The Best $30 Sleep Hack for Traveling with a Toddler
(Yes, it beats aluminum foil…read more for details)
This post is for all the parents whose toddlers have outgrown the travel crib & SlumberPod combo—but still need complete darkness to sleep. Here’s how we stumbled into the Amazon Basics Portable Blackout Curtains with Suction Cups—and why we don’t travel without them now.
When the SlumberPod Era Ends…
Chloe was about 3 years old when she officially aged out of the SlumberPod + Guava Lotus setup. We transitioned her to the Hiccapop inflatable toddler bed, which was perfect—except for one big issue: light.
On trips, she’d start waking up at 6:30 a.m. sharp thanks to bright windows in unfamiliar rooms. We were desperate.
Yes, We Taped Foil to the Window
At the grandparents’ house, we went full DIY and taped aluminum foil to the windows. It took 8 minutes to set up and made the house look like one room was renovated into an air fryer. It worked… but it was not sustainable for regular travel. Or the environment. Or our dignity.
Enter: Amazon Basics Blackout Curtains
In a moment of post-foil clarity, I searched Amazon for a travel blackout solution. I landed on these Amazon Basics Portable Blackout Shades, and though I was skeptical (could suction cups really hold up blackout curtains?), I ordered them anyway.
First test: a super-bright Airbnb in Zion.
We suctioned them onto two large windows, and boom—pitch black. Chloe slept until her normal time. We slept. Everyone won.
Travel-Friendly & Easy to Use
- Setup: Way faster than foil. Suction cups stick right on the glass—no damage, no tools.
- Performance: Occasionally, a suction cup might pop off in the middle of the night, but there are so many, it doesn’t impact sleep.
- Coverage: Each curtain easily covers a large 4x5 foot window.
- Packing: Folds into a small material pouch. Not the easiest to re-fold neatly, but we manage. Lightweight and always in our suitcase now.
Final Verdict
This is now a must-pack item for all our trips. We’ve used these blackout curtains on at least 5 trips so far, and they’ve worked like a charm in every room.
If you’re parenting a toddler who’s outgrown the SlumberPod but still needs darkness to sleep, don’t sleep on this product (pun intended). It’s affordable, effective, and makes everyone happier on vacation.
🛒 Shop the Product
Amazon Basics Portable Blackout Curtain Shades with Suction Cups, 50” x 78”, 2-Pack, Moon and Stars
Buy on Amazon
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