Travel with a Toddler: Your Summer Packing & Prep Guide

 
a packing cube with toddler clothes and shoes ready for a summer vacation
Julianna Strickland Space Camp Organizing founder

Hello! It’s Julianna, and I can’t believe it but Finn is 21 months old (today!) and we’re going on a little family trip later this week. We’re headed to Syracuse, NY to see David’s dad and visit some other family. The last time we flew with Finn he couldn’t walk, so while the trip wasn’t a piece of cake, it was excellent that he wasn’t too mobile. Fast forward to today where he’s running around like a maniac (!) so I’m pulling out all the stops to make this trip as much of a success as possible. Here’s what I’m doing, in case it’s helpful to you. Happy travels!

packing list for traveling with a toddler

1. Make a packing list

Keep a go-to travel checklist in your Notes app. If you think of something offhand, add it to the list as soon as possible to get it out of your brain and on the list. Bonus tip, do this for yourself too!

Make sure to include…

  • Clothes (outfits per day + extras)

  • Diapers & wipes

  • Sleep stuff

  • Snacks + plane activities

  • First aid basics / nail clippers / medicine

  • Travel stroller or gear

Pack clothes by category in packing cubes

2. Pack clothes by category in packing cubes.

Roll up outfits (I just paired simple tops with a pair of shorts or pants) and then I popped them in a packing cube together. If we’re going somewhere where we won’t be able to unpack, packing cubes are ESSENTIAL. They act like little drawers that keep like-items together. Organization, but on the go!

divide your carry-on into zones

3. Organize your carry-on by category.

Using mini-pouches inside your toddler’s carry-on bag is a game changer. I like using a mix of these Baggu pouches, and these clear zippy pouches from Target. I even have smaller zippy pouches inside my bigger Baggu pouches to keep everything micro-organized. Here are the categories we have:

  • Diapering (diapers, wipes, changing mat)

  • Food (snacks, water bottle, wet wipes)

  • Entertainment (books, stickers, toys, iPad)

  • Extras (clothes for baby and me and David)

  • Carrier (if Finn is over walking or being in the stroller, I’m saving my arms with this Wildride carrier).

keep plane distractions low effort

4. Keep plane distractions low-effort.

A few simple toys and distractions can go a long way. Here are some of my favorites:

sleep kit with flip light, lovey, pajamas, books and more

5. Create a sleep kit

Recreate your toddler’s sleep environment as closely as you can. For us that means:

bonus tips

💡 Bonus Tips

  • Always bring more snacks than you think you’ll need

  • Don’t forget: meds, thermometer, and nail clippers

  • Be realistic—it’s travel with a toddler, not a spa trip.