Traveling with a toddler is less about the destination and more about the in-between: the security line, the gate, the three-hour drive with one snack left. Packing well won't make it effortless, but it takes a lot of the stress out of the day.
Here's our list, split into what goes in your carry-on or front seat and what can go in the suitcase.
Carry-on or front seat essentials
- Diapers (more than you think you'll need) and wipes
- A portable changing pad
- A full change of clothes for your toddler, and a spare shirt for you
- Snacks, plus a container that doesn't spill everywhere
- A water cup
- Two or three small, quiet activities
- Any medicines and documents you'll need
- Wet bags for dirty clothes
Changes on the go
Airport and highway rest stop changing tables are hit or miss. A portable changing pad gives you your own clean surface anywhere. Robin folds to 11.8 by 7.9 inches, opens to a 21.5-inch changing area and has a wipes pocket that works whether it's open or folded. Keep one hand on your little one during every change, especially on raised surfaces.
A bag you can wear
You'll be carrying a toddler, a car seat or a stroller at some point, so a backpack beats a tote. The Swift diaper backpack has seven inside compartments and three insulated bottle pockets, and it comes with a changing mat and a wet and dry bag. Our diaper bag checklist covers what goes inside.
Protect the stroller
If you gate-check a stroller, it will get handled, stacked and rained on. A cover bag keeps grease and grime off the frame. The stroller travel bag comes in three sizes, uses water-resistant fabric and closes with a drawstring. It isn't padded, so it keeps things clean rather than preventing knocks. Measure your folded stroller before choosing a size.
Snacks with fewer crumbs
Snacks buy you time, but a dropped cup of puffs on a plane floor is a special kind of sad. A spill-resistant bowl helps. The Twirl bowl has an inner bowl that rotates to stay upright and a lid for later. It's for dry snacks only, and a determined shake can still spill a few, but it loses far less than an open cup.
Rest on the move
For toddlers in the stroller or sitting up on a train, a small U-shaped pillow can make them more comfortable. The Pip toddler travel pillow is sized for ages 1 to 3, but it's for awake, supervised use only. Take it off for sleep, and never use it in a car seat. Older siblings and grown-ups can use the adult-size Nap memory foam pillow on planes and trains.
Bath time away from home
Hotel tubs are unfamiliar, and a favorite toy helps. A small wind-up toy like Paddle is about 4 inches long and needs no batteries, so it packs into any corner of a suitcase. As always, stay within arm's reach in the bath.
What you can leave at home
- The full toy basket. Bring three favorites and one new thing.
- A week's supply of diapers. Most destinations sell them.
- Big bulky bottles of toiletries. Travel sizes are enough.
Questions parents ask
Should I gate-check the stroller or check it with luggage?
Gate-checking means you keep it through the airport, which helps with a tired toddler. Check your airline's rules before you go.
How many diapers should I pack for a travel day?
Plan for one every two to three hours of travel, then add a few extra for delays.
What's the most useful thing to pack for a toddler flight?
Snacks and something new to look at. Novelty buys you more time than anything else.
Flying with a younger baby? See flying with a baby, from booking to landing.
Find travel-friendly bags, pads and stroller gear in our On the Go collection.
