Wondering which things might make it all the more enjoyable and which things to just leave home? Especially if this is your first time camping with a baby?!

Here is one of the packing lists included in the guidebook to help you with extra items (on top of the usual) to help make your family camping trip as easy and enjoyable as possible.

(And don’t forget there are WAY more tips and advice for camping with babies and toddlers (and little kids!) in the Travels with Baby guidebook and on the website — see the links at the end of this post.

This post contains affiliate links – thanks for supporting this site with your click-throughs.

Things to Pack for Camping with a Baby or Toddler

Here are some helpful items to add to your regular packing list for camping when you’ll be adding a baby or toddler to the mix. I’ve grouped them together by things to pack for: Evenings in the Campsite and Tent, Kitchen and Dining Essentials, and more.

A) Helpful Items to Pack for Evenings in the Campsite and Tent

1. Mosquito repellent, including a DEET-free insect repellent for babies or those who prefer it. TIP: These moist repellent towelettes are helpful when you don’t want your baby or toddler to get spray mist in their eyes or noses.

 

 

2. Glow sticks, bracelets, or necklaces for a nightlight in the tent (and to attach to your free-range toddler or preschooler in the evening)

3. Hands-free headlamp or wearable light such as the Beam N Read (great when you don’t want to shine your light in your baby’s face while changing a diaper in the tent)

4. Travel bed or bassinet to create a “tent within a tent” in colder regions (see recommended travel beds here)

B) Kitchen and Dining Essentials for Your Packing List

5. Family camping kitchen kit with bowls, spoons, and cups for your new addition(s)

6. At least one quick-and-easy-prep meal in case rain rules out cooking in your campsite (e.g., extra sandwich fixings, bagels, cereal, pasta salad)

7. Travel dining booster (preferably with tray) for baby meal times in camp or portable high chair

C) Clothing to Pack for Camping with a Baby or Toddler

10. Warm hats for the whole family and hooded play suit or jacket for the littlest one in case nighttime temperatures take a dip.

11. Sun hats for the whole family (see Anatomy of a Great Travel Hat for Kids for help choosing the right one). TIP: These adjustable-fit bucket sunhats are UPF 50+ and have the all-important lanyard to help keep them on your baby or toddler even in a breeze (also sized for up to 7 years).

12. Two thermal suits for babies (backup in case one gets wet). Bonus points if they have hoods!

13. Swim suits for the whole family and swim diapers if needed (see ideas for infants and toddlers here)

14. Infant life jacket or child-size swim vest (where appropriate, see our favorite swim vest here)

D) For Camping Fun and Recreation

E) Practical Items to Pack for Camping with Babies, Toddlers, and Young Children

19. Portable training potty (if currently using at home)

20. Tecnu soap in case of a brush (or possible brush!) with poison oak. TIP: These Tecnu towelettes are great to keep in your daypack or diaper bag for unexpected encounters with poison oak while out and about with your baby young child.

20. Anti-itch cream in case of bug bites or rashes (add to Travel Kit, pg. 61 of Travels with Baby)

21. Children’s antihistamine in case of bee sting or other allergic reaction (ask pediatrician for advice and current dosage for your child).

If you’d like more help planning your family camping trips, be sure to check out the section on Camping Trips in Chapter 2, which includes:

• advice on deciding where to go camping and where to stay,
• what to bring,
• what to avoid, and more–
• including tips for back-country camping with babies and toddlers!

Want more ideas and inspiration for camping in California? Check out pins to some of our family’s favorite California camping and road-tripping destinations on my Pinterest boards. And hang on there… these posts may also help!

You might also like:

The post Packing List for Camping with a Baby or Toddler appeared first on Travels With Baby.

1. Large binder clips

Fantastic for clipping blankets to stroller canopies and infant car seats for extended shade coverage.With any luck, you may also be able to use your binder clips to help create a blanket canopy over your child on that next red-eye (no more distracting reading lights).

2. Spare sun hat

It would be interesting to know how many times the average sun hat falls off (or blows off, or gets thrown off from) a baby or toddler on vacation. Be prepared in case your child’s first in line becomes irretrievable, and try to use one with a chin strap.

For help choosing a child’s sun hat that will go the distance, see my recent feature Anatomy of a Great Travel Hat for Kids. You can also browse the most popular sun hats for infants here at Amazon.

3. Stationery box

The ½” deep boxes that résumé or special papers are packaged in can be indispensable in traveling with toddlers and preschool-age children.

Fill with scratch paper and a few crayons and you have an art station that’s ready to roam. Just open the lid and let them go—the edges of the box keep artwork from getting onto other surfaces and the crayons from rolling off the edges.

4. Velcro bands

As you travel, you may find your Velcro bands bundling up window blind cords, attaching toys or shopping bags to your stroller, or wet clothing to the balcony rail of your vacation rental or hotel room.

At home, you might find extras arriving in boxes with new electronics, or you can pick up some in your fabric store and possibly on the goodies and gadgets aisle of your supermarket.

5. Glow sticks

Even if you travel with a nightlight, there may not be a suitable outlet where you can use the nightlight–or any outlets at all if you’ll be in a tent.

Emergency glow sticks can be used instead, and older children may even be comforted by carrying theirs with them to the bathroom in the night. Most stay illuminated up to 12 hours and await your discovery near the checkout counters at hardware stores.

More help packing and planning for travel with babies and toddlers:

For more items you might not think to pack for travel with babies and toddlers–but might be very glad if you do, see Fifteen Things You Might Not Think to Pack in Chapter 4 of Travels with Baby: Deciding What to Bring.

You might also like:

How to Plan Your Best Vacation with Baby

How to Travel with a Car Seat (without Losing Your Mind)

Flying with a Baby or Toddler Advice Index

Flying with Infants – Checklist for Getting an Airplane Bassinet

The Best Lightweight Travel Strollers Compared

American Airlines with a Baby or Toddler

Best Stroller Accessories for Travel

Southwest Airlines with a Baby or Toddler

Best Baby Travel Gear & Family Travel Products

Ages & Stages Planning Guides for Travel with Babies & Kids through 5

Have you subscribed to Travels with Baby Tips?

More tips and advice are on the way!

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby guidebooks

Twitter     Facebook     Travels with Baby on Facebook     Pinterest

What?! Your kids aren’t babies anymore? Head over to Family Travel 411

Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.

Note: A previous version of this article was published 3/25/16.

The post 5 Things You Might Not Think to Pack for Travel with Babies and Toddlers appeared first on Travels With Baby.

CHECKLIST FOR TRAVEL WITH BABIES & TODDLERS: Ten Things to Do Before You Leave Home – Getting out the door for any trip can have its challenges, but when you travel with babies and toddlers, getting everyone and everything out the door and — finally — sigh — breathe — on your way can feel like a gosh darn miracle!

And while covid risks and prevention — and hand sanitizer, and back up masks, and antibacterial hand wipes — may be top of mind this travel season, there are also still the same other to-dos in preparation for any trip with young children.

Here’s a helpful checklist to keep handy in your final days before departure. I recommend taping the printable version of this checklist for travel with babies and toddler it to the refrigerator, your bathroom mirror, or inside your front door for easy–and frequent access.

This post may contain affiliate links, which help support this site at no extra cost to you.

1. Visit or phone your pediatrician’s office.

Describe your travel plans and discuss any concerns you may have including: status of vaccinations, food safety and allergies, and finding medical assistance for your child at your destination.

If your baby or toddler hasn’t seen his doctor in a while, a check-up may be reassuring (“ears are clear,” etc.), and it could be helpful for parents of infants and young babies to have a current weigh-in and dosage of infant over-the-counter medications in case they are needed while away.

2. Update your child’s travel kit.

Check your child’s travel kit to see if any items are running low or need to be replaced. Move any non-carry-on items into a checked bag if you’ll be taking the kit in a carry-on bag.

For help determining what should be in your child’s travel kit for your next trip, see Chapter 4: Deciding What to Bring in Travels with Baby, and follow this link for help creating a cabin-friendly travel kit for travel with babies and toddlers.

3. Revisit the Checking-In Safety Checklist for travel with babies and toddlers.

Make sure you have your Checking-In Safety Checklist printable in your carry-on, suitcase, or diaper bag and list any temporary childproofing products you want to bring along on the printable (see Recommended Products for Temporary Childproofing and Travel Safety here).

4. Take inventory of the gear that will be traveling with you.

Is your car seat FAA approved for the flight and can you point to the label on it if necessary? Are the stroller wheels still up to snuff? Can you find the travel stroller sun shields, mosquito nets, or other accessories you plan to take along? The pop-up sun tent for the beach? Add the key gear you’ll be taking to this printable for this checklist.

5. Replace old sunscreens

That goes for your own brand and your child’s if you’re heading for a sunny destination. Sunscreens lose their effectiveness with time, and small children need the best protection available. Replacing sunscreens once a year is advisable.

6. Stop your mail.

You can quickly arrange to have your mail stopped while you are away online by going online to usps.com or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777). You designate which day you would like it all delivered or when and whether you’d prefer to pick it up after your trip.

7. Call your airline within 72 hours of your departure.

When traveling with young children it’s especially important these days to reconfirm your seat assignments and, if applicable, your bassinet reservation and/or children’s meals one last time before arriving at the airport (see Airplane Bassinet Checklist).

Families getting separated on flights is all too common a theme with many airlines as is the overbooking of flights, so do what you can to avoid hassles–including checking in early to make sure they still don’t give the window seat you need for your child’s car seat to a business traveler with higher frequent flyer status!

8. Make necessary arrangements with a neighbor or friend.

Do you need someone to set out your garbage can and recyclables for pick up? Feed pets and/or water plants? Use the printable for this checklist to write in reminders of who you need to contact and for what.

9. Remove anything from your refrigerator that will not outlast your trip.

Move leftovers to the freezer, check expiration dates on dairy goods, and give the vegetable drawer the once-over.

10. Empty your diaper pail!

–> Click here for the printable version of this list to tape to your refrigerator, bathroom mirror, or front door to reference throughout the 2 weeks before your trip.

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Previous post: Planning Tips for Travel with a Baby 3 months to 6 months

Have you subscribed to Travels with Baby Tips?

More tips and advice are on the way! For help for planning travel of every kind–with babies and children of every temperament–in Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Travel with Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler.

You might also like:

How to Plan Your Best Vacation with a Baby

Need to Know: Flying American Airlines with a baby or toddler

Checking in Safety Checklist (with printable)

The 411 on Carlsbad with Kids

Need to Know: Flying Southwest Airlines with a baby or toddler

The 411 on Traverse City with Kids

Safe journey

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby guidebooks

Twitter     Facebook     Travels with Baby on Facebook     Pinterest

What?! Your kids aren’t babies anymore? Head over to Family Travel 411

Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.

The post 10 Things to Do Before You Leave Home | Checklist for Travel with Babies & Toddlers appeared first on Travels With Baby.

THE CHECKING-IN SAFETY CHECKLIST FOR TRAVEL WITH BABIES AND TODDLERS

A parent’s cautionary tale with printable (checklist below).

Once upon a time in L.A.: We entered a thoroughly modern hotel room to find someone had indeed brought us a pack ‘n play as requested. However, he had set it up directly beneath an enormous light sconce protruding from the wall that would have served well on a whaling ship. If it didn’t brain our daughter as she stood up in the crib, it surely would have harpooned one of us after laying her down beneath it.

It was a good example of why you can’t take anything for granted on arrival at a new destination.

And a completely different time in Oregon: While that particular safety snafu was obvious to us on arrival, there have been other close calls of things that were not: At a vacation rental, we found a pretty stained glass window in the sleeping loft that was within my daughter’s reach and appeared to be shut. Remarkably, it was not latched and opened outward at two stories above the ground.

And that time at Yosemite: Our tired wooden deck rail moved when pressed against, and my son quickly discovered a pair of balusters that were no longer secured to the deck.

And, still, on the Big Island: At a popular resort in Hawaii, my toddler daughter ran to the railing of the balcony to see how far up we were as I quickly saw she was small enough to fit through the metal railing (since replaced during remodel).

How you spend your first moments at your new accommodations can be critical to your child’s safety.

If your child is mobile, I strongly recommend you inspect your lodgings before you let him loose to explore them himself. In some situations, you may be able to simply leave him buckled in the stroller or placed in the portacrib while you do a quick safety check.

In others, and depending on the enthusiasm with which your child delights in exploring new surroundings…you might even prefer to let your partner keep him entertained outside or in the lobby until you’ve completed your Checking-in Safety Checklist. You might also like to browse these recommended products for childproofing during travel before you go.*

Checking-In Safety Checklist for Travel with Babies and Toddlers:

(Click here for the printable to add to your suitcase or diaper bag.)

___  Door locks

Can you latch the main door to ensure your child won’t go sightseeing without you? Does the bathroom or any other room have locks within your child’s reach?

___  Low and/or Large Windows

Are the windows low enough for the child to run into, or climb out of, or access by climbing on other furniture in the room? Do they open wide enough that toys—or a child—might fall through (remember, screens will not stop children from falling)? Can they be locked shut so your child cannot open it? Is there a “protective” rail or grillwork outside the window that might tempt the child?

___ Patio Doors

Can your child unlatch or operate the door unassisted? Is the glass so wide it is a walk-through risk? Is the glass so thin or old it might break if bumped by a toy or gallivanting child?

___ Balconies or Decks

Are the railings close enough to keep curious children and babies from slipping under or through? Even more-modern hotel buildings may still have railings spaced too widely for small children and babies (remember wee travelers are much narrower turned sideways). Be sure to inspect for yourself before your child comes exploring. Are there steps to the deck or down from the balcony? Any outdoor furniture that could give your child “a lift” too close to danger?

___ Curtains, Blinds, and Window Treatments

Give draperies a friendly tug before your child does to ensure a secure “anchoring.” Get loose operating cords, delicate drapes, and unsafe window treatments up and out of the way, bundled with a rubber band if needed.

___ Heating/AC

Is the heating or AC unit accessible to your child? Could it be dangerously hot or pose a risk from the operating fan? Are the controls within his reach?

___ Electrical appliances, outlets, and cords

Watch out for coffeemakers, alarm clocks, and hairdryers that may be pulled off of surfaces by curious toddlers, either by their cords or the objects themselves. Lamp, TV, and Internet cables and cords may also need attention. Outlets may appear where not expected, such as at the base of lamps on desks or bedside tables.

___ Kitchens or kitchenettes

Check cupboards and drawers for knives, coffee makers with glass carafes, and other hazards that may be within reach, including matches if the stove is gas. Dishwashing detergent and/or cleaning supplies may be kept in an accessible cupboard. Be aware that ovens, refrigerators, or dishwashers may be more easily opened than yours at home.

___ Bathrooms

Soaps, shampoos, and lotions may need to be moved from within reach. In vacation rentals and personal homes, check for cleaning supplies, medicines, matches, and other hazardous in the bathroom.

Be sure to store your own toiletries and travel kits out of reach of your child (those with built-in hooks or loops that can be hung from robe hooks or from shower or closet rods can be helpful).

___ Minibars

Can your child open the minibar by herself? Are there items inside that could be of danger (glass bottles, peanuts or other allergens in snacks, etc.) or could set you back more than you had planned for this vacation? You may need to set a suitcase in front of it or rearrange furniture.

–> Click here for the PDF printable of this checklist to add to your suitcase or diaper bag.

You might also like:

10 Things to Do Before You Leave Home (checklist)

How to Plan Your Best Vacation with a Baby

Flying Southwest Airlines with a Baby or Toddler

Family Road Trip Safety Packing List

Previous post: Five Great Family Destinations in Ireland

Have you subscribed to Travels with Baby Tips?

More tips and advice are on the way! For help for planning travel of every kind–with babies and children of every temperament–in Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Travel with Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler.

Have you seen the latest features at our sister site, Family Travel 411?

The 411 on Boston with Kids

Ten Things You Should Know Before Traveling to Ireland with Kids

The 411 on Puerto Vallarta with Kids

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby guidebooks

Twitter     Facebook     Travels with Baby on Facebook     Pinterest

What?! Your kids aren’t babies anymore? Head over to Family Travel 411

Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.

*Adapted from Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Travel with Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler by Shelly Rivoli, 2nd Ed., 2014.

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Wondering what to pack for a cruise with a baby or toddler? Rompers and onesies are great, a reclining travel stroller for deckside napping is wise, but be sure to also bring these important items on board, too!

Important Baby Essentials to Pack for a Cruise with a Baby

If you’ll be cruising for a week or more with an infant or toddler, it is not unreasonable to expect you will need an entire suitcase devoted to baby essentials. Really. As a general rule, cruise lines do not stock baby food, formula, diapers, or wipes on board, except in very rare cases. Here are two exceptions:

For a fee, Holland America Line will arrange for you to have commercial baby food, diapers, and a mini refrigerator in your cabin by advance request through the ship’s services department—you can preview the Holland America Line Infant Request Form here.

Disney Cruise Line sells some baby essentials, including baby food, diapers, and wipes, on board all of its ships. However, they are only for sale “subject to availability.” As you can imagine, if every parent on the ship planned to buy diapers on board it could be quite a mess.

Quick! Pin it to your travel board. This feature continues below…

In addition to the most basic supplies, you’ll want to bring along any baby bottles or sippy cups, toddler utensils, bibs, and related paraphernalia you may need to help make it a comfortable voyage. Just remember, as your supply of diapers and baby food diminishes you’ll be freeing up lots of room for souvenirs—which are much more fun to hunt for in port cities than diapers for your child.

In addition to all the usual travel togs and sun hat you’ll be packing for your wee cruiser, don’t forget to pack these essentials for your cruise vacation with a baby or young toddler:

Packing List for Baby or Toddler: You’d better bring it onboard (click here for printable):

• Diapers
• Swim diapers (if needed)
• Wipes
• Baby food
• Formula
• Bottles, nipples (or disposables)
• Sippy cups
• Toddler silverware, etc.
• Travel bottle of dishwashing soap, bottle brush
• Baby sun block
• Baby shampoo
• Preferred lotion
• Baby bathtub inflatable insert (most cabins do not have tubs)
• Antibacterial hand wipes

.

For more help planning your family’s cruise vacation:

See Part VII: Travels by Cruise Ship in Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Travel with Your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler.

Five Things You Should Know Before Planning a Cruise with a Baby or Toddler

Ten Things You Should Know Before Planning a Cruise with Kids

Have you subscribed to Travels with Baby Tips?

More tips and advice are on the way! For help for planning travel of every kind–with babies and children of every temperament–in Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Travel with Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler.

Where will you travel next? Stop by our sister site and get inspired!

Ten Things You Should Know Before Taking Kids to a Broadway Show

The 411 on Grapevine with Kids

Six Great MEXICO Family Vacation Destinations

The 411 on Quebec City with Kids

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby and Take-Along Travels with Baby guidebooks

Twitter     Facebook     Travels with Baby on Facebook     Pinterest

Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.

The post What to Pack for a Cruise with a Baby – Important Essentials to Bring On Board appeared first on Travels With Baby.

Flying with infants in airplane bassinets or skycots – If you have an overseas flight with an infant in your future, chances are you’re hoping to take advantage of the airplane bassinets available on some long-haul flights. If so, a few quick words of advice: “Don’t assume anything.”

Truth is, it’s a lot easier to not score an airplane bassinet for your flight than it is to actually get one. But by following this checklist as you make your flight reservations and count down to your departure, the odds of getting an airplane bassinet will be in your favor.

 Airplane Bassinet Checklist

1. Call your airline BEFORE booking tickets to confirm bassinets are available on the flights you want, and that your child is within size/weight/age limits to use the type available on that flight–these restrictions vary by airline and sometimes by aircraft.

2. Purchase seats at a bassinet position on the airplane (not all bulkhead seats are for bassinets, remember, and confirm locations with the airline if you are uncertain).

3. If you purchased your tickets online, follow up with a phone call to reservations to put in your bassinet request (and any optional perks for your airline; see Airlines Table in Travels with Baby to compare available perks).

4. Call your airline 24 hours in advance to reconfirm your bassinet request (don’t forget to do this before your return flight, too!).

5. Check in as early as possible for your flight to ensure you are one of the first families to receive the limited number of bassinets on your airplane.

Tip: At Seat Guru, you can see a seating chart of the actual plane that will be used on your flight (barring last-minute changes), including the restroom and galley locations, a guide to which are considered the “good seats” onboard, and details such  as diaper changing stations and locations for airplane bassinets.

If you don’t want to chance it, or worry that bulkhead row seats may be too exposed and noisy for your baby to sleep, consider the FlyeBaby air travel hammock for infants. It can be used in most seating positions throughout the airplane. More here in the detailed FlyeBaby review.

Got more questions about flying with babies and infants–and their older siblings? Check out the Travels by Airplane section of Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide… with more than 80 pages of tips and advice on air travel alone, including the airlines comparison chart, tips for planning your in-flight entertainment, and more.

You might also like:

Five Things You Should Know Before Flying with an Airplane Bassinet

Best Lightweight Strollers for Travel

How to Plan Your Best Vacation with Baby

Taxis, car seats, and what you need to know

Airlines “need-to-know” posts for parents:

American Airlines with a Baby or Toddler

China Airlines with a Baby or Toddler

Virgin Atlantic with a Baby or Toddler

Ryanair with a Baby or Toddler

–> See all

My recent posts at FamilyTravel411:

A sneaky San Francisco Airport Parking Tip

Diving into the Key West Shipwreck Museum–fascinating place!

Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby guidebooks

Twitter     Facebook     Travels with Baby on Facebook     Pinterest

Curious about this content? See my editorial content disclosure.

The post Flying with Infants: Checklist for Getting an Airplane Bassinet appeared first on Travels With Baby.