Travel Essentials

The gear our family actually travels with, bought with our own money, and what to look for in each piece.

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Our family's top 8

The 8 things we never travel without. We bought every one and pack them every trip.

1From 6 months

Travel stroller

Stokke YOYO3 Travel Stroller

Folds small and easy, so it comes everywhere we go.

Check price on AmazonMore in Traveling on the Go
2Newborn to toddler

Baby carrier

Mabe The Monarch Baby Carrier

Hands free through the airport, and on trails where a stroller can't go.

Check price on AmazonMore in Traveling on the Go
320 sounds

White noise machine

Magicteam White Noise Machine

Covers hallway doors, ice machines and the room next door.

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4Suction cups

Blackout blinds

Amazon Basics Portable Blackout Curtain

Hotel curtains leak light, and a 5 a.m. wake-up makes a long day.

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5Rack and brushes

Bottle cleaning kit

Termichy Travel Bottle Cleaning Kit

Clean bottles anywhere, without the hotel sink and its toothbrushes.

Check price on AmazonMore in Hotel Mealtime
6Rear or forward facing

Travel car seat

Cosco Kids Scenera Extend Convertible Car Seat

The same seat on the plane and in the rental car.

Check price on AmazonMore in Traveling on the Go
7Zip side door

Travel crib

Dream On Me Travel Light Playard

Hotel cribs run out on busy weekends. Ours means the same bed every night.

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8Reusable

Vehicle sticker books

Elfew Puffy Vehicle Sticker Books, 2-pack

Reusable stickers that buy us a quiet stretch on every flight and car ride.

Check price on AmazonMore in Travel Play

Shop by what you need

Sleep EssentialsThe same bed and the same dark, quiet room, even far from home.Travel crib or play yardPortable blackout shadesSmall white-noise machineDim night lightSee our 6 picks Traveling on the GoAirports, rental cars and long days at the park.Compact travel strollerCar seat you can use on the planeBaby carrierKids' headphones with a volume limitSee our 5 picks Hotel MealtimeBottles, pouches and snacks, wherever you are.Portable high chair or boosterTravel bottle-washing kitInsulated cooler bagSee our 3 picks Bath & SafetyHotel rooms aren't built for little explorers.Inflatable travel bathtubFolding potty seatTravel babyproofing kitSee our 2 picks Travel PlaySmall, quiet toys for planes, car rides and waiting rooms.Bag of small, quiet toysSee our 17 picks

Packing for a hotel?

Our Traveling FAQ covers cribs, naps, flying with a car seat and getting baby food through security.

Read the FAQ

Thank you for helping keep Toddler Stays free. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. "Our family's picks" are things we bought with our own money and use on our trips; nobody paid us or sent them free. Buttons open an Amazon search for that product, so you see today's prices and reviews there; a pick Amazon doesn't sell links to the maker's own shop, and we earn nothing on it. Where we have no pick, we say what to look for instead.