How to Travel With Kids: Items, Tips, and Tricks I Swear By

Last Updated on June 3, 2026 by Jordyn Koveleski Gorman

This page contains affiliate links. We will receive a commission on qualifying purchases using these links.

If you’ve ever wondered how to travel with kids without feeling completely overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Family trips can create treasured memories, but they can also come with their fair share of challenges. As a parent of young kids, you know! We pack all the gear, manage meltdowns in the airport, and think through all the ways we can keep our little ones entertained on travel days.

After 8 flights and 4 long roadtrips, I’ve learned that successful travel with babies and toddlers isn’t about having a perfect trip. It’s about being prepared with the right items, realistic expectations, and a few tricks that make life easier. In this post, I’m sharing my essential travel items, practical tips, and other hacks I swear by to help make your next family vacation less stressful and more enjoyable for everyone.

How To Travel With Kids

Whether you’re planning a road trip or hopping on a plane, these items and strategies will help you feel more confident about how to travel with kids and enjoy the journey along the way.

Stay Organized!

One of the biggest travel hacks I swear by is staying organized. Everything we pack has a designated place, from snacks and extra clothes to chargers and travel toys. When you’re navigating airports, long car rides, or busy sightseeing days with kids, the last thing you want is to be digging through a suitcase trying to find a granola bar for your hungry toddler.

Having a system in place makes it easy to know exactly where everything is when you need it. It saves time AND reduces stress for both parents and kids. I’ve found that when our bags are organized, travel days run more smoothly and small problems are easier to handle.

Here are some of my favorite ways to stay organized when traveling.

Samsonite Luggage Set

We invested in this set of luggage last year and have been so pleased. It’s easy to navigate, holds a ton, and has 360 wheels.

Packing Cube Set

I love using my packing cube set to pack. Each person gets their own cube so we can use one larger suitcase and pull each person’s bag when we get to our destination.

Mesh Zipper Bags

These are another game changer in terms of organization. I pack snacks, small travel toys, charging cords, and other items in these so everything has a place. They’re affordable and the different sizes work great for everything we need to pack!

Diaper Bag

We love our Dagne Dover Diaper Backpack for everyday use and traveling. It holds so much for multiple kids. And it keeps us hands-free when we’re out and about.

Travel Snacks

Pack all the snacks! The snack limit does not exist on travel days, or while sightseeing on vacation. We pack nutrient-dense healthy snacks for the kids so we’re never stuck with a hungry traveler.

These are some of our favorite snacks for traveling.

Travel Toys

You never want to be without travel toys for kids. They help pass the time and keep little ones content wherever you are. I look for compact, lightweight toys that don’t take up too much room.

Books can be great travel toys, too!

Sleep Essentials

First of all, it’s important to remember that traveling with kids means imperfect sleep. Naps on the go (hello, travel strollers), pushing wake windows, and adjusting your expectations. The kids probably won’t sleep as well as they do at home. And you know what? That’s okay!

One of my biggest recommendations is to try and connect with your little ones before bedtime. Traveling is tiring, there’s a lot going on, and reconnecting is really helpful. We try to take a family walk, do a little dance party, or read stories together before bed. This connection and quality time helps when we go to wind down and start bedtime routines.

In addition to those tips, these are the sleep essentials we never travel without!

Dimmable Night Light

If you’re traveling with a baby, this night light is especially helpful for middle of the night feedings and diaper changes. But, it’s still great for some dim lighting as you navigate a new environment wherever you’re staying. Maybe you’re room sharing and need to sneak back in to grab your book to read. Use this dim light to see where you’re going and help the kids stay asleep!

Travel Beds

Check your accommodations ahead of time and bring a travel crib or toddler travel bed. This ensures you have a safe, comfortable space for your little one to sleep!

Portable Sound Machine

We love our portable sound machine. It’s great for car and stroller rides, and overnight. If you use white noise at home, it’s a great way to help a new space feel more familiar at bedtime.

Comfort Item

Let your little ones pack a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or lovey to sleep with. The familiarity will help comfort them as you establish bedtime in a new place.

How to Travel With Kids: Airplane Essentials

If you’re traveling by plane, these are some of the essential items I would recommend. A good travel car seat, compact travel toys that make little noise, and some other basics can go a long way on flights.

Travel Car Seats & Accessories

On plane rides, I like to keep my little ones in their car seats as much as possible. First of all, it’s the safest place they can be. But more importantly, it keeps them contained and in one place! After all, you can’t really let kids wander the airplane, so it’s easier to keep them in the car seat just like they would be buckled in for a roadtrip.

Below are the car seats we travel with, and you can find a round up of all our favorite travel car seats here.

WayB Pico Car Seat

This is the best travel car seat for forward-facing toddlers. It’s simple to install, space-saving, and only 8 pounds. This seat is designed specifically for travel: it’s lightweight, portable, and it folds up compactly into the included travel bag.

Installation is easy, whether you’re using it on an airplane or in rideshares and taxis during your trip. If you travel often this car seat is absolutely worth it, we love ours!

Graco Contender Slim Car Seat

We like that this can be used everyday and is slim enough to transition into a travel car seat. It’s ProtectPlus engineered, meaning it has passed rigorous safety tests. It also features a no-rethread harness, which makes buckling your child in much easier.

Car Seat Dolly

Instead of carrying a bulky car seat from gate to gate, simply strap it onto this sturdy dolly and roll it effortlessly through the terminals. Built to support up to 90 lbs, this travel cart is compatible with many popular car seat models. Use the included secure straps to fasten the seat to the base, ensuring a stable and smooth ride.

Car Seat Travel Bag

This car seat backpack is a great option for transporting your car seat through the airport whether you’re checking it or bringing it on board. The backpack design keeps your hands free while navigating the airport and getting to your final destination!

Airplane Travel Toys

You never want to be without travel toys for toddlers. They really help them stay engaged and content. On airplanes, we look for compact toys that don’t take up much space but can be used over longer periods of time.

We also look for toys that don’t make much noise. Remember, some noise is okay because airplanes are loud. During cruising altitude, cabin noise typically ranges between 75 and 85 decibels. Some clicking from Magna-Tiles or other quieter noises won’t be a problem.

These are some of our tried-and-true favorite toys for airplane travel.

Sticker Books

These are the best sticker books, and one of our favorite airplane toys for toddlers. We’ve used this brand for years. The book opens so the stickers are on one side and the scene to decorate is on the other, and it has coloring pages. With over 12 scenes and 500 stickers, these can occupy kids for hours.

Jelly Blox

We love these sensory blocks for traveling and everyday play! They’re a great size for 2-year-olds and combine sensory exploration with creative play. Stack, twist, stretch, and squish them as you build. They foster sensory and imaginative play.

Mini Magnatiles

Complete with its own travel tin, this is a great travel toy that allows your child to build on-the-go. Regular-sized Magnatiles can be heavy to transport, so these are a lightweight alternative that provides a lot of play opportunities.

Other Helpful Items for Flying with Kids

YumEarth Lollipops

Lollipops can be especially helpful during airplane takeoff and landing, when changes in cabin pressure can cause little ears to feel uncomfortable or pop. The sucking motion can help equalize pressure and make the experience much more comfortable for kids. Our family likes these because they’re dye-free and have a flat shape.

Pacifiers

If you have an infant that will take a pacifier, don’t forget to pack one for the flight! Just like lollipops for toddlers, pacifiers can help with cabin pressure changes and keep your baby more comfortable.

Wipes/Hand Sanitizer

Planes get a lot of use and there can be lots of germs! Don’t forget to wipe and wash hands regularly, even on-the-go. These wipes are a cleaner alternative to most hand sanitizers and use real soap and water.

Paper & Coloring Supplies

I’m telling you, never underestimate the power of coloring. Some white paper and crayons or markers can go a long way during flights. They’re lightweight and so easy to pack in your carry-on.

How to Travel With Kids: Roadtrip Essentials

If you’re roadtripping, the travel essentials look a bit different. I recommend being overly prepared for whatever comes your way! Also, be sure to pack travel toys that are engaging and easy to manage in a car seat.

Stock The Trunk!

Trunk Organizer

This is one of the best purchases I ever made. It’s great for everyday use, but super helpful on longer drives. I fill it with wipes, diapers, extra clothes for each kid, some plastic bags, and a first aid kit!

Travel Potty

If you have young kids in the potty training phase, a travel potty is essential. We like the Jool suction potty seat for taking everywhere. We also carry this travel potty that can be set up anywhere for emergencies.

Emesis Bags

You never know when somebody is going to get car sickness. Have these just in case! They can also be used to tie up dirty diapers in a pinch.

Travel Toys for the Car

Buckle Toy

This toy is great for fine motor skills and so easy to pack! My daughter loves it and stays so entertained. The best part is it’s all one piece, so nothing to lose while traveling.

Water Wow Books

I love these toys for road trips. All you need is a bit of water for the pen and your child has lots of fun activities to do – trace, draw, and paint. It’s a no-mess travel toy you can use over and over again. Grab some extra water pens in case one gets lost!

Light-Up Busy Board

This is another fun travel toy my kids absolutely love. It’s compact, easy to throw in a diaper bag, and the switches and lights make it so engaging.

Other Roadtrip Necessities

Designated Trash Bag

You can pay for a little car trash can, or you can simply use a plastic bag from the grocery store. Throughout your travels, put any snack wrappers, takeout boxes, tissues, etc. in the bag. Your car won’t feel so chaotic with a designated space for trash!

Snacks

You don’t want to be stopping every hour for snacks, and convenience stores are so expensive! Pack your own variety of snacks for the car!

Pro Tip: Pack a small cooler and stock it with bento boxes for each kid! This way you can have fresh snack options like fruit, veggies, and dips when you get out to stretch your legs. Consider packing a lunch and eating it at a playground during a pitstop.

Sunglasses

Don’t forget to pack a pair of sunglasses for your trip. I recommend taking a good pair, but not your favorite pair just in case you lose them. I love my Sojos sunglasses because they’re cute and affordable. These are our favorite baby and toddler sunglasses, too.

Good Tunes

Create some playlists ahead of time for some musical variety on your travels! Look up kid-friendly podcasts and stories to play to mix things up.

How to Travel With Kids: Sightseeing Essentials

Travel Stroller

On travel days alone, a good travel stroller can be the MVP. But when you’re exploring new places, it really pays off. Look for something that’s compact, easy to push, and has some room for storing the diaper bag!

Wildbird Baby Carrier

If you’re traveling with an infant, the Wildbird Aerial Buckle Baby Carrier is my number one recommendation for a carrier. The shoulder and back support are so great. I love that there is a piece to flip up to provide more head support. It also helps to darken baby’s sleep space if they are taking a nap in the carrier. Save 10% using this link.

Tush Baby Hip Carrier

I love this hip carrier if you’re traveling with a baby 6 months or older, or your have a toddler! It takes all the pressure off your back and it has pockets. You can fit a diaper, water bottle, and a few other necessities right on your hip to travel hands-free. Use code “EATPLAYSAY” to save 15% on their website.

Toddler Sneakers

Depending on where you’re going and what you’re doing, you will definitely want to pack a good pair of sneakers for your little ones. We rounded up all our favorite toddler sneakers here.

I highly recommend packing sneakers for yourself, too!

Sunglasses

Don’t forget to pack a pair of sunglasses for your trip. I recommend taking a good pair, but not your favorite pair just in case you lose them. I love my Sojos sunglasses because they’re cute and affordable.

Kids’ Sunglasses

Protect your little ones’ eyes, too! You can also avoid some whining that it’s “too bright!”

Sunscreen

Whether you’re on the beach, a trail, or out exploring a new city, remember to protect your family with sunscreen, especially during peak sun hours. We like mineral sunscreens and love sunscreen sticks for quick reapplication on faces for the littles.

Mindsets and Strategies for Traveling with Kids

Let’s be real. It can be challenging to travel with little ones. There’s a lot to juggle, you’re not in your typical environment, and stress can run high. These are the mindsets and strategies I’ve used that help me and my littles make the best of family travel.

Involve Your Kids & Over-Explain Things!

I am always looking for ways to get my little ones involved in our travels. At the airport, I let them push a carry-on bag or scan their boarding tickets. I give them jobs when I can!

Additionally, I over-explain things. I narrate what’s happening in the airport during the travel process. Here’s where we give the staff our bags so they can pack them on our airplane. This is where we go through security to make sure everyone is safe, etc. It helps them to feel involved and a little more in control knowing what’s happening and what’s coming next.

Say Yes as Much as You Can

This especially applies on travel days. If they ask for a snack after just having one 20 minutes ago, I say yes. If they ask to walk through the gift shop while we wait to board, it’s a yes.

Keep Things Familiar

I try to keep some familiar things around while we’re traveling. For example, I pack a set of their utensils and tableware from home. I also bring their favorite water bottles. We also pack a comfort item for each kid like a blanket or one of their favorite stuffed animals. This gives little ones something familiar to cling to when the rest of their days look new and different.

Keep Expectations Low and Energy Levels High

This can be hard, but it really does help! Set low expectations and carry high energy throughout your travels. Point out the positive things that happen. Affirm to yourself that things might not be perfect, but you’re making new family memories together.

Reconnect Before Bed

After busy days, we always find it helpful to reconnect with the kids at the end of the day. Whether it’s taking a short family walk, having a dance party in the rental, or reading some books before bedtime, it helps all of us wind down from the day on a positive note.

Looking for more?

We’ve rounded up so many travel essentials, from travel car seats to airplane toys for toddlers, travel cribs and more.