Best Holiday Packing List for Toddlers (67 Items!)

Looking for the best holiday packing list for a toddler? Here’s everything you need to take when you’re taking your little one away for a weekend / week / longer – just add the amount of outfits to suit the length of your trip!

My son (now 19 months) and I have been on many trips abroad together now. He’s a proper little traveller! Of course all he has to do is turn up, while there’s me having been plotting and planning for months, wanting to be ready for every eventuality. Starting, with holiday packing list for a toddler.

This travel with toddler checklist covers everything you need to consider when you’re packing for your little one. You probably won’t need to take it all, but I can guarantee you’ll want to pack a good chunk of it. It’s amazing how much stuff such a small person requires.

These traveling essentials for toddlers will help make your trip go smoother, for everyone. So, pen and paper, or phones notes at hand, and let’s go through everything you should pack when you’re travelling with a toddler.

Packing List for Toddlers

Follow this toddler packing list for everything you need to take on your next adventure.

Packing essentials for toddlers

1. Passport

First up on your toddler packing list, the most important thing – your toddler’s passport. If you haven’t got one yet, you better get applying! Ours took about two months to come, when my son was a few months old. We got the photos done at Max Spielman and set them off to the Home Office. Your toddler will need their own passport to travel abroad.

Sleep packing list for toddlers

Wondering what to pack when travelling with a toddler for the best sleep possible, for all? Here are my tips…

2. Bedsheets

Some hotels will offer bedsheets for cots, but I read somewhere that taking you own – for a familiar smell of home – is a better idea. I’ve stuck by this and it’s worked for me. Some of the best sleeps my 19-month old son has ever had were when we stayed at the Hotel Gran Castillo Tagoro in Lanzarote. I took his sheets with us then, and will continue to forever more!

Well, sure I’ll stop at some point.

3. Sleeping bags 

Depending on the temperature of your holiday destination you’ll want to take a sleeping bag or two for your little one. I’d always take a spare, in case of illness. We’ve got these Mosebears sleeping bags for the summer, although if it’s too hot, we obviously don’t bother.

4. Dummies 

Pack more than you think you need – they get lost / dropped / vanish into thin air.

5. Snooze shade

Snooze shades are always good for naps on the go.

6. Blanket

It’s a good idea to take a blanket in your hand luggage on the plane, you just never know what temperature they’re going to set it at on the day you travel. It can also double up as a pillow, or light shade.

7. Travel cot

Many flight operators will allow a travel cot for free if you’re travelling with an under 2. This can be a good way to travel with a cot your toddler is more familiar with, or you might just see it as extra bulk to carry. But either way, the option is there to consider!

8. Nightlight

We use this nightlight every night with our toddler. It gives a familiar glow, and is also USB powered for easy charging. It seems to last for ages!

9. PuroQuiet-PLUS Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

The PuroQuiet-PLUS Active Noise Cancelling headphones can help your little one relax by cancelling out all the sounds around them. They’re specially designed to keep music at a suitable volume level for kids, helped by the plush noise-isolating ear-pads.

As well as being able to hear their favourite music and TV programmes, the headphones can calm children down in loud and unfamiliar environments. Puro Sound Labs is the first ever company to be Certified Sensory Inclusive.

There’s a lot of tech that’s gone into creating these, for a superior listening experience. They block out daily noise and background sounds up to 22 dB. They also have a USB-C connector and come in 6 colours, including purple and teal. The battery lasts up to 23 hours and uses the latest Bluetooth v4.0 technology.

These headphones stay wirelessly connected up to 30 feet, so you can control from afar. They fold flat for travel, and have a super soft protein leather wrapped headband for comfort. Perfect for travelling toddlers!

Packing footwear for toddlers

Any toddler packing list needs to feature some great footwear to suit the conditions of your destination.

10. Trainers

I bought Reggie these toddler adidas trainers for his next trip. This one time, when I went to Lanzarote, we lost one of his shoes on the flight and only realised when we were at the luggage carousel. Cue me going on an emergency trip to the local sports shop for some trainers the next day (which was a Sunday, so it was closed). In short, I wouldn’t travel with only one pair of footwear again!

You could even get matching women’s trainers, if you’re that way inclined.

I am, and I did.

11. Breathable water shoes

My toddler packing list will always feature some breathable water shoes, because, we’re always around water. That’s a holiday for me!

These make for a great second pair of shoes for a trip, as they’re so multifunctional. These shoes will do for pebbly beaches, sandy shores and sea paddling too. They’re easy to put on, and they stay on too.

READ MORE: My Baby Essentials Packing List

Packing clothes for toddlers

Right, next up on the checklist for travelling with toddler: clothes.

I’d recommend taking twice as many outfits as you have days, at least. My son gets