Traveling with a toddler is not the easiest thing in the world. You need lightweight, versatile gear, plenty of snacks, and LOTS of distractions. In your haste to prevent airport and airplane freakouts, you might forget to make eco-conscious choices. We’re here to help, with the essential green kit for traveling with toddlers.
1. Want to carry a squirming 25-plus-pound child (what feels like) several miles to your departure gate? No? Then you’re going to need a foldable lightweight stroller. This one contains no lead, phthalates or PVC. It stores upright for easy gate-checking.
2. Staying at child-free friends’ or family members’ house? Bring a portable high chair. Choose one that folds down small when you’re not using it, and attaches to a table rather than standing on its own legs, otherwise it’ll be impossible to carry easily. Make sure any plastic on the high chair is listed as being BPA- and phthalate-free, and that any paint on steel frames is non-toxic.
3. Need a clean, green surface to change diapers while traveling, and don’t trust the cleanliness of the airplane changing table? Check out the Kalencom Quick Change Kit. It folds out into a changing pad, and includes a wipes case. There are two pockets to store fresh diapers, or dirty ones if you use cloth or aren’t near a trashcan. Kalencom kits are colored with AZO-free dye, and their easy-to-clean plastic surfaces are phthalate-free.
4. Wipes are essential, not only for changing diapers and cleaning food-covered faces, but also for cleaning potentially grimy surfaces your toddler will touch, such as the airplane tray table. Don’t bring separate cleaning wipes: make your regular baby wipes do double duty, and you’ll save room in your carry-on bag. Choose alcohol- and chlorine-free wipes, and if you and your toddler like scented wipes, try to ensure the fragrance comes from essential oils rather than chemicals.
5. Spill, diaper accident or other toddler-related mess? Cloth diaper user? (Bravo for keeping sposies out of the landfill!) You’ll need a wet bag to store soiled clothes or used diapers. These waterproof bags separate dirty or wet things from the rest of the items in your diaper bag or carry-on bag. Some are made of water-resistant polyurethane-lined fabric, which makes them non-biodegradable. However, PUL fabric is safe, and it’s still better to use these bags than to use plastic and toss it away, especially if you’re traveling and might not have a place to recycle a plastic bag. Wet bags are machine-washable and can be used many times, so even if you’ve got one that’s made of PUL fabric, you’re being more eco-conscious than if you stored dirty items in a paper or plastic sack. This being said, make sure you pick a wet bag that’s PVC-free.
6. Worried the little one will go stir-crazy on the plane? Stock up on some new books and toys. Parental wisdom dictates that if your toddler hasn’t seen or played with something before, it’s more likely to hold his or her interest. You don’t have to buy new things: arrange a toy and book swap with a parent of a similar-aged kid. If you do decide to hit the toy store, try to find books printed on recycled paper – even better, choose books about recycling and being kind to the earth! Toy-wise, pick up stuff that will fit easily in your carryon, and that can be used over and over again. Try the Aquadoodle, a water-based drawing tablet that saves paper by featuring two reusable drawing surfaces. Sprig Toys, Haba, Melissa and Doug, and Plan Toys are just a few of the most environmentally conscious, kid-safe toy brands on the market today.
7. Exhausted upon arrival at your destination? Put Junior to bed, and relax with a nice glass of sustainably grown wine. You deserve it.
