What Should You Pack When Traveling With a Toddler?

How to use this list

This checklist is built for children aged 2 to 4 on a trip of about a week. Hit “Print this list” at the top of the page and tick items off as they go into a bag.

Toddlers vary a lot between 2 and 4. Cross out what your child has outgrown, like a stroller or pull-ups. For a list matched to your child’s age, trip type, climate and length, use the packing list generator.

Let your toddler pick one or two comfort items to bring. They will care about those more than anything else in the bag. Talk through the trip a few days ahead, too: where you’re going, where they’ll sleep and how you’ll get there. A familiar plan helps many toddlers handle new places.

What people over-pack and forget

The most common over-pack is toys. A toddler’s attention moves every few minutes, so 4–6 small items rotated one at a time beat a full bag. Clothes come second: one outfit a day plus spares is enough.

What parents forget tends to be the small, specific things:

• The exact lovey, blanket or cup your child sleeps with, plus a backup if you have one
• Enough snacks for delays, not just the scheduled trip time
• A spare set of clothes for you
• Night-light and a familiar bedtime book
• Proof of age if your child just turned 2 and flies in a paid seat
• Any prescription medicine and your pediatrician’s phone number

Potty-training travel kit

If your toddler is potty training, a small dedicated kit keeps progress on track. Keep it in one pouch in your day bag so you can grab it fast.

• Folding travel potty seat that fits standard toilets
• Pull-ups or training pants for flights and long drives
• 2–3 changes of underwear, pants and socks
• Wet bags or zip-top bags for soiled clothes
• Disposable toilet seat covers and hand wipes
• Sticky notes to cover auto-flush sensors, which can scare small children

Ask about the potty often during travel, before boarding and right after landing. Setbacks in a new place are common. Stay calm and go back to your home routine when you return. Most toddlers pick up where they left off within a few days.

Carry-on vs checked

Your carry-on should cover one full day if your checked bag is late. That means snacks, water or milk, two changes of clothes, diapers or the potty kit, wipes, comfort items and 4–6 activities.

Checked bags hold the rest: most clothes, extra diapers, toiletries and bath items. Car seats and strollers are generally checked free on US airlines at the counter or gate. If your toddler rides in a car seat on board, it must carry the FAA approval label. See car seats on airplanes.

For the flight itself, read flying with a toddler and our ideas for keeping kids entertained on flights. For the bigger picture, see our complete guide to traveling with children.