’s everything from what we use for flying to road trips, plus some of the other essentials like for a beach trip.
I personally like to keep things to a minimum when traveling with our toddler (as much as possible). So each trip I have a good think about what we may need on the ground and what will help us get there. There are a few things that I have with me on almost every single trip, things like our baby carrier, compact stroller, and a good sound machine.
As she grows and as we test out new gear, I will be sure to add it to this list and keep it up to date. I know we will outgrow a few things but these are all really staple items to use for a few years.
Traveling with a toddler does not have to be super complicated, so I try to keep that in mind. After overpacking on a few trips, I learned my lesson fast on how to edit down.
This is my toddler travel gear essentials list!
Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for Toddler Travel Gear Essentials:
- Caraa Baby Travel Backpack
- Artipoppe Baby Carrier
- Sanitizing Honest Hand Wipes
- Guava Pack & Play
- Portable Blackout Window Shade
- Baby Monitor No WiFi Needed
For more tips for traveling with your toddler, don’t miss these posts:
- 7 Tips For Surviving Long-Haul Flights With Toddlers
- My Top Items for Flying With a Baby + Checklist
- The Best International Places to Travel with Toddlers
My Toddler Travel Essential Gear List
Airplane Gear for Toddlers
The Big Gear
- Our Lightweight Car seat (FAA-Approved and <$50)
- Car seat Airplane Bag (if you plan to check your car seat)
- Compact Stroller (fits in the overhead of planes)
- Caraa Baby travel backpack (I use the smaller size for domestic, the larger for international)
- Portable High Chair Harness for Seats (great for destinations that don’t have high chairs like France)
- Artipoppe Baby Carrier (this is worth every penny. This carrier is with us on every single trip, we use it for the plane a lot and when we’re on the go for naps.)
In-Flight
- Portable Sound Machine
- Leakproof Bento Box
- Munchkin Toddler Travel Sippy Cup with Straw
- Disposable placemats (we use these for restaurants frequently)
- Collapsible Snack Cup
- Sanitizing Honest Hand Wipes
Travel Toys (We Always Have the Tablet and a Few Toys)
- Wireless Kids’ Headphones
- Amazon Fire Kids Tablet
- Tegu Pocket Pouch Magnetic Wooden Block Set
- Simple Sensory Toys Silicone Fidget Toy Stress
- Crinkle Book
- Suction Cup Spinner Toy
- Silicone Pull String Activity Toy (one of our favorites)
- Busy Board Montessori Toy
Upcoming flight with a toddler? Here’s my guide on how to survive
Sleep Gear
- Guava Pack & Play (we always have this if we don’t plan to use a hotel crib)
- Slumberpod Blackout Tent (great if sharing a hotel room and your suitcase has the space for it)
- Portable Blackout Window Shade (much more affordable, great if the baby is in a room with a single window)
- Pack & Play Extra Sheets (I pack these if using a hotel pack & play)
- Mini Flexible Fan (we use this in the summer months and on the stroller)
- Baby Monitor No WiFi Needed (super helpful at hotels, networks are hard to connect to with monitors)
- Hatch Rest+ Sound Machine (if I have the room in our suitcase, I toss this in. If not, we use the portable one listed above)
Road Trip Gear
In addition to the items below, we use most of the same gear listed in the above sections.
- Car Window Shades with UV Protection
- Baby Car Mirror
- Willow Breast Pump (convenient for car trips)
- Inglesina Attaching Table High Chair (use this a lot when on the go and not flying)
Taking a road trip with an infant? Here’s my complete packing list
Outdoor Gear
- Foldable Baby Booster Seat
- Fold Flat Beach Tent
- Collapsible Beach Bucket + Toys
- Deuter Kid Comfort Carrier
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
