Toddler Travel Hacks
From a Speech-Language Pathologist & Mom Of Two!
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Traveling with a toddler can feel daunting, especially as you try to figure out how to pack and prepare! After several trips with our little ones over the years and a recent trip to Disney with our oldest, I’ve learned that a few hacks can made a HUGE difference.
Whether you're heading out on a road trip, flying to an event, or planning your next family vacation, here are my favorite toddler travel must-haves to make your next adventure a little easier.
1. Pack A Dedicated Toddler Travel Bag
Instead of searching in your luggage for your toddler’s things, pack a bag just for them that is easily assessable and will fit under the chair if you’re flying. Here are items that I make sure to include in my toddler’s bag:
Diapers or pull-ups, wipes
A change of clothes (or two!)
Snacks and a water bottle
Favorite comfort item like a stuffed animal, small blanket, etc.
Small toys and activities (more on this later!)
Any necessary medications and first-aid essentials
Travel Hack: Place a complete outfit in a gallon ziplock in your toddler’s bag. If an accident happens, you have an outfit ready and can use the ziplock bag to for wet clothes!
2. Bring Entertainment That Won’t Make A Mess
My favorite strategy is to pack a few activities that are engaging, portable, and easy to clean up.
Magnetic Tiles (love the construction vehicle set!)
Favorite books
Chunky crayons and a small drawing pad or coloring book
Small animal figures or cars
If your child uses an iPad or you plan to bring one on the trip, download a few of their favorite movies or shows to watch! Even though some airlines provide free wifi, it can be unreliable!
Travel Hack: Bring toys and activities that are new or haven’t been played with in a while. This will make it more exciting for your toddler and will increase the chances that it keeps them busier, longer! Same goes for the iPad - download a couple new games for them to try!
Also - don’t take all the toys/activities out at once! Rotate items in and out of the bag as they’re being used!
3. Make The Travel A Part Of The Adventure
Toddlers love being involved in what's happening around them. Instead of expecting them to sit quietly for hours, look for simple ways to keep them engaged.
Point out airplanes, buses, trains, cars/trucks
Play "I spy" with colors and familiar objects.
Sing favorite songs
Talk about what you see and what happens next
These little activities help pass the time while creating opportunities to learn through real-life experiences.
Travel Hack: Give your toddler a job to do or an item to hold! That way, they have something to focus on and feel proud that they are a part of the team!
One of the biggest lessons I've learned about traveling with little ones is that things won't always go according to plan.
Give yourself extra time, build in breaks when possible, and remember that the goal is to enjoy the experience together.
Sometimes the best travel hack is simply being flexible enough to go with the flow.
Happy Travels!