(and what I wish I knew)
I just flew across the country with my two kids. One of them is elementary aged, so I was no worried about her. However I have a toddler and I knew I had to be prepared with toddler travel essentials. I already wrote about my experince and mom travel tips with a toddler. However I decided I wanted a specific list of gear that would make traveling with a toddler much easier.
The Must-Have Toddler Plane Travel Essentials
- Lightweight Travel Stroller
My favorite Compact Stroller for aiprlane travel is the Bugaboo Butterfly.- It fits in MOST overhead bins (the only stroller that fits in the little jets as far as I know is the Babyzen Yoyo)
- Portable Car Seat
Easiest Car seat to transport is the Cosco Scenera -Lightweight, and great for toddlers. I believe this should be in every household as a spare car seat in general. It’s not for long road trips but it weighs like air (almost) and it is budet friendly. A general pet peeve of mine is that so many children’s accessories are expensive and not for every parent. This piece of gear is in reach.- I will try to get a picture to show how I hooked this car seat on to the back of the stroller.
- Toddler Backpack with toys
- Im going to link to Mothercoulds Amazon Store. She has this part down pat.
- A Diaper Bag that you can wear on your back
- This is self explanatory. More hands, also these diaper bags fit ALOT
- A tush baby/ baby carrier
- I dont bring this with me. Both my kids did not like/appreciate their mom breaking her back for a carrier. They would rather me just shred my arms.
- I hate to write this but a good old tablet and headphones.
- These are the ones I bought and my toddler was able to keep them on. I wouldn’t pull out the tablet first, because once they are on the tablet it is very hard to engage them in anything else. Also if your toddler is anything like my toddler, they won’t be in very good moods after all the screen watching.
- A Luggage car Seat Buckle
- Lastly I didnt buy this but I am intrigued, the buckle that can attach your car seat to a carry on. We didn’t buy this as I prefer my set up, but it works for a lot of other people. (There is also a carseat wheels luggage contraption). This is a bit pricier.
Real Mom Travel Hacks for traveling with Toddlers:
From what I gathered from my mom crew:
- Bring double the snacks you think you’ll need.
- LOWER Your expectations. For real. It will be ok
- People deserve to be child free but they don’t deserve a child free world. Remember that.
- Give yourself permission to overpack for sanity. You can pack yourself a change of clothes, and your kids.
All in all…
Traveling with a toddler is no small adventure. But with the right gear, it’s survivable — and even fun! (Fun might be excessive. Hopefully it’s helpful with the above list of toddler travel essentails.
Any travel tips you would want to share?
If you’re prepping for a trip soon, check out my 28-Day Declutter Challenge too — because less clutter at home = smoother travel days.
