Traveling With A Toddler Survivor Guide – 17 Actually Helpful Tips 

5 Crucial Tips for Traveling with a Toddler 

Whether you’re flying to your travel destination or going on a long drive to get there, do not forget to bring these 5 super-crucial items when traveling with your kids.  

1. Double up on hygiene supplies.  

Let’s face it, kids make a lot of mess at home, and they’re going to be just as messy when traveling. They’re also exposed to more germs, so you need to be extra vigilant.

Bring a generous supply of sanitizing wipes and always keep a pack with you because you’ll be reaching for it frequently. Make sure to also pack extra diapers and a back-up outfit (or two) for yourself and your toddler in your carry-on.

2. Pack a first aid kit.  

Regardless of your destination, you must be ready for any kind of medical situation while on a family vacation.  Your first aid kit must contain essential medical supplies for kids and adults to treat minor injuries and alleviate symptoms like headaches and mild fevers.

The travel-sized kit should be stored in one of the pockets of your carry-on baggage for quick access.

If you need to buy one, check out this travel-friendly first aid kit on Amazon.

3. Stock up on healthy snacks for the trip.

A toddler’s appetite can be hard to predict. The general rule of thumb is to bring twice the volume of snacks that you think you will need for the flight or the road trip. You don’t want to deal with a hungry child throwing tantrums in the event of flight delays or unexpected heavy road traffic. 

Plan and pre-pack your kids’ snacks ahead of time so that you won’t have to buy expensive treats at the airport. You can organize each snack into a bento lunch box or a large, weekly pill container.

Steer clear of candies and other sweets – you don’t need to fuel their energy reserves any further.  

Don’t be afraid to get creative with the snacks you’ll be packing for your kids. Here are some quick-and-easy travel snack ideas you can prepare.  

4. Bring enough entertainment for everyone.

Naturally, you want your kids to have a lot of fun throughout your trip, so you’ll need to come up with engaging activities that keep them entertained. Get them busy and distracted enough during the flight or the long drive to prevent temper tantrums. The key is to get them tired enough to sleep on schedule.   

It might be easier to just bring out a tablet or phone for them to play with, but try to resist the temptation to do so. Exhaust all other tools and activities at your disposal. Let your smart gadgets and apps be the last resort.         

If you need inspiration, here are 6 effective tools to keep kids entertained on family trips.  

5. Invest on a portable and sturdy stroller or child carrier. 

If the family is traveling by plane, you’ll need to bring a travel stroller or a child carrier for your toddler.

Between carrying the family’s luggage and other travel essentials, it’s going to be difficult navigating through a busy airport with a toddler in tow without one. Purchasing a lightweight, compact and easy-to-fold travel stroller will surely come in handy. 

A stroller or carrier is also indispensable once you have reached your destination. This travel carrier is perfect for holding your child hands-free while sightseeing.

Tips for Air Travel with Toddlers

Flying with a toddler for the first time is an intimidating prospect for new parents. No one wants to be labeled as a “bad parent” because your kid flew into a temper mid-flight, and you have no clue how to soothe your own child. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed, follow these 5 need-to-know tips for traveling with a toddler on a plane:

6. Book a direct flight and schedule it around your kid’s nap time.  

The less time you spend in transit, the smoother your overall experience will be when flying with a toddler. If possible, try to book a direct and overnight flight, especially if you know your family is in for a long-haul trip. 

If it’s not possible to schedule a direct flight, choose a connecting flight with a longer layover. This gives you more leeway (preferably about 3 hours) to claim your baggage, grab a bite to eat and re-hydrate, and go to the restroom to freshen up.

Let your kid walk around the airport to tire him out a bit, so the little one will be ready to take a nap by the time you board the next flight.  

Avoid flying late in the day as it interferes with your child’s nap schedule. If you can’t book an overnight flight, then your next best option is to travel in the morning.

7. Consider buying a separate seat for your child (if under age 2).  

Although “lap toddlers” under age 2 are usually allowed to board a flight for free, you might consider booking a separate seat for your child. Children hardly ever sit still and having a toddler flailing about while on your lap for hours on end is no picnic. It will cost extra, but it could mean the difference between a smooth flight and a complete nightmare.      

Alternatively, another trick that you and your partner can try is to book the aisle and window seats in the same row. Leave the middle seat empty. If you’re lucky, that seat may not get filled at all, and you might still end up with an additional seat for your toddler at no cost. 

8. Bring your Koala Kloud footrest. 

Airplane seats are not very comfortable to sit on. Trying to get some sleep in a cramped space with strangers is already hard enough for adults, but it’s so much more difficult for kids. The slightest discomfort can easily escalate into a full-blown tantrum.

The Koala Kloud footrest is a real game-changer when it comes to getting a child super comfy and relaxed during long-haul flights. It extends the length of the airplane seat, so you can freely put your kiddie’s feet up and the both of you can take your much-needed nap.

This inflatable footrest is the perfect travel companion. You can easily set it up within minutes and it’s just as convenient to pack away.

9. Get the family vaccinated ahead of time. 

If you’re planning an international travel with the family, make sure the children are immunized with the required vaccines at least 1 month before your trip according to KidsHealth.org. This will give you enough time to monitor how their bodies will respond to the vaccines while also waiting for any side effects to subside.  

But even if your travel abroad is already less than a month away, you and your family should still get vaccinated for your protection.

10. Bring a child safety harness on board for your toddler’s protection.

Toddlers are still too small to be held securely in place by the regular seatbelts on airplanes. They are not protected against turbulence, and they are vulnerable during emergency situations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends parents to use child restraint systems (CRS) or safety harness devices to keep kids securely seated throughout the flight. Airlines ordinarily have child belt adapters available for use upon request, but it is better to buy your own airplane safety harness on Amazon. 

You may opt to bring a car seat for your kid, but keep in mind that not all car seats have the correct dimensions to be installed on an airline seat.   

11. Always be prepared to ease your kid’s ear pain and discomfort during the flight. 

The sudden change in the cabin pressure of an airplane when landing causes pain to the sensitive ears of babies and toddlers. This is often the main culprit behind their outbursts during air travel.  

Swallowing, chewing, yawning, and other jaw movements should help relieve the discomfort. This is where pacifiers and lollipops come in handy. Drinking water or milk, and munching on some snacks should help, too.

Preparing for a Family Road Trip with a Toddler 

Planning for a toddler’s first family road trip can get overwhelming. There’s a lot of pressure to deliver a fun-filled, hassle-free adventure. The whole experience is also expected to form and integral part of the child’s earliest memories.  

But fear not, young parents! Here are five tips to help you survive a family road trip while traveling with a toddler!

12. Check and prep your car for the long drive.  

Your car will pretty much be the secondary home of your family for the entire road trip. Safety should always be the priority, so you’ll want your ride to be in tip-top condition.  

Check your tire pressure. Refill your coolant. Get an oil change. Shell out for an engine-tune up. 

Also, since your toddler will be traveling with you, don’t forget to inspect your child’s car seat. Make sure it’s sturdy and installed correctly.   

13. Start driving at night or leave super early in the morning. 

There are a lot of factors to consider in determining the best time for your family to travel. Usually, you need to take into account the length of the drive, the traffic conditions, and the target arrival time at your destination. But if you’re traveling with a toddler, you also need to factor in the child’s sleep schedule, mealtimes, and potty schedule.  

Some parents prefer to travel at night – just before the kid’s bedtime – so that the child will be asleep for most of the drive. The travel is also usually shorter. 

However, driving all night is not always advisable. If you did not get enough sleep before you left, or if you can’t split the drive with anyone else, then it’s better to just wake up very early and leave before dawn.   

14. Be strategic in picking your travel stops. 

If you’re traveling with kids, then you need to plan for multiple stops throughout the drive. Aside from scheduling your bathroom breaks with your toddler’s feeding time, you also need to unfasten the youngster from the car seat every 1 to 2 hours.   

You should also pick the best places to go sightseeing where the older kids can play and run around. After all, road trips are not just about driving from point A to B. It’s the little stops and detours to nearby attractions that make them memorable.

15. Be wary of unexpected car sickness and potty emergencies.  

Some kids are prone to motion sickness during road trips, so bringing a few barf bags for the drive will surely come in handy.   

Also, no matter how well you map out everyone’s bathroom schedule, it’s always best to be ready for any surprises, especially if your child is not yet fully potty-trained.  

Pack extra diapers if you’re not yet potty training your toddler, or bring a travel potty if the child is still in training. You can get this travel potty on Amazon for less than $20. 

16. Sit in the backseat to spend quality time with the kids and to keep the peace. 

Kids get bored very quickly and they demand your constant attention for hours and hours. Fights between the siblings can also easily break out, so someone must always be on top of them to maintain order. 

Parents could split their time between driving and sitting in the back of the car to interact with the children. One of them needs to keep the kids entertained with music, storytelling, and playing road trip games, while the other parent remains focused on the road ahead.  

17. Have a handy checklist of all the things to you need to pack for the trip.

There’s a lot of pressure to nail the execution of your first family trip to perfection. So if you need some help to get you started with the planning and preparations for your upcoming family vacation, here’s our ultimate packing list for traveling with kids.

Final Thoughts

Truth be told, as a parent, you may not actually get to fully relax and put your feet up when you’re on a family vacation. But always remember, the point of going on a family travel is for you to spend precious time with your kids and to make happy memories together that will last a lifetime. 

Koala Kloud is the #1 flight essential to keep your kids comfortable & happy on long trips, transforming your cramped, uncomfortable plane & car seats into a super soft surface you and your kids can kick your feet up on or lay down and relax for hours!

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