Traveling with a toddler is no joke! Traveling with a newborn of course has its own challenges (see post here!) but I’ve found traveling with a toddler to be even more difficult. With an infant, the worries were feedings, germs, and having enough supplies, whereas with a toddler, it’s more about tantrums, sleep, and keeping them busy! We haven’t traveled a lot with a toddler (in a pandemic right now of course!) but we’ve flown a few times and just took a 20 hour road trip! Here are some of the tips we have learned along the way.
1 – Take advantage of the perks of flying with small children
You can check a stroller and car seat for free on all airlines, and we were able to check a pack n play for free as well. Load those bags up with other stuff. Literally STUFF them. Most airlines charge for checked luggage, so you can check fewer bags by cramming stuff in those bags (we have this bag and this bag). Also, make sure you pre-board for some extra time to get settled. It takes a little longer to get the toddler situated and happy, bags where you want them, everyone buckled, etc.
2 – Buy toddlers their own seat on the plane
If flights are cheap, pay for another seat for them. You can carry on their car seat for them to sit in (that Rosie likes and she’s used to) and they will be so much happier. We’ve brought her as a lap child too, and it was difficult! Going along with that, it’s easiest for them to have the window seat, because if they’re in the middle or aisle, no one can get by the car seat to go to the bathroom. Depending on flight prices, this may not always be an option. Hopefully the flight isn’t too crowded, and you can still have an extra seat to play in and spread out a bit. With Covid, there are empty middle seats on a lot of airlines anyway.
3 – Pack the car for a road trip strategically
Make sure that the items you will need on a 12 hour drive are accessible! We have a cooler bag with food in it in the middle row by Rosie, as well as the diaper bag, lots of toys, and extra clothes. In the front seat I had the tablet and charger.
4 – Take breaks when you need them while driving
We found that stopping every 1/2 tank of gas to stretch legs, go to the bathroom, etc. was a good amount of time. I don’t think we ever went longer than three hours without stopping. We had Rosie walk around and get some wiggles out before getting back in the car.
5 – Sit in the front seat
Rosie does A LOT better when I’m not in the back seat with her. She seems better able to entertain herself and she’s more likely to fall asleep. I think it’s one of those things where kids are worse behaved for their parents!
6 – Bring a portable high chair
We have this portable high chair and we bring it on all of our trips. It’s super secure and works with most tables we have tried. It also clips onto most kitchen islands. The material zips off and can be washed as well. When we flew, we snuck the chair into the stroller bag when we checked the luggage (hot tip!)
7 – Relax the rules on screen time
Rosie has a kids tablet that we reserve just for travel. When she is really fussy, tired, etc. we let her use it. We found that on our road trip, we hardly used it at all. However, the plane was tough, and we used it a lot. Give yourself grace when it comes to screen time on trips! Rules go out the window a little bit while traveling and I think that’s okay!
8 – Recreate their sleep environment
We got the slumber pod when Rosie was a baby, and we use it 100% of the time while traveling. It’s basically a blackout tent that you put over a pack n play so that it’s completely dark while they sleep. This is critical for us when traveling as hotels, airbnbs, etc. will not have blackout curtains. We use this pack n play, which we really like, but it’s not meant for travel. They make travel ones that fit into your suitcase and so we may get that at some point. We have always been able to check our pack n play for free too.
9 – Plan travel around naps and sleep
It has worked best for us to fly and drive during one of Rosie’s naps. She sleeps pretty well traveling, and we get a break while traveling too. That being said, I know other parents that prefer to travel at night. Either taking red eye flights, or driving overnight so that the kid sleeps the entire time. For me, that sounds terrible!!
10 – Your stroller is your friend
With a newborn, I actually think a stroller can be harder and more stressful, but with a toddler, a stroller is key. It’s the absolute easiest way to transport them through an airport, zoo, sights, etc. It’s also the best way for them to take naps while on the go. Once Rosie falls asleep, I will recline her all the way back. It’s also a great place for your diaper bag, toys, snacks, etc. We bring just our regular stroller, but a travel stroller may be even easier!
11 – Where you stay is important!
Pre-Rosie, Tony and I really didn’t care about our accommodations as long as they were in a great location! Our room was always just a place to sleep, so it could be small and basic and be totally fine. Now with a toddler, accommodations are important. We like to have a 2 bedroom, or a 1 bedroom with a closet or laundry room for Rosie to sleep in. For that reason, we like to do an airbnb, or if we need a hotel, Embassy Suites has 2 room suites. You also spend more time in your accommodations because of naps and meals and everything else, so a bigger place (sometimes more $$) is typically worth it!
12 – Keep bedtime necessities handy
Whether flying or driving, keep whatever necessities you need for bedtime easy to access (in your carryon, in the diaper bag, etc.) A lot of the time we are just getting to a destination at bedtime and it’s nice to not have to unpack anything to get the bedtime process started. Not to mention, if you miss a connection or something and you don’t have your checked bags, you will be glad you have that sound machine and stuff!
13 – So many snacks!
Rosie gets 2 snacks a day at home, but while traveling, we are snacking all the time. We like to bring apples, cheese sticks, veggie straws, and goldfish. However many snacks you think you need, bring more! Snacks will make them happy (at least temporarily) and you don’t want to run out while on the road or in the air.
14 – Pack small toys and surprises
Pack toys they like that are small (lots of books, little dolls, little animals, stacking cups, etc. Don’t try to pack big toys! Rosie also had a surprise present (bag full of new toys) that we waited for a rainy day on the trip to give her. It was nice to have to some new fun things to surprise her with!
