Traveling with a Toddler: Why the Right Gear Makes All the Difference
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Does this look familiar? A boarding gate, a toddler running the opposite direction, and you dragging two bags while trying to keep them in sight. Airports plus toddlers can go two ways — but there's a smarter way to travel.
A lightweight travel stroller changes everything
Your everyday stroller is probably too bulky for airport terminals and cobblestone streets. A compact, umbrella-fold travel stroller is easier to gate-check, easier to fold one-handed while holding a diaper bag, and easier to manoeuvre through security lines. Since your toddler will likely only need one for a couple of years of travel, it's a strong candidate for buying preloved rather than paying full price for something used a handful of times a year.
Keep them occupied and moving on their own steam
For toddlers who are old enough to walk but not old enough to sit still, a ride-on suitcase can be a genuine lifesaver — something they can sit on and be pulled through the terminal, or ride themselves once they're tired of walking. It turns a stressful gate-to-gate walk into something closer to a game.
What to pack in your travel bag
- A few small, quiet toys — nothing with sound that will annoy fellow passengers
- Snacks that don't need refrigeration
- A change of clothes for both of you
- Any medication in original packaging, easily accessible
Buying travel gear preloved
Just like with everyday strollers, check the same basics before buying a travel stroller or ride-on suitcase used: condition, missing parts, whether the frame and wheels still lock properly, and cleanliness. Read our full stroller buying guide for the complete checklist.
Buy second hand, without second guessing
Shop preloved travel strollers on Chub Chub →