Planning to travel with a baby or toddler can be overwhelming, but with the right essentials, it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re embarking on a road trip or flying to your dream destination, having a well-stocked carry-on can make all the difference. To help ease the stress of travelling with your little ones, I’ve rounded up 15 must-have travel items that will ensure a smooth journey for both you and your child. From practical solutions to fun distractions, these essentials are sure to make your trip more enjoyable. So, before you pack your bags, make sure you don’t leave home without these must-have travel items for your baby or toddler’s carry-on!
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The best15 items to pack in your kid’s carry-on baggage
1. Compact carry-on stroller
Not something to pack inside your carry-on but the Babyzen Yoyo is recognised by most airlines as an item of carry-on luggage. A small compact stroller is a must for us when travelling. It offers somewhere to nap, we load it up with our daily things and it is great for long days out with lots of walking. We invested in the Babyzen Yoyo stroller this year and can’t believe it took me this long. It’s light, so easy to manoeuvre and folds tiny.
Amazon Link – BabyZen Yoyo
2. No leak travel cup
A non-leak travel cup is something you think would be easy to find. WRONG! I have been through more travel cups than I would like to admit. Last year I finally stumbled across the NUBY Sipeez cups, they come in a variety of styles and sizes which was great. They are easy to use as they work similarly to a normal cup, but there is no leakage; it’s an absolute game-changer.
Link – NUBY Sipeez 360
3. Toddler-friendly headphones
I would definitely recommend going wireless. We started with wired headphones. However, they are more restrictive and our younger toddler kept yanking them out. We settled on these and they have been great. The charge lasts a long time and we can control the volume. I also love that they fold down very compact so great for carrying around.
4. Soft baby carrier or sling
A sling or baby carrier is great, especially for younger babies and toddlers. I find them great for lap infants as it allows them to sleep on you but you can stay hands-free. They are also fantastic for when you reach your destination and must collect your stroller at the baggage. I have always loved the Close Caboo ones as they fold into a little ball and are easy to wear. I also found that they resell quite well when I was done with mine.
Link – Close Caboo
5. Charging accessories
Battery packs are a life saviour, especially on long-haul flights with kids using tablets. We use always make sure to have a couple charged up before we leave. They are also handy for your travels on a day-to-day basis. We love this one, it has lasted us a long time and charges really quickly.
6. Dummy clip
If your baby; like ours, uses a dummy. A dummy clip is great for making sure it stays off the floor. It’s also handy for when your baby learns to throw! We use a few types but these are our go-to’s for travel days as they aren’t easily pulled off.
7. Kindle, Ipad or other tablets
Love them or hate them… they offer an extra pair of parenting hands when needed. Pre-download their favourite shows, movies and games for the journey. We started with an Amazon Kids Kindle as they are cheap and simple. We have now moved on to an iPad. But, only for the reason that we all share it when we travel. It’s great for catching up on box sets for adults and we do some of our work on them.
Link – Click Here for Amazon Kids Kindle
Link – Click Here for Apple iPad
8. Packing cubes
I like to keep our carry-on bags as organised as our checked-in bags. The best way to do this is by using packing cubes and bags. Separate out; nappy changes, spare clothes, snacks and toys. This makes it simple and quick to just grab what you need when you need it.
9. No-spill snack cup
I love these little cups that stop the food from being dropped all over the floor. I’ve used them for both my boys and still use one for our eldest. They are great on travel days to avoid the argument of dropping snacks and keep your area clean.
10. Playdough
My number 1 boredom buster and my must-have travel item! For us, playdough kills so much time on planes and in airports. It’s so versatile and relatively cheap. Some of our favourite game ideas are counting, baking pretend pizzas/cookies/cakes and building animals.
11. Sticker books and stickers
Another great toy for little fidgeters. You can get some great inexpensive sticker books. We love stickers that peel off very easily without leaving that paper residue. Our son loves decorating his tray table, and it all just peels right off. I also found these handy reusable sticker books which are fantastic for using over and over.
12. Travel socks
As soon as that flight leaves the ground our toddler’s shoes are off. Normal socks are fine, but on a long flight, I always pack each of us a cosy pair of socks. There’s nothing worse than cold feet on a plane. I love these socks by Happy Socks, we enjoy the wide range of patterns they do and they are so comfy!
13. Wipes
One pack in your changing bag and one pack on reserve for mopping up everything else. I use these biodegradable wipes for EVERYTHING; cleaning our area, wiping up mucky faces and even a little freshening up on long-haul flights and layovers.
14. Travel change mat
An everyday essential for anyone travelling with babies. I love this travel-changing mat as it has great pockets for storing nappies and wipes and is so compact. It’s also great as it wipes clean for any accidents.
15. Travel pillow
I always bring one of these on our long-haul travel days. These inflatable travel pillows are fantastic for toddlers and bigger babies in their own seats. I normally stuff a top or jumper in the hole and make it into a proper pillow. And I love that they just deflate down into nothing.
Link – Click Here for Travel Pillow
Don’t Leave Home Without These 15 Must-Have Travel Items for Your Baby or Toddler’s Carry-On!
I really hope you found this post on must-have travel items for your baby or toddler carry-on useful.
If you’d like to find out more travel hacks then head on over to my family travel page and don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for up-to-date life.
