Traveling with twin toddlers might sound overwhelming, but with the right mindset—and the right gear—it can actually be enjoyable, memorable, and yes, even relaxing.

As a twin parent, I’ve learned that preparation is everything, especially when you’re hitting the road with little ones in tow. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or a week-long summer escape, our family road trips have become easier and more fun thanks to a few key strategies and products we never leave home without.

Our Recent Family Trip to Pigeon Forge, TN

Recently, we packed up our family SUV with my husband and twin 4 year olds in tow, and drove from Dallas, Texas all the way to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. That is a 12 hour and 36 minute trip, but for us, we turned it into a two-day drive. We like to split up the drive when our kids are this little so that it’s more bearable for all of us.

We stopped halfway in Memphis (technically Germantown, TN – I do not recommend staying directly in Memphis. Just search the crime rates and you’ll know why). We stayed at a Courtyard Marriott which had good amenities and two queen beds.

TIP: When our girls were smaller and still slept in pack n plays, I would always book a hotel that offered King bed suites. (Drury Inn and Suites are actually amazing and are pretty common along most road trip routes). They provide enough space for us to spread out and set up both pack n plays.

As the girls have grown, I will either book (depending on reviews) a hotel room with a King bed and sofa bed for them, or two standard queens. Now that they no longer need pack n plays, I either pack two medium-sized pool noodles (not the normal skinny kind you see everywhere) or roll up two blankets they might have there, to shove underneath the fitted sheets to create a bed rail so they don’t roll out.

Now back to our trip!

Pigeon Forge is excellent for families. They have an endless amount of attractions to enjoy. We didn’t even see everything we wanted to and we were there an entire week!

Our Top Favorite Things To Do in Pigeon Forge with our Twins:

• Dollywood (check out their Pre-K Imagination Pass for kids to get in for FREE!)
• Pigeon Forge Snow (indoor snow tubing park)
• Pirates Voyage Dinner Show (the girls LOVED getting their faces painted and dressing up like mermaids during the pre-show activities)
• Dolly Parton Stampede Dinner Show (we’ve also been to the one in Branson, MO)
• The Island in Pigeon Forge (Don’t skip the ferris wheel!)
• The Mountain Mile Shopping Mall (outdoor shopping mall with tons of green space for the kids to run and play for free. There is a little train that you can purchase tickets to ride on and the whole family can fit.)
• The Old Mill Restaurant – Best Place To Eat Hands Down 4.6 on Google – but we would give it 5 stars. Our wait was 20 minutes, but while you wait you can walk to the next door gift shop, the candy store, and visit other things to see in this tiny little “town” they’ve created surrounding the restaurant. Your party’s name will be announced when it’s your turn and you can hear them over the loudspeaker no matter which gift shop, store or outdoor area you’re waiting in. The food was delicious and we ordered everything from shrimp, to chicken, and a burger. Everything comes with homemade desserts.
• Sunliner Diner – Most Overrated Place To Eat in Pigeon Forge – it has a 4.8 on Google which puts it higher than the Old Mill. I wanted to love this place because it’s so cute! Unfortunately, our wait was long. Our kids were bored. And the food was nothing to write home about. 2-star at best.

Pigeon Forge is Military Friendly! If you have a military veteran or active duty service member in your family, almost every single attraction or accommodation in Pigeon Forge will offer a discount.

Road Trip Packing List for Parents Traveling with Twin Toddlers

Here’s a quick list of essentials we always pack when taking a road trip with our twin toddlers:

Road Trip Supplies

• Tablets or activity books for the drive – our girls loved these mess-free Paw Patrol water pen books
• Favorite stuffed animals
• Small bin of travel toys – Rubble & Crew toys were a hit with the girls!
• Snack spinners, one for each toddler – I included pretzels, cheez-its, strawberries, cut up string cheese, and tiny cucumber bites and kept the snack spinners in a small cooler bag until they wanted them.
• We also like our small snackle boxes, but for this trip we tried the spinners. Both work great. (The snackle boxes hold more!)
• Refillable water bottles
• Baby wipes to clean up messes
• Small trash can or bag for inside the car
• Paper towels handy just in case
• Change of clothes that is easy to access (not stuffed away in suitcases)
• Diaper Clutch for your folding travel potty seat to take with you into public restrooms at each stop
• Hand sanitizer

Toddler Essentials

• Car seats (double-check expiration dates and install correctly!)
• Car seat foot-rest! – imagine dangling your legs for 12 hours with nothing to rest your feet on! 😱 Our girls love having these in the car to put their feet up and this brand designs some that are waterproof leather to match your seats and easy to wipe clean if they get dirt on them.
• Portable sound machine – Babysense Dreamer Night Light is our girls’ favorite – you can use my code SHELBY10 for 10% off if you shop at Babysense
• Blanket or comfort item from home
• Portable folding potty seat – Frida Baby is our favorite!
• Potty stool
• Twin umbrella stroller or wagon – this has been our favorite brand for affordable compact umbrella strollers for our twins, just grab a universal double stroller canopy to extend the one they have built-in if you get the Delta.

Sleep & Routine

• Babysense Max View Non-Wifi baby monitor ✅
• Portable blackout curtains or SlumberPod (if your kids are light-sensitive)
• White noise app or device
• Pool noodles for makeshift “bed rails”
• Pajamas and sleep sacks
• Toothbrushes, hairbrush, and bath-time favorites

Health & Safety

• First aid kit
• Thermometer
• Sky & Sol Sunscreen and bug spray
• Emergency contact cards

Parent Must-Haves

• Extra phone charger
• Travel mug for coffee (because: toddlers 😅)
• Snacks and drinks for YOU
• Patience, a good playlist, and a sense of humor

Why We Never Travel Without Our Babysense Max View Non-Wifi Baby Monitor

One item that always goes into our travel bag is our Babysense Max View Non-Wifi baby monitor. It’s truly a game-changer for hotel stays and Airbnbs. I love it because I never have to worry about whether or not the WiFi will work, how secure it is, or if I’ll be able to connect my phone.

When traveling with twin toddlers, I need a monitor that’s reliable and quick to set up—and this one delivers. Whether we’re tucked into a cozy mountain cabin or staying in a roadside suite, I know I can keep an eye on my girls without any tech hiccups. Grab it here using my link and code: SHELBY10 to get 10% off yours!

Final Thoughts: Why We Prioritize Family Travel

Traveling with twins isn’t always smooth, but it’s always worth it. These are the memories we’ll look back on—the hotel pillow fights, the roadside picnics, the surprised giggles as they see something new for the first time. That’s why we make it a point to plan at least one summer vacation each year. You only get 18 summers with your children at home. And those summers? They’re more than just a break from routine—they’re the foundation of a lifetime of family connection.

👉 Want to read more about why summer travel matters so much to us? Check out our heartfelt post: “18 Summers”