Spring Break is upon us! As I work in the school system, my son also attends school there so scheduling our time off together isn’t hard but getting our stuff together sure is. Knowing where to travel at least one month in advance gives me the time to list and pack each and every item needed (especially for my toddler.) Now don’t get me wrong some things if forgotten I can go out and get, however other items are more crucial as a Mom if I need it over the course of a week and don’t have it (stuffed animals, blankets etc.) Vacation planning can be tough for two but I have found that with three (and that third being a 4 year old toddler) is a tad bit trickier!
I am a planner and checklist queen by nature and I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s nice waking up the morning we are leaving for vacation and having my checklist to check, double check and then possibly triple check (yep, that’s me.) I run our packing list through my mind for at least the first fifteen minutes of our trip after we leave. I like to think I didn’t forget anything . You name it I’m checking it off in my head. It all comes with being an overthinker and that I am great at!
We have always loved to travel as a couple. We have been together 26 years this year and travel for us was as simple as tossing whatever in the car or motorcycle and go. Wow how life changed after we had our son. I mean did I even know it was possible to need this many things? The answer in short is just no, I had no idea how much more complicated toddler packing was but I did find out quickly.
The fine art of mastering travel with a child (infant to toddler at this point) is hard. So many things I have thought “Now why didn’t I bring that?” or “That would have been a great idea.” Of course those thoughts came too late and it was a Mom fail many times. With so many Mom fails to count in my short life as a Mother I have created a list (a short one) of my top 5 items that I will never be leaving this house without while we travel. I promise I stand behind these products and like we say “If we love it, you’ll know it.” Well now you will know!
LETS GET THIS LIST STARTED SHALL WE? For ease of use I will provide those links along the way! I am an amazon affiliate and do earn a small commission from the links only when purchased. Please allow these products to speak for themselves, they are amazing!
#1 on this list will always be #1 on this list! It is the Portable Potty with bag. It is super easy to put together, super easy to set up, super easy to use and then super easy to fold and slide into the back of my car seat and you can get yours here: https://amzn.to/49y8TII
For the two years of his four that he has been potty trained we have never once had to stop at a gas station, a grocery store just anything aside from being able to pull off the side of the road and use this portable potty. It comes with some of its own bags (that you can reorder) but being the Mom that I am a good grocery store bag will work and these are just as easy to store in the back of your car seat. It’s a simple design, easy to take apart to clean and place back together and it folds! It will save you so much time as you travel! One time purchase and done, now I love that! This one you will love, so grab yours now!
#2 on my list is the 10 inch LCD Writing Tablets for kids. I say tablets because I got the two pack and we use these in both of our vehicles but when we travel the ease of him being able to draw and then tap a button to erase is amazing! It’s not “Hey Mom can you wipe this off?” or “Hey Mom can I have a paper towel?” its just the simplicity of being a drawing pad that magically erases itself while you literally do nothing but relax in the front seat. This won’t obviously last you the entire trip if you are vacation traveling but entertainment with this can be in spans of an hour at a time. No noise, no mess and no fuss! Its magical, so here is the link if you want to grab these up and they come at a super cheap price: https://amzn.to/3TgtGdW
#3 Is a battery operate tripod clip on fan. This one is a no brainer if you are traveling to the beach or to any humid area. We honestly bought this one originally for the beach wagon but once we used it there, it moved on to the stroller, to dinner to keep gnats off of him, the car window you name it we have probably used it there. Not to mention that our son loves this thing. The fan is rechargeable and its time for running is fairly lengthy. It’s durable and its safe from those little fingers. No complaints about the product itself its a simple idea with huge rewards! If you have thought about it, just do it you will not regret it. Here is your link to make it easier: https://amzn.to/3UTIPDm
#4 for me its personal and maybe its because I enjoy feeling like I’m in the comfort of my own home while on vacation or because my boy enjoys going to sleep with it each night while we are vacationing. Its not even for a toddler honestly (although mine works this remote pretty remarkably) but the Amazon Fire TV Stick. If you have Amazon Prime and you don’t own one of these to move around as you travel please do yourself a favor and get one! We log into the hotel/condos wi-fi and type in the password and boom there it is all the things we watch and love at home! Its really about convenience here but its just what we do when we travel! Here is your link! https://amzn.to/3TgtGdW
#5 last but not least I promise! These are the ZAK designs tumblers. These are absolutely leak proof, have survived my child (amazing in itself) and they travel so well in coolers, to the beach and fit perfectly in the stroller cupholders. No matter what you are using them for water, milk or juice these little guys don’t disappoint in our household or on vacation. I really never think about not packing these which is why it’s in my top 5 of picks! Just to view or just to buy here is a link to access them in a two pack! Trust me you will want more! https://amzn.to/3uDT9Vy
Hey Mom, just enjoy your trip!
As I finish this blog post up please know that I try to keep Moms in mind when I blog. I know the pressure vacation can sometimes bring for us and its meant to be fun times with our families. Please allow these recommendations to help along your journey. I know I have enjoyed them along mine and remember to just breathe and enjoy your time . My boy is asleep for the night now and I think I may go join him but before I do I have posted my top travel checklist for toddlers below please feel free to use it! Queen of checklists here always does.
