Planning on travelling with kids? If you’re going on holiday with toddlers or young children, it’s important that you pack all of your essentials – from nappies to baby powder — before you go.
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Below, we’ve prepared a detailed holiday packing list for families with babies, toddlers or young children. Whether you’re travelling internationally or within your own country, go through our list and check that you’ve packed everything into your suitcase or day bag before you set off.
Before You Start Packing:
Before you start packing family-specific items, go over our Universal Holiday Packing List and check that you’ve packed all of your holiday essentials.
Travel Insurance:
- Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Safety:
- Paediatrician’s Contact Information – If you’re staying in one location for most of your trip, take note of a local paediatric clinic’s address and contact information so you’re fully prepared in the event of a health problem.
- Face mask – COVID is still very active in many countries and you may be required to wear an SFP2 facemask on the plane and in some indoor spaces. It’s also a good idea to carry a small bottle of hand sanitiser when you travel.
For Toddlers and Young Children:
- Baby Bottles – Pack at least enough baby bottles to last through your flight or drive, as well as a few extra. Having an extra bottle or two available saves you from cleaning up as frequently and makes pre-measuring formula easier.
- Baby Food (with Utensils) – If you have a long flight or drive to reach your destination, pack some baby food in plastic tupperware containers. It’s best to bring more than you expect you’ll need in case you face any delays.
- Infant Formula – If you’re going to bottle feed during your trip, measure and store the right amount of infant formula inside each bottle. This way, you can quickly add water while you’re on the go.
- Snacks – For older children who no longer need formula, pack some snacks (healthy and, if allowed, a few treats) in case they don’t like the food served by the airline.
- Blankets – Toddlers and young children can get quite cold while flying, especially on a long flight. Pack a blanket or two so you can cover the children up when necessary and prevent colds from ruining your holiday.
- Baby Wipes – An obvious item for families with babies and toddlers, especially for long flights and car trips. Pack more baby wipes than you think you’ll need, since having to buy more on the way can be a major annoyance.
- Baby Powder – Bring at least one bottle of baby powder for the journey, especially if you’re travelling a long way. Unlike liquids, bottles of baby powder aren’t subject to the 100 mL maximum container size regulations.
- Baby Lotion – Make sure you pack a bottle or two of baby lotion, especially if you’re travelling to a destination with a hot, humid or dry climate.
- Medication – If your child needs to take medication, make sure it’s packed before you leave. If any of this medication is restricted, make sure you bring the prescriptions with you to avoid issues taking it through customs.
- Bulb Syringe Aspirator – The cool air conditioning used in planes can give babies and young children a stuffy nose. Pack a bulb syringe aspirator and a bottle of nasal saline so you can clear your child’s nose if they feel uncomfortable on the flight.
- Child-Safe Soap and Shampoo – Even if your hotel provides soap and shampoo, you’ll need to bring your own for babies, toddlers and children. Pack at least one bar of baby soap and a bottle of baby shampoo so you don’t need to shop after you arrive.
- Nappies (and a Nappy Bag) – Another obvious essential, make sure you pack at least enough nappies to last for the first few days of your holiday. Don’t forget a nappy bag to store your changing items during the day.
- Changing Pad – If your nappy bag doesn’t come with a changing pad, make sure you pack one in case you need to change nappies while on the go. Summer Infant sells an excellent portable changing pad that’s ideal for use on holiday.
- Bibs – Just like with bottles and nappies, it’s best to pack more bibs than you expect you’ll need. We recommend five or more for your holiday, so there’s less of a need to wash them frequently.
- Dummy (Pacifier) – Pack several daytime and nighttime dummies (pacifiers) for your young children to keep them comfortable, calm and quiet while you’re travelling.
- Car Seat – If you’re travelling by car or plan to rent a car at your destination, don’t forget to pack a car seat. If you’re travelling to another country, check that your car seat meets the minimum safety regulations and is legal to use there.
- Childproof Safety Locks – If you’re renting a house for your holiday, bring a set of child safety locks so that you can keep hazardous chemicals, kitchen utensils and other items out of reach.
- Pram/Push Chair (Stroller) – Plan on doing a lot of walking? Make sure you have a high quality pram (or push chair/stroller) to keep your toddler safe. Summer Infant has a great travel stroller that folds flat for storage in a car or hotel room closet.
Fun and Games:
- Children’s Toys – If you’re travelling a long way, bringing some children’s toys will help keep young kids entertained and calm throughout the journey. Pack their favourite dolls or action figures so the children have something to play with on the flight or drive.
- Video Games – For older children, nothing helps pass time on a long flight like a video game console. The Nintendo 3DS has a great selection of games for children of all ages, from 4-5 year olds to teenagers.
- Soft Toy/Teddy Bear – Long distance travel can be a stressful experience for children, especially it’s their first time leaving home for a holiday. Pack their favourite soft toy or teddy bear into your carry-on luggage so they have someone to play with.
- Colouring Book and Crayons – Bringing a colouring book and crayons helps you keep young children occupied during long flights, airport layovers and other situations where entertainment is in short supply.
