My handpicked selection of the best travel gear for babies and toddlers will help you take the stress out of traveling with your little adventurer.
Products that are high-quality, space-saving, easy to use and to assemble are a must, especially when you are traveling with your baby or toddler. Even though it is rewarding to travel with young children, it can be exhausting at times.
We have been traveling with our children from an early age. My oldest son was six months old when we took him on his first long-haul flight from New Zealand to Germany. Looking back, I’d say this is probably the best age to take a baby on a flight. We could use the bassinet on the plane; my son wasn’t crawling back then, and I was still breastfeeding. Easy peasy. 🙂
Related post: What Is The Best Age To Travel With Kids
It got trickier when my second son was born, and I decided to take them both to Germany. This time I traveled on my own and my kids were 32 months and 13 months old. [Read more about traveling as a single parent here.]
Yes, I know, a little bit crazy but with the right gear, it is easier to manage. That’s why I decided on writing this post to give you an overview of the things that I ‘ve found most useful.
In general, I recommend packing as light as possible to minimize the amount of luggage. Ultimately, it is your decision what best fits your needs and are must-haves when traveling with your kids.
So, what are my best travel gear for babies and toddlers? By the way, I have listed them in no particular order.
* Please note: all product links in this product review are affiliate links. That means, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Page Contents
The Best Travel Gears For Babies And Toddlers
A Travel Bed
I have found travel beds to be useful when you go on vacation with your family. This way you and your kids get a good restful sleep. Travel beds don’t take much space in your luggage when you opt for an inflatable bed. That is why they are my preferred options for air travel.
In general, a travel bed is best suited for toddlers and preschoolers. They can get used to their special bed at home which will help them at your travel destination to settle into the new and unfamiliar surroundings.
The other options are foldable beds which I recommend for travel by car to go camping or even for a sleepover at the grandparent’s place.
You can read my full reviews for both types of travel beds over here.
The number one bestseller on Amazon for inflatable travel beds is the Shrunk toddler bed which has won numerous awards. It is lightweight, comes with a carry bag, and a lifetime warranty.
To top things off, it also includes a compact, electric pump that will get the bed ready in around 30 seconds. The mattress is free from BPA, lead, and Phthalates.
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A Travel Crib
A travel crib is so useful when you are traveling with a baby. Unlike a travel bed, it keeps the baby contained and safe in one place and can be used a playpen pen as well.
The Lotus Travel crib is one of our recommended travel cribs due to its easy setup, portability, and a weight of only 11 lbs. It comes with a bag and convertible backpack straps, and a mattress.
For more choices on travel cribs, please read our post My Top 5 Travel Cribs For Babies.
Our travel crib has been a lifesaver. Not only helped it our son to settle quickly in a new environment but also gave us the chance to have better sleep at night.
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Travel Luggage For Toddlers
If your kids are a bit older, around two years and up, I would suggest that they have their own little luggage to carry, either a small backpack or a small suitcase. My kids love theirs and it makes them feel independent and grown-up.
It is so exciting for littlies to pack their own gears like toys, a blanket, a few clothes, and snacks.
I have reviewed really travel luggage for boys and gorgeous luggage for girls. Whether you want to opt for soft-sided suitcases, hardshell luggage, or travel backpacks; there are some wonderful options for kids on the market.
One of our favorite travel luggage for toddlers is the Yodo luggage which can either be used as rolling suitcase or backpack. There is plenty of space to pack your kids cuddly toy, shoes, pajamas, and changing clothes.
The colors are vibrant and the design is just adorable. It is easy to pull for little hands and not too heavy to wear as a backpack.
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Travel Toys
Taking too many travel toys is not overly important when you travel with a baby. Just a couple of books, their favorite cuddly bear, and a blanket are sufficient in my eyes.
Things get a bit more challenging when you travel with a toddler, especially when your toddler is very active and curious. My oldest son was a bit of a handful. Climbing on anything and everything, not listening (it hasn’t changed much 🙂 ).
My second son was completely different, always content to sit in a stroller and eating an apple or other snacks.
So, my suggestion is to take a few travel toys that will keep them entertained for a lengthy time.
My post The Best Travel Toys for Toddlers gives you ideas for toys that are inexpensive. small enough to fit in your carry-on luggage and are easy to clean.
One of our top choices is the Tegu magnetic blocks which come in a convenient travel bag. They appeal to girls and boys alike and will keep your little munchkins entertained for quite some time.
These magnetic blocks are safe to use even for babies because they are non-toxic and lead-free.
Have them handy in your carry-on luggage, diaper bag, or purse and take them wherever you go with your kids.
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Travel activities
It’s a good idea to also have some fun travel activities up your sleeves. No matter if you travel by car, the train or airplane. There are just so many things you can do. And surely, the tablet for a toddler should be not on all the time. Even though, I admit, it can help you keep sane when dealing with the little munchkins.
Here is a list of free fun activities and ideas for children which are easily adaptable for toddlers. I hope you will find some ideas you enjoy.
A great help to keep toys and, crayons, and books in one place and organized is the DMoose toddler travel tray. It is designed for car rides, but also air travel, and for use with high chairs.
The DMoose travel tray comes with a lifetime warranty. Its patented design features sturdy sidewalls and reinforced base support.
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Volume Limiting Headphones For Kids And Toddlers
I have reviewed the best wired and wireless kid’s headphones that have a volume limiting feature to keep the noise level at the recommended safe level of 85 dB.
The top recommended headphone that is suitable for children from 2 years and up is the Puro Sounds Labs JuniorJam. It is not only wireless but also keeps the volume at 85 dB. Best of all, it isolates the outside noise by 87% so your child can enjoy good sound quality even on an airplane which can be quite loud.
They are foldable, the battery lasts for up to 22 hours and the Puro Sounds come with a one-year warranty.
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Travel High Chair
I wished they had these portable lightweight travel high chairs available twelve years ago. Back then there weren’t many options available and mostly they were too bulky to take on a plane.
With the Munchkin Travel Booster seat, you will be well prepared when you travel overseas or when you go out for dinner. There is not always a high chair available. And let’s face it, the high chairs can be pretty grubby at times.
The Munchkin travel high chair is suitable for kids from around 12 months old up to 3 years old. It offers storage space for diapers, wipes, and other necessities. Once its folded, it looks like a shoulder bag with convenient carry straps.
The only downside with the Munchkin booster seat is the fact that it only features a three-point harness.
If you are looking for a travel high chair with a five-point harness, be sure to read my guide of recommended travel high chairs.
Otherwise, the Munchkin portable high chair is safe to use, lightweight, and easy to clean – the ideal travel companion.
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Lightweight Travel Stroller
A lightweight travel stroller is surely a necessity in my opinion. It keeps your baby and toddler safe, protected from the sun and gives him or her the chance to nod off for a nap while you are exploring the city and sightseeing spots
I always take a stroller when we go for a vacation especially for overseas trips. Read more in my post about tips on traveling with a stroller.
My recommended ones also meet the requirements by airlines to take them inside the plane. This way you have the stroller always handy when walking from gate to gate or to check in.
The Pockit Lightweight Stroller is the world’s smallest folding stroller and with only 9.5 lbs lightweight as well. It is suitable for babies from 6 months old and can carry children who weigh up to 55 lbs.
Please bear in mind though that you can’t recline the seat.
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Baby Carriers For Babies And Toddlers
In addition to a travel stroller, I would also recommend taking a sling or a front- and backpack. Slings are a great option for infants to make them feel more comfortable whilst traveling.
A sling keeps the baby close to your body and nice and snuggly. For my toddler son, I liked to use a front pack. It really comes down to your personal preference.
Whatever you decide, both options are lightweight and easy to take when traveling abroad.
A baby carrier for hiking is also great for everyday purposes. It could even replace a stroller. An additional feature I like is the fact, that these carriers can also be used as stand-alone seats. That can be at times pretty handy.
Read my guide to the best carriers for babies and toddlers
Generally spoken, a combination of a lightweight stroller and a choice of a baby carrier makes traveling with more than one child more convenient.
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A Travel Pillow For Kids
A travel pillow for long car rides and plane trips are another must-have on my list for the best travel gears for babies and toddlers. It makes traveling more comfortable and helps little adventurers to relax and to sleep better.
The Bcozzy travel pillow for kids features patented chin support that prevents your kids head from bobbing down while they are taking a nap.
Find more travel neck pillows for kids in our detailed review here.
This travel pillow is ultra-lightweight with only 4.2 ounces. I do like that the entire pillow is machine washable. The Bcozzy travel pillow comes in various colors and designs.
Please Check The Price On Amazon
Child Airplane Travel Harness
Instead of only the one belt that runs across the hips, this travel harness offers a safe way to keep your toddler in his seat during possible turbulence.
Also, there is no need to carry a bulky car seat along to keep your child restraint. The travel harness is lightweight with only 1 pound and fits easily into your purse. The harness is designed for children from one year and older. They must weigh between 22 and 44 pounds and have a height of under 40 inches.
The only downside is the relatively high price point.
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A Diaper Backpack
When you are traveling with a baby it is so essential to have things like diapers, wet wipes, bottles, and changing clothes in one place. Bag Nation has listened to its customers and has produced a high-quality bag that has almost everything mom or dad could wish for.
This compact yet stylish backpack features 14 pockets to get all your baby gears sorted. An insulated pocket for the milk bottles and a dedicated pocket for wet wipes are just a couple of these nifty highlights. Another one is the (included) changing pad and also a sundry bag.
If you are traveling with a stroller, no worries, the Bag Nation diaper backpack even has stroller straps.
I do love the neutral colors black or gray, so it doesn’t matter if dad or mom is carrying this awesome bag. And if you don’t need it as a diaper bag anymore, just use it as a regular backpack.
Best of all, the Bag Nation diaper bag comes with a lifetime warranty.
Please Check The Price On Amazon
Baby Travel System
A baby travel system combines a baby car seat and a stroller. The cool thing is that the car seats fit on top of the stroller so you don’t need to take the baby out of the car seat. It’s brilliant for car travel or these dreaded shopping trips with a young baby.
I wouldn’t necessarily take one on an airplane unless you need the car seat at your destination. My tip is to check with the car rental company if they provide car seats.
Overall, a baby travel system is a convenient way for car and train travel and I highly recommend it for families with babies. The baby travel systems are suitable for Newborns up to around nine months old.
You can find out more about my top three picks on here.
One of our favorite baby travel systems is the Chicco Bravo Trio System. The car seat caters for newborns from as light as 4 lbs up to 30 lbs. The stroller has many useful features like the large storage basket and the incredibly easy one-hand fold function.
Your baby and toddler will feel super comfortable in this travel system.
Please Check The Price On Amazon
Wrapping It Up
I do hope my selection of the best travel gear for babies and toddlers gave you some ideas for your next family trip. What you will need depends highly on your destination and the length of your travels.
Most of these things will take the hassle out of traveling. Enjoy the time with your kids and the experiences along the way.
What is on your travel gear list? And where are you planning to take your family next and for how long? Please share it with my readers in the comment box below.
Safe Travels!
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