Toddler Packing Checklist

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I put together the baby packing checklist in my “Everything You Need to Travel with a Baby (and More)” blog when we took our first trip with our then-5-month-old daughter by car, and I’ve continued to use it as my base packing list for the past two years. But I keep having to add new items for travel with a toddler, and cross off any baby items that are no longer relevant.

So at long last…behold my toddler packing checklist! I’ve linked to my favorite products when I have a specific recommendation and included a downloadable/printable packing checklist at the very bottom.

Note: This is intended to be a thorough list and to work for a range of toddler ages – so pick and choose what you think YOU really need based on the type of traveler you are, where you’re going, how you’re getting there, and how old your child is.

Sleep

  • Travel Crib + Sheets – I love the Guava Lotus since it’s lightweight, easy to set up, packs up very small (you can bring it on the overhead of the plane if you didn’t want to check it), and comfortable for our daughter

  • Toddler Travel Bed + Sheets/Blanket/Pillow – for when they outgrow the travel crib but you’ve realized that bed sharing almost always results in a terrible night’s sleep for everyone!

  • Waterproof Bed Cover – for any little ones that were recently night trained

  • Pajamas

  • Blanket – I usually bring something that packs up small for travel, like an Aden + Anais Muslin Blanket or small fleece travel blanket

  • Books for Nap/Bedtime – paperbacks are great for travel since they’re so small and lightweight (favorites include Goodnight, Daniel Tiger, We're Different, We're the Same, and All by Myself)

  • Lovey or Stuffed Animal – Jellycat are our favorites

  • White Noise Machine – LectroFan is our preferred one when we’re sharing a room since it goes louder and has different white noise settings

  • Baby Monitor – HelloBaby makes one that’s a good size for travel

  • Portable Nightlight – Munchkin Light My Way is cute

Transportation

  • Gear & Accessories

    • Stroller – love the Colugo Compact for travel (save $20 here)

    • Car Seat – we use the Cosco Scenera Next for travel (lightweight and easy to install)

    • Car Seat Clips – in case you have to use a car or taxi that doesn’t have auto-locking seatbelts

    • Luggage Strap – to do the mom hack where you attach the car seat to any travel stroller for easy transportation through the airport

    • Car seat backpack – if checking or gate checking, this padded J.L. Childress one is good

    • Stroller Hooks – great to have for attaching extra bags when you’ve run out of basket space, and two can be used to hold a backpack that doesn’t have stroller straps

    • Portable Noise Machine – Marpac Hushh hooks onto the stroller or car seat

  • Carrier (depending how big of a toddler and if you’re still carrying them)

    • I last brought my carrier on a trip to Italy when our daughter was 19 months and it came in handy a couple of times; I loved the Beco Gemini Mesh for travel since it’s super lightweight, packs up really small, and dries quickly if it gets wet or if you have to wash it

    • Some people swear by the Tula Toddler

    • I never got into ring slings, but a friend loves her Maya Wrap (can be helpful for a younger/smaller toddler, who likes to alternate between walking and carrying)

  • Diaper Bag or Backpack

    • This large HapTim one is my favorite for travel days, especially airplane travel; or the Ruvalino is a great slightly smaller option

    • But I like to have something smaller with me since the HapTim bulky to attach to a travel stroller, so I usually also bring my LeSportsac crossbody or a small tote to attach with a stroller hook

Eating

  • Snacks – favorites for travel include pouches, granola bars, individual size packs of Annie’s cheddar bunnies and Organic Valley shelf-stable milk (note: they may open one to check it during the safety checkpoint in airports)

  • Snack Cup – the SkipHop one with a lid is my favorite, especially for travel

  • PackIt Freezable Bag – they have a few different shapes & sizes, depending on your needs; I recently brought two of the lunch box ones for my kids so that I could make them each a lunch to eat on-the-go every day

  • Cups

  • BEABA Spoon & Fork with Travel Case

  • Bibs

    • Love these Bumpkins bibs for travel because they’re very lightweight and pack up small

    • These disposable Bibsters are also handy, especially for travel days or if you don’t have a good place to wash & dry a reusable bib

  • Disposable Placemats 

  • High Chair or Booster

    • The Inglesina is a great portable high chair that you can attach to tables (both round and square); it’s not very lightweight and doesn’t pack up terribly small, but if you’re traveling by car or have the room when traveling by plane, it can come in very handy when regular high chairs are not available.

    • The Munchkin Brica GoBoost Travel Booster Seat also looks good if you would always have a chair to be able to attach it to

    • The Summer Infant Pop N' Sit Booster was also recommended to me as one that can sit on the floor or attach to a dining chair (doubles as an outdoor dining / camping chair)

Changing / Potty

Bathing

Play / Entertainment

Clothing

Seasonal – Summer or Warm Destination

Seasonal – Winter or Cold Destination

  • Stroller Bunting

  • Carrier Cover – this one is a little pricey but worth it since it’s so easy to use and very warm

  • Winter Jacket and/or Snowsuit

  • Hat

  • Mittens

  • Winter Boots

Health & First Aid

Other

  • Passport or Copy of Birth Certificate

  • Extra Ziplock Bags

  • Toddler Harness

Mom Crew has put together a printable Toddler Packing Checklist to make travel just a little bit easier.