Traveling with babies and toddlers often feels like you need to pack your entire house just to get out the door.
And for a while, we did.
We had the extra bags, the “just in case” items, and all the gear that felt essential at the time. But as our kids have gotten older, something has shifted. We’ve packed less, traveled lighter, and become much more intentional about what actually earns a spot in our bags.
These days, we don’t bring everything. We bring the things that have proven, trip after trip, to be worth it.
If you’re in that in-between stage, no longer traveling with babies but not quite at the “big kid independence” phase yet, this is the travel gear for kids that has truly made the cut for us.
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Travel Day Essentials
Travel Stroller
When our kids were babies, we were strictly baby carrier parents. I loved the convenience of strapping the kid on and having both my hands free. Also, I usually didn’t mind having a little extra weight added to my built-in workout as I walked around.
Now, things look a little different. Our older one walks most of the time, and even our younger one is much more independent. But I have come around to appreciating a travel stroller on our trips.
Why? Because travel days are long, unpredictable, and often involve more walking than usual. Even kids who “don’t need a stroller anymore” can hit a point where they’re tired, overwhelmed, or just done.
Having a lightweight travel stroller gives us a backup plan without slowing us down. It’s easy to fold, quick to maneuver through airports, and makes transitions smoother for everyone. It’s also a place to hang small bags and other things so we can take breaks from carrying everything.
We don’t always bring one, but if I know there will be long days of walking, it becomes a must.
Here’s our favorite travel stroller
Travel Safety Vest
This is one of the biggest shifts we’ve been able to make as our oldest kid has gotten older and bigger.
Rather than traveling with two full car seats, which is insanely bulky, heavy, and awkward (especially in airports), we now use a travel safety vest and occasionally a booster seat for our bigger kid. It has completely changed how we handle transportation at our destination.
It’s small, lightweight, and easier to use in rental cars or rideshares. It’s a much more streamlined option for getting around that is still safe and reliable.
This is one of those pieces of gear that truly reflects the transition from toddler travel to traveling with young kids. It simplifies everything without sacrificing peace of mind.
Get a discount on a Safe Ride 4 Kids vest
Packing & Organization
Packing Cubes
This is one that changed for me shortly after having kids.
I’m an organized person by nature, so when I was only packing for myself, I didn’t feel the need to use packing cubes.
When we started traveling with a baby, I quickly realized how much more stuff I now needed to keep organized. Extra outfits, backup outfits, nursing bras, sleep sacks, etc. Not to mention our first international trip with a four-month-old, during which Sean’s suitcase didn’t arrive at our destination when we did. Both of these scenarios forced a packing mindset shift.
Now, we pack much more intentionally, and packing cubes are a big part of that.
Each person has their own cube system. For me, I like to pack by occasion. For example, pajamas go in one cube, swimwear goes in one cube, and so on. Because of the lost luggage incident, I also designate some as “just to get by” cubes. These go in another person’s suitcase. So if my suitcase doesn’t arrive, I know I have at least some stuff in one of the other bags.
I’ve also graduated to the compression packing cubes. I rarely use the compression feature, but it’s great to have if you do need to squeeze out a little extra space.
Packing cubes have helped us move away from overpacking and toward a system that actually works for our family now. This is one of those small changes that makes a big difference on every trip.
These are the compression cubes I mentioned
Vacuum Seal Travel Bags
I am actually embarrassed that I didn’t know about or use these sooner. I remember so many trips where we were putting laundry in plastic shopping bags, and at the end of the trip we were shoving all the dirty clothes into the front pouch of the suitcase so they wouldn’t contaminate the few remaining clean clothes. This made the suitcase bulkier and awkwardly front-heavy.
I finally got wise and bought a few to try out. These are an absolute lifesaver. We use them as our laundry bags throughout the trip. When a bag is full we close it, compress it, and put it wherever there is room because the dirt and smell stays inside.
We also sometimes use them for bulkier items. It really came in handy when we traveled for a wedding and my daughter had a large tulle flower girl skirt. They help compress everything down so we’re not constantly fighting for space in our suitcase.
This isn’t something we relied on in the early days, but it’s become a simple, practical tool that helps us stay organized without adding much effort.
Keeping Kids Entertained
Drawing Tablets
We’ve tried a lot of travel toys over the years, and this is one that has consistently stuck from toddler to preschool stage.
Drawing tablets are one of the few toys that appeal to both of our kids and are a no-brainer for travel. They’re lightweight, mess-free, and easy for kids to use independently. Whether we’re on a plane, covering a lot of miles in the car, or needing a quiet moment during the day, they give our kids something engaging to do without requiring much setup.
These have held up well for us
Tablet
This is not something we use all the time, but for long travel days, it’s a game changer.
When our kids were babies and toddlers, we relied more on toys and snacks to keep them occupied. That still works to an extent, but there are moments during travel where nothing else quite does the trick.
The tablet really earns its place on flights, long car rides, and unexpected delays.
We keep it as a backup rather than a default, but having it available can make a huge difference when everyone is tired and patience is running low.
It’s one of those things we don’t always need, but we’re always glad we packed when we do.
If you’re looking for an affordable and well-reviewed tablet
Kids Headphones
If you’re bringing a tablet, headphones are a must.
This is one of those simple additions that makes everything easier, especially in shared spaces like planes or waiting areas.
We use kids headphones that are comfortable, easy to adjust, and designed with volume limits in mind. That way, our kids can watch or listen independently without it being overwhelming or disruptive. Ours also plug into each other, so both kids can listen to the same thing on one screen.
They don’t take up much space, but they make a big difference in how smoothly those longer travel moments go.
Everyday Travel Gear for Kids
Kids Water Bottles
Water cups are one of those things we use constantly, both at home and while traveling, so it made sense to stick with what already works for us.
We’ve tried a few different options over the years, but these are our favorite for travel. They’re durable, easy for our kids to use on their own, and don’t leak all over our bags, which is a big win when you’re on the go.
The biggest win for us is how insulated they are. Both of our kids are a little bit picky when it comes to their water. The longer we can keep it icy and cold, the better (I blame the Texas heat). These keep ice in their water for hours.
They’re also simple to clean and hold up well to being dropped, tossed into backpacks, and used daily during a trip.
This is one of those items that doesn’t feel like “travel gear,” but it absolutely earns its place every time.
Get Hydro Flasks for your kids
Baby Wipes
This is one item that has stuck around long after the baby phase.
When our kids were younger, we used wipes for everything. While we don’t go through nearly as many now, we still always pack a small pack when we travel.
They come in handy for quick cleanups, sticky hands, spills, and the occasional unexpected mess. They’re also useful during travel days when access to a sink isn’t always guaranteed.
They don’t take up much space, and they solve enough small problems that we never leave them behind.
Comfort & Sleep
Portable Night Light & White Noise Machine
Sleep can make or break a trip, especially in a new environment.
On most trips, we do enough during the day to thoroughly tire out the kids to the point where they pass out shortly after they hit the pillow at night. That said, it’s still nice to bring a small piece of bedtime familiarity in case they do need a little help adjusting to a new environment.
Having a portable night light and white noise machine helps especially when sharing rooms or staying somewhere with different lighting or noise levels than what our kids are used to.
This is one of those items that, for us, is small enough to toss in the bag and we’d rather have and not need than need and not have. It helps everyone sleep better, which makes the entire trip go more smoothly.
This is the one we use
This is the one I would get if we didn’t already have one
Just in Case
Barf Bags
This is clearly not the most glamorous item on the list, but it is one we never travel without.
If you have a kid who is prone to motion sickness, you already know how quickly a situation can escalate, especially in the car or on a plane.
Having barf bags within easy reach gives us a simple, low-stress way to handle it if it happens. They’re compact, easy to pack, and something we’re always glad to have, even if we don’t end up needing them.
It’s a small addition that can make a big difference when things don’t go as planned.
First Aid Kit
This isn’t technically a piece of travel gear since we make our own, but it’s something we never travel without. A few of the items change as your kids grow older, but most of the essentials remain the same. If you would like to see a full list, you can check that out here.
Wrapping Up Intentional Travel Gear for Kids
Traveling with young kids looks different than it did in the baby and toddler years, and our packing has changed right along with it.
We don’t bring everything anymore. Instead, we focus on the items that consistently make travel easier, more comfortable, and more manageable for our family.
If you’re in that same stage, figuring out what you actually still need, I hope this gives you a clearer starting point.
And if you’re working toward packing lighter, this has been one of the biggest shifts for us: bringing less, but choosing better.
More Tips for Traveling with Young Kids