Traveling With Kids Checklist

The following is a basic travel checklist appropriate for the two and under crowd. Older toddlers will require less in the diaper and crib department, but generally more in the toy and coloring book area.

• Sunscreen: It actually does go bad after a year, so get a fresh bottle if you need it.
• Insect repellent: Avoid using products that contain DEET on very small children.
• Toys
• Bath toys: I once allowed my daughter to play with a miniature coffee carafe and a hookless wooden hanger in a hotel bathtub because I forgot to pack a few little rubber animals and cups that she normally plays with in the tub.
• Medicines like Tylenol and children's cold medicine
• Sippy cups and bottles
• Stuffed animals
• Crib sheet and mattress pad
• Pack-n-Play or playpen
• Monitors
• Diapers
• Wet Wipes: Did I mention you'll want tons and tons of wipes?
• Snacks: Try packing familiar stand-bys like goldfish crackers, and something new and exciting, maybe even something forbidden like mini-Oreos to pique kids' interest.
• Extra clothes
• Swim diapers
• Small vial of dish soap for washing out cups and bottles if you're staying in a hotel
• Plastic bags for dirty diapers in hotels and cars. You can't very well bring the Diaper Genie, and a stinky diaper can really reek up a hotel room until room service comes the next day!
• A sun hat or two: I've had them blow off into the waves.
• Diaper cream or Vaseline
• Bibs: Those disposable travel bibs aren't always adequate, so bring your own bibs—a large plastic one that can be wiped off and reused frequently is a good idea
• Baby videos and a laptop with DVD drive. You can also rent VCRs and DVD players from many video stores.
• Stroller
• Bath soaps and shampoos
• Your pediatrician's phone number: if it's not already there, preprogram it into your cell phone.
• Spare outlet plugs for hotel rooms and relatives' homes.