Must-have products for travelling with a toddler

Cara Wagstaff shares essential products for travelling with a toddler.

To help make traveling with a toddler as smooth as possible, we’ve put together a list of absolute must-have items to pack. We’ve also included a few optional extras, depending on your destination, baggage allowance, and other travel factors.

Tip: If you’re staying at a hotel or resort, call ahead to check what toddler-friendly products and facilities they provide. You might be able to skip packing bulky items like a pram, highchair, or portable cot. Also, there’s no need to buy everything brand new. Consider hiring, borrowing from friends, or buying second-hand through online marketplaces or local parenting Facebook groups.

Travel pram

My number one tip for making travelling with a toddler as easy as possible is to have a quality travel pram. Travel delays are inevitable, so I always recommend having one with you for unexpected naps or tired legs. Plus, you’ll have a bit of extra storage room to stow your bags and other items. Bonus points if the travel pram is cabin size. Then you can use it at the airport, and as soon as you land.

Our pick: Bugaboo Butterfly or BabyZen YOYO2.

Backpack nappy bag

Your hands will be full lugging a suitcase and at some points also carrying a toddler. Make things easy by using a backpack nappy bag. It doesn’t have to be fancy, you can use any backpack as long as it’s easily accessible with multiple compartments. Pack it with baby wipes, nappies, a change mat, a spare change of clothes that is easy to take on and off (no cute overall sets this time), a comforter, a first aid kit and entertainment. See below for what to pack in your kit and for entertainment.

Our pick: Storksak St James Leather Baby Bag

This one is a bit of a splurge. It is made from genuine leather and created with ample pockets for all those niggly bits and pieces that you need when travelling with toddlers. Plus, it’s both stylish and practical. It can be worn over your shoulders by simply pulling the strap through or as a backpack. It also comes with pram clips if you want to attach it to your wheels. With a chic design of clean lines and textured leather, you wouldn’t even know it’s a baby bag.

Read: 8 stylish nappy bags for travelling mums

Portable cot

Call your accommodation and ask if they have cots available. Most family-friendly hotels and resorts will. If you’re camping, staying with friends, hiring a private house or know your little one would benefit from a consistent sleep environment, you might need to bring your own.

Our pick: Bugaboo Stardust Portacot

The Bugaboo Stardust’s ‘wow’ factor is that it assembles in just one second, and packs down in three. It has a built-in, comfortable and supportive mattress, making it a great replication of your little one’s home bed setup. You can use it in hotel rooms, on camping trips or even to keep at the grandparents’ house for sleepovers. The cot comes with a handy carry bag, and while it weighs eight kilograms, which is on the heavier side for a portacot, its safety features more than make up for it. The sturdy Stardust has breathable mesh sides and is made from chemical-free fabrics.

Read: The best travel cots

Baby or hip carrier

Baby carriers are great for smaller toddlers or little ones who like to be nice and close to their carer in unfamiliar situations. It’s a great option for hands-free airport travel or on walks where prams are not suitable.

Our pick: We have tried & tested and recommend the Ergobaby Omni 360 mesh carrier or the Artipoppe Zeitgeist Baby Carrier if you’re after something more stylish.

For toddlers, the Hackerlily HipSurfer hip carrier is the perfect in-between option when they refuse the pram or a traditional carrier, but you still need the support.

Review: the best baby carriers for travelling parents

First aid kit

At a minimum, this should include prescription medications (take extra for your tiny traveller), pain relief, band-aids, insect repellent, emergency contact information, and any necessary medical documents such as insurance and allergy information.

A handy addition is electrolyte drinks to help replenish fluids after upset tummies while travelling. Hydralyte electrolyte tablets and ice blocks are a firm favourite in our family, and a smart, compact option to keep in your kit.

Carry-all bag

Travel days with arms full of bags, towels and toys are a thing of the past with the Sande Kids Beach Hauler. It has a whopping 110-litre capacity and can carry up to 10kg of gear. The Sande Kids Beach Hauler is made with a practical waterproof, chlorine-safe PVC mesh material that sifts sand through, so it’s ideal for both beach and pool days. Sturdy cotton handles mean it won’t slip off your shoulder either. Best of all? It folds into a compact package for storage.

Child proofing kit

Maxi-Cosi Pria LX GCELL car seat

This clever car seat is designed to grow with your child, from newborn to around four years old. My partner installed it in his van to replace our toddler’s old seat and found it an easy job. It’s ISOFIX compatible and connects directly to your car’s built-in anchor points, reducing the risk of incorrect installation and handy if you’re using hire cars or swapping between vehicles. On the safety front, Maxi-Cosi’s GCELL technology offers added side-impact protection, while a premium quilted infant insert, breathable 3D mesh and built-in ventilation keep little ones comfortable.

With advanced safety features, fuss-free installation and a lifetime warranty, this seat delivers on safety, convenience and comfort.

Feeding

Snacks

Kids love snacks so make sure you pack their favourites. If you’re flying bring a substantial meal in case they do not like the meal provided for them. Pack snacks in reusable containers so you can use them both during transit and throughout your holiday.

Tip: Stock up your containers at the breakfast buffet for snacks throughout the day.

No-spill water bottle

If you’re travelling somewhere warmer, your toddler will need to drink more than they usually do. Keep them hydrated with a plastic water bottle. Don’t forget to use bottled water if the local drinking water is not safe to consume.

Our pick: B.box Sippy Cup. This one comes with a weighted straw so your tot can drink, no matter what angle the cup is at. The straw also has a unique two-way valve, ensuring easy drinking and no leaks, even with warm water.

Portable high chair

Check if your accommodation provides high chairs. If not make sure you pack one to keep your tot safe and contained at mealtime.

Our pick: Kmart’s Ingenuity Baby Base 2-in-1 seat. It’s lightweight, comes with a built-in tray and easily straps onto any chair.

Toddler entertainment

Toys and games to keep them entertained

Check Amazon or Kmart for cheap and cheerful toys. We’ve used and recommend colouring-in books, stickers, finger puppets, fidget spinners with suction to stick on car or aeroplane windows, toy cars, Play-Doh, and even masking tape or post-it notes to rip off and stick on surfaces. Pack new toys for a surprise.

If you’re looking to invest in high-quality, educational toys, the Lovevery Sort & Match Mini Kit is a great option. Compact and travel-friendly, it can be used in a variety of ways to encourage sorting, matching and on-the-go learning through play.

Tablet or device

If you offer screen time, pack an iPad or tablet. Make sure it’s loaded with their favourite shows, songs or audiobooks. Don’t forget the charger.

Screen-free audio device

If you’re going screen-free or just looking for alternative entertainment options, a screen-free audio player is a travel game-changer. It keeps little ones engaged on long car rides and at your destination without the need for a tablet or phone.

Our pick: Yoto Mini Player

The Yoto Mini is compact and travel-friendly, offering stories, music, and learning on the go. Simply pop in a Yoto card for ad-free, low-stimulation kids’ entertainment anywhere.

Noise-limiting kids headphones

So they can safely enjoy their favourite show or music, without you having to hear the Bluey theme song for the 1,000th time.

Bedtime bits

Portable white noise machine

Help create the soothing sounds they’re used to at home.

Sleep sack

Check the weather for where you’re heading and make sure you pack enough layers and the correct tog rated sleep sack for your destination.

Non-wifi baby monitor 

Ideal if you’re staying in a large house where you can’t easily keep an eye on your sleeping toddler.

Comforter

Pack their favourite toy or blanket to keep their bedtime routine as consistent as possible.

Optional Extras

These aren’t strictly essential but can make travelling with a toddler significantly easier.

Ride-on kids suitcase

Make an airport adventure fun for kids, and better on your back without having to carry them when their little legs get sore. Bonus points include that they can pack the suitcases full of their own toys and games for entertainment, and some transition into a lie-flat bed for kids.

Our pick: JetKids by Stokke BedBox

This nifty suitcase doubles as a fun ride-on with swivel wheels for pint-sized travellers aged from three to seven, as well as a seat extension to provide extra room on a plane, ferry or bus seat for little ones aged two and up. It may weigh just over three kilos, but it offers enough packing room for young travellers’ essentials, before it converts into a lie-flat bed.

Tip: If you’re planning on using a BedBox in-flight, check Stokke’s list of airlines that allow them first.

Compact trike

If you have a toddler that doesn’t love the idea of a pram, a trike is a great alternative for travelling, to keep them happy and you moving.

Our pick: The Doona Liki is the most compact trike I’ve come across and offers five different modes to take you from 10 months to over three years old. Smart fold technology means it folds and unfolds at the click of a button, and when packed down, it is cabin size. (Make sure to check with your airline first). It also comes with a UPF 50+ sun protection canopy, adjustable parent handle, five-point safety harness, and a dual parent or child steering system.

Water play toys

Make bath time a breeze and have something on hand for days by the hotel pool with a set of water play toys.

Our pick: Nuby available at Big W

These versatile Nuby bath toys are perfect for travel with babies and toddlers, doubling as both engaging bath time essentials and fun beach or pool toys. Lightweight and easy to pack, they offer endless play opportunities wherever you go, whether it’s splashing in the tub or playing by the sea.

All-terrain shoes

There’s nothing worse than getting the one pair of shoes you packed muddy or wet on the first day. For happy toddlers and parents, make sure you pack a pair of weather-resistant, all-terrain shoes.

Our pick: Merry People’s Bobbi Kids Gumboot

Cute, fun, sturdy, and hard-wearing, the Bobbi gumboot is 100% waterproof so your little one will be able to run, play, and jump in puddles all day long. The boots feature additional grip and tread on the sole for extra safety, and a soft neoprene lining and pull tabs so getting them on and off is a breeze. Plus they make the Bobbi gumboot for adults too so you can be matching with your mini-me. Cute!

Inflatable plane cushion

Give your toddler the best chance of a good night’s sleep on long-haul flights with an inflatable cushion. It’s inflatable so packs down easily into your carry-on luggage. Simply inflate it when you’re onboard and place it in the footwell of their seat. Note that only certain airlines accept these so make sure you check with your airline before flying.

Our pick: Plane Pal pillow

Packing cubes

Make packing and unpacking a breeze with packing cubes for you and your toddler. It’s helpful when you’re sharing a suitcase.  If you’re arriving at your destination at night, pack pyjamas, comforters and anything else you’ll need for bedtime in a cube and make sure you have it packed near the top for easy unpacking and bed time transition.

Keep reading:

• 4 tips for travelling with a toddler
• Review: Elements of Byron with a toddler
• Six benefits of flying business class with kids

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