My husband and I loved to travel before we had kids.  We didn’t want to give that up once we started having children and we believe exposing our kids to different places and cultures will only help their development into adulthood.  So we decided to hit the road! Sounds great, right?

In reality, traveling with young children was much harder than we expected.  Sleeping with a baby in a hotel room! How to sleep once kids outgrow the pack n’ play. What to do in a hotel or an air bnb or a friend’s house?How to keep kids entertained on a plane? What are good travel activities for kids? 

Through years of trial and error and now between Colleen and Ashely we have 4 kids 6 and under and traveled domestically and internationally with them – these are the best products we recommend.

Everything on this guide we personally have used.  Hope it helps!!

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Sleep

Slumber Pod with Fan

This is my #1 recommendation for sharing a room with a baby or toddler. 

Foldable BabyBjorn Travel Baby Crib

This folds up so small it is perfect for traveling on planes with a baby.  

Crib Sheet for BabyBjorn Crib

This is smaller than a standard toddler mattress size. 

Traveling Black Out Curtains 

Great for Air BNBs and staying with friends and family. 

Travel White Noise Machine

This one is rechargeable and comes with a small night light.

Foldable Pack N Play

Great for toddlers, but please also get the mattress so it is comfortable for them to sleep! 

Pack N Play Mattress

We did one trip without this and said NEVER AGAIN.  It makes the Pack N Play so much more comfortable. 

Inflatable Toddler Bed

This bed is an inflatable mattress with inflatable rails.  This is how we travelled with my 3 year old when he was too big for a Pack N Play and too small for a hotel bed. 

Inflatable Twin Bed

My five year old uses this bed if we are staying somewhere that doesn’t have a bed for her.  She’s in a standard twin at home and this has the same feeling.  Plus, it’s very easy to inflate and stays inflated. 

Wifi Camera

This inexpensive camera works on wifi, which we don’t usually use at home, but can be helpful if at a family member’s house where a traditional monitor might not have the same range as home. 

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles 

Car Camera

When my son was a newborn I had to take three 14 hour car trips with him in the backseat.  This gave me peace of mind. 

Stroller and Car Seat Combo

This is the GOAT of traveling with a baby.  Is it pricey? Yes. Is it awesome? Also yes. 

Car Seat Bag

We personally have never tried a travel car seat.  We bring their real car seats, check them, and install them when we arrive.  Most airlines do not charge for checked car seats. 

Travel Fan

My car can get hot in the summer.  I used this fan to keep my baby cool while on long trips. It is rechargeable and easily wraps around the car seat or the back of the driver’s seat. 

Umbrella Stroller 

An inexpensive umbrella stroller has helped me so many times to navigate an airport with a larger toddler.  Usually this is my 3 year old who can walk by herself but doesn’t want to all the time.  

Good Travel Accessories 

Disposable Bibs

I really recommend these for restaurants because you can just toss it at the end of the meal instead of taking a dirty bib back home with you. 

Disposable Place Mats

Great for restaurants for toddlers who haven’t quite learned to us a plate. 

Travel High Chair

This folds up so nicely like a little pop-up chair.  Great for Air BNBs or friend’s houses if you don’t know if they have a high chair for little ones. 

Outlet Extender

Trust me.  This has been essential in traveling in hotel rooms with kids.  We can never find enough outlets for all of their electronics plus ours. 

Inflatable Tub

Most hotels only have showers. This has been so helpful when bathing kids on the road. 

Travel Tub – Collapsible

This is another great option and has a seat for younger babies. 

Night Light

Sometimes a new room feels too dark for kids.  I always throw one of these in my bag just in case. I also pack my own eye mask so I don’t have to see it. 

Suitcase Scale

Essential if you fear you packed too much in your checked luggage and the airline might charge you for an oversized bag. 

Baby Carrier

I love this one because it grows with the baby and the baby can face either direction. 

Toddler Hip Helper

This is so helpful when you have a kid who could walk, but often doesn’t want to.

Color Changing Alarm Clock

This is my favorite alarm clock for everyday use and it has come with us on every vacation for the past four years.  It changes color to green with it is “OK” for the kids to wake up.  

Baby Susher

This is a secret from my baby’s photographer.  It kept him sleeping his entire two hour session! Babies love this sweet sound and it’s not too loud so you can easily toss it in a stroller. 

Formula Container

If your baby takes formula these are great individual containers to help measure out as you go throughout the day.

Travel Bottle Brush

This little guy comes in handy when traveling – perfect for small spaces!

Hotel & Travel Toys

Race Track Tape

This is perfect for turning hotel rooms into a little adventure and it’s so easy to pack. 

Fire Stick

Screen time rules go out the window when we travel.  Most TVs are compatible with this fire stick so we can stream on the go. 

Spinner for windows 

Very fun in the car or on planes!

Want more travel toys? See our recommended travel toys and activities for little kids!