Our Must-Have Gear for Traveling with a Toddler
Traveling with a toddler comes with its challenges, but with the right gear, it can be a lot smoother and even enjoyable. Over the years, we’ve tested a variety of travel items and narrowed it down to our absolute must-haves. Here’s a roundup of what we bring on every trip:
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1. Inflatable Footrest & Seat Hammock
For Hayden’s first few flights to Taiwan (13 hours), this inflatable footrest was a game-changer. We placed it in the gap between the seat and the back of the seat in front of us, then draped airplane blankets to create a cozy cocoon. This setup turned his seat into a toddler-sized first-class recliner. He slept for 9 hours straight going to Taiwan which made this extra item totally worth it.
As Hayden got older, we switched to this seat hammock. It’s more compact, takes up less space in our bag, and still provides a comfortable way for him to stretch out. An added bonus? It keeps toys and snacks from constantly falling to the floor, and you can store bags underneath the hammock to maximize your personal space.
2. Guava Lotus Travel Crib
Our Guava Lotus Travel Crib has been an essential part of our travel gear, accompanying us to 7 countries and serving as Hayden’s primary bed for an entire year when we were a nomadic family. Unlike traditional travel cribs or pack and plays, this one sits on the ground, meaning there’s no weight limit—and Hayden was always so comfortable sleeping in it!
Its compact design, which folds into a convenient backpack, made it easy to carry wherever we went. The best part? We never had to worry about the quality or availability of hotel or Airbnb cribs. Knowing Hayden would have a familiar and safe bed at every destination gave me peace of mind, and it helped him sleep soundly, no matter where we were.
3. SlumberPod
The SlumberPod has been a lifesaver for room sharing and adjusting to new time zones. Anytime we’re sharing a hotel or Airbnb room with Hayden, we set it up to create a dark, private space for him. It’s been especially helpful for naps and schedule adjustments when we’re in a new place.
One of the best parts? If Hayden wakes up jet-lagged in the middle of the night, he can’t see us. Instead, he’ll usually talk to himself or play quietly until he falls back asleep. It’s also great when we hire a babysitter at our destination. We put Hayden to sleep in the SlumberPod before they arrive, so he stays undisturbed while someone keeps an eye on the monitor for us.
When I was researching strollers, I wanted one that could do it all. Friends who owned three or four different strollers warned me how overwhelming that could be, and I knew our lifestyle (and storage space!) couldn’t handle it. That’s why I chose the Joolz Aer+.
This stroller is incredibly versatile. It’s perfect for travel—compact enough to fit in the overhead compartment on most airplanes—but also durable enough to work as a full-time stroller. Lightweight and easy to carry, I could fold and unfold it while holding Hayden when he was smaller.
We’ve taken the Joolz Aer+ everywhere, and it’s never let us down. If you’re considering other options, I’ve also heard great things about the Babyzen Yoyo and the Bugaboo Butterfly from friends.
When you’re buying the stroller, get the rain cover too!
5. Ride Safer Vest
The Ride Safer Vest has been a game-changer since Hayden turned two. Designed for kids aged two and up, this safety vest adjusts the car’s seatbelt to fit securely at a toddler’s level. It meets or exceeds all crash test requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for harness restraints, making it legal across the U.S.
The vest is amazing for travel or at home when you need to take Ubers/taxis. It’s compact, lightweight, and so much easier than lugging around a car seat. The industrial-strength Velcro and secure attachments make it tough for little ones to squirm out, though your child does need to be mature enough to stay in position for the ride.
When we rent a car, we still opt for a car seat since it seems more comfortable for longer trips. But for city hopping or short rides, this vest has been the best.
6. Portable Fabric High Chair
This portable fabric high chair has been a key part of our travel setup, especially in places like Japan and Taiwan, where high chairs aren’t always readily available. It’s lightweight and compact, making it easy to pack for trips, carry along for outings or throw under the stroller in case we need it.
During our nomadic travels, we would strap it on a dining chair in our airbnb to make it his regular high chair. Now, we keep it in the car for impromptu visits to friends’ homes or restaurants that don’t offer high chairs. Its versatility has made it a staple for us on the go.
We started potty training Hayden 1 month before our most recent Hawaii trip and this OXO portable toilet saved us so many times – he had many successful outdoor pees and poops and I also used these in public restrooms too because suddenly he became anti-big toilets. Don’t forget to get the refill bags too! They have an absorbent disc inside.
8. Woolino Sleep Sacks
These Woolino sleep sacks are worth every penny. Made out of New Zealand wool, they are sweat wicking and warm. We have traveled/lived in so many different climates and it is such a relief to not consider what weight sleep sack to bring depending on how the weather will be. If it’s super cold, we’ll layer on more PJs under the sleep sack and if it’s really warm, we’ll skip the PJ pants or put him in a thinner long sleeve or short sleep top. They come in two sizes for 2-24 months and 2-4 years old. We have 2 of each size that we will be saving and my friend even gifted me 4 more which both her kids have used, and they are all in great shape!
9. Eating Out Gear
We eat out with Hayden a lot and these were items that made that super easy!
Disposable placemats (gave us peace of mind when he started eating off the table)
Silicone bib with catcher (super useful when he was younger and there was nowhere to sit and eat, like night markets in Taiwan)
