Thriving with a young child while exploring new landscapes might seem daunting, but it’s absolutely doable. Our choice to journey through Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam wasn’t made on a whim; it was a conscious decision to introduce our little one to the world’s vast wonders from an early age. We had already spent some time in India, where we really got bitten by the travel bug, we new that we wanted to explore, see and experience so much more.
Although this post is focused on South East Asia, the information I share is adaptable for any location. I really hope that you can take some pointers from our experience that will assist you in your own family travels.
Packing for Three: Tips for Traveling Light with a Little One
When it comes to backpacking with a toddler, it’s not just about fitting everything into a bag; it’s also about ensuring you have what you need to keep your little one happy and comfortable.
I’m going to share how we managed to pack our lives into two large rucksacks, a back pack and a Trunki for a family of three. We were going travelling for 3 months from January to March. At this time of year we knew the places we were visiting would be hot so there was no need to pack bulky jumpers/tracksuits etc. This, however, turned out to not be completely true, we were definitely not prepared for the climate in the Sapa Mountains in Vietnam!
Its a good idea to invest in the most lightweight, durable, waterproof and comfortable rucksack you can find. We opted for one extra large 75L backpack and a smaller 40L backpack. This was just about enough for the three of us, along with our smaller ruck sack and the Trunki! The large backpack we had came with a detachable day bag. Super handy for storing, snacks, drinks, and a change of clothes for a day out. This being said, by the end of the 3 months we did by an additional carry on suitcase to accommodate all the additional souvenirs, toys (including a very interesting doll that cried loudly every time you took its dummy out!) and clothes we had brought throughout our journey.
Your packing list is going to include some essentials for your toddler, things like sunscreen, hats and medicine/first aid kit. The rest is made up of light clothing, a spare pair of shoes/sandals, toys and tech. Whilst packing these things is of course important, it is also good to know that pretty much anywhere you travel to these days you are able to pick up most items you need. Some of our favourite memories are of shopping in the local shops/markets for the things we needed, and ending up buying things we didn’t need!
I can tell you this: you’re going to find out that their stuff will take up more space than yours. To manage this, pack clothes that layer easily and can handle a few wears. Vacuum-seal bags or packing cubes can be a lifesaver for saving space and keeping dirty laundry separate.
The key is to start with the basics and stay flexible. Remember, every kilo counts when you’re carrying it on your back, and your toddler won’t be traveling light!
As for the fairy herself, we bought a Boba carrier which we used ALOT! There is a fantastic range of toddler carriers out there and it was truly a lifesaver whilst travelling around. She loved being in the carrier and would often fall asleep whilst we were plodding around the markets or walking to find a restaurant for dinner.
Charting the Uncharted: Developing Our Itinerary as We Travel
You’re going to find out about how our family embraced the fluidity of travel, especially with a toddler in tow. Setting a fixed itinerary in stone wouldn’t have suited the pace and unpredictability that comes with a young child. Flexibility was our mantra, knowing that naps, snacks, and play could dictate our schedule as much as any landmark or attraction.
We had to consider our toddler’s needs when planning our days. It meant allowing for a generous amount of downtime and finding pockets of joy for our little one, like including parks with playgrounds in our city explorations or picking a beach day over a visit to a temple. Traveling with a toddler means their entertainment is as paramount as our sightseeing.
Its also good to know that sometimes, the best-laid plans can change. We knew we wanted to visit Thailand first, travel up and into Lao, cross over to Vietnam and then spend the final month on an Island back in Thailand. But we often stayed in a place longer than intended to join in on local festivities, we especially enjoyed being in Hoi An for Tet (Vietnamese New Year). The serendipity of these moments became some of the most memorable parts of our adventure.
Most of the time our decision making was based on how easy we could get to the next city/destination, how long it would take to get there and how much it is going to cost us. Booking accommodation last minute is pretty easy especially with sights like booking.com and airbnb. We encountered a few issues when booking transport to the next destination, we ended up having to stay an extra day in Chang Mai (not necessarily a bad thing) because there were no busses available on the day we wanted to leave. However, on the hole booking last minute trains/busses and sometimes planes is not all that difficult to achieve.
Reflections from the Road: Lessons Learned Over Three Months
Now, I’m going to share with you what we learned during our three months backpacking across South East Asia with our toddler in tow. This isn’t just about the places we’ve seen; it’s also about how we’ve grown as a family, and how our child has blossomed in unexpected ways.
First, let me tell you, adapting to travel with a toddler isn’t always easy, but it’s rewarding. Balance is everything, when choosing your next destination think about what you as an adult want to do or see and mix it with some child friendly places as well. Personally, I feel travelling with a small child (the fairy was 3 when we went on this adventure) is easier than travelling with older children. It is such a great age as they are curious and open to new things but are still just as happy sitting on a beach building a sand castle. As long as they are with you, this is all they need.
Slow travel turned out to be our best decision. We immersed ourselves in each place, which opened up unique opportunities for cultural experiences. The fairy learned new words, tasted new foods, and even made local friends. These interactions were not only heart warming but made a positive impact on our little one’s social skills.
Regarding getting around, we used pretty much every mode of transport available during our 3 month trip. This included planes, trains and overnight buses. For our day to day travel we would usually hire a scooter as my husband is a very safe rider and has been riding bikes for over 30 years. If you are not confident when riding a scooter, especially if you are with your child, you can always use taxis/tuk tuks and busses to get around. It is always good to speak with the people at your accommodation who will be more than happy to help you.
To be honest some overnight busses were pretty hairy and I would end up on a high bunk/bed clinging on to the fairy! Needless to say I didn’t get much sleep on those journeys!!
We really wanted to immerse ourselves in the local culture of these amazing countries and chose destinations that were not always on the tourist trail. But it is totally up to you where you choose to visit, for how long and your reasons behind going there.
I really hope that our experiences can inspire other parents to take the plunge into family backpacking. I truly believe the beauty of travel, especially with your children, lies in the unexpected moments—the messy, unplanned, and utterly memorable times that truly make the journey worthwhile.