Traveling with kids is hard, but when it comes to what you need to pack, I think traveling with babies and toddlers is harder. Now that my kids are older, packed travel necessities like cribs, high chairs, and diapers have been replaced by scooters and favorite stuffed animals, so our car seems to have much more room to spare. It wasn’t always this way, of course, and packing for even the shortest weekend getaway would mean a precarious, barely there view out the back window of our car.
My husband and I learned the beauty of having baby gear at Grandma and Grandpa’s house on our first cross-country flight to visit my parents. We brought our car seat and bottles for our 5-month-old daughter, but everything else my mom had set up for us. We’d sent my mom our formula brand and daughter’s diaper size ahead of time, which she bought at her local grocery store. Plus, my mom borrowed a portable crib, bouncy seat, and some baby toys from her friend, a fellow grandma, so we didn’t have to schlep everything through the airport. I was so grateful to have everything we needed right there.
Whether you have to drive down the road or fly across state lines to visit grandparents, we thought it would help to put together a list of baby essentials to have at a grandparent’s house so you don’t have to pack them. And we chose portable options or basic models to make it easy to store items away in between visits. This list can also be helpful for in-town grandparents who wonder, “Why don’t you visit more often?” You might consider forwarding them this list as a gentle hint. Read on for a list of baby and toddler gear essentials to keep at grandparents’ houses for stress-free visits.
For Transportation
Nuna
If Grandma and Grandpa are part of your pick-up and drop-off team, this car seat and stroller combo is a total game changer. The base-free installation makes it incredibly easy for parents and caregivers alike—no extra bases to buy, no complicated setup, and no stress when plans shift. Paired with an ultra-lightweight 11.3 lb stroller frame that’s simple for anyone to lift and maneuver, this system is the definition of grandparent-friendly convenience.
Nuna
Already own a PIPA car seat? Just grab the flex system frame and PIPA series adapter to complete your stroller combo. And if your little one spends a lot of time at their grandparents’ home, consider grabbing an extra stroller frame to keep there full-time. With the Flex System Frame plus the PIPA Series Adapter, anyone can seamlessly snap the car seat in and out without juggling your main stroller—making outings, walks, and quick errands smoother for everyone.
For Sleep
Graco
You can never go wrong with a Pack ‘N Play. This great option can go from a bassinet for baby to nap in to a portable crib and playpen in a matter of seconds.
Hatch
The new noises of a different space can be distracting and may make it difficult for baby to fall asleep. This portable white noise machine is great for drowning out anything that could prevent your little one from resting peacefully.
Amazon
If your little one is staying in a particularly bright room at their grandparents’ house, this black-out curtain is a great option for blocking out the sun and helping them sleep better.
Amazon | VTech
Help put a grandparent’s mind at ease by getting them this easy-to-use video baby monitor for their home when your littles visit.
For Feeding
Target | The First Years
This compact bottle warmer and sterilizer heats milk or baby food quickly and evenly, taking the guesswork out of late-night or on-the-go feedings. With its built-in sterilization feature and small footprint, it’s an easy, clutter-free essential to keep at the grandparents’ house.
Amazon | Inglesina
It’s no secret that little ones don’t travel light. Instead of packing their usual high chair to take with to a grandparent’s house, consider this portable option that is lightweight and can be added onto any counter or table.
Amazon | CLCROBD
Speaking of high chairs, babies get messy when they eat. Help with the clean-up process with this splat mat that catches all the mess and is easy to clean.
Amazon | Munlinder
As a parent, you probably know how big of a difference it makes to pack even one less thing. This is another great set to keep at a grandparent’s house so your little one always has the utensils they need.
For Bath Time & Diaper Changes
Amazon | Frida Baby
We love this bath tub because it grows with baby. It can be either a seat or a full tub depending on baby’s age, making bath time much more enjoyable and easier for everyone.
Amazon | Burt’s Bees Baby
A set of baby-friendly towels for to keep at their grandparents’ house, again, means one less thing for you to pack—and that makes all the difference.
Amazon | Aveeno Baby
We all know how important it can be to use products that agree with your little one’s skin, so another great option to consider for bath time is a set of all of baby’s favorite products.
Amazon | Skip Hop
Make changing time as easy as possible for grandma or grandpa with this easy-to-clean changing pad.
For Safety
Target | Safety 1st
We all spent hours babyproofing our homes, but we may have forgotten the other places our little ones would be spending time. This safety essentials kit makes babyproofing the grandparents’ house for safety super easy.
Amazon | Perma Child Safety
Speaking of babyproofing, these easy-to-use (and install!) retractable gates are great to add to any home.
Amazon | Frida Baby
The Ultimate Baby Kit is the all-in-one must-have for new parents—it bundles smart, hospital-grade essentials so you don’t have to hunt around for newborn basics. Compact and easy to store at your parents’ house, it’s a “grab-and-go” lifesaver that makes diaper changes, bath time, and everyday care simple no matter who’s in charge.
For Play
Target | Baby Delight
We want baby and their grandparents to be as comfortable as possible during their time together. This portable bouncer is great for the grandparents to have on hand for playtime or when it’s time to relax.
Amazon | Blissful Diary
There’s nothing quite like sensory toys to keep little ones entertained. This is a great affordable, and portable option to keep on hand at grandma and grandpa’s house—plus, it folds up for easy storage.
Babylist
If grandparents don’t have space for a full picture book library, this starter set of classic titles for baby would make a perfect gift.
Amazon | Regalo
This lightweight play yard is a safe option for little ones to play in while parents or grandparents get things done. Plus, it can be used inside or outside!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
Kathy Sisson has been a key contributor in the editorial parenting space for eight years, not only as a full-time editor at The Everymom but previously as a freelance writer for top parenting sites, including Scary Mommy, Motherly, Parent Co., and more. As an editor at The Everymom, she has produced hundreds of articles on a range of parenting topics, reviewed dozens of family-focused products, interviewed leading experts in the children and parenting world, and created viral parenting social media content. A mom of two, she is committed to sharing the honest, helpful, and often humorous stories of motherhood.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
McKenna Pringle, Branded Content Editorial Assistant
As the Branded Content Editorial Assistant, McKenna collaborates with our sales team by creating both written and social media content, collecting and analyzing performance data to report back to our partners, and assisting our editors with their everyday tasks to ensure a smooth and productive process.
This post contains a sponsored inclusion of Nuna, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board.
