The Best Toddler Gear and Essentials for Toddlers

If you're looking for the best travel gear for toddlers, keep reading!

I'm a mom of 4 and a family travel content creator who has traveled with toddlers of all ages, stages, and temperaments.

From long road trips to international long-haul flights and everything in between, we've encountered many different travel situations with our toddlers.

I've assembled a list of toddler travel essentials that have stood the test of time and experience. We like to travel light, so I have narrowed it down to the necessities. Packing for young children can get out of control fast with all of the gear available for parents!

Here are the best toddler travel essentials to make traveling as a family as enjoyable as possible!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Getting Around (Car Seats, Strollers, and Carriers)

Best Travel Stroller

There are so many travel strollers on the market, but I can only speak from my experience. We've used many strollers with our 4 kids over the years, but my all-time favorite lightweight travel stroller is the Zoe Tour.

I want to disclose that Zoe sent me the Tour to try out in exchange for a review, and I do currently have an affiliate relationship with them.

However, I have put this stroller through the ringer in the past year, and it has held up perfectly under so many different travel situations.

We used this stroller for trips to the Florida Keys, Washington DC, San Diego, Italy and Greece, Asheville, Belgium and Amsterdam, and Puerto Rico. It performed well over cobblestone in Europe, and it's lightweight and easy to steer with one hand.

The best part is that it is easy to set up and take down with one hand, and it folds up small enough to fit in the overhead bin on many airlines.

It has a four-panel canopy and 140º recline, which makes it perfect for naps on the go. My 3-year-old practically lived in this stroller on both of our trips to Europe in the past year.

It's also infant car seat compatible if you have the adapter so you can use it for infants up to preschoolers.

Plus it can turn into a double stroller with an add-on seat, so if you plan to grow your family as you continue to travel, you won't have to keep buying new strollers!

If you use my affiliate link you get $15 off your first purchase - no code needed!

Soft Carrier

Some destinations are just not compatible with strollers, and in those situations, it's good to have a baby carrier. We have always used and loved the Lillebaby All Seasons carrier. I've used this for infants, babies, and toddlers since it can grow with your baby. I also love that it's breathable, which makes it perfect for exploring warm-weather destinations with a baby or toddler.

This one can be used for kids up to 45 pounds and can be used for a front carry, side carry, or back carry.

If your little one is heavier than 45 pounds, the best toddler carrier is the Lillebaby CarryOn AirFlow, which works for kids between 25 and 60 pounds.

Structured Carrier

If your child has outgrown a toddler carrier, or you want something a little sturdier for longer hikes or outings, we tried the Freeloader structured child carrier. This is a great option for destinations that are not stroller-friendly, or for families that have children older than a toddler that still struggle to walk or hike long distances.

We tested this out on our trip to Costa Rica when we opted not to bring the stroller. We participated in a few tours that were not stroller-friendly, like a sloth tour in the jungle, and the Freeloader was the perfect option for both our toddler and preschooler when they got tired.

The Freeloader holds between 25 and 80 pounds. It is lightweight and compact, and we had no trouble bringing it on the plane. I love that it has a hip pocket for my phone and wallet, and it's comfortable to carry older toddlers or kids long distances.

This is a great alternative to a structured hiking carrier. It's much smaller and easier to pack!

Best Travel Car Seats

Getting a car seat to your destination can be tricky, which is why I've written an entire blog post about traveling with car seats! But if you're planning to rent a car at your destination, you can either rent a car seat (or multiple car seats if you have more than one child still in a car seat), which can get quite expensive, or you can bring your own car seat along on the plane.

I've tried out a few different travel car seats for toddlers, and here are my top 2 options.

Best Car Seat for Younger Toddlers

The Cosco Scenera Next is the lightweight travel car seat of choice for parents of toddlers. It's FAA-approved, which means it is legal to use it on an airplane for flights within the USA. It's narrow, so it fits nicely in the plane seat without spilling over into the next seat, and with most cars, you can fit 3 across the back seat.

The Cosco Scenera can be used either forward-facing or rear-facing. It's important to check the weight and height specifications for both rear-facing and forward-facing. Our toddler grew out of this car seat almost immediately after purchasing it. She had just turned 2, and was tall for her age. Because of that, I would suggest this travel car seat for 1-year-old toddlers or small 2-year-olds.

Best Car Seat for Older/Taller Toddlers

Because our toddler grew out of the Cosco Scenera Next very quickly, it was back to the drawing board to find a lightweight and narrow car seat for taller toddlers.

I found the Safety First Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat fit the bill.

It is also FAA-approved and can be used forward-facing or rear-facing.

My favorite feature of the Safety First Jive 2-in-1 is that it comes with cupholders! I loved this option on the airplane because I could set my coffee down while I was getting everything set up for the flight.

This was easy to install and perfect for our older, taller toddler.

Travel Booster Seat

Most toddlers will not be using a booster seat for travel, but if you happen to have older kids, I just wanted to give my recommendation for a travel booster seat.

The Mifold Hifold is a portable high-back adjustable booster seat that's perfect for small children who have outgrown the 5-point harness car seats.

It folds down quickly and is compact enough to bring on a trip.

You can't use the Mifold on airplanes, but it's great to use in the rental car upon arrival.

Packing

Diaper Bag

I've never really been much of a diaper bag mom, so I always opted for backpack-style diaper bags when traveling with young children. I don't have any current favorite recommendations for travel diaper bags, but check your airline's policy on diaper bags for lap infants! You may be allowed to bring a diaper bag on board for free in addition to your carry-on and personal item.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are essential for staying organized when packing for trips with toddlers!

Because toddler clothes are still very small, I usually try to fit both their clothes and my clothes in one carry-on-sized suitcase.

I put all of their clothes in one medium or large size packing cube. You can either roll the clothes or lay them flat to get the most use of your space.

You can also use a vacuum space-saver bag for things like diapers or sleep sacks to save space in your suitcase.

We've been using these very affordable packing cubes since 2017 and they have held up very well considering the amount of wear and tear we've put them through!

I like these clear packing cubes because they're very structured. They are perfect for packing toys, diapers and wipes, clothes, and more. Plus you can see exactly what's in them!

Finally, these narrow packing cubes are great for organizing multiple categories in one suitcase.

Suitcases for Toddlers

In certain situations, I will let my toddler bring their own suitcase when we're traveling. If we're not trying to pack light, I think it's a great idea for young kids to have a suitcase to look after. It's a great way to teach them responsibility in the airport.

We've always used small, lightweight suitcases for our toddlers that aren't necessarily practical, but that are easy for a toddler to pull.

You could also opt for a ride-on suitcase, like the JetKids bed box that comes with an in-flight bed or leg rest. Kids can pull the suitcase or ride on it while parents pull it.

Backpacks for Toddlers

Toddlers can manage a small backpack with their favorite snacks and a few toys as their personal item, as long as it's not too heavy!

We have used many toddler backpacks over the years, and I haven't found any that stick out as superior. Pretty much any miniature backpack will do!

My youngest has this one, and I love that she can put her doll or stuffed animal in the carrier!

Sleeping

Travel Crib

The Guava Lotus is the most highly recommended toddler travel crib for sleeping away from home. This travel crib is compact and lightweight at only 15 pounds.

It comes with an airport-friendly backpack so you can easily transport this toddler crib through the airport.

Not every hotel has a crib or pack-&-play for your child to sleep in, and if they do, they are sometimes dirty or unsafe.

Bringing your own travel crib ensures your toddler has a safe place to sleep, as well as a clean and safe place to sit and play so they don't get into things they shouldn't in the hotel room.

Inflatable Toddler Travel Bed

When our daughter was just over the age of 2, we traveled to Costa Rica. It was during that trip that we realized she could climb out of a pack-&-play.

It was no longer safe for her to sleep in a travel crib, so we had her sleep in between us in the bed for the rest of that trip.

When we returned, we immediately purchased an inflatable toddler travel bed, which has been one of the best purchases we've made!

It comes with built-in safety bumpers and a blow-up mattress, and has a weight limit of 150 pounds! We've even used it for our older kids when we all had to squeeze in one hotel room.

The bed comes with a bag with backpack straps, so it's easy to take on the go, whether you're road-tripping, camping, or flying.

Blackout Curtains

Travel blackout curtains are a must for sleeping in a hotel room or Airbnb with toddlers.

These travel curtains have Velcro edges and suction cups to stick to the window so you can keep the room perfectly dark during nap time. It's also great for those rooms facing the early morning sun if you want your toddler to sleep in a little longer.

White Noise Machine

We never traveled without a sound machine when we had toddlers! We use white noise machines in all of the kids' bedrooms at home, so it's nice to create a consistent sleep environment for them on the road. It's also helpful if you have loud neighbors in a hotel with thin walls, or if you're staying near the city center and the nightlife is noisy.

I love this tiny portable sound machine with a clip-on ring and rechargeable batteries.

Baby Monitor

We have never been the type of family to travel with a baby monitor, but if you're staying in a 2-bedroom suite or an Airbnb with multiple levels where you may not hear the toddler wake up, a travel baby monitor would be a good thing to have.

This travel size baby monitor does not use Wifi and has a long battery life.

Eating

Sippy Cups

We always bring sippy cups when we travel with a toddler, even if our child is able to drink from an open cup at home.

We've learned from experience that airplanes and hotel rooms are full of chaotic or new situations, and your toddler may be more prone to knocking over a cup.

The last thing you want to do on a long flight is sit in an airplane seat covered in apple juice.

Take & Toss sippy cups are easy to pack, and you can also use them to hold snacks like puffs, dry cereal, or berries.

Water Bottle

Don't forget to bring an empty water bottle for your toddler! We like the Yeti Rambler Jr. 12-oz water bottle because they are durable, dishwasher safe, and come in tons of fun colors!

Portable High Chair

If you're traveling with younger toddlers, a portable high chair is a lifesaver! Otherwise, you'll be holding your toddler on your lap for every meal, which can get really old really fast.

We loved the Summer Pop & Sit portable booster chair when our toddler was little. It even comes with a convenient bag for transporting through the airport.

Bib

We loved the silicone bibs when our toddler was younger and still making a big mess at every mealtime. I really like these toddler bibs with sleeves if you have a special outfit on your child for pictures, too!

ChooMee

The ChooMee food pouch top is the single greatest invention known to mankind - or at least to traveling parents of toddlers.

You twist it on top of food pouches, and the flow control valve at the top prevents spills. This way you can let your toddler hold their own food pouch without worrying about them squeezing it and having food spill everywhere.

Snack Cups

The Munchkin Snack Catchers were our go-to product for giving our toddler snacks on the go. They can carry them around a hotel room, or sit and snack in their stroller.

Favorite Snacks

Don't forget to bring a few familiar snacks for your toddler! You never know if they will like the food in the destination you're visiting, and having a few familiar foods will help ease your anxiety and keep your little one happy.

Toddler Airplane Essentials

Lollipops

Lollipops are great for preventing ear pain during takeoff and landing with a toddler! I always order these organic dye-free lollipops before we leave for a trip.

They also work great in a pinch if you're in a museum or somewhere where your toddler needs to be quiet. I'm not above bribery when we travel!

Amazon Fire HD

While we are strict about screen time at home, we are much more lax about it on travel days. We've been using the Amazon Fire Kids Tablets ever since our older kids were toddlers because you can control what the kids have access to and they come with a kid-proof case.

Always be sure to download your movies, shows, and apps that don't use Wifi ahead of time so you have entertainment ready to go when the kids have gone through all the toys and activity books you brought.

Headphones

Do NOT forget to bring toddler headphones, especially if you're flying! No one wants to hear Daniel Tiger or Bluey throughout an entire long haul flight!

For younger toddlers, the CozyPhones have been our favorite option for headphones since they slide over the toddler's ears like a headband with built-in speakers. Plus the fun animal ears make kids excited to wear them!

For older toddlers, we find most other headphones are pretty similar. Look for volume control so you don't damage their hearing, and stay away from Bluetooth options. We find the Bluetooth never works when you need it to.

Best Travel Toys

I personally always advise against bringing too many toddler travel toys because they end up taking up a ton of space, and kids lose interest quickly.

As your toddler gets older they develop a longer attention span for their favorite toys, so around age 3 or 4 I start bringing a few special toys for them.

Before that age, I found that whatever was in their surrounding environment was often more interesting, like the safety pamphlets on the airplane or the remote control in the hotel room.

Busy Board

I really like this option for younger toddlers because it works well for their short attention span since there are lots of fun things to play with on the busy board. It also doesn't take up too much space in a travel backpack and is great for developing fine motor skills and improving hand-eye coordination.

Melissa & Doug Water Wow Books

These are great for church, road trips, flying with kids, and having your child sit quietly during your doctor appointment. It's mess-free, and you can color the pages over and over with the water brush.

Crayola Color Wonder Coloring Books

Color Wonder Coloring Books are also mess-free, and they are perfect for older toddlers who really want to color with markers, but you don't trust them to not color the airplane seat or tray table. The markers are made to only color the special paper in the coloring books!

Magnatiles

Magnatiles are some of my favorite toys for my toddlers and preschoolers to play with. They encourage imagination and there are endless ways to use them. I bring about 8-10 Magnatiles for my toddler to play with on trips. These are great for older toddlers.

Along those same lines, Magformers are a little more lightweight and easy to travel with. Magnetic blocks or cubes are fun, too!

Here are my suggestions for the best toys and games for airplane travel with a toddler.

Toddler Road Trip Essentials

Car Seat Tray

A travel tray is so nice to have on a long trip! Kids can color, spread out their snacks, and have a place to put their crayons and toys.

Car Seat Organizer

These seat-back organizers are perfect for older kids, or for storing all of the snacks, toys, and necessities for a road trip. You could also use this to organize diapers and wipes, or as a spot to hold the tablet so kids can watch a movie.

Swim & Beach

If you're going somewhere with a beach or pool, here are a few toddler items to bring along!

Sand Free Mat

We used to live in Florida, and this sand-free mat is a lifesaver at the beach. The edges are weighted so the wind won't blow it around, and you can set your things on the mat without worrying about them getting too sandy.

Rash Guard

It's important to apply and reapply sunscreen to your toddler, which is why I find rash guards imperative for long days at the pool or beach with a toddler. More sun protection from their swimsuit means less sunscreen you need to apply to a wiggly, and wet or sandy toddler.

In addition to a long sleeve rash guard, I like to use sun hats for toddlers (if you can get them to keep it on) to protect their faces, heads, and necks. Work smarter, not harder.

Beach Bag

A mesh beach bag is easy to pack and perfect for bringing the essentials to the beach or pool from your hotel or Airbnb. I found a small beach tote at the Dollar Spot at Target the other day for $3, so you don't have to go crazy investing in the really expensive ones unless you're a the beach and pool all the time.

Life Jacket

I think the best and safest scenario is for toddlers to take ISR swimming lessons, but if you're like us, no classes are offered within a hundred miles of where we live.

The second best option is to put your toddler in a life jacket to keep them upright and safe in the water, and always have a designated adult on toddler duty when you're around water.

Reusable Swim Diapers & Wet Bag

If your toddler is not yet potty trained, I always recommend layering the disposable swim diapers with a reusable swim diaper over it, or just using the reusable swim diapers since the disposable ones leak.

Bringing a wet bag and an extra swimsuit or extra set of clothes is a good idea, too.

Pool Float

When our youngest was a toddler, we brought an inflatable pool float with us to the pool at our hotel in St. Louis, and it was the most relaxing evening of swimming with a view of the Gateway Arch. One of the adults played with our toddler in the pool float while the other entertained our older kids, and it was WAY more relaxing than chasing down an active 1-year-old anywhere on land.