Road Trip Essentials (with a toddler!)

Road Trip Overview

Alissa of The Leffersons shares what her family packed for an approximately 18-hour drive from the Chicago area to Walt Disney World with their two-year-old. Because she filmed the video after the trip, she could report which items they actually used.

The family kept the drive screen-free: they didn’t bring an iPad or an activity table, though Alissa might try a table on a future trip.

Road-Trip Essentials

• Keep a small cleanup kit within easy reach, with plastic bags for trash, tissues, hand and cleaning wipes, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, paper towels, toilet paper, and a basic blanket.
• Bring a picnic blanket for stops without seating, and keep extra supplies available for spills, illness, or a diaper blowout.
• The family didn’t use everything they packed, but Alissa would bring most of it again.

Toddler Activities

Use a dedicated bin to keep toys and activities together. Include a few familiar favorites and some items your child hasn’t seen recently.

The family packed books—especially lift-the-flap and sound-making books—along with small character toys and Little People figures. Other activities included sticker books and play sets, coloring activities, twistable crayons, threading beads onto pipe cleaners, and a buckle toy.

They also brought a ball and a stress ball. They didn’t use the soccer ball because it was too cold to play outside. Overall, the toddler used most of the activities; sticker books, lift-the-flap books, sound-making toys, and alphabet learning cards were particular hits.

Snacks and Drinks

Bring a range of snacks for adults and children, but estimate quantities realistically: Alissa found that she had packed far more food than they needed. Keep an age-appropriate snack container accessible for the child.

A cooler can reduce stops and help avoid buying as much at gas stations. The family brought shelf-stable milk, energy drinks, sparkling water, and Diet Coke, and planned to fill the remaining space with water and ice.

Alissa’s favorite road-trip snack was salty Combos. She also mentioned Dots cinnamon-sugar pretzels and Milk Duds. She recommends bringing gum, noting that it isn’t sold in the Disney parks.

Diaper Bag and Stop Supplies

Keep a compact diaper-changing kit ready to take into a gas station without bringing the whole diaper bag. The family’s kit included diapers, a changing pad, a refillable wipes dispenser, and diaper cream.

Other supplies can be organized in separate bags:

• Basic medicines: Pain relievers, allergy pills, and nausea remedies.
• Health and sun-care items: Sunscreen, sunglasses, a thermometer, bandages, and antacids.
• Restaurant-wait entertainment: A small bag of activities.
• Child essentials: Emergency snacks, a bib, child-sized utensils, and the child’s usual water cup.

A quick-dry towel can help dry wet picnic tables or chairs at stops. Pack a wet bag for soiled clothes and an extra outfit. The family also packed pajamas so their toddler could change before falling asleep, making hotel arrival easier.

Locations and Products Mentioned

Locations include the Chicago area, Walt Disney World, Orlando, and SeaWorld Orlando.

Products mentioned include a Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag, Lovevery toys, Polka Dot books, Sticker Wow, Solar Buddies sunscreen applicators, an OXO wipes dispenser, and a 360 cup.