Brightsun’s Pocket Guide to Travelling Abroad with a Toddler

We’ve shared some useful tips, pointers, and packing lists for travelling overseas with your little one that we hope will help ease the anxiety of your holiday.

As if travelling isn't stressful enough, with making sure you’ve got everything packed in time, leaving the house without leaving anything behind, the hectic airport experience at security, and then the flight itself, plus transferring from the airport to your accommodation. Throw a toddler into the mix and there’s just so much more to think and worry about.

Let us help you with that.

Packing List for Toddlers Part One – Travelling To & From

• Snacks, snacks, and more snacks! They are the perfect distraction.
• Fold up stroller to take on the plane and store in the overhead luggage compartment (just check with the airline you’re flying with on hand luggage requirements).
• New toys: the ideal way to keep a toddler entertained during a flight and help them sit still during take off and landing; you could gift it to them just as you board so that the novelty doesn't wear off too quickly. Depending on your child’s interest, it could be fidget spinners, a sticker book, busy board, or new vehicle / soft toy.
• Nappies / pants, wipes, travel nappy cream, and a portable changing mat – make them easily accessible in a separate pocket / bag
• Spare outfit and layers for arrival if the temperature change is significant
• Any prescription medication, plus Calpol, a thermometer, and antihistamine (Piriton for children is available in Boots and supermarkets)
• Toddler friendly cup: having a straw cup and offering a drink to your child during takeoff and landing would be ideal, as sucking on the straw can help reduce the pressure in their ears.
• Blanket and a soft toy /comforter, especially if the flight is during nap time / a night flight
• Ziplock bags in case of any accidents or mess on board

Packing List for Toddlers Part Two – The Holiday Itself

• Snooze shade: a shade for the pushchair is an absolute essential when in the sunshine, and the Snooze shade is a popular option that is universal to all prams and strollers, protecting your little one from those nasty UV rays and allowing them to have a nice little daytime snooze.
• Pram fan
• Sun lotion with SPF 30 or above
• Travel blackout blinds: if your child relies on darkness to sleep, this will come in very handy
• Portable white noise machine: this can be comforting for little ones when trying to sleep in a new environment
• First aid kit: you can never be too careful
• Comfortable footwear including a spare pair
• Slip-free swim shoes with a spare pair
• Jackets in case evenings / mornings are cooler
• One outfit for each day, plus a spare for each day
• A few smart outfits for the evenings
• Sun hat
• Pyjamas: pack long sleeved if your accommodation has air conditioning because it will get a little chilly
• Sleeping bags x2 if your little one wears them at home
• Nappies and swim nappies
• Plenty of pants (if potty trained)
• Swimwear: we would recommend packing at least 2 or 3 swim outfits
• Brush, toothbrush, & travel toiletries: toddlers are prone to sensitive skin and eczema, so it would be better to stick to products from the UK that you know are suitable for your child. This would include toothpaste, shampoo, body wash, and moisturiser.
• Mosquito repellent
• Soothing after sun moisturiser / aloe vera gel
• Beach towel
• Portable night light
• Socks
• Plastic cutlery could be useful, but it’s worth asking your chosen accommodation if this is something they supply
• Portable potty if needed
• Milton wipes: these are handy to wipe down highchairs, services etc. and keep germs at bay
• Vital baby spray: a little gem for parents! This water based anti-bacterial spray is safe for use on little toddler hands

Brightsun’s Toddler Travel Tips

What to do About a Car Seat

You could choose to take your car seat with you when you travel; this can be placed in hold luggage, and is usually included in the free baggage allowance, but it’s worth double checking this with the airline you’re flying with.

Alternatively, you could research local transfer companies in your chosen destination as most of them can arrange for a car seat to be added to your transport vehicle, usually at low cost. There’s also the option of coach transfers, and in this case your toddler will need to be placed on your lap so no car seat will be necessary, unless you plan on renting a car or taking taxis during your trip.

When to Travel

If you don’t have any children of school age, take advantage of term-time holidays for as long as you can; it will be so much cheaper and much less crowded.

Before Travel

Ensure you have travel and health insurance for each family member and sign up for a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if travelling to Europe.

Avoiding Heat Exhaustion

It is important to take breaks from the hot sun, as heat exhaustion plus dehydration can come on very quickly in toddlers.

The essentials like drinking lots of water regularly is a must and avoiding direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day, which understandably can be difficult at times. If you do find yourself in the sun between 11am-4pm, take regular breaks, whether it's going to grab a cold drink from the bar in the shade for 15 minutes, taking a lunch break, allowing your toddler to have a lunchtime nap, etc.

Choosing a Suitable Hotel & Board Package

There’s much more to consider when booking your accommodation abroad when you have a little one. It might be worth touch basing with a few hotels beforehand, to ensure they have the following services and amenities:

• Pre-bookable cot/highchair hire
• Is the property pushchair friendly?
• Is the children’s pool toddler friendly, and are there any play areas / splash parks for younger children?
• Are there children’s menus or a child friendly buffet?
• Is there a clean beach nearby with shallow waters?
• Does the property have air-conditioning and blackout blinds/curtains?
• Is there a GP service on-site?
• Is there a local supermarket nearby for emergency essentials?
• If you don’t want to bring a car seat with you, then it’s important to find out that any local attractions you’d like to explore are within walking distance of the property.
• How far is the property from the airport? Travelling by plane is tiring, so you won't want to then sit on a coach for an hour or two – especially with a toddler!

Unless you absolutely love to cook every day and don’t mind the cleaning up part, we’d recommend going for a full-board or all-inclusive hotel package. That way, you don’t have to think about what to make for dinner every day (one of life’s tiresome chores no one warns you about as an adult), you can just turn up, eat, relax, and leave when you’re finished.

Have Fun!

We hope our guide has helped to shift some weight off your shoulders and that your travels will be that little bit less overwhelming.

Holidays with toddlers can be challenging and exhausting. Instead of refreshed, you’ll most likely come back probably more tired than when you left because holidays don’t look the same now. You won’t be sitting by the pool all day with the cocktails flowing, catching a sun-kissed glow, with no one to answer to (those days will come back one day) and yes, there may be tears and meltdowns, but your trip will be filled with so much love, fun, laughter, and wholesome memories, and you’ll have the chance to enjoy distraction-free quality time with your child - no housework or work duties getting in the way.

Finally, remember, it’s not just your child’s holiday, it's yours too, so embrace it, take time out when needed if your partner or another pair of hands is available. Work as a team, and importantly, enjoy your time away. You will see the smile on your child’s face, and that will make everything 100% worth it.