Transitional Toddler Travel Gear

There comes an age for every child when they are simply too big for a pack ‘n play but the thought of plopping them in a hotel bed when they are still in a crib at home leaves you feeling decidedly meh. Or when you know you’re only going to be taking a car a few times during a trip and don’t want to lug even a travel carseat with you.

Enter the era of transitional toddler travel gear!

Here are a few of our favorite products for this in-between season.

1.) Ride Safer Vest: This is great piece of gear to have with you for older toddlers and kids. It packs quite compactly and is very easy to get kids into and out of and secure in a taxi or car. (And this is coming from someone who really struggles with installing most carseats!) I personally don’t like to use it on the freeway or longer trips, but if you are taking a quick taxi to dinner it is very handy.

2.) Inflatable Booster Seat: For even bigger kids this is another great travel car safety piece.

3.) Inflatable Toddler Bed: This thing is bulky to pack but an absolutly genius product if you are in that in-between stage between crib and regular bed. Just note that the standar pump is not compatible with other voltages and you’ll need to use a converter and not just an adapter. A regular crib sheet will fit the mattress perfectly. If you’re sharing a room with your little one, you can pop this in a corner with this blackout tent on top and a travel noise machine and I promise you’ll all sleep just fine!

4.) Inflatable Bumper Guards: If you’re just looking for a little extra peace of mind that your little one one wont roll out of a regular bed, these are a slightly less bukly alternative to the inflatable bed above.

5.) Inflatable Plane Foot Rest: I swear by this thing for helping little ones sleep on the plan once they are too big to be comfortable in their carseat, and/or too big to get comfy on the seat itself. Two caveats: 1.) some airlines do not allow inflatable foot rests so check your carrier, and 2.) it does fit better in reguar economy than in economy plus.