If you’re used to spontaneous, activity-packed vacations before kids, or if you’re planning your first big trip with your toddler, you’re probably wondering: How do I actually do this without losing my mind?
Traveling with a toddler is a whole different game.
After 20+ flights and countless road trips, I’ve learned that toddler travel doesn’t have to be chaos — it just has to be different. You won’t be sightseeing from 8 to midnight or hopping cities every other day, but once you adjust how you travel, it gets so much better.
This post isn’t about perfection — it’s about real-world, mom-tested strategies that actually work. The tips that keep your kid (and you) happy, help you survive travel days, and let you actually enjoy the trip.
If that sounds like what you need, you’re in the right place.
What is a Toddler?
Technically, it’s kids between 1 to 3 years old, but in real life? 1.5 to 4 feels more accurate.
They’re in that in-between stage: not babies, not big kids. They’re walking (or sprinting), talking (or yelling), forming strong opinions—and even stronger tantrums.
They might be in diapers, potty-training, or switching between both, depending on the day. Their brains are still developing, and they’re trying to figure out emotions, control, and independence (when my 2-year old wants to do it by himself, he yells “self!”).
One minute they’re giggling at a statue, the next they’re losing it because you peeled their banana the wrong way or cut that grape, so they wouldn’t choke.
It’s unpredictable and exhausting… and also kind of amazing.
Best Tips for Traveling With Toddlers
We’ve done short road trips around California, flown across the country, and taken international flights to Europe and Southeast Asia with a baby, a toddler, or both.
After 20+ flights and way too many road trips to count, these are the tips I actually use over and over again. They’ve helped us go from meltdown-central to mostly-smooth travels (with a few yogurt spills and snack bribery in between).
1. Adjust your expectations (seriously)
Traveling with toddlers isn’t like your pre-kid adventures. You won’t hit eight attractions in a day or stay out till midnight exploring a new city.
But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it.
Now we slow down. We follow their pace. We focus on experiencing a place, not checking things off a list. And honestly, that shift has made our trips feel richer, not less.
It’s unpredictable and exhausting — and also kind of amazing.
2. Plan To Do Less (Less Is More)
If you used to pack your vacation days back-to-back from 8 a.m. to midnight, that’s just not gonna fly with a toddler in tow. We used to hop from city to city every 2-3 days.
Now? We stay longer in fewer places.
And we plan less things in a day, just 1 or 2 must-dos per day (or none at all). We stay flexible.
We actually enjoy the destination, instead of collapsing in exhaustion. We plan for breaks between meals and activities — because kids (and honestly, parents) need it.
That awkward window between lunch and dinner? That’s our reset time.
- Some days we head back to the hotel for snacks, screens, and downtime. No shame.
- Some days we find a coffee shop with AC and let the kids go wild on smoothies.
- Some days it’s the hotel pool or splash pad to let everyone cool off.
We’ve learned that if we go “hard” one day, we go “easy” the next.
3. Plan playgrounds or open spaces into your itinerary
Kids need to move. If your kid gets to run, climb, splash, or explore each day, the whole trip goes smoother. Trust me.
Their moods will be better, they’ll sit longer after, and they’ll sleep better too.
We always look for:
- Playgrounds and splash pads: free, fun, and guaranteed to wear them out
- Parks: we can buy food to-go, and let them play or run around
- Open-air food halls or markets: parents get to eat, kids get to move around
- Hands-on kids museums or science centers: especially great on hot or rainy days, and they still get to touch things
- Walkable plazas or waterfronts: room to run without constant redirection
Even a 30-minute park stop can reset the whole day.
4. Hype them up
Get them excited about the adventure ahead.
Before our Vietnam trip (a 26 hour travel day including 2 layovers, 3 airports, and 1 hour in the car after we landed), I showed my 1.5- and 3.5-year-old an Instagram reel of a ball pit restaurant in Phan Rang. My older one couldn’t stop talking about the “ball pit.” It became the thing she looked forward to the most.
That tiny clip helped shift the whole vibe.
Even for toddlers, a little pre-trip hype goes a long way. Show them pictures or videos of where you’re going — the airplane, the beach, the playground, the food, the weird statue shaped like a fish — whatever might spark excitement.
If you’re visiting family or friends, show them photos of the people they’ll see. My kids love knowing which cousins are going to be there or who’s picking us up at the airport. It makes the whole trip feel more familiar and fun before we even leave the house.
When travel gets hard (because it will), having that one fun thing to look forward to helps them hang in there.
5. Always include things you want to do
This is your trip too.
You’re still hungry for travel and exploring — and even if they won’t remember it, you will.
So yes, we include the food halls we’re excited about. I stop for local coffee. Bryan finds a brewery or craft beer spot. We make time for museums, scenic walks, and cool neighborhoods — anything that gives us a little spark.
Just make sure it’s toddler-doable (most things that involve walking or exploring things on foot are), or line up babysitting help if you need it (for something super active or adventurous or for a fancy fine-dining meal).
6. Bring a carrier or stroller
Toddlers simply can’t walk as far as you want them to. And when their legs give out, you don’t want to break your back carrying them like a sack of potatoes.
A carrier or stroller is essential.
For most road trips, we bring our double stroller.
For almost every single one of our 20+ flights, we’ve brought 1 or 2 carriers — one for each kid. If I’m solo with both kids, I definitely prefer the stroller. It gives me a place to strap both in without chasing anyone, store stuff, and move faster when I need to without getting tired.
Without one of these, your energy simply won’t last. It’s hard to enjoy long travel days or be efficient when you’re constantly juggling bags, carrying toddlers, or sprinting after them.
7. Get comfortable with napping on the go
Don’t expect a perfect nap schedule (or even a real nap setup) when you’re traveling.
We’ve done naps in carriers, strollers, car seats, and even on random benches. I used to stress about getting them back to the hotel for a “real nap,” but now I just roll with whatever works in the moment. If the majority of the group still has energy to go, we’re going, and whichever kid is sleepy will sleep on the go.
Some sleep is better than no sleep — and if they nap while you get to explore, you don’t even have to entertain them. Even better!
8. Bring snacks everywhere
This one needs no explanation. You already know.
Snacks are your first line of defense in any meltdown situation: long rides, late meals, unexpected delays, long lines, long restaurant sit-downs — you name it.
They’ve saved us more times than I can count.
Toddlers get cranky when they’re hungry. And even if you just fed them 20 minutes ago, they’ll swear they’re starving again as soon as you step outside.
We bring snacks on every flight, car ride, train ride, and for any walk longer than 20 minutes.
Always. Pack. Snacks.
9. Pack 2–3 lightweight toys or activities
You don’t need to bring the whole toy bin. Just a few things to pull out when needed — restaurant waits, long rides, or those “we have to sit still” moments.
Some of our go-to’s:
- Water Wow books
- Pop-it fidget spinners
- Crayons and a coloring book (or paper)
- Retractable car toys
It’s just enough to keep little hands busy without weighing down your bag.
10. Choose your accommodations wisely
Where you stay makes a huge difference.
We now prioritize places that make our lives easier:
- Walking distance to restaurants or a play area (bonus if it’s both)
- A pool or splash pad nearby
- A breakfast buffet, so we don’t have to start the day with hangry kids
- A fridge for leftovers, or even better — a kitchen
- 30 min commute or less (I aim for less) from the majority of attractions we want to see
It might mean spending a little more, but the sanity savings are so worth it.
11. Bring candy
There will come a time during travel when you need your kid to cooperate now — like putting on their seatbelt so the plane can take off.
Sure, it might not be best parenting practice to reward basic behavior, but screw it. You just need something that works fast.
I’ve used gummy bears, M&Ms, fruit snacks, lollipops, and Pockys. That seems to work for our kids. It’s not about bribery — it’s about survival (with a little bribery).
12. You don’t need to pack a suitcase full of toys
Some people get obsessed with bringing tons of toys and activities for travel days — and sure, it’s good to have a few — but don’t forget that the real entertainment is already around you.
Travel is full of new things! Point out the fountains, the buses, the ducks in the pond, the bugs on the sidewalk, the colorful buildings, the weird statues.
That’s the adventure. That’s the fun.
Some of our best travel memories started with Serena spotting something random and going, “Whoa, look at that!”
And don’t underestimate how engaging free activities can be:
- sing nursery rhymes
- tell stories with hand gestures
- play I Spy with objects or colors
- draw or color
- do rock-paper-scissors
- patty cake
13. Save screens for when you really need them
I’m not anti-screens. I just use them strategically.
We save screen time for long stretches: plane rides, long car trips, delays, or meals when we really need a moment to eat in peace. And because we save them, it makes them feel a little more special when we finally do hand over the tablet.
Make sure to download apps and shows ahead of time.
But if you forget, scrolling through family photos and videos can be surprisingly entertaining. My kids love seeing themselves and their cousins — and it buys more time than you’d think.
Packing Tips for Traveling With Toddlers
You don’t need to bring your whole house — but there are some packing rules I follow:
- Use packing cubes and give each person their own.
- Limit the number of bags. Fewer bags = easier transport.
- Skip the cute toddler backpack they’re supposed to carry. Guess who ends up holding it anyway?
- Pack extra outfits — more than one per day for blowouts, spills, and outfit strikes.
- Pack for the weather and trip activities (think: swimming, hiking, events, rain).
- Pack just enough snacks for the ride, and buy the rest there — it’s part of the fun to try new foods!
- Toss in 2–3 toys for the journey. Then let your destination and surroundings be the entertainment.
- Bring a carrier or stroller — your arms and back will thank you.
- Don’t forget emergency candy. Some moments call for fast cooperation.
👉 Curious what exactly to carry on for your toddler on a flight? Check out my detailed airplane packing list with must-haves and nice-to-haves.
Tips for Traveling With a Toddler by Plane
I’ve done several long-haul flights with a toddler, and here are the tips I actually use:
- Book flights during nap or bedtime if you can. Red-eyes are golden — my 2-year-old once slept 8 out of 10 hours on a flight to London.
- Bring 2–3 lightweight, new-ish toys and introduce them one at a time. Sticker books, window clings, and Water Wow are always a hit.
- Choose a window seat — great for naps, clings, and avoiding meal carts in the aisle.
- Activity ideas: blue painter’s tape, songs with gestures (Patty-Cake, Itsy Bitsy Spider), coloring, I Spy games, guessing games.
- Bring snacks your toddler will actually eat: pouches, crackers, cereal, cut fruit. And don’t be afraid to ask the flight attendant if you forget.
- Use a carrier or stroller to contain your toddler and stay hands-free through the security line.
- Tire them out at the airport: after you pass the security line, let them run wild. Use empty airport gates, airport play areas, or play games like Red Light, Green Light.
- Pack extra diapers and clothes for both them and you — blowouts, vomit, and spills happen in the air.
- Change diapers about 30 minutes before boarding to avoid cramped bathrooms on the plane.
- Prevent ear pain with milk, water, pouches, or lollipops. Swallowing motion helps equalize pressure.
- Take aisle walks if your toddler gets restless and the seatbelt sign is off.
- Save the big guns (screens and candy) for when you really need them.
👉 Want the full breakdown of flying with a toddler from booking flights to in-air survival? Here’s everything I wish I knew before our first long-haul flight.
👉 Make sure you’ve got everything ready before takeoff with this simple Quickstart Toddler Flight Plan.
Tips for Traveling With a Toddler by Car
We’ve done our fair share of road trips with toddlers — from 2-hour drives to full 8-hour treks. Here’s what helps us survive (and sometimes even enjoy) the ride:
- Break up any trip longer than 3–4 hours. Find a playground, a quirky roadside attraction, or something your kid will be excited about. You can use the Roadtrippers app to find quick stops.
- No time for a full stop? Let them run around during gas stops. Even exploring the mini mart and picking their own snack is exciting for toddlers.
- Pack lots of snacks. Snacks = entertainment, food, and mood regulation all in one.
- Charge devices the night before and pack both your wall and car chargers for phones and tablets.
- Bring a small soft cooler with a freezer pack for perishable snacks, drinks, fruit, or milk.
- Toss in a few grocery bags for trash and diaper changes. Dump them at gas stops so your car doesn’t turn into a dumpster.
- Use clips, ziplocks, or rubber bands to keep snacks from going stale (or spilling everywhere).
- Bathroom rule: If one person goes, we all go (bathroom or change diaper). Saves so many unnecessary stops later.
What It’s Really Like Traveling With Toddlers
While every trip has come with its own surprises (some great, some gross, some exhausting), I can honestly say the toddler trips are some of the most memorable.
Favorite Toddler Travel Moments
- Serena in the Netherlands at 2.5: Dancing on a wooden bench to live music at a food hall — total joy moment. People couldn’t stop complimenting her.
- Serena in London, age 2.5: She looked at a picture of herself and said “Serena” for the first time. Before that, she just called herself “you.”
- Huntington in Vietnam at 1.5: At the open night market, we were walking and then he squatted mid-walk, and pooped in his diaper right there — perfect toddler timing.
These are the memories that stick. Not the landmarks or checklists, but the tiny, funny, sweet stuff in between.
Real Talk: Toddler Travel Challenges
- Cruise room at 2 years old: Huntington yelled “Daddy! I want Daddy do it!” on loop while I tried to get his shoes on (his daddy was already gone). At the end, I gave up and threw him over my shoulder like a rolled-up yoga mat to get out of the room.
- Philippines at almost 3: Serena screamed so hard, she turned red and shook because she wanted orange juice (in front of all our relatives). I quietly excused us for a nap.
- Flight to Taipei at 3.5: Ten hours into a 15-hour flight, Serena shouted, “OUT! I want OUT!” I tried offering some travel toys and snacks and all of that failed until I suggested “I Spy.” Crisis averted.
These moments were tough, but we lived through them — and still made incredible memories along the way.
👉 Need help navigating those epic meltdowns mid-flight or at a museum? Here’s how I handle toddler tantrums while traveling — with real examples that prove you’re not alone.
Final Thoughts: Is it worth it to travel with a toddler?
Absolutely.
It’s not always easy. There will be tantrums, weird nap schedules, broken routines, and moments where you’re like, Why did we do this again?
But there’s also something magical about watching your toddler experience the world. When they see a train for the first time. When they wave “hello” at a statue. When they say “Serena” instead of “you” and you realize — this trip is a core memory in the making.
No, they might not remember every place. But you will.
And they will remember the feeling of being with you, exploring together, and being loved through every meltdown, mango spill, and bedtime snuggle in a new place.
And honestly? I’d rather deal with a toddler tantrum in a new city I’m excited about than stuck at home staring at the same four walls and picking up and sorting the toys again.
👉 Still wondering if all this effort is worth it to travel with a toddler? Get the full breakdown of pros and cons here.
