Get ready to embark on a family adventure with our ultimate travel toddler and baby packing list. Planning a family trip with children can be empowering – ‘heck yeah, we can do this!’ It can also be daunting and challenging. Ensuring you have everything your little ones need on the go requires careful thought and preparation, while also managing luggage space and weight requirements. From keeping them entertained during long flights to packing those crucial comfort items that make new places feel a bit more like home, a well-organized packing list can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential items to pack for children, helping you navigate the journey with ease and peace of mind. Some of the items on our toddler and baby packing list are discretional. Pack as you see fit for your kids and travel conditions.
Before we dive into the list, please note that this article is dedicated exclusively to packing for children. As we all know, kids come with a lot of baggage so here we are devoting an entire article to it. For a comprehensive packing guide beyond the kids, be sure to check out our general travel packing list. Use both lists together to ensure a well-prepared adventure for the whole family!
Okay, let’s get into it… This list is divided into two main sections: one for both toddlers and babies and a second one towards the end with additional baby item essentials. Here’s the outline:
- Toddler and Baby Packing List
- Documents/ID
- Clothes & Shoes
- Personal Care Products
- Diapering
- Travel
- Sleep
- Miscellaneous
- Baby Packing List (additional items just for baby)
- Feeding
- Sleep
- Play
- Miscellaneous
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Baby and Toddler Packing List:
Documents/ID:
- Passport, if traveling internationally
- Copy of birth certificate, especially for lap babies under 2 years old and without a passport (for domestic travel). Airlines may request to confirm the child’s age for a lap child (generally around the 2-year old mark when it is harder to tell)
- Letter of consent from non-traveling parent if traveling with only one parent, especially for international travel. This might not be needed but best to air on the side of caution.
Clothes & Shoes:
- Outfits & pajamas
- Socks
- Shoes
- Hats (I love this cotton sun hat.)
- Bathing suit (These zippered full body swimsuits are a breeze to get on and off.)
Personal Care Products:
- Sunglasses (We have a bulk pack of cheap sunglasses and put them in the diaper bag, stroller console and car so that we’re ready wherever we are.)
- Sunscreen (This mineral sunscreen is gentle and safe for babies. Choose the 3 oz for carry on or the 6 oz for volume discount. Also, check out this sunscreen applicator to help reduce mess and waste and to make applying sunscreen to squirmy kids easier)
- Bug spray (travel-sized baby insect spray)
- Swim floats
- Children’s bath soap (travel size)
- Children’s lotion (travel size)
- Nail clippers (these with a light and magnifying glass work well for us)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Pain and fever reducer (we use travel-friendly, clean, dye free acetaminophen)
- Vitamins and any other essentials
Diapering & Potty:
- Wipes
- Diapers
- Diaper cream
- Diaper travel trash bags
- Changing pad – reusable and/or disposable (We bring our reusable changing pad and a few disposable ones for the airport, airplane and high traffic public places. The disposable pad goes down first on the changing table, and then, we use our reusable changing pad, which has the diapers, wipes, cream and trash bags)
- Portable potty (compact foldable seat or portable potty, aka a ‘poop-case’ lol)
Travel:
- Stroller (check out our article on the best travel strollers)
- Stroller parent console (we keep one on our travel stroller and our regular stroller for ease – attach and forget)
- Portable fan
- Baby carrier (this one was a back-saver with the hip seat and pockets)
- Plane seat extender / inflatable pillow / hammock
- Car seat, car seat bag and any other accessories
Sleep:
- Toddler bed, if needed
- Blanket / any comfort items
- Baby monitor
- Sound machine
Entertainment & Eating:
- Books (these books are great for travel – lightweight, rip proof, waterproof)
- Toys (check out the best travel toys hand-picked by us!)
- Tablet and Headphones (yes, we became a screen family and it was a game-changer for our travel, but we understand this might not work for all families.)
- Snacks
- Water bottle
- Easy wipe bibs
- High chair / folding chair
Miscellaneous:
- Cleaning products – hydrogen peroxide, alcohol wipes, etc.
- Black trash bags (can be used for room darkening in a pinch)
- Painters tape (this multi-purpose item can be used for taping trash bags listed above, baby-proofing, entertainment, etc.)
Baby Packing List (additional items just for baby)
Feeding:
- Burp clothes
- Bibs
- Bottles & cleaning supplies
- Formula and/or baby food
- If nursing/pumping, pump with related supplies
- Nursing pillow
Sleep:
- Sleep sack
- Blanket
- Travel crib & sheet, if needed
Play:
- Play mat
- Playpen, if needed for home rental or local travel
- Straps for toys (these are helpful to keep toys, pacifiers, etc. from falling on the ground or losing them during travel)
Miscellaneous:
- Pacifier
- Gas drops
- Teether, teething oil, etc.
- Thermometer
- Bath supplies: bathtub, nonslip mat, etc. as needed
- Baby gate, if needed for road trip travel in a VRBO. I would not recommend flying with one and you probably don’t need this in a hotel.
- Mosquito net, optional
As you gear up for your family adventure, save and refer to this toddler and baby travel packing list and this general travel packing list to ensure you have everything you need for a smooth and enjoyable journey. From keeping your little ones comfortable and entertained to being prepared for any surprises along the way, thoughtful packing can transform your trip into a memorable experience for everyone. Remember, the key to successful travel with children is preparation, flexibility, and a sense of adventure. So, pack those bags with confidence, embrace the excitement, and look forward to creating unforgettable memories with your family.
Safe travels!
The Travel Tripster
