20 Best Stroller Accessories for Travel

A universal rain cover is definitely on my list of "must have stroller accessories". I've learned through experience that a rain cover can do a lot more than just protect your baby from the rain. Rain covers are excellent for blocking wind too, so they can keep your little one toasty and warm in the travel stroller.

A universal option works for most strollers, but you can always check if your stroller brand has one specific for that stroller.

Some of my recommended airplane travel strollers already come with rain covers like the ErgoBaby Metro+ stroller, Inglesina Quid travel stroller and the Mompush Lithe travel stroller.

Similarly, depending on where and when you decide to travel with your baby or toddler, a mosquito net can be a life saver! The last thing you want is for your baby to get covered in mosquito bites.

Mosquito nets are relatively cheap, small to pack and almost always have a universal fit. This is another excellent option since it also works over a travel crib, car seat or pack n' play.

Some of the ultra-lightweight toddler travel strollers don't come with the best sun shades. While they are excellent for indoor use or for the airport, you don't want your toddler to be in the hot sun all day. Plus, you'll have the best chance to get your baby or toddler to nap on-the-go if you can provide a darker sleeping environment.

Everyone can use a little help getting babies to sleep on vacation!

The best stroller sun shades will be well ventilated, 100% breathable and offer not only protection from the sun but even create a dark area for your baby or toddler to sleep.

Depending on your needs, you can get a CoziGo stroller sun shade which meets all the above criteria. However, if you just need to provide a little extra shade then this one is a good option.

See also my 11 Must Have Items to Help Babies Sleep on Vacation

Most strollers don't come with pockets up near the stroller handles where us parents might want to keep things we want in easy reach (for example, I love to have my phone up there). This is especially true on travel strollers that are lightweight and have minimal storage.

We also want to avoid continually stopping to reach down into the storage basket under the seat for things (which become far less accessible when the seat is reclined).

Enter the stroller organizer! The best stroller organizers will have cup holders and a pocket to store some essentials. You can even find stroller organizers with two insulated cup holders - perfect for holding a coffee while out sightseeing early in the morning!

In my experience, a stroller organizer is one of the best stroller accessories available, especially for cities where you'll be walking around with the stroller a lot.

Just don't leave anything valuable in your stroller!

If your travel stroller doesn't come with a cup holder and you'd prefer not to use a full stroller organizer, you can buy a universal cup holder to hold a coffee or a water bottle. I love this universal cup holder which also has a phone holder.

A stroller bag is great for airplane travel whether you are gate checking your stroller or checking it with your luggage. The best travel stroller bag for checking your stroller with your luggage is one that will offer your stroller some protection.

If you are gate checking your stroller, a smaller gate check bag will work fine.

Some strollers come with their own stroller travel bag, like the Mountain Buggy Nano.

For more selection, see my list of the best travel stroller bags.

When traveling, I've found that regular diaper bags can be a pain to carry on your shoulder all day long and chances are that you might not be able to fit it in the bottom storage basket of your travel stroller (depending on the size). Or it might be difficult to access once your baby is asleep in the stroller with the seat fully reclined.

Secondly, once you gate check your stroller at the airport you'll need your hands free to handle your baby or toddler.

I've found that a diaper bag backpack is a much more convenient option for travel and while it isn't specifically a stroller accessory, it does make life easier whether you travel with a stroller or not.

Rather than looking around for a place to change your baby, recline the seat of your stroller and make use of this area! A baby travel change mat is easy to carry in the storage basket of your stroller for exactly this!

You can even toss a diaper change clutch like this one into the bottom of your stroller and have everything you need in one place.

A stroller fan won't be necessary for all destinations, but if you are headed on an all-inclusive vacation with a baby (for example) then this is a great way to help keep your baby cool in the stroller. In fact, a portable fan is one of my baby beach essentials.

You could take your travel stroller poolside or right down onto the beach. When it's time to nap, your baby can be in the stroller with the fan on.

A stroller fan isn't just for the beach! It will also works for other places to travel with a baby, especially when sightseeing on hot days. I see these stroller fans everywhere at theme parks.

The best infant travel strollers will have a full recline, but an infant head support can help keep your baby in the right position.

Some of the best travel strollers, like the Mountain Buggy Nano and the BabyZen YOYO have the option of using an infant cocoon that converts the stroller into a fully reclined stroller for newborns.

Stroller hooks are great for using your stroller to carry extra bags. You put them on your stroller handles, then you can use them to hold your diaper bag when you stop at a cafe or hold shopping bags as you walk back to your hotel room.

While they aren't an absolute must for travel, stroller hooks can be convenient to have. Besides they are easy to pack and relatively inexpensive.

A stroller toy or two is worth having with you to keep your baby entertained. In this instance it's best to have a baby travel toy that you can attach to the stroller so you don't lose it. We all know how babies like to toss things out of the stroller.

I also love these baby travel mobiles for the stroller when on-the-go!

A lightweight muslin cotton blanket is easy to toss in your stroller so you can keep your baby cozy. I love traveling with these cozy blankets so much as they are so versatile. I've even written a post about the many travel uses for aden and anais swaddle blankets.

If your travel stroller doesn't have a snack tray, a cup holder to hold a travel sippy cup would be useful. I'll warn you now, the sippy cup is likely to get tossed out of the stroller at least a few times!

For older babies and toddlers, having a snack tray is well worth it. You can feed your toddler while you walk or it makes an excellent place for your toddler to play with some small toys.

Most travel strollers don't come with a snack tray, but you could consider a universal one that might work well.

Read these practical tips for managing baby food while traveling.

Toddlers won't want to sit in a stroller all day as they love to walk and move around.

For older toddlers and children who might still need a break from walking, a ride-on-board is an excellent way to give your toddler a break from walking.

A baby carrier for travel is an excellent stroller accessory. When I travel, I always have one with us in the bottom of the stroller. There are several reasons why you'll want to bring one as an add-on to your travel stroller:

• If you gate check your stroller, you'll still have a way to carry your baby.
• Some babies will sleep better in the carrier.
• If you get to an attraction that isn't stroller friendly, you can put your baby in the carrier and park your stroller.
• If you are traveling with a baby and a toddler, you can travel with a single stroller. Your toddler is likely to want to walk. When your toddler gets tired, you can use a toddler carrier to carry your toddler or put your baby in the carrier and let your toddler ride in the stroller.

A warm footmuff or bunting bag will be a must for keeping your baby or toddler warm and cozy in your stroller and one of my must-haves for winter travel with babies and toddlers.

A rain cover is also a must to keep those cold winds and snow off your baby.

Make sure to take care of yourself as well. These parent warmmuffs are perfect for parents traveling to a cold destination with a stroller! Keep those hands toasty warm!