Catch Flights, Not Tantrums: The Mami Travel Checklist

Mar 20
7 min read

A mamilennial commented on one of our latest clips and said "Not a vacation. It's called a trip, just traveling and living somewhere else." And she couldn't be more right, when kids are involved it's not a vacation, it's a trip. Let's be honest traveling with a toddler can feel less like a "vacation" and more like a high-stakes logistics operation in a new zip code. As mamilennials, we've graduated from tossing a carry-on together the night before to becoming full-on logistics masterminds (whether we asked for that promotion or not). So to help you retain your sanity, and maybe catch a sunset, we've put together our ultimate, battle-tested family travel checklist. From the "can't-live-without-it" gear to the clever hacks that keep meltdowns at bay, these are the essentials that make the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.

We've done the research, tested the gear, and linked all our tried-and-true favorites so everything you need is just one click away. Buckle up, mama — adventure awaits! ✈️

Looking for a printable option to mark off as you pack? Click here!

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Toiletries

Keeping everyone clean and comfortable on the road means packing the essentials without overfilling your vanity bag. Focus on multi-use products and travel-sized favorites that make the hotel bathroom feel a little more like home. Here are some of our must-haves:

Shampoo - We're suckers for the ELLAOLA Tear Free Baby Shampoo & Body Wash
Lotion - Fangirling for EllaOla again, we love their face and body lotion
Diaper Cream - mess free is key on travel which is why we stand by the Mustela Baby Diaper Rash Cream Spray
Sunscreen - after hours of research we LOVE all things thinkbaby, starting with their full body sunscreen, their sunscreen stick for little faces and to keep it mess free, something special for those babes with sensitive skin, and finally the Aloe Vera Gel After Sun Relief Lotion if you've spent a little too much time under the sun.
Toothbrush and Toothpaste - something easy like this Dr. Browns kit is a great travel go-to.
Hooded Towel - this Momcozy two pack gives you one for the bath and one for the pool!
Hair brush - the Dr. Browns Comb and Brush Duo gives you everything you need on the go!
Diapers & wipes - to each their own! Pack your faves but you can also find these abroad.

Clothing

The goal here is a mix of adorable outfits for photos and durable layers for actual play. Pack for the trip and the inevitable spill, splash, or mystery stain that follows. Think breathable fabrics, easy-to-change sets, and most importantly, at least one extra change of clothes (for Mami too lol).

Pajamas - we love Little Sleepies for their versatility! Feet covered no problem, feet uncovered also no problem!
Socks & Underwear - We love socks with a little grip that we don't care gets lost is perfect for our perfect littles.
Layers - the plane can be cold and your destination hot, it's important to keep your little one comfy! The key is to make sure you have a bodysuit and a sweater.
Swimsuit - we love swimsuits like these that also protect our babes from the sun!
Reusable Water Diapers - perfect to go over whatever diapers you choose!

Accessories

It’s the little things that often save the day, from sun hats to pacifier clips, these small additions are the secret to staying organized and prepared for a day full of exploring.

Hats - whether you need a sun hat for the beach or pool, or a beanie to keep warm, make sure babes' head is protected.
Sunglasses - We love fun glasses, but these are great in case they get lost
Gloves - if you're going somewhere cold, make sure those hands are warm!
Hair Accessories - whether your girl has two strands you want to clip a bow on, a full head of hair you want to put in a cute pony, or needs a headband to keep her hair tamed we've got you covered! And don't forget the tiny elastics!
Goggles - because we don't want pool water in those precious eyes!
Beach Towel - we love something like this that also gives your little the freedom to roam!
Floaties - we loved these when our kids were tiny, and this or this for the toddler years! - please remember to always keep an eye on your littles when in the water!

Entertainment

Keeping your little occupied during a flight or long car ride is an art form. These mess-free activities and quiet toys will keep little hands (and minds) busy.

Pool/Beach Toys - we love something like this that is compact and brings a mesh bag!
Busy Books - a busy book can help fine motor skills, and a board can help keep them entertained forever!
Spinning Toys - these can keep little hands busy for so long!
Books - we love all things Si Sabo, but these board books are perfect for little hands and little brains learning spanish and english!
Coloring books - a mess free option is always great for travel!
Magnetic puzzle - keeps all the pieces in place in the car or during turbulance.
Mini magnetic tiles - anything that sticks to itself is a game changer when traveling
Yoto mini - and we love that it comes with headphones!
Kids headphones - in case you don't get the Yoto!
Lollipops - are great for take off and landing to make sure your little's ears are safe! And don't worry mami, there are healthy options! You can do fiber, vitamin c, or multivitamin!

Gear

From lightweight strollers to the ultimate car seat setup, the right equipment is the backbone of any successful trip. These are the heavy hitters that make navigating airports and new cities feel significantly less like a workout.

Carrier - baby bjorn never leads us astray, and tushbaby is a great airport addition.
Stroller - we both love and swear by the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Travel Stroller, but also like the Ingenuity 3D Mini Convenience Stroller!
Car Seat - if you can, we recommend bringing your own car seat, but if you need a more compact option a travel seat can help you in a pinch!
Travel crib - the Guava Family Travel Crib and the Newton Baby Compact Travel Crib and Play Yard are a few of our faves!
Stroller fan - these are a great way to keep kids calm, cool, and collected.

First Aid

Peace of mind is the best thing you can pack. Having a dedicated kit for "just in case" moments—think bandages, thermometers, and relief for those inevitable travel sniffles—means you won't be hunting for a pharmacy at midnight.

Bandaids, ointments, and general care - we recommend a travel first aide kit like this one!
Bug repellent - these come in so many shapes and sizes now from stickers and bracelets to spray wipes, and lotion, go with whatever works best for your family!
Bug relief - when the repellents fail, here's a little something to soothe your little one.
Nail Clippers - you never know when you'll need to clip those little claws.
Thermometer - getting sick somewhere new can be scary for your little one! A fun thermometer may make it a little less scary!
Medicine - we usally pack tylenol, motrin, benadryl, and baby vicks, and a sana sana book!

Sleep

Rest is the ultimate travel luxury, so we do everything possible to recreate a familiar sleep environment. Familiar comfort items and compact sound machines are total game-changers for ensuring everyone actually gets some shut-eye.

Sound machine - we're fans of bringing our daily hatch sound machines with us, and a travel one as well!
Baby monitor - we bring our own from home, but this is a good travel option!
Sleep sacks - to keep baby warm without a blanket!
Comfort item - a lovey is or stuffy is key! Jocelyn has at least 3 Shrek lovies on hand to make sure one is always handy!
Blankets - we usually bring a favorite blanket or two from home. And have a back up in case it gets lost!
Travel pillow - whether it's something for the plane or one from home we want to make sure sleep is as comfy as possible.
Blackout shades - portable ones so that they can go anywhere and the sun doesn't make baby an earlier riser!

Feeding

Hungry travelers are rarely happy travelers. Whether you’re packing spill-proof snack containers or portable cleaning supplies for bottles and cups, these picks help keep the mealtime routine running smoothly.

Snacks - make sure you have snacks on DECK! The last thing you want is to run out. We like things that are individually packed like the Amara Smoothie Melts or the Happy Baby Teether crackers.
Snack Containers - are necessary to keep them entertained and give them some independence. We love a cute purse, a fun spill-proof container, or snack box.
Bottles - whatever you have at home is key to bring on travel!
Sippy cups - we like something easy to clean, temperature controlled, and where you can tuck the straw away!
Formula
Breastmilk cooler - we love this one that comes with an ice pack, this one if you want to add your hands-free pump, or this chiller if you just need space for 1-2 bottles.
Manual or hands free Breast Pump - our faves are the Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump and the Momcozy M5 Smart APP Controlled Wearable Breast Pump.
Sterilizer bags - to keep everything clean!
Travel feeding set - plates, utensils, bibs and easy to clean!
Pouch spill covers - to keep your pouch lover from spilling it everywhere!

There's your list, mami! Take what you need leave what you don't! Good luck on that trip! Remember, this may be stressful, but the core memories are worth it!

Looking for a printable option to mark off as you pack? Click here!