What is the best travel gear for kids?
Alright! You’re ready to start traveling with kids more. Don’t panic. Family travel is amazing!
One of your biggest concerns may be what are the best kids travel items and how to keep your kids safe and happy when traveling.
We’re family travel experts! We’ve been traveling for over 20 years now, nine of those have been traveling with kids since our eldest was born.
We’ve experienced baby travel, toddler travel, pre-school travel, and now pre-teen travel.
So we know what is the best travel gear for kids to make your life, and theirs, easier and happier.
Best Travel Gear for Kids
For our list of the best travel gear for kids, I am going to focus on just travel products and the best travel accessories for kids, or for making traveling with kids easier and safer.
Not backpacks or laptop bags for Mum and Dad. These are super useful but fit into the more general travel gear category. If you want info on that we have it here:
11 of the best suitcases for travel
10 of the best travel backpacks
50 of the best travel gifts
When it comes to kids travel accessories, you literally could take suitcases of travel stuff to make you life easier and your child happier and more comfortable.
But, who wants to do that? You’re going away to unplug from the chaos and release yourself form the burden of having too much stuff.
Don’t take it with you. You know it’s too hard to manage.
Your kids will be fine. Give them an opportunity to adapt to life outside of the secure home and in a new environment and help them learn how to be resourceful.
Ask yourself:
What really is essential?
What can I not travel without because it will make things unsafe for my kids?
Basically, kids need very little for entertainment, very little clothes, very little travel gear.
It does depend on the age of your child. You will need more travel items for babies, because you may be considering feeding, sleeping, and keeping them safe and secure.
Consider your travel style when it comes to babies. Road trips and resort stays work best.
Less movement from A to B = less hassle for carrying baby gear and luggage. (Except if you have a car then it’s so much easier.)
This list of the best travel gear for kids is what we think are the most essential travel products to help you have an enjoyable, safe and comfortable trip.
Table of Contents:
Click the links below to go direct to the family travel products of interest or scroll down.
Best family travel gear for babies
Best family travel gear for toddlers
Best family travel gear for technology
Best family travel gear for luggage and storage
Best Baby Travel Gear
We don’t travel with high chairs, eating utensils, or other kids travel accessories that are not essential and only add weight.
Most restaurants and hotels will have high chairs, if not just sit them on your lap or in their pram. You may feel you can’t cope without a high chair. No problem. Do what’s best for you and your family.
Here’s a list of what we think is the best travel gear for babies and what made our life easier.
Portable Travel Crib
We traveled with a portable crib to New Zealand when Savannah was 8 weeks old. It was brilliant and it came on many road trips with us, or sleep overs at a friends house.
Check out this travel crib and portable baby playard which is small, compact and lightweight making it easy to carry. They are super easy to put together and comfortable. The breathable mesh is good for the
They are super easy to put together and comfortable. The breathable mesh is good for the bubs and makes it easier for you to keep an eye on them.
Baby Wipes + Hand Sanitizer
I am not a germaphobic and I rarely get sick. I think our kids don’t eat enough dirt in modern day society and their bodies are not given enough chance to develop natural immunities and adapt.
I will not be running after before them every 10 yards disinfecting everything they come into contact with. I’ll take the precautions that I feel are necessary and not going to flip me out.
You may want to take antibacterial hand sanitizer (small bottle). It’s worth it.
Baby wipes, however, I feel are the BOMB!! I don’t know how I ever survived without them. They’re good for everything and one of the best travel accessories with kids.
Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier
When Kalyra was a baby, I had a Baby Sling. I loved the idea of it, but it was bulky and awkward and I constantly feared Kalyra would fall out or be smothered. Plus it hurt my back.
For Savannah, the Baby Bjorn Carrier was everything that sling was not – easy to wear and easy to put Savannah in, safely secured and designed to grow with Savannah allowing us to carry her in it until she is about 15 months old.
Savannah loved the Baby Bjorn Carrier and would sleep inn it all day nestled up to my chest. I loved it too!
Travel Gear for Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding
I hated our trip to Thailand when Savannah was 17 months old as we had to travel with her bottles, baby formula and bottle steriliser.
It was a gigantic pain in the butt and changed our decision from backpacking Southeast Asia to embarking on our epic road trip around Australia.
Breastfeeding makes traveling so much easier. If you can’t or aren’t breastfeeding while traveling, there are a few essentials to travel with.
I am sure you have them anyway, but here are some recommendations.
Portable UV Sterilizer, Cleaner and Sanitizer for Pacifiers
This looks like a much better baby bottle and pacifier sterilizer option than I traveled with.
Insulated Double Bottle Storage Bag
I like how this Insulated baby bottle holder has attachable stroller straps. Check it out as one of the best kids travel items.
Car Baby Bottle Warmer
I never traveled with one of these baby bottle warmers for the car. I’d just get my hands on a kettle and warm the bottle up in a cup of hot water. This looks much better and would be on my shopping list of best travel gear for kids.
Recommended breastfeeding pumps:
Medela Harmony Manual Breast Pump
Gland Single Electric Breast Pump Infants Baby Breastfeeding Pump
Soft Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets
I always liked traveling these soft cotton muslin swaddles. They are great for covering when breastfeeding in public, for shading my girls form the sun, keeping away pesky bugs, or wrapping them up .
Baby Travel Diaper Bag
Again, I’m sure you have one already. Get one that includes a baby change mat. It will definitely get used a lot!
Travel and Day Care Diaper Bag Set
I like this diaper bag if you prefer shoulder bags. Great compartments and extra packing cell features and it will hold a lot.
Travel Diaper Bag Backpack Organizer
If you prefer to carry your diaper bag on your back, this is a good one if you prefer backpack style.
Portable Soft Silicone Travel bottle Set
These portable silicone travel bottles are also great for carrying any lotions.
Related Post – Tips for breastfeeding while traveling
Best Travel Gear for Toddlers
Life Jacket
If you are visiting a place where you will be swimming a lot or going out on boats, it’s a good idea to carry a child’s life jacket for your younger children. We carried one on our road trip and we used it often.
I really really wish we had one when we visited Thailand. Savannah was way too young and taking a boat trip with her and having no life jacket was stressful.
Rapid-Dry Life Jacket
Check out this life jacket on Amazon as one of the best kids travel items.
Best Travel Car Seats
Challenging travel without a car seat in Thailand
Traveling with a car seat depends on where we are traveling.
If we are visiting Asia, we don’t worry about taking a car or booster seat. Most of the time the vehicles there don’t even have seat belts!!!
It really did make traveling in Thailand difficult when Savannah was 17 months, she’s just wanted to roam around the car and was hard to keep her restrained.
Inflatable Booster Seat
The bubble gum booster seat comes recommended. I think we’ll travel with one of these from now on – easy to chuck in your bag! I wish I knew about them before writing this post. It’s a fantastic kids travel items.
Travel Stroller or Pram
We found it worthwhile traveling with a stroller – definitely one of best travel gear for kids items. It’s so much easier, but it does depend on where you go and how you travel around.
A baby carrier may be adequate for you, although, be warned they can exhaust you!
Strollers are great for pushing kids around but also for giving them a place to sit and for feeding. You can also carry bags in them if your child is running around. Be careful of the weight if you add bags on to the handle when they are in them.
Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller
We don’t own a stroller any longer, but this infant 3Dlite convenience stroller is lightweight, sturdy, compact and comes with good reviews on Amazon as one of the best travel gear for kids.
Best Family Travel Product – Kelty hiking carrier
This Kelty Hiking Carrier was our absolute favourite family travel product when our girls were toddlers and easily makes our list of best travel gear for kids!
We explored a lot further with this carrier, with a lot less whining. Savannah loved watching the world from above our shoulders. There’s no better way to help your little-legged children connect to nature and yourselves.
We got a lot of hiking miles out of our Kelty. It fit comfortably and felt like Savannah was always secure with a 5-point harness system and was easy to get her in and out of.
The Kelty Hiking Carrier comes with a nice amount of storage for packing wipes, diapers, and change of clothes. And it comes with a sun hood!
Buy one on Amazon.
Micro Scooter
One of the best travel products we purchased for our kids on our road trip around Australia was one of these micro scooters.
Yes, they are a little expensive, but we never regretted our decision.
Savannah loves how it has three wheels and a flexible handle for maneuvering. Instead of demanding to be carried everywhere she happily rides her scooter. It’s brilliant for helping you see more without damaging your back!
Check them out on Amazon.
Best Kids Travel Items for Technology
Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Yep. Travel gadgets make our life easier. Here’s what we travel with.
Our kids love watching movies, listening to music or playing games on their devices so finding comfortable headphones has been a priority.
Previously Savannah would have to hold the ear plug style headphones in which was never practical, and often they like to watch together so I like how these headphones have a share port, no need for splitters!
If you want wired headphones, check out these.
Samsung Tablet
Kalyra and Savannah both have a Samsung Tablet, which they love and have proven to be one of the best travel gadgets for kids.
They use these them to record their own photos and videos and for games and movies and research – either school based learning or fun.
I have no problem with the girls watching movies or playing games on the tablet, especially on long road trips or flights. They have more than enough time pursuing other interests outside of the devices. We keep the balance in check.
Procase Cover
Whatever you do, don’t forget the cover for your tablet! It’s worth the extra expense. They’re kids, they have butter fingers a lot!
They’re half the price on Amazon to what we paid for them!
Quik by GoPro app
We love the Quik by GoPro app for making super easy fun and entertaining videos. Great for the kids to use.
Related post – What lenses are in our camera bag
Best Family Travel Luggage & Storage
Carry-On Luggage
I’ve done a lot of research on carry-on suitcases, and as soon as we relocate to the USA we are buying both our kids one of these Delsey carry-on suitcases.
Unfortunately, Amazon doesn’t ship these to our current home base in Australia but they come highly recommended from other family travelers we know as being light weight and easy to maneuver, practical, stylish and durable.
I like how they have a large easy to access front padded compartment for electronics and two zippered mesh pockets for travel accessories – 20 inch is a good size for kids luggage.
Our kids have already chosen their color, brick red! Check out the reviews on Amazon.
Trunki Ride on Suitcases
If I was to have my time again, I’d get a Trunki suitcase for the girls. They are quite the rage for young children to travel with and on through airports!!
They seem perfect for keeping them entertained, engaged in the travel experience and responsible for it! They consistently rank as a one of the top travel items for kids.
Travel Packing Cubes
We’ve never really known how to pack a suitcase efficiently. Throw everything in the bag, sit on it, and then zip it up.
It wasn’t too bad when we had backpacks because the different compartments helped us stay a little organized. But now that we have two kids we mostly travel with suitcases.
Travel packing cubes are a lifesaver and one of the best travel accessories.
In each packing cube we roll up each item and arrange clothes based on type and season. It helps me find the clothes I need for the girls, as I separate dresses, undies, skirts, tops etc into different packing cells
Grab them on Amazon.
Also Mums, this travel underwear organizer is to die for. It’s my favorite travel product and wanted to slip this one in there for you!
Travel Day Packs for Kids
Sprocket Pack
We have a travel day pack each for the girls. They’re responsible for packing their entertainment and desired comforts for plane and road trips. It comes in handy also for hiking and day explorations.
They are comfortable and strong and have lasted us a couple of years now.
We use a Kathmandu Kid’s Sprocket Pack.
Lily Bloom Crossbody Bag
My Aunty gave this crossbody bag to Kalyra for Christmas. It’s her favorite kids travel accessory at the moment. She carries her tablet, sunnies, pencils, and purse in it. It’s made from recycled plastic and is very groovy!
Medical First Aid Kit
I can’t tell you the regret I’ve felt at times for traveling without a thermometer and kid’s Panadol and band aids. A good medical kit is essential, especially when traveling with kids. For peace of mind they are one of the best travel gear for kids items.
I like how compact this one is. It includes everything.
Kids Toiletry Bag
I recently purchased the girls a travel toiletry bag each. Best decision ever.
Now their stuff is not mixed in with mine and it’s teaching them about responsibility. They have an increased interest in flossing and brushing their hair.
Inside the toiletry bags, I have toothbrush and holder, floss, brush, hair bands, face wipes and lip gloss.
Here’s a cute one on Amazon
Lunchbox
If you are road tripping, a lunch box with compartments is brilliant. It saves on plastic and wrapping and helps your children take responsibility for their own food.
I pack their lunch boxes on our road trip and let them know if they choose to eat it all in the first five minutes they’ll have nothing left. They got really good at spacing out the food and they loved opening it to see what surprises lay in there.
I think a stainless steel bento style lunch box is best.
Ziplocs
Ziplocs are a lifesaver for food, lotions, potions, pencils, toy bits etc. They really can make the family travel life easier.
Water Purifier Bottle
Traveling somewhere you know the water isn’t safe to drink? Then this can be one of the best travel gear for kids items.
This Camelbak Purifier Bottle has a purification system built right into the water bottle. We used a similar bottle for our 5 month trip in Africa, and your health is not something you want anyone to compromise.
They’re good to travel with no matter where you are going!
Wovii Towels
We’re long term users and fans of Wovii towels. They’re awesome for travel – bright and colourful, good for bath and beach, and so soft.
You can even use them as blankets if need be. I love the extra large for myself and the smaller size for the girls. Go bright with your kids travel accessories!
I love the extra large for myself and the smaller size for the girls. Go bright with your kids travel accessories!
Alie Jane Designer Travel Products
We were introduced to Alie Jane, a local designer from Newcastle, by my sister. She gave us several Christmas presents made by Alie Jane after discovering her store in Newcastle. She is also on Etsy.
Bored with dull beige and black designs, she was inspired to create bright, fun and colorful travel accessories. All designs are made from both new and vintage fabrics sourced locally and from trips overseas.
Here’s what we have:
Mexican Oilcloth toiletry bag for Savannah. It can also be used as a bag for your wet swimmers or lunch bag.
Neck/back travel pillow for me
Pencil Wrap for Kalyra
They are so gorgeous travel accessories for kids (and you)!
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Do you have any recommendations for the best travel gear for kids?
Best Travel Gear for Kids – 30 Items to Keep Them Happy and Safe!
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