What to pack for Italy: must-have FREE printable summer packing list for toddlers

Pack smart with our essential summer packing list for toddlers, perfect for Italian summers. Must have and nice to have for your family summer vacation in Italy, plus what you can easily source on location.

The toddlers years are the most ‘gear intensive’ when it comes to packing for travel.

Between strollers, car sear, entertainment and changing essentials, it is often hard to even leave the house, let along going on a trip, without feeling you need all your belonging with you even just to get through the day.

As a mom who had two under two let me tell you, I know very well how daunting packing for a toddler can be!

However, after a first disastrous packing attempt, I have learned that there are ways to pack lighter than expected with toddlers and, in particular, if you are heading to Italy with a toddler in summer, you may find you truly do not need to bring much with you at all.

I have traveled around Italy in summer with littles ones extensively and I have eventually streamlines a packing lists for summer in Italy with toddlers that has helped me have all my essentials and still be able to move around in comfort.

Today, I am happy to share it with you. I hope you find it useful!

How to use this list – need to know

You do not need to pack all the items on this list.

Depending on your setup once in Italy, you may not need a crib (they are often provided, if asked in advance), you may not need a car seat or a a high chair.

I have, however, included them in the list so that you are sure to take a moment to mentally tick off all your arrangements for essential needs such as sleep / feeding time / changing time.

In the case of toiletries and toddlers essentials, I recommend you pack for the first couple of days and they buy on location, unless you have needs for specific brands that may not exist in Italy.

You can find here >>> where to buy toddler essentials in Italy

In Italy, you can buy over the counter medications and higher end baby products in Pharmacies – Farmacie.

Please note that standard pharmacies are not able to fulfill prescriptions from abroad.

If you have prescriptions medications you need, make sure you bring them from home, with all relevant documentations (prescriptions), if needed for flying / customs.

You can read this list on this page or you can download it in PDF for free HERE.

Toddlers’ packing list for summer in Italy – documents

>> Passport

>> Visa / Travel Authorization (as needed)

>> Birth cert / proof of guardianship / authorization to travel from the other parent (if needed)

Travel gear

>> Toddler carrier (soft structured for city sightseeing / hiking carriers for the mountains)

>> Stroller

>> Car seat

>> Travel Pillow

>> Travel Toys / Entertainment

>> Travel Snacks

>> Blanky / Comforter

Eating out gear

>> High chair / harness. Lately, it has become very common for restaurants to have high chairs. However, they are often without straps, for cleaning reasons.

It can therefore be handy to bring a universal chair harness, to secure to standard restaurant chairs.

>> Toddlers’ sippy cup / bibs / cutlery. Restaurants in Italy do not usually offer plastic or paper cups / cutlery for children. If your toddler is used to their own setup, it can be useful to carry your own with you.

>> Bottles

Sleeping

>> Crib / Cot Please note that in Italy we use these terms interchangeably as they both translate into the italian ‘culla’ or ‘lettino’. The most common type of baby bed offered is a travel crib / pack ‘n’ play

>> Blackout blinds (rentals may not be equipped with them. Hotels usually are)

>> Sleeping companion (teddy etc)

Toiletries

>> Diaper change essentials, including a good changing mat.

Good to know! It is useful to know that in Italy restrooms usually are not equipped with changing stations, yo only really find them in the better restrooms such as those in museums. I recommend a good changing mat and plenty of wipes for changes on the go (on the stroller, on the grass etc). You can read here >> All about bathrooms in Italy.

>> Toddler toothbrush and toothpaste

>> Toddler wash / shampoo (you can also buy on location but won’t be provided by the accommodation)

>> Toddler sunscreen (sold in pharmacies and supermarkets in Italy)

>> Toddler safe mosquito repellent: a must pretty much everywhere in Italy in summer!

Medications and first aid

>> Fully stocked first aid kit for wounds etc

>> Essential medications you use at home including prescription medication, anti fever remedies etc

>> Allergy card for restaurants (if relevant)

Summer Clothing

>> Toddler onesies / baby grow (short sleeves / sleeveless)

>> Shorts / skirt / dress

>> Short sleeve tops

>> Toddler sweater

>> Long pants

>> Socks

>> Comfy walking shoes / sandals

>> Swimsuit

>> Pajama

>> Cute outfit for a family vacation photo shoot

>> Outer layer if heading up the Dolomites (light jacket)

Accessories

>> Toddler sunglasses

>> Toddler Sunhat

>> Life jacket – this is not necessarily easy to source on location. I strongly recommend to pack your own.

>> Water shoes – many Italian beaches have pebbles!

>> Pacifier

>> Stroller sun shade

>> Stroller fan

Toys and entertainment

Some ideas that work well on travel are:

>> Coloring books

>> Sticker books

>> Magic boards

>> Card games

>> Magnetic games

>> Sensory books

>> Ipad with toddler apps / games / cartoons (I recommend to also get toddler safe, wireless, volume controlled headphones)

>> Teddy / blanky

Day Bag and Luggage

I find the easiest way to travel with toddler is with backpacks + a small rolling bag. The backpacks allow to traveling hands free, holding your child hand and pushing the stroller.

The rolling bag is useful for your kids’ essentials and the extra space for diapers etc.

I find the best changing bag on travels is a normal day-pack backpack (no need for anything specific).

We have always given our toddlers a small backpack to carry themselves with their cuddly toy, a snack (rice cakes work well for us and are light to carry) and a travel toy.

I hope this quick toddler packing list for Italy in summer was useful. Safe travels!

Italy summer packing list for toddlers : pin this!