You have chosen the best destination to take your first vacation with kids in-tow and planning all the fun activities while you’re there – amazing! Then the panic sets in when you realize it’s going to take 8 hours to get there with your little one strapped into the car seat or confined to an airplane seat almost the whole journey there and back. I’ve got you covered!
I have two kids, my daughter is 5 years old and my son is 9 months old. We have taken them both on many different types of trips. It is possible to keep them entertained and everyone sane, I promise!
While this list looks long, these things can all be packed while still feeling like you’re packing “light” (if that’s even possible when traveling with littles).
Tips to make it through the travel journey with your sanity and excitement for the vacation intact:
- Keep in mind that this is vacation for them, too. Personally, when I go on vacation, I allow myself to indulge in things that I consider a treat – i.e. food, activities, relaxing time, etc.
- Allow unlimited screen time (for the journey, not the destination). Try to let go a little. Make sure to download the shows and movies ahead of time since WiFi isn’t always reliable.
- Infant/Child Nourishment Bag – TSA recently changed the rules and are allowing liquids that exceed the 3.4 oz. limit in carry-on luggage, so long as they are packed separately and are able to go through an additional screening process. Notify the officer that you have a Child Nourishment bag (https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/traveling-children). This was an absolute game-changer when traveling with my little one, as he wasn’t quite ready for all the solids but needed more than just breastmilk or formula. We packed puree and peanut butter pouches (Jif makes one that is super convenient), teething crackers, etc.
- Pack their favorite snacks and a few treats. Bonus if they’re old enough to help pack the snack bag, it makes them feel empowered (and more likely to eat what they’ve packed since they picked it out)! The first flight we took with our daughter, she was old enough for dried fruit but not gum, which helped during takeoff and landing. The second time we let her have Skittles and she thought that was pretty special!
- Coloring books or paper on a clipboard + fat crayons – the larger crayons are more sturdy and resist snapping. My daughter’s go-bag has a clipboard that lives in it permanently and is used as a travel table.
- LED tablet – essentially an Etch-a-Sketch but make it the 2025 version. My daughter will “color” with hers for hours. The stylus is attached to the screen so its easy to keep the parts together and there is no mess. It’s an extremely affordable option, we usually keep 2 in her backpack for when we are with cousins or friends to share.
- Suction cup or sticky toys – we have a set of suction cup spinner poppers and they are a hit with the baby crowd. They stick to the windows of the car or plane, hotel room, tray table, etc.
- Toy straps + carabiner clips – the toddler toss is real. To avoid getting sicked out by toys on the floor and then into the mouth, clip them to your LO’s outfit, stroller, wagon, or carrier.
- Travel sound machine – I personally love our Hatch Rest Go because the circular clip easily slips onto the straps on the baby-wearing carrier and helps block out all the extra noise.
- Antibacterial wipes (not gel), paper napkins, zip-top bags, and wastebasket liners – listen, I’m an “eat it off the floor (at home)” / “germs are good for us” / “rub some dirt on it” kind of mom. But airports are gross. I said it. I’m not here to sanitize every last thing, but I’m not trying to get some type of bug while we are on vacation, or when we get home. The wipes are better than the gel because you can use them on your skin or on surfaces. Paper napkins are so versatile, from cleaning up messes to runny noses. Zip-top bags come in handy for so many different things, just trust me on this one. I always travel with about 10 wastebasket liners and we use them for anything from a motion sickness bag, travel trash bag, to stashing wet/dirty clothes.
- Ride-on luggage – my daughter received a ride-on rolley bag as a gift for her third birthday (thank you, Aunt Laurie and Uncle Anthony!) and she loves it and so do we! If we are in a rush to get through the airport, she hops on, buckles in, and my husband will run with her. If we have time to spare, she gets her wiggles out at the gate riding it in the airport. The size she has is considered a carry-on, so we take it all the way to the plane and it’s still roomy enough to pack everything she needs for the whole trip.
- Sleeping tent – hear me out. We got one for my daughter when she was about 3 years old and it works like a charm. It is very dark on the inside and such a cozy little space that’s just hers. Often times when we travel we are sharing a room with our kids and this helps lower the stimulation to relax and fall asleep in an unfamiliar place. The one we purchased has a hook to hang a fan, a sleeve for a tablet, and pockets for a sound machine and water bottle.
- Black yard trash bags and painter’s tape – these are a lifesaver for darkening windows. There’s never a guarantee there will be window coverings, much less room darkening. Can also be used in the car/plane for shade. I almost always travel with painter’s tape, there are so many uses for it!
- Power bank – does this need an explanation?
- Hydration sticks – BodyArmor, Liquid IV and Gatorade all make single-serve powder sticks that can be added to a standard size water bottle. These are a great option since travel can be so dehydrating, whether from being in an airplane itself, a different climate, or simply forgetting to drink enough water amidst the chaos.
- Baby carrier – if you have a little one, baby wearing is an absolute must. I love the MomCozy carrier because it is made of a super breathable fabric, has a hip seat, and storage. I also sprung for the ErgoBaby button-on rain cover for our most recent vacation. Luckily, we only had to use it once, but it was nice to have just in case.
- Wagon > Stroller (for travel) – I love my UppaBaby stroller, don’t get me wrong, but traveling with a wagon has worked better for us. It folds down smaller, is easier to get kids in and out, and you can toss almost anything in it to make the trek from the terminal to baggage claim and out the door a breeze. In the past we have used a standard utility wagon, but there are so many cool options on the market these days!
- Car seat dolley – if you choose to take your car seat with you, you’ll want to strap it to a dolley for transport. Chances are high that your little will want to strap into the car seat while it’s on the dolley, what a fun and easy way to make it through the airport!
- Ride Safer vest – if your LO’s meet the minimum requirements, I highly suggest a Ride Safer vest instead of taking the big, bulky car seat. They are extremely safe, fold down small, and are very light. I throw my daughter’s in my purse or her backpack. This also makes it easy when she is with relatives so that we aren’t constantly switching out the big car seat, but gives me peace of mind since she isn’t big enough for only the seat belt yet.
Now, go get your spray tan and mani pedi (or whatever your pre-vacation rituals are) and enjoy the time away with your family!
