Traveling with kids? I’ve rounded up my favorite family travel items – the ones that actually make a difference. From toddler gear to big kid essentials, this list has something for every kind of traveler.
What are the best items for traveling with kids?
Let’s talk traveling with kids, shall we? You clicked the link, so I’m guessing this is something you’re (at least) mildly curious about – and hey, welcome. I’m glad you’re here.
I won’t pretend to have all the answers when it comes to family travel, but after years of packing suitcases, boarding planes, taking road trips, and stuffing snacks and travel toys into every available pocket… I’ve learned a few things. Some travel days have gone surprisingly smooth. Others? Not so much. But every single trip has helped me hone one big truth about traveling with kids.
So let’s start there – with the one tip that always sets us up for success.
Think it through ahead of time.
My first (and best) tip for traveling with kids: think it through
As you plan your next trip or vacation, start by thinking about your real, everyday life. Your kids. Their rhythms. What makes them tick. What helps your days run smoothly at home – and what might help on the road.
This doesn’t mean overthinking things (we’re not spiraling into a parenting black hole of “what if” scenarios).
And it definitely doesn’t mean overpacking—because that can make vacation more stressful than it needs to be.
There’s a middle ground in the travel-with-kids game, and that’s where I like to stay. I’m not a minimalist, but I don’t bring the kitchen sink either. I try not to overcomplicate things, but I do take a thoughtful look at what will set us up for success.
My favorites to take on vacation with kids
This list is not exhaustive.
There are so many things that can make traveling with kids easier. But these are the items that have made the biggest difference for my family. Some are everyday essentials. Others might seem a little random. But all of them have helped our trips run vacation-smooth (which is definitely a different kind of smooth than at-home smooth).
We bring these on nearly every trip, whether we’re road-tripping to Grandma’s or flying cross-country to an amusement park.
I truly hope something here helps you as you prep and pack. Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be a stressful nightmare… but it does take a little bit of thoughtful planning (and a lot of snacks).
The best travel items for families
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The Zipper Pouches
MVP of vacation: the zipper pouches. These pack easy, hold a ton, and come in different sizes. We use these to pack: kid toiletries, sun screen, goggles, snacks, first aid, electronic cords, etc.
Packing Cubes
Get on this train, NOW. Packing is 100x easier with packing cubes. We have a set for every member of the family and mix n’ match each vacation. I had no idea how much these would change my life.
They make packing, unpacking at the hotel, and packing to come home the simplest process.
Vacuum Storage Bags
When we are tight on space (like going somewhere with cold weather), we use these vacuum storage bags. With these, we can get all our winter coats into a small suitcase plus a whole lot else with ease. To pack them up for going back home, we use the travel pump that comes with it.
Collapsible Wagon
If you are doing a beach vacation (like Hawaii) or will be visiting a hotel pool daily, this is the better option than a stroller. You can pull it through the airport, check it or gate check it (talk to your airline), and then use it on vacation to haul gear. My kids are currently 12, 10, and 8. We still bring this wagon on vacation.
Video Camera
Laugh all you want, but consider this. Our childhoods were not recorded in 15 second clips on phones. We have long family movies of vacations, birthdays, and celebrations.
I want those minutes long videos for my kids and for future me. We bought this camera back in 2016 and it’s been a joy. We have so many LONG memories saved and easy to access.
Wake-Up Clock for Little Kids
We always travel with a wake-up clock for our kids so they know when they can wake up in the hotel room. No one wants a 5 am “good morning” on vacation. This brings a bit of normalcy and routine to my kids – it’s what they are used to at home. I love this one for travel because it doesn’t take up much space in a suitcase.
If you aren’t familiar with these clocks, they turn green when the child is to “wake up” and get out of bed. It’s an amazing visual strategy for helping kids in the morning. Read more about them in this post on clocks for kids.
Portable Clock for Big Kids
For kids who can read time, having a portable clock is enough to keep them “in the know.” My kids (8, 10, 12) have outgrown “ok to wake” style clocks but still follow our family room to stay quiet in bed until 7:30 when on vacation. These clocks help support that.
Portable Sound Machine
If your child is used to a sound machine at home, bring it with when you travel. Hotels are loud. Rentals aren’t home. Grandma’s house is still a different house. Help your child sleep better on vacation by bringing this part of home with. You won’t regret it.
Headphones
These are our favorites. I haven’t tried others so I can’t say anything more than “We’ve had them 4 years and they are fantastic.”
Tip: Before your first trip with headphones, make sure to practice using them. Don’t let the airplane or middle of the road trip be the first try with headphones.
Headphone Splitter
This allows two headphones to be connected and listen to the same device. This is so helpful for sharing screens with kids on vacation. My kids can plug in together and often do.
Travel Booster Seat
This is an inflatable booster seat that we travel with for our big kids. They’re amazing – but only if your child is only enough and sized right for them.
Rolling Luggage
If you’re looking for great rolling luggage that elementary aged kids can use, this is it. It’s spacious, has a lock, and rolls so easy. My kids feel so fancy pulling these (think ages 5+) and frankly, I like this as an adult, too.
Travel Fans
Laugh all you want at this suggestion but the number of hikes, hot days, and long wait times saved by these rechargeable fans… I can’t count it. We travel with one per kid and recharge them nightly.
Kid Backpacks
We love having our kids carry a few items in their backpacks, and this began around age 2. We’ve used a few different back packs over the years, but I love these two sizes. One is perfect for big kids (school sized) and the other is smaller for under age 5. There are many colors and styles.
Kid Water Bottles
We bring water bottles for the kids on every vacation that they can have in their bed. That way they aren’t coming to us for 47 drinks or trying to navigate a hotel room or rental when they’re thirsty.
These are also great for airplanes because they won’t spray water everywhere like the stray kind do.
Portable Cell Phone Charger
I travel with a back up battery ALWAYS on vacation (but especially at places where I need to use my phone lots and won’t have plug in options). I’m constantly taking pictures, videos, and getting us directions – it drains my battery fast and this keeps us up and running.
This one is a great size when traveling compared to the old “brick” style that needed a separate cord to attach to the phone.
Laundry Bag
Especially on road trip vacations or camping trips, I always bring a separate laundry bag. This makes coming home and unpacking so much easier (and makes it more likely I unpack us and get clothing rewashed sooner).
Portable Safe
Love having this portable safe for beach and pool trips on vacation. It’s easy to use, and I feel a lot safer about my phone, wallet, and car keys.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s about finding a middle ground between not taking everything and not taking enough/wishing you had something. For me, I sit down and think about our current day or how we behave in a current space (we don’t live near a beach so I have to think about what we look like there). I walk through our day. What we use at home is what we will on vacation. If we don’t use it at home, I don’t waste my time bringing it on vacation.
I have a whole list of travel toys for kids that I’d love to share with you. These are my tried-and-true list, and these toys have served me well.
Sure do! Here are my favorite activities to take for toddlers and preschoolers on airplanes.
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2.4 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie has written two home learning curricula, Playing Preschool and Branches. Her parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
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Maddy says
Carseats that are comparable for on the plane! Game changer. The kids are fairly used to long trips, so that’s one benefit. The other is they are used to being unable to exit their seats when in the carseats. I’m not looking back until they turn 5 or six I’m sure. Worth the extra hassle in my book!
Laura says
If you’re doing a road trip, we love this backseat box. Lid is firm and can be used as a table. (With flip up border to prevent things sliding off.) Cup holders in the front. Lots of pouches on the sides for headphones and such. Divider inside to separate for two kiddos. Seriously helpful on our 3 day drive.
High Road CarHop Car Seat Organizer for Kids and Adults with Cup Holder Tray, Side Pockets and Cooler Compartment (Large) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B018XXFBOK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_ET2Z7XA4Z3RYCJ7YGXQA
Laura says
Also these are fun: Regal Games Original Assorted Auto and Interstate Travel Bingo Set, Bingo Cards Great for Family Vacations, Car Rides, and Road Trips, Multi Color, 4 Pack https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00BJOG0LE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_1YG57RM8EH66PJ4DS5H2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Kathryn says
Love all your suggestions! We travel A LOT. And I would add a few items and swap the headphones.
We use the wireless Bluetooth headband headphones- total game changer bc they double as an eye mask for sleeping and the wireless element is the best feature!; zolli pops are zylitol lollipops that are good for teeth and help with ear pressure on takeoff and landing if your kids are past the bottle age; legos, mini sets in a small index card box are awesome for open ended play on the plane, at dinners, in the hotel etc.; and the modern cloth co mini cloths for coloring and story telling. (Please excuse my typos and terrible grammar/punctuation as I’m typing with one hand on my phone at bedtime 😂)
Molly says
We just did a Disneyland trip with my one year old and we were so glad we ordered some silicone toy/cup tethers to attach to the stroller. They were perfect for the bubble wand we bought (also great entertainment a little pricey) and the plastic water bottle he wanted to play with and kept us from constantly worrying he’d drop things. We also have a travel silicone placemat that was super helpful at restaurants.