toddler packing list

[pooch]

I can pack for adults for WDW with my eyes closed but this year we are taking my precious DGS who is 2 1/2. My diningroom table is covered with "what ifs" and DH thinks I'm WAAAY overreacting. Anyone have a good packing list for a toddler?

 

[kmb584]

My DD just turned 3 and I always bring the following with us:

• Sunscreen
• Wet Wipes
• Sanitizing Wipes
• Her favorite snacks
• Her "blankie"
• Extra sippy cups

There are other items on the list, like pull-ups and wipes, but I send those down ahead of time to ensure I don't forget to pack them!

 

[luvmy2babies]

Hello,

Our last trip was in October 2011 to Orlando for 3 nights. We did 2 days at Sea World and 1 day at MK. I found my packing list and here is what I packed for my son. He was 21 months old.

For summer I would add swimwear (which for us includes 2 swimming trunks, 2 rash guards, swim shoes, swim diapers if not trained, a cover-up and a towel) and replace any pants with shorts.

I generally take 3 outfits per day for my son, 1 first choice outfit and 2 changes per day. I also take a light jacket. Your toddler probably doesn’t have breathing meds so ignore that part. Also now that my son is over 2, I will add OTC cold medicine to the list.

Infant Tylenol and Motrin
Zyrtec
Breathing meds
Nebulizer
Inhalers
Toothbrush
Tooth paste
Vitamin
bath soap and shampoo (sensitive skin and can't use hotel room stuff)
lotion
Diapers or pull-ups
Sunscreen
sun glasses
wipes
hand sanitizer

Socks (6)
Jeans (3)
Cotton pants (3)
Shorts (3)
vacation shirts (4)
Extra shirts (4)
Undershirts (7)
Pajamas (4)
Hats (2)

A few familiar toys
Empty cups/bottles
Crayons/paper
Bibs
Disposable self-adhesive place mats
Disposable sheet to go underneath the high chair (restaurant employees love me for this)
Take-n-toss items (cups, forks, spoons) if needed
Snacks

Outlet covers for the hotel room

Others will be along to add I'm sure. This was for a 3 night trip for Sea World. For Disney, some of these things I will order from a grocery deliver service and not pack. And some things of course will change based on your toddler's likes and dislikes.

 

[robinsegg]

When we went, our youngest was 17 months. We took:
medications
outfits (enough for half the time + 2 outfits, then did laundry)
diapers
wipes
pjs
baby carrier (we used a wrap)
powdered drinks & sm. straws (for a bottle of water)
sunscreen
toiletries
favorite doll (for in the room)
sm. acceptable substitute for favorite doll (for in the parks)
snacks (small toddler snacks she would be happy with between meals)

We also used ziplock baggies. Large ones held an extra outfit, diapers, wipes, etc for any changes that needed to be done while in the parks (keeps it dry and contained in our fanny packs). Small ones carried snacks, leftover portions of our meals (for snacking on later), coins (for pressed coin machines).

 

[pooch]

for the lists. I am not too far out of the ballpark here. No big AH HA moments whle reading yet. Please keep the lists coming!!

 

[MSSANDRA]

The only thing I see not covered, and we never though about it till this past trip, was a virus survival kit. DS5 and DH both got it at WDW. I really wish I had some pedialite, crackers and a few other super light easy foods, paper towels and extra PJ's& underwear ( we tossed some) and a few trash bags. Sounds like TMI but we really wish we had these things. Only other question is do you have custody of your DGS? Might want to take a parental note for treatmet of medical condition. Someone has recently posted that a ER must treat anyone that seeks medical care, even a minor without parent consent but you might feel better to have this with you. I would also have his SS number and a medical history if you are unsure of anything.

 

[dfb05]

We've been going since my DD was 2 and my DS was 1 on his first trip. The PPs have covered most of it. How about a portable DVD player and DVDs? And we always bring a night light for the room.

Also we always bring some clips (like clothesline clips) and a lightweight blanket so if he falls asleep in the stroller, I clip the blanket over the front to give them some shade and slightly cooler napping spot. Good luck!

 

[capeseal]

My best packing advice would be to put all of the outfits for each day of the trip in separate Ziploc bags. It's so easy to lose little socks and stuff in the suitcase and having to turn it upside down to find one piece is frustrating and messy. Our last trip, I filled a gallon sized bag for each day with:

1 dress
1 pair of leggings
2 pairs of socks
2 pairs of underpants
hair accessory (DD likes her headbands)
(for my 3.5 year old DD)

I put two extra dresses and other incidental clothing pieces (sweat jacket, hat, etc. into a bag as well.

My DD will only wear dresses and skirts . While this can be frustrating at times, I think I prefer dresses for Disney. It's so easy to throw leggings under them and take them off later in the day vs changing from pants into shorts and making everything match.


In addition to things I already see on the lists, I like to bring:
A sunscreen stick (for touch ups during a day in the park)
disposable changing pads (you never know when they'll be out)
headphones for noise sensitivity
mini look and find books


I always find that I overpack when it comes to entertainment. I'm constantly bringing toys for the hotel when we go on trips and they are seldom touched. DD is always thoroughly entertained by taking a tour of the hotel, visiting the pool, playing with a souvenir doll, or just sitting with a show for a half an hour. I now bring a couple of small things to entertain on the plane because we find plenty to amuse ourselves at our resort.

 

[Iggipolka]

My best packing advice would be to put all of the outfits for each day of the trip in separate Ziploc bags. It's so easy to lose little socks and stuff in the suitcase and having to turn it upside down to find one piece is frustrating and messy. Our last trip, I filled a gallon sized bag for each day with:

Thank you so much for posting this! I do this as well for my almost three year old daughter and have gotten endless flack from my spouse and family for doing so. They consider it to be compulsive and over planned, I consider it to be a time saver, a space saver in the suitcase and an easy way to get my daughter dressed each day. All she has to do is pick a baggie every morning and we are good to go.

I also bring two or three bags with extra outfits and bring one to the park with us. That way if she plays in the water areas or has an accident, we have extra clothes and a baggie to put the wet ones in. Super easy.

 

[capeseal]

Thank you so much for posting this! I do this as well for my almost three year old daughter and have gotten endless flack from my spouse and family for doing so. They consider it to be compulsive and over planned, I consider it to be a time saver, a space saver in the suitcase and an easy way to get my daughter dressed each day. All she has to do is pick a baggie every morning and we are good to go.

I also bring two or three bags with extra outfits and bring one to the park with us. That way if she plays in the water areas or has an accident, we have extra clothes and a baggie to put the wet ones in. Super easy.

Not cumpulsive, smart packing! Especially now that we have two, I find that it's a necessity. My husband made fun of me the first trip where I packed like this but he was a convert when we were exhausted at the end of a long day, laying out clothes for the morning, and not turning the room upside down to find a pair of tiny socks . I was even able to fit princess dresses in the bags during our last trip. It was January, so each bag held a dress, turtleneck, leggings, etc., to account for any weather. When my IL's watched her one morning, they really appreciated how easy it was to Get her ready with outfits already set up. For DS, I add several diapers to each bag and then we always have a daily kit with extra clothes, diapers to get us through the day, and extra socks to replace the ones that mysteriously vanish from his feet while we shuttle around. For our next trip, I'm ordering the divider bags that go in our luggage so that each child has a big bag that separates all of their clothes and incidentals from the grown up clothes.

 

[ah1126]

I also used the ziplocs when packing my bag for the park. I had one with a change of clothes, one with diapers and wipes, and one with snacks. It was so easy to just grab the bag I needed instead of digging around every time.

 

[pooch]

Only other question is do you have custody of your DGS? Might want to take a parental note for treatmet of medical condition. Someone has recently posted that a ER must treat anyone that seeks medical care, even a minor without parent consent but you might feel better to have this with you. I would also have his SS number and a medical history if you are unsure of anything.

His mother will give us a copy of his birth certificate and insurance cards and I've asked her to sign a statement showing we have her (she's the custodial parent and she and my son are not on speaking terms - a long, sad story) permission to have him with us in Florida and granting permission to authorize emergency medical treatment along with a phone number at which she can be reached. Do you think this is sufficient?

 

[capeseal]

I feel silly, because I just realized you are taking your DGS not DGD. Please disregard my advice to put him in dresses


Yes, a brief letter giving you "permission to treat" (in case of an emergency) is also very important to have on hand. I think you will be covered with insurance cards and birth certificate as far as other documents go.

So sorry about the relationship between your son and grandson's mom. But I think it's wonderful that you still have a relationship with her where she obviously trusts you to take him on this trip. You are obviously excellent grandparents.

 

[pooch]

So sorry about the relationship between your son and grandson's mom. But I think it's wonderful that you still have a relationship with her where she obviously trusts you to take him on this trip. You are obviously excellent grandparents.

thank you Jayson spends several days a week with us (like 3-4 days in a row including sleeping here)and my DH and I are VERY attached to him. I don't know what we'd do if she stopped letting us have him so I walk the very straight and narrow with her. I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I am closer to him than my son's other children (another son and a step-son). I justify it by saying they have their father full-time, Jayson does not.

 

[robinsegg]

We also take clothespins to hang our swimsuits up to dry. We used fannypacks for carrying toddler extras through the parks' as they are allowed on rides.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would have the note to seek medical care notarized just to be safe. We are parenting our "official" DGS and he lives with us full time with visits to his mom. We have full medical power of attorney but before we obtained this, we had a notarized letter from his mom. Reality was when I took him to our local ER for dehydration from a virus one week-end. They never even asked what my relationship to him was and I never offered. Most people have trouble deciding if I am mom or grandma. Depends on how long it has been since I met with my hair dresser!.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

I take a small bottle of dish soap and a sponge to properly wash out the sippy cups. They can get yucky when they have had milk in them.
Also, small swim/bath toys are always good for the pool and they won't weight too much or take up too much space in suitcases. Have fun!!!

 

[debbibee]

Nightlight

 

[uscgmouse]

I plan on packing a backup outfit in a freezer bag each day and if there is an accident I have a bag to put the wet/icky clothes in and a change of clothes.

 

[disprincessatheart]

Our son is 27 months and this month we will take him on his 7th trip. There are a few things on our list I haven't seen on here yet.

Outlet covers for the hotel room - I usually forget to take them back out, but they're cheap!
Stroller fan
Extra stroller sunshade - ours is a ray shade and makes his stroller time much happier!
Sippy cup strap (to keep it attached to the stroller and high chairs)
Favorite blankie
Hat
Unless you are staying dvc, bring stuff to wash sippy cups
Bring laundry detergent/dryer sheets incase you need to do laundry to ge tthru the trip (we are bringing pods this time)
A light up toy or two for night time parades and fireworks. Our son has a few disney themed things from walgreens that collectively were cheaper and are easier to haul around than one wdw toy!