Once you become a parent you accrue a lot of stuff, a LOT of stuff. Packing to go on a trip no longer means throwing a toothbrush and some clothes in a bag for a spontaneous weekend getaway. You can’t do spontaneous with toddlers, not without a travel packing checklist to ensure you don’t forget to bring any essential items. So whether it is a day trip or a two-week vacation, use this helpful guide and checklist to make sure you have everything your toddler will need.

The checklist is pretty all-encompassing. For each trip, cross off any items you don’t need.

Mom Tip: I bring the checklist with me on the vacation so at the end I can make sure I remember to pack everything back up. I highlight as I go!

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Clothing

Here is the system I use that has worked extremely well when packing for any trip.

Step 1 – Check Weather

Weather reports are notorious for being wrong but I still like to check the weather before my trip to get a sense of the overall temperatures and weather predictions.

If it is predicted to rain the whole trip, I will probably pack fewer swimsuits and more close-toed shoes.

Step 2 – Determine Activities

I’m known as a planner. Going somewhere on a trip and winging it – not for me. I’m all about saving money while ensuring I get to see and do everything that a location has to offer.

That being said, the plan can be flexible and change as needed. I’m fine with that. BUT there has to be a plan to begin with. This helps with packing.

Example: After checking the weather, you’ve determined that Wednesday will be your best weather day. Sunny and warm with a slight breeze. The perfect day to go to the beach. Now you know what clothes to pack for Wednesday.

Example 2: On Thursday, it looks slightly cooler and cloudy. This would be a great day for a bike ride.

By selecting possible activities for each day of your vacation in advance you will be better guided for what clothes to pack.

Step 3 – Pack By Outfit

Now that you know what activities you will most likely be doing each day of your vacation you can pack outfits.

Instead of packing five shirts, five shorts, and five socks (which might end up not even matching) pack clothing as pre-planned outfits.

Go day by day and select what the child should wear after considering the forecasted weather and planned day’s activity. I even select which underwear and socks will go with each outfit. If your kid is wearing white bike shorts and navy striped underwear it’s not going to be a cute look in your vacation photos.

Determine in advance the shirt, shorts/pants, dress, socks, underwear, shoes, jacket, etc for each day. Then you know everything will match. You have selected the clothes that will work for that day’s activity and predicted weather plus you aren’t overpacking.

Step 4 – Less is More

It took me a long time to learn this lesson. You should have seen the bodybag-sized suitcase I took on a class trip in high school. I could barely lift it! Now I know, quality over quantity.

If the vacation is seven days, a child doesn’t need seven pairs of shoes. Look at the outfits and see what shoes work with multiple outfits. Same with outerwear and accessories.

Select a hooded sweatshirt your child can wear with two or three outfits if it gets cold at night. You don’t need a separate sweatshirt for each outfit. Select clothes that are easy to match – jeans, neutrals, etc.

With kids being kids, I do highly recommend packing an extra outfit or two. Children can be messy, clothes get wet, vomit happens, it’s nice to have a backup outfit if needed.

Also, when it comes to swimsuits I always pack at least two. No one likes putting on a cold, wet swimsuit (it’s the worst!).

Mom Tip: If you have a toddler girl, remember a two-piece is a lot easier for diaper changes or going to the restroom!

Step 5 – How to Organize

How to keep the clothes organized into outfits is a personal choice. It will also matter if you are staying in one location the whole time or if it is a road trip.

I put the clothes in the suitcase in backward order. I start with the last day of the vacation and work my way to the first day.

Some people use packing cubes or large Ziploc bags to keep outfits together. Others roll up the outfits and secure each with a rubber band. Do what works best for you.

For a few vacations, I have put pieces of paper with the clothing pieces of each outfit written out in case other people (my husband) might be dressing the children. Another suggestion is to take pictures of each outfit to keep on your phone for reference.

Gear

What toddler gear you need to bring on vacation is really determined by where you are going and how you are getting there.

Obviously, your toddler will need a car seat. Are you driving to your destination? Are you flying? Are you renting a car?

We often rent condos or houses on our trips so we can cook some meals ourselves. Does the place have a high chair? We usually bring our booster seat with tray along on trips.

Hygiene

Besides the usuals (see checklist), don’t forget sunscreen and mosquito spray or wipes for your toddler. Nothing can ruin a trip like a bad sunburn.

Also, is your toddler potty-trained? You are going to want to think about how you are going to handle your toddler using the restroom on the vacation. We like to bring a potty seat for vacations but if you are going on a road trip or camping you may want to bring a toddler potty if your child isn’t great about “holding it” for a long period of time.

Beach Supplies

Many warm-weather vacations include going to the beach. To have a successful beach trip I highly recommend the following;

• This amazing sun tent for napping, eating, etc (also perfect for breastfeeding moms!).

• A wagon for hauling ALL your stuff.

• Baby powder for getting sand off your toddler at the end of the day.

• A wet bag for storing wet swimsuits, dirty swim diapers, water shoes, etc until you get back to where you are staying.

See the packing checklist for more supplies you won’t want to forget.

Don’t Miss! – Indoor Water Park Tips

Sleep

This is the category you do not want to forget anything from!

One time we went on a day trip to an indoor waterpark and I forgot to pack a pacifier for nap time – not good. If your toddler needs something particular to fall asleep with make sure to pack it and bring it back home.

That’s why I bring the checklist with me for packing up at the end of the trip. It’s really easy to forget monitors, nightlights, etc when you are trying to get on the road or catch a flight.

Entertainment

This is probably one of the hardest categories to pack for. Obviously, you don’t want to pack a lot of toys because of space issues and the possibility of losing things. On the other hand, you need to keep your toddler entertained. In my experience, toddlers get up super early before many attractions open. How will you keep your kid occupied?

For sure, our DVD player has been a lifesaver. No more screaming, whining, and constant demanding of snacks during long drives. Movies totally distract them!

Tablets (don’t forget headphones!) and activity workbooks are great. We bring these water pads with us everywhere. We always bring books because my toddler loves to read.

Stay away from toys that have a lot of loose pieces that can be easily lost. Plus, you will regret bringing toys that make a lot of noise.

I pack all the toddler entertainment in a backpack.

Mom Tip: Again, I recommend taking pictures of any books and toys you bring so everyone knows what to search for when packing up at the end of the trip.

Eat

When packing eating supplies for my toddlers I pick one color per kid. Plus, each child gets their own water bottle.

Example: Kid #1 – one green spoon, one green fork, one green bib, and one green sippy cup. Kid #2 – one blue spoon, one blue fork, one blue bib, and one blue sippy cup.

Snacks are one of the most important things to pack. In this case, more is better. Kids go through food like crazy and if you have travel delays you don’t want to be stuck with cranky, hungry toddlers.

Misc

One thing many parents don’t think to bring on trips is medicine. But the last thing you want to think about is where to buy medicine when your kid comes down with a fever at 2 in the morning.

On the checklist, there are some blank spots to add anything else that is essential to pack for your toddler.

Toddler Packing Checklist

I hope this packing guide and checklist helps keep you organized when packing your toddler for your next warm-weather trip.