Our toddler has travelled to 12 countries with us so far, and of course, we can’t wait for more. I have prepared a list of the best toddler essentials for travel that usually work for us. Maybe with time, I will get some new ideas, and I hope to keep this post up to date. For now, my list is not too long because I always keep in mind that in most countries, it is easy to get basic products or medicines. For me, packing with a toddler is actually not a huge challenge, as he loves to help with it, but I need to keep in mind a couple of basic rules before we head out. So, here it comes! Check out our toddler travel essentials and get some inspiration on what to pack when traveling with a toddler.
Toddler Essentials for Travel – My Golden Rules
So, before I even share my toddler essentials with you, I need to mention something important. I pack together with my toddler, as he just loves to help with everything. I know that many children are like this at this age, and that’s the reason I want to mention my rules. So I simply need to double-check if everything I wanted to pack is still in my suitcase – and if everything I don’t want to pack stayed behind :) Yes, that’s the very, very little disadvantage of having a little helper by my side!
I’m ashamed to admit that once we took a tissue box from a hotel with their logo, and only after unpacking the suitcase did I realize we committed this tiny theft. But in my defense, I can only say that I wasn’t the one packing it! Usually, nothing is missing from the suitcase, but there are always things inside that I don’t need to take, like too many children’s toys or, for example… a ladle. So, right before closing the suitcase, I simply do a final check, zip it up, and then I am sure everything is fine.
Portable Travel Mosquito Net
As we live in South-East Asia, we have visited many places around, and that’s why a portable travel mosquito net is one of my top toddler essentials for travel. I am scared of mosquito-borne diseases, and nothing gives me more peace of mind than a mosquito net. In my opinion, this is the most efficient way to protect yourself from mosquitos. At home, I have mosquito nets installed everywhere I can, but when visiting a hotel, I never really see this solution. And since we want to have our room cleaned, the staff usually keep the door open, which invites unwanted guests.
Mosquito Net – Type 1
There are two travel mosquito nets that I recommend. The first one – if you are not too worried about this issue – is only for the baby and can be used if they sleep in a cot by themselves. The adults are not protected then, but it takes up very little space in your suitcase or backpack. It looks like a simple net material that is stretched over the cot and can be easily stored anywhere.
Mosquito Net – Type 2
The other one takes up more space. It is a mosquito net that can be set up on a big bed, so adults with a child can sleep together. I ordered my nets on Lazada, and they are dirt-cheap here. After using it, you can fold it up and put it back into its original packaging. It takes up more space, so it is a good option if you are very scared of mosquitos in Asia and have extra space in your luggage.
I don’t recommend taking a bug zapper racket with you, as I once did, and it was confiscated at the airport. Till this day, I am not sure why, but it is not allowed in your checked luggage. However, I still recommend buying it upon arrival, as it is widely available when reaching your destination in Asia. It is very helpful in fighting the mosquitos and saves time catching them.
Baby Proofing: Outlet Covers
As a mum of a VERY active, high-spirited toddler who is everywhere, I highly recommend outlet covers. They don’t take much space in your luggage and can save your nerves if your kid is similar to mine. I have them at home in every outlet, and I have some extra pieces for travel. Of course, you need to check the outlet type at your destination first. Our boy is a huge “fixing” fan, and everything connected with fixing, cables, and outlets is super interesting for him. So, when we go on vacation, we prefer to be safe at a little cost and feel at ease, rather than having to think about this forbidden fruit too much.
Going off on a tangent (but not too much), since it is connected with electricity, I want to warn everyone traveling to Japan. I will write more about it in my upcoming post about traveling to Japan with an infant, so here’s just a little warning. If you go to Japan, keep in mind that the voltage there is lower than in many other countries. That’s why some devices may not work there at all – just like my most essential item at the time of our trip there, my breast pump :) If this is the case for you too, you might need to invest in a voltage converter in advance.
Ride-on Suitcase for Toddler
I have to recommend our suitcase as one of my top toddler essentials. As our toddler doesn’t use a stroller any longer and never used a baby carrier, a ride-on suitcase is a very good solution. If he gets tired at the airport, he can simply sit on it, and everything goes much faster. I have seen many options and a huge variety of such products, and I recommend you to check if the one you want to pick is cabin size, because that is a total deal-breaker.
If our boy doesn’t want to ride on it any longer, he can simply pull it by himself. It is light, and he can feel like a real traveler. Sometimes, if we go only for a short trip, I can pack almost all of his things there. Our model of the suitcase is very spacious and has plenty of compartments. We bought ours for 2,130 baht on Lazada (so about $65).
Nasal Spray – My Travel Hero
Whenever we go into a very crowded place, a nasal spray becomes my essential toddler item. I use a saline nasal spray for babies made of 100% natural seawater. It helps with a stuffy nose, so it’s good to have on the plane. But I use it mostly because it moisturizes the nose, making it harder for germs to stick and thrive. When traveling with a toddler, I am always worried about his still weak and developing immune system, so it is a part of my “infection prevention policy.”
Unfortunately, during our trips, he has caught some infections already, especially when travelling as an infant. That’s why now I always carry this nasal spray and some antibacterial wipes, as he loves to touch everything. I know I will not be able to prevent him from catching something every time we go somewhere; I just want to minimize the chances in any way I can.
Other Toddler Essentials I Always Take
There are not many things that I take apart from that. When he was an infant, I used to take his gentle bottle dishwashing liquid for cleaning his bottles so I didn’t have to look for it at our destination.
To this day, I always take his own towel because I don’t want him to use the ones from the hotel. Maybe it is subjective, but I personally feel it’s more hygienic that way.
I always pack some snacks like baby puffs for him and baby porridge, but usually, he eats with us normally when we order or buy something.
I take a first aid mini kit + some basic medicines, but usually, I have noticed that there is no problem with getting everything you need at local pharmacies. Once, he got a rash on his chest after eating pineapple (because the juice came in contact with his skin), so I was happy that I packed a calamine cream that quickly helped with it. He wasn’t allergic, but his skin has always been sensitive, and when some very sour food or juice from food comes into contact with his skin, it usually gets a bit red.
And of course, I get him some of his favorite toys (especially his “fixing” toys) and 3-4 books, as he loves it when we read to him. However, I don’t pack too many toys, as there are always some more interesting new objects in a new place for him to play with.
Final Tips – Lessons Learned from Traveling with a Toddler
I don’t think I have many toddler essentials for traveling with our little one. I prefer not to take too many useless items, as that was the case especially during our first trips together. Now, I try to avoid taking everything I can buy on the spot, and I know that taking too many toys is completely unnecessary. If I get some new ideas on what’s really worth taking, I’ll update you about it.
And what are your thoughts? Can you recommend any toddler essentials to take for travel? Let me know in the comments below :)