The Best Tried-and-True Travel Gear for Toddlers

Tried, Tested, and Toddler-Approved: Our Favorite Travel Gear for Little Ones

Traveling with a toddler is its own sport. We learned that the first time around, when we spent a year traveling the world with our then-three-year-old and figured out — often the hard way — exactly what made the difference between a smooth trip and a chaotic one. Now that we’re doing the toddler years all over again with our second, we’re coming back to every piece of gear that proved itself the first time.

Consider this your shortcut to skipping the trial and error.

FOLDING CAR SEAT

The Wayb Pico car seat was one of the very first purchases I made when we were preparing for our year-long trip. It checked all the boxes in terms of child safety – being both FAA and NHTSA approved – and fitting kiddos between 22 and 50 lbs. Weighing only 8 lbs itself, it’s easily foldable and a breeze to carry through the airport. BUT, it’s pricey.

Today, three years after our original purchase, I can confirm that it’s absolutely worth the investment for avid travelers. At roughly $500, that can feel like a tough pill to swallow, but we’ve traded in terms of safety, packability and convenience with our own car seat (rather than a rented seat or a bulkier standard seat that would require lugging and checking for most flights) has been well worthwhile. Plus, once our oldest outgrew the seat, we were able to move our second child into it.

Price: $499 | Click here to view product details or buy

RIDE-ON SUITCASE TRIKE

I hadn’t heard of the Micro Allrounder travel cart until recently, but I can’t imagine taking a flight without it now. It’s a smooth-gliding carry-on suitcase for kids from 18 months to 5 years old that features a seat and handlebar for kiddos to hold on to while propping their feet. And maybe the most handy part? The fact that the suitcase detaches and you can use it as a push-pull trike once you’ve arrived at your destination. (Plus, it’s $100 less than some of those other ride-on options…)

This ride-on suitcase for toddlers made my three year old the star of the airport… and she wasn’t mad about it. Inside, the suitcase is a bit non-traditional in nature, with a zippered space where we packed the kids clothing, and an additional cargo area inside the hard-shell top, where we stowed our bulkier layers and sandals. All in all, we fit all the clothing for both kids for our four-night Florida trip.

Price: $199 | Click here to view product details or purchase

COLLAPSIBLE TRAVEL COT

We’ve used this $30 compact cot for years, and now that our 5-year old has grown out of it, it’s time to pass it along to sis. Because she learned to use the toilet this past summer, it’s time to ditch the crib! (But also 😭 because WHY do they grow up so fast?!)

Whether your toddler wants to sleep next to you, are concerned about roll offs on a bigger bed, or simply need an extra sleep space, this budget-friendly toddler bed is clutch. It collapses into an easy size to stow or pack into the trunk and I’ve not once gotten a complaint that it’s uncomfortable.

Price: $29.99 on Amazon | Click here to view product details or buy

CARRY-ON STROLLER

I waited FAR long to travel with a carry-on stroller. I think I thought they’d be bulky or cumbersome… no! Total game changer because it means the airlines can’t break, damage or lose your baby gear during your flight.

This compact HopLite stroller by BabbleRoo is easy to fold, lays flat, seats infants to 55 lbs and (drumroll)… comes with a cupholder. It’s also affordable.

After one stroller broken to the point of uselessness and a checked travel crib entirely lost, the peace of mind that comes with keeping your gear with you is priceless. While our three year old is nearly done with strollers, this came in clutch while zipping through those never-ending hallways to customs, waiting in line and navigating naptime at the airport.

Price: $259 on Amazon | Click here to view product details or buy

CARRY-ON DUFFEL BACKPACK

From the removable hanging organizer to the multitude of handles (yay!), insulated pocket, luggage pass through, laundry bag and all around high quality construction, it’s the dreamboat of a Swiss-Army-knife bag I’ve been waiting for. It’s the Hideaway Duffel by No Reception Club and it’s a backpack-duffel-carry-on dream.

Whether you’ve got a baby or toddler, this was designed with mamas in mind. A stink-resistant laundry pocket says it all, am I right? The fact that the folks behind this product are parents of young kids is no surprise.

Price: $295 | Click here to view product details or buy

COMPACT WAGON

Wiggly toddler problems? I’ve found that ditching the stroller in favor of a travel wagon can solve loads of issues. There’s more room for little ones to move about, the flexibility to hop in and out without always having to have them buckled up (though this fold-up wagon offers two five point harnesses!) and there’s plenty of space for toys, blankets, snacks and whatever collection of sticks and stones is being curated.

This wagon by Ever Advanced is ultra-compact with easy-rolling wheels, push AND pull bars on both sides, and canopy (handy in snow or rain), and has made strolling the market comfortable for everyone. Use code JESS15 for 15% off 🫶🏻

Price: $187 with code | Click here for product details or to buy

TRAVEL SOUND MACHINE

If your little ones have long loved the rhythmic human “shushing” of the iconic Baby Shusher, they’re going to flip for this sweet sloth stuffie that offers that same sound and is ideal for travel. He’s snuggly and cute, and – genius – has a built-in sound detector so that if your toddler stirs within an hour of the auto shut off, the calming sounds will start back up.

And while stuffed animals (or anything, for that matter) aren’t recommended in cribs for infants, this sound machine makes a great gift for traveling babies since its arms easily attach to “hold on” to a stroller rail, car seat handle, or similar.

Price: $49 | Click here for product details or to buy