Essential Top 5 Toddler Travel Tips

Essential top 5 toddler travel tips came from approximately 160 trips with two kids over the past 17 years and I can tell you in my sleep how to pack for a long-haul flight to Europe or Hawaii, not go crazy at the Florida amusement parks, 13 hour road trips and everything in between! In light of this, these are my essential top 5 Toddler Travel Tips, let me know your favorite tips!

Essential Top 5 Toddler Travel Tips – the Beginning

As a marketing manager, I traveled every week for years. Of course, my husband and I could vacation often using all the frequent flier miles and hotel points accrued. Sometime during all of this, we had a baby and even though my work travel stopped, our family continued to see the World. Our baby daughter took her first plane trip when she was only 3 months old; her first international trip when she was only a year. A year after that, our son joined the circus…I mean family! Only two years apart in age, the Traveling Toddlers began their love of adventure as babes and have now become the Traveling Teens! These essential top 5 toddler travel tips were the result of our many trips.

Many times I am asked: how to travel with young children, do they remember traveling and are you crazy?

Did I mention that our daughter has life threatening allergies to peanuts and tree nuts, allergic to heavy soy, lactose intolerant, gluten-free and needs to be low-fat?

So my answers are: traveling with children is an adventure, sometimes great, other times not, but it is so worth it! We travel with our kids to show them other cultures, cuisines and family fun! Travel is our passion and that enthusiasm is contagious! From our experience, children learn so much from their travels. And yes, I am crazy in love with my hubby, our kids and the travel bug! Here are our essential top 5 toddler travel tips:

Tip #1: Cooler Backpack

Even today, this is the first bag we dust off and prepare for takeoff. Originally, we took this backpack cooler because we need to safely feed our food-allergic daughter, but even when she is not traveling, this backpack cooler is essential. So many of our family and friends have seen how useful and cost-effective this little dynamo is, they were hooked! This bag is especially helpful on long flights, day trips to the beach, Disney…

Tip #2: Car Seat & Cover

Two years and under fly free sitting on a parents lap but when you arrive at your destination, you will need a car seat. This tried and true tip is to pack your car seat in a car seat cover which you can gate check or most airlines allow you to take a car seat and not count as a bag – so no charge! Check with your airline as each have specific rules. We pack heavy coats, extra bulky diapers, blanket, toys…within the car seat. It acts as additional padding to protect your car seat and allows you to pack less in your suitcase! Double check your car seat to ensure a good fit well in advance. Our favorite: Car Seat Travel Bag

Tip #3: Snacks

Tea sandwiches cut into fun shapes with thinly sliced cucumbers and cheese can withstand delays and are easy for little ones to eat, frozen grapes act as an ice pack. Bring more food than you think, travel makes everyone hungry!

Download and print a more detailed food for traveling and carry on bag packing list: Kids Food & Packing List

My favorite for travel food storage is this lunchbox set. BTW, kids LOVE these little containers!

Tip #4: Plane/Train/Car Ride

Let your child walk/play AS much as possible before boarding. Of course, dress in comfortable, layered clothing. Equally important, bright colors make kids easy to see.

Pre-board and use wipes to clean trays, handles, window shades, seat belt buckles…anything they may touch and then put their hands in their mouths. Especially necessary for kids with food allergies.

If you have a baby two years old or younger, depending on flight, many international or long haul flights have bassinets that you should book in advance after reviewing your airline age and weight restrictions along with the seat chart and flight specifics at our favorite: www.seatguru.com

Bring your folding stroller to the gate to check. You will have it immediately upon deplaning which is helpful if a child has fallen asleep and to hold all this stuff!

If possible, begin your drive early morning, nap time, or bedtime. Most children fall asleep while driving especially if dressed in pj’s, with their blankie and favorite stuffed animal. Play soothing music. Use inexpensive bathroom suction cup holders to store sippie cups and snacks. Back seat organizers are helpful. Keep a garbage bag, wipes, paper towels, Bandaids, Neosporin and any medicine handy.

Tip #5: Rent an Apartment

Nowadays, it is super easy to rent a house or apartment. My favorite website which we have used for years, is HomeAway. No matter the age, it is much more relaxing if everyone has space and the kids have a room separate from parents. Nap time or early bedtime doesn’t impact the whole family equaling less meltdowns and more enjoyment, which is the goal of a vacation! We stop at a supermarket or have groceries delivered in advance. It is convenient to have fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal or eggs for breakfast and pack up lunch or snacks in the cooler bag. These picnics have become a highlight of all of our trips. Bonus that it helps our budget greatly! As it is a holiday, we do eat out but it is easy to keep kids healthy and happy when eating and sleeping are familiar.

Relax and HAVE FUN – you are making lifetime memories. These essential top 5 toddler travel tips will make your trips less stressful and more enjoyable. Discover how fun and easy family travel can be.

Join the Journey to receive travel updates, tour info and easy, delicious recipes – your friends and family will thank you!