Traveling with an infant? Check out our tips for packing here!
Download our handy packing checklist here!
If you want to read about what to pack in your carry on for a baby under 6 months, check it out here and if you're interested in what to pack in your carry on for an older baby or toddler, check it out here!
Heading on vacation with your toddler and wondering what to pack? Less is more even with a toddler! As we've mentioned before, luggage fees are expensive and there is a weight limit for each bag that you check. Not to mention that the more you pack the more you have to keep track of when you are away from home. Think about how you will negotiate transporting your bags from one location to another, especially if you are using public transit or taking trains/ferries. Finally, consider whether you can purchase some things like diapers and wipes and renting larger items like a playpen, stroller and car seat at your destination. Also check with your accommodation to see whether you will have access to laundry! This can greatly reduce the amount of clothing you need to bring.
Now that our daughter is a bit older, our packing has changed a bit. Here is what we pack for travel with her and for us:
Clothing: packed in my beloved packing cubes. The cubes keep clothing contained and organized and make it easy to keep track of what is clean and what is dirty. We typically pack 1-2 cubes each and bring 1 extra to put dirty clothing in.
When packing for yourself, be practical. Consider clothing that will be the functional and comfortable especially if you are still breast feeding or intend using a structured or hiking carrier for your toddler. Remember a light jacket, hat, bathing suit and bathing suit cover and any other personal items you think you might need.
For my daughter I pack:
Download our handy packing checklist here!
If you want to read about what to pack in your carry on for a baby under 6 months, check it out here and if you're interested in what to pack in your carry on for an older baby or toddler, check it out here!
Heading on vacation with your toddler and wondering what to pack? Less is more even with a toddler! As we've mentioned before, luggage fees are expensive and there is a weight limit for each bag that you check. Not to mention that the more you pack the more you have to keep track of when you are away from home. Think about how you will negotiate transporting your bags from one location to another, especially if you are using public transit or taking trains/ferries. Finally, consider whether you can purchase some things like diapers and wipes and renting larger items like a playpen, stroller and car seat at your destination. Also check with your accommodation to see whether you will have access to laundry! This can greatly reduce the amount of clothing you need to bring.
Now that our daughter is a bit older, our packing has changed a bit. Here is what we pack for travel with her and for us:
Clothing: packed in my beloved packing cubes. The cubes keep clothing contained and organized and make it easy to keep track of what is clean and what is dirty. We typically pack 1-2 cubes each and bring 1 extra to put dirty clothing in.
When packing for yourself, be practical. Consider clothing that will be the functional and comfortable especially if you are still breast feeding or intend using a structured or hiking carrier for your toddler. Remember a light jacket, hat, bathing suit and bathing suit cover and any other personal items you think you might need.
For my daughter I pack:
- Tops and bottoms. I typically pack about 1 outfit for every day we are away, less if we have access to laundry. I try to pack items that mix and match and layer easily so that if a couple items get dirty, I still have lots of other potential outfits. The good news is that kid's clothing doesn't take up a ton of space! I also pack 1-2 jackets depending on the climate at your destination, 2 pairs of pjs , 2 reuseable swim diapers and 2 swim suits - we always find a place to swim either indoors or outdoors no matter the weather. 1 weather appropriate hat and 2 pairs of shoes – one pair being weather appropriate footwear such as rain boots or supportive sandals as well as a pair of running shoes.
Sleeping supplies: Consider in advance what your sleeping arrangement will be with your toddler. If you want to use a crib or play pen, contact the accommodation in advance and make sure that they can guarantee you will have access to a crib and bedding. If they can’t guarantee it, you’re best to bring your own. If you are renting a car or staying in one spot for your entire trip, think about bringing a pack and play or travel crib. If you are backpacking, traveling around by public transit from one city to another, or don’t want to pay for an extra piece of luggage, consider a collapsible option like the kidco pea pod.
If you're planning on bed sharing or having your little one sleep on a separate bed, consider whether you will need an inflatable bed rail to keep them safe.
Other things to pack:
Entertainment: Remember that the novelty of travel means that you don’t need as much as you might need at home. That being said, keeping them occupied on the plane or train, at the restaurant and in your accommodation while you get ready in the morning, you may want to pack a few things. Here's what we usually bring:
If you're planning on bed sharing or having your little one sleep on a separate bed, consider whether you will need an inflatable bed rail to keep them safe.
Other things to pack:
- Sound Machine: This time we plan on bringing the WavHello Soundbub which will act as our super cute white noise machine as well as a portable blue tooth speaker. for music on the go! We love the two white noise options and the fact that it lasts 12+ hours on a charge
- anything else your little one needs to fall asleep including their lovey, pacifier and sleep sac.
Entertainment: Remember that the novelty of travel means that you don’t need as much as you might need at home. That being said, keeping them occupied on the plane or train, at the restaurant and in your accommodation while you get ready in the morning, you may want to pack a few things. Here's what we usually bring:
- Tablet: Loaded with some educational apps, as well as shows/movies. Consider using Netflix or Amazon Primes offline option to download in advance so that you aren't limited to watching them when you have access to wifi.
- Colouring book and crayons or pencil crayons
- Activity books such as reusable sticker books like this or this
- Our new favourite on the go activity is this LCD writing tablet with a button you push when you want to erase the picture. Think about it as an updated magnadoodle :)
Bathroom Bag:
First Aid Kit: These are items that we have in our first aid kit, but they might not be right for you. Make sure to consult with your physician and paediatrician to determine what medications are right for your family. Make a note of the appropriate dosage for your children on the side of the medication container and remember to bring a dosing syringe.
- Personal items (makeup, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor etc.)
- Travel sized containers of baby shampoo, baby lotion, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. Sealed in a Ziploc bag to prevent spills!
- Sunscreen
First Aid Kit: These are items that we have in our first aid kit, but they might not be right for you. Make sure to consult with your physician and paediatrician to determine what medications are right for your family. Make a note of the appropriate dosage for your children on the side of the medication container and remember to bring a dosing syringe.
- Nail clippers
- Tweezers
- Band aids
- Thermometer
- Prescription medications labelled and in their original containers
- Over the counter medication for adults and children as appropriate. We typically include an anti-diarrheal, fever reducer, pain reliever, and anti nausea
- Rehydration tablets
Miscellaneous: These are items that aren't necessary, but are multi-functional and that we have found useful.
Things that are packed elsewhere:
Stroller: We love our mountain buggy nano! It’s compact, light, has a large basket and sunshade and reclines for sleeping. We purchased the weather pack which came with a sunshade and rain cover and a stroller organizer. All of it fit within the stroller bag so nothing had to go in our luggage. We typically gate check our stroller or bring it on board to put in the overhead compartment.
Car Seat: We check our car seat at the check in counter and utilize the extra space in the car seat bag to pack our diapers and extra wipes. :)
Electronics and Chargers: We have a small zip up folder where we store all of our chargers for our electronics and camera. We also keep an extra camera card and camera batteries in here.
Important Documents: We typically save as many documents as we can electronically, but we also carry a small folder where we have hard copies of important reservation information, our passports, nexus cards, our drivers licences, a copy of our medical insurance information, and a pen.
Carry on Contents: Think we’ve missed a critical item? Chances are it’s packed in our carry ons
And there you have it! It all fits in one large piece of luggage and our issue is typically weight as opposed to actual space. We have a small portable scale to weigh our luggage so that we aren't scrambling when we get to the airport. Knowing that our bag is the appropriate weight and having time to pare down or rearrange our luggage at home if need be takes away some of the stress of the check in process at the airport!
- Monkey mat: packs up small and can be used as a picnic blanket, a beach blanket or a clean place to sit in a public place. The downside is that it is really light which means it needs to be weighed down on all four corners if it is windy
- Beach tent: a pop up tent like this is compact and light and will provide you with some shade at the beach and a place for kids to nap in (you can always hope!)
- Beach towel: check to see whether your accommodations will provide beach towels (both our airbnb's in Hawaii did!) or whether there is a convenient place to purchase them at your destination. If not, consider sharing one between the adults and bringing a small hooded towel for your baby to save space.
- Travel high chair: in the past we have brought our Guzzie and Gus Perch highchair when we were planning on being primarily in one place and eating the majority of our meals at our accommodation. Another option is a travel high chair like the Anywhere chair that is much more compact and can be thrown in your diaper bag when you head out
- Picnic Supplies: On our upcoming trip to France we plan on bringing a collapsible cooler and some plastic dishes and cutlery. We have a rental car and plan on hitting up local markets for lunches and feel like having access to dishes and cutlery will make on the go meals that much easier.
Things that are packed elsewhere:
Stroller: We love our mountain buggy nano! It’s compact, light, has a large basket and sunshade and reclines for sleeping. We purchased the weather pack which came with a sunshade and rain cover and a stroller organizer. All of it fit within the stroller bag so nothing had to go in our luggage. We typically gate check our stroller or bring it on board to put in the overhead compartment.
Car Seat: We check our car seat at the check in counter and utilize the extra space in the car seat bag to pack our diapers and extra wipes. :)
Electronics and Chargers: We have a small zip up folder where we store all of our chargers for our electronics and camera. We also keep an extra camera card and camera batteries in here.
Important Documents: We typically save as many documents as we can electronically, but we also carry a small folder where we have hard copies of important reservation information, our passports, nexus cards, our drivers licences, a copy of our medical insurance information, and a pen.
Carry on Contents: Think we’ve missed a critical item? Chances are it’s packed in our carry ons
And there you have it! It all fits in one large piece of luggage and our issue is typically weight as opposed to actual space. We have a small portable scale to weigh our luggage so that we aren't scrambling when we get to the airport. Knowing that our bag is the appropriate weight and having time to pare down or rearrange our luggage at home if need be takes away some of the stress of the check in process at the airport!