Traveling with Toddlers This Summer? Here’s What We’ve Learned (and Loved)
Are you traveling this summer? When it comes to traveling with babies and toddlers, here’s the truth: we’re so glad we’ve done it and just went for it… but it definitely takes the right mindset going in.
We have 6 kids between the two of us and have some wild traveling stories to tell haha! But in the end, it’s worth it!
There’s no such thing as a “perfect” trip.
Whether it’s a road trip or plane trip, the right expectations—and a few speech therapists/moms who've been through it-approved tips—we’ve found that travel can actually be super fun (yes, even with overtired toddlers in tow).
Keep reading for our favorite tips for summer travel with young kids, from sleep to strollers to keeping little ones engaged on the go.
Prep your mindset
Let’s start here: Traveling with little kids isn’t going to feel like it did pre-kids. And that’s okay.
Instead of aiming for perfect naps and smooth transitions, aim for memories.
You’ll remember their wide eyes taking it all in—not the skipped nap or snack meltdown. Mostly.
Go in with flexibility, curiosity, and a plan that allows for wiggle room. You might not do everything you planned, and that’s perfectly fine.
We aim to go with the flow as much as possible! We often hear people say it’s not a vacation, but parenting in a new location and would have to agree for the most part.
Packing Tips
This can be an overwhelming step in and of itself, but taking some time to think through it can help save your sanity later.
Use packing cubes or these drawer organizers to keep everything organized. We like to pack by person or by category (e.g., swim gear, sleep gear, daytime clothes). It makes finding things so much easier and so it all doesn’t get jumbled together.
Bundle sleep essentials together—sound machine, monitor, crib sheet, pajamas, bedtime book—so you can set up a sleep space in minutes if you arrive at bedtime. This is like such a gift to yourself at the end of a long travel day!
We do the same for feeding items. It can be nice for a baby who has started solids and a toddler to have their cup, plate, cutlery, bib and familiar items from home. It’s just so much easier to feed them when you have some of these things on hand.
Always pack extras: Include changes of clothes for both you and your child in your carry-on (if flying or honestly even keep them handy for the car). Bring more diapers and wipes than you think you’ll need, and don’t forget comfort items like pacifiers or lovies. If you’re going somewhere that’s easy to pop into a Target or something once you’re there, it can be easier to stock up on diapers and some essentials once you’re there.
Snacks, snacks, snacks: Variety is key. We like dry cereal, dried fruit, granola bars, and crackers with cheese. And a few novelty snacks can be a fun change too.
Rent gear at your destination: Carly’s family did this in Maui and there are often local companies that do this. BabyQuip is also a great option for renting a travel crib, high chair, stroller, or even a box of toys. This can be super helpful for some types of trips!
Air Travel Tips
We can clearly remember being a bit nervous to fly with our babies for the first time, it can be a lot of logistics to think through! Here are a few things we want to pass on that might help!
Gate check your stroller: It makes airport navigation much easier, and it’s usually waiting for you right when you deplane. If your toddler is not into riding in it and wants to be on the move, it can still be helpful to help schlep all of the stuff! This is a light weight high quality one we’ve loved. And this one too!
If you have a bag for your stroller or carseat, you can stash extra stuff in there – like diapers!
Encourage movement before flights: Let them explore and burn off energy by walking, jumping, and climbing around the terminal. Some airports even have little play areas. Getting their energy out is the best prep for sitting still on the plane.
Bring a baby carrier: Soft structured carriers are great for crowded areas, naps on the go, and giving your arms a break. They’re also helpful if your toddler gets overwhelmed or overstimulated.
Decide on car seat use ahead of time: If you bring one on the plane, it can help with naps (and safety).
We love to explain new experiences for kids through books. This is a fun one to learn about the airplane!
Car Travel Tips
Katie makes the 6+ hour drive from Phoenix to the Orange County or San Diego almost every year with her husband and four kids, so here some things that have helped her:
Let Music Save the Day: The right playlist can change the entire vibe of your trip. Our Wee Talkers Playlists on Apple and Spotify are full of feel-good, kid-approved tunes that won't make you want to pull your hair out (#IYKYK). Music is such a great screen-free way to boost moods and keep little ones entertained.
Snacks are everything: It’s not an exaggeration to say snacks can make or break a road trip. For toddlers, we find these super handy for snacks because they can kind of handle it themselves. For preschool age and up, those cheapy plastic sectioned containers work wonders—think DIY lunchables, bento-style snacks, or even a “snack sampler.”
Pack like you’re packing for a mini apocalypse: Keep a small, accessible bag up front with the real essentials: wipes (alll the wipes), an extra changes of clothes, diapers, motion sickness gear (just in case), and a couple novel small toys or books.
Embrace the "eventually” mindset: Things will take longer. Someone will need a diaper change, someone else will need to go to the bathroom five minutes after you pull onto the freeway. And yes, you'll hit a stretch of crankiness. Try repeating this to yourself: We’ll get there eventually. And our favorite mantra for kids and grownups alike, “Feelings go up and feelings go down.” Build in some margin, lower expectations a bit, and focus on the fun of the journey—even the messy parts.
Plan stops for getting the wiggles out: We choose playgrounds over restaurants wherever we can. Even a 15-minute runaround can reset everyone’s mood. Look for rest stops with grassy patches, quirky local attractions, or even fast food places with indoor play areas. Stretch breaks = sanity savers.
Toddler Toys for Travel
Toys for travel are a game-changer. We often take a look through their rooms and look for items that are small and will seem a bit novel on the trip. We will keep some stuff from b-day part goodie bags on hand for this reason as well.
If you’re looking for something new, we’ve road tested a lot (literally), and here’s what we recommend:
Retractable markers – No more dried out markers / looking around for lids with these!
Reusable sticker books – Mess-free and endlessly entertaining. Bonus points for fine motor practice.
Writing tablets – These are super fun and our kids love them.
Water Wow books – Just add water! These are magic in a car seat.
Mini lacing cards or beading kits – Great for older toddlers or preschoolers and surprisingly captivating. These are a little heavier so better for the car.
Little “things that go” collection — Great for play on the go!
Magnetic play boards – Stickers that don’t fall between the seats? Yes, please.
Paperback books or magazines – They are lighter and easier to carry. Even the library has great options.
Yoto Mini — Love this for preschoolers and it’s great if you need some quiet time because they can wear headphones with it.
Pro trip: Rotate toys throughout the trip. Don’t bring all the options out at once, it helps to keep some tucked away in your bag for when you need something novel.
Don’t forget about road trip activities for preschoolers like “I Spy,” listening to kid-friendly podcasts, or singing favorite songs. If you need quiet time, check out our Songs+Stories podcast episodes for screen-free storytelling that supports language development.
Managing a Tablet with Toddlers and Preschoolers
Just like in day to day life, we think kids do best with a mix of activities so we don’t hand over a tablet for the entire trip. They’ll feel better too!
Let them move around the airport before boarding. It helps regulate their bodies and lowers the chance of mid-flight meltdowns.
Before you start pulling out all the stops, let kids experience this exciting new adventure first! Even just exploring the plane a bit and taking in the newness and the novelty of it is so fun!
Bring interactive toys like sticker books, art supplies, or magnetic tiles. Things that encourage creativity and hands-on play go a long way. They’ll feel better after the flight or long drive too if they’ve had a variety of activities throughout it.
Need a digital option? Songs+Stories is an ad-free, slow-paced, and designed to support early learning and language development. When you join you get access to our podcast for kids, too!
Looking for more apps? Here’s a blog on our favorite apps for kids.
Beach + Outdoor Fun
We love a beach day with kids. The sand can keep them playing for so long!
Pack shade: A pop-up beach tent gives toddlers a cool place to play and eat without constant sunscreen reapplication. Bonus: a good spot for naps too.
Mini inflatable pool: Great for little ones who want to splash and pour water but aren’t ready for waves. Also helps contain toddlers who don’t stop moving!
Sunscreen tip: Use a soft makeup brush to apply sunscreen. It feels like a tickle game, and you’re way less likely to get a battle. We love this brand.
Bright swimwear: Opt for orange, red, or other high-visibility colors for better safety near water. Blue and white suits blend in too easily.
Sleep Tips for Travel
We aren’t parents who live by a super strict schedule at home, but we definitely have a daily rhythm that stays pretty consistent. Sleep can be one of the trickiest parts of travel with littles—but we’ve found a few things that help:
Set the scene: Recreate your home sleep environment as much as possible. Bring a white noise machine, blackout sleepout curtains, and your toddler's favorite sleep sack or blanket. We even tuck in a few of their favorite bedtime books. Familiar smells and sounds can help ease the transition.
Use light to your advantage: Get outside for morning light—sunshine helps reset your child’s internal clock. Then use blackout curtains or a SlumberPod in the evenings to promote restful sleep even if bedtime is later than usual. Time zone changes can be hard, but once home we found they bounced back pretty quickly.
Flex your routine: Keep your pre-sleep rituals consistent (bath, stories, songs), but stay open to naps in the stroller or car seat and later bedtimes. We kind of go with the flow on this! Easier said than done sometimes!
Practice travel sleep ahead of time: If your child will sleep in a travel crib or pack’n’play, set it up at home and let them get used to it a bit. This way, the sleep setup won’t feel so foreign on day one of your trip.