Traveling with a kid is as exhausting as it is fun. Be it on the road or a train or a flight, kids find ways to make it tedious, noisy, messy, and whatnot.
This article highlights certain tips for traveling with toddlers. Most of it is out of my personal experience as we have traveled a lot with our kid right from the time he was six months old.
What to pack and what not to pack has been our constant checklist of guidance that has helped us make our travel smoother and well-prepared. Once we have that handy, little modifications can be made as required, to suit the kid’s age. The same can be referred for every trip so that no essentials are missed out.
How to Go about Packing
Before we even delve into the items to pack, it is better to look into the idea of how to pack. I have found this very useful because it helps me remember every item that needs to be packed and saves me from the misery of missing out on important items. Let me put it down as a simple three-pointer.
- I make a mental note of the routine followed for the baby – what comes next to what. Usually, the simple set of activities such as brushing, bathing, eating, sleeping, and playing.
- For every activity, I divide it into the essentials required for it to complete it hassle-free.
- It may probably look like a tree once done. It may seem very crude but is extremely helpful in making sure every required item is in the travel bag.
Also, make sure a single bag or a trolley bag is entirely assigned for the kid’s essentials so that finding anything required is easy.
Medical Kits
When we travel with a kid, it is always crucial to have basic medicines as a part of our baggage. Medicines for nasal congestion, cold, and fever need to be part of the medical kit any day. Kids are prone to catching a cold, be it any season. Hence it is always useful to have them handy whenever we travel. Always carry a thermometer and a nail cutter. It does help to be prepared.
Apart from that, lotions and moisturizers can be carried along depending on the climatic conditions of the places of visit and also the skin type of the kid. Ointments are always those good-to-have first aids that come in handy in case of any scratches or small bruises.
Apart from these medicines, if there are any other regular medications that the child is on, they need to be on top of the list of essentials. Also, be prepared with covers and medications if the kid has motion sickness problems.
Clothes to Pack – Number and Type
Traveling with toddlers is equivalent to traveling heavy. And, the main reason for the baggage to get heavy is those innumerable clothes that we need to carry. Yes, that’s right. Innumerable it is.
We can never really guess when the ones they are wearing get soiled. I have had personal experiences of local one-day trips when I have traveled with no extra set. I have regretted my decision and how! That was when I decided to carry two extra sets of clothes always, whenever I step out with the kid.
My tip would be to carry clothes twice the number of days of stay outside home. You can even carry thrice the number if you can. Also, the number of clothes to carry depends on the place you travel to and its climatic conditions. For colder places, ensure to carry sweaters, socks, mufflers, or beanies. For hotter places, it is recommended to carry a lot of loose clothes.
Diapers, Wipes, Towels, and Toiletries
A pair of diapers and hand towels, a pack of wipes, and a toiletries kit are a must every time you leave home with the kid. Diapers, towels, and wipes need to be packed as part of the hand baggage for easy retrieval. The need may arise in every possible situation during the journey.
Even if the kid is potty trained, it is suggested to have a pair of diapers in case of any emergency.
Travel Food
Food is another important part of travel. It is always recommended to keep it light during travels. Easy-to-make porridges or fruits like bananas or chikoos make for good travel foods. When hot milk can be bought at even small restaurants during road travels, it is always good to carry a flask full of hot water. While traveling by train, it is better to carry both.
Do not introduce or try any new food while traveling. Always go for tried and tested food items and more so, those that the kid likes. Also, do not force-feed during travels. Feed the kid in gaps of 2 or 3 hours or ask them if they are feeling hungry before starting to feed them.
Music and Toys
As odd as it may sound, it is good to have some pacifiers handy, be it music or toys. As adults, even we may feel exhausted during long travels. Kids are no exception. Be prepared to handle tantrums out of fatigue and boredom. Most of the kids can be pacified with their favorite toys or favorite kind of music. Make sure to have it handy. Load those most loved songs or music onto your phone or on the car music system to use them as required. If the kid loves certain toys more than the rest, make sure to pack and bring them along.
Packing Hand Baggage
When most of the clothes and other necessities are part of the main luggage, make sure to have your hand baggage easy to carry as well as packed with everything that needs to be retrieved at a moment’s notice. Because that is all that we may get. A moment!
An extra pair of clothes, few diapers, hand towels, wipes, food items, and toys or pacifiers need to necessarily be part of the hand baggage.
Lastly, it is recommended not to disturb their routine that much (eating and sleeping time mainly) as you enjoy the holiday. If their routines are followed to an extent, it is easier to manage them so that they also have fun during the vacation.
All said and done, no matter how prepared we are, kids are known to throw surprises during the time we may expect the least. It is good to be prepared for that as well. After all, parenting is all about having fun, isn’t it?
Happy Travelling!
Hope you found the tips for traveling with toddlers useful. Do share your ideas in the comments!
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