Complete Checklist for Travel with Baby and Toddlers

 

Summer is here and it’s time to get outside and explore! Getting babies and toddlers outside in nature is SO important for child development. It can stimulate cognitive development, challenges motor skills, aids in sleep regulation and strengthens the immune system. Not to mention, being outside is excellent for our mental health as busy parents, too!

Our family recently hiked Acadia National Park and let me tell you.. I completely regret not looking up a travel checklist. There were so many items I forgot that could have easily not been missed had I looked at a family travel checklist. This checklist for travel with a baby or toddler includes everything geared towards long car rides or travel by plane. We need lightweight, compact items that can be easily carried around. We also need plenty of storage that provides access to items we need in a hurry.

 

 

 

Travel Checklist for Babies and Toddlers

• Travel snacks
• Cooler and bottle bag
• Diapers and swim diapers
• Baby wipes
• Pacifiers
• Burp cloths
• Baby Shampoo and Body Wash
• Toddler or Baby carrier
• Travel Stroller
• Changing pad
• Bibs
• Wet bag for soiled clothing
• Bathing suit and swim vest
• Water shoes and sandals
• Sun screen
• Bug Spray
• Hats
• Sleep sack or blanket
• Pack n Play with fitted sheets
• Baby bottles and bottle cleaning supplies
• Formula or breast pump equipment
• Water bottles
• Ice packs
• First Aid kit
• Mosquito net
• Travel diaper backpack
• Small toys
• Toddler cutlery
• Diaper rash cream
• Toddler travel chair
• Playmat

 

 

Best Baby and Toddler Travel Products

Travel snacks

There’s a little variation between age groups for this one, but what I’ve found to work best are yogurts, crackers, coconut melts, string cheese, fruits, granola bars, hummus, scrambled eggs, puffs, purees and applesauce. I always prefer to go organic when it comes to packaged snacks because the organic brands tend to have a safer manufacturing process.  

Nurture Life is an excellent brand that offers pre-made, healthy meals that are travel friendly. They even have options for picky eaters where they hide veggies in sauce! I love the variety of snacks that are fun for kids to eat and their commitment to quality.

Serenity Kids is also an amazing brand that puts quality over profit. My son LOVED their puree when he was baby and now enjoys their puffs as a healthy snack! Serenity is one of the few brands I’ve found that really limit sugar  (you’d be surprised how much sugar is in baby and toddler food these days).

 

 

 

Cooler and Bottle Bag

Most travel diaper backpacks come with an insulated cooler pocket to keep bottles cold, but often times you will need more than just 1 or 2 bottles (as in my case). I stuffed a small cooler with steamed veggies, meats, cheese, yogurts, and macaroni along with some milk, water, and juice. It was so helpful to have during the long road trip! This may be more difficult if you’re flying.. in which case I’d recommend purchasing or making your food upon arrival.

 

Diapers and Swim Diapers

This ones obvious. I’ve always found it easier to pack a few diapers and wipes for the travel portion of the trip and buy a larger amount upon arrival. It is just too bulky to bring an entire pack of diapers with you during travel. Do yourself a favor and buy this at your destination!

 

 

Baby Wipes

Ok, this is going to sound a little crazy, but make sure you are storing your baby diapers at room temperature or colder! Research proves that in hot or extreme temperatures preservatives within wipes can break down. This causes bacteria and fungus to grow in the wet conditions of a closed pack of wipes.. and we certainly don’t want to be wiping that on a child.

 

 

Pacifiers

If you are traveling with a baby, you will certainly need some pacifiers to keep them pacified during travel. The pacifiers by BIBS are my favorite as they imitate the tongue placement a baby would use while breastfeeding and have a curved shield to prevent saliva build up around the mouth.

 

 

Burp Cloths

Plenty of burp cloths are necessary.. even if it’s not for cleaning spit up! Children who eat on the go create quite the mess and require many clean ups. Absorbent burp cloths such as these muslin cloths are excellent for cleaning up spills and messes in public. I used to buy thicker flannel cloths in the past and found they are too bulky and don’t absorb spills very well.

 

 

Baby Shampoo and Body Wash

Ok.. so after extensive research and testing myself, I’ve chosen Tubby Todd. The ingredients are safe with natural ingredients and my son who has sensitive skin responds well with this. Trust me.. with the terrible experience we had with eczema.. I am VERY careful about what goes on my toddlers skin and this does the trick. Check out their skincare pack here, or just get individual items at their website.

 

 

Toddler or Baby Carrier

I prefer the hiking backpacks style when it comes to toddler carriers and a wearable, cushioned front carrier for babies. I have an entire post on the best toddler backpacks here. It’s important to make sure it’s comfortable, lightweight, and breathable with plenty of storage. I have the Kelty PerfectFIT Elite, but I’ve heard great things about Osprey too if you’re not concerned about cost.

Wildbird has a very plush and soft baby carrier that I love to recommend. I also used the highly popular Ergobaby Omni 360 baby carrier which was very plush yet sturdy.

 

 

 

Travel Stroller

A compact and lightweight stroller that can accommodate stroller bags is going to be your best option here. Check out this article on all of the best strollers by type for the best strollers on the market!

 

 

Changing Pad

Most travel friendly changing pads are included with the diaper bag you purchase. If not, they are typically between $10-$15 and can be found in most stores. It’s super important to carry these around because I’m sure you don’t want your toddler or babies bare butt on a surface that’s been exposed to several strangers.

 

 

Bibs

Silicone would be the best option for bibs during travel because sometimes access to a washer and dryer is non-existent. Silicone bibs are easily wipable and available practically everywhere. I prefer OXO Tot Roll Up Bibs because they move easier with baby rather than being somewhat stiff. It was much more comfortable for my little one to eat with this and I love they food catcher it has.

 

 

Wet Bag for Soiled Clothing

We all know that when on vacation, children love to swim. Not only that, but they are likely to get themselves messy. It’s always a good idea to have at least 2 wet bags on hand to contain dirty or wet clothing during travel. I use Bumkins Waterproof Wet Bag and it works very well for us.

 

 

Bathing Suit and Swim Vest

I remember as a kid we used to always wear those little floaties around our upper arms. I am so glad parents today are able to use swim vests as they do a better job keeping babies and toddlers heads above water. They are relatively cheap, too (I found one for my son at Walmart that works great)!

 

 

Water Shoes and Sandals

This is highly dependent upon whether or not your little one can walk and if you will be in the water or not. I am a big fan of Stride Rite but recently noticed the quality of Stride Rite shoes purchased directly from the company is better than Stride Rite shoes purchased at retail stores such as Target. Something to keep in mind!

 

 

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is so important for both toddlers and babies as they tend to have more sensitive skin that is prone to burning. We also want to make sure that there are no toxic ingredients that can be absorbed through your little ones skin. I prefer Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection sunscreen for sensitive skin as it’s a mineral sunscreen and not chemical.

 

 

Chemical sunscreens contain harmful ingredients that are absorbed into the skin. Mineral sunscreens do not have these harmful chemicals and sit on top of the skin rather than being absorbed.

 

 

Bug Spray

Ok so here’s a complicated subject; safe bug spray for children. Bug spray is essentially chemicals geared to kill bugs, so of course they can be harmful to our little ones if we don’t choose correctly. I know, I know. Deet is the only thing that works.. but long story short? It’s not great for the environment and many parents have reported their children having seizures after use (although the American Academy of Pediatrics states that deet does not cause seizures.. I still wonder..).

I use Babyganics Insect Spray which is quite commonly seen in store. It doesn’t affect my sons sensitive skin and I haven’t seen any bug bites lately, so I guess it works! This blend is deet free and made of essential oils safe for small children.

 

 

Hats

Sun hats, swim hats, or beanies. This is highly dependent on the type of weather you are traveling in but it is always important to keep the hot sun off of babies skin and neck! They sell some hats that have straps that go underneath the chin if you have a little one like mine who loves to rip off hats. He couldn’t get this one off though!

 

 

Sleep Sack or Blanket

For a child 12 months and under, sleep sacks or sleep bags are the way to go to prevent entanglement. My son is almost 2 and still kicks his blanket off at night so we are still using sleep sacks.

Kyte Baby makes super soft lightweight sleep sacks in neutral tones. They have thicker and heavier sleep sacks too for cold nights, but there is a price increase as you go thicker. I’ve got about 3 of these in different prints and thickness.

 

Pack n Play with Fitted Sheets

When I first became a mom, I didn’t even know pack n play or travel cribs had a different type of sheet. Pack n play sheets are slightly smaller and definitely shorter. Amazon has great options for a low price (I bought 4 of these for my son).

 

 

Baby Bottles and Bottle Cleaning Supplies

Self-explanatory, but baby bottles and cleaning supplies are an obvious choice. I like bringing a big insulated thermos that I can pour from to refill sippy cups when needed.

 

 

 

Formula or Breast Pump Equipment

Have you ever forgotten your breast pump equipment? Because I certainly have – and it’s painful. Do NOT forget his one if you are pumping! Formula can always be purchased if forgotten, but with the cost of pumps these days, it’s better to put this item at the top of your travel checklist.

 

 

Water Bottles

I always bring a mini thermos for my boy to keep his drink cold (or warm if needed). Thermos is my favorite brand and offers great colors. It’s also not too heavy for him to hold and is easy to drink from while being spill free! They also offer food containers for kids if you need to keep their meals cold or hot.

 

 

Ice packs

If you’re keeping a large cooler cold, you’re going to need one large enough to do the job. I love this one from Amazon because it’s extra large and comes in a 2-pack. I was so sick and tired of using 5 small lunch box packs or a ton of ice that would melt – but this did the trick.

 

 

First Aid Kit

You could get away with some cleansing wipes, burn/itch ointment, and some bandages. However, this kit is available if you feel you need more or if you will be doing lots of outdoor activities.

 

 

Mosquito Net

Mosquito nets don’t sound like a necessary item but trust me, I’ve definitely needed it before. We stayed at a friends cabin and while hanging out outside with my son in the pack n play, he needed one. They sell 2 types – one meant to go around the stroller or baby carrier and one meant for a pack n play.

This one is meant to go around a baby stroller and is just a bit over $8. This one is meant for an outdoor pack n play and definitely does the job (while looking cool, too)!

 

 

Travel Diaper Backpack

I have a whole post on my favorite diaper backpacks here, but I really like the No Reception Club’s Getaway Bag. It is the most organized backpack I have seen so far and is more affordable than some of the other travel diaper backpacks I have seen. Travel diaper backpacks are different as they are designed to be more organized, more durable, are lightweight, and sturdy.

 

 

Small Toys

Small, portable, and lightweight toys that stimulate development are best. We want toys that will keep a child occupied, so something that requires manipulation or puzzles would be best.

Lovevery is an excellent option for good quality baby and toddler toys. They have kits that target different areas of child development and focus on the Montessori style of learning.

 

 

Toddler Cutlery

Because, duh, how are they going to eat without their favorite spork? Maybe you can get away with plastic utensils, but I always bring my own toddler friendly cutlery when I travel. Target always has great options, but I also like the OXO On-The-Go fork and spoon set because it comes with case. It feels more sanitary to store forks and spoons in a case than to throw them in bag while travelling.

 

 

Diaper Rash Cream

Boudreaux’s Butt Paste – my 10/10 recommendation. This worked wonders for my son and when I say wonders, I mean within hours his diaper rash would be almost gone. We never had a huge problem with diaper rash, but when we did, this did the trick. I can’t say enough about how much I’ve relied on this product. You can find it at Target too if you need it immediately.

 

 

Playmat

This is only necessary if you plan on keeping a baby in a public place with a floor that’s.. well.. questionable! We certainly don’t want babies hands on a floor that’s been walked all over by numerous strangers only for them to put their hands in their mouth. Playmats can be bulky so I would recommend a thin and portable mat. Of course, a blanket would also do the job if needed.

So now that you have your baby and toddler travel checklist in mind, it’s time to pack and get ready for adventure! Remember that although all of the travel, planning, packing, and chaos that goes along with vacation, it’s worth it. It’s so rewarding to build memories with children and expose them to nature and travel at a young age. Happy travels momma 😊

 

 

 

Please note that this post contains affiliate links. I have tried all products myself and hope you love them as much as I do!