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The Complete Baby Packing List: What to Pack for Babies When You Travel

Packing for any family vacation is stressful enough, and once you throw a baby into the mix, forget it. Between bottles, clothes, toys, and accessories—so many accessories!—there’s a lot to remember. And forgetting anything from your baby packing list could lead to what feels like a vacation disaster.

The Essential Baby Packing List

Before you panic about forgetting something important for the plane , beach , or hotel , take a deep breath and relax. Our complete baby travel packing list outlines all the must-have items for traveling with a baby. From diaper-bag necessities to in-flight essential items, we’ve thought through everything you’ll need on your next family vacation . Read on for packing tips, a printable packing list you can customize for each trip, and details about our favorite picks for each category.

Jump to a Section:

• Packing Tips for Traveling with a Baby
• Downloadable Baby Packing List

Baby Gear Recommendations

Packing tips: traveling with a baby.

Traveling with a baby is no easy feat. You need a baby packing list, of course, but it’s also important to know the best strategies. Here are five important tips for taking your baby on vacation.

1. Embrace being prepared

This is the only time in your life when overpacking might actually be the right thing to do. While you don’t want to go too overboard—you’re likely also traveling with bulky items like a car seat and a stroller after all—there’s something to be said for simply having the items you know you’re going to be using. You still have to haul them, but then you get to focus on just being at your destination rather than turning vacation into errand-running time

2. Consider shipping or delivery

The age of delivery translates well to vacationing with a baby. Yes, you could pack a box of diapers (if that’s your approach, see the tip on vacuum compression bags below), but depending on your destination you might also be able to schedule a delivery of necessities to show up at the hotel or vacation rental at the same time you do. Want your own stuff? Consider shipping items ahead so you have everything you need without carrying it with you.

3. Use compression bags

Traveling with a stock of diapers? Don’t want to leave the favorite blanket or snuggly sleep sack at home? The best way to increase packing density is by using  vacuum compression bags  for those bulky items.

4. Practice in advance

All those items, they’re all so little, right? But when you put them all together, they can take up more space than you’d expect. Do a quick dry run before you’re packing against the clock so that you can make any adjustments when you have time to creatively problem-solve. But first? Make a packing list. You’ll likely save both some sanity and money with this approach.

5. If it increases your chance of vacation success, bring it

This is an especially difficult approach to embrace if you’re used to traveling light, but sometimes it’s worth hauling extra gear if it means you and your family will be able to settle in and enjoy themselves more. Debating whether or not to bring the baby monitor, or the playmat, or a third set of jammies in case of middle-of-the-night leakages? If it could make the difference between 10 minutes more leisure time for you, and a happier baby to boot, it’s likely worth it.

Downloadable Baby Packing Checklist

Start by downloading our baby packing list, then keep scrolling to get the scoop on our favorite items.

Diaper Bag Necessities

☐ Diaper Bag ☐  Diapers ☐  Changing Pad ☐  Wipes ☐  Diaper Cream ☐  Wet Bag ☐  Hand Sanitizer ☐ Plastic Bags ☐  Change of Clothes ☐  Light Blanket ☐  Jacket/Warm Layer ☐  Sun Hat / Warm Hat ☐  Pacifier or Teething Toy ☐  Small Cooler Bag ☐  Bib and Burp Cloth ☐  Bottles ☐  Formula and/or Breast Milk ☐  Water Bottle

Overnight Bag

☐  Clothing ☐  Jacket/Warm Layer ☐  Pajamas ☐  Sleep Sack / Swaddle ☐  Socks ☐  Shoes or Booties ☐  Sun Hat / Warm Hat ☐  Sunscreen ☐  Thermometer ☐  Medicines ☐  Lotion / Moisturizer ☐  Bathing Suit ☐  Swim Diaper ☐  Gentle Baby Cleanser ☐  Laundry Soap ☐  Laundry Line / Clothespins ☐  Laundry Bag

☐  Bibs ☐  Burp Cloths ☐  Bottles ☐  Breast Pump and Parts ☐  Storage Bottles / Storage Bags ☐  Formula ☐  Bottle Warmer ☐  Bottle Sanitizer ☐  Bottle Brush ☐  Baby Food ☐  Baby Dishes/Utensils

Gear & Toys ☐  Baby Carrier / Sling / Wrap ☐  Travel Stroller ☐  Car Seat ☐  Play Mat / Pillow ☐  Travel Crib / Crib Sheets ☐  Foldable Highchair / Baby Seat ☐  Toys ☐  White Noise Machine ☐  Baby Monitor / Tablet

In the world of baby travel necessities, the gear you choose really has to earn its keep. Here are my favorite road-tested baby items, from a sturdy, comfortable, and roomy diaper bag to a portable tub that packs down smaller than your next beach read.

A well-stocked diaper bag will take you far. When you’ve got the right diaper bag necessities, you’re ready for everything on-the-go. Hit the  beach , take a  drive , or see the sights. Just make sure you’ve checked these diaper-bag musts off your baby packing list. 

The Perfect Travel Diaper Bag

When traveling with a baby, you’re going to want a  diaper bag  that holds everything you need for a day of sightseeing: one that has enough pockets and compartments to hold your needs, plus the baby’s must-haves, too. Look for a diaper bag with at least one insulated pocket for the bottles and food.

My pick: HapTim Multi-function Baby Diaper Bag

Cloth Diapers, Disposable Diapers, and Swim Diapers

Whether you use cloth diapers or disposable diapers, you won’t want to leave them off your baby packing list. At home I use cloth diapers, but when traveling I treat myself and pack disposable. (Let’s be honest: Is it really a vacation if you’re washing cloth diapers every night?) There are plenty of environmentally friendly disposable diaper options out there. Also, If you’re going on a  beach vacation  or somewhere with a  pool , remember to bring a swim diaper, too! No one wants to deal with poop in the pool.

My picks: Bum Genius (cloth diapers), Bambo Nature (disposable diapers), and i. play (swim diapers)

Diaper Cream

Let’s be honest, when you’re traveling you may get a little lax on diaper changing. Of course, a diaper rash is the last thing you want to get out of hand. Add some diaper cream to your baby packing list so you won’t have to spend precious vacation time figuring out where to buy some.

My Pick: Burts Bees Baby Diaper Rash ointment

Cloth Diaper Wet Bag

If you’re going with cloth diapers, a wet bag is an absolute must for your baby packing list for vacation. It’s also important to have in case of an accident, or to stash wet swimming gear.

My pick: Planet Wise Wet/Dry bag

The best part about baby wipes is they are oh-so-multi-functional. Not only will they clean up baby’s behind, you can use them for after-meal clean up, to wipe your hands, or wipe a spill. They are the secret weapon of must-have items for traveling with a baby.

My pick: WaterWipes Unscented Baby Wipes, Sensitive and Newborn Skin

Changing Pad

Most diaper bags come with a  changing pad , but always make sure you have one on your baby travel checklist. The last thing you want is to have to change your baby and discover that there’s no soft, clean spot to do it. You can whip out a changing pad on the  train , at a restaurant, on the floor — anywhere, really!—and you’ve automatically got a clean, sanitary spot to change your baby.

My pick: Comfy Cubs Changing Pad

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer should be at least 60% alcohol , so always check the back before you buy. For grab-and-go convenience in a diaper bag, consider individual packets of hand sanitizer or travel-size hand sanitizer bottles that can be attached to the outside of the diaper bag.  

My pick: Purell Flip-Top Travel-Size Hand Sanitizer with Jelly Wrap Carrier

How to Pack for Baby : Clothes

Babies on vacation, like babies not on vacation, tend to get messy. Sometimes it’s from eating, other times an ill-fitting diaper, and fittingly for vacation, sometimes it’s because they’re sandy or dirty from having so much vacation fun. Here’s what to pack for little vacationers and how to choose the right baby clothes for travel.

Extra Clothes

While adults get trapped into the whole “I’ll need extra outfits in case something happens” routine, we often forget the need for extra clothes when considering what to pack for a baby. When you’re packing for baby, make sure to add extra clothes (for baby and maybe yourself, since babies tend to share) to both your diaper bag and your checked bag if you’re flying.

My pick: Carter’s

Jacket, Sweater, and/or Sweatshirt

Even if you’re going somewhere tropical, such as a  Caribbean cruise , it’s a good idea to pack  extra layers  for your baby. If it’s summer, or you’re heading to a  tropical destination , bring something lightweight. But definitely include at least one jacket or other warm layer on your baby packing list.

My pick:   Carter’s

Hat for Sun Protection or Warmth

Even if no one in your family has ever had a sunburn, your baby needs a  sun hat . In cooler weather, be sure to put him or her in a  warm hat  that covers those tiny ears.

My picks: i. play (sun hat) and this adorable Alepo Winter Beanie Hat for Baby (winter hat)

Bathing Suit

Whether you’re taking a  beach vacation  or traveling in the winter and staying in a hotel with a pool, a swimsuit is an important item to have on your baby travel checklist. Look for a  baby bathing suit  that’s slightly big to accommodate diapers, and so the baby will get the most use out of it.

My pick:   Hanna Anderson Baby Rash Guard Suit

We all know baby’s socks never stay on. You won’t want your baby to have bare feet wherever you go, so add baby shoes to your list of must-have items for traveling with a baby. Moccasins are great, as are Velcro booties.

My pick: Hudson Baby Unisex Cozy Fleece Booties

Baby Feeding Items to Pack

Unlike with slightly older kids who can eat a variation on what tweens, teens, and grownups eat, babies and very young toddlers require a BYO approach to eating on vacation. Here are common baby feeding items to pack for vacation. Adapt your own baby travel checklist depending on age and whether you rely on breast milk, formula, or a combination of both. 

Pack as many baby bottles as you will need for one day. Yes, you are going to have to wash them every day, but this is one of those instances where luggage space is important.

My pick: The Medela Breastfeeding Gift Set (non-BPA; comes with bottles, nipples, travel caps, breastmilk storage bags and more)

Portable Breast Pump

If you’re breastfeeding , you may not need to bring a pump since you’ll be with your baby while traveling. However, it might be nice to still have a break every once in a while (or you may be an exclusive pumper). Bring a  portable breast pump , or, better yet, a  hands-free breast pump !

My pick: Bellababy Double Electric Breastfeeding Pumps with Touch-Panel High-Definition Display

Bottle Warmer

You can always just use a bowl and warm water if you need to save space, but if you want to bring a bottle warmer , there are loads of travel-friendly options worth adding to our baby travel checklist.

My pick: Chicco Digital Bottle Warmer

Bottle Sanitizer

If you’re like me, you’re paranoid and sanitize your baby bottles daily. Luckily, there are portable bottle sanitizers out there that clean quickly and are effective against 99.9 percent of germs.

My pick: Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags for Bottles & Breast Pump Parts

When making your baby packing list for vacation, set aside the amount of formula you’re going to need for the trip (plus a little extra), then measure it out and put it in a Ziplock bag so you aren’t carting around a giant container of formula. (Or, have it shipped to your hotel ahead of time, along with your other must-have items for traveling with a baby.)

My pick: Earth’s Best Organic Dairy Infant Formula

Depending on how old your baby is, packing baby food for vacation may or may not be a concern. However, if he/she is eating solids, you can’t forget to pack the food! Pouches are easiest because you can throw them in a bag and they don’t take up too much space. A bag of baby oatmeal won’t take up too much room, for example, and all you need is water to mix it up. Make sure to have plenty of snacks on hand, too. Cheerios and teething cookies are good, easy-to-pack options.

My pick: Happy Baby Organic Superfood Puffs

Familiar Dishes and Utensils

Bringing the dishes and utensils that your baby is used to is key when on a trip. All you need is one of each, and it won’t take up too much room. It’s a case where a small addition to your packing list goes a long way toward your baby’s adjustment to vacation life.

My pick: Avanchy Bamboo Dishes

Easy-to-Clean Bibs

For several months, I kept my son in a bib at all times because he was drooling so much. Bibs are a must-have item for traveling with a baby. Pack bibs that are easy to fold up and wipe down easily (try to avoid cloth bibs for vacation).

My pick: Bumkins Sleeved Bib

Breast Milk Storage Containers

If you plan to pump while traveling with your baby, make sure to bring proper storage containers. Breast milk storage bags are your best bet because they take up less space and are easier to transport. Don’t forget to bring a small cooler so it will keep on your way back to your hotel or vacation rental .

My pick: Medela Breast Milk Storage Bags

Baby Travel Gear

Good news: As kids get bigger, the amount of stuff you will need to pack will shrink. For now, though, having the gear and items to keep baby comfortable and happy increases the chance that you’ll also be comfortable and happy. Here are more must-have items for your baby travel checklist.

Some Favorite (Small) Toys

Wondering how to travel with a baby? With  toys . Try not to go overboard with this, but toys are important, not just at your destination but for your baby packing list for the plane or car ride, too. A few things to keep your baby entertained (such as a favorite stuffed animal, a few books to read aloud, something you can hang off of the stroller) will go a long way. Keep ’em small, though!

My pick: Playgro My First Bead Buddies Giraffe

Baby Blanket

Even on vacation, you’re going to need a baby blanket in case it gets chilly. Bring a blanket the baby is familiar with, so it gives them some comfort away from home.

My pick: LeerKing Ultra Soft Baby Blankets

Baby Carrier/Sling/Wrap

Babies don’t want to be in a stroller all day, so some sort of baby carrier is a must for vacation (ideally one that both parents can wear comfortably). Opt for a baby carrier / sling / wrap so that if your baby wants to be held, you’ll still have your hands free.

My pick: Bable Baby Carrier

Foldable Stroller

If you plan on having your baby nap while you’re out and about, you probably can’t get away without a stroller on vacation. For packing purposes, a foldable stroller should be your priority. It will remain useful right through the toddler years.

My pick: GB Pockit Stroller

If you’re on a  road trip with a baby , you’re already using your favorite  car seat . If you’re flying somewhere, you can use the car seat on the plane and when you arrive. The downside of flying with a car seat is lugging it with you, but there are all sorts of  ingenious ways  to roll a car seat through the airport.  

My pick: Doona Car Seat/Stroller

Foldable Play Mat

A friend of mine gave me a play mat after I had my baby. I hadn’t registered for it, and I had no idea how useful it would be. (We use it all the time .) It lives in my car, so we have it whenever we need it. It’s great for outside and inside. Pro tip: Get a play mat that folds up into its own bag. It’s as great for daily life as it is when you need to turn a hotel room into a baby playground.

My pick: mloong Baby Play Mat

Travel Crib

Your hotel, resort, or vacation rental (or grandma’s house) may provide a travel crib , but if not, you’ll need to add one to your baby travel checklist. I was worried my son wouldn’t sleep as well in a travel crib, but he had no problems adjusting.

My pick: Graco Pack n’ Play Playard

Crib Sheets

Whether you’re bringing your own travel crib or using a crib provided by your hotel or resort, don’t forget to pack your own crib sheets . My pick: Cuddly Cubs Pack ‘n Play Sheets

Foldable Baby Chair/High Chair

If your baby is old enough to sit up, you’ll need a foldable  baby chair  or  high chair  on your baby packing list. It may seem like a lot to bring, but you’ll be glad you did (and sorry if you don’t). Not every restaurant or vacation rental property offers booster seats for babies. And trust me, you don’t want to get stuck having your baby on your lap throughout your whole trip.

My pick: Summer Infant Pop ‘N Sit Portable Infant Booster Seat

White Noise Machine

No matter where you go when you travel with a baby, it won’t sound like home. Bring along a portable white noise machine to drown out any unfamiliar sounds that may interrupt sleep. You can also download white noise apps to a tablet or an old cell phone, or even bring along a small smart device like an Echo Dot that can also provide white noise.

My pick: MyBaby SoundSpa

Speaking of a tablet or an old cell phone, bring one. Not only is it useful for the white noise, there are also several monitor apps you can use, so if you’re not staying in the same room you can have a baby monitor without having to bring one separately. Plus, you can use it to play videos for older babies.

My pick: iPad or Fire Tablet

Burp Cloths

My son is a year old now and we still use flannel or muslin cloth burp cloths for everything. Pack a bunch so you have one for every bag, and plenty to spare if one gets, ahem, ruined.

My pick: Gerber Flannel Burp Cloth

Medicine and a Thermometer

You don’t want to get stuck without medications on vacation when your baby is not feeling well. Add the basics to your vacation packing list, like Infant Tylenol, as well as any prescriptions your baby may need. A thermometer is also a good idea to have on hand so you don’t have to scramble to find one.

My pick: iProven Medical Digital Ear Thermometer with Temporal Forehead Function

Portable Bath Tub

Sure, you can always use a sink, but you never know how big the sink will be. Luckily, there are several portable baby tub options that pack well and aren’t too expensive.

My Favorite: Mommy’s Helper Inflatable Tub

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Traveling with One-Year-Old: What to Pack (PDF Checklist)

After nearly 20 flights with my one-year-old son, I thought I’d share exactly what’s in my carry-on — in checklist form — so you can just print it off and copy my list for your next trip!

I’ll share my checklist here with all of my explanations and then link a clean PDF version of this checklist at the bottom of this article for you to print at home or access on your phone later!

What Kind of Bag Should I Pack for My One-Year-Old’s Carry-On?

I like to use a backpack diaper bag personally. This way, I can pack everything I need and still have my hands free to wrangle my little budding toddler through the airport.

The exact type and size of backpack you choose will depend on your own personal preferences, but having been through a couple of different ones myself, I find that I like to have one with SEPARATE compartments for each of the following:

• Diaper change items (diapers, mat, wipes, bum cream, hand sanitizer)
• Food/snacks
• Activities (toys, books stickers) and extra clothes can go together
• Miscellaneous (nail clippers, pacifiers, chap stick, etc.)

I like to keep these items separated from each other (especially diaper change and food items). When there aren’t enough compartments and everything is thrown in together, it drives me crazy on travel days!

What to Pack in Your One-Year-Old’s Carry-On (Diaper Bag)

You want to have the perfect balance of packing exactly what you need, and not having too much excess to lug around with you while traveling. That’s what I hope this checklist can you for you and your family! Download my clean PDF checklist at the bottom of this article, or follow along with this checklist jpg image below:

Diaper Change items to pack

You want to pack diaper change items in their own pocket/section of your carry-on, to be EASILY accessed in case of a blow-out emergency on the plane. Make sure you don’t have to go digging for a diaper and wipes. Your diaper change pocket will have:

• Diapers (8 per travel day)
• Wipes (1-2 packs — you’ll also be using them to wipe down the airplane seat and other surfaces during travel)
• Diaper rash cream (under 100 ml)
• Hand sanitizer bottle (under 100 ml)
• A large Ziploc bag in case you need to separate dirty clothes or a dirty diaper
• Foldable changing mat

Food and Drink items to pack

You want to be sure and pack your one-year-old’s favorite snacks and drinks (and some novel ones too!). I like to pack a variety of snacks and put them in different containers. I use snack catchers so that my son can access his snacks independently without making a huge mess.

I also like to put his snacks into pill organizer boxes to make it a bit of a fun activity for him. I bring mostly dry snacks because they make less of a mess, but I do like to bring a bit of fruit sometimes too.

You may want to bring your toddler’s milk in case you aren’t able to buy the kind you need at the airport/on the plane.

Going through security with milk can sometimes be a headache , as the rules are not always clear about what liquids are allowed — even for people traveling with littles. Do research on your specific country’s allowances before leaving and take screenshots to show the workers at security.

We have been very fortunate to take all of our liquids for our son easily through security so far, but I know that’s not been the case for everyone.

Activities and Entertainment to pack

I like to be over-prepared when it comes to entertainment. Sitting still is HARD for a one-year-old. They are going to want to explore.

Walking the aisles is a perfectly acceptable activity for a one-year-old on a plane, but for times when the seatbelt sign is on, here are some entertainment ideas you’ll want to have ready in your carry-on:

• a tablet pre-loaded with shows and movies
• toddler headphones
• puffy stickers
• magnetic blocks
• Water Wow books

I actually wrote an ENTIRE article on 20 cheap and easy activity ideas for one-year-olds on the plane, so I highly recommend you check that out for more fun ideas!

Clothes to pack/Dressing your One-Year-Old on the Plane

I think PAJAMAS are the way to go for travel days. A cozy outfit (with 2-3 cozy back up outfits in the carry-on) is what you want for your one-year-old in the airport/on the plane.

For shoes, we usually put our son in slip-on soft leather shoes . He doesn’t need “real” shoes because we’re indoors all day on travel days. And soft shoes are much more comfortable for us when he’s crawling all over our legs on the airplane. Keep it simple:

• Pajamas (2-3)
• Socks (2 pairs)

Try to limit bringing complicated separates — they get lost. Try not to bring your favorite outfits traveling — they tend to get dirty or possibly destroyed.

Avoid outfits with snaps and buttons , which can be frustrating on a travel day that has enough frustrations already! Zippers all the way!

Sleep items to pack

To encourage sleeping on the plane, try to mimic some of the sleep cues you use at home. Bring items that usually bring your toddler comfort, such as:

• a special blanket or teddy bear (be careful not to lose this in transit!)
• pacifiers and pacifier leashes
• portable sound machine

If you’re paying for a seat for your toddler , you have the option of bringing your car seat onboard the plane. Many toddlers sleep best in a familiar environment such as a car seat. Alternatively, you could bring an inflatable bed or inflatable footrest (but keep in mind that these aren’t allowed on some airlines — do your research first).

If you’ll have your toddler on your lap , practice putting them to sleep on you at home if this is not something usual for them.

Health and Emergency items to Pack

Bring a small first aid kit with a thermometer . You want to be able to bandage minor injuries and take your baby’s temperature if necessary. This is something we’ve needed on multiple trips, unfortunately.

Baby Tylenol or the equivalent should also be part of your pack. I like to bring adult Tylenol for myself too, just in case.

What to Pack in Mom’s Carry-on Bag

I like to bring a separate small backpack for myself, which I usually put in the overhead bin on the plane. And then I wear a fanny pack throughout our travel day, where I keep things that would be devastating to misplace or have stolen: Passports, wallet, keys, phone.

I usually wear a comfortable, dark-colored outfit (something in the realm of athleisure wear ) and I’m ready to go!

You can see the full list of items I bring for myself in the checklist, but I want to point out especially: an extra outfit (for you — because you never know when you’re traveling with a baby), a baby monitor to have handy as soon as you arrive at your destination, and small travel-sized toiletries in the case of delays or cancellations.

Also, don’t forget extra batteries for everything, chargers, and plug converters for the country you’re heading to.

Additional Items to Pack: Strollers, Carriers, Car Seats, etc.

Depending on where you’re traveling and how long, you may want to consider bringing some additional items. Let’s talk about strollers, carriers, and car seats. And also about some items you really don’t need to bring.

In some destinations, we’ve found that a stroller just isn’t practical. The many stairs or cobblestones, etc. have made navigating with a stroller really difficult and we didn’t use it at all, preferring a carrier or hiking backpack instead.

But if you are going to bring your stroller traveling (and in many cases, it is a good idea), consider bringing one that is lightweight and foldable. There are some that fit in the overhead compartment onboard the plane.

Baby Carrier

We have sworn by the Lille Baby carrier since our son was very little and we’re still using it now at 15 months. We also like the Trail Magik for short trips and hikes and our hiking backpack (for hiking and sightseeing).

If you’re going to be driving or taking taxis at your destination, it’s probably a good idea to travel with your car seat. Your baby is already comfortable with the one you have and won’t have to get used to a rental.

You might also want to use it on the airplane if you’ve purchased a seat for your child (or if there happens to be a free seat available next to you).

Check and make sure that your car seat is approved to be used on airplanes and in the country where you’re traveling beforehand. There’s usually a sticker on your car seat that will tell you this, and the information can often be found on an airline’s website.

What NOT to bother packing

Don’t bother packing items that you can easily rent or request from your hotel/Airbnb at your destination. These include:

• a baby bed/toddler bed
• a high chair
• a baby bathtub

If you’re not worried about traveling light, then sure — go for it. But for most parents trying to conserve space and not travel with overpacking luggage, you don’t need these items.

Beds and high chairs can be requested from most hotels and Airbnbs. Toddlers can be bathed in the tub at your destination, in the shower with you, or in a sink.

What to Pack in Your Checked Bags for You and Your One-Year-Old

In addition to this checklist, you’re going to want to pack your checked luggage . I don’t have a specific checklist for checked luggage because it varies so much between families and the nature of their travels. So I’ll just give a few general pointers here:

• Don’t overpack. Bring less than you think you’ll need. Keep some space in your bag for unplanned purchases.
• Don’t pack a bunch of toys. Your toddler will be fascinated by new things at your destination. A couple of small toys will do.
• Bring toddler clothes that you’re not in love with — that you wouldn’t mind seeing get dirty, lost, or ruined.
• Don’t bring doubles and triples of things. You can usually buy a backup at your destination if needed.
• Don’t put any valuables or necessities (medications) in your checked bags.

PDF Version of ‘What to Pack for a One-Year-Old’ Checklist

Here is my PDF version packing checklist for a one-year-old that you just read about, for your convenience. I hope it helps!

Brittany is a Wayfaring Human who loves to adventure with her husband and son. When she's not having adventures, she's taking pictures of them and writing about them.

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The Organized Mom Life

An organized approach to pregnancy, baby, and beyond

Travel Packing List for Mom, Baby, and Toddler

Need a travel packing list? I’ve got a whole set for you- including a list for mom (or dad!) one for a baby, and one for a toddler:

Why do babies need so much stuff??? And you know you’ll be sorry if you forget something. Like the time we were hours away from home and couldn’t get my 2 year old to stop crying because I forgot to pack her favorite blanket and she refused to go to sleep without it….. ah, good times, good times.

So what’s the solution? Stay at home all summer? Never leave the house again?

OR you could use my handy, dandy packing lists below to make packing a breeze! (OK, maybe it won’t be a breeze, but it will at least be easier, and you won’t forget anything truly essential.)   

My lists are broken down into  Mom’s Packing List  (that’s for you!)  Baby Packing List,  and  Toddler Packing List.  (If you have a baby  and  a toddler, like me, you’ll need all three lists.)

Take a look at the lists below,  or just click here to download the printable versions of the packing checklists.  Happy packing, and have fun on your trip!

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you choose to click through and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Mom’s Travel Packing List

• Outfits- I usually pack about 1 per day or event, plus 1 or 2 extra.
• Sweatshirt or jacket
• Swimsuit and swim cover
• Conditioner
• Body wash or soap
• Loofah or washcloth
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Shaving cream
• Hairbrush or comb
• Hair ties or clips
• Hair products
• Tampons or pads
• Face and skin care products
• Make up- I keep an empty make up bag handy, and the morning before we leave for a trip, I add items to the bag as I do my make up, so I’m sure I don’t forget anything.
• Glasses and contact care

In First Aid Bag

I have a first aid bag that lives, already packed, in my bathroom closet. ( We use the bag that came with this kit , but any little bag will work!) I always toss it into my suitcase when I’m packing to go somewhere. Here’s what I suggest adding to the bag for yourself: 

• Daily vitamins and medications
• Adult Tylenol or Advil
• Insect repellent
• Phone charger
• Water bottle
• Adult snacks
• Hand sanitizer

Large Items

These are the bigger items that will probably get packed by themselves, rather than in your suitcase. 

• Camera-  I pack this separate in it’s own camera bag – which I LOVE, by the way. So cute, not bulky at all, and fairly inexpensive!
• Pillow (if needed)
• Bedding (if needed)
• Electronics with chargers (laptop, iPad, etc.)
• Hair dryer, straightener, or curling iron
• Books or magazines
• Trash bag for laundry
• Beach or bath towels (if needed)

Baby Travel Packing List

• Outfits- 2 per day
• Jacket or sweatshirt
• Pajamas- at least 2 pairs
• Swaddle or sleep sack 
• Swim diapers
• Bibs or burp cloths
• Diaper cream
• Baby toothpaste

In First Aid Bag:

• Thermometer
• If okayed by your doctor: Tylenol, sunscreen, and insect repellant

In Diaper Bag:

• Changing pad
• An extra set of clothes
• Empty plastic bag
• Bottles and formula
• Nursing cover
• Baby blanket-  I use these for EVERYTHING – nursing cover, carseat cover, swaddle, to lay baby on the ground, burp cloth, etc.  
• Toys or books
• Extra pacifiers
• Car seat and base
• Pack-n-Play – If you don’t have a portable baby bed, I would highly recommend buying a used one, because they can be pricey, and most people have only used theirs a handful of times before their baby is too big for it, so you can find them in like-new condition.
• Pack-n-Play sheet (I also use a mattress protector .)
• Stroller-  If you’re flying, you can actually keep your stroller and car seat with you until right before you board the plane. Ask your airline about “checking these items at the gate.”
• Baby carrier
• Portable high chair
• Baby bath seat
• Trash bags for diapers and laundry
• Beach or bath towels
• Feeding items- W hatever you need in order to feed your baby: bottles, baby food, utensils, etc. We love silicone placemats for going out to eat so your baby isn’t eating off the table!
• Bottle brush
• Baby monitor-  We have a travel bag and extra cords for ours so we just disconnect the camera, and put it all in the bag. We have used this during our travels so many times- like at the beach, when we could lounge beside the pool while our baby napped inside the house.

Toddler Travel Packing List

• Outfits- 1 per day
• Diapers or Pull-Ups
• Pajamas- At least 2 pairs
• Toddler toothpaste
• Hair ties or bows
• Infant/Children’s Tylenol
• Insect repellant

In Diaper Bag

• Diaper changing pad
• Sippy cup or water bottle-  We’re big fans of the Miracle 360 Sippy Cups!
• Booster seat for meals
• Pillow or bedding (if needed)
• Portable toddler bed (if needed)
• Special bedtime items (stuffed animals, blanket, etc.)
• Small backpack- We let Emma pack her own little backpack- the beloved “Monkey Backpack!” with anything she wants to. She usually brings her baby doll and some of her special toys and books.
• A camera! (Read why here)

Printable Checklists

Download the Printable Travel Packing Checklists here!

What do you think? Did I get most of the essentials, or is there anything else that you would add to these lists? Let me know in the comments, and happy packing!

Other posts I think you might like:

Picture packing list for kids

Beach packing list- Baby and toddler [printable checklist]

A step by step guide to packing for a trip with a baby or toddler [printable checklist]

Save Travel Packing List for Babies & Toddlers:

Reader Interactions

Charlie says

June 27, 2018 at 4:09 am

I love this! We are actually just about to go on a trip with my 4 yr old and 1 yr old and this will definitely come in handy! Thank you! And I am a lister, so the list is awesome! Now, I don’t have to worry about making mine! Will Pin!

June 27, 2018 at 5:45 pm

Awesome! I’m so glad to help. Have a wonderful trip!

November 20, 2022 at 3:47 pm

I lost my own master list for vacation packing and didn’t have the head space to put together a full list. I found yours and it’s been wonderfully helpful. Thank you!

November 22, 2022 at 1:32 pm

I’m glad to hear it! 🙂

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Packing Lists

After taking dozens of trips with my daughter, I’ve carefully crafted multiple packing lists for various destinations. I’ve turned all these lists into the ultimate master list below. This list is meant to be over-inclusive, so pare it down to fit your trip. Traveling light is best!

Don’t miss the destination-specific packing lists at the end.

Need some guidance on what infant and toddler products are the most travel-friendly? Don’t miss my recommendations for the Top 10 Travel Products to Add to Your Baby Registry .

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy linked in the menu at the bottom of this site.)

Infant Packing List

• Everyday outfits (shirts, pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, onesies)
• Dress clothes (if needed)
• Booties/shoes
• Bathing suit & coverup
• Jacket or sweater
• Infant Tylenol or Advil
• Other child’s medicines
• Hair accessories
• Carseat & travel bag
• Pack N Play or travel crib
• Pack N Play or crib sheet
• Baby monitor & batteries
• Nursing pillow
• Bottles & nipples/sippy cup
• Bottle brush
• Breast pump (with breast shields, bottles/tops, milk storage bags)
• Baby carrier (sling, Ergo , or Bjorn)

Carry On/Diaper Bag

• Printouts of all reservations (plane, car rental, hotel)
• Birth certificate (needed only to verify that a lap child is under 2 years old, but I always bring it just in case)
• Burp cloths
• Pacifiers (with case and tether)
• Diaper cream
• Diaper changing pads
• Plastic bags for diaper disposal or other messes
• Hand Sanitizer
• Formula or pumped milk
• Extra clothes
• Nursing Cover

Toddler Packing List

• Everyday outfits (shirts, pants, shorts, skirts, dresses)
• Toddler Tylenol or Advil
• Diapers or Pullups, if not potty trained
• Coloring books & crayons
• iPad or DVD player
• Toddler headphones
• Ziplock bags
• Hand sanitizer
• Change of clothes
• Small towel
• Favorite stuffed animal
• CARES harness

Destination Specific Items

• Long underwear
• Skis and ski boots/snowboard
• Gloves/mittens
• Lift tickets
• Pool floats
• Goggles or mask

More Packing Lists

Need even more packing lists? Check out these posts:

• What to Pack in a Toddler’s Carry On Bag
• Packing List for Your Disney Daypack
• Ultimate Diaper Bag Packing List

Thursday 3rd of August 2023

Thank soooo much! This list is a life-saver!!!

Thursday 30th of September 2021

We are going on a 4 hour plane ride next week... this was very helpful thank you!

LILLIAN KOLOWINSKI

Friday 4th of June 2021

thank you great list now

Getting Organized for Travel in the New Year - Trips With Tykes

Sunday 10th of January 2016

[…] Packing Lists […]

Heidi (@WagonersAbroad)

Saturday 27th of September 2014

I just love packing lists. This is very thorough.

Niko Douniko

Food.Travel.Photography.Story-telling

• Jun 15, 2020

Complete Travel Packing List for Babies and Toddlers (0-2 years)

Updated: Jun 23

This guide mainly refers to babies and toddlers up to the age of around 2 years old. For preschoolers and older (potty-trained) kids check out this post .

In this packing list I have everything you need for your travels. I also give some brief reviews and recommendations on which items are essential to carry on the aircraft for first-timers with an infant on a plane (they are tagged with " Take on-board "). Pretty useful if you are puzzled about what to carry on-board provided there’s not enough allowance for hand luggage. Infant pays a small fee, which buys you 2 extra items on-board, usually his changing bag and a folding pram or a baby carrier, so read the list to see how you can better manage your limited space and get all you need with you.

Also, every item in my list has an affiliate link to a product you can buy from Amazon These are recommended products we’ve used repeatedly and proven good and Amazon sales did not affect my reviews. Or course, feel free to do your own research too. By buying through the links I may receive a commission for the sale. This has no effect on the price for you. Whenever I get a commission, I re-invest it in new things and create more wonderful content for this site.

For Amazon shopping, and if you are not an Amazon Prime member already, I recommend signing up for a Prime membership to get discounts and free shipping plus free Amazon Prime channels (with a great variety of kids programmes). Here's a Free Trial of Amazon Prime  on me to give it a try.

Happy shopping and Safe Travels!

The Check List in a glance

Here's a handy list of all lightweight and portable items that I've found essential for peace of mind when traveling. I suggest you bookmark this page (or pin it in your Pinterest) else copy-paste it onto your phone's notes app:

Travel Stroller (take on-board)

Stroller Hook

Sun and Sleep Cover for Stroller

Baby Carrier (for little babies) or Toddler Carrier (take on-board)

Soft Shoes (take on-board)

Changing Bag (take on-board)

Portable Changing Mat (take on-board)

Nappy Disposal Bags

Formula Milk

Bottled Formula Milk (take on-board)

Travel Chair Harness

Silicone Bibs (take on-board)

Portable Feeding Bowl with spoon

Travel Cutlery

Sippy Cup & Feeding Bottle (take on-board)

Travel Bottle Washing System

Water flask, sterilising tablets, instant stain remover, sleeping bag.

Muslin or Thin Blanket (take on-board)

Travel size Toiletry Bottles

Baby Monitor

Rechargeable night light, mosquito net.

Mini First Aid Kit (take on-board)

Packing Cells

Snacks (take on-board)

Mini Toys & Books (take on-board)

Sun Cream & Nappy Rash cream

Nappies and Wipes (take some extra to cover the first 24h in destination)

Anti-bacterial wipes

Mosquito Repellent

Mini Towel (take on-board)

Something for Mommy and Daddy

This post contains affiliate links. By clicking and purchasing through the links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This allows me to keep the site up to date and do more research on food and travel. Thanks for reading!

Travel Stroller

Take on-board: YES

During my research on travel strollers, I found out the most important specs to consider are:

Collapsible : ideally one hand as most of the times you will have something on the other, if not carrying the baby. I like the flat laid folding strollers as they become very small (imagine like a 17” laptop size).

Portable : be sure it has a carry bag (if you are going to store it in the overhead compartment) and a carry strap to hang it on your shoulder when boarding a plane or taking stairs down to the underground.

Lightweight : it has to be made of lightweight materials and not weigh more than 5.5-6 kg. Remember, you are going to carry it everywhere along with much other stuff.

Well equipped with accessories : ideally a universal rain cover (if you don't already have one from your stroller vendor) and a sun protection umbrella would be nice. For warm climates, consider buying a mini portable fan with clip (USB charging so you can charge it with your battery pack) and sun sleep cover for her afternoon naps in the steaming heat.

I’ve tried umbrella-folding style strollers but they felt quite flimsy when in use plus you loose the option to carry onboard. Baby jogger city tour and Babyzen Yoyo , on the other hand, are good buggies yet on the expensive range (£250-450). We found Joie pact lite the most economic, lightweight stroller meeting most of the above specs. Its major pro is the weight (5.5kg) with width and price competing for the second place. It’s so narrow that you can stroll it through aeroplane corridors or the narrowest street markets in Asia and still be comfy for the child. It has a reclining seat of around 10% inclination which makes it suitable for all ages (even from birth). Quality-wise, superb: we’ve taken it everywhere we travelled, including our weekend strolls downtown in London, and still in very good condition after 3.5 years of rough use. We have had this since he was a newborn baby and still uses it in his preschool years.

Take on-board: YES (attach to stroller and forget)

Essential to hang shopping bags or the baby’s changing bag. Or both. Just be careful when you take baby off, the centre of gravity shift will land your shopping bag with that expensive bottle of wine down on the ground.

Clips vs D-shape Hook (carabiner) : standard clips like Baby Uma are more discrete and stay put (as they tightly wrap around the handles), but there is a chance you hang something really heavy and the threading will rip apart. Carabiner D-shape are sturdy and they won't rip apart.

Sun and Sleep Cover

Take onboard: NO

Sometimes I am so greatly surprised by human inventions like this cover cos this cover is exactly one thing you wouldn't like to miss when travelling. Had I known earlier this thing existed, I wouldn't have spent my time trying to fitting muslins or various other clothes only to be blown away a few moments later by the wind. This SnoozeShade cover not only steadily attaches to any stroller, but also blacks out the sun to aid baby's nap, and protect from it (UV protection). What's best, there's a smart zipped panel on the top that you can unzip to check on her or let some breeze come through the second layer, a perforated breathable fabric. Not to mention how easy fitted every stroller with all different straps and velcros that come with it and how small and lightweight is, ideal for travel.

Baby Carrier

Take onboard: YES

When the stroller is folded and passed through security (or sent along with the luggage during check-in), you will need one of these to keep your hands free for your passports and your phone (post this daddy cool selfie on Instagram). Toddlers can walk but will be easily tired soon so I

suggest you have the carrier with you at all times. There are different carriers for babies (up to 1yr) and toddlers (>1 yr) where things get heavier. The Infantino 4-in-1 is a very good value for money for baby travel because a) it’s lightweight, b) is made of excellent padding materials c) can be worn frontside or backside as backpack and is suitable from birth, and d) folds down and rolls easily to fit your backpack, the travel stroller carry bag or under seat basket. There is a photo of me wearing it in this post . One drawback though, it's not quite breathable for long day walks in hot climates and is not as comfortable for your back as others when the baby gets heavier >1yr. For these cases see the next item in my list (toddler carrier).

I’ve also tried Babybjorn which has a plastic back support and is much more comfortable but is so much more expensive and bigger and does not fit in backpacks when folded. You get what you pay for but I found out that for the sake of lightweight travel, infantino was the best budget option.

If you are more adventurous and looking for hikes with your little one on your back, look no further than something like Littlelife Ranger which is the lightest and most compact option I've found out there with great reviews. It will count as an extra item to carry onboard though so if you plan to go light better be looking at the other options I suggested.

Toddler Carrier

For infants older than 14-18 months old (>10 kg) I recommend upgrading to something more comfortable for heavier loads like the Ergobaby Omni 360 Baby Carrier with cooling air mesh (for hotter climates) or Izmi toddler carrier which also offers a breeze version with mesh back for ventilation and hood for the weather elements:

Verdict : Ergobaby is much more comfortable and provides lumbar support, however, Izmi is smaller and lighter and folds down to a nice small roll or around 10x20cm. It comes with a storage pouch and a detachable supportive pillow for smaller babies so basically, you can use Izmi both as baby and toddler carrier. So, if travelling light is your thing, I totally recommend Izmi all the way. If travelling is just once or twice a year, I'd better consider going for the comfy solution (i.e. Ergobaby)

If your offspring have started toddling around, definitely won’t stay in your lap for long. Get some soft shoes with non-slip sole and you will find them handy for these walks in the airplane or indoors at the hotel corridors; they have an elasticated finish around the ankle to keep them snugly on the foot and are also meant to keep these little feet warm during flights and naps. The dotty fish slippers made of soft leather is the best we’ve found as they are lightweight and fold down to fit your pocket, plus they have survived heavy usage and mileage.

Changing Bag

We did the mistake and bought one of these posh baby changing shoulder bags when our son was born. When we started traveling with him, even going out and about within London, we realised how unsuitable that kind of bag was. It is rather bulky and uncomfortable to wear and walk as it continuously twists and slips off your shoulders. We switched to a backpack-style bag that changed our lives. The ones I suggest below can be worn as a backpack and have straps/handles to hang on the stroller clip/hook or, even better, can fit the stroller’s basket.

My two favourites are the NewHay diaper bag made of sturdy and soft breathable material with plenty of space for all accessories, and the BabbleRoo Changing bag which is a bit more stylish and offers some unbeatable features like the detachable case and a luggage strap that others don't do.

Portable Changing Mat

Choose one that folds down and has a storage pocket for a couple of nappies and wipes. This baby polar gear flip and fold saved us, it is around the size of an 8-9” tablet, slips into our backpacks easily and most importantly, has a smart life-saver storage pocket: you can fit 2-3 nappies and some wipes for easy access. Make sure you sanitize it every now and then.

Not the most essential thing in the world but think about this: At Tokyo downtown, there is no chance you will find a public trash bin in the metropolitan area. Everything is recycled in special points in the city so if you are not close to one of these and hold a non-recyclable bomb (like a dirty nappy) you take it back home. Crazy? That means if your youngster decides it’s a good time to poop when you stroll in a street market or a park, you’d have to carry this nappy around with you till you return to your lodge.

I would prefer something biodegradable (for ecological reasons) and lightly scented to trap the smells. For those who are sensitive to fragrance, the Naty biodegradable ones are the best eco-friendly unscented choice. Also great for other rubbish or your dog's poop when you are out and about. Having said that, another great gadget to hang on your daypack is a dog poop holder like Earth Rated with a few rolls of bags that can work out greatly with dog and kiddo alike.

Formula milk

We always pack a big pouch of formula powder in our suitcase for the first days in the destination and we found Hipp organic comes in airtight pouches (separate the box) easy to fold between your clothes. We also buy a few Hipp Ready-to-feed bottles for the trip to avoid the hassle of warming up water and mixing powder on-board. They are allowed in airport security even in packs of more than 100ml.

The Lychee baby travel harness is a no-brainer: it's lightweight, it folds down like a dining fabric napkin and perfectly fits your bag or pocket. Also thanks to its extendable straps, it fits all types of chairs. We’ve tried in a variety of different materials and sizes including wooden and plastic and worked perfectly all along. Absolutely recommended.

Silicone Bibs

Although the classic long waterproof layered bibs may sound the most suitable for travel (they're lightweight and folding), we found out they only partially prevent the mess by failing to catch all food dropping down to his pants. Instead, the silicone ones (like PandaEar or NatureBond ) are the best option with an overhanging food catchment area which really stops food dropping on his pants. Silicone ones are hassle-free and easy to clean and wash (dishwasher safe), they are adjustable and lock in position (so he can’t pull out). Squeezed and rolled down to a size of toilet roll tube to fit your bag. Although not as lightweight and compact as simple fabric ones, believe me, it’s really a blessing having one of these for your travels.

I know many of you might be in favor of going for the Tommee Tippee brand. I have nothing against it (still use lots of their products), but when I saw what happened to a friend's Tomme Tippee silicone bib (photos below) after several foldings, I not only didn't buy it but started having second thoughts for Tomee Tippee as a whole. The NatureBond, that we've been using for a while, has been tested heavily on the field: folded, squeezed and traveled a lot and they still look mint new. Not to mention they come with some fancy prints your kid will love ;-)

Portable Feeding Bowl with Spoon

Take on-board: NO

Not a big fan of Tommee Tippee myself, but admittedly this Easy Scoop feeding bowl with lid and a spoon that locks on the lid is simply ingenious! It's dishwasher and microwave-safe and is a good size for baby and toddler portions. It is useful for saving leftovers when you're home but also super useful to save food from the hotel breakfast buffet and voila, lunch is sorted too!

Check also this post to see usage photos and a delicious and healthy breakfast idea using this bowl.

Another great invention is the Sistema capsule pot , with 2 separate compartments for snacks on the go and a little... 'spork' (spoon-fork) that clips on the side so you don't lose it. Not to mention they are BPA-free and made of recycled plastic ;-)

I use them almost daily for our walks in the park, storing a light on-the-go lunch and some fruits for dessert.

Not all restaurants will offer kid-friendly cutlery to your destination so you better carry a set with you. The TUM TUM baby cutlery set is just what you need: small, has a complete spoon-fork-knife set all in a protective case which is about the size of a small sunglasses case. They should be fine from an early age, just when your toddler starts showing interest in grabbing cutlery, and will last until older ages for sure.

What I also found very useful for travel (not only for a toddler but for us grown-ups too) is the Sistema Cutlery to Go . They are plastic (BPA-free and made of recycled plastic) and a little bigger in size but also come in a durable case for convenience and portability. A great toy too, our little one loves sorting and stacking the cutlery in the right order and then into the case. The only downside, they can break with a little clumsy push by these tiny hands. The best long-lasting option is to get the Roxon camping cutlery set , which is metal (which means it weighs a bit more) and will last forever.

Eco-Conscious of plastic?  You can always get a pack of wooden biodegradable cutlery . You will fill up your bags with them and there will still be some left for your next party at home ;-)

Sippy Cup & Feeding Bottles

Absolute must. For infants over 10 months I'd recommend starting training them to drink water by holding the cup with both hands with this smart NUK 360 anti-spill one which we loved and missed a lot (he threw it in the river in Thailand for a reason he only understands). Of course, we love everything NUK and the First choice anti-colic milk bottles are also a good lightweight travel choice for drinking everything (not just milk).

This is one of my greatest finds that I'm so proud of ;-) If you are staying in an apartment you probably won’t need this, but if you’re going for hotel rooms you’ll find this quite handy as it is a 2-in-1 wash liquid dispenser (with a pump) and brush to wash baby’s bowls, cutlery and sippy cups. All you have to do is ask the hotel’s restaurant to fill it in with washing liquid once you check-in at your hotel. Note this one didn’t fit into our milk bottle so if the baby is heavily depended on a bottle you need another solution for washing For bottle-fed, I reckon you should better aim for a travel-size brush for bottles, like this Tomy Boon travel set which comes with a handy travel size compact drying rack and brush, useful in hotel rooms where no drying racks are available.

Ages: for the whole family

Take onboard: NO (airline personnel can provide hot water for milk prep throughout the flight)

If you don’t already have one for your picnics (travel size would be around 400-500ml) get one of the Thermos brands which will last forever (my parents still use the Thermos they bought and used 20 years ago). Fill it up with hot water for warming up milk or food or cold water when you are out and about for the whole family to hydrate. I like Thermos brand with vacuum insulation as it can maintain the temperature for a good 3-4 hours in hot climates (tested in Thailand and Greece) and the lid can be used as a cup when you're out and about.

The Thermos Super Light flask or the Super Light Travel tumbler are both great options, super light (200g) and sleek design, with a handy spout making it easier for our little friends to sip.

If your baby is <6 months old and bottle-fed, you may need to consider the Milton tablets for sterilizing bottles or other utensils/toys/dummies. Wash all bottles to remove milk residue (use this Travel washing system ), add 1 tablet in 3-5Lt water, let it dissolve fully, submerge all items into the water bucket and wait for 15 mins. Sterilisation lasts 24h. You can find these in Boots or supermarkets too.

Ages: the whole family

This product needs no words to highlight its necessity. The Tide To Go pen was suggested by a good friend and is exactly what we needed at that time. It is simply magic and comes in a small size of a thin marker pen that you can fit in your handbag (It's less than 100ml so suitable for hand luggage too). Get a multi-pack because it costs less and once you start using it you'd wish you had one pen in every bag of yours :-)

Combine it with a pack of Tide to go wipes and you are ready for everything comes up your way.

Take onboard: NO (although some babies feel more comfortable and sleep better in something they recognize from home).

A lightweight sleep bag is the best thing to pack for travel. Choose a 0.5 to 1.0 tog for hot destinations or else go for the 2.5 tog for normal room temperatures (with air conditioning). I recommend travel Gro bags that come at good quality for the price tag and some also have a travel pouch. We also liked the Tomee Tippee pyjama style sleeping bags with legs for babies that need a bit more independence. If you are looking for something more technical (and expensive) look for the Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bag made of merino wool that regulates body temperature in all 4 seasons.

Confused with TOG and how to choose the best? Check this guide .

Muslin or Thin Blanket

Muslin squares or thin lightweight blankets always come handy for a few reasons:

a) you might need it for shade or during a night stroll if baby falls asleep and is getting chillier (unless you go for a cover like the one I described in the previous section)

b) in long haul flights or train rides you might need to swaddle the baby (if he’s very young)

c) use it as cover while he sleeps and lights are on during food serving

d) good quality cotton muslins can be used in hot climates as a sheet to keep him cool and prevent sweating

d) quickly clean spills or vomit.

Pro Tip : get a few safety pins with you to pin and adjust the muslin over baby’s head when sleeping. Choose sustainable and anti-allergic materials like bamboo/cotton and ideally size 70x70 which I found perfect for all these uses.

If you are staying in a hotel, you better ask beforehand as most hotels usually provide cots so there’s no need to carry this. But if you are staying at an apartment or camping, you might need to consider one of these pop-up travel cots. Deryan travel cot comes with a self-inflatable mattress so we bought one for overnight train travels (trains do not provide cots for infants 😊). We also used it at a beach tent (it has UV protection, good ventilation and mosquito net) for an afternoon nap. During lockdown, I used it as toddler's den in my backyard :-)

Travel Size Toiletry Bottles

Useful not only for the little ones but for the whole family. Refill them with baby bath, creams and washing powder/liquid for clothes for baby and yourself. Make sure you seal them with tape before travel, so they don’t spill. I found these from Amazon quite handy and with a great variety of shapes and sizes to fit all your baby essentials.

Can be a bit cumbersome for your luggage but is useful on your vacation for a) relaxing in the balcony or garden with a drink while baby snoozes in the room and b) the build-in thermometer can help you figure out and regulate the room’s temperature. There are quite a few out there, but this relatively inexpensive and quite small HelloBaby Chinese brand has proven quite fit for purpose so far for us not to mention the great customer service when one of our chargers broke. Make sure you also pack the proper mains adapter for the country you’re travelling to.

Another solution that I have recently tested and worked pretty well is the Baby Monitor 3G mobile app (paid app). You will need to install it on 2 devices (phones or tablets), one working as a camera (left in the room pointing to your baby) and one as a remote monitor. It will work with Wifi or your mobile 3G/4G/5G connection and vibrate whenever there is a sound or motion in the room. The advantage is that you don't anymore depend on your baby monitor range restriction, but only on the local internet coverage. So I would recommend that as a backup solution. If it works, great; if not, switch back to the classic baby monitor.

Make sure you also pack a universal plug adapter like this .

Not all kids need lights to sleep, but if they do, you may either find some options in the hotel room (like us leaving bathroom lights on and door slightly open) or get one of these with you. The Vava night light we found on Amazon is a good option if you need something to buy for your home but also suitable to carry over in your travels. What’s best, there’s no need to carry separate cables as it recharges using your phone’s charger USB cable and is waterproof too. It can be used for reading bedtime stories, changing nappy in the middle of the night or a baby sensory toy too!

An absolute must for hot-weather and tropical destinations where mosquitos and flies lurk for your baby’s tender skin. This Baby Dan from Amazon is not only cheap and lightweight but also comes into a small handful size pouch which makes it easy to carry around. We used it to cover the cot but also the stroller during his outdoor naps.

Mini First Aid Kit

Take on-board: YES (especially long haul)

You can build your own (read this Babycentre's very informative article ) but this kit comes with all you need and it’s pretty small and lightweight. But its real advantage, besides being tiny small but mighty, is that there’s still some space to squeeze extras you will certainly need.

I usually squeeze the following items too in this bag:

Olbas oil for congested nose, natural product and a really small bottle; great to have with you for a good night's sleep (works also for adults)

Liquid paracetamol sachets , small and compact to fit in this tiny kit

A few Single-use Thermometers , are thin and light as paper and don't break.

Saline tubes , for eye infections and other general use

Mosquito protection patches and after bite roll on .

A few additional wound cleansing wipes

A few additional burn relief gel sachets

PRO TIP: make sure you download and install the Baby and Child First Aid app by the British Red Cross on your phone (Android or IOS) with important info about emergencies and how to treat baby accidents. Good info to keep you calm in any type of accident, give it a go and read through before you travel to get the idea.

Take onboard: No

I can't stress enough how useful this silicone tub stopper  plug has been, not just for our travels but at home too. This little slice of silicon will convert any sink around the world into a washing basin. It's a lifesaver, especially for long trips, as you will now need to carry only a few sets of socks, tees and underwear and wash these essentials over and over in your hotel's sink. You will thank me for the space you've saved in your luggage for other important things.

Packing Cubes

Age: whole family

I’ve been using cubes/cells for all my travels and have been proven super useful for luggage management. Shirts in one pack, trousers in another, socks and underwear in a smaller one. After all, having everything you need in hand as soon as you open your suitcase is a fantastic feeling. Even if you’re not a Marie Kondo’s fan, just imagine that feeling when you land tired and open your suitcase to this view:

Having a bad jet lag and in need of fresh bodysuits or underwear for him straight away, you will be thanking me later for these. Go for the Ecohub packing cubes set made from eco-friendly recycled material or check out these compression cubes in case you are looking for even more space in your luggage.

PRO TIP:   A good idea would be to get a small cube with insulation that can be converted to lunch/snack carry-on essentials along with a couple of toys for your day trips at your destination.

Something to consider having with you definitely on-board to help with these meltdowns of boredom. Our son and we loved very much the 'Organix' products (no added sugar) and the piccolo fruit purees as the least 'junk' out there.

For specific product recommendations, read my special post for healthy kids' snacks

Mini Toys & Books

Toys & books play a very important role in a child’s development but also help them polish these cognitive areas of their brains and master hand-eye-brain coordination. But most of all will give you some peace during the trip. We’ve found out he got bored soon playing with most of the toys he already had from home so we opted for a couple of small new toys for the duration trip that we only unpacked when on-board. Stacking cups have been proven a goldmine as you can invent unlimited different gaming combinations, with stacking, nesting, and shell game (three shells and a pea) just to name a few.

Another great invention is the toddler activity and sensory board , which kept our 18 months old busy for quite a while on board. An amazing feature-packed toy for toddlers to aid motor skills while settling busy hands and makes a great learning tool too. A must-have for travel.

Hat with Neck Flap

I would definitely look for something with a neck flap and 50+ UPF protection for summer destinations like these fantastic Jan & Jul hats for kids. The adjustable jaw strap is a plus, although a fussy kid (like ours) can always complain about this giggly thing under their jaws.

Sun cream & Nappy rash cream

When it comes to baby creams, look no further than the Greek Frezyderm brand. This company has thrived in Europe and been awarded for its quality herbal-based products. And when it comes to natural herbal products, not because I am Greek, but Greeks do it better ;-))) OK, maybe Italians too! So, leaving aside the branding and origin, we tested and benchmarked all commercial products we could find in the UK high street (like Bepanthen, Aveeno and Sudocream) to find out that when it comes to creams (nappy rash or sun protection) Frezyderm products:

are more effective even using half the quantity you’d normally use.

are less oily, waterproof and easier to spread

contain chamomile oil which works wonders on irritations and rashes

they smell fantastic

Order from Amazon or straight from Frezyderm official website (free shipping in the UK for all orders over £50).

If you are looking for a good sunscreen/sun lotion for the whole family check out the Ultrasun Family Sensitive . Comes in a 100ml bottle (which means you can even fit it in your hand luggage) and is especially suitable for children and those with sensitive skin. The hypo-allergenic formulation is free from oils, emulsifiers and perfume and is recommended by Dermatologists for those prone to skin allergies and prickly heat.

PRO TIP: get some reusable empty cosmetic round jars and fill them up with creams and products for you and your baby. Use a marker (or label printer) to note the content on each lid ;-) 5ml/5g is the ideal size for travel, can hold enough product for 1 week to 10 days usage.

Nappies & Wipes

Take whatever works best works for you but at some also consider these eco-friendly hypoallergic and sustainable ones. Just a tip, taking a few for the trip and some more in your suitcase to cover you for the first 24 hours in your final destination until you research the area around you for supermarkets with baby products.

Anti-Bacterial Wipes

Infants spit dummies or throw cutlery and toys on the floor so carrying a small packet of antibacterial wipes and sanitising water spray comes always handy.

Undoubtedly a must-have when traveling to warmer climates and you don't want to end up buying the dodgy brands from a local supermarket. A friend with great experience in kids (raised 3 so far) recommended Incognito , a pharmaceutical product which is supposed to be made of natural ingredients and is famously ethical so one of the best for children. We tested it in Greece and Thailand and worked quite well with our little one, but also with us!

Vie repellent also is great for babies. Once you add the repellent to your basket, also consider the Vie citronella patches (we used one patch on his cot and one on our bed every night to minimise risk).

Get an old small towel or buy this Trespass Microfibre Mini Pocket Travel towel with a pouch and hang it on your backpack everywhere you go, especially onboard on a long haul flight. You will praise yourself when he starts spilling liquids or vomitting all over.

Packing List for Mummy and Daddy...

Well done that you made it to the end of this list!

Now head to my Ultralight Smart packing list  for parents to gear up for yourselves!

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The Best Baby Packing List: The Mother of all Packing Lists!

Gone are the days of traveling light!

You need to follow a baby packing list when you’re traveling with a baby or toddler.

And also, possibly, a pack mule 🙂

Trust us, you don’t want to forget anything.

Baby Packing List Printable Version:

Have Baby Will Travel’s Mother of All Packing Lists

This baby packing list is based on a destination where you won’t have access to many of the things we deem as necessities. For example, when we went to Cuba , there really wasn’t much you could buy. And what you could buy was very expensive.

Of course, you won’t need everything on this list. And make sure to cross reference with the Carry-On Packing List as there are repeat items.

Have Baby Will Travel’s Mother of all Packing Lists:

Money & documents:.

• Cash /credit cards/debit/ATM cards (make sure these work where you’re visiting)
• Drivers’ license
• Consent letter from non-traveling parent if traveling solo
• Photocopies of passport & drivers’ licence, packed separately, in case ID is lost or stolen
• Calling card & number for out-of-country calls
• Health & travel insurance documents
• Vaccination documents, if needed
• Address/phone book
• Trip itinerary & print outs of e-tickets/reservation confirmations

TOILETRIES:

• Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss
• Shampoo, conditioner, hair products
• Brush & comb
• Shaving gear
• Glasses and/or Contact lens paraphernalia
• Skin cream, makeup
• Nail clippers
• Insect repellent
• Afterbite, for insect bites

HEALTH CARE:

• Topical antibiotic ointment
• Disinfecting liquid like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol
• Cotton swabs
• Pain relief tablets
• Children’s pain/fever reliever
• Oral rehydration liquid or sachets
• Allergy medicine
• Feminine hygiene products
• Prescription medicines

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:

• Disinfecting wipes
• Face Masks (paper or reusable)
• Phone & charger
• Camera & batteries and/or charger
• Camcorder or digital recorder & charger
• Tablet/laptop and/or portable game device and/or e-reader, headphones
• Power bar/extension cord
• Pen & paper
• Roll of duct tape (cover outlets, secure blind and electrical cords)
• Assorted plastic bags
• Assorted plastic containers and lids
• Flashlight & batteries
• Needle & thread
• Small amount of dish and/or laundry soap
• Waterproof sheet
• Water wings/life jacket
• Snorkel & fins
• Water goggles
• Water shoes
• Underwater camera

(Hopefully you can bring enough so you don’t have to do laundry!)

• Two swimsuits
• Lots of t-shirts or other tops
• Long-sleeved shirts
• Sweater or jacket
• A couple of nice outfits if you need to ‘dress’ for dinner
• Several sunhats – they always get lost
• Good walking shoes
• Accessories
• Sarongs – can be used as swimsuit cover-up and baby carrier

SPECIFICALLY FOR BABY!

• Breast pump/nursing pads
• Formula or powdered milk
• Baby food/Baby cereal
• Eating utensils
• Bottles & nipples
• Extra pacifiers
• ‘Special’ items like blanket, toys, etc.
• Crib bedding
• Changing pad
• Diapers (how many depends on type accessible at your destination)
• Swim diapers
• Wipes (lots)
• Diaper cream 
• Baby toiletries
• More sunhats
• Approximately two outfits per day if not planning on doing laundry
• Shoes/Sandals
• Travel crib/cot
• Infant carrier/sling
• Car seat/booster seat

This Baby Packing List for Travel Is Crazy!

You’re right!

To summarize, let me reiterate that this baby packing list is EVERYTHING and ANYTHING you might possibly need when you’re on vacation.

Print it out, cross off what you know you won’t need to bring, and marvel at how much faster you get as you go on more and more trips!

And you’ll eventually discover that you’ll need to bring fewer and fewer items as your baby grows bigger and older.

Have Baby Will Travel  is a participant in the  Amazon Services LLC Associates/Influencer Program . If you make a purchase through this site, we may receive a small commission.  Click here to check out our Amazon Store .

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111 Responses to The Best Baby Packing List: The Mother of all Packing Lists!

Wow! I have never taken anything like that amount even when travelling with a 5-month-old baby.

Do you mind telling me what you did take?? Taking a road trip in a couple of weeks with our 6 month old and there might be limited space and I don’t want to lug a whole bunch of stuff.

Sounds like what we ended up taking to Jamaica with our 4yo and 4mo girls. Nail clippers are something I always forget and wish I hadn’t!

Thanks, Sarah! Would love to hear more about your trip!

are you allowed to take prepare bottles of feed for baby , i am thinking no liquids on the plane. ?????

Angella, you’re allowed to bring liquids over the allowable limits if you are traveling with a child under the age of two.

You can take empty bottles or sippy cups and mix drinks or formula after getting through security.

Formula and milk for baby is allowed.if no water allowed then ask from the attendant when in the plane so they can give you water for the formula milk

yes you can take prepared bottles. i thought the same thing when i traveled with my son at 5 months but they said that if its specifically for baby you can bring it, but they will inspect them. i use the powdered formula. so i found it was easier to scoop the powder into a completely dry bottle and then add the appropriate amount of water right when baby needs to be fed. and TSA will also allow you to bring a bottle of water through security too.

Formula is the exception and breast milk of course

Hi there, we are planning on going to Dominican Republic, Punta Cana, maybe Bahia Principe Punta Cana resort. Does anyone know if I can purchase diapers, wipes, and perhaps formula there and how much more expensive is it? My baby will be 7 months old.

Does anyone know how are the sleeping cots for babies? Should I bring a pack & play instead?

Thank you, Andrea.

I’m not sure when you wrote this but I would not count on it. We stayed at the Grand Palladium and the selection at the store was limited. They did not recommend leaving the resort alone.

Hey Andrea, I stayed at Bahia Principe 2 years ago and a small pack of 22 Pampers Splashers was $25 if I recall correctly, don’t know how much they would be now. I suggest you take your own diapers because not only are they expensive but also the selection is limited. On another note I do not recall seeing baby formula at the gift shop or pharmacy. In between I don’t know anything about the sleeping cots for babies make sure you contact the resort. I also want to give you a heads up Bahia Prinicipe has about 4 hotels on the same property. They range from 2 to 5 stars depending on the one you’ll be at things might just be or more complicated or simply more convenient. Hope you enjoy your trip don’t forget bug repellant, sun screen, children’s Med and what not 😉

Hi just wondering when this was posted, I am heading there in one week and would love to know the situation for sleeping for children I was planning on bringing my pack and play but would love to leave it at home if theirs are good quality

My recommendation would be to check with the hotel directly. Have a great trip!

i live in the Dominican Republic, the prices in the hotel store is higher, you can always ask to go to Plaza San Juan to the Super Market is cheaper there. The Super Market name is Supermercado Pola or in Punta Cana Village Supermercado Nacional this one is a little more spensive than the other.

Hello, when i travelled with my baby i found it way cheaper to purchased an extra lugguge (30$ each way) then purchasing stuff in the gift shop. Diapers are ok, formula not the same brands, solar cream 20$ a bottle. At the end buying an extra luggage ad bringing your own stuff for your little one with be a lot cheaper and you can bring more as your limit will be 55lbs.

Hope this help

Lists are so great! Thanks for compiling this comprehensive list.

Great packing list. Very admirable. As I have been on a month long solo road trip, I can understand the importance of a comprehensive packing list. I highly recommend your article.

Great list! I’m a lousy packer, this list I going to be my travel buddy from now on. I am definitely saving it. Thanks! 

do the children meds need to be sealed (new) or can I take my already opened?

I’ve taken products that weren’t sealed, it was never an issue.

Thank you for your packing list. There were things on the list that I didn’t think of but needed like pedialite (and needed). Our trip went badly with a sick baby and home sick 2 year old but having everything I needed really helped.

So sorry to hear your baby was sick, but I’m so glad to be of service!

Here’s a few I consider essentials that I didn’t see :

Baby birth certificate (required for lap infants) Baby toys Bedtime book Sunscreen

Sun Block is under Toiletries and Toys are under Special Items in Specifically For Baby!!! Book would fall under that category

If you have the babys passport you dont need birth certificate for infants

Not true. We were told to bring both passport and birth certificate.

Baby Monitor!!

Wow! Amazing thank you so much. This is really comprehensive list for travelling.

I also take baby’s red book (health record book) in case I need details of the immunisations or any other details…

Wow what an extensive list! I can’t say I travel with that much stuff with babies, but this is a great starting point. I find it can be useful to try to find items that can double up – like a mattress in a travel crib can work as a changing pad, and to take toys that can also be used in the bath.

This is an awesome website with tons of great info!! Thanks for all your help.

Whoa. We travel to see their Daddy(My husband) who is in the Army and a few states away once a month for about 4days each. And Wow. This is an insane amount of stuff! Lol our car is so small it wouldn’t even fit all of these things! We have a 17months old& a 6month old, and we take about 1/2 – 3/4th of this stuff and they do wonderfully! But wonderful list! 😀 Thanks!

Definitely a everything-and-the-kitchen-sink list, just so all bases are covered 🙂

How many regular diapers and swim diapers should I take for 1 week in Mexico?

I think I budgeted 2 swim diapers and 5 regular diapers per day. Added that to the travel day diaper budget of 1 per hour of journey – just to be safe! It’s a lot but they don’t weigh much and you don’t have them for the trip home!

For a trip to Mexico, what would you pack for baby in carry on and checked luggage? Scared of losing luggage thru airline with baby essentials in it. TIA

Hi Katie! I created the Carry-On Packing List for just such an occasion. Have a wonderful trip!!

This is the third trip I am taking with my twins and the third time I’m printing off both the carry-on and packing lists. I don’t take everything on the lists, but they are an invaluable guide to make sure nothing important to us is forgotten. Thank you so much!!

Thank you, Jodi–that is great to hear!

Hi! First time mom and first time traveling with a baby alone. I have flown with my sister who was 6. But this list will really help me. I was very nervous about a week before I found this list..about forgetting anything, and how to keep her entertained and all the worries moms have that go along with flying with my baby alone.

My daughter is eleven months old and very active. She’s also teething and getting a molar. I am flying to Florida to see my mom and fam. Its got to planes and a 30 min layover. I have a very heavy car seat as well. Any suggestions? I’m so worried I won’t make my flights, and lugging a bunch of stuff is hard for me with fibromyalgia, and how do I go to the bathroom on the plane with her,where do I change her on the plane? has anyone dealt with poopy diapers on a plane? I am just so worried…and stressed out. I no longer have finger nails! lol -Sincerely Worried Mommy

Hang in there, Jaime! You could try a cart or wheeled car seat travel bag like this to lug your heavy seat around, or invest in an inexpensive and lightweight seat just for travel–the Cosco Scenera is a good one.

At least one of the airplane washrooms should have a change table. Wear her in a lightweight carrier for your bathroom trips–they aren’t comfy or relaxing but they can be done! Make sure to have a stash of plastic bags on hand to handle yucky diapers and any other assorted messes you are bound to encounter. Try not to stress out! Give yourself lots of time and take lots of deep breaths. You can do this!

Im surprised a thermometer isnt on this list. i never, ever travel without one.

I’m going to Indiana after Christmas this year with my then 7 month old…i know it’s going to be very cold this year, is there something special i should bring for him?

Make sure he has a snowsuit, or a bundler for your stroller. Have fun!

It looks like it’s a lot to carry but I think that pretty much completes your daily travel needs.

Thanks for sharing those nice lists!

What about Sunblock, medicine and a first aid kit!!!

Nevermind… I see it now… I was only looking at the baby section!!! 🙂 This list is awesome!!

My little will only drink from a bottle so I’ve been a slave to expressing for quite awhile. If you’re in the same boat you’ll need: breast pump, charging cord/batteries, lines/pump accessories, bottles, bottle lids, storage bags/bottles.

Happy travels mamas!

Orajel. you do not want to be meandering around another country when the baby decides to cut a tooth.

Great suggestion–thanks, Holli!

Orajel has several FDA warnings about fatal blood dyscrasias and reations. Please consider not using Orajel, instead use clove oil mixed in olive oil, Hylands, or tylenol.

Lets not forget the Nasal Care products for babies

hi…thank you so much for this amazing info about traveling list. this from cebu.philippines, first time mom of 4 months old baby girl. You’re great. Thanks again for helping in this amazing guide.

which kind of sunscreen for a 8 month old do you recommend?

I’d splurge for an organic brand if it’s within your budget. Blue Lizard is a good one.

This list is awesome! I’m printing it and will use everytime from now on! I am stll getting used to all this travel with a baby!

Hi is there any tips for me im going to a dam that has nothing i need some fun idees for a two and almost 1 year old boys to keep them busy, i feel very dum asking this questions. But i know thay may enjoy fishing for a bit and then want to do something else its is going to be hot were we go its close to the krugar park i dont know if any one went Klaserie dam

Hi! We are going on our first trip with our son (he will be 7.5 months when we leave) to an all inclusive in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (The Royalton Resort). Is it advisable and or necessary to bring the car seat? (I ask because we are being transported to and from the airport by bus). Also, our travel agent requested a crib for our room, but I wonder if we should bring our pack & play just in case? Or am I being paranoid…

Hi Kirsty! The Royalton should have a decent crib, so you can save your luggage allotment 🙂 If you’re not likely to do any excursions by taxi, than it’s not necessary to bring your car seat along. Unless you purchased your baby an airline seat in which case he’d need it on the plane.

Thanks so much for your advice! Your website is a life (and anxiety) saver. I have been telling all of my new mom-friends about it!

Thanks so much for the kind words, Kirsty–I hope you have wonderful travels this year!

We are about to set out on what I think will be a 27-hour journey (door-to-door) from Europe to the US. Do I really need 27 diapers? Or does this recommendation change once the journey becomes insanely longer than anyone should every have to undertake?

Lol. Maybe not 27 🙂 But think of a number of diapers that your baby would normally go through in that time and double it. Good luck!

We did a similar trip -34 hours- Zurich to Houston via 18 hour lay over in Istanbul with a 2 month old and a 5 year old. We stayed at a hotel during our lay over but thankfully brought enough diapers (40) and 4 pull ups ( just in case we had any accidents). Since nb diapers are small, space was not an issue and am glad we brought that many…better more than sorry. We arrived with enough pull ups and diapers to last one more day, find a store and buy enough to last us a road trip to FLorida. Will I do it again? Yes! Setting up for another long road trip – this time across Western Europe…

Thanks so much for your feedback, Sophia–Happy New Year!

Great tips! I agree with all of them and can totally relate. I could chat with you on this one for hours:) We traveled on a 16 hour flight with my 5 month old twin boys to see my family in India. We went for the same reason as yours, we wanted the rest of the family to see them early on. Although I couldn’t ever go alone with two babies and my husband was with me. I was on another long flight with my mom on our way back and my kids were 10 months old then. I would say it is definitely better to travel when they are younger and not mobile. The second time was more challenging because they wanted to explore and would hardly fit in the bassinets (those things are so small and flimsy) But, isn’t it great how you are allowed to jump long lines and you are right, if you dare to do it, you will make amazing memories:) You have put everything together very well:)

Such a complete packing list! It includes everything that need to be packed for a holiday. I am gonna use them for our first trip next week. Thanks for sharing!!

Amazing list and feedback!

We’re going to Cuba in March with our then 7 mo. Will we need to bring an outlet converter to use a kettle or bottle warmer?

Are nail clippers still confiscated in carry-ons? I always have it in my baby bag.

Hi Leyda! It depend on your resort, many Cuban hotels now offer two plug options, but it wouldn’t hurt to toss a converter in your bag, just in case. Even an extension cord, since it’s been our experience that even if you do have an outlet, there may only be one!

Hi Corrine,

Thanks for your list its very useful. Could you please advise me whether or not to take a car seat on board. I am travelling from London on a 5 hour flight, my baby will be 6 months old and its our first trip. there is no bassinet on the plane as its small but the booking agent said they would keep the middle seat free between my husband and I if its not a busy flight. Do you suggest bringing the car seat so we have a place to put baby securely or alternatively have him strapped to either of us during take off and landing?

I then worry about nap time, and he’s a very sensitive baby to environment and i am worried if its going to be okay if either of us cradle him for his nap?

We will have a car seat borrowed at our destination and have one to reach airport so not sure if we need one on board. we have bought the Baby Zen Yo Yo as our travel stroller so we will have that in addition to 2 carry ons (1 for baby, 1 for husband and i and 2 suitcases.

Looking forward to your advice.

Hi Rima! Certainly if you can swing it, your baby and you will have a much easier time of it if you purchase him a seat and install his car seat. You would be surprised how well some babies actually sleep on planes once they actually drop off. If he’s wrapped up snug and possibly worn in a carrier or sling you might be ok?

Hi, list is good, but do they allow to travel with water and liquids fr 1 yr old kids where we shall fly to USA?

One-year-olds are exempt from the liquid restriction rules. Just make sure to have all their foods and liquids set aside for inspection.

I used this list, it was perfect! I recently went to Mexico with my 9 month old and didn’t miss a beat! The only suggestion that I have is to bring a bigger stroller than an umbrella stroller. You don’t realize how much you use the cup holders and extra storage. Great list! Thank you!

Thanks, Jen–so glad you had a great trip!

I also recommend those giant plastic zipper bags, the ones a size up from the freezer size. They are perfect for bath items and feeding essentials.

Excellent List! Very comprehensive and very helpful. Thank you for posting.

hi.. can anyone help me.. i am going goa next week..i want to know that is there any facility of stroller for 1 year baby.. or i can take my own praim in flight.. i am very worried about to carry baby whole day.. how can i manage with ma baby without stroller

Hi Prachi! You should be able to gate check your stroller and it will be waiting for you when you deplane. Good luck!

Hi everyone.. I’m first time traveling in a domestic flight in USA from Washington DC to lasvegas I have 5 month old and 3 year old . Is it better to take car seat and stroller for my baby ? We are also planning to visit Grand Canyon for one day? Any suggestions regarding carrying strollers for both kids?

Hi Naga!Maybe a stroller that a car seat can snap into but also be used without? That way you have the option of wearing one child while strolling another. Your three-year-old will still need a car seat, though. So maybe it would be easier just to bring a double stroller and gate check both seats?

Hello, thank you for this list!! It’s terrific! I was wondering what is a light weight stroller I can purchase to take with me to Mexico? I will be traveling with my 9 month old and really don’t want to stroll a Stokke stroller around (too heavy). Thank you in advance!

Hi Val! If you are willing to make the investment, you really can’t go wrong with a Maclaren or UPPAbaby G-Luxe . Other tips found here: https://havebabywilltravel.com/2014/03/16/best-travel-stroller-options/ Thanks!

I’m traveling overseas with a 7 mo old and our total plane time is 50 hours. One thing I would bring is saline spray to moisturize his nose. I know that the dry airplane air will be very tough on him.

Great advice! Thanks, Irma 🙂

Thank you so much for all of this information! I have two questions. First, am I allowed to BF my 4 month old daughter on the plane? I’m flying Southwest and it’s easier for me if I can BF. Second, I am flying from San Diego to Sacramento (nice short flight), do I need a consent form from my husband if I’m flying solo?

Hi Lindsay! You are definitely allowed to BF your daughter on the plane. The attendants may have an issue with how she is held during take-off and landing, but anecdotally I have heard of no issues. Since you are not leaving the country without her they likely will be no issues with flying solo, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a letter from him on hand, just in case. Have a great trip!

What is a consent form from non-traveling parent? Is it to say that they know you’re traveling, or consent to treat in a hospital? I have no clue!!

Hi there! If you’re traveling alone with the baby, especially if you will be leaving the country, you should have a letter of consent from the non-traveling parent that states they are aware and are ok with you taking the baby without them. The US seems to be the most strict about this, but I’ve had the letter requested when returning to Canada from Caribbean countries as well.

Why start taking note on your own when you can have this list printed? This looks awesome! A very comprehensive list!:)

This is exactly what I am looking for. This list will guide me pack my things specially now with a baby with me. Great job!

Nice blog. Really helpful for mom. I think a baby will need some essential items: a place to sleep, a safe seat in the car, diapers and some items to feed, transport and stay safe. This list of thing for a new baby helps mom to take care baby easily and comfortably. Thanks for sharing a really helpful blog.

Thanks for these amazing tips.. This is really comprehensive list for travelling.

This is a good packing list and comprehensive one. I will keep this list saved with me for my next long trip. Thank you for sharing it.

Good post, Hi there! If you’re traveling alone with the baby, especially if you will be leaving the country, you should have a letter of consent from the non-traveling parent that states they are aware and are ok with you taking the baby without them. The US seems to be the most strict about this, but I’ve had the letter requested when returning to Canada from Caribbean countries as well.

Great tip, Lauren!

We’re going on the road soon with our little Olivia, and was looking for a packing list. Yours was the best we found! 🙂 Thanks a lot for sharing this with us

Thanks, Kim–have a great trip!

This is a great checklist. It should definitely be printed out and used for traveling.

Great post. This Baby Packing List is awesome. I learned lot’s of information. keep up good work!

This is such a comprehensive packing list! I wish there would have been something like this available when my kids were babies – I used to worry so much about whether I was forgetting something!

I was such a worrywart as a new mom that I still get secondhand anxiety about it 🙂

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What to Pack in a Carry On for a 1 Year Old

Not really a baby, not quite a toddler: from 14-22 months is about the toughest time to be traveling with a little one (or at least so i’ve read)..

And from our experience so far, I can definitely agree. So much has changed since the days of flying with Evelyn as an infant, sleeping soundly through an entire flight.

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Flying with a 1 year old is tricky. Evelyn’s become increasingly curious and wanting to explore all of her surroundings (that includes every seat at the gate, under the seat on the plane, in the aisles, etc…). Throw in a desire for independence and being all-around less easily entertained, and sitting quietly in an airplane seat for 3 hours can be pure torture.

So after a couple of disastrous plane rides trying to apply the same routine we’d used when Evelyn was a baby, we realized it was time to change our game plan. And that almost exclusively meant repacking our carry on.

(Want free tools to help you plan your perfect family trip? Subscribe to our email list below and get  access to all of our free goodies , like printable planning sheets, packing lists, and more!)

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First up, pick a trusty travel bag.

Before you even think about what to pack, you’ll want to make sure you have a good quality bag to put it in. I made the official switch from baby bag to backpack just after Evelyn’s first birthday. And while I miss having my crossbody bag at my side, it’s so much easier to carry the backpack and  Evelyn in the ErgoBaby at the same time, leaving my hands free to move around our other luggage . You can find some great options for stylish, yet affordable, backpacks here !

If you’re not into the whole backpack thing, this roomy weekender bag would also do the trick.

Alright, so now to the fun stuff, what to actually put inside the bag.

Here’s a few of our favorite items that go in on every trip!

This post contains affiliate links to products we love and recommend. If you purchase anything through these links, we may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you)! Thanks for supporting the blog in this way.

Baby Essentials

Starting out with essentials, you’ll pack mostly the same stuff as for a baby, but slightly adapted if there’s no more bottles needed (woohoo!). I still always pack:

• Diapers  | I pack about 8-9 for a travel day (ours tend to be pretty long), and that includes plenty extra to be on the safe side.
• Wipes & Travel Case  | I’ve switched over to this case from Huggies and really like it’s expandable/refillable design.
• WetOnes  |  These babies still get used all the time . Especially for cleaning up airplane tray tables or spills.
• Dirty Diaper Bags  | Like these from Munchkin .
• Extra Set of Clothes  | I haven’t needed a spare change of clothes for Evelyn in a long time, but I’m not jinxing it now.
• Sippy Cup  | After trying a few different brands, we’ve stuck with these from Munchkin . They’re pretty good about not leaking, as long as they don’t get flipped upside down in your bag. Anyone have a leak-proof sippy cup recommendation you swear by?
• Dropper Stopper | For holding that sippy cup close (or whatever else Evelyn feels like playing with/dropping at the moment). I never leave home without my Dropper Stopper .
• Cooler Bag & Whole Milk | This is where we had to change things up since Evelyn’s off the formula and onto big kid milk now. We will usually fill up a sippy with milk, and bring another one of those mini bottles of whole milk with us in a cooler bag  lined with these slim ice packs . It gets us through the day, and if we need more, we can usually (though not always) find whole milk for sale in the airport.

Side note: I tried bringing these milk cartons on our last trip (since I’d read they work great for traveling – no refrigeration needed!). But the TSA flagged us and said we couldn’t bring them through since their sealed opaque carton makes them impossible to be tested. I think I may try them again the next time we fly, since they are so darn convenient. It wouldn’t be the first time the TSA has lacked consistency in how they handle baby items. Anyone have a different experience with these?

The one downside to using a backpack is that everything tends to kind of get stuffed on top of each other. That’s where good organization comes in handy! After searching for a nice, slim lunchbox for Evelyn’s snacks, I finally settled on a plain old craft organizer like this one . Now I get why these “toddler snack boxes” are all over Pinterest! It may seem lame, but with its slim size, customizable dividers, and snap on lid, it’s perfect for toting a variety of snacks on the plane! Here’s what usually goes inside:

• Squeeze Pouches | It’s a struggle to get Evelyn good, nutritional food when we’re traveling, so having a few of these  is always a blessing (plus she loves to squeeze them herself, so less work for us)!
• Bananas | Because it’s one of the few natural foods that is super travel friendly! We always have nanas.
• Cereal | We store it in a snack size baggie so it will fit in the snack box, but Evelyn could entertain herself for hours picking one Cheerio at a time out of this snack cup (even if half of said Cheerios end up on the floor of the plane).
• Granola Bars | We’re big fans of these from Ella’s Kitchen.
• Real Fruit Gummies | Also a great little bribe …I mean…treat…

Entertainment

Finding entertainment is the toughest part of flying with kids at this age. All of our tried and true baby toys basically became useless after Evelyn’s first birthday! There are a couple staples we have kept:

• Books | Always a favorite. Either this First Words book with lots of pictures, or these mini Sesame Street books .
• Music Toy | Why this thing continues to amaze and stop a tantrum on sight, I’ll never know, but I’m not questioning it!

And instead of other toys, we’ve moved over to loading the iPad (protected by this super indestructable case ) with children’s shows and (semi-educational) games. I’m not ashamed to say it – nothing makes Evelyn a better traveler than some Bubble Guppies. For TV shows we use Amazon Prime because you can download episodes ahead of time to watch later on the plane (a feature not available on a lot of other streaming services). You can try it out for yourself with a free Amazon Prime 30-day trial .

Side Note: Did you know you can put your iPad into a “childproof mode” so that they can’t use any of the buttons or the touchscreen? Ok, maybe you knew that already, but I was just amazed and it has changed our lives! Here’s a full tutorial .

Medicine/Toiletry Kit

Of course, there are a still little things I have to have on hand at all times (I am a mom, after all). We use travel-size versions of all of these and keep them stored away in a quart size bag. They fit neatly into the front pocket of my backpack so they can be easily removed at security.

• Diaper Rash Cream
• Nail Clipper
• A few Bandaids
• Infant Tylenol
• Adult Pain Reliever
• Hand Sanitizer

And finally, I have a nice outside pocket for all of my stuff. Not much, but it makes it easy to grab what we need when checking into our flights.

• Small Wallet with ID  | I really love this  cell phone wallet ; it fits much easier into the bag than my oversized everyday one, and at the same time forces me to downsize to only what I absolutely need when traveling (i.e. not a million store rewards cards).
• Baby’s Birth Certificate | It may or may not be needed depending on the airline and if you are buying a seat for baby – but I like to always have it on hand anyway.
• Pen  | My husband is always appreciative when it comes time to fill out those customs forms.
• Earbuds | On the off chance that your little one might actually fall asleep, take in some music or an audiobook.
• Cell Phone  | (obvi)

And that’s it!

Did I forget anything? What do you always pack in your carry on for your ‘toddler baby’?

Read next: 50+ Ways to Occupy a Toddler on an Airplane

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Wife and mom to two sassy little girls, Laura has been sharing her family's travels here on Our Next Adventure since 2016! Though lots has changed in both our family and the world of travel over the years, one thing remains: we love exploring new places together!

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Easily one of the best traveling posts I’ve read- and I’ve read A LOT lately as we prepare for a 6 hour flight with a 15 month old. Thank you for all of these great suggestions!

Thank you Emma! So glad you found it helpful. And good luck with the flight! 🙂

A question about carseats… I’ll be travelling with my 10 month old who still rear faces in a car seat to Hawaii and I’m wondering what I do about car seats? do I bring ours? do I rent one? we aren’t renting a car, hoping to get about by tours, walking or taxi/uber.

Any thoughts or tips would be much appreciated.

I’d say definitely bring your own. Even if you aren’t renting a car, having a car seat to take with you in a taxi/Uber is super vital. Not sure what the laws are in Hawaii, but in some places an Uber can turn you away if you don’t have a carseat. Assuming your 10 month old will be a lap baby, you can check the car seat (with a good car seat travel bag) at the counter and pick it up at destination (that’s what we always did and never had any problem with damage). Good luck! xo Laura

It was great reading your post. I’m also a traveling mom with a 17 months old toddler, and reading your post was like going back to our last flight, all the items you listed were on my carry on, and definitely it’s so different traveling with an infant then a toddler, our last flight was 5 hours on my lap, I’m not doing that again I’m buying her a ticket, it’s almost impossible to keep her still. Great reading you! I’m preparing for a 3 hour flight to Seattle in one week the difference is that I’m flying alone with my baby girl… Wish me luck!

Isn’t it crazy how fast things change?? Good luck on your solo flight! I only did it once without my husband (and still had other family with me), but my daughter seemed to go easier on me that day. Maybe they can sense when you really need their cooperation. 😀

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Practical Mama

Practical wisdom and balanced lifestyle for parents

Family Travel Tips

Packing list for traveling with babies and toddlers

By Practical Mama | This post may contain affiliate links

The other day my son calculated that he spent more than a year of his life – of 11,5 years so far –traveling. He flew overseas 20 times, flew within the North America half a dozen times. I flew with 2 kids, a toddler and a baby, alone when my daughter was 6 months old and my son was 3. Countless road trips, camps, and mini getaways later packing has been a second nature. I’ve learned to pack lighter and quicker. I also learned that a packing list is a must no matter how experienced you are, because a mom – and a dad – has 1001 things on her mind before getting on the road and can’t really rely on her memory.

Packing for babies is quite tricky. You have to pack basics with you but also you can find/buy most if not all of the toiletries at your destination. So you don’t have to pack a full inventory for the duration of your travel.

• Stroller: You can rent strollers at your destination. In my post about our trip to Rome , I mentioned that we rented our strollers and were very pleased with the service.
• Car seat, booster: Always call your rental car company in advance to add the car seat or booster to your rental.
• Sling, baby carrier: My pouch sling was an indispensable item for traveling with my children when they were babies and toddlers. I carried my daughter until she was 5.
• Changing pad
• Baby monitor: You might need a monitor if you are staying in a
• Travel potty: My favorite folding potty is as light and small as it gets.
• Breast Pump:
• Pacifiers (if used)
• Extra plastic bags, zipped bags
• Nursing cover: Or a blanket, or a scarf
• Waterproof sheet lining: I always carried waterproof sheet lining in case an accident happened.
• Phones, tablets & chargers
• Camera, camcorder & extra batteries, chargers
• Headphone splitter (for multiple kids)
• Outlet adapter for international travel: You can find adapters at the airports but they are much more expensive than what you’d pay at a regular store.
• Daytime clothes
• Bedtime clothes, pajamas
• Footwear: Booties, shoes
• Swaddle or sleep blanket
• Goggles, sunglasses
• Swimsuit, Swim diaper
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, after bite
• Hats, mittens, scarves
• Bunting, Snowbib
• Car seat / Stroller cover
• Jarred food, dry snacks
• Feeding bottles, nipples
• Bowls, utensils
• Thermos container: If you need to carry around hot water to warm the bottle or warm food for your toddler.
• Tissues / Wet wipes
• Soap/Shampoo
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Lotion / Diaper cream
• Comb / Brush
• First aid kit
• Nail clippers: Nail clippers
• Baby medications: Basic medications such as pain/fever reliever.
• Thermometer
• Hand sanitizer
• Teething ring
• Toys: finger puppets, nesting cups, small multi-sensory toys
• Books: Board and soft (fabric) books
• Easy tear notebook: For scribbles

Click on the image to open the printable packing list for travel with babies and toddlers.

Also, see my post on long flights and trips with babies and young children

Is there an item that you can’t do without when traveling with your baby or toddler that’s not on the list?

You might also like:

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Packing Lists , Travel Advice

20+ toddler travel essentials for 2024 – with packing list.

Items that helped us through the challenging toddler travel years

We’ve never denied that one of the most difficult phases we went through with our children was the toddler years. At home and travelling. The memories are still very fresh!

It never stopped us from travelling, but it certainly added to the amount of gear we needed to lug around the world with us (it’s kind of the same as babies, only it feels bigger and heavier, AND you’re chasing a little one around too!)

Essential Gear for Moving Around With Toddlers

Sleeping away from home, toddler meals on the move  , toddler essentials for flying, toddler entertainment on the move, other essential toddler items not to forget, this post is part of our best toddler travel advice series.

I bet if you’ve picked up this article, you already know toddlers have a mind of their own!  Not all tactics for keeping toddlers nearby when you’re in busy places will work the same. 

We’re going to suggest a few travel accessories for toddlers here that have variously worked with our three children – but we know they won’t suit all!

Toddler harness / reins

Some will love ’em, some will despise them!  Having a cute little character will definitely help your kids grow an attachment to this essential piece of toddler kit for a family trip. Perfect for crowded places, we haven’t left home without one of these for years.

Accmor Toddler Harness Leash

3 in 1 Toddler Harness Leash

Accmor Toddler Backpack Leash

You can see our complete guide to buying toddler reins and harnesses here

Collapsible Stroller

Once you have outgrown a full-sized baby buggy that carries basically your whole life in, it’s time to downgrade to something more sensible, practical, and lightweight for your family vacation.

We love the brands that collapse small enough we can take them right up the plane door and onto the plane with us, fitting into the overhead bin with your carry-on bag.

The Babyzen Yoyo was the first brand to achieve this and is still a great option, but there are many brands that have now followed suit.

We have used our trusty Mountian Buggy Nano for years, but you can also try brands such as the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 or the immensely popular microsized GB Pockit that comes in several variations.

Evenflo GOLD Otto Self-Folding Stroller

Mountain Buggy Nano V3 Stroller

gb Pockit+ All-Terrain

You can see our full guide on how to select the best plane stroller here.

Just be conscious of your child’s height and weight;  hopefully, this investment can last you all the way through to the preschool years. Try not to compromise too much when it comes to your tot still being able to comfortably recline and having a decent-sized shade covering and storage basket, features we would still look for even in a travel stroller. 

We also review the best lightweight double strollers for twins and baby/toddler combinations here.

TIP : If you are still looking to travel with a larger stroller, we suggest you protect your gear when flying or stowing on transport by placing it inside a stroller gate check bag – our full review of your different stroller travel bag options here . 

Toddler Carrier

By now, I am guessing most of you freuent travelers have discovered the joys that a baby carrier brings.  Many brands now see a child all the way through to their toddler years. 

We have used our Ergo across the continents for many years – but with our youngest now 4 (and, to be fair, a happy walker/runner – unlike the first two!!) we are finally ready to say goodbye – one of our best pricier bits of toddler kit we’ve never regretted investing in.

Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier

Beco Toddler Carrier with Extra Wide Seat

Infantino Carry On Multi-Pocket Carrier

You can find our comprehensive toddler carrier comparison guide here. 

Hiking Toddler Carrier

For those who do more heavy-duty walking and hiking, you can’t look past the Deuter Kid Comfort Pro . It is one of the most expensive on the market, so you could also look at the Deuter Kid Comfort II which is slightly lighter, but doesn’t include the built-in sunshade.

Deuter Kid Comfort Pro Child Carrier

ClevrPlus Deluxe Adjustable Baby Carrier Outdoor

Luvdbaby Premium Baby Backpack Carrier

See our complete comparison of hiking carrier backpacks here

Car Seats for Toddlers

Outgrown their baby capsule that conveniently fits with their travel system but not ready yet for a simple collapsible booster ?  Yep, this is one phase of travelling with kids that I’m afraid will be with you for a long time, even well beyond the toddler years!

Depending on your child’s age and stage, there are a few options, but inevitably, accept it’s a continual upgrade process (and one of the bulkiest and most inconvenient parts of toddler travel – sorry!)

Where possible, we try to arrange for pick-up services that include a seat or hire cars at a destination – but we know all too well, that travelling home to Australia (where car seat laws are IMMENSELY STRICT) hiring is not financially viable after more than a few days x 3 children, so for years, we’ve kept a complete set of extra toddler seats at the grandparents.  

Safety 1st Grand 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat

Evenflo Chase Harnessed Booster

Britax Emblem 3 Stage Convertible Car Seat

Tip: If you have any intention of travelling with your car seat on the plane, too (you need to buy a separate seat for the infant) then the car seat must be compliant for whichever airline you are flying with. FAA rules are a pretty good for international guidance – but note they apply specifically to US-based carriers, you need to check the rules for the country your carrier falls under.

Find our complete guide on how to travel with car seats on planes here

Don’t forget if you are checking your car seats rather than using them on the plane, you will need to make sure they are adequately protected to prevent handling damage in the hold.

This is our detailed review of the best car seat travel bags .

Toddler Neck Pillow

Another thing we noticed once our kids were out of their snug little capsules and into proper car seats is how much their heads seemed to wobble around when they were drowsy! We’ve researched and tried many a brand of head cushion to get the right fit:

Unicorn Toddler Neck Pillow for Kids

BCOZZY Kids Travel Neck Pillows for Toddlers

INFANZIA Kids Chin Supporting Travel Neck Pillow

You can see our extensive head toddler cushion review here .

Do note, if you want to use them in their car seat, as supposed to say on a train or plane, many of the cute toddler brand ones are too bulky. Microbead products like the BCozzyKids Travel Pillow we have found to be the most adaptable to different positions and modes of transport, even if they look thinner they still do the job well.

Just when you thought you had your nice little routine – then you up sticks and change time zone….. I won’t deny that some of the worst jet lag we have experienced actually happened during the toddler years. 

We have a full guide to jet lag survival with kids you can read here , but the primary things I would worry about packing to conquer this are:

This has been my go-to bedtime tool for years (still IS!). OK, it works a charm for 2/3 kids at least!  No matter where we are in the world, once you have a strict bedtime routine happening, the clock is a great first indicator to them whether they should be getting out of bed or not

Just be conscious of wattage if you are taking any electronic devices with you.  We have lugged many an item halfway around the world to discover it doesn’t work at our destination.  Particularly if you are flying US to a lot of other countries and vice versa, you will need to take not only international plugs but a wattage adaptor, like one of these:

Tommee Tippee Groclock Sleep Trainer Clock

Kids Ok to Wake Clock for Kids  

Hatch Rest Baby Sound Machine

Black Out Curtains

Another thing that helps with sleep patterns and time zone adjustment is having a dark room.  If there’s no guarantee the hotel room at your destination will have blackouts, so this is a great BYO solution if you can afford the space in your luggage, as they are a little bit bulky.

Most portable blackouts stick up with suction cups.

Gro Company Gro-Anywhere Blind

RUseeN Portable Blackout Shades 

Amazon Basics Portable Travel Window Blackout Curtain

Portable Toddler Cot

There’s also no guarantee your destination will have the best sleeping arrangements for your child either.  During these toddler years, we did intentionally look for hotels or apartments that COULD provide us with a cot, but many times especially staying with friends and family this wasn’t an option. We invested early on in a good, lightweight, portable cot (don’t get confused into thinking a bulky pack-n-play pen is the same thing!). 

Phil & Teds Traveller Travel Crib

Milliard Folding Floor Sleeper Cot

Regalo My Cot Pals Portable Toddler Bed

You can see our full range of toddler bed options reviewed here.

We tested the Phil & Teds Traveller a while ago and haven’t looked back since. We still think its one of the lightest and best-priced models on the market, but does take little construction skills.

Portable high chair

You can’t always rely upon every restaurant or hotel having a high chair, so it’s great if you can BYO an easily portable option.  They come in all sorts of designs, from clamp-ons to boosters or cloth wraparounds for restaurant chairs – each with its pros and cons.

Summer Pop ‘n Dine SE Highchair

Baby Delight Go with Me Uplift Deluxe Portable High Chair

Regalo My Chair 2-in-1 Portable Travel Booster Seat

You can see our full review of travelling high chairs (and whether we think they’re worth the luggage space) here.

Spill-proof sippy

You’ve no doubt moved on from purely boob and bottle to a sippy by the toddler stage.  It’s perhaps not until you’re on the move you realise that these things leak so darn much! Or that your toddler terror will do anything to deliberately make them spill! 

We have been through many different brands of leaf-proof sippy cups – just accept no matter which you try, they’re not fail-proof!

Contigo Kids Spill-Proof 14oz Tumbler

First Years Dinosaur Kids Insulated Sippy Cups

Elk and Friends Kids & Toddler Cups

(Note if you are taking any sort of water bottle on a plane, they can pressurise. We have had many a bottle explode water everywhere over the plane when opened… you have been warned!)

Easy clean bibs

Neoprene-style bibs were by far one of our greatest baby-to toddler year discoveries! (Sorry to all our family and friends who received these as gifts from us!) But we truly love them!

They dry so quickly and can be strapped high on your toddler’s neck without choking them so there’s no seep through.  We normally get several wears before they need to go in the wash, and they don’t take up much space, both of which are a good idea for travel.

PandaEar Set of 3 Cute Silicone Baby Bibs for Babies & Toddlers

Nuby 2 Pack Adjustable Easy Clean Soft Silicone Bibs

Snap and Go Easy-wear Bibs for Baby & Toddler

No-spill snack cups

These spill-proof cups might seem like one of the easiest to pack, logical items, but seriously took us years to discover! Do yourself a favour and get one of these for your diaper bag as soon as your kids are onto finger foods. 

They don’t necessarily stop all the crumbs but prevent major spillages and should come everywhere with you, ready to tackle those hangry moments.

Silicone Toddler Snack Cups No Spill

Ubbi Tweat No Spill Snack Container for Kids

Collapsible Silicone Snack Container

Reusable food clips

For when they’re claiming they’re dying of hunger, take two mouthfuls then leave the rest.  Yep, a handful of these cheap but essential clips are a lifesaver in your backpack diaper bag too.

Silicone Food Storage Bags

Otylzto 4 Size Assorted 40 PCS Food Bag Clips

8 Pack Stainless Steel Chip Clips

Snacks, snacks, and more snacks

This is my overriding toddler years memory! OK, there were some classic meltdowns too… But the constant, I’m hungry, minutes after they just declared they were to full for lunch. 

Keeping a good supply of things like rice cakes, carrot sticks, sultanas, cereal bars, and food pouches kept us going on countless day outings and long-haul flights – we have a great list of healthy toddler snack suggestions here.   

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars

Unsweetened Fruit Snacks for Kids

Quaker Large Rice Cakes

Got a little one on the fussy end of the spectrum (aren’t they all?) You’ll want to check out our tips for travelling with picky eaters

Before you read any further, make sure you’ve checked out flying with a toddler section!

Leg cushions for the plane

Guessing you’ve heard these are the latest craze, right? But are they even allowed on planes?  Are they worth the investment? Will my kids actually sleep better on a long flight? What age are they designed for? 

We have tested many of these products on behalf of the manufacturers and have a detailed review, including which airlines allow them here.

BleuWhisk Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

Inflatable Travel Pillow Airplane Footrest Flight Pillow Toddler

Portable Foot Pillow for Toddler Kids & Adults

So, are these really toddler flight essentials?

My verdict : With one child, set up in the correct position, on a plane that will allow them, yes, they make for a more comfortable flight. But I recommend you read the above article with all the factors to consider before deciding if it’s the right thing for you.  There might be other ways you can get your toddler comfortable without the need for yet more gear (I can see your eyes boggling already how much you have to pack!)

CARES Restraint

As an alternative to taking a full car seat on a plane, but once your tot is simply too big and heavy to take as a lap child, try the FAA-approved CARES Harness.  Ideal for 22-44lbs children – note you do need to have booked the seat to use this.

Cares Airplane Harness for Kids

Airplane Kid Travel Accessories Cares Safety Restraint System

Child Airplane Safety Travel Harness, Safety Restraint

Toddler Plane Bags

You can also see what items we are packing in our toddlers plane bag  here, and read below about toddler entertainment throughout your travels.

Just remember, don’t go over the top when it comes to packing toys for young kids – here are 5 things we definitely recommend do NOT make it into your toddlers plane bag ! 

Wildkin Kids Insulated Lunch Bag

Solar System Planets Kids Backpack Toddler

YUPING Toddler kids Dinosaur Backpack

Tip: Until they are old enough to carry their own bag for the entire journey, do your self a favour and skip the cute novelty rolling bag until they are really ready or you are simply making additional luggage for yourself.  Fine with one kid, but when you have multiple children to consider ….  

Small tablet

We recommend these only for your older toddlers verging on preschool age.  I don’t recommend them for younger toddlers because I know how frustrated mine got when they couldn’t raise the sound, and I’m a strict headphones-only mamma when it comes to electronic devices being used in public places. 

And you reckon you can make a small toddler keep headphones on?

We have snapped our way through too many pairs (yes, even those claiming to be best ‘unbreakable’ on the market) through to your cheapest Walmart ones. NOTHING works on a wiggly toddler, so tablets are a no-go until they can sit still or survive on mute. 

When your toddler is ready to try, here are the best toddler headphone brands we recommend you start with.

For years we gave our kids our hand-me-down ipads but as they are starting to get outdated, we have discovered Amazon Kindle Fire , with its super sturdy case and ability to connect via Google Play and the Android system, as well as subscribe to FreeTime Unlimited for kids. 

Amazon Fire 7 tablet

IWEGGO Tablet 8 inch Tablet with Case

Tibuta Android Tablet

We talk more about Amazon Prime and why it can be a traveller’s best friend here.

Other favourite portable toddler toys:

• WaterWow books by Melissa & Doug
• Quiet Books
• Gel Stickers
• Triangle crayons

Jungle Animals Thick Gel Clings Winter Safari Window Gel

Triangular Crayons

My Busy Book Baby Soft Toy

For more travel toy ideas, pop on over to these detailed buying guides:

• Best travel toys for one-year-olds
• Best travel toys for two-year-olds
• Terrific toys to pack for a 3-year-old
• More toddler plane bag ideas
• Engaging road trip toys for toddlers
• Is it worth getting a travel tray for your toddler to play?
• A spare change of clothes
• Beach and water safety wear
• Wet bags for spares or dirty items
• Hand sanitiser
• Small detergent bottle for washing bottles and cups at your accommodation – don’t forget to check out our complete guide to travelling with bottles & sterilising here.
• A good first aid kit/medicine bag – you can see our complete family first aid packing guide here.

Germ-X Original Hand Sanitizer

ALVABABY 2pcs Cloth Diaper Wet Dry Bags Waterproof

First Aid Only 298 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Emergency Kit

Potty training stage?

We talk about potty training on the move in a lot more detail here , but for anything around toileting don’t forget:

• Wet Wipes! Not just for clean bums, you’ll want these little gems with you for YEARS! 
• Pull-ups, even if they are relatively newly trained, you will want to consider this fall back for long journeys
• Piddle pads for the seat , a great back up to prevent leakage

Wet Ones Travel Wipes

Toddler Pull Ups

Piddle Pad Car Seat Protector

Never forget a thing next time you’re packing by downloading our Family Travel Checklist   

Now we never said travelling with toddlers was light, right?  But it is still rewarding. With the right gear and right frame of mind, it really is a magical age to start opening children up to the world around them and creating wonderful happy memories.  

Further reading on the toddler years:

• That time we took 3 under 5 on a 16-hour flight
• Taking your toddler hiking; how to make it fun!
• Surviving a road trip with a toddler
• 5 travelling lessons my 3-year-old has taught me
• Our Best Toddler Travel Advice Home Page

Bookmark this page, share it with your friends or save it to Pinterest for later

Are your kids a little older?  See what gadgets we recommended for older families on the go , or pop back here if you’re still at the baby age and need our Ultimate Baby Travel Checklist

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links.  Purchasing any items listed on this page through an affiliate link will not affect how much you pay for the item but may earn us a small commission. Our  full disclosure policy  can be found here.

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2 thoughts on “ 20+ Toddler Travel Essentials for 2024 – With Packing List ”

Based on this guide, I need to carry the entire house with me on the plane or train. We travel a lot and each of us has only one backpack. Our toddler’s backpack goes in the stroller and has a bag of nappies, wipes, baby food, baby water, a toy or two, his clothes, home shoes, and essential meds and swimming gear if we plan to. That’s all and never had any trouble. Most taxis and car hires have toddler seats. Sometimes we take baby carrier. That said, our kid is a bit of adventurer. He wont use anything special if we don’t use it

That’s great you’ve learnt to travel light with your tot. It really depends on your style of travel and destination. Certainly, our needs have changed between kidsand we hope that by presenting a number of options, we can prepare first-time travelling parents with the information they need for different travel scenarios with toddlers – all these items we’ve needed at some point in our travels. Thanks for taking the time to stop by the blog and comment, happy travels 🙂

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The Ultimate Packing List for Flying With Kids

From activity books and tablets to wipes and snacks, here’s everything you need for flying with littles.

• Our Top Picks
• Entertainment

Food and Drink

Sleep and quiet time, wellness and hygiene, tips for packing.

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Brian Kopinski

Traveling with children can add an extra layer of complexity to a trip, but planning ahead will help things go as smoothly as possible. With limited space and hours to fill, flying can be particularly tricky. That's why I (a mother of two little ones) always make sure to pack something fun to do, watch, and eat. I'll also bring options to optimize naps, which doesn't always happen, but a mom can dream.

After gathering pointers from a parenting expert and a seasoned flight attendant, I rounded up all the essentials and nice-to-haves when flying with kids. From screen time, snack time, and sit-still activities to just-in-case items and products to make parents' lives easier, here's what to pack for the flight.

Entertainment 

"Airplanes have very little for kids' entertainment," says Jessica Hoffman, a flight attendant of 18 years. For the sake of convenience, she recommends at least some screen time and other activities that'll capture children's attention. Here's what we recommend for portable tech, games, and other things to keep them busy, still, and (mostly) quiet.

Best Tablet

Amazon fire hd 10 kids pro tablet.

"Downloading movies and shows to be watched on a screen with headphones is usually the easiest," says Hoffman. "Flying is a treat, and screen time falls into that." If you don't already have a designated tablet for your child, we suggest the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro. It's got a 13-hour battery life, 32 gigs of storage space, and comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which includes digital books, games, and videos.

Best Media Stand

Honsky thumbs-up phone stand.

You'll want to have some headphones at the ready. This lightweight, cordless set from JBL is fit for a child's head, with plush ear cushions and a soft headband. It's easy to pair with a phone or tablet through Bluetooth, too. "Plan ahead — practice with headphones if your kids aren't used to wearing them," Hoffman recommends.

Travofun Magnetic Checkers & Tic-Tac-Toe

I like small magnetic board games because they take up minimal space and can be played anywhere, even without a flat surface, since the pieces stick to the board. This one is two games in one. You'll get tic-tac-toe, which younger kiddos can get the hang of pretty quickly, and checkers, which is great for slightly older kids and parents who want to play, too.

Best Coloring Books

Melissa & doug on the go water wow reusable color with water pad.

Parenting expert Megan Winokur is a fan of coloring books when flying with kids. I suggest this one from the tried-and-true toy brand Melissa & Doug. Each mini pad has four reusable pages and a refillable water pen. When the wet brush swipes onto the pages, colors appear. When it dries, the colors "erase" so the pictures can be "painted" again. Most importantly, it's a totally mess-free activity.

Best Activity Book

Skillmatics dot it animals art activity.

Winokur says sticker books are always a hit when flying with her kids. "Dot It sticker art is one of our favorites," she says. "It comes with over 500 easy-peel stickers and eight pictures to create." There are different themes, too, like space, dinosaurs, princesses, and dress-up.

Boxgear LED Telescopic Suction Cup Giraffe Toy

The best toys to bring on an airplane are small and simple yet entertaining and interactive. For instance, these bendy giraffes are under six inches tall, and the set of four weighs less than half a pound. They itch the sensory scratch and fidget urge with telescopic arms, stretchable necks, and suction feet that attach to any flat surface.

Aside from small bags of peanuts, pretzels, and sometimes cookies, airlines don't usually have kid-friendly snacks. You'll definitely want to pack something for your children to eat and drink (or drink out of) on the plane while keeping mess prevention in mind. "​​Less mess is always best!" says Hoffman.

Best Water Bottle

Simple modern summit kids water bottle with straw lid.

For flights, Winokur recommends bringing a reusable water bottle like this one from Simple Modern. The kid-size design holds 12 to 14 ounces of liquid and fits in most cup holders. It's also lightweight, durable, dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and (crucially) leakproof when the straw-nozzle is in the closed position.

Best Snack Holder

Gobe kids large snack spinner.

"There are tons of fun 'snackle box' or snack spinner options out there that you can fill with your favorite snacks," offers Winokur. "This will keep [kids] entertained and stocked up for the flight while also saving some space in your bag." The GoBe Kids Original Snack Spinner comes in two sizes, each with five little compartments that can hold mini portions of things like nuts, Goldfish crackers, cheese cubes, or apple slices. After suctioning it to a tray table, your child can press the middle button to spin the wheel and choose a new snack.

Annie's Homegrown Organic Snack Variety Pack

The best kids' snacks for plane rides depend on the child. But to keep children happy, full, and satisfied, snacks might be a cross between health food and junk food — or “healthy junk food,” if you will. For example, these little bags of crackers and grahams from Annie’s are organic, free of corn syrup, and made with (some) whole grains. And besides the inevitable crumbs, they're not terribly messy.

YumEarth Organic Lollipops

You're wise to also bring a treat to prevent meltdowns and reward good behavior — sitting still for multiple hours is a challenge for many children. I often go with lollipops because they last longer than most other candy and take up negligible space. YumEarth Organic Pops are naturally flavored and colored, and they're flat, so you can stash them in any pocket.

Every parent knows that when kids don't get the rest they need, family outings can quickly go off the rails. Long flights and changing time zones can throw a wrench in things, but with some planning — and, let's be honest, a bit of luck — you might manage to get a nap or at least quiet time in.

"I also let my kids each bring a small stuffed animal to help them feel more at home," adds Winokur.

Best Blanket and Pillow Set

Giapow travel blanket and pillow.

Airplanes can be chilly and generally don't have a soft space to lay one's head. You might consider bringing a travel pillow and blanket to make your child's seat as plush, cozy, and warm as possible. This set comes with a kid-size throw that stuffs into the pillow, which is just 16 x 14 inches. It can fit in a carry-on or be a kid's personal item .

Best Kids' Neck Pillow

Infanzia kids travel neck pillow.

Another option is to get your child a neck pillow (which may or may not count as a personal item, depending on the airline ). This highly rated option has lots of support around the sides and chin to prevent kids' necks from falling forward and keep them comfy if they doze off while sitting upright. The removable cover is also conveniently machine-washable.

Best Sound Machine

Snooz go travel white noise sound machine.

"We never leave home without our white noise machine," says Winokur. "It helps everyone sleep better, especially when you may be sharing a hotel room as a family." The cordless, rechargeable Snooz Go is great for flights. It's less than four inches in diameter and can connect to headphones via Bluetooth.

There are also a few wellness and hygiene products you'll want to add to your carry-on packing list. These will help keep surfaces, hands, and faces clean while covering you in the event of owies and popping ears from cabin pressure.

Best Sanitizing Wipes

The honest company sanitizing alcohol wipes.

These sanitizing wipes can be used to disinfect tray tables, clean armrests, and de-germ kids' hands when a proper sink and soap aren't available. But since they're made with alcohol, they shouldn't be used to clean faces or for diaper changes.

Best Wet Wipes

Nolla flushable wipes travel packs.

These skin-friendly wet wipes are fragrance free and super gentle, so you can use them not only to clean kids' hands but also their faces in a pinch. They're made from biodegradable materials, meaning you can flush them without worrying about polluting the water or clogging the drain.

Best Disposable Storage Bags

Hefty slider storage bags.

From used wet wipes to paper napkins and snack wrappers, you're bound to have many little bits of trash when flying with kids. I like to bring at least a couple of gallon-sized food storage bags on flights so I have somewhere other than my backpack or the plane seat pocket to shove garbage until I reach a trash receptacle at the airport.

Best First Aid Kit

Preparakit small compact first aid kit for kids.

This mini, TSA-approved first aid kit has everything you may need to tend to knicks, cuts, or splinters. (As is often the case with my kids, Band-Aids aren't just small wound dressings but also placebos for various blood-free boo-boos.) It's roughly the size of a wallet and contains 50 items, including adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, medical tape, and thermometer strips — to name just a few.

Best Ear Pressure Relief

Cirrus earplanes for kids.

EarPlanes are clever earplugs that help alleviate the discomfort of cabin pressure, especially during takeoff and landing. The kids' version are small and designed to fit children's ears. They also reduce noise by 20 decibels, which might help sleepy kiddos get some in-flight shut-eye.

Wrigley Chewing Gum Variety Pack of 10

If your kids are old enough to chew gum, it might help prevent their ears from popping during takeoff and landing. And, like lollipops, it's a long-lasting treat that might feel special on a flight. This classic variety pack has flavors both chewing gum-aged children and adults will enjoy.

Depending on your kids' ages and travel experience, they might be able to (or want to) carry their own cargo, like a backpack or carry-on suitcase. Other options include ride-on luggage and parents' personal item bags to tote all the must-haves mentioned above.

Best Kids' Suitcase

Rockland jr. kids' my first hardside spinner.

After testing some of the best kids' luggage on the market, the Rockland Jr. Hardside Spinner is our favorite for younger children. Even those ages 7 or younger should be able to push and pull the compact, lightweight suitcase. And the cute designs will get your mini traveler in training excited about the trip ahead.

Best Kids' Backpack

State kane kid's backpack.

Of all the kids' backpacks we tested, the State Kane Backpack is arguably the best for air travel. It has one spacious compartment with plenty of room for a small blanket, travel pillow, or change of clothes, plus a padded tablet sleeve, an easy-access front pocket for snacks or a charger, and side slots for water bottles. The designs cater to kids ages 4 through 8 and are versatile enough to grow with your child.

Best Diaper Bag

Bugaboo changing backpack.

We don't need to tell you to bring a diaper bag when flying with a baby . But even if you have slightly older kids, a diaper backpack that stashes the essentials while keeping your hands free isn't a bad idea. This one from Bugaboo is sophisticated enough for any adult to carry. We tested it firsthand and loved the light, comfy design, intuitive pockets, and handy laptop sleeve.

Best Ride-on Suitcase

​​stokke jetkids bedbox.

The JetKids BedBox is a ride-on suitcase , which, if you're not familiar, allows a small child to sit on top and be tugged around through an airport. It boasts a spacious main compartment and reliable rotating wheels that make it easy to maneuver over carpet and hard floors. Parents can also reattach the pull strap and carry it over their shoulder.

Prioritize entertainment

Some flights may have age-appropriate movies, but generally speaking, airplanes don't offer much in terms of kids' entertainment. Hoffman recommends bringing a tablet with downloaded shows or movies. "[I] hate to suggest more screen time, but tray tables are not toys," she notes. "I see this too often and just experienced a 10-hour flight where the tray table was the only entertainment."

It's good to have other portable activities in your bag of tricks, too, such as mini travel games , books, or fidget toys. "Stickers and coloring books are always a hit with my two kids (ages four and seven)," says Winokur. Something your child has never seen or used before might pique their interest best. "The magic of a new set of sparkle crayons or gel pens can really make the activity even more exciting," the parenting expert adds.

Hoffman also recommends asking to see the flight deck when deplaning, which can give children something to look forward to. "Pilots love to show kids buttons and a few fun things up there that can be interactive for kids."

Have everything charged and ready to go

Yes, airports and airplanes have outlets, USB ports, and WiFi — but they're not always reliable or accessible. With that in mind, make sure all electronics (both kids' and parents') are fully charged and ready to go, including tablets, phones, headphones, noise machines, etc.

Download shows or movies ahead of time so they can be streamed offline. (Most streaming services, like Disney+, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video, allow you to do this.) "I use a splitter for the headphones so both my kids can watch or listen to music together on the same tablet or phone," says Winokur. A portable power bank might be a good idea, too, just in case.

Consolidate your kids' most-needed items

This is easier said than done when flying with kids, but it's smart to try to pack light. Consider what your child needs on the plane, what they'll actually use, and what will make your life easier. Make a list of these items, then consolidate them into one carry-on bag so everything is easily accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on a few factors, like your kids' ages, how many nights you'll be away, and whether you're checking bags. For some children, having their own luggage might get them excited about a family trip . In other cases, it may just be easiest for parents to consolidate everything into one suitcase.

"Anything goes as long as it's not a liquid or over 3.4 ounces," says Hoffman. She notes that there's an exception for larger containers of breastmilk, and warm water is always available for powdered formula, but it's best to stick with smaller portions whenever possible. "Yogurt packs and veggie purees seem to be the most popular and fall under TSA's 3.4-ounce rule," she notes. "I see a lot of cheese and crackers, mixed nuts, and PB&Js, too."

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and mother of two children under age six. With multiple family trips each year, including many flights, she's learned a few tricks to keep the littles happy when flying while also making parents' lives easier. As a travel writer and shopping expert, she knows how to find the best luggage, consumer tech, and accessories that make trips go as smoothly as possible. For this story, Theresa consulted lifestyle and parenting expert Megan Winokur and Jessica Hoffman, a flight attendant of 18 years.

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Related Articles

Your guide to packing for toddlers

Many travelers consider packing for a trip to be the most stressful part of the adventure, especially when little kids are involved and you have to decide what is truly essential and what isn't. There's no exact science to knowing what and how much to bring, especially if you're going on a longer trip. Weather can be unpredictable and, depending on your itinerary, you might need comfortable clothes and shoes one day and a more formal outfit the next. Adding a toddler or two to the mix certainly doesn't make things any easier.

Every kid and every trip is a little different, so preparation is key. It's also important to avoid overpacking as the extra weight is sure to cause more trouble than it's worth, especially if you're paying for checked bag fees . But being underprepared and going without crucial items isn't good either.

Related: Best luggage for kids who travel

Take the time to review (and then double check) what you plan to bring and whether it's a nice-to-have or a must-have item. Consider taking items that can be used for various purposes. For example, a fleece jacket can be used as a blanket on a flight. Or, a light receiving blanket can double as a towel in case of "emergency." Packing cubes are also a great option, especially if you and your child(ren) are using the same suitcase. Give each family member a different-colored set of cubes and you'll find that packing and unpacking becomes a lot less of a hassle.

Now, let's take a look at our best tips for packing with little kiddos in tow.

More than one outfit per day

When my kids were really little, I'd pack two comfy outfits per day, and I still follow that rule of thumb, to a certain extent with packing some extra items. I also bring items that can be mixed and matched. That way, if a shirt or pair of pants or shorts get dirty, I don't have to change the entire outfit.

You can get away with fewer clothes over the course of a multiday trip if you have access to a washing machine. But it's smart to pack extra and be realistic about how easily accessible a washing machine might actually be. Also, don't bring anything that you are going to freak out over if it gets stained and you can't wash it right away.

Pro tip: Bring an extra change of clothes for you, too, since the parents are the ones who are usually hit with collateral damage when toddlers implode into a ball of mess.

Again, bring extra, especially if you don't have easy access to a washing machine. Much like with the daytime outfits, you just never know when there will be a diaper malfunction or drink explosion and you need to switch into the backup jammies ASAP.

Toddler's feet grow crazy fast, so make sure the shoes you are bringing for a trip actually fit. Just because they did last week, doesn't mean they will this week. Double-check, and then bring an extra pair just in case. (Here are some of our favorite kid shoes for travel .) If you are using a seasonal shoe (such as a snow boot) that your kiddo hasn't worn since last year, it's almost certain that you'll need a new pair, so plan ahead.

Pack way more diapers than you think you'll need if your toddler is still in that phase of life. On one of our first plane trips years ago with my now nine-year-old, I packed what I thought to be enough diapers for the trip. It wasn't. We weren't able to get the diapers she was used to where we were, and while it wasn't the end of the world, it just wasn't ideal.

So, my advice is to bring more than you think you need, even if you are going to buy some (or ship some) to your final destination. They pack pretty easily and are just about the last thing you want to run out of. Also, remember some plastic sacks to hold diapers in case you have to change one where there isn't an immediately accessible trash can.

If your toddler is potty-training, bring more pull-ups than normal and use them more than normal as accidents on the road (or in the sky) just aren't pretty.

Related: Best credit cards for families

Lots of them. See above. And don't forget, wipes can be multipurpose. They can be used to clean messy hands, faces, tray tables or to get some food off of clothes in a pinch.

Hair accessories

Be sure to not only pack a brush or comb that will work for your kiddo, but for toddlers with long hair — rubber bands or barrettes, too.

If your child has longer hair, these hair accessories will keep the hair out of his or her face. Whatever you use at home, bring extra. Rubber bands break and barrettes magically disappear, so having backups is never a bad thing.

Pack your kids' shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, washcloth, diaper cream, comb, etc. Babies and toddlers don't typically use adult toiletries, so hotels won't always offer a good substitute if you forget your baby or toddler bath items. Make sure to throw them in the bag (contained in a plastic bag in case they leak).

When they were toddlers and babies, my daughters would both have upset skin if we tried to use adult soap and a rough washcloth for several days in a row. In the toddler years, we also didn't want to be caught without the miracle of all miracles, Boudreaux's Butt Paste . Seriously, we had to make a 3 a.m. run once while on vacation to try and find some of that magical stuff as our daughter woke up screaming in the middle of the night with a horrible diaper rash. It wasn't funny at the time to us, but I am sure it was humorous to those working in the drugstore at 3 a.m. when my husband made a mad dash there to frantically search for the Butt Paste. Essentials you need at home, need to come with you.

Favorite blankie

Lord, help us all if my oldest daughter's "pink blankie" didn't make a trip. If your kiddo has a favorite stuffed animal or blanket, bring it and guard it with your life. (And pro tip: Have a backup hidden at home, just in case.)

Toys and entertainment

Even though there may be tons to do at your destination, toddlers will often spend time chilling in the room around naps and such. Additionally, whether you are going by plane, train or automobile, toddlers need pretty much constant entertainment -- especially when strapped in.

If your toddler uses a tablet, then don't forget that, a charger and headphones. If they don't, here are some electronics-free entertainment suggestions .

Sippy cups, drinks and snacks

Thankfully, toddlers are often past the days of pumped milk, baby water, bottles, formula and baby food. However, assuming whatever food is around will work for a toddler's palate is a dangerous move. Empty sippy cups, crackers, packaged fruit, juice boxes or whatever your toddler snacks on at home are good to have on hand. If your kiddo is a milk drinker, plan to bring that along, too, as it isn't as readily available on planes and such as you might imagine.

Location-specific gear

Depending on where you are going, you may need certain types of gear. This could include items like a swimsuit, swim diaper, swim hat, goggles, floaties, jogging stroller, snowsuit, baby-sized parachute... whatever. If you're headed to a wintry climate, check out our packing tips for toddlers on a cold-weather trip .

Sleeping arrangements

This may not be something you pack so much as something you plan for since toddlers can be particular with routine. Some options to consider include:

• BYO pack-and-play or travel crib
• Request a crib from the hotel or Airbnb
• Bunk up together

All of these options have pluses and minuses, but think through where you believe your toddler will really sleep on the road and plan accordingly. (And don't just expect the hotel to have a crib without making prior arrangements.) Here are some other tips for keeping your sanity while sharing a hotel room with a little one .

Obviously, if your child is on medication, make sure to pack that and keep it handy at all times. But even if they aren't on any regular medications, it is a good idea to bring some common baby meds and Band-Aids just in case they spike a fever, start teething or get a boo-boo. Again, you never know.

Bottom line

If you're traveling with kids, be deliberate when deciding what to pack. Too much "stuff" in your suitcase could drive you crazy. But if you find yourself in the middle of a long flight with a toddler who's just spilled an entire drink on themselves and you forgot to bring an extra change of clothes, you'll be sorry. In the end, bringing what you can to keep your kiddos comfortable will help everyone have a more enjoyable trip.

Are you planning a trip with little ones? Here are some more resources:

• Getting ready for your child's first flight: A survival guide
• How to survive flights with kids of any age
• How to survive long-haul flights with kids
• Most family-friendly international air carriers
• How old should your child be before taking an international vacation?
• 4 things to know about U.S. passports for children

The Ultimate List of Toddler Travel Essentials (+Toddler Packing List!)

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Traveling with a toddler is not the easiest of feats, but it can be made a lot easier by bringing a few toddler travel essentials. These are items that make traveling with a toddler go much more smoothly for everyone in your travel group.

On our many trips with our toddlers, we’ve come to learn that there are some items that we just can’t do without when traveling with young kids. And others that we can ditch to save the luggage space…

In this article, we’ve included detailed descriptions of the toddler travel essentials that you won’t want to forget on your trip. We’ve also provided a toddler travel packing list to make packing for your child that much easier! Read on for everything you need to bring for a successful trip with a toddler.

If you’re planning on visiting the beach, check out our article on the beach essential for toddlers .

Toddler Travel Essentials

Getting around

These are a few essential items that make getting around with your toddler a lot easier during travel.

• Toddler carrier

When traveling with a toddler, a carrier is at the top of my list of toddler travel essentials. 

Toddler carriers can make life so much easier when traveling. They allow you to easily take your child places that are less stroller friendly and provide a perfect place for nursing (if your child is breastfeeding) and napping on the go. They’re also great for containing toddlers in places that might not be safe for them to roam free (say at the top of a bell tower or the edge of the grand canyon).

We’ve carried our toddlers in carriers all over the world and find it to be one of the easiest ways to travel with a toddler.

To find the best carrier for your child, see this article on the best toddler carriers for travel .

A stroller may or may not be a necessity for your trip, depending on what kind of trip you’re taking. We’ve taken trips with just a toddler carrier and others with both a carrier and a stroller (I always bring a carrier, even if I’m bringing a stroller). 

Strollers can be very useful for navigating the airport with a toddler and for trips where you’ll be visiting stroller-accessible locations. They’re nice to have along to give you a break from having to carry your child all the time (or chase them down constantly).

We love our gb Pockit for travel. It’s the most compact strollers out there and folds down small enough to fit into the overhead bit or under your seat on the airplane. Be sure to see our full gb Pockit stroller review .

Travel car seat

A car seat is typically going to be one of your toddler travel essentials, barring a few locations where you can get by just using public transportation. But if you’re planning on getting around by car, you’ll want a car seat to keep your little one safe. Strapped in their car seat is also the safest way for toddlers to fly on a plane. 

Younger toddlers might still fit within the safety requirements for an infant car seat, which are great for travel. Infant car seats are lightweight and easy to transport. 

If your child has outgrown their infant seat, it’s worth it to invest in a lightweight travel car seat. Trust me, after you’ve spent your whole trip hauling that thing around you’ll be glad to have left your heavy, bulky regular seat at home. Our favorite travel car seat for toddlers is the Cosco Scenera next.

Car seat bag

If you’re bringing a car seat, you’ll want to bring a car seat travel bag. These bags make transporting your car seat much easier and more manageable. 

There are a lot of different options out there so check out our review of the best car seat travel bags to find the best one for your trip.

Food/Snacks

These food relate toddler travel essentials will make mealtimes and snacks with your toddler go a lot more smoothly while on your trip. 

A bib is a helpful way to keep your child cleaner while eating. As an added bonus, it keeps their clothes clean as well, which makes it more likely that you can pack light and reuse outfits. 

These waterproof bibs are lightweight and pack down to practically nothing. We also love these silicone bibs which take a bit more space but are easier to clean and dry more quickly.

Snack catcher 

Snacks are a great way to entertain a toddler while traveling. And a snack catcher allows them to feed themselves independently without making a huge mess. This can be a helpful tool for distracting and redirecting a child who is getting bored or on the verge of a meltdown.

Our favorite snack catcher for travel folds down compactly, making it easy to store when not in use. The material it’s made out of does tend to collect lint and crumbs, so I recommend bringing a baggie to store it in when you’re not using it.

• Travel high chair

A travel high chair can be a useful item for traveling with a toddler. It ensures that your child always has their own seat at the table and helps keep them contained so that they’re not climbing all over you or running around. This can make for a much more relaxing meal for yourself and your toddler. 

Travel high chairs are not always necessary if you’re going someplace where you know high chairs will be available. However if there aren’t high chairs, or if you’re not sure if there will be, bringing your own can be a nice way to ensure that mealtimes go smoothly.

• Water bottle

You’ll want to make sure your child is drinking a lot while traveling, so be sure to bring a water bottle and offer it to them frequently throughout the day.

We prefer the straw kind because they are easier for our toddler to use and less likely to spill.

• Disposable place mats

Feeding a toddler when you’re eating out can be tricky. The places you eat might not have toddler-safe dishes andd it can be a pain to have to feed your toddler bite by bite (plus in my experience toddlers often insist on feeding themselves!). 

That’s where these disposable place mats come in so handy. They have adhesive on all four sides to secure it to the table, providing a clean and stable surface for your toddler to eat on. Once they’re done eating, you can easily pull the place mat off of the table and throw it away. This helps to minimize mess and allows your child to have an independent eating experience without you having to stress about them breaking the dishes. 

Sleep Items

Some of the most important toddler travel essentials are those related to sleep. Whether or not your toddler sleeps well can make a huge difference to the success of your trip. A tired and grumpy toddler makes for a very long day while traveling. 

These sleep items are ones that can be hugely helpful in getting your toddler the sleep that they need. For everyone’s sake!

• White noise

We always bring white noise for our children while traveling. It helps block any ambient sounds that they might not be used to and also means that we don’t have to be quite so quiet as we’re moving around our hotel room or Airbnb. 

Oftentimes we’ll just use a white noise app on our phone, but if you want to be able to use your phone for other things, you can bring a travel white noise machine . 

While you’re away from home, you’ll want to make sure your toddler has a cozy and comfortable place to sleep. There are a couple of different ways you can do this. 

First, if your child sleeps in a crib you can see if your accommodations have a crib or pack ‘n play available for you to use while you’re there.

If you have a bed for your toddler, consider getting portable bed rails to keep your child from rolling off the bed in the night. These bed rails are placed underneath the bottom sheet to form a barrier at the edge of the bed. They provide a lot of peace of mind for when your toddler is sleeping in a full-sized bed. We’ve compiled a list of the best portable bed rails for travel with a toddlers to help you out. 

You can also choose to bring a portable toddler bed for your child so you can set up a cozy spot for them to sleep wherever you are. These can come in several different forms, from toddler cots to inflatable beds to pop-up tents. You can see our reviews of the best options for portable toddler beds if you need help picking a good one.

Whichever option you pick, make sure that your child knows what to expect and do your best to make sure it feels as safe and familiar as possible. 

Favorite stuffed animal

If your child has a special stuffed animal or blanket, make sure to bring it along to help them feel comfortable and safe during their sleep time. 

You could also bring along a favorite story or two as part of their bedtime routine. The key is to help it feel as much like the environment they’re used to as possible. 

A monitor may or may not be necessary, depending on your accommodations. If you’re all sleeping in the same room this may not be helpful as you’ll be able to easily hear if your child needs you. 

However, if you have a suite, an apartment, or a balcony, a monitor can give you a lot of peace of mind knowing that you can keep a close eye on your baby while in an unfamiliar place. 

You can see our recommendations for the best portable baby monitors to help your decision.

Blackout options

For many young children, keeping a dark sleep environment is necessary for a good night’s sleep. This can be especially true if you’re changing time zones and trying to adjust their sleep schedule. 

Many hotels will have blackout curtains in their rooms, however rentals or Airbnb’s often do not. We had a couple of really bad experiences with our children waking up extremely early in a new place due to light and since then I always bring a black out option for our toddlers. 

One way to create a dark environment is to bring travel blackout curtains . These curtains have suction cups that you can use to attach them to the window, darkening the whole room for sleep. 

Another great sleep aid is a SlumberPod (see our full SlumberPod review ) or SlumberPod alternative to create a dark sleep environment for your child. These products go around your child’s bed to block out light to help them sleep better and longer. The nice thing about this option is that it creates a private sleep area for you child, meaning you don’t have to be quite so quiet and careful about light if you’re sharing a room with your child. 

• Toddler airplane bed

If you’re flying with your toddler, another helpful sleep tool is a toddler airplane bed. These are products that can be used to extend the length of the seat and provide a comfortable place for your toddler to sleep on the plane. These can make a huge difference for international or long-haul flights where you’re traveling through your child’s normal bedtime.

There are few different kinds of airplane beds, and you can learn about the best options in our article on the best airplane beds for toddlers .

When you’re traveling with a toddler, there are a few health items that you want to make sure to always have on hand. 

Medications

If your child has any medications, be sure to bring enough for your trip plus a bit extra to account for unexpected delays. 

Also remember to pack your child’s medication in your carryon luggage so that you aren’t caught without it in case anything happens to your checked luggage.

• Thermometer

Traveling with a thermometer ensures that you can monitor a fever if your child happens to get sick. I never travel without one and have actually had to use it a surprising number of times while on trips. It provides a little extra peace of mind knowing that you have a way to assess the severity of a sickness.

You never know when a child might get sick and bringing along some pain medication can make any unexpected sickness a lot less miserable for your child. This is another one I’ve had to use several times when traveling and I’m always so glad that I have it on hand. 

Hand sanitizer/sanitizing wipes

Traveling with kids means exposing them to lots of germs, which can often lead to them getting sick. And toddlers are the worst at this, as they tend to touch everything and then stick their hands in their mouths. Bring along hand sanitizer so that you can sanitize their hands frequently, especially before they eat. 

Sanitizing wipes are also very helpful for wiping down surfaces such as the tray tables and arm rests on the airplane and tables at restaurants. 

No one wants a sick kid, especially when you’re far from home. While you can’t always prevent sickness, sanitizing often definitely increases your chances of keeping everyone healthy.

Toddler travel essential basics

Having awesome travel activities is an absolute necessity when traveling with a toddler. That doesn’t mean that you need a lot of activities, but you do want a few great options that can capture your child’s attention and that they will return to over and over. 

Over our years of traveling with toddlers we’ve found some great activities that our toddlers always love. You can get some ideas from our list of our favorite toddler activities for planes and our favorite toddler activities for road trips . 

Consider not only activities for the flight or drive, but also for your hotel room and when you’re out and about. 

When you’re traveling with a toddler, you’ll want a great diaper bag to carry all of your essential items. I highly recommend a backpack diaper bag for travel. They are typically much more comfortable, secure against theft, and easier to carry over long periods of time. 

Diapers and wipes

If your toddler isn’t potty trained, don’t forget to bring along diapers and wipes. You can choose to bring along enough for your whole trip or, if you want to pack lighter, you can pack enough for the first few days and plan on picking some up at your destination (make sure it’s a place where they’re easy to find).

When possible, I try to just bring along all the diapers and wipes I will need for my trip to save myself the hassle of needing to pick some up during the trip. However, I know people who would prefer to pack less up front, so do what makes the most sense to you. 

Be sure to bring more diapers than you think you will need in your diaper bag if you’re traveling by plane. The middle of a long flight is not the place where you want to realize that your child is going through more diapers than you anticipated. 

• Travel potty

For toddlers who are potty trained or in the process of potty training, a portable potty can be a lifesaver when traveling. 

There are a few different kinds, but one of the most useful for travel is a foldable seat that can be placed over a larger toilet to make a secure and smaller seat for your toddler. This allows toddlers to feel safer on a toilet and helps to prevent any potty training regressions while traveling. They’re also compact and can easily be folded up and carried in your diaper bag.

See our list of the best travel potties for toddlers for the best options out there. 

Clothes are obviously going to be a travel essential. We’ll highlight a few items in this section and you can find a more detailed list of clothes down in the packing list.

If you’re trying to pack light, bring outfits that can be mixed and matched.

Make sure that you’re packing weather appropriate clothes for your toddler (eg. sun hat, swimsuit, sunglasses vs winter coat, gloves, warm hat). 

Plan on bringing an extra pair of pajamas or two in case of nighttime accidents. It’s also a good idea to bring an extra pair of shoes in case you lose one or they get wet. 

Toddler travel packing list

This is our tried and tested toddler packing list that I use for every trip. I love being able to pack for a trip and know I’m not missing anything important as long as I double check my trusty list!

Packing tip: Spend a few minutes thinking about your toddler to determine if there are any toddler travel essentials that you should include that are specific to your child. For example, our oldest went through a phase where he couldn’t handle the smell of the toilet, so there was a period where we always carried a travel sized Poo-Pourri around with us. Our other two never had the same issue, so that wasn’t included in their packing lists. There might be items that your child needs that other people wouldn’t think to include.

• Car seat travel bag

Food/snacks

• Snack catcher

Sleep items

• Stuffed animal
• Monitor 
• Blackout option
• Hand sanitizer/wipes
• Travel activities
• Diapers/wipes or undies
• Toothbrush/paste
• Pants/shorts
• Jacket/Coat

Warm weather gear

• Swim diapers
• Floatie/life jacket

Cold weather gear

Final Thoughts

With a little preparation, traveling with a toddler can actually be a lot of fun. We’ve had great experiences traveling with our toddlers over the years (along with the occasional meltdown of course).

These toddler travel essentials will help your trip go a lot more smoothly. And you can rest assured knowing that you’ve done everything you can to set yourself up for success!

Other posts you might be interested in:

How to Get a Toddler to Sleep on the Plane (Tips that work!)

The Best Airplane Snacks for Toddlers

How to Have a Successful Road Trip with a Toddler

How to Fight Jet Lag in Babies and Toddlers

11 Helpful Tips for Hiking with a Toddler

Related Posts:

September 5, 2024

14-Year-Old Autistic Student Identified As 1 Of 4 Victims In Horrific Georgia School Shooting

Rest In Peace to these innocent victims....

One of four victims in the Georgia high school shooting has been identified as a 14-year-old autistic student , Mason Schermerhorn, The New York Post reported. 

Schermerhorn’s family made desperate pleas on social media, hoping to be reunited with their loved one, after they couldn’t reach him following the shooting in Winder. “If he is escalated, PLEASE use a calm voice with him,” family members said online. “Let him know his mom is looking for him for reassurance.”

It was later that the family found out the student was one of the victims of the shooting that occurred at Apalachee High School on Sep. 4. Schermerhorn, another 14-year-old student identified as Christian Angulo and two math teachers, Richard Aspinwall, and Christina Irimie, were allegedly gunned down by 14-year-old suspect, Colt Gray.

14-year-old Mason Schermerhorn was killed at Apalachee High School today. No child should have to worry about going to school and getting shot. We have failed our children. This has to stop. Prayers to Mason's family and friends. pic.twitter.com/ovDBbrM9Ss — Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) September 5, 2024

A friend of Schermerhorn’s mother, Doug Kilburn, said the teen loved spending time with his family, playing video games, telling jokes, and taking trips to Disney World. “He really enjoyed life,” Kilburn said. “He always had an upbeat attitude about everything.”

Nine other people, including special education teacher David Phenix and eight students, were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds . Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said all are expected to survive. During a press conference, law officials said Gray allegedly opened fire with an AR-15-style gun inside the school around 10:30 a.m.

According to FOX 5 , officers responded within minutes of a call and almost immediately encountered Gray , who dropped his weapon and surrendered. “Obviously, the shooter was armed, and our school resource officer engaged him, and the shooter quickly realized that if he did not give up, that it would end with an OIS — an officer-involved shooting,” Smith said.

After the suspect was interviewed immediately, the sheriff said connections between the student and the victims have not been identified, but they are looking into all aspects surrounding the incident. 

A video from a student’s point of view inside the school has gone viral on social media, showing the moment when law enforcement arrived to get surviving students to safety. The school was cleared by 11:30 a.m., and students were released to their families. Neighboring school, Winder-Barrow High, was also briefly placed on lockdown as a precaution. 

. #Breaking exclusive: video from Joel Romero from inside Apalachee High School where multiple people were shot. This is when law enforcement started moving in. 1 person in custody. Stay with @FOX5Atlanta as we bring you live reports from the scene. pic.twitter.com/v8yyAUhtxh — Brittany Edney (@BrittanyEdney) September 4, 2024

The gunman has allegedly been on the FBI’s radar since 2023 after he was investigated for making online threats to shoot up a school. Gray and his father were interviewed after the federal agency received a number of tips about threats, including photos of guns, in May 2023. At the time, law enforcement said they did not have probable cause to arrest the teenager or take further action.

RELATED CONTENT: A Texas Father Stands Guard At Wife’s and Child’s Elementary School To Provide Relief To Parents

• school shooting
• Mason Schermerhorn
• Apalachee High School

Screen Rant

American horror story's 13-year-old casting decision is its best chance at redemption.

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Why It’s Time For It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to End

Why american horror story season 12’s finale is the show’s lowest-rated episode ever, american horror story season 12 brought back a terrible recurring trope that always unnerved me.

When American Horror Story first aired in 2011, audiences fell in love with the show for many reasons. The show has a unique and creative take on horror stories, the anthology format of each season telling a different story keeps the show fresh , and the dark nature of the show keeps American Horror Story unpredictable, as every character is disposable as each season introduces a new set of main characters. However, one of the main reasons the show was so popular was the incredible performances by Jessica Lange , who has played four different characters throughout the show's run to date.

It was this darkness, combined with character strength and Jessica Lange's incredible acting skills that made all of these characters loved by fans around the world

Jessica Lange starred in the first four seasons of the show, playing different characters. Each of the characters played by Lange were strong characters who were willing to break the rules to get results. They were all anti-heroes, some more villainous than others, but all of them made mistakes and had some kind of darkness attached to them. It was this darkness, combined with character strength and Jessica Lange's incredible acting skills, that made all of these characters loved by fans around the world. Not even Lady Gaga or Kim Kardashian could live up to Lange's legacy on the show .

American Horror Story's season 12 finale is the show's lowest rated episode ever, but what went so disastrously wrong with Delicate's ending?

Jessica Lange's Return Is American Horror Story Season 13's Best Chance At Redemption

Since lange's retirement in 2015, the quality of the show has been in decline.

Apart from the show's critically acclaimed ninth season, titled "1984", the quality of the series has been on the decline since the departure of Jessica Lange after the show's fourth season. Following Lange's "retirement" from American Horror Story , the show has tried to replace her with celebrities that have a large fan base, such as Lady Gaga, Cara Delevingne and Kim Kardashian, hoping that it will improve the show's rating, but none of these celebrities have been able to live up to the high standard set by Jessica Lange in the first few seasons.

Unlike any other actor on the show, Jessica Lange brought a certain charisma to every role she played. All of her roles were fierce, strong and somewhat comedic , creating a formula of success. Whether she is feuding with one of Francis Conroy's characters, or putting poison in someone's drink, or calling someone a demeaning nickname, Jessica Lange played every single one of her roles perfectly, making her a staple of the show. Since her departure, there has been a Jessica Lange-shaped hole in the show that needs to be filled if the show wants any chance of becoming successful again.

Recent Casting Choices In American Horror Story Has Caused More Harm To The Show

The show has tried to make up for lange's exit by casting a-list celebrities in leading roles.

When Jessica Lange left American Horror Story in 2015, viewers were skeptical about the fifth season, unsure of what to expect without Lange in the leading role; some audience members even threatened to boycott the show. However, it wasn't long until Lady Gaga was cast as Elizabeth (The Countess). Although Gaga won an Emmy Award for playing the role, ratings suffered compared to other seasons of the show, one of the reasons being Lady Gaga's casting, as audiences found it difficult to separate 'Gaga' and 'Elizabeth' and found it difficult to view Lady Gaga as a serious actor.

In 2023, the creators of American Horror Story made the same mistake by casting Kim Kardashian in the most recent season of the show "Delicate". Kim's casting was a major controversy, with actors such as Patti LuPone accusing Kim Kardashian of taking a job away from a trained actor who might be in desperate need of work following the WGA strikes. When the episodes starring Kim Kardashian were released, the acting was poor, as if Kim Kardashian was playing a version of herself. These poor casting choices are why the show needs to bring Jessica Lange back into the spotlight.

Jessica Lange Could Return To The Show In Lots Of Different Ways

Jessica lange made a brief return in season 8 to reprise the role of constance.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem likely that Jessica Lange would be willing to return to the show in a starring capacity. However, she did return as a guest star in two episodes of season 8, titled "Return To Murder House" and "Apocalypse Then" where she reprized her season one character, Constance. Lange revealed that she only returned to the show because she was promised a death scene for the character. This seems quite promising and suggests that Lange might be open to another return in the future if she was given a really interesting storyline to film.

audience members can remain hopeful for some kind of return for Lange in the future of the show as it's happened before

Due to the nature of American Horror Story , Lange could return as a new character, or a character she has played before, and it could be in a main, recurring or guest capacity. Although it seems highly unlikely that she will return, audience members can remain hopeful for some kind of return for Lange in the future of the show as it's happened before, and it could happen again. After all, it is the only way that the show can revert back to its golden years, as Jessica Lange is what made the show so popular.

American Horror Story

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