I have been traveling with toddlers for the last 5 years. It’s not always easy. We travel a good amount for a family with 4 children. When Matt and I first started dating, we would go away on weekend trips all the time… that didn’t change much after we got married and even started to expand our family. We love to head to Cape Cod, New Hampshire, Maine and Boston for weekend family trips. My husband’s family is from Pittsburgh – that’s a 10-hour drive from Rhode Island. We head there (at least) 4 times a year. Since the drive is so long… we often stop halfway and spend the night at a hotel. I swear it’s easier to pack for a week-long trip to Pittsburgh than it is for one night at a hotel…
I need a pack-n-play, sheets, blankets, baby shampoo/body wash, toys, bottles, sippys, snacks, clothing, binkies and outlet covers. Believe me, we’ve had up to 3 toddlers running around a hotel room at once… these items are essential – especially if you (and the people next door) are going to have a peaceful night. I remember when I was pregnant with Henry… oh, my… William was 3, Alex was 2 and Benjamin had just turned 1. I thought we were going to have to call off the trip and head home. We were in Philly visiting a Star Wars exhibit and the boys were off the walls! Call it pregnancy brain… but I completely forgot to remind my husband to pack the pack-n-play (we actually needed 2 of them at the time!). When we got to the hotel, I assumed we’d just have to use two of theirs… well, I was wrong. The hotel only had 2 of them available and both of them were in use. 7 months pregnant… I’m sleeping in a double bed with 3 boys (they all wanted mommy). It wasn’t easy. And I couldn’t figure out why this particular hotel (it wasn’t a Marriott) didn’t cater towards families.
Well… say good-bye to difficult toddler travel!
I’m so excited to spread the word to moms of toddlers all across the country that the Marriott is changing travel as you know it with their Tots Travel Too Program.
Marriott has partnered with COVERPLAY to bring ease, comfort and convenience to your toddler travels. Tots Travel Too program provides guests, upon request, with a travel crib, laundered COVERPLAY removable crib slipcover and a complimentary bath time toy for your child.
What’s even more wonderful is that you don’t have to travel with every single essential item… or worse, worry about forgetting something. Marriott will have on-site complimentary items such as outlet covers, nightlights, baby shampoo and lotion, and disposable bibs will be available in the breakfast areas. This is absolutely incredible for parents with children in the toddler age range… this will make nights away more enjoyable, more safe and more relaxing for everyone.
This is such a fabulous traveling game-changer for every parent… to know that Marriott is sensitive to the needs of parents will make me choose a Marriott on every trip. Tots Travel Too is available at more than 2,500 Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites hotels in the continental U.S. and Canada.
Help the Marriott and The Motherhood put together The Ultimate Traveling with Toddlers Must-Have Tip Sheet! As moms, we’re the experts of what makes our travel time easier – leave me some of your best tips! It will be great to learn from each other, too! By leaving me a tip in my comment section you will be entered to win this amazing basket of Tots Travel Too goodies –
AND! You will also win a $250 Gift Card to the Marriott! I will pick a winner on July 1st.
There will also be a “Tots Travel Too” Twitter Party from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. ET on July 1st where all the toddler travel tips from The Motherhood will be shared. Come join us! Follow Marriott on Twitter and use the hashtag #TotsTravel2 to join in on the fun!
I am working in partnership with Marriott and TheMotherhood.com to cover the Marriott Tots Travel Too program and have received a stipend.
This is great! It is so nice to know you can call down to the front desk if you forgot baby shampoo and a bath tub toy is a great bonus! Wish this was around the past couple years for my 2 boys under 4!
I’ve been traveling with Brynlee a lot, and it is definitely hard if I am not prepared! I make sure to have plenty of disposable bibs and a little cooler with an ice pack for her food and milk! I also make sure to bring her blankets and have an extra stash of diapers, wipes, and disposable bibs in the car. I can’t tell you how often this “emergency stash” has been used!
What a great idea! My little one is just moving into toddlerhood so I haven’t traveled with him yet at this stage. But it’s coming soon because my husband and I travel all the time for various work/events! Having Milk available at times other than breakfast would be so helpful as well!!
I always use those see through plastic zipper bags that pillow cases and sheets come in and I use one for bath stuff; bath lotions, shampoo, etc and one for medicines, first aid, after sun aloe, etc. That way I’m not fishing through all the bags…also a good way to recycle!
My packing tip: When packing my kids’ clothes, I roll up complete outfits and pack them that way. I lay down the pants, folded in half, then a sweatshirt and teeshirt, and put the underwear and socks in the middle, then roll it all up. No more hunting through the suitcase for matching clothes; I just grab a roll in the morning and dress them in it.
Love this idea! It will save me from having to lug our Phil and Ted Travel Bed all over the place. We travel quite a bit and something that has saved me lots of packing space and hassle is bringing some hand wash laundry detergent with us to hotels. This way I can wash out Jojo’s clothes and hang them to dry in the bathroom. I don’t have to pack as many clothes for her and she still looks presentable (well most of the time).
One of my best tips is always pack snacks you know your toddler will want and his/her favorite toys and on long road trips make frequent stops so that they can steatch their legs and get of the the carseat for a little while
what an amazing idea!! Traveling with children is so difficult, but after awhile parents tend to have it downpact. The bad part is forgetting something important like a troller at an amuzement park…then having to rent one! lol
ohhh, forgot about adding my tip.
This may seem gross, but I have store plastic bags, with lysol, and wipes in “case” one of the kids get car sick. Only 1 time did we put it into use, but when your driving and kids feel nausiated in the back, it’s a lifesaver until you can pullover to a bathroom or side of the road. lol It hands in the back on one of the kids arm rests
my tips are: pack lots of little snacks in individual snack bags, lots of new little toys (like stickers) to keep little ones occupied. I also make sure to have a good sippy cup handy that I can wash and use along the way
We would LOVE to win this! My favorite tip for airplane travel is to fill my toddler’s sippy cup with her favorite drink. It really helps relieve pressure on her ears. And, if all else fails, I put a warm towelette on her ears – it always works like a charm. 🙂
My tip: don’t forget to pack your sense of humor, and be flexible. Don’t be unrealistic about what your kids will be able to handle. Always have a plan b.
That’s such a great program–I wonder why it took hotels so long to catch on about putting together an infant/toddler kit for their rooms.
My tip is to bring clothespins–they’re great for hanging up wet swimsuits, pinching a curtain shut during naptime, making an impromptu fort out of blankets on a day when you might be stuck in the hotel, reclosing snack bags, and even just letting your older kids play with. They’re cheap, lightweight and can fit into little spaces in your luggage.
It would have been so nice not to have had to pack up the whole house when traveling with small children. This is a wonderful program for families. Not only is it nice to have the pack-n-play available, having it set up when we got to our room would have been wonderful… a safe place for baby to play while I unpacked and got settled. It also would be nice to have a baby-proofed room (mainly outlet covers).
Baby Wipes! No matter if you are staying in a hotel, traveling on a plane or driving in a car you would be well served to have baby wipes (or sanitary wipes) on hand at all times. They are so valuable for cleaning your child’s messes that are made as well as runny noses or any other bodily function you might come across!
My best tip is about the actual activities. When you have a toddler it is a good idea to go to a place that has places for the toddler to have a good time too. Walking tours are an excellent activity. Your toddler can walk or you can push the stroller and both of you will enjoy the scenery. Botanical gardens and zoos have things that will stimulate your child and you can enjoy it too!
There is a really cool travel tray called the Snack & Play Travel Tray for car seats. It hooks to the car seat and has a tray with a lip so they can have their toys without dropping them or sliding off the tray (which often makes them upset and requires you to pick it up)!
I actually suggest you DON’T bring their favorite toy or blanket. True they are familiar with it but if you lost it you are in for a world of hurt. Instead bring a less favorite but still familiar toy, blanket, etc.
Get a small rolling suitcase for your child. They will love having a suitcase like mom and dad and will keep busy pulling it around. It helps burn off some extra energy and keeps their hands busy!
You can register your travel plans with the State Department through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov This will help people contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling.
I had posted this yesterday but didn’t see it on here so if I am repeating please disregard.
Hi there! Just found you through Jennifer James’ article and am so glad. I love your blog AND I’m headed to Hawaii for our first toddler trip. We’re staying at a Marriott and this news is EXCELLENT!! I’m going to call and see if they have this and make sure to reserve. WOW, one less thing to bring on the plane. Thanks again so much!!
We’ve travelled with the kids only once, and having their own rolling suitcase/backpack with things to do (sticker books, favorite toy, snacks, books, etc.) was a life saver.
Jen
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