One of the more exciting parts of being a parent is getting to share the world with your child. And while that can mean the day-to-day things like watching a butterfly flutter through your garden, it can also include the once-in-a-lifetime things, like a big family trip. In fact, ccording to the Miles Partnership 2024 U.S. Road Trips Research Summary, about 33% of road trips are made by families traveling with children. However, every parent and caregiver knows that when it comes to traveling with a toddler, things can get really tricky.
Between missed naptimes, unfamiliar faces, and sensory overload, traveling together can cause you to both have major meltdowns. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prepare for your trip that will make things smooth sailing for both you and your little one.
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Time your travel around their sleep schedule
If you know that you’re going to be hopping on a plane or spending long hours in a car, try to make sure that you’re doing those things while your child is typically asleep. This can help them maintain their existing schedule since you won’t be getting in and out of the car (or trying to board the plane) right as your little one is starting to feel sleepy.
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Pack the essentials and keep them organized
The last thing you want to do is land in your destination, unpack your bags, and get ready to rest for the night before heading out for your first day of adventure only to discover that your child’s favorite lovie or stuffed animal is nowhere to be found. Instead, in the days (or weeks) leading up to your trip, make a list of the things that your child uses as part of their routine.
When it comes time to start packing, you’ll want to toss the things that you can’t leave home without in your travel bag (like their favorite stuffed animal) and decide what things you can get creative with when you get there (like using a white noise machine app on your phone instead of lugging one from home).
You’ll also want to make sure that whatever you’re bringing is organized in a way that you can quickly and easily find it, according to parenting blogger The Mama Coach. She suggests vacuumed sealed bags, which can help you save space in your suitcase. As for how to organize those items, she suggests sorting your bag into four different categories: sleep, feeding, play, and comfort. Place the ones you’ll need the most urgently in the easiest to access places.
Things you should avoid packing:
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Toys with lots of tiny pieces
They fall between seats, get lost instantly, and cause meltdowns. -
Too many stuffed animals
One comfort item is great; five become clutter and get dropped constantly. -
Anything sentimental or irreplaceable
If losing it would ruin the trip, leave it at home.
Snacks, snacks, snacks
As any toddler parent knows, having a supply of snacks on hand can keep your little one from getting hangry, which is important on both long and short rides. As such, you’re going to want to load up your carryon or travel bag with toddler-friendly snack options.
Many parents opt to create a “snacklebox” which they can stuff with a variety of different options, saving space and keeping food from touching, something that’s important to kiddos this age.
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Be prepared for meltdowns
Listen, a lot of grownups struggle to keep their cool when they travel—the U.S. Department of Transportation says that there have been 13,800 incidents of adults behaving badly while flying since 2021—so it’s almost to be expected that kids will, too.
Brace yourself for the occasional temper tantrum or moment of overstimulation, and try to have a plan in place as to what to do when they happen. Whether that means bringing noise canceling headphones for when things get too loud on the plane or in the airport, or finding a place where you can sneak off with your kiddo that is away from the hustle and bustle, having a vague idea of what you can do will help you feel less stressed in the moment.
Related: Flying first class with kids on this luxury airline just got a lot harder
Pre-board when it makes sense
Another great tip for flying? Take advantage of any pre-boarding options… when they make sense. If you think your kiddo will do better getting on the plane and settled in before the lines start, opt to use pre-boarding. However, if you think your child would benefit from a few extra minutes to get the wiggles out, parenting blogger iMOM says you should delay your boarding time until the last possible minute.
Traveling with a toddler is not without its challenges, but there are also just as many rewards to be had, which is why you shouldn’t let the possibility of bumps in the road deter you from giving it a shot. Who knows, you could end up with a natural born globetrotter and a travel buddy for life!
This story was originally published by TravelHost on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Services section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.