Travelling Europe with kids looks dreamy in photos… but the reality is a hilarious mix of bliss, chaos, gelato bribery, and snack negotiations. Our trip through Dubai, Greece, Italy, Portugal and France was unforgettable — but not because it was perfect. It worked because we were prepared, flexible, and we brought the right gear to travel with a four year old and an (almost) one year old.

If you’re planning a Europe trip with toddlers or young kids, here’s everything that truly helped us survive (and enjoy!) long flights, cobblestones, ferries, late dinners and those “I need a snack now” moments.

This is your mum-approved, tested-in-real-life guide.

The toys that saved our flights (and my sanity)

Long-haul flights with little kids are no joke. Screens are great until they’re not, snacks disappear in two minutes, and suddenly you’re 11 hours from home with a restless preschooler and crying baby.

What genuinely worked was a little stash of “emergency entertainment” from Amazon. These toys came out at airports, hotel lobbies, train stations, gelato queues, and every time we just needed five quiet minutes.

I’ve put all the toys we used (plus some extras that are perfect for travelling Europe with little kids) into one list: Amazon Kids Travel Toys: https://amzn.to/4acUgxA

Since Bella was a baby we’ve LOVED the open-ended, tactile toys from Lovevery. They’re made for your kids EXACT age, they’re compact, quiet, beautifully made and actually hold attention longer than 30 seconds — the dream. We packed a few of their travel friendly toys such as the Montessori Animal Match & Drawstring Bag (a crowd favourite),  First Sewing Kit and a couple of their books to keep the kids entertained throughout the trip.

Next, we created a fantastic activity folder for our preschooler with textas, colouring and educational activity books. She LOVED this and it came in handy over and over again, not just for the long haul flights but those moments when we needed a quite moment to pack, cook or just relax at the AirBNB.

The bag that carried my life: Huddo Co Anywhere Travel Bundle

The Anywhere Travel Bundle from Huddo Co was basically our “parent-mission control” across Europe. It’s not just a bag—it’s the bag that saved us from chaos.

Here’s why it stands out (and why I’ll never travel without one again):

• Revolutionary side-access with custom shelving system: I couldn’t tell you how many times I just reached for the wipes or snacks while the kids were still strapped in and we were on the move.
• Quick-access wipes dispenser: Emergencies happen (ahem, watermelon … every where). Having quick access saved my sanity more times than I can count.
• Insulated drink/snack pocket: Kept my toddler’s yoghurt cool and my snack stash within reach while we’re strolling through cobblestoned lanes.
• Device tech pocket + water bottle holders: Because yes, the adult needs options too—charger, iPad, XL water bottle.
• Durable, sustainable materials: Waterproof recycled interior and exterior materials, odour-proof pocket for mess times, and design that’s chic enough for my IG feed.
• Pram straps, change mat, reusable wipes case included: All the tiny extras that make travel smoother when you’ve got two little ones in tow.

In short: this bag fits snacks, wipes, spare clothes, emergency toys, passports, the “why did I pack this?” item—and still looks polished in day-to-day life.

The stroller that conquered Europe’s cobblestones

Europe is cobblestone city, and not all strollers survive it. The Stokke YoYo absolutely delivered — lightweight, overhead-bin friendly, one-hand fold, and tough enough for all the stairs across Greece and Italy!

It gave us pram naps (sacred), easier walking days, and zero arguments with airport staff. Best of all, the toddler board was a massive saviour for those “I can’t walk!” meltdowns.

Booking accommodation that actually works with kids

One of the biggest game-changers for travelling Europe with little ones was choosing accommodation in the centre of everything. When you’re within walking distance of landmarks, restaurants and major train stations, you can actually pop back to your room for naps, lunch breaks, outfit changes or a reset when things go sideways — which, let’s be honest, they will.

We booked everything through Booking.com or AirBnB because the filters make it so easy to find exactly what families need.

Here’s what made the biggest difference for us:

Central location: Being close meant we could return for naps instead of wrestling overtired children through crowds. It also makes early mornings and late nights way less stressful.

A kitchen or kitchenette: For the breakfasts, snacks, pasta emergencies anytime of the day! Having a kitchen saves money, saves meltdowns, and saves you from relying on restaurant schedules. In Europe, this can be tricky as a lot of places do dinner really late!

Separate bedrooms (if budget allows): Life-changing. Kids sleep, adults decompress. No whisper-fights in the dark. No hiding in the bathroom scrolling your phone.

Filter for accomodation with cots: You’d be surprised how many offer free travel cots. We always had one for the entire 7 week trip. No need to purchase and lug a travel cot!

A balcony: This is my #1 hack. While the kids nap, you get your own moment — coffee, wine, sunlight, breathing space. A balcony turns nap time into a tiny holiday inside the holiday.

Extra survival tips that genuinely helped

Move slower than you think you need to — two outings a day max.
Book transfers mid-morning (11–12pm) to avoid rushed wake-ups. Sleep is sacred, especially on holidays!
Never underestimate the power of snacks — they’re currency. Always have at least 3 options.
Stay central so you can pop back for naps or downtime.
If your itinerary falls apart, congratulations, you’re travelling with kids.

Final thoughts

Travelling Europe with kids is messy, funny, exhausting and absolutely magical. It’s not the same as pre-kids travel — but in some ways it’s better. You see the world through their eyes, you find joy in the simple moments, and you create the kind of memories you talk about for years.

With realistic expectations and the right gear, it becomes a trip you’ll treasure forever.