Toddlers are curious, fast, and often fearless, which means bumps, scrapes, bites, and surprise messes can happen quickly. Having a toddler first aid kit ready at home or in the car can make those moments feel a little less stressful.
Pre-made first aid kits can be helpful, but they do not always include everything families need for young children. A toddler first aid kit should include basic wound-care supplies, age-appropriate medications, comfort items, and any prescriptions your child may need.
Every family is different, so think of this list as a starting point and customize it based on your child’s needs and your family’s lifestyle. Always check with your child’s physician if you have questions about medications, allergies, dosing, or your child’s specific health needs.
Key Takeaways
- A toddler first aid kit should include wound-care supplies, medications, comfort items, and emergency information.
- Keep medications in child-safe packaging and out of reach of children.
- Check expiration dates at least once a year and replace missing or expired items.
- Ask your child’s physician about medication dosing, allergies, prescriptions, and whether items like Benadryl, Dramamine, or an EpiPen are appropriate.
- For possible poisoning, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use Poison Control’s online tool. If your child collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened, call 911.
What To Do in Case of Accidental Poisoning
If you think your child may have swallowed medication, cleaning products, cosmetics, plants, or another potentially harmful substance, contact Poison Control immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
The Poison Help hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-222-1222. Poison Control experts can tell you what steps to take based on your child’s age, weight, symptoms, and the substance involved.
If your child collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened, call 911 immediately.
It is also a good idea to save the Poison Help number in your phone and keep it posted somewhere visible in your home.
Toddler First Aid Kit Checklist
This checklist includes common first aid supplies and toddler-friendly items that can help you handle minor injuries, illnesses, and unexpected messes. Store all medications safely and keep the kit out of your child’s reach.
1. First Aid Kit Container
Start by choosing a container that will hold all of your first-aid supplies and is easy to grab when you need it. It can be a backpack, a photo box, a small duffle bag, or any medium-sized container. I found this one on Amazon!
Related: What a Bloody Nose in Kids Means and How to Treat It
2. Adhesive Bandages and Elastic Bandages
Bandages are a must in every toddler first aid kit. Adhesive bandages can treat scrapes, bumps, and bruises. Ace bandages can treat sprains, strains, and larger wounds. I recommend getting all different-sized bandages.
Some even feature cartoon characters, so be sure to look for your toddler’s favorite character! Having their favorite character on a bandage can make the experience feel a little less scary. It also decreases your chances of them fighting you as you try to treat their boo-boo and increases the likelihood that you’ll keep them on. Other items to consider that go along with bandages are:
- Small Scissors: for cutting dressings to the appropriate size, cutting medical tape, opening packages, trimming fingernails and hangnails, etc.
- Sterile Gauze: both rolls and pads for big boo-boos.
- Adhesive Cloth Tape: to hold the cloth bandages together.
- Disposable Gloves: to keep wounds clean and away from infection.
3. Alcohol Wipes
Alcohol wipes are helpful for cleaning skin before removing a splinter and for sanitizing first aid tools. To clean out a wound, all you need is clean water. If you are away from home and this toddler’s first aid kit is in your car, pack a bottle of water for when you aren’t near a clean water source.
Related: How to Perform Toddler CPR
4. Hand Sanitizer
Ensure your hands are clean before handling any wound or treating any injury. A hand sanitizer gel will do the trick if you’re not near a sink. Clean hands can help reduce the risk of introducing bacteria into a wound.
5. Benadryl
Diphenhydramine, better known as Benadryl, may be helpful for some allergic reactions, insect bites, or hives, but you should ask your child’s physician whether it is appropriate for your toddler and what dose to use. If your child has known allergies, talk with your provider about what should be included in your toddler first aid kit.
If your provider recommends keeping it on hand, include the children’s liquid form or generic equivalent and an oral syringe so you can measure the dose accurately.
6. Hydrocortisone Ointment
This inexpensive over-the-counter medication will treat almost anything that itches—insect bites, rashes, poison ivy, etc. If you stop the itch, the kids won’t scratch, reducing the risk of secondary infection.
7. Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen
Again, most pre-made kits include these medications. However, you will have to add the liquid form for your toddler. These medications are suitable for pain relief and fevers.
Related: Fever in Babies: A Parent’s Guide and Treatment Tips
8. Numbing Spray
Ask your child’s physician before using any numbing spray or topical pain-relief product on a toddler. Some products may not be appropriate for young children, depending on the active ingredient, your child’s age, and how they are used.
9. Aloe Vera Gel and Sun Protection
Aloe vera gel can be helpful for soothing mild sunburns and irritated skin. To avoid this altogether, we recommend keeping at least SPF 30 sunscreen and some bug spray with you.
10. Prescription Medication
If this toddler first aid kit is for your car, ask your child’s physician for an extra prescription for any medication your child uses frequently.
This is especially necessary if your child has asthma or any allergies. Having an extra supply available can save time if your child needs medication while you’re away from home.
11. Epinephrine Auto-Injector
If your child has a history of severe allergic reactions or has been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector, keep one in your toddler first aid kit and make sure it has not expired. If you’re unsure whether your child needs one, talk with your physician.
12. Motion Sickness or Nausea Medication
Are you planning a long family road trip and afraid your toddler might get car sick? Ask your child’s physician whether a motion sickness medication is appropriate before adding one to your toddler first aid kit. If your child is prone to motion sickness, having an approved medication available can make long trips more comfortable for everyone.
13. Thermometer
A thermometer is one of the most useful tools to keep in a toddler first aid kit. You can probably tell if your toddler has a fever just by placing the back of your hand on your child’s forehead. However, doctors prefer specific temperatures and details, so include a thermometer (ear or oral) in your toddler first aid kit.
Related: How to Take a Baby’s Temperature
14. Instant Cold Packs
Applying cold packs can be so helpful for aches and pains. I also like to have some reusable cold compresses stored in the freezer.
15. Pre-made Finger Splint
Little fingers can get slammed and jammed pretty easily. If unsure whether their finger is broken, place it in a pre-made finger splint and then head to the doctor. This will help your child protect it while in transit.
16. Saline Spray and Nasal Suction Device
Most kids hate the “snot sucker,” but it’s a good idea to have one until your child is old enough to blow their nose. Saline and suction can help loosen mucus and improve your child’s breathing.
17. Tweezers and Small Magnifying Glass
Tweezers are good to have for removing splinters and glass shards from stepped-on areas. It can also be helpful to remove bugs from ears, fishing hooks from fingers, etc.
For ticks, follow your provider’s or local health department’s guidance. The CDC recommends using clean, fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible and pull away from the skin with steady, even pressure.1
18. Zip-Top Bags
Dental injuries can happen, so keep a few zip-top bags in your toddler first aid kit to track any teeth that fall out or are knocked out. If you find a tick or bug on your child or in their ear, place it in a zip-lock bag so you can identify it later. Some bugs carry more severe diseases than others.
19. Baby Wipes
No matter your child’s age, wipes are always helpful to have around. Even for cleaning hands or wiping noses, wipes are great, especially when boo-boos happen.
20. Lip Balm
Lips can also get chapped and burned while playing outside. Keep some lip balm to soothe chapped, cold-sore, injured, or sunburned lips.
21. Oral Rehydration Solution or Electrolyte Drink
An oral rehydration solution or electrolyte drink may be helpful in some situations, especially during illness or after vomiting, but ask your child’s physician what they recommend for your toddler.
22. Flashlight and Batteries
If you don’t have a reliable light on your cell phone, include an LED flashlight or headlamp. A flashlight is not just for nighttime injuries—you’ll need a bright light to get a good look at splinters or look in kids’ mouths, ears, and noses. And make sure you have some batteries so your flashlight will always work.
Related: How to Recognize If Your Child Has a Concussion
Where To Keep a Toddler First Aid Kit
If you can only assemble one toddler first aid kit, I recommend keeping it in your car. You’ll never be without it, whether at home or away, and you will always know where it is. You will never have to remember to pack it when leaving home, which is another perk. If you have more than one family car, I recommend making another toddler first aid kit for each vehicle. And if you want another one for the home, even better.
When To Restock a Toddler First Aid Kit
A toddler first aid kit does not have to be expensive, and you do not need to buy everything at once. Start with the basics, then add items that make sense for your child’s age, health needs, allergies, and your family’s routines.
Check your kit at least once a year, replace expired medications, and restock anything you have used. A little preparation now can make those inevitable toddler bumps, scrapes, and sick days feel much less stressful when they happen.
