Are you travelling with toddlers? It is understandable how difficult travelling with toddlers can be. It can be challenging to navigate toddlers from one place to another in your house depending on their constantly changing mood- yours too. If this isn’t so easy, we can imagine how daunting it will be to go on a trip with toddlers. But the truth is that your kids deserve to see the world and escape the four walls of your home, especially if you can afford it.

Let’s help you find and execute a workable game plan to get everything you and your toddler need to feel comfortable and safe and have maximum fun on that trip.

Use this list as a primer, and add and subtract as you see fit. If everything goes as planned, you will have moments where you are relaxed, enjoying family time, and glad about all your hard work.

Let’s explore the suggestions for packing when going with toddlers.

Travel Essentials for Toddlers

No matter the destination, there are some peculiar and essential items when travelling with toddlers, whether they are going to spend the weekend with their grandparents or they are going to explore the world and its beauty. Some of these essential items include:

• Diapers, wipes, diaper cream, and a changing pad
• Detachable potty seat
• Sanitizer wipes for hands
• Easy to wear and easy to put off clothes (clothes with fewer buttons are easier to wear)
• Pyjamas 
• Pairs of shoes (just two teams are suggested as they quickly go missing during a trip)
• Clothes for rainy and cold weather
• Blankets
• Umbrella stroller (you can buy a cheap one and give it out afterwards).
• Car seat (if you don’t go along with yours, you might have to get one at an expensive price)
• Portable travel cribs, except where you are going, provide one.
• Baby monitors and batteries
• Plastic bags (to prepare for the seen and unseen)
• Toddler birth certificate (passport if they have one)
• Consent letter (if you are travelling solo with your toddler, you will need the consent of the other parent before the toddler can travel)

Kids Travel Insurance 

A question is frequently asked, “Do I need to get travel insurance for my toddler?” You might think the answer is no because your toddler does not have valuables or is not paying for the vacation; nevertheless, it is quite pertinent to have travel insurance for your toddler to protect your toddler, especially when you are travelling to a country like the US where health insurance is not accepted. Getting travel insurance for your toddler means:

• Emergency medical attention can be covered: If your toddler gets hurt or sick while on your trip, emergency medical, dental, and transport benefits can be the saving grace of the day. When you call emergency assistance, the assistant can coordinate and arrange all the needed help during an emergency. If need be, an emergency evacuation to the nearest medical facility, paying for medical care, etc. All of these are covered by travel insurance.
• Interruptions of the trip can be covered: If you have a reason to interrupt or abruptly end your trip earlier than planned, trip interruption benefits are attached to travel insurance. You can also be reimbursed for your and your toddler’s unused part of your trip.

Safety and Health

When going on a trip with toddlers, you must prepare for their safety because you both are stepping out of your comfort zone, so making your travel destination as safe as possible is essential. Here are some things you should bring along on your trip.

• First aid kit (please ensure it comes with a thermometer)
• Various medications for pain, bug bites, gas relief, cuts, etc.
• Prescribed medication
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes for toddlers
• Toddler body wash and shampoo
• Nail cutter
• Sunscreen and sunhats
• Doorknob covers
• Toilet locks
• Outlet plugs 
• Other toddler-proofing items 
• Laundry items

Food

You might be fortunate not to be a picky eater and have toddlers who are not picky eaters as well and would not mind trying dishes from all over the world, but if you have toddlers who are picky eaters, that would mean you would have to pack more, food than usual so that your picky eater stays happy and well fed. It is important to remember the TSA regulations of your vacation destination. Go along with the following:

• Cups and plates (preferably spill-proof)
• Utensils for toddlers
• Mats 
• Bibs 
• Snacks 
• Cereal 
• Crackers
• Fruits 
• Coolers and warmers

Play

Playing comfortably on a plane or a long car ride might be almost impossible, but it is always an excellent decision to pack play items for distractions when bored from sitting all day and keep them happy- toddlers like to play. If it doesn’t work for you to fill your toys, you may have only large toys that are not plane friendly; you could buy any bright item from the gift shop at the airport. You can take the following items along with you;

• Stuffed animals and small toys
• Tablets and headsets
• Crayons and colouring book
•  Storybooks

Other Essentials

There are other essentials that your toddler will need for beach activities, cruises, and the like. When travelling with toddlers to vacation spots on the sea or beachfront, it is essential to pack to suit the situation. 

• Swimming suits
• Sunsuits
• Swimming diapers (if your toddler is not potty-trained, they won’t be allowed in most public pools)
• Beach toys and wading pool (if you do not want to take these with you, you can buy them at the pool shop of your vacation destination and donate them before you leave).
• Floaters for safety in public pools or boats: Laws require children under 13 on a moving boat to wear a properly fitting floater.
• Inflatable bathtub (your toddlers will have fun and not be left out of the shower experience).
• Beach shelter (it helps to keep the sun’s rays to a minimum)
• Baby powder or cornstarch (this helps to get beach sand off quickly)