Going on a weekend getaway with toddlers and babies can be a fun and exciting experience for the whole family, but it can also be stressful, challenging, and a bit daunting. Packing the right essentials can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and relatively stress-free trip.
As a mom of two young boys, Lincoln and Easton, I’ve learned from experience what items are must-haves for any weekend getaway with toddlers and babies. We were so stressed packing for our first trip with Lincoln when he was a baby and we threw everything into the car – like…everything! But with some trial and error, and now another baby in the mix, we’ve got it mostly dialed in!
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Portable Blackout Curtains
Toddlers thrive on routine, and nap-time and bedtime are no exception. But when you’re in a new environment, it can be challenging to create a conducive sleeping environment. That’s where portable blackout curtains come in handy. We love the Amazon Basics Portable Window Blackout Curtain Shade with Suction Cups, which is easy to install and comes with suction cups to attach to any window. It’s also compact and lightweight, making it easy to pack in your suitcase.
Portable High Chair
Eating out with toddlers can be stressful, especially if they’re wiggly or prone to spilling. A portable high chair can make dining out a breeze. We use a foldable hook-on table high chair which folds up compactly and comes with a storage bag. It’s also incredibly easy to clean! Winning!
Portable Noise Machine
When you’re away from home, there can be a lot of unfamiliar noises that can disrupt your child’s sleep. A portable noise machine can help drown out these sounds and create a familiar and soothing environment for your little one. We like the Dreamegg Portable Sound Machine, which has 21 different sounds to choose from, is wireless with a USB C charger and has an excellent battery life.
Reusable Sticker Books
Keeping toddlers entertained on a long car ride or plane trip can be a challenge. That’s where reusable sticker books come in handy. Our favorite is the Melissa & Doug Reusable Sticker Pad, which comes with five different scenes and over 150 stickers. There are so many different book themes, and you can even get bundles. The stickers are easy to peel and reposition, and the book itself is compact and easy to pack, not to mention how awesome the stickers are.
Pack ‘n Play
A safe and comfortable place for your toddler to sleep is essential when you’re away from home. We use the Graco Pack ‘n Play, which is easy to set up and comes with its own travel bag. What we really love compared to other travel pack ‘n plays is that it has a raised mattress – about 8 inches off the floor, which provides a nice and even sleeping surface for the kids. Its compact which makes it easy to pack in the car or suitcase. This pack n’ play is tried and true, and relatively light for its sturdiness.
In addition to these five essentials, there are a few extras that we always pack for our weekend getaways with toddlers:
- Extension cords: We’ve found that hotel rooms and vacation rentals don’t always have enough outlets in convenient locations, so we always bring a few extension cords to make charging devices easier.
- Wireless monitors: Having a wireless monitor can give us peace of mind when we’re in a new environment and want to keep an eye on our toddlers while they sleep. We especially recommend getting a non-wifi dependent monitor as it can be especially difficult in hotels to connect a wifi dependent monitor.
- Snack cups: Toddlers love to snack, and having spill-proof snack cups can make snacking on the go a breeze. The Munchkin Brand snack cups are our favorites!
- Frida Baby mobile medicine cabinet: We’ve found that having a well-stocked medicine kit is essential when traveling with toddlers. The Frida Baby medicine cabinet comes with everything you need, including a thermometer, nasal aspirator, and nail clippers.
- Infant pain medication: It’s always a good idea to bring infant pain medication, like infant Tylenol, in case your child gets a fever or experiences any pain. Trust me, you’ll want it on hand when you need it!
Packing the right essentials can make all the difference when it comes to a relatively stress-free weekend getaway with toddlers. But, let’s be real, we know it won’t be entirely stress free, no matter how much you prepare…
Good luck! And let us know what your go-to travel essentials are!
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