Traveling with a toddler can be an adventure in itself, especially for families with autistic children. Ensuring that your little one is comfortable, entertained, and well-prepared can make a world of difference. To help you pack effectively, we’ve compiled a list of 15 essential items that are perfect for your autistic toddler’s travel bag. These items are not only practical but also cater to the unique needs of children on the autism spectrum. Check out this packing video I did for my toddlers carry-on bag for flying to Egypt.
1. Favorite Comfort Item
A familiar comfort item, such as a beloved stuffed animal or blanket, can provide a sense of security and comfort during travel. This can help soothe anxiety and make your toddler feel more at home in unfamiliar environments. Our favourite comfort items are favourite jumpers, a blanket and sometimes a stuffed animal.
2. Snacks and Drinks
Pack a variety of your toddler’s favourite snacks and drinks to keep them satisfied and happy. Choose non-perishable, easy-to-eat options like crackers, fruit snacks, and juice boxes (keep liquid limits in mind for airport security). I have found that the tiny Robinsons bottles of squash are easy to travel with and my toddler loves them.
Having familiar food can prevent hunger-induced meltdowns. I always travel with as many snacks as I can possibly pack so that I can be sure I have enough for them, and enough choice to make sure they don’t go hungry. See an example of a snack bag I packed here. I always stock up on snacks when we are somewhere new too – check out these videos I made of snacks I got the kids in Egypt:
Snacks from Spinneys Supermarket
I now put the kids snacks into a snack pouch so they can easily look inside without taking everything out and dropping it everywhere.
3. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Airports and airplanes can be overwhelming due to their noise levels. Noise-cancelling headphones can help block out the noise, providing a calmer environment for your child. This is particularly useful for children sensitive to loud sounds. I am trying to get my toddler a pair but my 8yr old already wears some and there is a shoppable TikTok video about them here. They keep selling out, so come back in a few days if they are out of stock.
4. Portable Sensory Toys
Sensory toys, such as fidget spinners, chewable necklaces, or squishy balls, can be incredibly helpful for keeping your toddler calm and focused. These toys provide a sensory outlet that can prevent meltdowns by managing anxiety and restlessness. These are my kids favourite sensory toys right now and these are our favourite sensory toys for travelling with autistic children.
Our toddler really likes:
- Sticker books
- Play dough or aroma dough
- Muffik play mats (mini)
- Magicubes (particularly the Paw Patrol set)
- Colouring sheets
- Felt busy book
- Reusable drawing tablet
- Magnet fishing
- Water painting cards
- Suction toys
Sensory toys (and toys in general) are an absolute essential for an autistic toddler’s travel bag.
Tip: Check out our favourite toys for travelling with a baby.
5. Tablet or iPad
A tablet or iPad loaded with your toddler’s favourite apps, videos, and games can be a great source of entertainment during travel. Don’t forget to bring headphones and a portable charger to keep the device running for the entire journey. Don’t forget a charging cable and also a travel adapter for quicker charging in the airports.
We also got our toddler an iPhone SE. This saves us carrying a heavy tablet anywhere we go and gives me peace of mind that his iPad isn’t going to get broken, lost or stolen. On the iPhone he has YouTube, Netflix (with downloads) and the Kindle app and Yoto app for books and stories. We tend to bring this on trips instead of an iPad or tablet now as it is much lighter and easy for us to stick in our pockets quickly if we start moving.
6. Baby Wipes and A Mini Towel
Baby wipes and mini towel are essential for keeping your toddler clean and germ-free. They’re handy for quick clean-ups, wiping down surfaces, and ensuring good hygiene during travel. We keep a ‘drip clip’ on us for our toddler because he has huge sensory issues around crumbs and food being on his hands.
7. Extra Clothing
Pack an extra set of clothing in case of spills, accidents, or unexpected weather changes. Choose comfortable, easy-to-change outfits to make the process as smooth as possible. We really like thin clothes for the backpack so that they don’t take up much space. We try to pack things we can layover if we need to (weather dependant). You may also want to get a family travel backpack with a waterproof section or get a waterproof bag for dirty clothes.
8. Diapers and Changing Supplies
If your toddler is still in diapers, make sure to pack enough for the entire trip, along with changing supplies such as a portable changing mat, diaper cream, and plastic bags for disposal. Our toddler decided to potty train himself recently and so we only needed to worry about bringing his diapers on a couple of our trips. For potty training toddlers bring extra underwear and bags for wet clothing and make sure to check out this video for our recommendation for an app you can’t travel without if you are potty training and travelling.
If you or your toddler have a medical condition that means you need access to a toilet quickly you can apply for a radar card to use throughout the UK.
9. Books and Quiet Activities
Bring along a selection of board books, colouring books, busy books and quiet activities like stickers or magnetic drawing boards. These can keep your toddler entertained without causing too much noise or disruption to fellow travellers. We make sure we download books to the free Kindle app and also pack real books where suitable.
10. Medications and Medical Supplies
If your child takes any medications, ensure you have enough for the duration of the trip, plus a little extra in case of delays. Bring any necessary medical supplies, such as inhalers or EpiPens, and keep them in an easily accessible part of your bag. You might be better to keep your toddlers medication in your own bag if your child will be able to access the bag themselves.
11. Visual Schedules and Social Stories
Visual schedules with PECS communication cards and social stories can help prepare your toddler for the travel process. These tools explain what to expect at each stage of the journey, from boarding the plane to arriving at your destination, which can reduce anxiety and help your child feel more secure. I have created a free set of travel PECS for anyone to download, a bumper pack of travel PECS cards and also a now and next board. These are instant downloads that you can print and use immediately and as often as you want.
12. Travel Pillow and Blanket
A small travel pillow and blanket can make napping on the go more comfortable for your toddler. This is especially useful for long flights or car rides where your child might need to sleep. After my sons birthday I will add a link to a travel pillow we got him, but until then I don’t want him to see it on TikTok!
13. Sippy Cups and Utensils
Bringing your child’s favourite sippy cup and utensils can make mealtime easier and more familiar. It’s a small comfort that can make a big difference in an unfamiliar setting. We always bring a SHO bottle for all of the kids because they love the same-ness of the designs. They are great, don’t leak easily and can be filled in the airport before boarding. We often travel with utensils so that we can make the boys noodles on the go if they are struggling to find safe foods to eat.
In future, we will likely travel with a Meoky cup as these bad boys absolutely don’t leak, and they can hold so much!
If your child has one favourite bottle or cup, that will be an essential to your autistic toddler’s travel bag to ensure they are kept hydrated during your travels.
14. Identification and Emergency Information
Carry a card with your child’s identification, emergency contacts, and any important medical information. This can be crucial in case of an emergency or if you get separated from your child. I have created a full booklet as an ‘emergency passport‘ for parents to use on their travels. You can pick between basic, standard and premium packs depending on how detailed you want your child’s emergency information to be.
I truly believe that an emergency passport is essential for an autistic toddler’s travel bag.
15. Interactive Travel Games
Interactive travel games, such as travel-sized puzzles or matching games, can keep your toddler engaged and entertained. These games can also provide a fun way to pass the time and distract your child from the stress of traveling. We love the Yoto player and it you can purchase some travel game cards like guess the flag. We also enjoy word searches, colouring pages themed to the country we are flying to and games on the tablet or phone.
Feel free to grab our free travel word search for your next trip!
How to Pack These Items
To keep everything organized, consider using packing cubes or bag organisers to separate different types of items within your travel bag. Label each cube or pouch for easy identification, and keep the most frequently used items at the top of your bag for quick access.
Additional Tips for Traveling with Toddlers
- Plan Ahead: Research your airline’s policies and the amenities available at your destination. Some airports offer special assistance programs for families with special needs. Lots of airports in Europe also use family lanes so you can skip long queues if you have a child under 10.
- Prepare Your Child: Use social stories and visual schedules to prepare your child for the trip. Discuss what to expect at each stage of the journey, from security checks to boarding the plane.
- Stay Calm and Flexible: Travel can be unpredictable, and things may not always go as planned. Staying calm and flexible can help your child feel more secure and adaptable to changes.
Traveling with a toddler, especially one with autism, requires careful planning and preparation. By packing these essential items in your carry-on travel bag, you can help ensure a smoother and more enjoyable journey for your family. For more tips and resources on family travel with autistic children, visit Autism Family Travel Guide.