Travelling with Toddlers – Best Toddler Travel Advice
Just when you thought you were becoming a pro at this travel with a baby thing, suddenly a change comes over your child.
For some it creeps up slowly, for others, it’s like someone has flicked a switch;
it’s the toddler years.
Your once content tot who was happy to be carried, pushed and hauled around the globe has not just put his/her foot down about this whole travel gig, they’ve stomped all over it, thrown up on it, melted down and toddled away from it.
Those toddler years ARE TOUGH!
It’s at this stage that a lot of parents start to find the thought of travelling with their child beyond the end of the block somewhat overwhelming, and understandably so.
You really need to employ entirely different strategies for a toddler than you do for an immobile infant. Getting that balance right and avoiding hunger, tiredness and boredom is essential. Extra stimulation, involvement and planning are essential to toddler travel survival.
Flying with toddlers
This has undoubtedly been the hardest aspect for us of toddler travel. As soon as your beautiful little lap baby outgrows the airline bassinet but can’t independently have their own seat, you are stuck with this squirming bundle of arms and legs.
They are too young still to see the benefits of keeping the headphones on and listening to an iPad, yet too old to have any hope they will simply sleep through the flight. Here’s a selection of our best toddler flying tips and advice:
10 Toddler flying mistakes we have made (and I bet you have too)
Think your child’s just going to get feed on demand? Think they’re toilet trained so you can dispense with the nappy bag? Welcome to the big league of parenting in the air!!! A lot of these lessons we learnt the hard way at 38,000 – read this before your next toddler flight and avoid the same mistakes!
5 things that will NOT be in my toddlers carry-on
Play-doh, are you serious? Individually wrapped gifts? Give me a break!!!! See what we’re NOT packing on our next toddler flight!
What’s in my toddler’s plane bag
We have some really practical ideas too that have been tried and toddler tested.
Exciting travel Toys for 2 year-olds
A great guest post from Samara at Tiny Fry, she suggests here favourite travel toys perfect for this age group.
Surviving ultra-long haul with no electronics
Can kids survive these days without some sort of electronic device to keep them entertained over long periods?ย We look at boredom busters that don’t need a battery.
Best Toddler Learning Apps
And when all else fails and you feel they do need a screen, we look at the best apps to keep toddlers busy and learning on their tablets or electronic devices.
15 practical ways to conquer jet lag
Is the jet lag, in fact, worse than the flight?ย Practical pointers on how to deal with this unfortunate aspect of long-haul flying.
Need advice on what to expect on individual airlines? We have reviewed 30 of the world’s leading international airlines for their family-friendliness and checked everything from their pregnancy policies to their in flight entertainment and frequent flyer programs.
Pop over to our International Family Airline Reviews to see how they stack up.
Toddler Travel Gear Reviews
We have frequently had the privilege of testing many innovative new products to the family travel market with our 3 Globetrotters. See how they stacked up when we put them through their strides!
Toddler Travel Essentials – The Ultimate Travel Gear List
Best Toddler Carriers and Hiking Backpacks
Phil & Teds Traveller – Portable travelling cot
Plane leg pillows and comfort devices – do they work and which airlines allow them
Bed Box by Jet Kids – in-flight sleep solution for kids
How to choose the perfect travel stroller
Compact Travel Stroller Mountain Buggy Nano
Best compact strollers that fit on a plane
How to select the best stroller gate check bags
The best wheeled car seat bag – Hello Jolie reviewed
Best compact & lightweight double strollers for travel
Toddler travel beds for sleeping on the move
Best Toddler travel pillows and seat comforters
Best travelling high chairs
Best toddler hiking shoes
Best toddler wetsuits
Best car seat travel protection bags
The best pop up beach tents for travel reviewed
Have a product you want testing? Jump over to our Work With Us page to see how we collaborate with brands and how we can help you with promoting your new product.
Some of our favourite travel with toddler advice & adventures
Travelling with 3 small children over 5 continents for the last 8 years, we’ve learnt a fair bit about dealing with small people on the move! Whatever age or stage you’re up to, I’m sure we’ve covered it! Take a look through some of our advice and reflections on toddler travel.
Road Tripping with a Toddler
Our top tips and essential gear to make your car journey with a toddler run smoothly.
Hiking with a Toddler: How to make it fun!
Who says you can’t go hiking with toddler in tow? Keeping little legs motivated, energy levels high and what to do when naps are needed.
Camping with a toddler
Top tips, safety, sleeping and essential gear you’ll want when taking on a camping trip with a toddler in tow.
A day at the beach with a toddler
How best to cope with a toddler when taking on a big day out at the beach; conquering sand, surf & sun.
Potty training toddlers while travelling
Best ways to deal with this important stage if you need to be on the move; from airplanes to lack of facilities. What to pack and how to set expectations
Travelling with a teething tyke
Teething is unpleasant for everyone at the best of times but we look at ways to alleviate the symptoms while travelling.
5 family travel truths my 3-year-old has taught me
A fun look back at all the lessons we learnt about toddler travel once #2 child came along – no two children are the same!
Surviving 16 hours on a plane with 3 under 5
A warts and all, hour by hour recollection of our 16 hour day time flight with three under five to take them from Abu Dhabi to Disney World; How painful was it, really?
Dealing with Fussy Toddlers on Long car trips
Tips on how to make a long road trip with young kids more manageable.
Organised Chaos – Vietnam with Kids
The adventure that started the blog – pregnant with a toddler and preschooler, yes this world travel thing can still be done!!!
Bookmark this page or Save to Pinterest for Later
Do you have a toddler travel question to ask? For safety reasons as well as your sanity it is quite a unique travelling age, we know what you are going through!!
Don’t forget to check out our Best Baby Travel Advice and Best Pregnancy Advice homepages
