things to bring when you travel with your toddler

A family trip is always a welcome diversion from the chaos of daily life. I know I am not exactly a perfect mom, and there are times when the four corners of our house can be suffocating and the daily routines can be draining. This is why that we, as parents, should always find time to unwind. Sometimes a total reboot is needed – like going out of town for the weekend, Disney vacations, road trips or even a few hours stay at the mall.

Sure, preparing the itinerary and packing your bags are easy. But what about your toddler? Babies and toddlers do have their own needs and personal effects. In order for you to have a stress-free vacation, make sure you have everything your child needs for the entire trip. Here are a few things you might want to consider.

What to Bring when Traveling with a Toddler


  • A carryall. You need a large, compartmentalized diaper bag, tote bag or backpack that can hold the basic needs of your toddler. Make sure it has a shoulder strap, so you can carry both your child and the bag simultaneously, making things easier to manage.
  • Diapers or Training Pants. Yes, these are very basic, but sometimes even the most experienced traveler can forget these. So just a friend reminder, if you don’t want a fussy baby in the car or in the bus, do not ever forget to bring diapers.
  • Baby Wipes. No mom can live without baby wipes. These are very helpful with dirty hands, grimy faces, soiled furnishings and even car upholstery. Make cleanup very easy with baby wipes. Remember, there are times when there is no bathroom nearby.
  • Change of clothes. Always bring a change of clothes. Yes, even if your trip to the mall only takes half an hour.
  • Food and Drinks. Bring some water, milk and maybe some biscuits or sandwiches. I am telling you, you cannot survive a trip without bringing sustenance for your toddler. Your sanity depends on it. Haha.
  • Medicines and First Aid Kit. Do not ever forget to bring your child’s vitamins and some OTC medicines. If your child has medication for allergies or asthma, bring them.
  • Books, toys and music. Having these three things will certainly help in alleviating your toddler’s boredom. Also, bring a story or two with yourself, that way, you can entertain your toddler while on the road.

Family trips and holidays are great ways to bond. Unwinding with your family need not be stressful, you just have to know the important things you need to bring.

What about you? Do you have other tips on how you can manage your toddlers during family trips? Share it with the community by commenting on this post or by emailing me at blog@mommymakeitbetter.com. I would be so happy to hear from you.