Surviving Summer Travel with Toddlers (And Maybe Even Enjoying It)
Because someone’s going to cry on this trip—and let’s try to make sure it’s not you.)
Ah, summer travel with toddlers: the sticky-fingered, snack-demanding, meltdown-prone adventure of a lifetime. I’ve done it all—from road trips to red-eyes—and survived to tell the tale. Here are my tried-and-true tips for traveling with toddlers without losing your cool (or your luggage).
1. Pack Like a Pro (Not a Pack Mule)
You don’t need everything. You need the right things. Think:
✔ A lightweight travel stroller (the kind that folds with one hand and doesn’t require an engineering degree)
✔ A few versatile outfits that layer easily
✔ Gear that multitasks—like a travel crib that doubles as a playpen
Need recs? I’ve tested dozens—check out my favorite travel picks here.
2. Rent the Big Stuff—Trust Me
Don’t drag the car seat, crib, high chair, sound machine, and toddler throne across three airports. BabyQuip (hi, that’s me 👋) rents clean, safe, fully insured baby gear at your destination. We deliver it right to your Airbnb or hotel. Or the Airport. Or grandma’s house. Or…
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3. Snacks. On. Snacks.
Toddlers are basically tiny emotional support raccoons. Keep ‘em fed and you’ll avoid most meltdowns. I pack a mix of favorites (pouches, bars, fruit snacks) and one or two new things they’ve never tried before—it’s like snack roulette, but in a fun way. I learned about the snack-le box from Rachel from Hey, Sleepy Baby and it is a game changer. Fill up a little tackle box with all the fave treats; boom, hours of snacking, and less (hopefully) whining.
4. Schedule Like a Sagittarius (aka: Loosely)
Structure is great… until it causes a full-body tantrum in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Keep your itinerary light and flexible. Plan one “must-do” activity each day and leave room for naps, spontaneous splash pad breaks, and the occasional emergency diaper blowout or mom crash-out.
5. Expect Chaos—But Prep Like a Queen
The truth? Traveling with toddlers is a circus. But with the right prep (and snacks), it can be a fun circus. Lower your expectations, laugh at the absurd moments, and repeat after me: “This will be a core memory—even if it’s a messy one.”
You’ve got this.
And if all else fails, Coke Zero + cartoons = survival.
