36 Vacation Essentials That Make Traveling With Kids 10X Easier
We all deserve a sunshine vacation and the chance to unwind and make memories with our family. Traveling can be a stressful chore, and when you throw children into the mix, it may seem like a recipe for disaster. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of the 37 travel essentials that will make the […]
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.
We all deserve a sunshine vacation and the chance to unwind and make memories with our family. Traveling can be a stressful chore, and when you throw children into the mix, it may seem like a recipe for disaster. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of the 37 travel essentials that will make the experience a whole lot easier. From clever toys that can offer hours of entertainment to flight essentials that curb motion sickness and even protective clothing that will keep them safe in the sun. These game-changing products are highly rated on Amazon by parents for their effectiveness, durability, and reliability. So, whether you’re hitting the road for a lengthy drive or heading to the airport for a long-haul flight, be sure to snap these up and get your vacation off to a stress-free start.
This Pillow Supports Small Heads for Long Journeys
This pillow is designed to keep your child’s head stable during a nap and avoid them waking up with neck pain. The cozy material feels soft on the skin, and it’s machine-washable for easy care. Plus, you can clip it onto their bag when it’s not in use.
These Water Shoes Are Great for Pool Days
The thick rubber soles of these water shoes are non-slip and keep your little ones’ feet protected from sharp objects or hot sand. The flexible design makes them easy to slide on, and they’re fast-drying.
This Sandscreen Removal Bag Makes Beach Days Easier
There’s nothing like making memories at the beach, but we hate the amount of sand that seems to follow you home. This sand remover is perfect for getting every grain and is sure to become a beach bag essential.
This Tray Is Great for On-The-Go Snacks
This clever tray fits right into a car cup holder, and the base can also be removed for flat surfaces. The silicone design is durable, and the high sides avoid big spills.
This Coloring Book Is Mess Free
Does your kid love to paint? Avoid spills on the plane with this coloring book that offers all the creative fun with none of the cleanup. The finger paint only shows its color on the pages and won’t transfer to the skin or clothing.
This Powder Sunscreen Is Great for Fussy Kids
Keeping your kids safe in the sun is tricky when they’re fussy about the application. This mineral sunscreen won’t feel as cold as a liquid formula, and the brush is soft on the skin.
This Sticker Book Is Great for Creativity
Parents say this sticker book is an excellent find for kids. It offers fun pictures and coloring pages, too. Plus, the stickers are thick and not easy to rip, making them perfect for smaller hands.
These Portable Blinds Are Great for Daytime Naps
Bright sunshine can be a joy on vacation, but it’s not ideal for midday naps. These blackout blinds come with a reusable, self-adhesive tape that won’t cause any damage, and they not only block out sunlight but also UV rays.
This Stroller Can Fold Down for Flights
This stroller weighs less than five kilograms and folds to a compact size to easily fit into plane overhead compartments. The backrest has a breathable mesh to keep your child cool in hot climates, and the seat reclines for nap time.
This Plane Bed Is Perfect for Encouraging Sleep
Create a cozy spot for your little one to sleep during the flight. This plane bed attaches to the tray table with straps and can be used as a footrest or a hammock. Reviews insist it’s a real game changer for long hauls.
This Car Tablet Holder Is Ideal for Big Drives
Keep the kids entertained with a long movie. This tablet holder fits car headrests with a clamp design and can take up to 40 lbs of weight, so you don’t need to worry about it falling off. You can also adjust the angle of the screen so everyone gets the perfect view.
This Cross Body Bag Keeps Your Essentials Safe
No parent wants to be weighed down with heavy bags on vacation. That’s why the lightweight design of this cross-body design is so popular. The front zipper bag is great for devices, and the inner pockets can be used for your passport or credit cards.
These Travel Patches Offer Lasting Care
If your child is prone to travel sickness, these patches provide relief for up to 72 hours. Plus, they’re made with a natural material that won’t irritate the skin.
This Travel Tray Is Great for Cars or Plane Journeys
Surviving a long journey with young kids can be challenging, but parents give these travel trays high ratings for providing hours of entertainment. The straps can fit firmly around booster or car seats, and there are even storage pockets for toys, as well as a cup holder.
This Backseat Car Organizer Is Great for All Essentials
Packing for a long drive? This organizer fits easily over the back of a car seat. The range of mesh pockets can hold snacks, wipes, and toys. Best of all, there’s a large tablet sleeve for entertainment.
This Beach Bucket Set Is Collapsible
This beach bucket set comes with a storage bag, and the design collapses down to save you space in your luggage. Plus, the design is crafted from a non-toxic, BPA-free, soft silica gel.
Avoid Spills With This Tray Table
Keep things neat and organized with this travel tray. The sides fold up to avoid big spills, and it even comes with pockets for storage. Plus, there’s an array of patterns to choose from.
This Fan Is Multi-Functional
Not only can this fan offer a cooling breeze in the heat, but it also has a flashlight and a USB port for charging. Plus, one full charge can offer up to 19 hours of usage.
This Mini White Noise Machine Is Made for Peaceful Nights
Travel can really impact sleep patterns, but white noise is renowned for its calming impact and ability to drown out background sounds. This mini machine fits right into your pocket and has 15 looping soothing sounds to pick from.
This LCD Writing Tablet Is Perfect for Doodling
This tablet has no blue light or glare, so you don’t need to worry about your child suffering eye strain from prolonged use. For a pack of two, the price is a total steal, and you can wipe the screen clear with the touch of a button.
This Sun Hat Offers Style and Shade
Keeping your child’s head protected from the harsh heat can be a constant challenge, but this hat has a drawstring design for a firm fit and a wide brim for shade. It offers built-in UPF 50+ sun protection and comes in a great choice of colors, so your kid can pick their favorite.
Breeze Through the Airport With This Luggage
No parent wants to be weighed down by heavy luggage, but the clever design of this suitcase means it doubles as a means of transportation. Your child can sit comfortably on the case and be pulled along. Plus, there’s a seatbelt for extra safety.
This Bug Bite Relief Will Be a Game Changer
Take the sting out of insect bites — literally. This bug bite relief tool uses a hydrocolloid base, as well as aloe and witch hazel, to relieve the itch and help bites heal.
These AirTag Braclets Are a Great Buy
Speaking of getting lost, these bracelets for AirTags will keep you feeling assured. The AirTags fit into the bracelets,, and the soft silicone makes them comfortable for long wear. They are ideal if your child has a tendency to run off.
This Cozy Headband Is Great for Toddlers
If your child is too young to wear headphones or finds the heavy design uncomfortable, this headband is such a soft and cozy alternative. It also has a volume control option to avoid loud bursts in their ears, and there’s a variety of cute designs.
These Tray Covers Have Fun Doodles and Puzzles
Not only can these covers protect your little one from germs or bacteria, but they are designed with fun puzzles to keep them entertained. One pack includes ten covers.
This Toilet Seat Is Great for Potty Training
Potty training on the go? This seat folds down and even comes with its own storage bag. It fits over round or oval toilets, and the handles prevent your child from holding on to the bacteria-filled seats.
These Seat Covers Are Great for Avoiding Germs
You can never be sure how clean a bathroom is, so these seat covers can offer peace of mind when nature calls. For less than ten dollars, you get a pack of 50, and they’re flushable for easy disposal.
These Disposable Baby Bibs Are Leakproof
Keep your kid’s clothing clean and dry while they eat with these disposable bibs. The tapes can be adjusted for the perfect fit, and the large front pocket catches any spills.
This Insect Repellant Avoids Irritating Bites
Young kids and insect bites don’t make for a relaxing vacation. This insect repellant is formulated with 100% plant-based oils and is safe for children’s skin.
These Wrist Links Keep You Connected
Whether it’s a new city or a crowded airport, losing sight of your children is every parent’s worst fear. That’s why these wrist links are such a must-have. The chain can extend up to 1.5 meters, and the straps are adjustable for a firm but comfortable fit.
These Headphones Let You Control the Volume
These BuddyPhone headphones are compatible with an iPad, smartphone, Fire, iPhone, PC, or Mac. But best of all, they have volume-limiting control, so you don’t need to worry about your child accidentally blasting things too loudly. The cushioned pads are designed for comfort, and the headphones come with stickers for accessorizing.
These Laundry Bags Keep Clothes Protected
There is a never-ending cycle of laundry when you have kids, which seems to double when you’re away from home. These laundry bags are big enough to hold up to four washes, and they stop the odor from dirty clothes from getting onto the rest of your items.
This Mini Sound Machine Fits onto a Stroller
This sound machine‘s handy clip can be attached to your stroller, travel cot, or luggage handles. It’s battery-operated, so you don’t need to worry about international plugs, and parents insist it’s ideal for both home and travel.
The Baby Shusher Feels Like a Spare Pair of Hands
Sometimes babies just need to hear the soothing sound of your voice to go to sleep, but the Baby Shusher is designed to aid naps while giving parents a well-earned break. It gives off a gentle sound, and the small design makes it ideal for light packing.