7 Travel Must Haves with Kids
Let’s be real. Traveling with kids can turn you into a pack mule.
You feel like you need to pack every single thing they MIGHT need while you’re away from home to make your trip go smoothly, which can cause a lot of stress and unnecessary time. But how many things can these tiny humans actually need?
When we began traveling with my son, we packed every single thing we might possibly need and more. I even had a package shipped to the hotel! It was stressful and we didn’t even end up using half of it.
After many trips, I have taken when I’ve learned from prior travels and drastically reduced what we bring with us. We have gone from 2 checked bags and shipped boxes, to 2 carry-on bags for the same amount of time. Here are a few of my MUST HAVE items.
*Disclosure: I only recommend products that I believe in and would use myself. All opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Sound Machine
Travel brings unfamiliar sounds and noises that can make sleep difficult. Hallway sounds in a hotel, street sounds outside in a big city, air conditioning units kicking on can all startle your little one and make everyone sleep deprived.
One way to combat those strange sounds is with a sound machine. I like the HoMedics Sound Spa because it is thin, lightweight and most importantly can be run on batteries. Not only does it have a white noise setting to drown out any ambient sounds, but it has 5 other soothing sounds, like rain and brook. There’s something about water sounds that I find so relaxing.
Emergency Identifiers
No matter how careful you are, there is always a possibility that you can become separated from your child while traveling. The thought of this creates panic for any parents. There are a few different options that I love to have your contact information safely available in case this happens.
Reusable ID bracelets from Road ID are durable, lightweight and super comfortable for kids to wear. The engraved plate can feature up to 2 emergency contact numbers and health information. It comes with 3 silicone bands in different sizes so it can grow with your child, plus it’s waterproof!
Another fun option comes from one of my favorite shops, Love & Lion. She makes custom temporary tattoos with your contact information that you can stick on your child’s arm. There are many fun designs to choose from, including Disney, which are perfect for those theme park visits!
Portable Battery
There is nothing worse than having that “10% battery” notification pop up when you are nowhere near a charging station. Imagine that happening to your child’s tablet in the middle of a long flight?? Yikes!
For the last decade I have never traveled without a portable battery pack. I’ve used a variety of different brands and Mophie is by far my favorite. They have different sizes based on your needs and budget, but I really like the Powerstation PD XL for its size and ability to carry up to 4 charges.
Travel Trays & covers
Perfect for car and air travel alike, travel trays are a must to help keep surfaces clean and germs at bay! I really like this option from Lusso Gear. It has a shoulder strap from easy carrying, side pockets for supplies, cup holder, tablet stand and a collapsible box for small items. This can easily fit on a tray table on a plane or on your child’s lap in the car.
Another thing to keep in your bag are disposable table toppers. These come in handy at restaurants and on airplanes - anywhere really! Forget your sanitizing wipes? Stick a table topper down and you’ve got a clean surface to eat or play on!
Lightweight Stroller
A question I get very often is, does my child really still need a stroller when they are 6, 7, 8 years old? My answer will always be a resounding YES. Vacations, especially theme park vacation, are very different from daily life. There is much more walking and activity involved than they are used to and having a place for your child to rest their legs and grab a snack will be crucial for the whole family to enjoy their time. No one wants a cranky kid on their hands!
This is why I strongly recommend investing in a high quality lightweight stroller for travel. It may be tempting to get a cheap umbrella stroller if you don’t think you will use it very often, but you will quickly regret that decision when your back hurts and you have no storage! Plus, a good stroller can last you for 8+ years, so it’s definitely worth it.
My absolute favorite strollers are by Maclaren, like this Techno XLR Arc Travel System. It is super lightweight, folds with one hand and has a shoulder strap that make is it easy to carry. There is also plenty of storage and the cover can even be used a table. I may have done this on many occasion while eating at an Epcot festival or two.
CARES Child Aviation Restraint System
When your child turns 2, they will require their own seat on an airplane, but they are still so tiny! The CARES Safety Harness will be your best friend when flying because you won’t have to lug a heavy car seat around with you. This 5-point harness (approved by the FAA) easily installs onto the airline seat and weighs less than one pound, so you can just keep it in your carry-on bag. It frees up so much space and takes much less energy to get set up!
Click here to learn more about the CARES Child Aviation Restraint System.
Medicine Kit
While overpacking causes stress, being prepared can drastically reduce it. A medical emergency is not something you want to be unprepared for while traveling, so I always make sure to have a fully stocked medicine kit with me for all those what ifs.
Here’s what I bring:
Children’s Motrin & Benedryl
Adult Pain Relievers & Cold Medicine
Pepto Bismol & Immodium
Daily Vitamins
Prescription Medication
Adhesive Bandages & Antibacterial CreamHand Sanitizer
All of these items, including liquid medications, can go in your carry-on bags even if they exceed the TSA’s 3-1-1 liquid rule. I highly recommend keeping them with you at all times in case you need them.
Bonus: Travel Potty Seat
Now this is not something I have ever used, but I recently learned about it from a group of other travel loving moms and thought it was brilliant! I wish I had this with me when C was younger and potty training!
The Jool Baby Potty Seat is a foldable seat that fits over most standard and public toilets. It has silicone pads to avoid slipping, weighs less than 1 pound and comes with a travel bag to keep germs contained between cleanings.
Traveling with kids doesn’t have to be stressful, it should be a fun adventure. By streamlining your packing process and only bringing things to make your travels easier, you will have a much more enjoyable experience.
Happy Travels!
