I’d be lying if I said our recent 12 day trip to Germany was easy. It wasn’t. Athena, my rambunctious toddler, cried a lot, slept a little, and missed naps, reminding me of why people say, “The terrible twos”. There is no question in my mind that the trip was worth it though. It changed my way of travel and my ideas about traveling with a toddler. I feel like I can accomplish anything now and I’m ready to take on even more destinations for extended periods of time. There were a few packed items that helped us along the way, making our trip more simple and manageable. I’ve shared them below with hopes that you see the world with your children in tow. Life is worth living and traveling with your family is an amazing, eye-opening experience regardless of age. Share your tips for traveling with a toddler below and we’ll eliminate the notion that it’s impossible.
1. A Lightweight, Simple Stroller System 
I brought our Joovy Groove Ultralight. It was easy to carry on and off trains, especially since it has a convenient side handle and a build-in carrying strap. There is a zippered pocket and cup holder conveniently located on the back of the stroller and two inner storage pockets to store toys, snacks, etc.. The over-sized canopy was ideal in protecting Athena from the sun and rain. Additionally, the multi-position reclining seat allowed her to nap comfortably during the day when we were out. Originally, I was going to bring the Caboose Stand On Tandem Double Stroller so I could store the luggage in one spot while Athena enjoyed the other. The Jooy Groove Ultralight proved to be a better choice because even though Germany is super child-friendly, there were times I needed to carry everything up and down stairs. Carrying the double stroller would have been difficult. The lighter, the better when traveling internationally.
2. A Baby Carrier 
Athena is getting too big and too heavy to be in a baby carrier but there were times that I just didn’t have enough hands and I couldn’t have her running freely. Having a carrier to place her in proved more “handy” than anything else. We brought the Britax Baby Carrier that features the CarryLong System, which reduces the risk of back and shoulder strain during extended wear by distributing weight across the shoulders, back, and hips. Honestly, there were days that my back was so sore, I thought I wasn’t going to be able to get out of bed the next morning. At times, I was carrying Athena, the stroller, a suitcase, and a backpack up and down the train station stairs and to and from destinations. It was only because I had the carrier that I was able to do it. With the backpack on my back, Athena on the front, the stroller in one hand, and the suitcase in the other, I somehow made it.
3. Coloring Book & Crayons 
Our daily commute, whether it be to a different destination or an activity, was usually a couple hours. We covered a lot of ground in a short period of time. Trains and buses were essential and Athena could only be entertained by playing games with Mommy for so long. Coloring books and crayons were lightweight activities that proved hours of entertainment. Sometimes we just drew on the pages rather than coloring or we would spell out the things that we saw as we moved along. I probably wrote the word “tree” 1,000 times or more on our trip. She wasn’t crying, it made her happy, and it was easy to carry. I can’t complain.
Bucket List Publications 
This is so useful for all new mommies out there!
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Hi Lesley,
Yea for you for realizing that people should love their kids as much as their dogs and a leash is the ideal tool to keep a toddler two safe and happy. I endured many a scowl from others with my own daughter in her pink harness and on her leash. She’s a happy 50 something and it kept her safe and me much calmer as I could get on with my shopping and I knew exactly where she was, safely within reach.
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I enjoy traveling with Athena but it’s not easy when it’s just her and I and we’re in a new country. The backpack leash made it easy for me to protect her and still give her freedom to explore. I don’t feel badly about that. It’s great to read that you had/have similar beliefs. 🙂
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Pack a Nanny 🙂
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I had twins and we used 2 lightweight strollers. So much easier than the big double buggy. On the plane, I had a selection of new, small, cheap and cheerful toys that kept them entertained. having never seen them before they were diverting for a while. things like play doh, or those scribble pads etc. you find in the 2 for 3 section. it didn’t matter if they got lost either.
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Good point with cheap toys/games/books. I wasn’t worried about a crayon rolling under a chair never to be found again or if we accidentally left a coloring book on a train.
I love to read that you still travel with twins. 🙂
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She is absolutely gorgeous!!! And your tips are great. Best wishes on continuing to show her the world!
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We always bring a computer tablet as the flights from Australia to anywhere other than NZ are upwards of 8 hrs. And you must have a camera with you. There is magic in these travels that if you don’t bring one will be lost forever.
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I don’t leave my house without a camera on hand. You never know when she’s going to do something unforgettable. It’s wonderful to have that on film or video 🙂
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Fantastic post. Having just returned from two months in France and Spain with hubby and our three and four year olds (we live in New Zealand) I can recommend helping little ones to pack their own special little bag or nap sack (with mama’s guidance!) with craft, felt pens, stickers; whatever is light and makes them feel like they have a part of home with them. The process of choosing makes them feel in charge and happy. So many people thought we were mad going away for so long with children our age. I disagree, it was amazing, you’ve just got to be well prepared xx
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Preparation is the key! You are certainly correct. Planning before the trip, planning every night, and on-the-go planning were all important.
Congratulations for traveling with your children for so long. It is rewarding and it’s more worth it than words can express, but it can be taxing and challenging. I bet you feel like you can conquer the world now. And you can! 🙂
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Because she is growing and too heavy to carry, I’m with you on the harness. It saved me many times when my daughter was little and I had my hands and mind full. Sounds awful but you don’t want a little one running off or getting hurt. ❤ ❤
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It is all about her safety and that was the best way to keep her safe and allow both of us to have the best time possible. We did so what others think about it really isn’t important. We’re accomplishing great things together 🙂
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I so agree with you. You did what was best for you and your baby. Devil may care about the rest of the world.
My daughter took off on my in a busy grocery store at around two, I had my hands full. Dropped the bags and grabbed her by the hair. Right afterwards, bought the harness.
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Helpful tips 🙂 thanks for sharing
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Good post!! Reminding me of our trips with our baby daughter years ago. We always stuffed in a lot of Gerber bottles when entering “unknown territory”. And when we were in Thailand McD’s mashed potatoes also helped. B-) After loosing our daughter in a mall in Singapore for 5 minutes we also put a card with our contacts into her pocket, at all time. Lastly, we prefered baby backpacks to stroller, it was especially useful when travelling in the forested Malaysian Taman Negara national park. I carried her, while my wife carried my camera backpack.
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LOVE the contact in the pocket idea. I’m adding that to my list for the next trip. Thank you 🙂
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I always told my daughter that the leash was there to make sure I didn’t wander off without her. You did great! xoM
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I had two children in 16 1/2 months…the oldest one had a leash on him when I was alone and pushing the littler one is a stroller. I was attacked and laughed at, but my son was happy and safe.
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So strange that people are upset with the leash. I’ve used them with two out of three of my children (the middle one never wandered and preferred to be carried in a sling). I’ve done it all from leash to carrier to stroller (umbrella, regular and double). Honestly the carrier, leash and smallest stroller you can get are the best for travelling. Also lots of small toys that can be swapped out (our youngest is 19 months and we recently did a 16 day road trip across four provinces). During the travel time I use one set of toys/books (fit into a small bag) and then when we were staying somewhere I had another small set of toys so that there was no boredom with the toys. He’s still a bit young for enjoying colouring yet, but the crayons will still come just in case. Also being prepared to sing silly songs (I must have sung Alice the Camel a hundred times!) and talk about what we are seeing. And whenever reasonable, time some of the travel for nap time. We also had huge success leaving two hours earlier than our kids normally woke up. All three (oldest is 13) fell back to sleep for about two hours at which time we stopped for breakfast.
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Lesley I believe you did very well on your Germany trip with Athena! Bravo. Cheryl
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I love it! I also admire the fact that your not traveling by yourself but also bringing your baby with you. Being a mum is not simple, and still you manage to enjoy the world with her. I so love it! By the way, she’s so cute! 🙂 Good Job for all the supermoms out there! ^_^
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Great traveling tips!
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You didn’t write “a camera” (although I’m sure you always take one with you). Probably worth mentioning since that would be one of the top items in my list :). I’d add “always keep a change of clothes” to the list. You may not always be close to your luggage when incidents happen. And they do happen, be it an ice cream or a slip in the mud, or anything else. Pretty much like the wipes, actually. If you know you’ll need wipes, you’re probably going to need a change of clothes at some point. In complement to the harness, have you ever considered a small bracelet or locket with your contact info inside? And now that she got used to the harness, in a couple of months you can take her climbing 😀
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That’s about what I pack as well, good list! We uses a Uppa Baby G-Lite, but I am sad I didn’t go for the G-Luxe which as a recline. We are traveling to India this year with 2 (an almost 5 year old and a 2 year old) and this is the first time we will NOT have a stroller for the older one. He’s been trained now to stay close to us, but I am very nervous about it, especially since he still naps during the afternoon. Also, when you are done with diapers, Wet Wipes has this big ones size that are anti bacterial and come in travel size containers for your purse. Love them!
As for the leash, you do what you, have to do. Only you as a mom knows what’s best for your kids. Anyone else who judges can go to H – E – double hockey sticks. 😉
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Could she be cuter?!?!
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Your daughter looks happy and isn’t that the most important point? Well, maybe safety should be first. I think the leash is a great idea and wished they been around when my kids were little. It’s not like the neck collar a dog wears and is probably safer than holding her hand. Try walking around with your arm stuck up in the air with your hand firmly being squished. 🙂
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The best travelling tip I ever had for travelling with kids is to aim to arrive by 3pm. That way the kids get a chance to explore their surroundings and settle in a bit before you have to start thinking about an evening meal & getting them to bed. We’ve found this tip invaluable, especially when on road trips.
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Accomplishing a trip with a toddler in tow is an amazing experience isn’t it.
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I totally agree with your list! A lightweight stroller was a must for my trips. Though I would add one more thing: a first aid kit. Being a mother of four boys, it proved useful many times 🙂
http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/firstaid_kit.html
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Now a gramma (that’s how we spell it) – I had a leash for my daughter (now 40) when she was 2 and her brother (now 38) was a babe. Got many dirty looks but I opted for safety and playing horsie occastionally to make it fun! A suggestion: carry a package of the large black plastic garbage bags and blue tape (the kind you put on the joint between the wooden floor and the wall, or window sills and walls when painting, that doesn’t peel off paint when removed). Why? I’ve found in too many hotels or friends homes — or in the room of our Boston condo that we make up for the grandkids — that the curtains do not block the light and make for very early risers! Simply tape the black garbage bag over the windows and then draw the curtains — kids will sleep well in the darkened room (naps too) and when you’re ready to leave, voila, the bags come down easily without any peeling paint or damage to walls and windowsills. PS: you’ll sleep a little longer and have more energy too if everyone’s not up at 5 AM!
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We are traveling to Germany in few weeks time, with our 3 yr old DS. I am not yet decided about the stroller, but I do think its good to have it.. Next important thing is his food, for which I am planning to take a multi-purpose kettle with which I can prepare rice, soup, noodles (not for him), hot water etc. I am also taking a travel potty as well as diapers, so that he can still stick to potty routines. Lots of snacks, books ofcourse! and toy cars. Thanks to Ranan Sananya for the great tip of putting contact details in kids pocket. Let me see how it turns out!! Feeling excited and fingers crossed
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I personally know someone whose child was abducted. Right from her front yard in mid-day. It was two years before we knew her fate. A former neighbor confessed, and led authorities to the body. Remember this whenever anyone gives you dirty looks for the leash. You’re a good mom.
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Going to Germany with a just turned 2 year old this month, I love your blog!
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We have been traveling with our son since he was 4 months old, and currently at four he is a great little traveler, so I agree, it can definitely be done! At two I also had him on a backpack with a leash, specially when I traveled alone with him, kept him safe and kept me sane! To your list I would add, specially when they are a bit younger, a change of clothes both for the kid and the mom, specially on long flights. Learned from experience that it’s better to have it and not need it than having to buy sweat pants with “Hawaii” written across your but at the airport 🙂
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