Below is the REAL packing list we used for travel with our child at the 18-24 month age range. We’re including pratcical and personal notes to provide context into some of the more special items.

Eating & Feeding

  • Water cups and milk cups/bottles (3-4 to cycle through)
  • Bottle brush & travel bottle stand
  • Travel bib
  • 2nd bib in diaper bag for outings
  • 1 baby spoon, 1 fork
  • Suction bowl + suction plate
  • Snacks for the plane: toddler granola bars, pouches, an apple, crackers, etc.
  • Reusable snack containers
  • Folding travel-size high chair

Some tips from us:

  • Go grocery shopping often while traveling, to find your child’s favorite foods, if they are picky. (Look up supermarkets!)
  • Have a stash of snacks in your accommodation and in the diaper bag.
  • Take along a travel mini high chair (see below): whether your accommodation provides a high chair or not, having ours around was perfect for use at the Airbnb as well as out and about, if we pleased.
  • Pack a sticky suction plate, toddler silverware, snack containers for daily use and some favorite straw cups or sippy cups.

Diapering

  • Diapers
  • Wipes
  • Diaper cream
  • Changing pad
  • Little garbage bags for diapers
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Diaper in the diaper bag
  • Wipes in the diaper bag

Clothes

  • Zippy pajamas (2) and short-sleeve onesies with pants option (+ sleep socks)
  • 5-6 Daytime outfits
  • 6 pairs of socks
  • Sneakers
  • Raincoat
  • Hoodie or sweatshirt layer
  • Sun hat or cap (or winter hat for winter trips)
  • Sunglasses (optional)

Our tip (if packing space permits): Bring extra clothes. Have a spare set of clothes both on the flight and in the diaper bag for messy eating, getting dirty at playgrounds and unexpected diaper accidents. Believe me: these went to good use!

Medicine & Hygiene

  • Nail file, nail scissors
  • Travel-size lotion
  • Travel inflatable bath tub + charged inflator + charger (see our Munchkin travel tub review)
  • Travel-size shampoo or body wash
  • Silicone bath scrubber
  • Comb
  • Medicine (Tylenol, Motrin, Frida Snotsucker) + 1 syringe
  • Benadryl or allergen medication
  • Hair rubber bands & hair accessories
  • Baby thermometer + alcohol wipes for sanitizing (optional)
  • Toddler toothbrush (silicone or bristle)
  • Baby sunscreen (travel-size container)

For bathing: We liked having a travel bath tub at this age, as well as a silicone baby scrubber and our own infant shampoo.

Toys & Books

  • Flat toys (or something like Squigz: I can’t tell you how useful these are with staying entertained at your hotel!)
  • Books (flat types, or Indestructibles)
  • Plane toys for diaper bag (busy book or buckle book, “paint” with water kit, crayons, fidget popper)
  • Bath toys (1-2) if small

Tips from us:

  • Bring toys for every hour of the day, as toddlers between 18-24 months require amusements! Have travel-friendly toys set up for the Airbnb and hotel, the flight or the car and of course, staying amused in restaurants and while out.
  • Great toys for this age are “things with parts,” small neat art projects (Paint with Water), and lots of books, especially ones with “lift the flap” and interactive elements.
  • Get a “Buckle book” and work on it together throughout your trip, learning about zippers, buttons, latches and buckles.
  • One great thing we brought on a trip at 20 months was Squigz: colorful suction objects that stick on windows at the hotel! They can also be bath toys.

Strollering & Transport

  • Travel stroller
  • Travel stroller rain cover
  • Travel stroller travel bag for flying
  • Compact baby carrier

Sleep

  • Travel crib
  • Extra crib sheet
  • Sleep sack + 1 extra
  • 1-2 loveys/stuffies and/or a soft book for crib (optional)
  • Baby monitor (pack in the morning)
  • Room thermometer
  • Travel sound machine & charger

Notes:

  • Overnight diapers help prevent leaks if your child is sleeping 12+ hrs a night. It’s on fewer thing to worry about.
  • Why an extra crib sheet? Even if your child never has diaper leaks, vacation might be that moment when you wish you had a spare, and if it’s at 3am, it’s better to have your own than to be phoning the hotel front desk!