Traveling with kids can be hard. Every stop takes double the time you expected, you need twice the amount of gear, and planning ahead is an absolute must. Normal toddler fussing is instantly amplified when the whole family is stuck together in a car or a plane. On the other hand, traveling with your children can also be the most rewarding experience. After traveling cross-country with my three wild kids multiple times, I can tell you that the memories made make it worth all the trouble.
Worried about the trip or nervous to take the plunge? Let’s hook you up with Amazon’s top travel gear essentials. These travel gadgets and tools will help you travel with kids like a pro. Along the way, I’ll share my best tips for making your trip smooth and enjoyable for all. Spoiler alert: you’re going to need to roll with the punches as a traveling parent.
Keep Your Gear Organized With This Car Organizer
I’m starting this list off with my top tip: don’t play all your cards at once. You’re going to want to bring a variety of activities and snacks for the trip, but only pass them out one item at a time. Save a new toy or treat for when your child starts getting fussy. And to keep all those treats organized, this car organizer is a lifesaver!
Your Kid Will Love These No-Mess Water Wow Painting Books
I’d love to personally thank Melissa and Doug for inventing the best toys ever. Fill up the included paintbrush pen with water, and your kids can paint away in the car or plane with no mess at all. And the best part? The color fades as it dries, so your kiddo can paint every page over and over. From toddler to elementary age, I promise your kids will love these.
Let Your Child Stretch Out In An Airplane With This Inflatable Footrest
This one’s a little extra, I’ll admit. But pop this inflatable footrest in, and you can transform an airplane seat into a comfy bed so your child can sleep. It’s a must for long flights. You can also use these in front of a forward-facing car seat or booster for extra leg support on long trips.
Eat On The Go With This Cupholder Travel Tray
Go ahead and plan on every road trip stop lasting twice as long as you think it will. Eating a few meals on the go is a great time saver, especially if you plan ahead and pack a lunch instead of stopping. Either way, this travel tray fits in your child’s car seat cupholder for easy access. Because no one’s having any fun when your kid in the third row drops their sandwich.
This LCD Writing Tablet Keeps Kids Of All Ages Occupied
We all have fond memories of drawing on a magnetic doodle board. Let me introduce you to this generation’s doodle board. These cute little boards are lightweight, super thin, and erase in a flash! Mom and Dad even enjoy doodling on these. Pro tip: if you lose the included pen, any hard object will work to write on them! Plastic spoon left over from the last pit stop? You got it, kid. Roll with the punches, my friend.
Go With The Flow With This Travel Potty
Add this one to your list of parenting things you never thought you would need. But let me warn you, at some point in your child’s life, they will suddenly and urgently let you know Mother Nature is calling when you’re in the middle of nowhere between towns. Unless you want a major “clean up on aisle 3” moment, you’ll be glad you have one of these stowed in the back.
Save Your Sanity With This Headrest Tablet Holder
Unless you’ve hit the parent jackpot and have a built-in entertainment center, you’re going to want one of these headrest tablet holders for in-car movie watching. You can always hand the tablet over for your kiddo to watch, but inevitably they’re going to drop it or accidentally click off their program. Most likely hundreds of times. This will save your sanity, trust me.
Grab These Kids Headphones To Save Your Ears
Going right along with the tablet holder, do yourself a favor and grab a set of these kid headphones. Pro tip: choose a corded set rather than wireless so your child can pull the cord to retrieve them when they inevitably drop them. No guarantees, but there’s a chance you might actually get a moment of peace and quiet. Maybe even a nice adult conversation if you’re lucky.
Elementary-Age Kids Love These Paint By Sticker Books
This one is for the parents of older kids. My six-year-old absolutely loves these books, and even my ten-year-old niece loves them. Each picture takes quite a bit of time to complete, so you’re sure to get a break from the incessant “are we there yets.”
Keep Them Busy With This Lacing Toy
This lacing toy is great for travel since each toy is all in one piece rather than loose beads. Lacing is a great fine motor skill activity, and your kid will love playing with a new toy on their trip.
Get Great Sleep With This Portable Blackout Curtain
Once you reach your destination, sleep is the next challenge on your list. We all know our kids don’t sleep well when they’re not at home. This blackout curtain suction cups to any window, and just may give you a chance to sleep in rather than waking up at dawn. May the odds be ever in your favor.
Promote Sibling Fun With This Dry-Erase Game Book
Melissa and Doug for the win, yet again. This fun book lets your elementary-age siblings play games together in the car. Pro tip: offer a fun reward for playing nicely.
Make Memories With This Kids Digital Camera
This toy is absolutely perfect for kids of any age. My kids love snapping photos on our trips, and I love how engaging it is for them. The camera also has a few simple arcade games, too. I’ve never even bothered downloading the pictures – it’s just priceless to watch them taking photos.
This Handheld Game System Is Great For Travel
Let your kiddo play some old-school arcade games on this handheld gaming system for a quiet break. And at such a great price, you won’t have to worry about it getting lost or damaged on your trip.
Nap On The Road With This Travel Sound Machine
My advice for those with infants and toddlers: try to plan your travel during naptime and let the motion soothe your babe to sleep. This travel sound machine will help your child drift into the nap-zone.
This Nostalgic Polly Pocket Toy Is The Perfect Size For Travel
News flash! Polly Pockets are back! These cute, compact, wearable toys are great for imaginary play on the road or in the air.
Flying? This Car Seat Travel Belt Will Save Your Back
If you’re flying with a car seat, this travel gadget is a must. The average convertible car seat weighs over 25 lb. With this belt, you can strap your car seat to your rolling suitcase. Rolling the car seat around the airport made my trip so much easier!
This Washable Marker Set Comes With a Travel Carrying Case
Most kids love to color, but it’s tricky to keep the markers from dropping in the car. This handy carrying case has a spot for each marker, a place for paper, and a hard surface to draw on. I couldn’t ask for more.
Travel Hand Sanitizer Wipes To Tackle Travel Messes
With all those road trip snacks I told you to bring, you’re going to want some road trip wipes for easy cleanup. I’m also sure my kids are not the only ones who want to touch every single thing in sight everywhere we go. Try going to a public bathroom with three kids in tow, and you’ll see why you need these ASAP.
Have Some Family Fun With Bop It!
Yet another nostalgic favorite, Bop It! will bring some family fun to your road trip. Pass it around and see who can get the highest score.
Eat Out With Ease With This Clip-On High Chair
Holding a squirmy infant or toddler while you try to eat your own meal is nearly impossible. This compact travel high chair clips onto any table, so you can actually eat your meal too. I highly recommend it.
Make more Space In Your Luggage With These Vacuum Storage Bags
You will be shocked at all the things you need to bring on even a short trip when you’re packing for kids. These vacuum storage bags are my secret weapon for saving space in the car and luggage. You can even squeeze in your little’s favorite stuffed animals to surprise them at their destination without taking up much space.