We recently went on a trip to Colorado with our two littles who are 3.5 and 1.5. We always buy seats for the kids so they can have their own space and be contained in their carseats. Plus, we rented a car for Colorado so we needed car seats for when we arrived. We did check our bags but getting them all from car to check in can be a struggle with just two sets of adult hands. Here’s how we did it all and managed bags, toys, snacks, and everything but our actual house that came with us.
- Packing Cubes
- We used LARGE packing cubes and I organized mine by day. The entire family wardrobe for Saturday in one cube, the entire family wardrobe for Sunday in one cube, etc. That way, you only are taking out one cube in the morning when everyone is getting dressed. Here are the packing cubes I’d recommend.
- Luggage Straps
- Even with the packing cubes, we had a lot of luggage due to hiking gear and other things we needed to bring for the littles. So picture this, you have one person pushing the stroller, and another adult pulling the luggages. Thats just the way we did it and probably how you will too. So, if you have more than 2 luggages, I’d recommend these luggage straps so you can essentially have a conga line of luggages to pull.
- Double Stroller
- Kids legs can get tired walking through the airports and if yours still tolerate strollers like mine do, then its worth the splurge to buy a double stroller if you don’t already have one. This is the double stroller we use and LOVE for everyday use and travel. You will have to check it at the gate.
- Car Seat Cart
- Okay here me out. Once you park and load the kids in the double stroller, then you’ll assemble your luggage conga line and you’ll also include the car seat cart and car seats on the conga line, which you’ll use bungee cords to secure them all together. Once you check in your luggages, you’ll separate out the car seat cart and car seats to bring ON the plane. You’ll get to board after the A group since you have kids. Pro tip: Since your car seat needs to be installed by a WINDOW seat, you’ll need to make sure you have purchased that ahead of time or talk to the gate. If you’re flying southwest, and you tell them your kids has special accommodations (legally they need to be sat at a window), you’ll get to board BEFORE group A.
- Bungee Cords
- Any bungee cords will do. Again, you’ll use this to secure the carseats and car seat cart to your luggage conga line. Here is what we used.
- Tablets and Headphones
- Once you check in your stroller at the gate, finally board the plane, install the car seats, you’ll have just your carry on item with you which should be filled with snacks, toys, and of course, technology. Here’s the kicker, Amazon fire tablets don’t work with Youtube, they just aren’t compatible to download the youtube app. So, if your child likes Miss Rachel or any other Youtube specific channel, do yourself a favor and buy this tablet instead. Any plug in headphones will do , here are the headphones we used.
Those are my tried and true tips and items that I believe are essential for traveling with littles! I hope this article helps you in your travels, Godspeed mama, YOU’VE GOT THIS!