5 Must-Have Items When Traveling With A Toddler

Traveling with toddlers can often be overshadowed by the anxiety that comes with inconvenient potty breaks or diaper changes in strange bathrooms, emotional meltdowns, and long periods of waiting.

Here are 5 must-have items that will keep your sanity in check when traveling with a toddler:

1. First-Aid Bag

Pack a bag full of everything you hopefully won’t need but would be up a creek without if illness or injury hits your toddler while traveling. This includes a thermometer, infant/child Tylenol, Ibuprofen, bandaids, an extra blanket, and a washcloth.

If your child does get sick while traveling, you’ll at least have medicine to bring down a fever, something extra to wrap them up in if they’re cold, and a washcloth to use during a fever situation.

Nothing screams “first-aid kit” like a toddler accidentally falling flat on their face in the middle of a busy airport and splitting their lip.

2. Toys

Although many parents these days rely on electronic devices to pacify their young ones while traveling, an alternative option is to pack a zip-lock bag full of your child’s favorite toys. These could be toy cars, dolls, action figures, or Legos.

There’s nothing wrong with letting your toddler use a tablet during a long trip, but having familiar toys along for the ride can be an added adventure for them.

Beloved dolls can be taken out and played with at any time along the trip when boredom sets in (they don’t need a charger either). Plus, toys often attract other little friends when you’re stuck in a waiting area for hours on end. Misery loves company!

3. Teething Accessories

Traveling with a teething 1-year-old is no joke. Combine a child’s tooth pain with an irritated parent and you have all the ingredients for a nightmare. Teething accessories in your travel arsenal are a must.

There are plenty of teething rings and toys on the market that can help but some of the most innovative and effective products are teething accessories such as Baltic Wonder – Raw Amber Necklaces.

Baltic Amber Teething Necklaces use body heat to gently trigger the release of succinic acid (a natural anti-inflammatory and pain reliever). While your little one wears the necklace, the all-natural ingredients are absorbed into their skin and work to provide comfort for teething pain.

These teething necklaces are worth it to soothe throbbing gums. Baltic Amber is also known to contain the highest levels of succinic acid, which is why these teething necklaces work so well as an analgesic and can make traveling much more pleasant.

4. The Snack Bag

You can’t travel without food or snacks. Pack one or two large zip lock bags with whatever your little one likes. Goldfish or fruit snacks are common favorites. Lollipops and gum are also essential on plane flights to relieve pressure in the ears.

Make a special bag of treats for your little one and if they’re mature enough, let them carry it in their own little backpack.

If you’re using formula, don’t forget to bring the bottles. If you’re breastfeeding, that will keep your little angel busy as well as nourished.

5. The “Other End” Bag

Pack a diaper bag or even a few large zip lock bags with supplies for the “other end.” This means diapers or plenty of extra training underpants (if you’re potty training). Pack some emergency diaper rash cream, a diaper changing pad, and extra bags for trash.

If you’re on a road trip, rest areas don’t always have the cleanest bathrooms or even supply toilet paper at all – so always bring wipes – even the generic kind from the dollar store will do.  

Wipes can be used for cleaning your child and everything they touch. There’s nothing worse than a toddler getting sick while you’re on a trip. All of the touching and exploring while traveling can do just that.

You can use wipes to clean seats (including toilet seats), trays, hands, tables, and germ-attracting surfaces like tablets and phones. Protect yourself and your little ones in this simple way while out in the world.