Do I really need to pack this? Should I pack that? We definitely need this! If you are anything like me all of these thoughts and more have floated through your head while packing for a trip. Add kids into the mix and these thoughts are multiplied 10-fold. But fear not, with a few tips and tricks I’ve gathered through experience, we will get through this whole packing thing together….and no you definitely do not need to pack the kitchen sink. Here I will provide you with my tried and true must haves for traveling with both a seven year old and a one year old.
Travel Basics
When traveling with kids there are some no brainer items like clothes and toiletries. But I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you about these basic items. I will say to pack lightly, most vacation accommodations have or provide access to laundry services and facilities. So, there is no need to bring a multitude of clothes. We usually bring enough to make it through half of the trip and then do laundry. Of course if you are only going on a 3-4 trip it may just be easier to bring clothes to last the duration. Diapers also take up quite a bit of bag space, and diapers are easily available everywhere. On our recent trip to France, I packed enough diapers to last the trip there plus one extra day. On the day we arrived I simply walked into a local supermarket and purchased a large pack of Pampers. Bringing full-sized toiletries can also be a hinderance, so I recommend purchasing them at your destination. What I am getting at here is don’t worry about packing half of your household to take on a vacation, there are always options to make the trip more convenient once you reach your destination.
Travel Gear Must Haves!
I tend to fly with my kids, and so I will focus on airline friendly travel gear. Of course everything mentioned here would also work well for other modes of travel! Here are a list of my must haves for traveling with small children.
1. Doona Carseat
Enjoying a nice walk.
This stroller is has been amazing for us. It is the only carseat on the market that actually folds out into a stroller. With this seat, there is no need to bring both a stroller and a carseat, which when flying is wonderful. We’ve found that it is great for rental cars and airport transfers, as well as tours. While it does have a base to use in your vehicles at home, it is extremely easy to install without the use of the base, while still keeping baby secure in any vehicle you might use on your trip. This stroller/carseat also has a number of accessories that I highly recommend.
The Doona stroller comes with a multitude of accessories, and spare parts including wheels and complete fabric replacement. I highly recommend some sort of rain cover, the Doona is very unique and so it’s own is best. Before our trip to France I had repeatedly checked the weather and it was going to be smooth sailing. Well once we reached Cannes it rained for two days and guess who did not pack the rain cover. Me. The sunshade works very nicely for daily walks, or on all day outings. Both of the diaper bags shown here attach to the Doona stroller itself, and therefore you can have free hands and a relaxed back.
2. Phil and Teds Traveller Crib
3. Lillebaby Complete Airflow
4. Woolino Baby Sleep Sack
Sleeping peacefully.
Regulating a little ones body temperature can be difficult, especially in travel situations. I have often found myself feeling quite cold while traveling by plane, which means my little one is likely struggling as well. This sleep sack, while a bit pricey, is worth every penny! It is not only incredibly soft and an excellent temperature regulator, it fits from ages 2 months to 2 years. This sack also has openings for use in a carseat or stroller, which I found myself using quite a lot this past winter. I love this sleep sack for both travel and home use, and my little one sleeps so well in it.
Notably, Woolino also makes a Toddler size, which fits from ages 2 to 4 years. I definitely plan on buying the next size up very soon!
5. Babymoov Babyni
Just enjoying a day at the beach.
If traveling somewhere warm and sunny I highly recommend this pop up baby play dome. We travelled to Montego Bay, Jamaica when our youngest was just 7 months old. I had purchased this for the trip and when broken down it easily fits into a large suitcase. It was great at keeping both sun and bugs away from her and she enjoyed playing with her toys (sand-free) on the beach. This play dome could even be used at home or at the park if spending a warm day outdoors. The versatility is just fantastic!
Go Out and Explore!
Now that you know about some of these really cool gear ideas for traveling with small children, I hope you will take a look and maybe find something that works really well for you. Please share with me any tips and travel gear and that you recommend!
Chasing Neverland 