Complete toddler packing list – everything you will need when traveling with your tot!
This post may contain affiliate links or sponsored links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
We have two toddlers and a baby, and we travel often. Every time we get ready to leave on a trip, I find myself scrambling to remember everything we need and usually end up forgetting something
So I decided to make a comprehensive toddler packing list that I can use each time we need to pack for a trip. I also have a baby packing checklist if that applies to you.
This packing checklist can be used anytime you stay away from home, whether you are visiting family, going on vacation, on a road trip, flying, or traveling for another reason.
Click here to skip straight to the free printable version of this toddler packing checklist!!
Toddler Travel Packing Checklist
Clothing – Toddler Packing List
I recommend packing by outfit. I usually pack 4-5 outfits per child for a 1-2 week trip, as long as we will have access to laundry. Bonus if you can choose outfits that can be mixed & matched so you can switch things up without overpacking. If you won’t have access to laundry, I would pack one outfit per day + 2-3 extra.
I usually pack all of my kids’ clothes in one bag or suitcase and separate everyone’s clothes with clear packing cubes. These vacuum-storage bags can save a lot of space if you need to pack bulky coats or diapers.
- Tops – long sleeve, short sleeve, tank tops
- Girls – dresses/rompers
- Bottoms – pants and/or shorts
- Pajamas – I usually only pack 2-3 per kid because they can wear them multiple nights
- Socks
- Underwear – pack extra if you have a newly potty-trained toddler
- Jackets/Sweatshirts– amount depends on destination/weather
- Shoes – I typically only bring their favorite everyday pair and possibly rain/snow boots or sandals depending on destination/weather
- Hair Accessories
Weather/Destination Dependent Items
- Sun Hat
- Sunglasses
- Swimwear – swimsuits, rashguards, water shoes
- Swim diapers – I like to save space by bringing these reusable swim diapers, but we use disposal ones sometimes too
- Puddle Jumper/Floaties
- Portable Fan/Stroller Fan
- Rain Gear
- Cold Weather Gear – hats, gloves, winter coat/bunting, snow pants, boots
Toiletries – Toddler Packing List
We use this cute little bag for my toddlers’ travel toiletries.
- Shampoo/Soap
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Toddler Flossers – we use these
- Hairbrush/Comb
- Hair Products – gel, detangler, etc.
- Lotion
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent
- Nail Clippers
- Children’s Tylenol/other medications
- Vitamins
- Thermometer
- Travel First Aid Kit – we bring this one
- Face/Hand Wipes
- Laundry Detergent/Pods – if you plan to do laundry and these aren’t provided
Diapers/Potty – Toddler Packing List
- Diapers – I bring 5 regular diapers and 1 night diaper x each day of vacation – you can buy more when you get to your destination if you don’t want to pack that many
- Wipes – I bring 2-3 packs for a week trip because we use them for diaper changes, cleaning up messes on the go, wiping hands/faces, etc.
- Diaper Cream
- Portable Changing Pad – we keep this one in our car and use it when we travel
- Diaper Smell Sacks – these sacks come in very handy when you don’t want a dirty diaper smelling up the place in hotel rooms, in the car, staying at someone’s house, etc.
- Travel Potty – this travel potty is awesome for in the car, at the park, on walks, etc
- This fold-out potty seat is great if your toddler is used to using a smaller toilet seat at home.
- Pull-Ups – My potty-trained toddler wears a pull-up at night and on long road trips. He usually stays dry, but it’s nice not to have to mess with changing sheets in a hotel/rental or dealing with an accident in the car seat if we aren’t able to pull over in time.
My favorite diapers! We have a Hello Bello subscription box, and I have so much fun choosing from adorable pattern options each time it ships. You can pause, delay, or cancel your subscription at any time. Click here to check it out. Use the code REGANP for $15 off your first box.
Sleep – Toddler Packing List
- Pack n’ play, portable crib, or toddler bed – we use the Baby Bjorn travel crib for our toddlers when they are younger and an inflatable toddler travel bed once they get a bit older (we found both of these items like-new on Facebook Marketplace – highly recommend buying kids’ gear secondhand if you want to save some money!)
- If we are packing light or going on a short trip, I usually just have my older toddlers sleep in a regular bed (with or without us) if there is one available.
- Check and see if your accommodations offer a pack ‘n play or crib so you don’t have to bring one
- Pack n’ Play sheets – good to bring a set of your own even if you plan to use a provided crib/pack n’ play
- Portable Sound Machine – we use this one at home and for travel
- Monitor – grab all the parts (camera, monitor screen, chargers, etc.)
- Blackout Options – travel blackout curtains, blackout crib cover, or blackout tent (we don’t use these very often, but many people swear by them)
- Lovey/stuffed animal/pacifier (if your toddler has one)
- Blanket or Sleepsack
- Night light – a nightlight can make toddlers feel more at ease sleeping in a new location and can also be useful for middle of the night bathroom trips.
Eating – Toddler Packing List
- Toddler Utensils – we use this travel set
- Bibs – if you use them at home
- Snack cups – we use these collapsible silicone snack cups
- Snackle Box – a snack spinner or snackle box is a fun way to pack a variety of snacks/food for flights, long car trips, or outings
- Water bottle – this is our favorite toddler water bottle
- Sippy Cups
- Travel High Chair – we love this little eating chair for travel and for eating outside at home
- Cup/Water Bottle Toppers – I’m obsessed with both of these genius products – these cup toppers can turn almost any cup into a sippy cup, and these water bottle toppers prevent your toddler from dumping an entire bottle of water down the front of their shirt when they try to drink out of it 😉
Entertainment – Toddler Packing List
I usually let my toddlers pack a mini backpack with a few of their favorite toys when we travel.
- Current favorite toys
- Books
- Coloring books/sticker books/activity books
- Magnetic toys
- Electronics/chargers/headphones
Diaper Bag – Toddler Packing List
These are things you’ll want to have easy access to whether you’re traveling by plane or car or out and about.
- Diapers/Pull-ups (if using) – enough to get you through the day
- Travel potty (if using)
- Wipes
- Change of clothes
- Snacks – I always have our travel snack bag fully stocked when we are on the go
- Water bottle
- Entertainment
- Toddler Headphones
- Sanitizing wipes
- Face/hand wet wipes and/or hand sanitizer
- Pacifier (if using)
- Wet bag (wet bags come in handy for many reasons) – or you can use a grocery sack or Ziplock bag
- Birth Certificate or Passport (if needed for travel)
Large Items – Toddler Packing List
- Car seat – we use this one for travel because it’s lightweight and compact – we can fit 3 across in a car even in our small SUV
- Car seat bag – a padded car seat bag is great for carrying, protecting your car seat, and keeping it clean if you are checking it for a flight
- Stroller
- Stroller bag – nice to use for airplane travel if your stroller will be underneath the plane or gate-checked
- Baby Carrier
- We use an Ergobaby carrier for our babies/toddlers when they are younger
- A hip-seat carrier is nice for older toddlers who want to be down and walking but like to be carried too
- Bring a hiking carrier if you plan to hit the trails with a bigger toddler.
Free Printable Toddler Travel Checklist
I hope this toddler packing list makes preparing for your trip easy & stress-free! Happy travels!
More Packing Lists:
- Family Beach Vacation Packing List
- Lake Trip Packing List
- Baby Packing List
- Mountain Family Vacation Packing List (coming soon)
