Best Travel Hacks with Toddlers: Tiny Humans, Big Adventures

Let’s face it: travelling with toddlers is less “sunset mojito” and more “mid-flight meltdown.”

But fear not, brave parent. Whether you’re headed for a sandy beach, a snowy slope, or just Grandma’s house two hours away — we’ve gathered the top travel hacks to help tame the chaos and (dare we say it?) make it fun.

1. Turn Waiting into a Game - Waiting at airports or stations? Turn it into a scavenger hunt!

Pro tip: Print a quick list of things to spot — like a person with a red suitcase, someone wearing sunglasses indoors (it always happens), or a dog in a handbag. Bonus points if you spot a Trunki in the wild.

2. Snack Like a Pro - Pack a mix of familiar favourites and new “mystery snacks.”

Keep snacks in a organiser or reusable bento box — it slows them down and adds excitement. Hide a treat under a raisin pile like you’re a snack wizard!

3. Pack Their Bag Like a Boss - Let them help pack their Trunki — they’ll take ownership (and maybe not throw it at your ankles).

Stick to the “rule of 3”: three outfits, three toys, three books. Because your toddler will only wear that one t-shirt with the giraffe anyway.

4. Surprise Bag of Wonders - Pack a few small toys or stickers and unveil them slowly. One per hour. Maximum drama. Let them customise their Trunki we can drag that one out for hours!

Pro tip: Wrap toys in tin foil for extra “unwrapping” fun (and noise distraction!).

5. Think like Joe Wicks and get everyone moving

Toddlers = ticking time-bombs of energy. Drain the battery before you trap them in a small space.

At the airport: Let them loose in soft play zones, empty gates, or just have them “chase the suitcase.”

On a road trip: Stop every 90 minutes. Not for coffee (okay, also coffee), but for sprints in safe rest areas or mini dance-offs by the car.

On trains or ferries: Walk the aisles, do a “find the red bag” game, or let them hop between parent laps like it’s a low-stakes obstacle course.

Bonus: Start a travel playlist. Dance breaks = energy burn + memories + hilarious videos for later blackmail.

6. Choose the Right Gear (No, Really)

A Trunki isn’t just cute — it’s a ride-on, pull-along, tantrum-absorber. It gives your toddler a “job” at the airport (pulling their own bag), saves your arms, and buys you precious minutes of peace

Check out our great selection of cases and travel saviours (click to browse)

7. Quiet Time = Sanity Time

Pack a few quiet-time champions: reusable sticker books, audiobooks (yep, toddlers love ‘em), water pens, and magic colouring pads.

They’re lightweight, mess-free, and just stimulating enough to hold attention without tipping into wild chaos.

Parent tip: Download a few toddler-friendly audiobooks before the trip. Storytime with zero effort? Yes please.

Toddler Snack Protocol (For Any Adventure)

Whether you’re road-tripping, rail-riding, or airplane-hopping, one truth reigns supreme: snacks are peacekeepers. Here’s how to pack them like the seasoned travel whisperer you wish you were — with just enough Jo Frost energy to keep it all together.

Rule #1: Timing Is Everything

Snack time is strategic, not spontaneous.

Aim for snack checkpoints: every 1.5–2 hours, or right before moods swing. That means no “I’m bored = here’s a banana” reflex.

Smart snack moments:

Start of the journey = dry and clean (low mess, low fuss

Midway = satisfying and slow to eat

The meltdown zone = emergency reserves (deploy with flair)

Rule #2: Compartmentalise Like a Snack Sergeant

One container. Many sections. Maximum control.

Balanced box basics:

1 carb (crackers, breadsticks)

1 fruit/veg ( oranges, baby cucumbers)

1 protein (cheese, boiled egg, hummus pouch)

1 fun thing (mini choc button, mini cake)

1 surprise (tiny toy, joke note, edible googly eyes)

Rule #3: The Snack Surprise

Stash one item they don’t know about. Wrap it. Hype it. Reveal it when all else fails. Supernanny mode: “When they’re at their limit... you’re just getting started.”

Rule #4: Sugar, But Make It Tactical

Too much sugar = seatbelt gymnastics followed by a sobbing come-down. Opt for slow-burn energy, with one teeny treat for leverage. You know your kid’s snack kryptonite — wield it wisely.

We have covered for all traditional means of transport but you may want to rethink if travelling by spaceship, monster truck or dolphin!

✈️ Plane: friendly & mess-light

🚗 Car: Bite-size & reachable

🚗 Train: Lid-secured & aisle-safe

⛵️ Boat: Seasick-safe & scent-neutral

⛺️ Tent: Ant-proof & envy-inducing